Question 18 Marks
Each day is a chance to invest in life; a chance to renew yourself, to shed yesterday’s skin, to unburden yourself to get rid of yesterday’s hurt. Be glad of life each day as it gives you a chance to work, love and play, and to look at the sun. And then when the sun sets, don’t cry—the tears will make you miss the beauty of the stars.
Life moves on and if you don’t stop and look at the wonders already present in your life, you will miss life altogether.
Think of big thoughts but relish the small joys life offers you each day. Maybe it’s as simple as smiling at someone. For, that could be the last day of life—for you or for the other person.
A small genuine act from you will cost you nothing but it could mean everything to somebody that day. Life is a succession of moments. Live each moment. Life has no romance without risk. All actions carry some amount of risk, may be less or more, but the element of risk is always present.
If there is no wind, row. Make things happen rather than let things happen. One can give nothing whatsoever without giving oneself, risking oneself. The most important thing in life is not what you get but what you give.
Once a preacher called at the home of a very poor family. When he came out, he found one son admiring his new car, so the preacher explained that he had received it as a gift from his brother.
Most lads would say, “I wish I had a brother like that.” But this one said, “Mister, I wish I could be a brother like that.”
If you are not enjoying this journey, for sure you won’t enjoy the destination. It will become a moment to dread, not a moment you can actually look forward to. It’s not what happens that determines our future, but what you do about what happens that counts.
Conquer the mind and you conquer the world. Looking back strains your neck muscles. Similarly, living in the past strains your life. Don’t dwell on the past. Have faith in yourself and you will have faith in others. Fulfil your destiny. Remember, no one can make you unhappy without your consent.
The way you cope with life, is what makes the difference. Even peace of mind is not the absence of conflict but the ability to cope with it. You have to reach out to other people. That will teach you to forgive people and also forgive yourself.
Forgiveness means letting go of the past. Compassion is about stepping outside yourself. A kind compassionate act is often its own reward. Live your life without complaining, just like the tree.
1. What does the author suggest about how to start each new day?
2. What is the significance of the story of the preacher and the boy?
3. How does the author describe the importance of giving in life?
4. What is the real meaning of peace of mind according to the passage?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) To enjoy or take great pleasure in
(i) fulfil$\quad$(ii) relish$\quad$(iii) admire$\quad$(iv) complain
(b) To deal with or handle difficulties
(i) forgive$\quad$(ii) strain$\quad$(iii) cope$\quad$(iv) dread
Answer1. The author suggests beginning each day with a fresh mindset—letting go of past hurt, embracing renewal, and being thankful for life’s simple gifts like work, love, and nature. We should not mourn endings, but rather appreciate what follows, like stars after sunset.
2. The story shows that true generosity lies in the desire to be a giver. Instead of wishing for a generous brother, the boy wishes to become one. It reflects kindness and selflessness.
3. The author stresses that life is not about what we receive but what we give. Giving oneself—through small, meaningful acts or taking risks—is the highest form of contribution to others and to life.
4. Peace of mind does not mean a life without conflict, but the ability to handle those conflicts calmly. It involves forgiving others, letting go of the past, and practicing compassion.
Or
(a) (ii) relish
(b) (iii) cope
View full question & answer→Question 28 Marks
Each day is a chance to invest in life; a chance to renew yourself, to shed yesterday’s skin, to unburden yourself to get rid of yesterday’s hurt. Be glad of life each day as it gives you a chance to work, love and play, and to look at the sun. And then when the sun sets, don’t cry—the tears will make you miss the beauty of the stars.
Life moves on and if you don’t stop and look at the wonders already present in your life, you will miss life altogether.
Think of big thoughts but relish the small joys life offers you each day. Maybe it’s as simple as smiling at someone. For, that could be the last day of life—for you or for the other person.
A small genuine act from you will cost you nothing but it could mean everything to somebody that day. Life is a succession of moments. Live each moment. Life has no romance without risk. All actions carry some amount of risk, may be less or more, but the element of risk is always present.
If there is no wind, row. Make things happen rather than let things happen. One can give nothing whatsoever without giving oneself, risking oneself. The most important thing in life is not what you get but what you give.
Once a preacher called at the home of a very poor family. When he came out, he found one son admiring his new car, so the preacher explained that he had received it as a gift from his brother.
Most lads would say, “I wish I had a brother like that.” But this one said, “Mister, I wish I could be a brother like that.”
If you are not enjoying this journey, for sure you won’t enjoy the destination. It will become a moment to dread, not a moment you can actually look forward to. It’s not what happens that determines our future, but what you do about what happens that counts.
Conquer the mind and you conquer the world. Looking back strains your neck muscles. Similarly, living in the past strains your life. Don’t dwell on the past. Have faith in yourself and you will have faith in others. Fulfil your destiny. Remember, no one can make you unhappy without your consent.
The way you cope with life, is what makes the difference. Even peace of mind is not the absence of conflict but the ability to cope with it. You have to reach out to other people. That will teach you to forgive people and also forgive yourself.
Forgiveness means letting go of the past. Compassion is about stepping outside yourself. A kind compassionate act is often its own reward. Live your life without complaining, just like the tree.
1. What message does the passage give about how to begin each day?
2. What does the story of the preacher and the boy convey?
3. What does the author say about risk in life?
4.How can one achieve peace of mind according to the passage?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) To enjoy or take great pleasure in
(i) conquer$\quad$(ii) burden$\quad$(iii) relish$\quad$(iv) consent
(b) To deal with or handle difficulties
(i) admire$\quad$(ii) cope$\quad$(iii) risk$\quad$(iv) strain
Answer1. The passage encourages starting each day with a sense of renewal, letting go of past pain, and appreciating the opportunities to work, love, and enjoy life. It suggests being grateful for each sunrise and not mourning the sunset, as it leads to other beautiful things like stars.
2. The story shows that true greatness lies not in wishing for gifts or privileges, but in aspiring to be someone generous and kind. The boy's wish to be a brother like that reflects selflessness and a giving spirit.
3. The author explains that risk is a part of all actions and is necessary to live life fully. Without taking risks, there is no adventure or progress. Life has no romance without risk.
4. Peace of mind comes not from the absence of conflict, but from the ability to handle and cope with challenges. Forgiveness, compassion, and faith in oneself are essential for achieving inner peace.
Or
(a) (iii) relish
(b) (ii) cope
View full question & answer→Question 38 Marks
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
Answer1. The author believes that every great reality begins with a thought. If one can imagine something, they can achieve it too. Thoughts have the potential to turn into real things with belief and effort.
2. Most people avoid thinking big due to laziness, fear of extra work, and a desire to stay unnoticed to avoid trouble. They prefer to stick to assigned tasks rather than dream big.
3. When people become satisfied with small successes, they often stop pushing forward and underestimate their full potential. This limits their chances of achieving even bigger things in life.
4. The author encourages readers to have bold, limitless, and imaginative thoughts. He suggests thinking beyond what is possible or realistic and letting thoughts encompass the impossible or unheard-of.
Or
(a) (ii) conquer
(b) (iii) impervious
View full question & answer→Question 48 Marks
Unfortunately, of late, we have not been able to recognise the concept of respecting, caring and helping older generations in a systematic way as some of the countries in the West have done. This is not to suggest that our culture and history do not recognize this phase of life. There have been many practices of caring and helping old people in our system. But, with the dismantling of the joint family system, the problem has assumed newer and complicated proportions. Although we have started recognising the needs of the young but when it comes to the old, we have blissfully chosen to ignore them and have left them to fend for themselves.
There are old age homes, residential units for lower income groups in particular districts where there is a part-time medical officer to attend to the inmates. Then there are day-care centres and mobile medicare services besides other NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations).
Old age homes in the country are not only insufficient but are also ill-equipped to cater to old people. This should be the responsibility of the state since it needs close and regular monitoring. The social welfare departments in the Government have very little to boast when it comes to caring for older generation.
Society, too, has an important role to play. It must begin by respecting the aged and placing them before anyone else’s interest. In the West, if an old person is climbing down the stairs, he or she is helped. It is this kind of mindset, that is the need of the hour. Offering seats to the old, helping them cross the roads, assisting them carry their bags, fetching them water, etc. are some gestures which increase acceptability of old people.
In the family, senior citizens deserve a better deal. They have given everything to their families and have the right to be recognised as important members. Sending old parents to deposit electricity bills, asking them to fetch children from schools and to guard the house while the rest of the family is away, are some of the many tasks which are thrust upon them. These become nothing short of enslaving the weakest class of people.
Old people are not too demanding except in cases where there may be genuine reasons of health or constraints of family environments.
1. What changes in the family system have worsened the problem of elderly care?
2. What shortcomings exist in the current old age homes and care centres in India?
3. What role should society play in improving the lives of older people?
4. How are elderly people treated unfairly within families today?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Providing regular treatment and check-up
(i) curative$\quad$(ii) medical$\quad$(iii) monitoring$\quad$(iv) medicare
(b) Non-government organisations
(i) NGOs$\quad$(ii) trusts$\quad$(iii) societies$\quad$(iv) hospitals
Answer1. The dismantling of the joint family system has worsened the problem of elderly care, making the old more vulnerable and forcing them to fend for themselves without structured support.
2. Old age homes are not only insufficient in number but also lack proper facilities and regular monitoring. The government’s social welfare departments have made very little progress in ensuring quality care for the elderly.
3. Society must respect and prioritise the elderly by showing them kindness and support in daily life, such as helping them with physical tasks and treating them with dignity in public and private spaces.
4. In families, elderly people are often burdened with chores like running errands or babysitting. Despite their contributions over the years, they are not treated as important family members and are sometimes treated unfairly.
Or
(a) (iv) medicare
(b) (i) NGOs
View full question & answer→Question 58 Marks
In the democratic countries, intelligence is still free to ask whatever question it chooses. This freedom, it is almost certain, will not survive another war. Educationists should, therefore, do all they can, while there is yet time, to build up in the minds of their charges, a habit of resistance to suggestion. If such resistance is not built, the men and women of the next generation will be at the mercy of that skilful propagandist who contrives to seize the instruments of information and persuasion. Resistance to suggestion can be built up in two ways. First, children can be taught to rely on their own internal resources and not to depend on incessant stimulation from without. This is doubly important. Reliance on external stimulation is bad for the character. Moreover, such stimulation is the stuff with which propagandists bait their hooks, the jam in which dictators conceal their ideological pills. For a majority of people in the West, purposeless reading, purposeless listening-in, purposeless listening to radios, purposeless looking at films, have become addictions, psychological equivalents of alcoholism and morphinism. Things have come to such a pitch that there are many millions of men and women who suffer real distress if they are cut off for a few days or even few hours from newspapers, radio, music or moving pictures.
How can children be taught to rely upon their own spiritual resources and resist the temptation to become reading addicts, hearing addicts, seeing addicts? First of all, they can be taught how to entertain themselves by making things, by playing musical instruments, by purposeful study, by scientific observation, by the practice of some art, and so on. But such education of the hand and the intellect is not enough. The other method heightening the resistance to suggestion is purely intellectual and consists in training young people subject the diverse devices of the propagandists to critical analysis. The first thing that educators must do is to analyse the words currently used in newspapers, on platforms by preachers and broadcasters. Their critical analysis and constructive criticism should reach out to the children and the youth, with such clarity that they learn to react to forceful suggestions the right way at the right time.
1. Why should educationists build resistance to suggestion among students?
2. What is the danger of relying on external stimulation for information and entertainment?
3. How can children be taught to rely on their own spiritual resources?
4. What method can help build intellectual resistance to propaganda?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as
(a) Addiction to non-stop reading or watching media
(i) distraction$\quad$(ii) dependence$\quad$(iii) obsession$\quad$(iv) stimulation
(b) Persuasive speaker
(i) preacher$\quad$(ii) propagandist$\quad$(iii) educator$\quad$(iv) reporter
Answer1. Educationists should build resistance to suggestion among students because, without it, the future generation will be vulnerable to manipulation by propagandists who control the flow of information and persuasion.
2. Relying on external stimulation is harmful because it weakens character, leads to purposeless habits like excessive media consumption, and makes individuals susceptible to manipulation, similar to addiction.
3. Children can be taught to rely on their own spiritual resources by engaging them in self-entertaining activities like making things, playing musical instruments, scientific observation, purposeful study, or practicing an art.
4. Intellectual resistance can be built by training children to critically analyse the language and methods used by propagandists in newspapers, speeches, and broadcasts, helping them respond wisely to persuasive content.
Or
(a) (iii) obsession
(b) (ii) propagandist
View full question & answer→Question 68 Marks
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
Answer1. Adversities have often led people to rise to challenges and develop special skills, which helped them emerge as leaders in tough times.
2. Instinct guides a leader’s actions and decisions, helping them overcome challenges and stay motivated, even after repeated failures.
3. Some people lack opportunities to grow, while others ignore their instinct, missing the signals that help them act wisely.
4. Instinct helps choose the best option among many and guides actions, especially when logical choices are hard to make.
Or
(a) (ii) difficulties
(b) (iii) ending in
View full question & answer→Question 78 Marks
In the recent past, there has been a thought given to the several problems that the system of school education is facing. Starting with focus on the Delhi region, one of the first discussion points has been to find ways to bring the lakhs of children who have so far been denied education into a workable school system. A further aspect of the same problem is to ensure minimum dropout rate in school children (particularly girls). In Delhi, this has reached alarming proportions. Finding solutions for Delhi will help other areas as well.
A tool called ‘learning style inventory’ was used; it addressed to know how information of skills are learnt, which factor makes an individual comfortable with learning skills or acquiring declarative knowledge. Different answers emerged. In dealing with factual knowledge some people liked to experience first, others to observe, yet others to experiment and still some who preferred to plunge into learning, leaving analysis for later.
It then became easy to discover which of the attributes made for better learning for an individual. The learning situation will benefit by understanding these differences. Two major processes cover most people’s learning styles. These are as follows : Information gathering process and process of transforming information. The continuance of information gathering is bound by people who gather information through experiences at one end and by those who gather information through reading/listening, on the other. The continuance of transformation of information is bound by people who internalise through watching/observing, on the one hand, and by those who learn while applying knowledge and doing something with it, on the other. Others fall somewhere in between. All this has a bearing at school because children too have similar learning styles on these two axes.
There are four types of learners. Firstly, there are children who will absorb facts through experiences. They will readily share their thoughts with others. The second type of learners will take unrelated facts and try to seek order in them in using independent judgement. They will prefer to be exact in their knowledge and correctly apply as per their understanding. The next type of learner is the pragmatist. They use their abilities to problem solving. Such person is a useful type to function in a group. The fourth type of learner belongs to the world of action. Everything is brought down to the level of concrete observation and doing.
With some awareness of how children react in different ways, teachers may find effective methods of teaching.
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
Answer1. Noise pollution is often not recognised as a serious threat because it lacks visibility and is usually experienced as a minor disturbance. Unlike other pollutants, it doesn't leave a clear physical trace, so people are less likely to treat it as a danger to health or the environment.
2. According to a study by AIIMS, continuous exposure to noise can impair both physical and mental health. It leads to problems such as nausea, vomiting, pain, hypertension, and even cardio-vascular disorders, affecting the overall well-being of individuals.
3. The Chennai study revealed that in about half the industries examined, workers exposed to high noise levels were frequently irritated, short-tempered, and impatient. These behavioural changes often led to agitation and production disruptions, especially in heavy industrial areas.
4. Recreational noise has become a widespread issue in cities and towns due to loud celebrations during weddings, festivals, and other events. Loudspeakers and TVs played at high volume disturb people, especially during night hours, causing sleep disturbance and even physical effects like rapid heartbeat and anxiety.
Or
(a) (iii) growing
(b) (i) damages
View full question & answer→Question 88 Marks
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
Answer1. The young lady showed an impatient and trendy attitude when she approached the piano teacher. She wanted to learn music quickly just because it was fashionable, and was disappointed when told that mastering an instrument requires years of dedicated practice.
2. The ‘instant coffee attitude’ refers to the desire for quick results without much effort. People with this mindset expect immediate success and get easily frustrated when they face challenges or when things take time and hard work.
3. The ‘bread-making’ attitude symbolizes patience, persistence, and readiness to invest time and effort in achieving a goal. It contrasts with the ‘instant coffee’ mindset, which seeks fast and easy success without enduring the process.
4. The author emphasizes that success and happiness require time, faith, and consistent hard work. Accepting this truth is essential; otherwise, we may miss out on important life-changing opportunities by seeking only quick solutions.
Or
(a) (iii) thorough
(b) (ii) determination
View full question & answer→Question 98 Marks
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
Answer1. Noise pollution is often not recognised as a serious threat because it lacks visibility and is usually experienced as a minor disturbance. Unlike other pollutants, it doesn't leave a clear physical trace, so people are less likely to treat it as a danger to health or the environment.
2. According to a study by AIIMS, continuous exposure to noise can impair both physical and mental health. It leads to problems such as nausea, vomiting, pain, hypertension, and even cardio-vascular disorders, affecting the overall well-being of individuals.
3. The Chennai study revealed that in about half the industries examined, workers exposed to high noise levels were frequently irritated, short-tempered, and impatient. These behavioural changes often led to agitation and production disruptions, especially in heavy industrial areas.
4. Recreational noise has become a widespread issue in cities and towns due to loud celebrations during weddings, festivals, and other events. Loudspeakers and TVs played at high volume disturb people, especially during night hours, causing sleep disturbance and even physical effects like rapid heartbeat and anxiety.
Or
(a) (iii) growing
(b) (i) damages
View full question & answer→Question 108 Marks
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
Answer1. The sea is considered the birthplace of life on Earth because life first began in the water. Earth is the only known planet with abundant water, which supports a wide variety of life forms and makes the planet vibrant and full of activity.
2. The sea covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface, with more area in the southern hemisphere than in the northern. Around 97% of all surface water is in the sea, while only 3% is fresh water found in lakes, rivers, and ponds.
3. The sea offers a rich source of food and protein, especially in the form of sea creatures and plankton. With the world population rising and hunger increasing, especially in developing regions, the sea can help meet food demands if its resources are used wisely and scientifically.
4. To prevent overexploitation of sea life, countries have taken joint measures such as making fishing nets with bigger holes to allow baby fish to escape and banning the hunting of endangered species like the blue whale to preserve marine biodiversity.
Or
(a) (iii) throbbing with life
(b) (ii) lack of proper nutrition
View full question & answer→Question 118 Marks
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
Answer1. Delhi is considered a city that shuns children because its development model prioritizes traffic and commercialization over children’s needs. Open spaces and play areas have been taken over by vehicles, leaving children with no safe places to play outdoors, forcing them to stay indoors with screens.
2. Supreme Court Judge Kurian Joseph expressed deep concern over the lack of proper play spaces for children in Delhi. He stated that this condition is a serious violation of children’s human rights, as every child deserves a decent environment to play and enjoy their early years.
3. Architect Kuldeep Singh explained that in Delhi’s first master plan, open spaces called ‘tot-lots’ were specially reserved in each neighbourhood for children to play safely away from roads. Unfortunately, due to administrative issues, this idea was later dropped and never reintroduced.
4. Experts suggest that improving children's mobility and safety is crucial. Ideas include creating secure pathways, colorful public spaces with swings and street art, and new planning policies like Transit Oriented Development that focus on pedestrian safety and free movement for children and women.
Or
(a) (ii) expansion
(b) (ii) play happily
View full question & answer→Question 128 Marks
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
Answer1. Dr. Kalam describes his parents as an ideal couple who were respected in their community. He recalls sitting on the kitchen floor with his mother, eating simple but delicious meals served on a banana leaf, which included rice, sambhar, pickles, and chutney.
2. The passage highlights the peaceful coexistence between Hindus and Muslims in Kalam’s locality. Despite religious differences, they lived in harmony and respected each other’s traditions and beliefs.
3. Kalam’s father was a spiritual man who was deeply respected by people of all religions. After evening prayers at the mosque, people would wait outside to seek blessings from him, often taking home water he had prayed over for healing the sick.
4. Kalam’s father believed that prayer connected individuals with the cosmos and made them rise above worldly divisions like wealth, caste, age, or creed. He saw prayer as a spiritual experience beyond physical existence.
Or
(a) (ii) respected
(b) (i) holy
View full question & answer→Question 138 Marks
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
Answer1. After the horn ban, most road users in Kathmandu became hesitant to use the horn unnecessarily. Drivers now feel embarrassed to honk, and the roads are noticeably quieter than before.
2. The traffic police enforced a ban on honking, imposed a ₹500 fine for violations, maintained strict monitoring, and discouraged honking through the fear of public shame.
3. DIG Sarbendra Khanal was known as a tough officer with a background in tackling crime. His strict reputation helped bring discipline to traffic management despite his lack of traffic experience.
4. Authorities supported strict enforcement with awareness campaigns by holding thousands of gatherings, driver meetings, and school visits to educate people about noise pollution.
Or
(a) (ii) overcrowded
(b) (i) shame
View full question & answer→Question 148 Marks
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
Answer1. Many people in Delhi, including school children, respected the firecracker ban and decided not to burst crackers.Till 7 PM on Diwali, most neighbourhoods were quiet, and the intensity of crackers was much lower than in previous years.
2. CPCB reported that the AQI on this Diwali was slightly better than in the previous two years.In 2016, the AQI was 426 (severe), in 2015 it was 327 (very poor), and this year it was 326, despite poor weather conditions.
3. It is difficult to identify one main reason for Delhi’s poor air quality because many factors affect it, such as wind direction, speed, and stubble burning in nearby states.
4. The data showed high spikes in PM2.5 and PM10 levels after 10 PM on Diwali night.
Pollution levels peaked to 656 micrograms per cubic metre around midnight, which worried environmental observers.
Or
(a) (iii) peak of noise
(b) (iii) difficult
View full question & answer→Question 158 Marks
White House security entrance at 2:15 PM on Tuesday, October 17: There are six Indians in immaculate sherwanis that the secret service is trying to clear through by matching their passports or drivers’ licences to the information they have on their computers. Four clear and two have problems. One of them is me. The problem is my passport has no last name. Even though I have met with candidate Trump, President-Elect Trump, and then President Trump, at least a dozen times, it’s never been at the White House.
Diwali at the White House was scheduled to begin at 3:15 pm. For 30 minutes four different White House officials tried to get me cleared, but these secret service guys refused to break the protocol no matter who the visitor. It is 3:00 PM now. Finally, seeing no solution in sight, the Secret Service offer a way out — I could go in as long as I am escorted by an official all the time. Three members of our group of six had already gone in, and finally the rest of us dash to the Roosevelt room, right next to the Oval Office. Just in time at 3:30 pm.
There were a total of 26 guests, most of them currently working for the Trump administration such as Nikki Haley, Seema Verma, Ajit Pai, Raj Shah, Vanilla Singh, along with six members of the Republican Hindu Coalition (RHC) that had played a major role in the election of President Trump. I am the RHC India Ambassador.
After a 10-minute wait in the Roosevelt room, all 26 of us line up in the Oval Office. President Trump walks in, and comes over to us, the Kumar family which includes my dad Shalabh “Shalli” Kumar, his son Vikram Aditya Kumar and of course me.
The President then proceeded to read his statement and light the diya with Nikki Haley and Seema Verma to his right and Shalabh Kumar and me to his left. (The writer is the RHC India Ambassador and winner of the Times of India Femina Miss India contest in 2010.)
1. Why did the narrator face difficulty in entering the White House on October 17?
2. How was the issue with the narrator’s entry to the White House finally resolved?
3. Who were some notable guests present at the Diwali celebration at the White House?
4. Describe the scene in the Oval Office during the Diwali celebration.
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Immaculate
(i) dirty$\quad$ (ii) perfect$\quad$ (iii) loose$\quad$ (iv) simple
(b) Cleared
(i) refused$\quad$ (ii) blocked$\quad$ (iii) approved$\quad$ (iv) checked
Answer1. The narrator faced difficulty entering the White House because her passport did not have a last name, which did not match the Secret Service records.
2. The issue was resolved when the Secret Service agreed to allow the narrator in, on the condition that she be escorted by an official at all times.
3. Notable guests included Nikki Haley, Seema Verma, Ajit Pai, Raj Shah, Vanilla Singh, and members of the Republican Hindu Coalition, including the narrator’s family.
4. In the Oval Office, the 26 guests lined up as President Trump entered and read his statement. He lit the diya with Nikki Haley and Seema Verma on his right, and Shalabh Kumar and the narrator on his left.
Or
(a) (ii) perfect
(b) (iii) approved
View full question & answer→Question 168 Marks
Roshni Bairwa remembers running all the way from her home in Tonk’s Mahmoodnagar Dhani village to the room where the ‘bal samooh’ (children’s group) met. “My grandparents are getting me married, you have to do something,’’ the then 12-year-old told the 20 or so children sitting there.
The children, all aged between eight and 16, trooped up to Roshni’s house and urged her grandparents to stop the impending wedding. Others, including village elders and teachers, joined in. The wedding was stopped. She had discovered a way out of the quagmire with the help of a local NGO and the village children.
When she was in class XII, the pressure to get married returned. This time her uncle found a match for her. When she resisted, she was taunted, and beaten. People would point to her as the girl who brought shame to her family, and asked their children not to speak to her. “I was 16 years old and alone in the world. I walked to school with my eyes fixed to the ground. I would think sometimes, what have I done that is so terrible for everyone to hate me so much? I would cry myself to sleep,’’ recalls Roshni, who lost her father when she was two and had been abandoned by her mother shortly after. But even in those dark moments, Roshni didn’t give up, moving out of the village to Peeplu tehsil in Rajasthan where she rented a room and attended college.
With education and independence came a sense of confidence. “I kept in touch with the children in the village. Every time there was a child marriage, they would call me and I would go to stop it. I realised I had already been thrown out of the village, the worst had already happened, what else could the villagers do? So I went and fought with everyone who was getting their child married,’’ she says with a laugh. So far she has stopped over a dozen marriages.
Even without the support of the law, young girls have been crusading against the practice. Earlier this month, 19-year-old Sushila Bishnoi from Barmer succeeded in getting her marriage annulled, submitting photographs and congratulatory messages from her husband’s Facebook account to the court. The court accepted these as evidence that the union took place when both bride and groom were 12 years old, and declared the marriage invalid.
Seema Bairwal (name changed) was 15 when she was married to a man a few years older. Later when she started attending ‘bal samooh’ meetings with NGO Shiv Shiksha Samiti and Save the Children, it dawned on her that she had a choice. “I learnt that my life is mine. I have the power to say no to marriage.
1. How did Roshni Bairwa manage to stop her child marriage at the age of 12?
2. What challenges did Roshni face when her marriage was fixed again during her school years?
3. How did Roshni turn her difficult experience into a mission?
4. What role have young girls like Sushila and Seema played in fighting child marriage?
Or
Pick out the words from the passage which mean the same as:
(a) Group
(i) team$\quad$ (ii) alone$\quad$ (iii) meeting$\quad$ (iv) gathering
(b) Impending
(i) current$\quad$ (ii) about to happen$\quad$ (iii) delayed$\quad$ (iv) unknown
Answer1. Roshni ran to the ‘bal samooh’ and informed the children about her grandparents planning her marriage.
The children, with support from elders and teachers, convinced her grandparents and stopped the marriage.
2. When she was in Class XII, her uncle arranged a marriage for her, and when she resisted, she was beaten and taunted by villagers.
People shamed her and isolated her, but she didn’t give up and left the village to continue her education.
3. Roshni used her experience to help others. She stayed in contact with village children and returned to stop child marriages.
She realized she had nothing more to lose and took strong action against those promoting child marriage. She has prevented more than a dozen such cases.
4. Girls like Sushila and Seema took strong stands against child marriage.
Sushila submitted proof to the court and got her marriage annulled. Seema realized her right to choose through NGO sessions and decided to say no to marriage.
Or
(a) (iv) gathering
(b) (ii) about to happen
View full question & answer→Question 178 Marks
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$\quad$(ii) confusing$\quad$(iii) complicated $\quad$(iv) mixed
(b) To put into proper order
(i) arrange$\quad$ (ii) mix$\quad$(iii) jumble$\quad$(iv) lose
Answer1. 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
View full question & answer→