RBSE Class 11 English Compulsory Reading Comprehension Unseen Passage

Rajasthan Board RBSE Solutions for Class 11 English Compulsory Reading Comprehension Unseen Passage Exercise Questions and Answers.

RBSE Class 11 English Compulsory Reading Comprehension Unseen Passage

प्रत्येक अपठित गद्यांश के प्रश्नों के उत्तर संक्षिप्त, पूर्ण तथा सटीक होने के साथ-साथ प्रश्नों के अनुरूप हों जिससे आप अधिक से अधिक अंक प्राप्त कर सकें।

Unseen Passage के प्रश्नों का उत्तर लिखते समय ध्यान देने योग्य बातें

1. Comprehension शब्द का अर्थ understanding या समझना होता है। अतः passage को ध्यानपूर्वक पढ़कर समझना चाहिए।
2. Passage में कुछ कठिन शब्दों के अर्थ स्पष्ट न होने पर घबराना नहीं चाहिए। जो शब्द समझ में आते हों उन्हीं के आधार पर गद्यांश का सही अर्थ समझने का प्रयत्न करना चाहिए।
3. प्रश्न जिस Tense में पूछा जाए, उत्तर भी सदैव उसी Tense में दिया जाना चाहिए। 
4. उत्तर में उतनी ही बात लिखनी चाहिए जितनी कि पूछी गई हो, उससे कम या अधिक नहीं।
5. Passage में पूछे गये questions निम्नलिखित Question-words से प्रारम्भ होते हैं, जिनके अर्थ तथा आशय 

निम्न प्रकार हैं

what क्या, कौन-सा, कौन-सी वस्तु या विचार के लिए 
which कौन-सा, कौन-सी जीव, वस्तु या विचार के लिए 
who कौन, किन्होंने, किसने व्यक्ति के लिए 
whom किसे, किससे, किनसे, व्यक्ति के लिए किसको, किनको 
whose किसका, किनका, किसके, व्यक्ति, वस्तु या विचार के लिए किसकी; अधिकार बताने के लिए 
when कब, किस समय समय जानने या पूछने के लिए 
where कहाँ, किस जगह स्थान के लिए 
why क्यों, किसलिए कारण जानने के लिए
how कैसे, कितनी, किस साधन से तरीका, उम्र या हालात जानने के लिए 
how much कितना, कितनी मात्रा या मूल्य के लिए 
how many कितने, कितनी संख्या जानने/पूछने के लिए 
how long कब तक, कब से समय की अवधि के लिए 
how far कितनी दूर दूरी के लिए 
how old कितना बड़ा, पुराना आयु जानने के लिए 
how often कितनी बार, कब-कब बारम्बारता के लिए प्रश्न का 
pattern सामान्यतः निम्न प्रकार होता है

Question-word + Helping Verb + Subject + Verb + ...........?
उत्तर Question-word को छोड़कर Subject से प्रारम्भ करते हैं, फिर Helping Verb तथा फिर उत्तर के शेष भाग को लिखते हैं। जैसे

Que. What is Ram doing ?
Answer: Ram is playing on the piano. 

विशेष :

(i) जिन प्रश्नों में Helping Verbs do, does, did का प्रयोग होता है, उनके उत्तरों में इन Helping Verbs का प्रयोग नहीं होता। does की स्थिति में क्रिया में s/es लगाते हैं, do की स्थिति में क्रिया का First Form (बिना s/es) करते हैं तथा did की स्थिति में क्रिया का Second Form प्रयोग करते हैं। जैसे 

Que. Where does Ragini live ? 
Answer: She lives in Delhi. (.... does....live = lives)

Que. How did you go to Mumbai ? 
Answer: I went to Mumbai by air. (...did....go = went) 

(ii) यदि प्रश्न Negative में हो तो इन्हीं Helping Verbs (do, does, did) को उत्तर में लिखा जाता है। जैसे

Que. What do you not take for breakfast ? 
Answer: I do not take tea for breakfast. 

Que. Why didn't you get up earlier ? 
Answer: I didn't get up earlier because I had gone to bed late.

(iii) Why से प्रारम्भ होने वाले प्रश्नों के उत्तरों में Connective के रूप में प्राय: because का प्रयोग किया जाता globe Infinitive (to + Verb) -

(iii) Why से प्रारम्भ होने वाले प्रश्नों के उत्तरों में Connective के रूप में प्राय: because का प्रयोग किया जाता है। कुछ उत्तरों में Infinitive (to + Verb) का प्रयोग किया जाता है। जैसे

Que. Why did Ram kill Ravan ? 
Answer: Ram killed Ravan because the latter had kidnapped the former's wife, Sita. 

Que. Why did you go to Agra ? 
Answer: I went to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. 

(iv) जिन प्रश्नों के मध्य में there का प्रयोग किया जाता है, उनके उत्तर प्राय: There से ही प्रारम्भ होते हैं। जैसे

Que. How many members are there in your family? 
Answer: There are three members in my family. 

Que. How much milk was there in the pot ? 
Answer: There was a little milk in the pot.

(v) आपको गद्यांश (passage) के मुख्य विचारों से ही अवगत होना है, यह आवश्यक नहीं कि पढ़ते समय प्रत्येक शब्द समझ में आ जाये।
(vi) प्रश्नों का उत्तर सटीक होना चाहिए। जहाँ तक हो अपने शब्दों तथा सरल वाक्यों में उत्तर देना अच्छा रहता

Passages

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

In Naini, there lived a poor shepherd boy named Abdul. He had polio, so he limped when he walked, but that did not stop him from his work. He was a simple boy with a smiling face. All the villagers loved him a lot.

There was a temple in the forest. People went there to worship. In the temple, there was a big brass bell which the worshippers rang when they came to the temple. One day, a thief stole the bell. He took it to a cave on a hilltop nearby, along with other things he had stolen, and hung it there. However, while he was returning downhill through the dense forest, he was killed by a tiger.

A group of monkeys lived on the trees near the cave. They were very mischievous. One day, while playing, they entered the cave. On seeing the bell hanging in the cave they started using it as a swing. In the process, the bell pealed loudly all day. . The villagers wondered what the matter was. It was a mystery that they wanted to solve. The sound of the bell never stopped.

The next morning, five of the villagers set out on the journey. They carried sticks with them. When they reached the dense forest, they saw the skeleton of the thief and others who had been the prey of the tiger. Considering this to be the work of a man-eating giant, they fled back to the village.Soon everyone in the village was talking about the man-eating giant on the hilltop. The village was filled with fear. The villagers thought of leaving the village. 

Abdul also heard about the man-eating giant. He was a brave boy. He thought about all the villagers. “Where will they go? What will happen to their families? What will they eat?

What will happen to their cattle? These villagers have given me so much love. They have been kind and thoughtful to me. Isn't it my duty to help them now?” So he decided to solve the mystery of the man-eating giant.

Difficult words : limped = लंगडा कर चल रहा था। a lot = बहुत सारा। smiling = मुस्कराते हुए। to worship = to pray, पूजा अर्चना करना। brass = पीतल (एक प्रकार की मिश्र धातु जो जस्ते और ताँबे से मिलकर बनती है। cave = गुफा। worshippers = भक्तजन। dense forest = घना जंगल। mischievous = शरारती। swing = झूला। pealed = rang continuously, निरन्तर बजता रहता था। mystery = रहस्य, भेद। set out = started, चल दिया। skeleton = कंकाल। prey = an animal hunted for food, शिकार । thoughtful = विचारवान। owe = गुणी होना।

Questions 

(i) Who was Abdul? Why did the villagers love him so much? 
(ii) Where was the temple situated? 
(iii) What did the monkeys do? How did the villagers take it? 
(iv) What did the villagers do to solve the mystery? 
(v) Who lived on the trees near the cave? 
(vi) What did the villagers carry with them? 
(vii) What did the villagers see when they reached the dense forest? 
(vii) What did the thief do one day? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: obedient 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: secrecy 
Answers 
(i) Abdul was a poor shepherd boy who, in spite of being affected by polio, limped about the village doing his duty. So the villagers loved him so much. 
(ii) The temple was situated in a forest. 
(iii) The mischievous monkeys used the bell as a swing so the bell rang all the day. The villagers thought it was a mystery. 
(iv) Five villagers climbed up the hill to solve the mystery. 
(v) A group of monkeys lived on the trees near the cave. 
(vi) The villagers carried sticks with them. 
(vii) They saw the skeleton of the thief. 
(vii) One day the thief stole the heavy brass bell and took it to his cave on a hill top. 
(ix) mischievous 
(x) mystery 

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

There are no rules to tell us how we ought to behave or ought not to behave in all matters. But in some matters, there are rules that all have to obey. Take, for example the rules of the road. The purpose of these rules is to make the road safe for everybody. The roads in our cities and towns are getting more and more busy with traffic these days. All kinds of vehicles, (some slow, some fast), fill the roads during the greater part of the day. If people disobey traffic rules, accidents will happen sooner or later. There are rules for pedestrians as well as for vehicles, and every user of the road ought to know the rules.

Here is an important rule for pedestrians. They ought to keep to the footpath and leave the middle of the road for vehicles. Where there is no footpath, pedestrians must keep close to the edge of the road. If they do not obey this rule, they will cause danger to themselves as well as to others. A driver may turn his vehicle suddenly to avoid a pedestrian and, in doing so, may knock down someone else. He may even lose control of his vehicle and drive over the footpath and knock down several people.

All vehicles should keep to the left and leave the right half of the road free for those coming from the opposite direction. This is the traffic rule in all parts of India. In some countries in the west, however, vehicles have to keep to the right and not to the left. It does not matter whether it is right or left but, everyone should obey the rule. Cyclists should always keep to the edge of the road and not get in the way of other vehicles or pedestrians: We often see two or more cyclists riding together side by side right in the middle of the road. Traffic rules do not allow this. Where the road is busy, this will interfere with the flow of traffic and cause accident. The rule about overtaking is an equally important rule. One vehicle should overtake another vehicle only on the right, because otherwise it may get in the way of the vehicle which is trying to keep to the left.

Difficult words : pedestrian = पैदल चलने वाले। roundabout = गोल चक्कर जहाँ से सड़कें अलग अलग दिशाओं को जोड़ती हैं। edge = किनारा।

Questions 

(i) Which rules have we to obey ? 
(ii) What is the traffic rule for vehicles in India ? 
(iii) Where should a cyclist ride on the road ? 
(iv) How can accidents be avoided at roundabout? 
(v) What is the purpose of traffic rules ? 
(vi) What is the traffic rule for pedestrians? 
(vii) How should one vehicle overtake another vehicle? 
(viii) How can a pedestrian cause accident? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to : free 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: get in the way 
Answers:
(i) We have to obey the rules of the road. 
(ii) In India, all vehicles should keep to the left and leave the right half of the road free for those coming from the opposite direction.
(iii) A cyclist should ride on the left edge of the road. 
(iv) At roundabout accidents can be avoided by letting go the vehicles from the right. 
(v) The purpose of the traffic rules is to make the road safe for everybody. 
(vi) Pedestrians ought to keep to the footpath or close to the edge of the road. 
(vii) One vehicle should overtake another vehicle on the right. 
(viii) A pedestrian can cause accident by not following traffic rules. 
(ix) busy 
(x) interfere 

3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

It has become common knowledge that yoga is good for you. Currently yoga is being used as therapy for cancer, infertility, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, high blood pressure, and joint pain. Yet, there is very little awareness and understanding on exactly how yoga heals, even in the yoga and medical communities. The key is to understand the relationships between stress, yoga, and disease. Medical research estimates that as much as 90 percent of illness and disease is stress related.

A few of the many diseases and conditions that have been linked to an overactive stress response include : Cardio-vascular disease, depression, anxiety, some types of diabetes etc. What we feel as stress is the product of the sympathetic nervous system or the "fight or flight” response: an almost instantaneous surge in heart rate, cardiac output, blood pressure, sweating, shallow breathing, and metabolism, combined with a tensing of muscles.

Internally, the "fight or flight” response shuts down digestion and reduces blood flow to the internal organs. Short term of this stress reaction is a good thing. The "fight or flight” response prepares us to respond to any environmental threat by fighting against it or fleeing from it. But long term, continuous exposure to stress is harmful, placing excess wear and tear on the body's systems and severely limiting the body's natural maintenance and healing abilities.

Chronic stress can lead to continuously high levels of cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Not only does yoga's ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress and allow the body to heal itself, but the practice of yoga also improves the body's inherent healing abilities.

The inverting, twisting and compressing that occur in yoga postures enhance the circulation of blood and body fluids. This increase in blood circulation not only improves the body's ability to deliver the materials needed to allow healing to take place, but also activates the lymphatic system to maintain normal functioning of the immune system and inflammation response. Yoga poses also improve muscular strength, flexibility and range of motion, all very important for the healing and prevention of musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

Difficult words : therapy =चिकित्स I infertility= atsParkinson's disease = के दुर्बल हो जाने के कारण काँपने का रोग। insomnia = अनिन्द्रा की बीमारी; नींद न आना। heals = स्वस्थ बनाता है। awareness = जागरुकता। estimates =अनुमान लगाता है। stress = तनाव। cardio-vascular disease = हृदय सम्बन्धी रोग। depression = अवसाद। anxiety = चिन्ता। nervous system = तंत्रिका तंत्र। instantaneous = क्षणिक या तात्कालिक । surge = भावावेश। inherent = स्वाभाविक। metabolism = उपापचय। lymphatic system = लसिका तंत्र । arthritis = गठिया रोग। osteoporosis = अस्थि -दुर्बलता और भंगुरता रोग। healing = उपचारात्मकता। inverting = पलटना। twisting = मरोड़ना। posture = भाव भंगिमा। = मरोडmrosis = अस्थि-Pawolism = उपापचय

Questions:
(i) For what kind of diseases is yoga being used as a therapy ? 
(ii) Which finding of the medical research is mentioned here? 
(iii) How does yoga improve body's ability to activate ? 
(iv) How does yoga help behaviour modification ? 
(v) How is yoga important for musculoskeletal diseases ?
(vi) What diseases are caused by overactive stress? 
(vii) What are the effects of the fight or flight on the body? 
(viii) Why is the fight or flight response important? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: exclude 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: dejection
Answers.
(i) Currently yoga is being used as a therapy for cancer, infertility, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, high blood pressure and joint pain etc. 
(ii) The finding of medical research is that as much as 90 per cent of illness and disease is stress related. 
(iii) Yoga not only reduces stress level but also improves body's ability to activate by improving the body's inherent healing abilities. 
(iv) Yoga helps behaviour modification by developing self-awareness and discipline. 
(v) Yoga is important for musculoskeletal diseases because yoga poses improve muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion. 
(vi) Cardio-vascular disease, depression, anxiety, some type of diabetes are caused by overactive stress. 
(vii) An almost instantaneous surge in heart.rate, cardiac output, blood pressure, sweating, shallow breathing and metabolism, combined with a tensing of muscles are caused by the fight or flight response. 
(viii) The fight or flight response is important because it prepares us to respond to any environmental threat by fighting it or fleeing from it. 
(ix) include 
(x) depression 

4. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

The culture of Rajasthan is very different and unique. The unique mixture of diverse topography, history and curious life-style is what gives Rajasthani culture its rich heritage. The rich culture in Rajasthan is visible in each and every aspect of the state. The colourful dresses, the heavy jewellery, the palatial mansions and havelis, the diverse and joyous festivals and fairs, all are symbols of the rich and unique culture of Rajasthan.

The dull and harsh living condition of people in Rajasthan is made a bit colourful and lively by the multitude of fairs and festivals that are celebrated there. The only way people here enjoy the simple pleasures of life, is by celebrating each and every occasion and event on a grand scale. Any festival, big or small, is celebrated with much enthusiasm and joy. Rajasthan comes alive in a riot of colours and activities during fairs and important festivals. Monsoons are also the time to indulge in festivity and grand feasts, as rains are an occasion to celebrate in Rajasthan.

The most commonly language spoken in Rajasthan is Hindi. The people of Rajasthan speak in Rajasthani and Marwari. Hindi is the official language of the state. The people over here are very religious and follow all rituals and traditions piously. Hinduism is the dominant religion here followed by Islam, Jainism, Sikhism and Christianity. The architecture of the state is also a very evident aspect of the culture of Rajasthan. The magnificent mansions and havelis speak volumes about the royal historical grandeur of the place. The forts and palaces are living testimonies of the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.

Rajasthan is famous for its exquisite embroidery. The most unique thing about this embroidery is that it is totally done by hands and no machines are involved. The designs like block printing, Zari, Bagaru, Tie and Die, Sanganer are famous all over the world and are also exported to many countries abroad. The place is also famous for its Kundan and gold jewellery, brass work, etc. Another famous product of Rajasthan is the famous Rajasthani Bandhni Saris. Come to Rajasthan and experience the royal cultural heritage of this beautiful state.

Difficult words : culture = संस्कृति। unique = अनोखी या अतुलनीय। topography = स्थानिक भूगोल। attires = परिधान। palatial = महलनुमा। mansion = भवन या महल। harsh = कठोर। diverse = विभिन्न। multitude = बहुसंख्यक। riot = एक ही वस्तु के विभिन्न स्वरूपों का संग्रह। enthusiasm = उत्साह। rituals = धार्मिक कृत्य। evident = स्पष्ट। grandeur = भव्यता। testimonies = प्रमाण, सबूत। heritage = विरासत। exquisite = अत्यन्त सुन्दर। embroidery = कढ़ाई।

Questions 
(i) What are the symbols of the unique culture of Rajasthan ? 
(ii) Describe the living conditions of Rajasthani people. (iii) What makes the life of Rajasthani people colourful ? 
(iv) Why do the people of Rajasthan follow all rituals and traditions piously? 
(v) Why is the Rajasthani embroidery famous ? 
(vi) What gives Rajasthani culture its rich heritage? 
(vii) What languages are spoken in Rajasthan? 
(vii) What important role do fairs and festivals play in the life of Rajasthani people ? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: ordinary 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: splendid 
Answers
(i) Colourful attires, heavy jewellery, the palatial mansions and havelis, joyous festivals . and fairs etc. are the symbols of the unique culture of Rajasthan.
(ii) The living conditions of Rajasthani people are dull and harsh. 
(iii) Large number of joyous fairs and festivals make the life of Rajasthani people colourful. 
(iv) Since the people of Rajasthan are very religious, they follow all rituals and traditions piously. 
(v) Rajasthani embroidery is famous for its handwork; no machines are involved in it. 
(vi) The unique mixture of diverse topography, history and curious life style give Rajasthani
culture its rich heritage. 
(vii) Hindi, Rajasthani and Marwari are spoken in Rajasthan. 
(viii) They make dull and harsh life a bit colourful and lively. 
(ix) unique 
(x) magnificient 

5. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Vitamin C is an essential ingredient for human beings. It is required for the synthesis of intercellular cement "collagen”, which is responsible for keeping various cells of the human body together. As an oxidant, it acts like a cop in the body, apprehending the rowdy molecules called free radicals that are naturally formed during various chemical reactions in the body and have the potential to damage. Vitamin C is also required for dentine formation in the teeth and it also aids in the absorption of iron from the body.

Rats have the capacity to synthesise vitamin C with their body whereas human beings are required to provide it through diet. The richest source of vitamin C is amla . The secondary sources are lemon, orange, papaya, pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas and tomato. While cooking above 70 degree centrigrade vitamin C gets destroyed.

Scurvy is a disease caused by the deficiency of this vitamin. In its shortfall, gums are swollen or bleeding, bones are weak and readily fractured, delayed wound healing and poor teeth formation in children. A balanced diet with vitamin C is the requirement to avoid scurvy. For pregnant or lactating mothers vitamin C is the remedy.

Each adult is required to consume 75 mg per day; an infant 30 mg per day; a pregnant woman 100 mg per day; a lactating mother 150 mg per day. Doctors use vitamin C for the treatment of infections, healing of ulcers, burns and trauma, quick healing of fractures, etc. However, taking vitamin C tablets on a long-term basis is not without side-effects, like the reformation of oxalates, kidney stones, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythm, damage to the outer layer of teeth and rebound scurvy if tablets are stopped abruptly.

Amla with honey is a supertonic, particularly when treated with solar rays since honey is an ingredient that provides instant energy without consuming insulin for its absorption in the body. A newly born child in India is first provided with honey to purify his/her internal system since it acts as antibiotic and also without side-effects. Therefore, vitamin C in the form of amla is the best for human health.

Difficult words : essential = आवश्यक। ingredient = वस्तु या तत्व। cement = दो वस्तुओं को जोड़ने वाला लसदार पदार्थ। collagen = शरीर में अंगों को जोड़ने वाला मुख्य तत्व। cop = पुलिस अधिकारी। deficiency = अभाव या कमी। gums = मसूड़े। swollen = सूज जाना। stressed = तनावग्रस्त। abruptly = अचानक से। particularly = विशेष रूप से। instant = तुरन्त या अतिशीघ्र। side effects = दुष्परिणाम। deprived of sunlight = धूप से वंचित। lactating= दुग्धपान कराने वाली महिलाऐं। apprehending = समझना, पहचानना। rowdy = उपद्रवी। molecules = अणुओं। absorption = सोखना। intercellular = अन्तराकोशिकीय; कोशिकाओं के बीच का। synthesis = निर्माण। oxidant = अपचायक। radical = तत्व। potential = शक्ति। trauma = घाव।

Questions 
(i) Why is vitamin C important for us? 
(ii) What are the sources of vitamin C ? 
(iii) What is the cause of the disease scurvy ?
(iv) How can the disease scurvy be prevented ? 
(v) What are the side effects of taking vitamin C tablets on long term basis ? 
(vi) Why are human beings required to take vitamin c through diet? 
(vii) How does vitamin 'C' act like a cop in the body? 
(vii) How is vitamin 'C' destroyed during cooking? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to : plenty
(x) Choose from the passage that means: suddenly 
Answers : 
(i) Vitamin C is important for us because it is required for the synthesis of intercellular cement“collagen”, which is responsible for keeping various cells of the human body together. 
(ii) Amla, lemon, orange, pineapple, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas and tomato etc. are the sources of vitamin C. 
(iii) The disease scurvy is caused due to deficiency of vitamin C. 
(iv) The disease scurvy can be prevented by taking a balanced diet enriched with vitamin C. 
(v) The side effects of taking vitamin C tablets on long term basis are - reformation of oxalates, kidney stones, diarrhoea, abnormal heart rhythm etc. 
(vi) Human beings are required to take vitamin C through diet because human body cannot synthesis it.
(vii) Vitamin 'C' acts like a cop in the body for as an oxidant it apprehends the rowdy molecules and damages them. 
(viii) Vitamin C is destroyed while cooking above 70 degree centigrade. 
(ix) deficiency 
(x) abruptly

6. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : 

Most people find their lives purposeless, wasted and worthless. That is why with an · ordinary illness or some slightly unfavourable situation, the individual prays for an end to his life. In the opinion of one psychologist, every person thinks of committing suicide more than once in his life. It is a different thing that he does not develop enough courage to end - his life. Even then some impulsive commit suicide because of petty reason like failing in examination, losing a job, quarrels in the family or defeat in a court of law. The number of people committing suicide because of such reasons is on the increase.

Why do people commit suicide ? Psychologist gives various answers to this question. Some people say that a man gets disappointing atmosphere everywhere around him that he does not find any solution except this. According to some psychiatrists, people with violent tendencies who are unable to express them, destroy themselves by these tendencies. Some persons find themselves so much lonely and helpless that they find no benefit in living. Some persons think of committing suicides during emotional excitement and prepare a plan for suicide during such a condition.

The main reason for suicide is said to be depression. A tendency of revenge is also said to be behind suicides. According to this opinion some people commit suicide because of a burden of feeling guilty, since they are unable to find a solution to get rid of guilty feelings. Many others commit suicide because they are fed up of old age, rejection by spouse, unemployment, court cases etc.

The reason for suicide is the experience of witlessness of this life. It is also true that each person-not just once but many times- thinks of his life worthless and many times a burden. To free himself from this burden, the person thinks of self destruction. The question arises, 'Is life so much worthless that by disappointment in small matters, one should think of ending it ? If a self analysis is made seriously, it will be found that every person finds many times that his life is worthless and burden.

Difficult words : psychologist = मनोचिकित्सक, limpulsive = आवेगपूर्ण व्यक्ति I disappointing = निराशाजनक । except = सिवाय। petty = तुच्छ। violent = हिंसक । tendencies = प्रवृत्तियाँ । excitement = उत्तेजना। depression = अवसाद । revenge = बदला। burden = बोझ । guilty = अपराधी। to get rid of = छुटकारा पाना । fed up = ऊब जाना । emotional = भावुक । spouse = पति या पत्नि। witlessness = बुद्धिहीनता। intensity = तीव्रता। merger = विलय।

Questions :

(i) Why do every person not commit suicide? 
(ii) When do people with violent tendency commit suicide ? 
(iii) When do some impulsive commit suicide ? 
(iv) How do most people find their lives ? 
(v) What is the main reason said to be of suicide? 
(vi) How is the tendency of revenge harmful ? 
(vii) What is the opinion of one psychologist about committing suicide ? 
(viii) What are the petty reasons?
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: cowardice
(x) Choose from the passage that means: advantage 
Answers:
(i) Every person does not commit suicide because he does not develop enough courage to end his life. 
(ii) People with violent tendency commit suicide when they are unable to express them.
(ii) Some impulsive commit suicide when they fail in examination, lose a job, quarrel in] the family or are defeated in a court of law. 
(iv) Most people find their lives purposeless, wasted and worthless. 
(v) It is the depression. 
(vi) Tendency of revenge is harmful for such a person commits suicide. 
(vii) According to him every person thinks of committing suicide more than once in his life. 
(viii) The petty reasons are failing in examinations, losing a job, quarrels in the family or defeat in a court of law. 
(ix) courage 
(x) benefit 

7. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Marriage is an important institution of human society. In the remote past of human history man was living and behaving like an animal. Then he was hardly ever aware of his relationship to his parents, brothers and sisters. In the biological kingdom, this primitive man was ever subordinate in status of the animals, Neither did he have the strength of an elephant nor the sharp teeth and claws of the carnivore. He did not even have the hard protective hide of the rhinoceros and could not save his life by and other extraordinary physical capability. 

Nevertheless, he did possess the unique human instinct of cooperation and organization, with the help of which, he could dominate over the animals besides protecting and proliferating his own species. But in spite of this natural trait, in absence of permanent arrangements for housing, food and clothes, the primitive man was living in small groups, in large caves and on trees. Since in those days the institution of family had not come into existence, the relation between man and woman was different fron man and woman was different from what it is today, in modern times. There is little doubt that tradition of marriage has made a significant contribution in organization and development of human society and with the help of this institution man has been able to make significant achievements by joining much larger families and thereby enlarging fields of activities. 

Giving due importance to this human necessity, the Indian philosophers declared the ceremony of marriage as a great religious rite, decreeing that the bond between husband and wife be considered ever-lasting, pious and in all activities of life, the couple were to participate with absolute cooperation, so that their resultant contribution became many times than even their combined individual input. This institution of family further enlarged to constitute ethnic groups, which later became the foundation stones for the various nations of the world. The tradition of marriage was adopted by people all over the world with ceremonial modifications according to local requirements and local atmosphere of the region

Difficult words : institution = चिरकाल से चली आ रही सामाजिक प्रथा; संस्था। biological= जैविक। kingdom= साम्राज्य। primitive = प्राचीन। subordinate= कम महत्व का होना । carnivore = मांसभक्षी। hide = खाल। extraordinary = असाधारण। contribution = योगदान। dominate = अन्य की अपेक्षा अधिक सशक्त होना। unique = अद्भुत। decreeing = निर्णय करते हुए। cooperation = आपसी सहयोग। instinct = जन्मजात प्रवृत्ति । trait = व्यक्तित्व की विशेषता। resultant = परिणामी। proliferating = संख्या की दृष्टि से वृद्धि होना। existence = अस्तित्व। pious = पवित्र । absolute = पूर्ण । scripture = धर्मग्रंथ। pompous = शानदार । feast = दावत I ethnic = सजातीय

Questions:

(i) How did human live in the remote past? 
(ii) What contributed in developing of human society?' 
(iii) What is an important institution of human society? 
(iv) Where did the primitive man live? 
(v) How could man dominate over animals?
(vi) What was the condition of the primitive man in the biological kingdom? 
(vii) Why was the relation between man and woman different from what it is today? 
(viii) What was declared as a great religious rite? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: sure 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: character 
Answers:
(i) Man lived like an animal in the remote past. 
(ii) Marriage contributed in developing of human society. 
(iii) Marriage ceremony is an important institution of human society. 
(iv) The primitive man lived in large caves and on trees. 
(v) Man could dominate over animals because he possessed the unique human instinct of co-operation and organization. 
(vi) He was ever subordinate in status of the animals. 
(vii) Since in those days the institution of family had not come into existence, the relation between man and woman was different from what it is today. 
(viii) The ceremony of marriage was declared as a great religious rite. 
(ix) doubt 
(x) instinct 

8. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Today's woman is a highly self-directed person, alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of her functions in the private domestic domain and the public domain of the world of work. Women are rational in approach, careful in handling situations and want to do things The Fourth World Conference of Women held in Beijing in September 1995 had emphasised that no enduring solution of society's most threatening social, economic and political problems could be found without the participation and empowerment of the women. 

The 1995 World Summit for Social Development had also emphasised the pivotal role of women in eradicating poverty and mending the social fabric. The Constitution of India has conferred on women equal rights and opportunities - political social, educational and of employment—with men. Because of oppressive traditions, superstitions, exploitation and corruption, a majority of women are not allowed to enjoy the rights and opportunities, bestowed on them. One of the major reasons for this state of affairs is the lack of literacy and awareness among women. Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality and accelerate the process of economic and political change in the status of women.

The role of women in a society is very important. Women's education is the key to a better life in the future. A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good economics and if developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls. The report says that the economic and social returns on investment in education of the girls considerably affect the human development index of the nation. Society would progress only if the status of women is respected and the presence of an educated woman in the family would ensure education of the family itself. Education and empowerment of women are closely related.

Women's education has not received due care and attention from the planners and policy makers. The National Commission for Women has rightly pointed out that even after so many years of independence; women continue to be treated as the single largest group of backward citizens of India.

Difficult words : dignity = गरिमा। domain = ज्ञान या कार्य का क्षेत्र । rational = विवेकशील। emphasise = किसी बात पर जोर देना। endure = चुपचाप पीड़ा सहना । empowerment = सशक्तिकरण । pivotal= मूलभूत Isocial fabric = मूल सामाजिक ढांचा loppressive = दमनकारी।superstition = अंधविश्वास exploitation = शोषण। corruption = भ्रष्टाचार । bestow = कुछ प्रदान करना। prevail = प्रचलन में होना। charity = सहायतार्थ संस्था। investment = निवेश। threshold = किसी घटना के घटित होने का आरम्भ बिंदु। discriminate = किसी के प्रति भेदभाव करना। enhance = किसी वस्तु के बेहतर दिखने के लिए सुधार लाना। eradicating = उन्मूलन। constitution = संविधान। conferred = प्रदान करना। awareness = जागृति। considerably = काफी मात्रा में।

Questions:

(i) Mention some of the qualities of a modern woman. 
(ii) Who has conferred on women equal rights and opportunities? 
(iii) Where and when was the Fourth World Conference of Women held ? 
(iv) Which is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality for women?
(v) Mention the recent World Bank study, according to the passage. 
(vi) What had World Summit for Social Development emphasised? 
(vii) What are the rights and opportunities?
(viii) Why are women not allowed to enjoy the rights and opportunities bestowed on them? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to : block 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: eliminate 
Answers 
(i) There are two main qualities of a modern woman .
(a) She is alive to the sense of her dignity and the importance of her functions.
(b) She is rational in approach and careful in handling the situations. 
(ii) The Constitution of India has conferred on women equal rights and opportunities. 
(iii) It was held in Beijing in the month of September 1995. 
(iv) Education is the main instrument through which we can narrow down the prevailing inequality for woman. 
(v) A recent World Bank study says that educating girls is not a charity, it is good economics and if developing nations are to eradicate poverty, they must educate the girls. 
(vi) World Summit for Social Development had emphasised the pivotal role of women in eradicating poverty and mending the social fabric.
(vii) The rights and opportunities are political, social, educational and of employment. 
(viii) Women are not allowed to enjoy the rights and opportunities because of oppressive traditions, superstitions, exploitation and corruption. 
(ix) accelerate 
(x) eradicate 

9. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

In India, March 8th has been Women's Day for several decades. It received a major boost during the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and later, Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi, who made it a practice to invite a large number of 'women of substance to a celebratory gettogether in Delhi. As more and more Indian women become aware of their equal status and right to education and opportunity, March 8th acquires a greater and wider significance. 

Today, as 21st century Indian women celebrate their awesome achievements, they continue to spell out their dream for the future of the country. March 8th becomes a symbolic day for recognizing their vision and contribution to the building of India. In the last few years, Women's Day celebrations have encouraged them to come together in innumerable seminars, networking gatherings and even sponsored parties. 

It is a time when powerful men from all walks of life pay rich tributes to Indian women. An example is a priceless remark made by Amitabh Bachchan ! He said, “It is clear that the 21st century belongs to women. They have earned every bit of the power and glory they are enjoying and men should applaud their achievements wholeheartedly.”

Indian women have discovered three magical mantras of life in the last decade! These are; One : Beauty and glamour are their birthright. Two : Women are no longer the worst enemies of women. In fact, they can network, mentor one another and reach unprecedented heights of achievement. Three : Energy is a stretchable concept.

Based on these three discoveries, women have upgraded their goals and literally covered every field of endeavours with glory and pride. They have shown beyond doubts, that as the world opens new windows of options and opportunities at the speed of light, they are smart, beautiful and savvy enough to rise to the occasion and turn the tide of fortune in their favour. The success of India's beautiful women has also created a huge revolution in the fashion, fitness and beauty industries. Fashion designers of the eighties, who limited the resigns to various looks in the basic Salwar Kameez, have acquired a splendid plumage of innvation in the last ten years.

Difficult words : boost = वृद्धि। substance = पूँजी। celebratory = समारोह या उत्सव स सबाधत। significance = किसी बात का महत्व। wholeheartedly = पूरे मन से। awesome = अतिविस्मयजनक। contribution = योगदान | innumerable = असंख्य।sponsor = प्रायोजक applaud = प्रसंशा करना। tribute = श्रद्धांजलि। birthright = जन्मसिद्ध अधिकार | mentor = सलाहकार। glamour = लुभावनापन | unprecedented = अभूतपूर्व । energy is a stretchable concept = शक्ति को जितना बढ़ाना चाहें आप बढ़ा सकते हैं। endeavour = कठोर परिश्रम करना । savvy = जानने/समझने योग्य। splendid = बहुत शानदार। plumage = पक्षियों के पर। innovation = नवपरिवर्तन।

Questions:

(i) What is the third magical mantra discovered by Indian women? 
(ii) How did women's day receive a major boost? 
(iii) When do we celebrate Women's Day in India?
(iv) What is responsible for the revolution in the fashion in India?
(v) When did the Women's Day celebration receive a major boost? 
(vi) What kind of fashion was prevalent during eighties?
(vii) How does women's day acquire a greater significance? 
(vii) How does March 8th become a symbolic day?
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: disgusting 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: factually 
Answers 
(i) “Energy is a stretchable concept.” It is the third magical mantra discovered by Indian women. 
(ii) Women's day received a major boost by making it a practice to invite a large number of 'women of substance to a celebrity get-together. 
(iii) Women's Day is celebrated on 8th March every year. 
(iv) Splendid plumage of innovation and exotica is responsible for the revolution in the fashion in India. 
(v) During the tenure of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi, Women's Day celebration received a major boost. 
(vi) Salwar Kameez was prevalent during eighties. 
(vii) As more and more Indian women become aware of their equal status and right to education and opportunity, women's day acquires a greater significance. 
(viii) March 8th becomes a symbolic day for recognizing women's vision and contribution to the building of India. 
(ix) awesome 
(x) literally 

10. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

We want purity-pure food, pure water, pure air. We long for pure surroundings. We yearn for pure heart and pure love. We prefer pure environment and pure society. We are fond of purity because purity promotes health. Impurities are injurious to health. Purity provides peace of mind. Impurities impair the mind. Both for physical health and mental health, we need purity. We do require environmental purity for overall health.

Purity of body is physical health. Purity of speech is unsullied truth. Purity of heart is unselfish love. Purity of thought is righteous reason. Purity of mind is wholesome peace. Purity of action is sincere and unselfish service. Purity of society is harmonious unity. Purity of environment is soul-elevating serenity.

In the Mahabharata, there is an interesting episode to illustrate the nature of purity. The Pandavas and the Kauravas were Drona's disciples. They were once summoned by the preceptor Drona for a test. The eldest of the Pandavas, Yudhishthira, was asked to bring one bad person from the society. The eldest of the Kauravas, Duryodhana was asked to fetch one good person from the same society in Hasthinapura. After a thorough search, both the cousins returned empty handed. The pure minded Yudhishthira found everyone to be pious and pure. The impure mind of Duryodhana found everyone to be evil and impure. As is the mind, so is the vision.

Purity of mind makes our vision, words and deeds pure. It has also the power to purify people. Evil has no place in the presence of purity. Nor can it (evil) face purity, as darkness cannot face the sun. It only gets changed into purity. Fools who come to scoff remain to pray in the presence of purity. Villains who come to harm stand in adoration in the presence of purity. Murderers become votaries of peace in the presence of purity.

Pavaharibaba was a saint. He was pure and pious. He lived a very simple life. He showed sympathy towards a thief that the thief was wonder-struck by the affectionate words of the pure soul. There was a change in him. He prostrated himself before the saint.

Difficult words : yearn = इच्छा या कामना करना। impurities = अशुद्धियाँ । impair = नष्ट या खराब करना या रुकावट डालना। unsullied = शुद्ध। harmonious = सद्भावनापूर्ण। soul-elevating = आत्मा या अन्तर्मन को ऊँचा उठाने या प्रसन्नता प्रदान करने वाला। serenity = शान्ति । summoned = बुलाया गया। preceptor = गुरु। evil= बुराई; यहीं बुरा व्यक्ति । to scoff = मजाक उड़ाना । adoration = पूजा/आराधना । votaries = अनुयायी या भक्त । prostrated = दण्डवत् प्रणाम किया।

Questions 

(i) Why do we prefer purity ? 
(ii) What are the various types of purity ?
(iii) Why could Yudhishthira not find a bad person ? 
(iv) What effect does purity of mind have on people ? 
(v) What was the reaction of the words of the saint on the thief? 
(vi) Give a suitable title to the passage? 
(vii) What do we long for? 
(viii) How will our mind be if our vision is impure? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: youngest 
(x). Choose from the passage that means: earnest 
Answers 
(i) We prefer purity because it promotes health while impurities are injurious to health. 
(ii) There are various types of purity; as purity of body, purity of speech, purity of heart, purity of thought, purity of mind, purity of action etc. 
(iii) Yudhishthira couldn't find a bad person because he found everyone to be pious and pure as his own heart was. 
(iv) Purity of mind makes our vision, words, and deeds pure. It has also the power to purify people. 
(v) The thief was deeply influenced by the words of the saint and he prostrated himself before him. 
(vi) Purity is Strength/Power.
(vii) We long for pure heart and pure love. 
(viii) Our mind will be impure if our vision is impure. 
(ix) eldest 
(x) sincere 

11. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Science not only provides knowledge about nature, but also provides means for controlling nature. So besides general ideas, science also affects practical affairs and everyday life. Perhaps the most obvious example concerns transport. Up to the end of the eighteenth century, transport on land differed very little from what it had been in Roman times. A Roman officer in second century Britain could get from London to New York just about as quickly and comfortably as an eighteenth century gentleman. 

Owing to the compass and to improved design of ships, sea transport had improved a little, but not much. Then came the invention of the steam-engine, and its improvement, which was dependent on the general scientific knowledge of the time. Steamships, and railways with steam engines, completely changed the business of travel and of the transport of goods.

The internal combustion engine, again based on the scientific study of heat and how it is generated by gas explosions, made possible first the motor-car and the diesel engine and then the aeroplane. Now people are talking of the possibility of flying at five hundred miles an hour or more by means of rocket propulsion in the thin higher layers of the atmosphere. It is interesting to note down the highest speeds possible for land, sea and air travel has increased every ten years from 1820 to the present day.

Similarly with communications. Not only did the steam engine, and then the aeroplane, speed up the sending of letters and newspapers, but the discoveries about electricity made possible first the telegraph, then the telephone, then wireless, and now television. As a result of science, the possibilities of tying the world together by quick transmission of facts and ideas have completely changed in less than a century.

Or again, think of the lighting of houses and streets, candles-oil lamps - gas – arc-lights - electric filament lamps – now vapour discharge lighting. Or sanitation-all it means to have pure water in every house. Or the differences between a surgical operation before anaesthetics and aseptic method, and a surgical operation today. Not only has science provided all kinds of new substances and machines and sources of power, but in doing so it has changed our everyday life.

Difficult words : affairs = मामले। obvious = स्पष्ट। compass = कुतुबनुमा/परिधि/विस्तार । steam = भाप। internal = आन्तरिक। combustion = दहन । explosion = विस्फोट । propulsion = प्रणोदन, गति देने की शक्ति। transmission = प्रेषण। vapour = वाष्प। anaesthetics = निश्चेतक । aseptic = कीटाणुहीन (घाव की सड़न रोकने वाला)।

Questions:
(i) What will make flying possible?
(ii) What kind of lighting is used today? 
(iii) What does science provide us ? 
(iv) What made a motor-car possible? 
(v) What has changed our everyday life? 
(vi) What had improved the sea transport a little ? 
(vii) What does science affect? 
(viii) What made steam engine possible? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: external 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: evident 
Answers:
(i) Rocket propulsion in the thin layers of the atmosphere will make flying possible. 
(ii) Vapour discharge lighting is used today. 
(iii) Science provides us both knowledge about nature and means for controlling it. 
(iv) Internal combustion engine made a motor-car possible. 
(v) Science has changed our everyday life. 
(vi) The compass and improved design of ships had improved the sea transport a little. 
(vii) Science affects general ideas, practical affairs and everyday life. 
(viii) Steam engine made steamship and railways possible. 
(ix) internal 
(x) obvious 

12. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

The test of a great book is whether we want to read it only once or more than once. A really great book is one which we want to read the second time even more than we wanted to read it the first time; and every additional time that we read it we find new meanings and new beauties in it. A book that a person of education and good taste does not care to read more than once is very probably not worth much. But we cannot consider the judgement of a single individual infallible. 

The opinion that makes a book great must be the opinion of many. For greatest critics are apt to have certain dullness. Carlyle, for example, could not endure Browning; Byron could not endure some of the greatest of English poets. A man must be many-sided to utter a trustworthy estimate of many books. We may doubt the judgement of the single critic at times. 

But there is no doubt possible in regard to the judgement of generations. Even if we cannot at once perceive anything good in a book which has been admired and praised for hundreds of years, we may be sure that by trying, by studying it carefully, we shall at least be able to feel the reason of this admiration and praise. The best of all libraries for a poor man would be a library entirely composed of such great works only, books which have passed the test of time. 

This then would be the most important guide for us in the choice of readings. We should read only the books we want to read more than once, nor should we buy any others, unless we have some special reason for so investing money. The second fact demanding attention is the general character of the value that lies hidden within all such great books. They never become old; their youth is immortal. A great book is not apt to be comprehended by a young person at the first reading except in a superficial way. Only the surface, the narrative is absorbed and enjoyed.

Difficult words : test = कसौटी। probably = संभवतः। infallible = अचूक। apt to = संभावना होना। dullness = संकीर्ण मानसिकता। endure = सहन करना। trustworthy = विश्वसनीय। estimate = आकलन। at times = कभी कभी। generations = पीढ़ियाँ। percieve = अनुभूति करना। investing = पैसा लगाना। to be comprehended = समझी जाती है। superficial = सतही, ऊपरी। is absorbed = ग्रहण किया जाता है।

Questions:

(i) What is the quality of a great book ? 
(ii) In which case is a judgement about a book beyond doubt ? 
(iii) What kind of understanding of a great book is a young person likely to have? 
(iv) Whose work did Carlyle find difficult to appreciate ? 
(v) What would a poor man's library contain ? 
(vi) What does a person of forty feel when he re-reads some good books ? 
(vii) What kind of book does not worth much? 
(viii) What are the good qualities of great books? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: unreliable 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: possibly 
Answers: 
(i) The quality of a great book is that we want to read it again and again. 
(ii) There is no doubt possible in regard to the judgement of generations. 
(iii) A great book is not apt to be comprehended by a young person at the first reading
except in a superficial way. 
(iv) Carlyle found difficult to appreciate the work of Browning. 
(v) A poor man's library would contain the books which have passed the test of time. 
(vi) When a person of forty re-reads some good books, he feels wondering why he never
saw how beautiful it was before. 
(vii) A book that a person of education and good taste does not care to read more than once is very probably not worth much. 
(viii) Great books never become old and their youth is immortal. 
(ix) trustworthy 
(x) probably

13. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Every urbanite knows that the bright lights of the city make it impossible to see all the stars in a night sky. What most of us don't know is that those lights might also be making us sick. The cause is light pollution- the unearthly glow; billions of street lamps, security and porch lights, searching and office light signs- as people everywhere try to dispel the limitations of the night.

For the first time, light is being investigated seriously as a human health hazard, a possible contributor to the increased rate of breast cancer, depression and other ailments. And for many wildlife species, light pollutions seem to be as grave an environmental threat as cleared habitats and toxic-chemical dumping. “People are beginning to take it much more seriously," says Alan Outen, a British ecologist who has written extensively on the dangers of night brightness. “Its implications are far bigger than ever realized.”

Nearly two third of the world's population live under night skies polluted by light, according to the first atlas of the world's artificial night-sky brightness, published by Italian and US researchers in 2001. In the most heavily urbanized regions, it no longer ever really gets dark. Satellite images reveal that in large areas of East North America, Western Europe, Japan and South Korea, night has become a constant twilight.

Because of the reflective properties of snow, Canadian cities are particularly flooded in light pollution. In a natural night sky, someone looking at the heavens with the unaided eye should be able to see nearly 3500 stars and planets and the glow from the Milky Way, our home galaxy. But in cities like Toronto, the number of visible stars dwindled to about a few dozen.

This stunning drop has caused Canada's foremost astronomy writer, Terence Dickinson, to lament, “It's now possible to grow up never having been exposed to the natural beauty and inspiration of the night sky." The key author of the bright-sky atlas, Italian astronomer Pierantonio Cinzano, and his research team have found that many people's eyes now never get to the stage where they are fully adapted to darkness.

Difficult words : urbanite = शहरवासी। dispel = हटाना। hazard = विपत्ति, संकट। ailments = बीमारियाँ। grave = गंभीर। habitats = आवासों। dumping = पटकना। ecologist = पर्यावरण विशेषज्ञ । extensively = बड़े पैमाने पर। implication = भविष्य में पड़ने वाला प्रभाव। reveal = प्रकट करना। constant = सतत। dwindled = महत्व खो दिए ; कम हो गये। contributor = योगदान करने वाला। depression = अवसाद । properties - प्रकति। flooded =प्लावित।

Questions:
(i) What are the sources of light pollution? 
(ii) Why are Canadian cities flooded in light pollution ? 
(iii) What does every urbanite know ? 
(iv) What have Cinzano and his team found ? 
(v) What is the health hazard due to light pollution ? 
(vi) What did the first atlas of the world's artificial night-sky brightness reveal ? 
(vii) In which areas does it never get dark? 
(vii) How is light pollution harmful for human eyes? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: briefly 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: gravely
Answers: 
(i) The unearthly glow, billions of street lamps, security and porch lights, searching and office light signs are the sources of light pollution. (ii Canadian cities are flooded in light pollution because of the reflective properties of snow. 
(ii) Every urbanite knows that the bright lights of the city make it impossible to see all the stars in a night sky. 
(iv) Cinzano and his team have found that many people's eyes now never get to the stage where they are fully adapted to darkness. 
(v) Breast cancer, depression and other ailments are health hazard due to light pollution. 
(vi) The first atlas of the world's artificial night-sky brightness revealed that nearly two third of the world's population live under night skies polluted by light. 
(vii) It never gets dark in large areas of East North America, Western Europe, Japan and South Korea
(viii) Due to light pollution many people's eyes have got to the stage where they are never fully adapted to darkness. 
(ix) extensively 
(x) seriously 

14. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

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

The culture of Rajasthan is defined by the Rajputana kingdoms that ruled it for centuries; the word Rajput meaning sons of royalty. The Thar Desert region saw the Desert Kingdoms of Marwar; modern Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner. The east saw the kingdoms of Mewar; modern Chittor and Udaipur, Amber; modern Amber and Jaipur and Hadoti; modern Bundi, Kota and Jhalawar among many others. As a result, Rajasthan has a larger concentration of forts, palaces, and royal riches than any other place in India. This is the reason why tourism is a primary pillar of the economy; apart from agriculture and cattle rearing. Several palaces or abandoned fortresses have been converted to Heritage Hotels to attract visitors and provide an income for the erstwhile princes.

The capital Jaipur, with its many imposing buildings made of rosy sandstone, is called Pink City. The City Palace complex and the Hawa Mahal are examples of Rajasthani-Mughal architecture. The old parts of town offer shopping such as jewellery, hand-dyed clothes, precious stones and craftwork. Jaipur has an international airport.

Udaipur has many lakes, lakeside palaces, and the largest palace complex (City Palace) in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer fort is made of yellow sandstone such that it's called the Golden Fort. Jaisalmer also gives access to pristine sand dunes of Sam and Khuri, with camel safaris and nomadic music.

The Amber Fort (near Jaipur, 16th century); the Chittor Fort; Junagarh Fort (aț, Bikaner); Mehrangarh Fort, (at Jodhpur, 15th century) are among the main fortress attractions. The Shekhawati region in the north east offers painted havelis belonging to old business families. Ranthambore and Sariska National Parks are for tiger reserves while Keoladeo Ghana National Park (Bharatpur) is a bird-rich wetland, where over 375 species of migratory birds visit every year.

Difficult words : bisected = दो भागों में बाँटा गया। scrub = झाड़-झंखाड़ वाला इलाका। hospitable= मेहमान-नवाज़। concentration = संकेन्द्रण। pillar = स्तम्भ। rearing = पालना। abandoned = त्यागा हुआ। erstwhile = पहले के, भूतपूर्व। pristine = प्राचीन। sand dunes = बालू के टीले। safari = आखेट। nomadic= खानाबदोश। spire = शिखर। fortress = कोई किला जिस पर हमला करना कठिन हो।

Questions 
(i) Why do we call Jaipur a Pink City? 
(ii) Where are the painted havelis found ? 
(iii) How many species of migratory birds visit Ghana every year ? 
(iv) What does Udaipur offer ? 
(v) What does the word 'Rajput' mean? 
(vi) Name the states which surround Rajasthan. 
(vii) What is the importance of the Aravalli hills in Rajasthan? 
(viii) For what is Jaisalmer famous? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: simple 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: grand 
Answers
(i) We call Jaipur a Pink City because its buildings are made of rosy sandstone.
(ii) The painted havelis are found in Shekhawati. 
(iii) Over 375 species of migratory birds visit Ghana every year. 
(iv) Udaipur offers many lakes, lakeside palaces and city palace (largest palace complex). 
(v) The word “Rajput' means son of royalty. 
(vi) The states which surround Rajasthan are Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and the Punjab. 
(vii) Aravalli hills divide Rajasthan into two distinct landscapes. 
(viii) Jaisalmer is famous for the Golden Fort, sand dunes of Sam and Khuri, camel safari and nomadic music. 
(ix) complex
(x) imposing 

15. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Shopping centres are good. They are a sign of dizzying economic growth, and a demonstration of how far Asians have come, in such a short time. Many of the older generation can remember a time when everyone lived in villages and there was no running water but today the multi-level, air-conditioned mall represents comfort, choice, luxury and better times.

But many Asian metropolises with growing middle classes now have such a great number of malls - all full with outlets of Marks & Spencer, Gap, Starbucks, Bulgari, Cartier, Mont Blanc - that they appear to have long crossed saturation point. Nowadays, it seems our default place for every activity is the mall - it's where we shop, eat, watch movies, bowl, arrange to meet our friends, have a romantic date or just generally lie around.

Many young people shop for clothes at the mall so that they can look good when they meet their friends - at the mall.
My main argument with shopping centres is not that they are often massive concrete blocks that don't take into account the architectural nuances or cultural backdrop of a city, or that they promote ultra-consumerism at a time when our planet can ill afford it. My main

protest with the excess of malls is that they don't seem to make us happy. Oh, the large advertisements outside the stores could persuade us to think that if we only had this pair of jeans, or if we hung out at this café, then we could feel more fulfilled. But once we buy something, we only want to buy something more.

Shopping malls, even though they try to look as showy and as welcoming as possible, can be unkind places. The very concept of the mega-mall plays on human feelings of inadequacy and competitiveness. To make us buy, it must make us feel that we lack something, or that everyone else has something we do not yet own. We must consume to surpass others or, at the very least, to keep up. We purchase to fit in. How can this constant undercurrent of competitiveness, of us always trying to be "cool," bring us true joy ?

Difficult words: dizzying = अचंभे में डालने वाला। saturation = संतुष्टि। nuance = अतिसूक्ष्म अंतर। backdrop = पृष्ठभूमि। ultra-consumerism = अति-उपभोक्तावाद। running water = नल का पानी। metropolises = महानगरों। massive = विशाल। excess = बहुतायत। persuade = उकसाना, प्रेरित करना। very = यही। concept = अवधारणा। constant = सतत। undercurrent = गुप्त प्रभाव।

Questions 
(i) Why do many people shop at malls ? 
(ii) How did older generation live in village ?
(iii) What is the main objection of the author? 
(iv) What are the shopping centres a sign of ?
(v) What do malls represent ? 
(vi) What do we do at malls ? 
(vii) What kind of places are shopping malls? 
(viii) What do shopping malls make us feel? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to:dissuade 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: huge 
Answers:
(i) Many people shop at malls so that they can look good when they meet their friends there. 
(ii) Older generation lived in village without running water.
(iii) The main objection of the author is that shopping malls don't seem to make us happy. 
(iv) The shopping centres are a sign of dizzying economic growth and a demonstration of how far Asians have come, in such a short time. 
(v) Malls represent comfort, choice, luxury and better times. 
(vi) At malls we shop, eat, watch movies, bowl, arrange to meet our friends, have a romantic date or just generally lie around. 
(vii) Shopping malls are unkind places. 
(viii) Shopping malls make us feel that we lack something. 
(ix) persuade 
(x) massive 

16. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Today everybody is health cautious. He/she wants to keep himself herself fit and healthy. Different people adopt different methods. To obtain best possible health, we should ideally engage in exercises that will strengthen the heart (a strong heart helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease) and lungs. We should participate in exercises that strengthen and tone muscles, as well as increase our energy level.

Exercising regularly can help us maintain a healthy weight and simply help us feel and look better. In fact, a good exercise programme has the ability to add a couple of years to our life! Additionally, people who exercise regularly, tend to be happier and laugh more, because exercise alleviates stress and anxiety. And, when a person attains better health through exercise, that person will generally have a healthier, more optimistic outlook towards life.

Running is one of the best ways of getting fit. It's inexpensive, requires no special equipment or out-of-the way locations, and is easy to fit in with your everyday routines. Running eats up lots more calories per minute than swimming or cycling. 

The crucial rule is never to run at a pace that would stop you talking to someone as you go. Make sure that your strides are not too long. Run with your back straight but keep your body tilted slightly forward. Hit the ground heel first and roll your foot through to the toes. Keep your arms bent (at right angles from the elbow) and parallel to your body. Let your hands hang loose. How long you should run for depends on your general state of health. If you've not done any sports for some time or if you're not entirely well, consult your doctor before you start training.

With an ECG he can find out how fit you are. Repeat the examination after six months and you'll see how your performance has improved.For beginners, five minutes, running is a respectable achievement. And if you spend three minutes of those just walking briskly that's still a good start. More important than the length of the run is the regularity aspect.

Difficult words : alleviate = कम करना । optimistic = आशावादी । crucial = अति महत्वपूर्ण । strides= कदम। tilted = झुकी हुई। achievement = सफलता। briskly = फुर्ती से। strengthen = मजबूत करना। optimistic = आशावादी। inexpensive = सस्ता। equipment = उपकरण। pace = गति, चाल।

Questions:

(i) How is exercise helpful?
(ii) What does everybody want today? 
(iii) What is the best way of getting fit ? 
(iv) How should we run ? 
(v) Whom should we consult before starting training ?
(vi) Why do the people who do exercise tend to be happier ?
(vii) Why is running the best exercise? 
(viii) How should we start running? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to : careless 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: vital 
Answers:
(i) Exercise is helpful in maintaining a healthy weight and in feeling and looking better. 
(ii) Today everybody is health cautious and wants to be fit and healthy. 
(iii) Running is the best way of getting fit. 
(iv) We should run according to the general state of our body. 
(v) We should consult a doctor before starting training. 
(vi) The people who do exercise tend to be happier because exercise alleviates stress and anxiety.
(vii) Running is the best exercise because it is inexpensive, requires no special equipment or out-of-the way location, and is easy to fit in with our everyday routines. It eats up more calories than swimming and cycling.
(viii) We should start running for five minutes or walk briskly for three minutes. 
(ix) cautious 
(x) crucial 

17. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Every man that is born in this world has a desire to live well. The life has various aims for various people. To some, life is an empty dream without a motive. They eat and drink and continue to exist for the sake of living. They have no ideal, no mission for which to struggle and fight. Their ideal is to eat well, to make merry and enjoy the material things of life. Their activities aim at amassing the wealth by hook or by crook and using that wealth for the sake of luxury and comfort and pleasures.

The life is, however, not so easy at present. Even to make money for the sake of comforts and luxuries you have got to work hard and perform the social duty before the society can allow one to earn a lot of money and amass the wealth. Modern states work under certain principles of social behaviour and do not allow people to go about making money without caring to perform certain duties which are useful to society.

A businessman or an industrialist must pay to his labourers well so that the labour does his duty honestly and diligently and enable the entrepreneur to make profits from the goods produced. The only easy way of making money is cheating or stealing which have consequences of their own. Law has prescribed imprisonment for the robbers, thieves and the cheats.

Life is complicated in modern life. It needs be well planned if you want to achieve something worthwhile. Whether your mission or ideal is materialistic or spiritual you have got to plan. To make life worth living you must work hard towards the object of your mission. A life without mission is a life lost. A life without planning is a life wasted. Discipline, mission and hard work are important virtues of a successful man.

If you are a patriot and desire to be a politician to earn name and fame in the service of society, you must plan exactly what you want. If you want to do the service to the people and to represent their cause in elected assemblies, you must win over the support of the voters by giving them honest account of services.

Difficult words : motive = प्रयोजन । amassing = बड़ी मात्रा में एकत्रित करना। diligent = परिश्रमी। entrepreneur = उद्यमी। consequence = परिणाम।complicated = जटिल। worthwhile = संतोषजनक, उपयोगी। materialistic = भौतिकवादी। spiritual = आध्यात्मिक। for the sake of = के लिए। struggle = संघर्ष करना। material = भौतिक। by hook or by crook = किसी भी प्रकार से। wasted = बेकार। patriot = देशभक्त। virtue = गुण

Questions:

(i) What is the desire of every man in this world ? 
(ii) What is the ideal of majority of people ? 
(iii) Why do they act in this world ? 
(iv) What is needed to achieve something worth while? 
(v) Write the important virtues of a successful man. 
(vi) What does law not permit? 
(vii) How can one earn money? 
(viii) How can a man reach up to assemblies? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: lose 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: valuable 
Answers :
(i) Every man in this world desires to live well.
(ii) It is to eat well, to make merry and enjoy the material things of life. 
(iii) They act to amass the wealth and use it for the sake of comforts and luxuries.
(iv) Well-planning is required to achieve something worthwhile. 
(v) Discipline, mission and hardwork are the virtues of a successful man. 
(vi) Law does not permit anybody to cheat or rob. 
(vii) One can earn money by working hard and performing the social duty before the society can allow one to earn a lot of money and amass the wealth. 
(viii) A man can reach assemblies by winning over the support of the voters. 
(ix) achieve 
(x) worthwhile 

18. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

All round development of man is the true aim of education. It should train not only the head, but also the hands and the heart. But our present system of education has miserably failed to achieve this aim. It suffers from many grave defects. The present system of education was founded by the British for their own convenience.

Lord Macaulay was the father and founder of this system. He wanted it to produce clerks to help the British in running their administration. Today the English have gone but the same old system of education still countinues. We are free but we are still slavishly following the system evolved by the British. This system of education has many defects. It must be changed and overhauled. The greatest defect in our present system of education is that it is too theoretical. 

Ansh knowledge. He knows nothing about practical things. He finds that his education has not made him fit to do any useful work for his society. The present system of education does not teach us the dignity of labour. A student is not taught or trained to do things with his hands. Manual or physical labour finds no place in education. Educated young men are fit only to be clerks in offices. They look down upon manual labour. They consider it below their dignity to work with their hands in fields or factories.

Vocational education is the need of the hour. We need more and more technicians, engineers and doctors. But the number of vocational institutions - Engineering and Medical colleges, Polytechnics and I.T.I's - is limited. A large number of young men and women, who can do well as technicians, are deprived of technical or vocational knowledge.

The present system of education gives too much importance to English. At many places, it is the medium of instruction. English may be an international language. It may have rich treasures of science and literature. But it can never be our national language. Education must be imparted in the mother tongue. This will save much talent of the country from going waste.

Difficult words: train = प्रशिक्षित करना। grave = गंभीर। contenience = सुविधा। administration = प्रशासन । slavishly = गुलामों की भाँति। evolve = विकसित करना। overhauled = काया पलट । theoretical = सैद्धान्तिक। dignity = गरिमा। look down upon = नफरत करना। vocational = व्यावसायिक। deprived = वंचित। instruction = शिक्षा, अनुदेश। impart = प्रदान करना।

Questions 
(i) What is the true aim of education ? 
(ii) Who was the father and founder of the present system of education ? 
(iii) What is the greatest defect in our present system of education ? 
(iv) What type of education is the need of the hour ? 
(v) What should education do? 
(vi) Why was the present system of education founded by the British?
(vii) What does an educated not know? 
(viii) Why do educated young men look down upon manual work? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: automatic 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: give 
Answers :
(i) All round development of man is the true aim of education. 
(ii) Lord Macaulay was the father and founder of the present system of education. 
(iii) Our present education system is too theoretical. It is the greatest defect in it. 
(iv) Vocational education is the need of the hour. 
(v) It should train the head, the hands and the heart. 
(vi) It was founded to produce clerks to help the British in running their administration. 
(vii) He knows nothing about practical things. 
(viii) Educated young men look down upon manual work because they think it below their dignity to work with their hands in fields or factories. 
(ix) manual 
(x) impart 

19. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

The end of sumptuary laws did not mean that everyone in European societies could now dress in the same way. The French Revolution had raised the question of equality and ended aristocratic privileges, as well as the laws that maintained those privileges. However, differences between social strata remained. Clearly, the poor could not dress like rich, nor eat the same food. But laws no longer barred people's right to dress in the way they wished. Differences in earning, rather than sumptuary laws, now defined what the rich and poor could wear. And different classes developed their own culture of dress. The notion of what was beautiful or ugly, proper or improper, decent or vulgar, differed.

Styles of clothings also emphasised differences between men and women. Women in Victorian England were groomed from childhood to be docile and dutiful, submissive and obedient. The ideal woman was the one who could bear pain and suffering. While men were expected to be serious, strong, independent and aggresive, women were seen as frivolous, delicate, passive and docile. Norms of clothing reflected these ideals. From childhood, girls were tightly laced up and dressed in stays. 

The effort was to restrict the growth of their bodies, contain them within small moulds. When slightly older, girls had to wear tight fitting corset. Tightly laced, small waisted women were admired as attractive elegant and graceful. Clothing thus played a part in creating the image of frail, submissive Victorian women, Many women believed in the ideals of womanhood. 

The ideals were in the air they breathed, the literature they read, the education they had received at school and at home. From childhood they grew up to believe that having a small waist' was a womanly duty. Suffering pain was essential for a woman. To be seen as attractive, to be womanly, they had to wear the corset. The torture and pain this inflicted on the body was to be accepted as normal. But not everyone accepted these values. Over the nineteenth century, ideas changed. By the 1830s, women in England began agitating for democratic rights. As the suffrage movement developed, many began campaigning for dress reform.

Difficult words: sumptuary = भव्य । aristocratic = कुलीन । privileges = विशेषाधिकार । strata = स्तर। barred = बंद किया। defined = व्याख्या की। notion = विचार, धारणा। were groomed = चुना जाता था। docile = शांत । submissive = नम्र । aggressive = अक्रामक ।frivolous = मूर्ख। delicate = नाजुक । passive = निष्क्रिय। norms = मानक। laced up = फीतेदार। stays = भ्रमण, वास-अवधि। restrict = पाबंदी लगाना। contain = सीमा के भीतर रखना। mould = साँचा। corset = चोली। elegant = आकर्षक। inflicted = जबरदस्ती लादा। suffrage = मताधिकार। began campaigning = आंदोलन में भाग लेने लगे।

Questions :
(i) What was the main question raised by the French Revolution ? 
(ii) How were the women groomed in the Victorian England ? 
(iii) What defined the wearing of the rich and the poor? 
(iv) Besides, wearing what else the styles of clothing emphasized ? 
(v) What qualities made one masculine ? 
(vi) What qualities made one feminine ?
(vii) What could poor not do? 
(viii) What was called womanly duty? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: active 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: control 
Answers:
(i) The French Revolution ra 
(ii) They were groomed from childhood to be docile and dutiful, submissive and obedient. 
(iii) Differences in earning defined the wearing of the rich and the poor. 
(iv) Styles of clothings emphasised differences between men and women. 
(v) Qualities to be serious, strong, independent and aggressive made one masculine. 
(vi) Qualities to be frivolous, delicate, passive and docile made one feminine. 
(vii) They could not dress like rich, nor eat the same food. 
(viii) Having a small waist was called womanly duty. 
(ix) passive 
(x) restrict 

20. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :

There are several indicators of a developed nation. It is economically, agriculturally and technologically advanced. There is all round prosperity. The benefits of prosperity reach the common people. They have a reasonable life span and enjoy the basic comforts and good health. They are able to educate and feed their children well. Poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, disease and inequalities are reduced to a minimum. Quality goods are produced in abundance and exports keep on rising. The nation is able to protect its security as it is self-reliant in defence and has a standing in the international forum.

India, even after more than sixty five years since independence is branded as a developing country. Achieving the developed status means the major transformation of our national economy to make it one of the largest economies of the world, where people live well and above the poverty line. The transformation can be materialised within the next 15 to 20 years as India has the necessary potential. 

Our natural resources are richer as compared to those of many other countries. We have abundant supplies of all the ores and minerals. We have rich bio-diversity, abundant sunshine, varied agro-climatic conditions and plenty of rainfall all over India. The country either already has the necessary technologies or can develop them easily. Our people and our farmers not only have a great learning capability but most of them also have an entrepreneurial and competitive spirit. 

Avenues to channelise this spirit constructively and productively are required. We need the will to take action and commit ourselves to be one of the world leaders. We must resolve to work hard with a long term vision. Technology is the highest wealth generator in the shortest possible time. It can provide us with infrastructure and help transform education and training, food and processing, industries and agriculture. 

It is the key to achieving quality product in an increasingly competitive market and to continually upgrading human skills. It is the only vital input for ensuring health security and better living conditions for people. It can enable us to double cereals by 2020 and to make arrangements for their storage, transportation, distribution and marketing.

Difficult words : indicators = सूचक। self reliant = आत्मनिर्भर । is branded = कलंक लगाया जाता है। materialize = वास्तविक होना। potential = क्षमताऐं। ores = अयस्क, कच्ची धातु। entrepreneurial = उद्यमकर्ता से संबंधित । avenues = उपाय। channelise = दिशा देना। resolve = कोई निर्णय लेना। infrastructure = बुनियादी ढाँचा। vital input = आवश्यक निवेश। cereals = अन्न।

Questions 
(i) Write the basic fields in which a developed country is advanced. 
(ii) What kind of life do the people in a developed country live ? 
(iii) What is required for achieving the developed status for India ? 
(iv) “Technology is the highest wealth generator in the shortest time”. How ? 
(v) What are things that are reduced a minimum in developed countries? 
(vi) What can upgrade human skills?
(vii) What are the chief characteristics of our farmers? 
(viii) What is necessary to be the world leaders? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: hardly 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: will
Answers :
(i) A developed country is advanced economically, agriculturally and technologically. 
(ii) There the people live in prosperity. They have a reasonable life span and enjoy the basic comforts and good health. 
(iii) Major transformation of our national economy to make it one of the largest economies of the world is required for achieving the developed status for India. 
(iv) It can provide us with infrastructure and help transform education and training, food and processing, industries and agriculture. 
(v) They are poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, disease and inequalities that are reduced to a minimum. 
(vi) Technology can upgrade human skills. 
(vii) Our farmers have a great learning capability, an entrepreneurial and competitive spirit. 
(viii) The will to take action and commit ourselves are necessary to be the world leaders.
(ix) easily 
(x) spirit 

21. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Gender inequality in education is extreme. Girls are less likely to access school, to remain in school or to achieve in education. Education helps men and women claim their rights and realize their potential in the economic, political and social arenas. It is also the single most powerful way to lift people out of poverty.

Education plays a particularly important role as a foundation for girls; development towards adult life. It should be a basic part of any strategy to address the gender based discrimination against women and girls that remains prevalent in many societies. Everybody has the right to education, which has been recognised since the Universal

Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The right to free and compulsory primary education, without discrimination and of good quality, has been reaffirmed in all major international human rights conventions. Many of these, same instruments encourage, but do not guarantee, post-primary education. These rights have been further elaborated to address issues like quality and equity, moving forward the issue of what the right to education means, and exploring how it can be achieved. As a minimum: states must ensure that basic education is available, acceptable and adaptable for all. The right of girls to education is one of the most critical of all rights-because education plays an important role in enabling girls and women to secure other rights.

Cultural and traditional values stand between girls and their prospects for education. The achievement of girls' right to education can address some of societies' deeply rooted inequalities, which condemn millions of girls to a life without quality education. Improving educational opportunities for girls and women help them develop skills that allow them to make decisions and influence community change in key areas. One reason for denying girls and women their right to an education is rarely articulated by those in charge: that is their fear of the power that girls will have through education. Education is also seen in some societies as a fear of change and now with globalization, the fear becomes even greater- fear to lose the cultural identity, fear of moving towards the unknown or the unwanted.

Difficult words : extreme= अत्यधिक। access = जाना। realise = समझना या अनुभव करना। potential = सामर्थ्य। arenas = रंगस्थली। foundation = नींव। particularly = विशेष रूप से। gender based = लिंग आधारित। strategy = लक्ष्य प्राप्ति की योजना। discrimination = भेदभाव। prevalent = प्रचलित। inequalities = असमानताएँ । condemn = निन्दा करना। reaffirmed = पुष्टि करना। convention = सम्मेलन। elaborated = सविस्तार | exploring = खोज करते हुए। ensure = सुनिश्चित करना । critical = नाजुक । enabling = योग्य बनाना। prospect = संभावना। articulated = स्पष्ट रूप से व्यक्त। globalization = भूमण्डलीकरण।

Questions:

(i) How does education help men and women ? 
(ii) What is the relation between an education and poverty ? 
(iii) What is the responsibility of all the states ? 
(iv) Why is the right of girls to education the most critical of all rights ? 
(v) Why is it important to improve educational opportunities for girls ? 
(vi) How do some societies see education ? 
(vii) What stands between girls and their prospects for education? 
(viii) What do you understand by gender inequality in education? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: fairness 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: criticize 
Answers:
(i) Education helps men and women claim their rights and realise their capabilities in all fields. 
(ii) Education is the single most powerful way to lift people out of poverty. 
(iii) It is the responsibility of all the states to ensure that basic education is available,acceptable and adaptable for all. 
(iv) It is the most critical of all rights because education plays an important role in enabling girls and women to secure other rights. 
(v) It will help girls and women develop skills to make decisions and influence community change in key areas.
(vi) Some societies see education as fear of change-fear to lose the cultural identity, and fear of moving towards the unwanted things. 
(vii) Cultural and traditional values stand between girls and their prospects for education. 
(viii) Gender inequality in education means girls are less likely to access school, to remain in school or to achieve in education.
(ix) discrimination 
(x) condemn 

22. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

We often come across situations and incidents, which appear quite contradictory to the known laws of Nature, creating doubts about the impartiality of divine justice. For instance, an honest, duty-conscious, morally elevated person is often seen caught in adversities in one form or the other, or is suddenly struck with a great misfortune in life as though he/she were being punished by God for a great sin. 

On the other hand, we find persons engaged in worst types of corrupt practices living in peace and prosperity. An idler wins a jackpot or inherits a fortune from unexpected quarters, whereas a hard working intelligent person is found suffering endlessly for want of basic necessities. One person achieves great success with little effort, whereas another does not succeed in spite of his best efforts. Such phenomena are popularly ascribed to the role of fate.

Unprecedented natural calamities like famine, epidemics, tornadoes and floods, damage by lightning and earthquakes and untimely death are also commonly attributed to the will of God and called predestined. Such unexpected happenings as financial loss, accidents, sudden mental/ physical disability and physical separation from a dear one are also attributed to fate.

Such unexpected adversities are rare, but they do occur in life. At times, they leave such deep imprints on the psyche, that it is not possible to ignore them. Those who are not familiar with the mysteries of divine justice become very much perplexed by such experiences and form prejudiced opinions, which, in some form or the other, hinder their mental and spiritual progress. Many become resentful towards God, blame and abuse Him for favouritism and injustice. A few even become atheists, considering the futility of worshipping God who does not respond to prayer in distress, despite their prolonged adherence to religiosity. 

Then there is a class of devotees who serve the saints and worship deities in expectation of some material gains. However, if they are visited with some failure, unfavourable circumstances, or mishap coincidentally, their adoration changes to contempt of disbelief.There are quite a few believers in this world who correlate people, places and things with good and bad luck. Such superstitions have caused extreme miseries to innocent persons.

Difficult words: contradictory = विरोधाभासी | impartiality = भेदभाव का अभाव। for instance = उदाहरण के तौर पर| duty conscious = कर्तव्य परायण। elevated = उच्च, बुलंद। adversities = विपदाएँ। fortune = सम्पत्ति। inherent = पूर्वजों से प्राप्त होना। unexpected = अप्रत्याशित। phenomena = घटनाएँ। ascribe = मढ़ना। unprecedented = अभूतपूर्व । calamities = विपदाएँ। famine = अकाल। epidemics = महामारियाँ । tornadoes = बवंडर, तूफान। untimely = असामयिक। attributed = अरोपित किया। will = इच्छा। predestined = पूर्वनिर्धारित। separation = अलगाव। imprint = छाप छोड़ना। psyche = मानस। mysteries = रहस्य। perplexed = हक्का -बक्का । prejudiced = पूर्वाग्रहित | hinder = अड़चन डालना। resentful = नाराज। atheists = नास्तिक | superstitions= अधविश्वासो। prolonged = काफी लम्बे समय से। adherence = जुड़ाव। mishap = मामूली दुर्घटना। coincidentally = संयोगवश। adoration = श्रद्धा। correlate = दो या अधिक वस्तुओं के बीच में संबंध स्थापित करना।

Questions 
(i) How can a hardworking person sometimes be seen living?
(ii) When do we doubt about the impartiality of divine justice? 
(iii) Give an example of phenomena ascribed to the role of fate. 
(iv) How is an intelligent person sometimes seen living? 
(v) Name a few natural calamities? 
(vi) In which category is financial loss put? 
(vii) What phenomena are popularly ascribed to the role of fate? 
(viii) What is called superstition? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: generous 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: angry 
Answers: 
(i) A hardworking person can sometimes be seen living in suffering endlessly for want of basic necessities. 
(ii) We doubt about the impartiality of divine justice, when we come across a situation and incidents which appear quite contradictory to the known laws of nature. 
(iii) Winning a jackpot by an idler is an example of phenomena ascribed to the role of fate. 
(iv) An intelligent person is sometimes seen suffering endlessly for want of basic necessities. 
(v) Famine, epidemics, tornadoes, floods, lightening and earthquakes are a few natural calamities. 
(vi) Financial loss is put in the category of fate. 
(vii) One person achieves great success with little effort, whereas another does not succeed in spite of his best efforts are the phenomena popularly ascribed to the role of fate. 
(viii) Correlating people, places and things with good and bad luck is called superstition. 
(ix) prejudiced
(x) resentful 

23. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Body fat, blood pressure and fasting insulin levels (a marker of diabetes risk) all increased within a decade of moving to a city, and for decades blood pressure and insulin continued to rise above the levels of their rural counterparts. The findings raise public health concerns as the global population progressively becomes more urban.

According to the United Nations, the growth change in India's urban population is 1.1 percent every year, while the change in the proportion of people in rural areas is declining by 0.37 percent. The proportion of Indians who live in cities is still much smaller than in the United States. Just 30 percent of Indians live in urban areas, while 82 percent of Americans live in urban areas.

That number is expected to rise as the proportion of people who live in rural areas in the United States declines by 1.6 percent each year. The researchers, led by Dr Sanjay Kinra of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, compared rural Indians to their siblings who moved to one of four cities in India: Lucknow, Nagpur, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Siblings who lived in a city the longest had the highest average blood pressure.

For instance, men who lived in a city for more than 30 years had an average systolic blood pressure - the top number in a reading - of 126. Men who lived in a city 10-20 years had an average of 124, and those who stayed in rural areas had an average of 123. A systolic blood pressure above 140 is considered high.

The change in body fat was most evident in the first 10 years after moving to a city, and then it levelled off. Men who stayed in rural areas had 21 percent body fat on average, while those who moved within the past ten years had 24 percent, on average. The recommended body fat percentage from the National Institutes of Health is 13 to 17 percent. The study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, did not pinpoint the cause of these differences between the siblings who moved and those who stayed behind.

Difficult words : fasting = उपवास। counterpart = प्रतिरूप। proportion = आनुपातिक रूप से। decline = कमी होना। sibling = भाई-बहन। pinpoint = ध्यान कराना।

Questions:

(i) What is the percentage of people living in urban areas in India? 
(ii) Who had the highest blood pressure? 
(iii) How much systolic blood pressure is considered high? 
(iv) What is the recommended body fat percentage ? 
(v) What is a marker of diabetes risk? 
(vi) What health hazards are on the increase within a decade? 
(vii) What is the difference of health between city dwellers and rural dwellers? 
(viii) What is the average body fat of the city dwellers? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: urban 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: worldwide 
Answers 
(i) About 30 percent of Indians live in urban areas. 
(ii) Siblings who lived in a city the longest had the highest blood pressure. 
(iii) A systolic blood pressure above 140 is considered high. 
(iv) The recommended body fat is 13 to 17 percentage. 
(v) Fasting insulin level is a marker of diabetes risk. 
(vi) Health hazards like body fat, blood pressure and fasting insulin levels are on increase within a decade. 
(vii) City dwellers are suffering from body fat, blood pressure and diabetes in comparison to their rural counterparts. 
(viii) Average body fat of the city dwellers is 21 percent. 
(ix) rural 
(x) global 

24. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Srinivasa Ramanujan was one of the greatest mathematical genius of the world. Born in a poor Brahmin family, he gave no indication of his hidden talent. He was born at Erode in Coimbatore in 1887. His father was an accountant to a cloth merchant who had to maintain a large family on a small income. Srinivasa was granted half exemption of fees when he stood first in the Primary School Examination in the whole of Tanjore District.

From his childhood Ramanujan was of a quiet and dreamy temperament. He had answer to all sums that puzzled his class-mates and seniors. Figures did not worry him, no calculation was too difficult for him. Things which were all dark and muddled to his class-mates were as clear as daylight to him. He always helped them with generosity which all through his career was the most lovable feature of his character.

When he was in second class his curiosity upon the subject of the “Highest Truth" in Mathematics was roused. Later on, when he moved into the Third Standard, he asked for problems of Mathematics of higher nature. While in Fourth Standard, he could solve the most difficult problems of Trigonometry. He obtained Euler's Theorems and proved them. He followed Carr's Synopsis of Pure Mathematics. He solved all the problems without any other book to aid him. To him each solution was a triumph which encouraged him to a fresh endeavour.

Ramanujan won Subramanyam Scholarship usually awarded for proficiency in English as well as Mathematics. But the passion for Mathematics gained on him, he neglected all other subjects so much that he failed to gain promotion to higher class, thereby losing his scholarship. This was a great calamity of which he had never dreamt. He had no money, no means of earning, no books, no influence. No help came to him from outside. He was now eighteen without any definite plan. He joined Pachaiyapsa's College Madras (Now in Chennai) but had to return home due to illness.

Difficult words : indication = Fatal exemption  I puzzled = I generosity = उदारता। curiosity = उत्सुकता | triumph = विजय। calamity = दुर्भाग्य।

Questions 
(i) Where was Ramanujan born ?
(ii) Why did he fail to get promotion to higher class ? 
(iii) “Things which were all dark and muddled to his class-mates were as clear as daylight to him,” How ? 
(iv) How did Ramanujan show his talent in Third Standard ? 
(v) What was the unexpected calamity that befell Ramanujan ? 
(vi) How was Ramanujan superior to his seniors ? 
(vii) How can you say that Ramanujan belonged to a poor family?
(viii) What kind of child was Ramanujan? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: apathy 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: hard 
Answers: 
(i) Ramanujan was born at Erode in Coimbatore. 
(ii) Ramanujan paid more attention to Mathematics and ignored other subjects, so he failed to get promotion to higher class. 
(iii) It was so because he was a genius in solving figures and calculations. 
(iv) By asking for problems of Mathematics of higher nature, Ramanujan showed his talent in Third Standard.
(v) Failing to get promotion and thereby losing his scholarship was the unexpected calamity that befell Ramanujan. 
(vi) Ramanujan could solve any kind of problems in Mathematics. He was superior in Mathematics to his seniors. 
(vii) We can say so because his father was an accountant to a cloth merchant and had to maintain a large family on a small income. 
(viii) Ramanujan was of a quiet and dreamy temperament.
(ix) curiosity 
(x) difficult 

25. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :

Do you know that the Asiatic Elephant, the Tiger, the Cheetah, the Arabian Onyx, the Okapi and the magnificent Andean Condor are among the world's most endangered species?

What is an endangered species? Endangered species are animals or plants that will soon die out. Many animals and plants become endangered or extinct each year. Recently, however, the rate of their dying out has increased dramatically. It is estimated that 27,000 species become extinct each year and about 3 species an hour. Since 1996, scientists calculated that 124 types of amphibians, 1,108 types of birds, 734 types of fish, 1,096 types of mammals and 253 types of reptiles became endangered. These statistics also apply to plants.

What makes them endangered? There are many reasons that can cause a species of animals or plants to become end dangered, or even extinct. To accommodate the increasing human population, more and more land is taken away from these animals or plants. With the little amount of land these animals or plants have a little source of food. Sometimes, animals or plants can't adapt to the limited space they now have and die. Animals and plants also become endangered because of the chemicals that people use. Hunting and trading are other reasons that threaten the lives of many innocent living creatures. Lastly, pollution is another huge factor causing these animals or plants to become endangered.

You might ask what one individual can do. But even one person can make a difference. First of all, try not to waste natural resources, recycle your garbage. By recycling, you're helping to save many trees from being cut down for paper. These trees then can remain as homes for many animals and plants in the wild. Keep your neighbourhood clean. This can prevent any accidental death of animals or plants. Don't buy any product that comes from animals. If you can, contribute to organizations that help protect wildlife. Last and the most important is to learn about these creatures.

Difficult words : magnificent = extremely impressive, endangered = in danger of disappearing from the world, an XI species = a group of animals that are all the same and that can breed together, Wulfa i extinct = no longer existing, fast i dramatically = showing feelings in a very obvious way because you want other people to notice you,  estimated = अनुमानतः। amphibians = animals that can live both on land and in water, जल-स्थल al mammals = animals that give birth to live babies not eggs and feed their youngones on milk from their body, reptiles = arc sa scarce = lack, trading = व्यापारिक उद्देश्य हेतु। recycle = to use again, पुनः काम में लाना। garbage = कचरा। accidental = आकस्मिक। protect = to defend, संरक्षण करना।

Questions : 
(i) Which animals are among the world's most endangered species ? 
(ii) What are endangered species ? 
(iii) How many types of birds have become endangered? 
(iv) How many species are estimated to become extinct each year?
(v) Write any two reasons, which can cause species of animals or plants to become endangered. 
(vi) How can we save our animals and plants species? 
vii) How can we prevent any accidental death of animals or plants? 
(viii) What is the most important to protect wildlife?
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: living 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: rare 
Answers:
(i) The Asiatic Elephant, the tiger, the Cheetah, the Arabian Onyx, the Okapi and Andean Condor are among the world's most endangered species. 
(ii) Endangered species are animals or plants that will die very soon. 
(iii) Almost 1,108 types of birds have become endangered. 
(iv) It is estimated that 27,000 species become extinct each year. 
(v) Animals and plants became endangered because of the chemicals that people use. Hunting and trading are other reasons that threaten the lives of many innocent living creatures. 
(vi) We can save our animals and plants by learning about the endangered species recycling our garbage and not wasting our natural resources. 
(vii) By keeping our neighbourhood clean we can prevent any accidental death of animals or plants. 
(viii) We should contribute to the organizations that help to protect wildlife and should learn more about these creatures. 
(ix) extinct 
(x) endangered

26. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow : 

Salt, a miraculous gift of nature, is one of the most useful and amazing minerals on the earth derived from the sea and rocks. Do you know that it is the only rock that humans can eat?

Salt has seasoned our history, language and food, besides making nutritious foods more palatable. It is used in all bakery products, prepared foods, sauces, soups, spices, cereals, dairy foods, meats and poultry. It is also an extraordinary effective food preservative, retarding the growth of spoilage by micro-organisms and making food storage possible long before refrigeration.

How much salt is necessary for human consumption? Medical experts agree that everyone should practise some reasonable 'moderation' in salt consumption. For the average person, a moderate amount might run from 4 to 10 gm a day, or roughly half to one and one-third tablespoons. The equivalent of one to two gm of this salt allowance would come from the natural sodium in food. The rest would be added in processing, preparation or at the table.

Common salt, a chloride of sodium, is chemically represented by the symbol NaCl. The human body has a continual need for salt. Sodium chloride or the common salt is 39 per cent sodium and 61 per cent chloride. Forming a solution in the body, these two components separate into sodium and chloride ions, each with a different task. Chloride maintains the balance of water between the living cell and its environment, plays a part in digestion, and pairs with sodium to maintain the blood's acid-base balance, critical for life. 

Sodium assists in regulating the volume of blood and blood pressure. It facilitates the transmission of nerve impulses and is necessary for heart and muscle contractions. Although the popular conception is that salt is a flavour enhancer, a recent American study suggests that it functions as a flavour filter on food, selectively enhancing and suppressing various tastes. Other studies show that the use of salt suppresses the bitter taste of dark green vegetables like bitter gourd (Karela). Salt's functions in the body are already elucidated. Deficiency signs include lethargy, dizziness, cramps and palpitation.

Difficult words: miraculous = wonderful, आशचर्यजनक l amazing = astonishing, आस्चर्यजनक derive = to gain, nutritious food = पौष्टिक भोजन| season = to add salt, pepper, spices etc to food in order to make it taste better, बघारना/छौंकना। palatable = delicious, स्वादिष्ट । poultry = पालतू मुर्गी, बत्तख, मुर्गे आदि | moderate = संयमित lextraordinary = not ordinary, असाधारण | preservative = a substance that is used for keeping food in good condition, & retarding the growth = विकास अवरुद्ध होना या करना। consumption = उपभोग। transmission = sending something out or passing something on from one person, place or thing to another, tout a factor contraction = the process of becoming or of making something become smaller or shorter, सिकुड़न।

Questions : 
(i) What is a miraculous gift of nature ? 
(ii) From where is the salt derived ? 
(iii) How is salt useful for us? 
(iv) How much salt is necessary for human consumption ? 
(v) What is the scientific name of common salt ? 
(vi) What does chloride maintain ? 
(vii) How does sodium help? 
(viii) What does American study suggest ? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: mixed 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: amazing 
Answers 
(i) Salt is a miraculous gift of nature. 
(ii) Salt is derived from the sea and rocks. 
(iii) It is useful as it is an extraordinarily effective food preservative. It is also used in all bakery products, prepared foods, sauces, soups, spices, poultry etc.
(iv) From 4 to 10 gm a day or roughly half to one and one-third tablespoons of salt is necessary for human consumption. 
(v) The scientific name of common salt is Sodium Chloride i.e. NaCl. 
(vi) Chloride maintains the balance of water between the living cell and its environment. 
(vii) Sodium helps in regulating the volume of blood and blood pressure. 
(viii) American study suggests that salt functions as a flavour filter on food, selectively
enhancing and suppressing various tastes. 
(ix) separate 
(x) miraculous 

27. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

The medicinal, insecticidal and religious significance of Neem tree is enshrined in mythology, The reference is that when ‘amrit', the heavenly nectar, was being taken to gods, a few drops fell on it. Since then the tree has assumed such a great position in our life.

The Ayurvedic texts show the efficacy of the tree in almost all sorts of human diseases. The renowned Hindu physician and authority “Susruta” (100AD) has dealt extensively with it. The bark is a tonic, an antipyretic, a cure for nausea. It is an effective cure for skin diseases and ulcers. The leaf is a known antiseptic. It is extensively used in treating pimples, small pox, jaundice, ulcers, leprosy, rheumatism and worms.

Neem oil contains a compound ‘nimbridin' which is a powerful remedy for various skin ailments and pyorrhoea. It is also a hair tonic. Its essence is used in toothpastes and beauty aids. The stems serve as tooth brushes, toothpastes and toothpicks.

The sweet-smelling flower extract is an effective cure for indigestion. Its (Neem tree) gum is effective in curing chronic skin infections and leprosy. The insecticidal value of neem is rather very great. A few leaves put into the granary protect it from insects. A layer of neem leaves between the folds keeps silks and woolens moth-free. Neem is an air purifier and protects people from malaria and cholera.

As a standard, remedy for burns, neem leaves are soaked in oil and smeared over burnt tissues. Take crushed leaves in the form of pills grinding it with jaggery, dried in the shade, and consume twice or thrice daily till the burns begin to heal. Boil neem leaves and make a concentration to treat fungal infections. First cool it and then make a paste with a ripe banana to apply over the infection for half an hour. The boiled neem water can be used for treatment of skin inflammations. To restore facial beauty, use an emulsion made of lime juice and coconut milk and add rose petals or jasmine, mix a paste made of neem leaves and turmeric and apply over the affected spots.

Difficult words : medicinal = औषधीय, insecticidal = substance that is used for killing insects, कीट नाशकीय। enshrined = पवित्र मानकर सुरक्षित रखा गया। mythology = पौराणिक शास्त्र। nectar = अमृत। efficacy = the ability of something like a medical treatment, किसी औषधि या चिकित्सीय उपचार की प्रभावोत्पादकता। extensively = covering a large area, विस्तारपूर्वक। bark = छाल। antipyretic = पायरियानाशक। nausea = जी मिचलाना। flower extract = फूलों का रस। leprosy = कुष्ठ रोग। crushed leaves = पत्तियों का चूरा। jaggery = गुड़। dried = सूखा। twice = दो बार। ripe = पका हुआ। inflammation = जलन। emulsion = घोल। petal = पंखुड़ी। turmeric = हल्दी।

Questions : 
(i) What is the significance of Neem tree in our life? 
(ii) How did Neem get ‘Amrit' ? 
(iii) What is the importance of the bark of Neem tree? 
(iv) Which part of Neem tree is useful in small pox, jaundice and rheumatism ? 
(v) What is nimbridin ? 
(vi) How can we keep our silks and woolens moth-free? 
(vii) How can we treat fungal infections ? 
(viii) How is Neem tree useful for skin inflammations ? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: poison 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: famous
Answers:
(i) Neem tree has medicinal, insecticidal and religious importance in our life. 
(ii) When 'Amrit the heavenly nectar, was being taken to gods, a few drops fell on Neem tree. 
(iii) The bark of Neem tree is a tonic, an antipyretic and a cure for nausea. It is effective for skin diseases and ulcers also. 
(iv) The bark of Neem tree is useful in small pox, jaundice and rheumatism.
(v) Nimbridin is a powerful remedy for various skin ailments and pyorrhoea which is found in Neem oil.
(vi) To keep our silks and woolens moth-free we can put a layer of neem leaves between the folds. 
(vii) Fungal infections can be treated by the concentration made of boiled neem leaves. 
(viii) Neem tree is useful for skin inflammation. The boiled neem water can be used for treatment of the same. 
(ix) necter 
(x) renowned 

28. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Residents of the Bhirung Raut Ki Gali, where Ustad Bismillah Khan was born on March 21, 1916 were in shock. His cousin, 94-year-old Mohd Idrish Khan had tears in his eyes. Shubhan Khan, the care-taker of Bismillah's land, recalled : “Whenever in Dumaraon, he would give rupees two to the boys and rupees five to the girls of the locality.”

He was very keen to play Shehnai again in the local Bihariji's Temple where he had started playing Shehnai with his father, Bachai Khan, at the age of six. His original name was Quamaruddin and became Bismillah only after he became famous as Shehnai player in Varanasi. His father Bachai Khan was the official Shehnai player of Keshav Prasad Singh, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Dumaroan estate. Bismillah used to accompany him. For Bismillah Khan, the connection to music began at a very early age. 

By his teens, he had already become a master of the Shehnai. On the day India gained freedom, Bismillah Khan, then a sprightly 31 year-old, changed the Shehnai from an instrument heard only in weddings and naubatkhanas.to one that was appreciated in concert halls across the world. His life was a testimony to the plurality that is India. 

A practising Muslim, he would take a daily dip in the Ganga in his younger days after a bout of kusti in Benia Bagh Akhada. Every morning, Bismillah Khan would do riyaaz at the Balaji Temple on the bank of the river. Even during his final hours in a Varanasi hospital, music didn't desert Bismillah Khan. A few hours before his passing away early on Monday, the Shehnai wizard hummed a thumri to show that he was feeling better. This was typical of a man for whom life revolved around music.

Throughout his life he abided by the principle that all religions are one. What made Bismillah Khan was his simplicity and disregard for the riches that came with musical fame. Till the very end, he used a cycle rickshaw to travel around Varanasi. But the pressure of providing for some 60 family members took its toll during his later years.

Difficult words : shock = a strong feeling of surprise, आघत, care-taker = देख भाल करने वाला, erstwhile = former, उस समय का estate = जागीर, sprightly = full of enthusiasm, जोश या शक्ति से भरपूर, जिंदादिल । concert = a public performance of music, संगीत समारोह। dip = डुबकी। bout of kusti = कुश्ती | Yash I desert = leave| passing away = death, मृत्यु, hummed = गुनगुनाया I abided by = पालन किया। took its toll = caused great loss, बहुत क्षति पहुँचाई। typical = आदर्श रूप।

Questions:
(i) Where was Ustad Bismillah Khan born ? 
(ii) Who was Mohd Idrish Khan ? 
(iii) Who was Shubhan Khan ? 
(iv) What was Bismillah's original name ? 
(v) When did Quamaruddin become Bismillah ? 
(vi) What do you know about the father of Bismillah Khan? 
(vii) Where did Bismillah use to do his riyaaz ? 
(viii) What was his principle ?
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: criticized 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: authorized 
Answers:
(i) Ustad Bismillah Khan was born at the Bhirung Raut ki Gali. 
(ii) Mohd Idrish Khan was Ustad Bismillah Khan's cousin. 
(iii) Shubhan Khan was the care-taker of Bismillah Khan's land. 
(iv) His original name was Quamaruddin. 
(v) Quamaruddin became Bismillah only after becoming famous as a Shehnai player in Varanasi. 
(vi) Bachai Khan, Bismillah's father was the official Shehnai player of Keshav Prasad Singh, the Maharaja of the erstwhile Dumaroan estate. 
(vii) He used to do his riyaaz at the Balaji temple. 
(viii) His principle was 'all religions are one'. 
(ix) appreciated 
(x) official 

29. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Real praise, the sincere compliment is probably the most useful social tool of all. It's the valued gold coin for conversation. Yet today, it is in danger of losing its brightness. For it is greatly misused and not properly exchanged.

What is a true compliment? It's one that benefits both giver and receiver. Once a painter and his young assistant were painting our house. The older man was wearing shiny new shoes. As the man started painting skilfully, my father-in-law said to the boy, “Son, when you can show up on the job to paint a house, wearing new shoes, you will be the master of your trade."

The painter smiled and did the best job. We all like to have our sense of personal worth built up or pointed out. And when one expert adds to another's sense of dignity and speaks favourably of his skill, he is offering a compliment of the highest and rarest kind.

A compliment differs from flattery in that it is objective and is given without thought of gain. Flattery is often merely lip service or excessive praise given for motive other than expressed. The greatest efforts of the human race have always resulted from the love of praise. This should be inspired in childhood. The wise parent makes it a point to compliment a child who deserves it. A woman I know has a 12 years old son who considers washing dishes for his mother a great honour. One night, while washing a large dish, it slipped and crashed on the floor. Then his mother said, “You know, Robert, of all the times you have washed the dishes for me, this is the first time you dropped one”. Anxiety left the boy's face and he smiled. As one psychologist advises, “Praise virtue and you will find few vices to critcise”.

There is an art in this giving of compliments. Thus, the good compliment is always to the point and timing is important. Don't wait too long to tell a person what a good talk he gave or how well he cut your grass. But don't do it immediately when he is expecting it either. Wait. Then when he thinks you may have forgotten, pass the praise.

Difficult words : sincere = गंभीर I compliment = an expression of praise, अभिनन्दन exchanged = उदला बदली करना I probably = perhaps,  skilfully = in a very good way at doing something, निपुणता से। motives = selfish aims, स्वार्थपूर्ण उद्देश्य। dignity = गरिमा। flattery = खुशामद। dish =बर्तन । crashed = broke into pieces, anxiety = feeling of worry or fear, भय चिंता की भावाना feat I few = बहुत ही कम I vices = बुराईयाँ

Questions:
(i) What is the most useful social tool of all ? 
(ii) What is the valued gold coin for conversation ? 
(iii) Why is the sincere compliment losing its brightness now-a-days? 
(iv) What is a true compliment ? 
(v) What is flattery? 
(vi) How does a compliment differ from flattery ? 
(vii) Write the main quality of a good compliment. 
(viii) When should we pass a good compliment ? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: moderate 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: worry 
Answers 
(i) Real praise and the sincere compliment is probably the most useful social tool of all. 
(ii) The sincere compliment is the valued gold coin for conversation. 
(iii) Because it is greatly misused and not properly exchanged so it is losing its brightness. 
(iv) A true compliment is the one that benefits both the giver and the receiver. 
(v) A flattery is often merely lip service or excessive praise given for motive other than expressed 
(vi) A compliment differs from flattery as it is objective and is given without thought of gain. 
(vii) A good compliment is always to the point and timely. 
(viii) We should not pass a good compliment immediately when he/she is expecting it. We should wait. Then when he/she thinks we have forgotten we should pass the praise. 
(ix) excessive 
(x) anxiety 

30. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow :

Cycling survives as a popular pastime because it yields pleasure and benefits. First of all, cycling provides exercise, the need of which is felt by most of the people. The development of machinery tends to deprive us of adequate opportunities of expanding energy while earning a livelihood. Other opportunities should be created through the medium of sport.

 Of cycling, many people hastily say that it is "hard work”, but a fit and practised rider does not agree with this verdict. The art of easy cycling must be cultivated, as will be shown later, but once it has been acquired, a long day's run should not unduly tire any rider endowed with a normal measure of health. Nobody has better described the exercise of cycling than the late Twells Brex, who said enthusiastically, speaking from experience: “You move along by your own glad effort.”
 
Many of us wish to use our legs and our lungs, as well as our eyes. An active and healthy person ought not to be contented to travel always as a mere passenger “like an image pushed from behind”, as Stevenson says, that is not life, those who would turn all active cyclists into sedentary motor-drivers, or into idle passengers, would serve the nation better if they restricted their attentions to the aged and infirm. It is often said that the cyclist cannot travel as fast or as far as the motorist. 

Admitting this, the cyclist may be permitted to ask if it is always desirable that travel should involve modern motoring speeds (or accidents). It is enjoyment of a traveller in search of pleasure to be measured merely in miles, or, what is worse in miles-per-hour, or what is worse still, in miles-per-gallon ? Surely the cyclist, pedalling calmly along at a modest twelve miles an hour is able to assimilate scenery more easily, more completely, and with more enjoyment, than the hurrying occupant of a car ! Cyclists believe that their method of travel is a sensible and convenient compromise between walking and driving.

Difficult words : survives = continue to exit, अस्तित्व में हैI pastime. = something that you enjoy, मनोरंजन I deprive = to prevent something from having something, वंचित करना | adequate = enough for what you need, पर्याप्त। livelihood = जीविकोपार्जन या जीविका कमाना। cultivated = (यहीं) विकसित किया जाना। acquired = सीख लिया जाना । enthusiastically = with full of exitement, उत्साहपूर्वक I content = satisfied, igel sedentary = fatti infirm = weak, I assimilate = to learn and understand, आत्मसात् करना।

Questions:
(i) How does cycling survive ? 
(ii) Why is cycling good ? 
(iii) What do many people hastily say of cycling ? 
(iv) What does Twells Brex speak about the excercise of cycling ? 
(v) What does an active and healthy person ought not to do? 
(vi) According to Stevenson what is not life? 
(vii) What do people often say about a cyclist ? 
(viii) Why is cycling a more peaceful way of travelling ? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: healthy 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: satisfied 
Answers 
(i) It survives as a popular pastime because it yields pleasure and benefits. 
(ii) It is very good because it provides exercise. 
(iii) Many people hastily say that cycling is ‘hard work.' 
(iv) Twells Brex speak about the exercise of cycling, “You move along by your own glad efforts". · 
(v) An active and healthy person ought not to be contented to travel always as a mere passenger.
(vi) According to Stevenson to travel as a mere passenger is not life. 
(vii) People often say that a cyclist cannot travel as fast or far as the motorist. 
(viii) Cycling is a more peaceful way of travelling as it is able to assimilate scenery more easily, more completely and with more enjoyment.
(ix) infirm 
(x) contented 

31. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

How does television affect our lives? It can be very helpful to people who carefully choose the shows that they watch. Television can increase our knowledge of the outside world. There are high quality programmes that help us understand many.fields of study; science, medicine, the arts and so on. Moreover, television benefits very old people, who can’t often leave the house as well as patients in hospitals. It also offers non-native speakers the advantage of daily informal language practice. They can increase their vocabulary and practise listening.

On the other hand, there are several serious disadvantages of television. Of course, it provides us with a pleasant way to relax and spend our free time, but in some countries, people watch the television for an average of six hours or more a day. Many children stare at a television screen for more hours each day than they do anything else, including studying and sleeping. It's clear that the tube has a powerful influence on their lives and that its influence is often negative.

Recent studies show that after only thirty seconds of television, a person's brain ‘relaxes' the same way that it does just before the person falls asleep. Another effect of television on the human brain is that it seems to cause poor concentration. Children who view a lot of television can often concentrate on a subject for only fifteen to twenty minutes. 

They can pay attention only for the between commercials. Another disadvantage is that television often causes people to become dissatisfied with their own lives. Real life does not seem as exciting to these people as the lives of actors on the screen. To many people, television becomes more real than reality and their own lives seem boring. 

Also many people get upset or depressed when they can't solve problems in real life as quickly as television actors seem to. Before a child is fourteen years old, he or she views eleven thousand murders on the tube. He or she begins to believe that there is nothing strange about fights, killings and other kinds of violence. Many studies show that people become more violent after certain programmes. They may even do the things that they saw in a violent show.

Difficult words : non-native = जो स्थानीय न हो  tube = टोलीविजन advantage = लाभ relax = विश्राम करना। influence = प्रभाव। recent = हाल ही की। commercials = विज्ञापनों। concentration = ध्यान कोन्द्रिता करना exciting = making somebody feel happy and enthusiastic, जोश से पूर्ण  upset = to make somebody worry or feel unhappy, परेशान करना | informal = friendly for a relaxed occasion, अनौपचारिक। stare = घूरना। provides = gives, प्रदान करना। violent = हिंसक।

Questions 

(i) For what kind of people is television helpful ? 
(ii) In which way can television be helpful for us? 
(iii) Who are taking more benefits from television ? 
(iv) What are the uses of high quality programmes of television ? 
(v) How does viewing television relaxe a person ? 
(vi) How does the television affect the capacity of children to study ? 
(vii) What is another disadvantage of television ? 
(viii) What kind of effect do some programmes have on people ? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: agitate 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: drawback 
Answers 
(i) Television is helpful to people who carefully choose the shows that they watch. 
(ii) Television can increase our knowledge of the outside world. 
(iii) Old people and patients in hospital are taking more benefits from television. 
(iv) They help us understand many fields of study like science, medicines, the arts and so on. 
(v) A person's brain relaxes the same way that it does just before the person falls asleep after only thirty seconds of television viewing. 
(vi) They can often concentrate on a subject for only fifteen to twenty seconds. 
(vii) Another disadvantage is that television often causes people to become dissatisfied with their own lives. 
(vii) People become more violent after certain programmes. 
(ix) relax 
(x) disadvantage

32. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Maharana Pratap never accepted Akbar as ruler of India, and fought with Akbar all his life. Akbar first tried diplomacy to win over Maharana Pratap but nothing worked. Pratap maintained that he had no intention to fight with Akbar but he could not bow down to Akbar and accept him as his ruler. Some scholars argue that there was some possibility that Maharana could have become friend of Akbar, but in the siege of Chittor, Akbar had killed 27,000 civilians. This left a lasting impression on Maharana's mind and he decided he could not bow to such injustice and cruelty. Tod's Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan relates how Pratap also stopped the then practice of Rajput chiefs in cementing their ties with the Mughals by giving their daughters in marriage into the court.

Chittor fort, Pratap's ancestral home, was under Mughal occupation. Living a life on the run, the dream of re-conquering Chittor (and thus reclaiming the glory of Mewar) was greatly cherished by Pratap, and his future efforts were bent towards this goal. In essence Pratap remained king only on paper as he never ruled any land in his lifetime.

Nearly all of Pratap's fellow Rajput chiefs had meanwhile entered into the vassalage of the Mughals. Even Pratap's own brothers, Shakti Singh and Sagar Singh, were serving Akbar. Indeed, many Rajput chiefs, such as Raja Man Singh of Amber (later known as Maharaja of Jaipur) were serving as army commanders in Akbar's armies and members of his council. Akbar sent a total of six diplomatic missions to Pratap, seeking to negotiate the same sort of peaceful alliance that he had concluded with other Rajput chiefs. Pratap roundly rebuffed every such attempt displaying his self-respect and honour. For the new capital-Udaipur, Maharana Udai Singh constructed a water reservoir-Udai Sagar in 1565. 

It was on its dam that in June 1573 Kunwar (Prince) Man Singh of Amber, as the emissary of Mughal Emperor Akbar, arrogantly demanded that Maharana Pratap should give up protocol and be present at the feast in his honour. Pratap and Man Singh were of the same generation, Kunwar Man Singh was born on Sunday December 21, 1550, but Pratap was king while Man Singh was a prince. Pratap, following the protocol, sent his son Kunwar Amar Singh to dine with Kunwar Man Singh, Akbar's special envoy. This incident precipitated the Mughal-Mewar conflict. . 

Difficult words : diplomacy = कूटनीति। intention = wish, इच्छा या मंशा। bow down = झुकना। scholars = learned people,विद्वान | argue = तर्क करना = सैनिक घेरा cruelty = cruel behaviour, क्रूरता। reconquering = conquer again, फिर से या दोबारा जीतना। glory = शान। cherished = आशा रखते थे या करते थे। lifetime = throughout the life, जीवनपर्यन्त । vassalage = पराश्रय/दासत्व/जागीरदारी। negotiation = agreement, समझौता bow = झुकना| alliance = संधि rebuffed = refused in an unkind way, cementing = सम्बन्ध को दृढ़ कर रहेI on the run = कही पर छिपा होना| essence = सार रूप में| emissary = दूत | arrogantly = घमण्ड से protocol = a system of fixed rules used at official meetings, औपचारिक शिष्टाचार । envoy = राजदूत । conflict = fight, विवाद। precipitated = became the cause of, कारण बना / उकसाया

Questions:

(i) Who did not accept Akbar as ruler of India ? 
(ii) What did Maharana Pratap do all his life? 
(iii) What was Maharana Pratap's thinking about Akbar ? 
(iv) How many civilians were killed by Akbar in the siege of Chittor ? 
(v) Which fort was Pratap's ancestral home ? 
(vi) Why did Pratap remain king only on paper ?
(vii) Write the names of Pratap's brothers. 
(viii) Who was sent by Pratap to dine with Kunwar Man Singh ? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: reject 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: 
Answers
(i) Maharana Pratap never accepted Akbar as ruler of India. 
(ii) Maharana Pratap fought with Akbar all his life. 
(iii) Maharana Pratap maintained that he had no intention to fight with Akbar but he could not bow down to Akbar and accept him as his ruler. 
(iv) Akbar had killed 27,000 civilians in the siege of Chittor. 
(v) Chittor fort was Pratap's ancestral home. 
(vi) Because Pratap never ruled any land in his life time so he was a king only on paper.
(vii) Shakti Singh and Sagar Singh were Pratap's brothers. 
(viii) His own son Kunwar Amar Singh was sent by Pratap to dine with Kunwar Man Singh. 
(ix) accept 
(x) protocol 

33. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

It's the time for the annual Yoga Festival in Rishikesh. It is not without reason that the Yoga Festival is held on the very same land where the sacred Maha Kumbh Mela, the greatest spiritual gathering on earth takes place in Rishikesh/Haridwar once in 12 years. A dip in the holy Ganga is considered of incredible sanctity and those attending the fest get a chance to do this at leisure. A special Ganga Darshan is planned for visitors who are keen. An added draw at the festival is the focus on Ayurveda, Naturopathy and the like.

Experts state that yoga means a ‘union. Through yoga a practitioner can achieve the union of breath and body, the mind and muscles and most importantly union of the self with the divine. The festival celebrates the authentic origins of yoga in the lap of the enticing Himalayas. An NRI, Jagdamba Prasad Barthwal, who has learnt the value of Yoga after returning to India after decades, states, “Yoga means combining self-consciousness with the supreme soul that is the generator of that consciousness. 

If a person raises above all temporal desires and emotions and is engulfed with the emotion of detachment, he comes into contact with the supreme consciousness. This knowledge is really worth its while.” The government plans to gradually upscale the magnitude of the Yoga Festival recognizing it as a major thrust area. Rishikesh must emerge as the Yoga Capital of the World and in the process give impetus to Wellness Tourism and contribute to the local economy. With time this endeavour can bring about a major health tourism inflow.

Parmarth Niketan here has played an important role in spreading awareness about Yoga, the world over. Now the government is pitching it to enhance the scope and scale by acting as a facilitator. A massive publicity drive has been launched. Various ashrams, hotel associations, vyapar sanghs have been invited to participate. Significant issues such as transportation, cleanliness of the city and other public conveniences as well as environmental well-being of the city are all being taken care of.The festival is celebrated to spread the awareness that Yoga is meant not merely for the ascetics or mendicants, or yogis living in caves.

Difficult words : 
spiritual = concerning deep thoughts, feelings or emotions rather than physical things, आध्यात्मिक | incredible = very difficult to believe, अविश्वसनीय sanctity = state of purity, पवित्रता की अवस्था। leisure = फुरसत का समय। naturopathy = प्राकृतिक चिकित्सा। muscles = माँसपेशियाँ। divine = दिव्य, दैवीय शक्ति। authentic = to produce evidence to show that something is genuine, real or true, असली| enticing = attractive and interesting, प्रलोभनकारी| consciousness = चेतना। temporal = अल्पकालिक। engulfed = परिग्रहण किया। detachment = पृथक्करण। magnitude = the great importance of something, महानता। emerge = उभरना। impetus = प्रोत्साहन, आवेग। endeavour = effort, प्रयास। ascetics = तपस्वियों। mendicants = beggars, भिखारियों। thrust = मुख्य बिन्दु । piching = किसी वस्तु को स्तर-विशेष पर स्थापित करना। enhance = बढ़ाना। facilitator = maker of something possible, आसान आसन बनाने वाला massive = too much, अत्यधिक I drive = लक्ष्य प्राप्ति के लिए किसी संगठन  का सराकत प्रयास

Questions 
(i) What is taking place in Rishikesh ? 
(ii) What happens in Rishikesh/Haridwar once in 12 years ? 
(iii) What is considered as incredible sancity ? 
(iv) Write down the meaning of yoga according to the experts. 
(v) Describe the benefits of yoga. 
(vi) Why is the ‘Festival of Yoga' celebrated ? 
(vii) Which place must emerge as the Yoga capital of the world? 
(viii) Who has played an important role in spreading awareness about yoga the world over? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to : least 
(x) Choose from the passage that means : effort 
Answers 
(i) The annual Yoga festival is taking place in Rishikesh. 
(ii) The sacred Maha Kumbh Mela, the greatest spiritual gathering on earth, takes place.in Rishikesh/Haridwar once in 12 years.
(iii) A dip in the holy Ganga is considred as incredible sanctity. 
(iv) Experts state that Yoga means a ‘union'. 
(v) Through yoga, a practitioner can achieve the union of breath and body, the mind and muscles and most importantly union of self with the divine. 
(vi) It is celebrated to spread the awareness that yoga is meant not merely for the ascetics or mendicants or yogis. It is also meant for those who suffer day to day stress in life. 
(vii) Rishikesh must emerge as the yoga capital of the world. 
(viii) Parmarth Niketan has played an important role in spreading awareness about yoga the world over. 
(ix) supreme 
(x) endeavour

 

34. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

Effective speaking depends on effective listening. It takes energy to concentrate on hearing and to concentrate on understanding what has been heard. Incompetent listeners fail in a number of ways. First, they may drift. Their attention drifts, from what the speaker is saying.

Second, they may counter. They find counter arguments to whatever a speaker may be saying. Third, they compete. Then, they filter. They exclude from their understanding those parts of the message which do not readily fit with their own frame of reference. Finally they react. They let personal feelings about speaker or subject override the significance of the message which is being sent. 

What can a listener do to be more effective ? The first key to effective listening is the art of concentration. If a listener positively wishes to concentrate on receiving a message, his chances of success are high. It may need determination. Some speakers are difficult to follow, either because of voice problems, or because of the form in which they send a message. There is then particular need for the determination of a listener to concentrate on what is being said.

Concentration is helped by alertness. Mental alertness is helped by physical alertness. It is not simply physical fitness, but also positioning of the body, the limbs and the head. Some people also find it helpful to their concentration if they hold the head slightly to one side. One useful way for achieving this is intensive note-taking, by trying to capture the critical headings and sub-headings the speaker is referring to.

Note-taking has been recommended as an aid to the listener. It also helps the speaker. It gives him confidence when he sees that listeners are sufficiently interested in taking notes; the patterns of eye-contact when the note-taker looks up can be very positive; and the speaker's timing is aided-he can see when a note-taker is writing hard and can then make effective use of pauses.

Posture too is important. Consider the impact made by a less competent listener who pushes his chair backwards and slouches. An upright posture helps a listener's concentration. At the same time it is seen by the speaker to be a positive feature amongst his listeners.

Difficult words: incompetent = अयोग्य/असमर्थ। effective = प्रभावशाली। concentrate = ध्यान में मग्न होना। drift= भटकना। exclude = बाहर निकला। compete= मुकाबला करना। capture=पकड़ना। confidence = विश्वास। mental alertness = मानसिक सतर्कता। impact = the powerful effect, प्रभाव। slouche = a way of sitting in which your shoulders are not straight so that you look lazy, सुस्ती से बैठना posture= मुद्रा

Questions 
(i) What is necessary for effective speaking ? 
(ii) Who fails in a number of ways ? 
(iii) Write any two ways in which incompetent listeners fail. 
(iv) What is the first key to effective listenting? 
(v) Why are some speakers difficult to follow ? 
(vi) What is helped by alertness ? 
(vii) Is posture helpful in listener's concentration ? 
(viii) What is needed for physical alertness? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: unwillingly 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: attention 
Answers:
(i) Effective listening is necessary for effective speaking. 
(ii) Incompetent listeners fail in a number of ways. 
(iii) The two ways in which incompetent listeners fail are as follows –
(i) They may drift from what the speaker is saying. 
(ii) They may counter. 
(iv) The first key to effective listening is the art of concentration. 
(v) Some speakers are difficult to follow either because of voice problems or because of the form in which they send a message. 
(vi) Concentration is helped by alertness. 
(vii) Yes, posture is helpful in listener's concentration.
(viii) Physical fitness, positioning of the body, the limbs and the head are needed for physical alertness. 
(ix) readily 
(x) concentration 

35. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :

The Taj Mahal of Agra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, for reasons more than just looking magnificent. It's the history of Taj Mahal that adds a soul to its magnificence: a soul that is filled with love, loss, remorse, and love again. 

Because if it was not for love, the world would have been robbed of a fine example upon which people base their relationships. An example of how deeply a man loved his wife, that even after she remained but a memory, he made sure that this memory would never fade away. This man was the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who was head-over-heels in love with Mumtaz Mahal, his dear wife. She was a Muslim Persian princess (her name Arjumand Banu Begum before marriage) and he was the son of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir and grandson of Akbar. It was at the age of 14 that he met Mumtaz and fell in love with her. Five years later in the year 1612, they got married.

Mumtaz Mahal, an inseparable companion of Shah Jahan, died in 1631, while giving birth to their 14th child. It was in the memory of his beloved wife that Shah Jahan built a magnificent monument as a tribute to her, which we today know as the “Taj Mahal”. The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631. Masons, stonecutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome-builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from Central Asia and Iran, and it took approximately 22 years to build what we see today. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 labourers and 1,000 elephants.

The monument was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. It was soon after the completion of Taj Mahal that Shah Jahan was deposed by his own son Aurangzeb and was put under house arrest at nearby Agra Fort.

Difficult words : magnificent = extremely attractive and impressive, भव्य | remorse = ग्लानि, पश्चात्ताप | monument = building that has special historical importance, स्मारक | tribute = an act that show your respect, भद्धांजलि | requisitioned = demanded for something, मांगएा गएा, inseparable = अभिन्नI calligrapher = सुलेखक artisans = शिल्पी | epitome = perfect example of something, प्रतीक ।deposed = removed from power, अपदस्थ किया । requisitioned = की सहायता लेना। approximately = लगभग। expenditure = खर्च । entirely = पूरी तरह से।

Questions:
(i) Why is the Taj Mahal called one of the Seven Wonders of the World? 
(ii) What kind of soul is added to the magnificence of the Taj? 
(iii) When was Shah Jahan deposed? 
(iv) How much money was spent to construct the Taj Mahal? 
(v) Who contributed in building the Taj Mahal? 
(vi) How did Mumtaz Mahal die? 
(vii) Why did Shah Jahan build the Taj Mahal? 
(viii) Who was Shah Jahan? 
(ix) Choose from the passage that is opposite to: accurately 
(x) Choose from the passage that means: wife
Answers:
(i) The Taj Mahal is called one of the Seven Wonders of the World because of its magnificence. 
(ii) A soul that is filled with love, loss, remorse and love again is added to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal. 
(iii) Shah Jahan was deposed in 1653. 
(iv) 32 million rupees were spent to complete the Taj Mahal. 
(v) They were masons, stone cutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome builders and other artisans. 
(vi) She died while giving birth to their 14th child. 
(vii) In the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal Shah Jahan built a magnificent monument as a tribute to her, which we today know as the Taj Mahal. 
(viii) Shah Jahan was a Mughal Emperor, the son of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir and grandson of Akbar. 
(ix) approximately 
(x) companion