Comprehension

What is Comprehension: Comprehension

It is not so important to know every word as to know the exact value of every word, to appreciate what we have learnt and to arrange what we know. – H. More

Meaning

Comprehension का अर्थ है 'समझ' अर्थात् 'भाव का स्पष्टीकरण।

Comprehension means understanding through reading. Actually comprehension, understanding and reading mean the same thing I can read means I can understand. I can understand means I can comprehend. To know whether you have understood what you have read, we put question to the reader. If the answers are correct, it means the reader has comprehended. This is comprehension.

Comprehension का अर्थ समझना है। पढ़ने का भी अर्थ समझना ही है। यदि आप पढ़ कर प्रश्नों के उत्तर दे सकते हैं इसका मतलब है आप समझ गये और इसीलिए उत्तर देने में समर्थ हैं। इसी समझना को comprehension रहते हैं।

What is to be done:

In comprehension exercise paragraphs are given for reading. And after you have read, certain questions are to be answered by you. These questions are from the passage you have read.
Comprehension exercise में आपको एक paragraph पढ़ने के लिए दिया जाता है। उसे आप पढ़ और पढ़ने के पश्चात पूछे गये प्रश्नों के उत्तर दें। प्रश्न इसी paragraph पर होंगे।

Unseen (अपठित) का अर्थ है बिना पढ़ा हुआ या बिना देखा हुआ। Students को Unseen Passages के प्रश्नों का उत्तर देने में काफी कठिनाई होती है। वास्तव में Unseen Passage पर पूछे गए Questions का Answer देना इस बात पर निर्भर करता है कि उस Passage का अर्थ समझने में आप कितने सक्षम है?
पूछे गए Question का Answer दिये हुए Passage में कहाँ है, यह जानने में आप कितने दक्ष है? अंग्रेजी भाषा पर आपको पकड़ कितनी मजबूत है?

How is it to be done:

इस उद्देश्य के लिए निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखें:

अब विभिन्न शब्दों से बने प्रश्नों का उत्तर देने के लिए निम्नलिखित बातों को याद रखो:

Points to remember to Score Maximum Marks:

(A) सर्वप्रथम Passage से सम्बन्धित प्रश्नों को Speedily पढ़ें, फिर Passage को Speedily पढ़ना शुरू करें। जैसे ही किसी प्रश्न का उत्तर दिखाई दे, उस भाग को पुनः पढ़कर प्रश्न का उत्तर देना चाहिए। यह Technique उस स्थिति में अपनानी चाहिए जब आपके पास समय का अभाव है, एवं कम समय में अधिकांश प्रश्नों के उत्तर देना है। इस तरह अच्छे अंक प्राप्त करने हेतु छात्र की Passage पढ़ने की अच्छी Speed एवं अच्छी Vocabulary एवं अच्छी Analytical Power की आवश्यकता होती है।

(B) यदि छात्र के पास comprehension को पढ़ने का पर्याप्त समय है तो बिन्दु (A) में बताई गई Technique उपयुक्त नहीं है। ऐसी स्थिति में निम्न Technique छात्र को अच्छे marks प्राप्त करने में सहायक होगी:

(1) सर्वप्रथम छात्र को एक बार पूरे Passage को पढ़ना चाहिए, साथ ही पूछे गए प्रश्नों को भी पढ़ लेना चाहिए। पुनः छात्र को इस Passage को पढ़ना चाहिए एवं पूछे गए प्रश्नों के अनुसार Passage में जहाँ-जहाँ प्रश्नों के उत्तर हैं वहाँ numbering कर लेनी चाहिए।

(2) दो बार पढ़ने से Passage की theme, idea का पता लग जाता है। यदि दो बार में भी Passage समझ में नहीं आता तो तीसरी बार पुनः पढ़ें।

(3) अब प्रश्नों का उत्तर देना शुरू करें। आपने Questions के आधार पर Passage में Numbering कर ली है। इस portion को पुनः पढ़कर अपना answer जहाँ तक सम्भव हो, अपने शब्दों में लिखने का प्रयास करें। यदि answer देने हेतु कोई शब्द सीमा दी गई है तो उसका ध्यान रखना चाहिए।

(4) Answer कभी भी Because या Therefore से शुरू नहीं करना चाहिए। Answer बहुत लम्बा भी नहीं लिखा जाना चाहिए, irrelevant बातों को avoid करें।

(5) ध्यान रखें प्रश्न का उत्तर Passage से ही देना है अपने ideas, opinion नहीं देनी चाहिए।
(6) Answer grammatically correct तथा to the point होना चाहिए।

(7) कई बार Comprehension में Verbal phrases या words दिए जाते हैं उसे explain करने को कहा जाता है या meaning पूछा जाता है। ध्यान रखें इसके लिए न केवल अच्छी Vocabulary की आवश्यकता है बल्कि आपकी Expression power भी अच्छी होनी चाहिए। ऐसे प्रश्नों का उत्तर, Simple भाषा में न बहुत लम्बा न बहुत छोटा दिया जाता है। Answers में Grammatical errors न हो, इसका ख्याल रखें यदि Phrase को explain करना कठिन महसूस हो तो आप अन्य उदाहरण देकर अपने उत्तर को स्पष्ट कर सकते हैं।

Types of Questions in Comprehension:

The reading section of English paper contains unseen passages which can be literary, discursive or factual. These passages generally include a variety of questions like multiple choice questions (MCQ), close or gap-filling, sentence completion, table completion, very short answer type and word attack (i. e. vocabulary based) questions. One or two of these questions may test students' ability to interpret or to draw an inference and/or to understand how different parts of a text are related. Sometimes they may also include such question types as matching exercise and true-false statements.

Here is a brief explanation of all these types:

1. Multiple Choice QUESTIONS

A typical multiple-choice question has a statement, called a stem, which is followed by answer options (usually three or four) only one of which is valid and the remaining are invalid for one reason or the other. The incorrect options are called distractors and they are intended to make guessing correct answers increasingly difficult for students. These distractors appear to be so plausible that in their hurry or carelessness students can, and often do, mark them as correct answers

The stem can be a complete sentence- a simple statement or a question. It can also be an incomplete sentence that the given options complete. The options differ from one another only very minutely and often have the same grammatical structure to rule out the possibility of arriving at correct answers by guessing, in order to arrive at the correct answer, students have to use not only their knowledge and understanding but also higher order thinking skills (HOTS) of Bloom's taxonomy-evaluating, analysing and applying etc.

Since more than one option at times may be correct, students can hone their reasoning skills by learning to argue, in a healthy way, to defend their point of view and to understand and accept that of others. This interaction not only results in excellent group dynamics among them but also develops their mental abilities as well as their linguistic competence through mental and oral discussion and frequent exchange of ideas.
Thus, multiple-choice questions attempt to achieve the following aims:
To help understand an idea or concept
To focus on understanding the meaning of a word, expression, clause, sentence or a piece of text to form an opinion and justify it on the basis of logic and reasoning.

Students must not, therefore, make the mistake of treating the multiple-choice questions like a guessing game, for doing so can be counterproductive. Instead, they should arrive at correct answers by rejecting the incorrect options on the basis of the Principle of Elimination (POE) that uses textual evidence, logic and reasoning to identify invalid options.

In accordance with the CBSE/HBSE guidelines the exercises given here contain questions with four options of answers each. They have been so designed as to avoid any negative statements in stems as well as options like 'none of the above and all of the above' as answers.

2. Cloze or Gap-filling QUESTIONS

A gap-filling question is usually a type of cloze test with blanks worth half a mark each. It is usually a summary of the given reading text. Based on their reading of the text students have to complete it by filling in the blanks with one appropriate word/phrase each.

3. Sentence Completion/Table Completion/Short Answer Type QUESTIONS

In these types of questions students are required to complete an incomplete sentence / statement / table taking information from the given text This may require them to change the form of a word or rephrase an expression or use an alternative structure to frame a correct answer.

4. Matching EXERCISE

In this type of question some items are given in a jumbled-up form, usually in two columns or under two headings. Based on their understanding of the passage students have to match these items correctly.

5. True or False STATEMENTS

In this type of question, students are given a few statements, some of which are true and others false. Based on their understanding of the passage, students identify which statements are true and which ones are false.

6. Word Attack QUESTIONS

This question tests students’ range of vocabulary. Students may have to locate target vocabulary or give its antonyms or synonyms, very rarely, they may also have to use the given vocabulary in illustrative sentences of their own.

Practice passages for all classes: from 12th to 6th

For Class 12th

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow.

Rights and duties are two sides of the same coin. One can't exist without the other Duties without rights are mere slavery similarly, rights without duties amount to lawlessness. In any civilized society, rights and duties must so side by side.

But in today's world, everybody talks much about his rights. There is a great hue and cry if our are infringed. But nobody seems to bother much about his duties. That is why there is great rights are f unrest in our present-day life. Actually, duties come first, and rights afterwards. Many a time one man's right is another man's duty and vice versa. For example, every man has the right to have an undisturbed I sleep. So, it becomes the duty of his neighbour not to tune his radio at too high a pitch. II we want to enjoy our rights we should act in such a way that the rights of others are not trespassed. It can happen only if we take due account of our duties also. In short, rights and duties are complementary things and not contradictory.

It is difficult t to agree on which right should be guaranteed to a citizen. For example, does a child have the right to be educated in his/her mother tongue? Some enthusiasts may say, "Certainly." But others may say that while everyone must have a right to education, the government should not be forced to spend money to employ special teachers for the language of every group and community. Take another example. Does every adult have a right to job? Some will say yes. Others will disagree and say that this is a privilege, not a right. They say that in these days of population explosion, it is not possible for any government to ensure full employment.

There can be disagreement on such controversial issues, but there can be no disagreement on such things as the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of want, and freedom from fear. Every nation worth the name must ensure these rights for her citizens.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1. What are the two sides of the same coin?
(a) man and society
(b) society and democracy
(c) rights and duties
(d) society and civilization
2. What do rights without duties amount to?
(a) lawlessness
(b) slavery
(c) liberty
(d) independence
3. Why is there great unrest in our present-day life?
(a) because we bother more about rights than duties
(b) because we give importance to our duties.
(c) (both (a) and (b)
(d) because we enjoy rights and avoid duties.
4 Rights and duties are:
(a) contradictory
(b)complementary
(c) dependent on each other
(d) none of these
5. What are the rights that every citizen must have?
(a) the right of freedom from wants and fear
(b) the right of freedom of religion
(c) the rights of freedom of speech.
(d) all the above.

Check your answers:
1. c 2. a 3. a 4.b 5. d

2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow.

Punctuality is a necessary habit in all public affairs of a civilized society. Without it nothing could ever be brought to a conclusion, everything would be in a state of chaos. Only in a sparsely populated rural community is it possible to disregard it. In ordinary living there can be some tolerance of unpunctuality. The intellectual, who is working on some abstruse problem, has everything coordinated and organized for the matter in hand. He is therefore forgiven, if late for the dinner party. But people are often reapproached for unpunctuality when their only fault is cutting things fine. It is hard for energetic, quick minded people to waste time, so they are often tempted to finish a job before setting out to keep an appointment. If no accidents occur on the way, like punctured tyres, diversion of traffic, sudden descent of fog, they will be on time. They are often more industrious useful citizens than those who are never late. The over-punctual can as much be a trial to others as the unpunctual.

If you are catching a train, it is always better to be comfortably early than even a fraction of a minute too late. Although being early may mean wasting a little time, this will be less than if you miss the train and have to wait an hour or so for the next one. And you avoid the frustration of arriving at the very moment when the train is drawing out of the station and being unable to get on it. And even a harder situation is to be on the platform in good time for a train and still to see it go off without you. Such an experience befell a certain young girl the first time she was travelling alone.

She entered the station twenty minutes before the train was due, since her parents had impressed upon her that it would be unforgiveable to miss it and cause the friends with whom she was going to stay to make two journeys to meet her. She gave her luggage to a porter and showed him her ticket. To her horror he said that she was two hours too soon. She felt in her handbag, a piece of paper on which her father had written down all details of the journey. She handed over to the porter There is confusion in the statement which was written on the paper by her father. But station-master was able to find the misunderstanding of words Just at the moment the train came into the station The girl, tears streaming down her face, begged to be allowed to slip into the guard’s van. But the station-master was adamant rules not be broken and she had to watch that train disappear towards her destination while she was left behind.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS

1 Which habit is necessary in all public affairs of a civilized society?
(a) obeying laws
(b) punctuality
(c) dutifulness
(d) humbleness
2 Where is punctuality possible to be disregarded?
(a) in big cities
(b) in small towns
(c)in a sparsely populated rural community
(d) in offices
3. What is hard for quick-minded people?
(a) to be punctual
(b) to commit mistakes
(c) to commit to their words
(d) to waste time.
4. What is necessary for an intellectual who is working on some abstruse problem?
(a) co-ordination and organisation of things.
(b) humbleness
(c) punctuality
(d) cleverness
5. What will be better if you are catching a train?
(a) to be on time
(b) to be early
(c) to be a few minutes late
(d) to be alert
6. What happens when you see a train leaving the platform without your boarding it?
(a) you feel sad
(b) you feel frustrated
(c)you feel happy
(d) you feel heart-broken
7. What will be the result if you miss a train?
(a) you have to wait for hours for the next train
(b) you have to wait till the next day
(c) you will be bored
d) you will regret
8. Which word in the passage means ‘hard to understand'?
(a) Disappointment
(b) Frustration
(c)Sparrely
(d) Abstruse

Check your answers:
1.(b) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (A) 5. (h) 6 (b) 7. (A) 8. (d)

For Class 10th

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow.

A. Every Indian is proud of Rabindranath Tagore. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his book of poems Gitanjali". Tagore's poems contain deep, noble and significant thought Apart from poems, Tagore also wrote plays, novels, short-stories and essays. His peculiar interest in music resulted in a special kind of music called Rabindra Sangeet. Tagore returned the title of 'Sir' to the British Government in protest against the Jallianwala-Bagh Tragedy. He was a man of extraordinary charm and distinction.

Questions: (1x5=5)

1. Which book of Tagore won Nobel Prize for him?
(a) Gitanjali
(b) Gita
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
2. What kind of a man was Tagore?
(a) Extraordinary charm
(b) Distinction
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
3. What is the main feature of Tagore's poems?
(a) Deep thought
(b) Noble thought
(c) Significant thought
(d) All of the above
4. What did Tagore write apart from poems?
(b) Novels
(a) Plays
(c) Short-stories and essays
(d) All of the above
5. Why did Tagore return the title of 'Sir' to the British Government?
(a) Protest against Jallianwala Bagh Tragedy
(b) Protest against Red Fort tragedy
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these

Check your answers:
Ans. 1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (d) 5. (a)

Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow.

Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October, 1931 at Rameshwaram He was one of the four children of Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma. He did his schooling from Sahwait School. After graduating from St. Joseph's college Tiruchirappalli, he completed his professional training as an engineer from Madras Institute of Technology. His political career is marked by becoming the Scientific Advisor to Government in 1999, He reache the zenith of his career by becoming the 11th President of India on July 25, 2002.

Questions: (1x5=5)

1. When was Abdul Kalam born?
(a) 15 October, 1931
(b) 02 October, 1931
(c) July 25, 2002
(d) None of the above
2. Where was Abdul Kalam born?
(a) New Delhi
(b) Mumbai
(c) Rameshwaram
(d) None of the above
3. When did his political career start?
(a) 1931
(b) 1999
(c) 1950
(d) 1947
4. When did he become the President of India?
(a) 25 July, 2002
(b) 15 August, 2002
(c) 26 January, 2002
(d) 15 October, 1931
Ans. (a)
5. From where did he complete his graduation?
(a) Sahwaitz school
(b) Madras Institute of Technology
(c) St. Joseph's College Tiruchirappalli
(d) None of the above

Check your answers:
1. a 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. c

Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow.

We are tempted to assume that technological progress is real progress and that material success is the criterion of civilization. If the eastern people become fascinated by machines and techniques and use them, as western nations do, to build huge industrial organizations and large military establishments, they will get involved in power politics and drift into the danger of death. Scientific and technological civilization brings great opportunities and great rewards but also great risks and temptations Science and technology are neither good nor bad. They are not to be tabooed but tamed and assigned their proper place become dangerous only if they become idols.

Questions: (1x5=5)

1. According to the author, people think that real progress lies in-
(a) material success and technological growth
(b) imitating western nations
(c) having large industries and political power
(d) taking risks and facing temptations
2. According to the author, science and technology should be
(a) tabooed and eliminated from life
(b) used in a controlled and careful manner
(c) encouraged and liberally used
(d) made compulsory in education
3. From the passage one gathers that the eastern people must
(a) appreciate scientific achievements
(b) build huge industrial organizations
(c) avoid being controlled by machines and techniques of industrial production
(d) be fascinated by machines
4. According to the author, science and technology are-
(a) totally harmless
(b) extremely dangerous
(c) to be treated as idols
(d) useful, if they are not worshipped blindly
5. Find a word from the passage which means "inclination”
(a) temptation
(b) drifted
(c) dangerous
(f) idols
(d) None of the above

Check your answers:
1. (a) 2. (b) 3. (c) 4. (d) 5. (a)

Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow:

The song of birds is one of the loveliest sounds in nature. Sometimes when we are out in the country and we hear birds singing, it seems to us they are calling back and forth, that they are telling one another something. The fact is that birds do communicate with one another, just as many other animals do. Of course, at times the sounds birds make are more expressions of joy just as we may make cries of 'Oh!" and "Ah!". But for the most part, the sounds that birds make are attempts at communication. A mother hen makes sounds that warns her children of danger and causes them to crouch down motionless. Then she gives another call which collects them together. When wild birds migrate at night, they cry out. These cries may keep the birds together and help lost ones return to the flock. But the language of birds is different from language as we use it. We use words to express ideas and these words have to be learned. Birds don't learn their language. It is an inborn instinct with them. In one experiment, for example, chicks were kept-away, from cocks and hens so they could not bear the sounds they made. Yet when they grew up, they were able to make those sounds just as well as chicks that had grown up with cocks and hens! This does not mean that birds can't learn how to sing. In fact, some birds can learn the songs of other birds. This is how the mocking bird gets its name.

Questions: (1x5=5)

(i) In nature one of the loveliest sounds is:
(a) the sound of film song
(b) the roar of a lion
(c) the song of a crow
(d) the song of birds
(ii) When wild birds migrate at night, they cry out:
(a) to keep them warm
(b) to keep the birds together
(c) to keep the enemy away
(d) to keep the young lings tight
(iii) We human beings use words:
(a) to express ideas
(b) to express meanings
(c) to express other's speech
(d) to express talent
(iv) Birds don't learn their language as:
(a) it is tough to learn
(b) it is only a quality with human them
(c) it is an inborn instinct with
(d) it is developed with extra intelligence
(v) The noun of 'mocking' is:
(a) mock
(b) mockery
(c) mockingly
(d) mocked)

Check your answers:
(i) (d) (ii) (b) (iii) (a) (iv) (c) (v) (b)

Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow:

A fuel is a material that is burned in order to get heat and light and also to generate power process of burning is a chemical reaction. A material combines with oxygen from the air and off energy. The energy is given off in the form of heat and light. Fuels can also be classified as solid, liquid and gaseous. Wood was one of the first fuels used by man. It was the easiest to get and the cheapest. After wood started becoming scarce, it was replaced by coal. Coal contains a high percentage of carbon. Carbon is the most important ingredient in most fuels. Fuels with a high percentage of carbon burn evenly and with a hot flame. The most important liquid fuels come from petroleum. However, petroleum reserves are becoming exhausted with the passage of time.

Questions: (1x5=5)

(i) What is the source of energy?
(a) Fuel
(b) Vitamins
(c) Oil
(d) None of these
(ii) The process of burning is a ……….
(a) Physical reaction
(b) Biological reaction
(c) Chemical reaction
(d) Mechanical reaction
(iii) Fuels can also be classified as
(a) Solid
(b) Liquid
(c) Gaseous
(d) All these
(iv) What was the first thing used as fuel by man?
(a) Petrol
(b) Hydel Power
(c) Wood
(d) All these
(v) What is the most important ingredient in most fuels?
(a) Hydrogen
(b) Carbon
(c) Water
(d) Nitrogen

Check your answers:
(i)a (ii)c (iii)d (iv)c (v)b

Solve your own:

Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow:

(a) Games are known as the best teachers for everyone. As they give not only knowledge but also increase our physical capacity. Through games one can get best physique. They can turn our enemy into a friend. Through it, one can learn the feeling of co-operation. Games, though essential, should not become the be-all and end-all of student life. Generally, the sportsmen waste too much time on them, and fail in the examinations. One must never devote more than an hour to sports and after that should not even think about them. Again, if a player plays a game rashly, there is danger of breaking his bones. If it is played without the spirit of sportsmanship, it can lead to blood and quarrels. In some of the colleges there is a tradition that if the visiting team is winning a match, the home team plays foul, picks a quarrel, and breaks the bones of the visitors. But in spite of all these minor defects, sports are very useful in keeping the students busy and in developing their personalities. India expects it citizens to have the qualities of the sportsmen. If we all acquire these qualities, there will be no narrow-mindedness, no corruption and no injustice.

Questions: (1x5=5)

(1) Why are games known as best teachers?
(a) They give knowledge
(b) They increase physical capacity
(c) They turn enemy into friend
(d) All these
(2) Why do sportsmen generally fail in examinations?
(a) They waste too much time on games
(b) They try to copy in the examinations
(c) They are too careless
(d) They never go to school
(3) When does a player face danger of breaking his bones?
(a) When he is careless
(b) When he eats junk food
(c) When he drinks too much water
(d) When he plays rashly
(4) Sports are very useful as they ………
(a) develop the e personalities
(b) keep students busy
(c) develop the habit of discipline
(d) All these
(5) If we all acquire the qualities of a sportsman there will be ……..
(a) No narrow mindedness
(b) No injustice
(c) No corruption
(d) All these

Read the passage given below and answer the questions given at the end:

My message is very simple. It is no new truth that has dawned upon me today. I have to the best of my ability tried to live up to it for the past fifty years. And the more I have succeeded in living up to it, the greater has been my inward joy. Nor is it for the first time that I am delivering this message to India. But because of some incidents in the recent past, it comes to the people as a new thing. My message is simply this that 'savarna' Hindus, who have been considering themselves superior to those whom they have called untouchables or 'avarna' Hindus, should realise that this superiority has no sanction whatsoever in the Shastras. My reason is offended and my heart is wounded at the very thought that God Himself, who has created both 'savarna' Hindus and 'avarna" Hindus, should impose this bar between His children. The very thought that the Rishis who gave the Vedas and the Upanishads and who in every mantra that they pronounced taught the unity of Ged, could ever think of any such thing as untouchability as it is practised today in Hinduism, must be hateful to every intelligent person.

Questions:

1. What is Gandhiji's message?
गांधीजी का क्या संदेश है?
2. How long did he live up to the message?
वह यहाँ तक दस संदेश के अनुसार जीते रहे?
3. What was the effect of the message on him?
संदेश का उन पर क्या प्रभाव पड़ा?
4. What does he think of Shastras and Rishis?
वह शास्त्रों तथा ऋषियों के बारे में क्या सोचते हैं ?

Check your answers:
1. Gandhiji's message is that there is no difference between savarna Hindus and avarna Hindus.
गांधी जी का संदेश यह है कि सवर्ण तथा अवर्ण हिन्दुओं में कोई अंतर नहीं है।
2. He set his life according to the message for about fifty years.
उन्होंने लगभग पचास वर्ष तक अपने जीवन को इस संदेश के अनुसार डाला।
3. He got greater joy with the passage of time.
समय बीतने के साथ-साथ उन्हें अधिक आनन्द प्राप्त हुआ।
4. Shastras and Rishis never said anything like untouchability. He thinks that Shastras and Rishis do not approve of the division between man and man.
वह सोचते है कि शास्त्र तथा ऋऋषि मनुष्य और मनुष्य के बीच विभाजन को स्वीकार नहीं करते ।

Read the passage given below and answer the questions given at the end. Check your answers with ours:

On this day our first thoughts go to the architect of this freedom, the Father of our Nation, who, embodying the old spirit of India, held aloft the torch of freedom and lighted up the darkness that surrounded us. We have often been unworthy followers of lis and have strayed from his message, but not only we but succreding generations will remember this message and bear the imprint ia their hearts of this great son of India, magnificent in his faith and strength and courage and humility. We shall never allow that torch of freedom to be blown out, however high the wind or stormy the tempest.

Questions:

(1) Who is the 'Father of our nation'? Why is he referred to as 'architect'?
(ii) What are the qualities of this great son of India as mentioned in this passage?
(iii) Write the following as an affirmative sentence, "We shall never allow that torch of freedom to be blown out".
(iv) Write the antonyms of 'darkness' humility'.

Check your answers:
(i) Gandhiji is the father of our nation. He is referred to as architect of freedom because he had designed the entire struggle for freedom.
(ii) Gandhiji, the great son of India, had following qualities in him:
1. He represented the spirit of Indian culture.
2. He was a preacher and follower of non-violence.
3. He was courageous and had humility.
(iii) Affirmative sentence: 'We'll always keep the torch of freedom burning.
(iv) words:
Darkness> light
Humility> pride

Try to solve it your own:

Read the following passage and answer the questions given at the end:

But you, students, should know that behind this message there is also a much greater message. The monster of untouchability has invaded every form of society in India; and the idea behind this message is that there should be not only no untouchability as between Hindus and Hindus, but there should be no untouchability whatsoever between Hindus, Christians, Musalmans, Parsis and the rest. I am convinced that, if this great change of heart can be brought about among millions of savarna Hindus and if their hearts can be purified-as certainly they will be purified-we should live in India as one people trusting and loving each other. It is untouchability that separates us from one another and makes life itself unlovely and difficult to live.

Questions:

1. Describe the effect of untouchability.
अस्पृश्यता के प्रभाव का वर्णन करो।
2. What idea does he want to preach through this message?
इस संदेश के द्वारा वह किस विचार का प्रचार करना चाहते हैं?
3. How can we live as one nation?
हम एक राष्ट्र के रूप में कैसे रह सकते हैं?
4. Who separates us from one another?
हमें एक-दूसरे से क्या चीज अलग करती है?

For Class 8th

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

It is dust that gives the blueness to the sky. Everyone sees that the sky is blue, but very few are observant enough to question why. Some explain the colour by saying that depth (height) causes it to be blue. Such an explanation, however, does not tell us why the sunrise or the sunset fills the sky with all the colours of the spectrum, or why the sun sparking on water gives it a brilliance of white, green and orange. It took a scientist to discover by careful and minute experiments that it is the dust in the air that makes the blue, and that the thickness or lightness of the dust particles gives the many hues of the morning and evening.

Questions:

Q.1) What causes colour (blue) to the sky.
Q.2) What do some people say as the cause of this colour?
Q.3) Why is this reason wrong?
Q.4) What did the scientist do to find the reason?
Q.5) What is the reason for the many hues (colours) of the morning and evening?
Q.6) Write meanings of the words: observant and spectrum.

Check your answers:
1. The dust causes colour to the sky.
2. Depth or height causes colour.
3. Does not explain why the sunrise or the sunset fills the sky with different colours.
4. The scientist did the experiments to find the reason of blueness.
5. Thickness or the lightness of the dust particles is the reason for the hues (colours) of the morning and evening.
6. Meanings: -
Observant- who is a keen observer or a good looker.
Spectrum- image formed by rays.

In the above passage you have seen that main idea was the first sentence in the paragraph. "It is dust that gives blueness to the sky. "Sometimes you are asked to give a heading to the passage. Here the most suitable heading to the passage would be "Dust gives blueness to the sky".
So, you have to be very careful in reading the passage from the very first sentence When you are answering the questions, underline the parts of the passage which you think is the answer to the particular question and put the number to it. Then write the fair answers on the paper.

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Diwali or Deepavali is the festival of light. The very mention evokes fond memories of lamps, sweets, gifts and fireworks. There are numerous legends and myths associated with this festival, and each day is significant.
The first day is Dhanteras or Dhantrayodashi which falls on the 13th day of the month of Karthik, The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali. The actual day of Diwali is the third day, which falls on Amavasya or the moonless night. On this day, people share their joys and blessings, generating an atmosphere of communal amity. This day is also celebrated to commemorate the return of Kam, Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
Then comes Annakoot. The last day is Bhai Dooj. On this day brothers are treated to lavish feasts by their susters. Another myth links Maha Bali to this festival. When he became a menace to the devas, Maha Vishnu in his avatar as Vamana, a Brahman boy stamped him down to the underworld. However, since Maha Bali was a righteous and benevolent ruler, Vishnu gave him the lamp of knowledge and allowed him to return to carth once a year, to light millions of lamps to dispel the darkness of ignorance and spread the light of wisdom in this world.

Multiple Choice Questions
Write the option you consider the most appropriate.

1. Diwali in originally meant to be a festival of …….
(a) sweets
(b) firecrackers
(c) light
(d) legends and myths
2. People celebrate this festival for
(a) 5 days
(b) 3 days
(c) 2 days
(d) 7 days
3. The day in which brothers are treated in a special way by their sisters comes
(a) 1 day after Diwali
(b) 2 days before Diwali
(c) 2 days after Diwali
(d) 3 days after Diwali
4. The myths and stories of Diwali are related to
(a) Lord Rama
(b) Maha Bali
(c) Lord Vishnu
(d) several characters
5. According to the passage, Maha Bali was
(a) kind
(b) knowledgeable
(c) ignorant
(d) proud

Check your answers:
(1)c (2)a (3)c (4)b (5)b

Read the following passage and answer the questions given at the end:

So we must also think of their country and of the many other countries in the world, and remember that everywhere there are children like you going to school and play, sometimes quarrelling but always making friends again. You can read about these countries in your books and when you grow up, many of you will visit them. Go there as friends and you will find friends to greet you.
As I write I think of the vast army of children all over the world, outwardly different in many ways, speaking different languages, wearing different kinds of clothes and yet so very like one another. If you bring them together, they play or quarrel. But even their quarrelling is some kind of play. They do not think of differences amongst themselves.

Questions

1. What should we remember when we think of other countries?
जब हम दूसरे देशों के बारे में सोचते हैं तो हमें क्या याद रखना चाहिए?
2. How should we visit other countries?
हमें दूसरे देशों में कैसे जाना चाहिए?
3. How are children of various countries different out wardly?
बाह्य रूप में विभिन्न देशों के बच्चे किस प्रकार मिग्न है?
4. What will happen if the children are brought together?
यदि बच्चों को इकट्ठा कर दिया जाय तो क्या होगा?
5. Why is their quarrelling thought to be play?
उनके लड़ने-झगड़ने को खेल क्यों समझा जाता है?

Check your answers:
1. We should remember that there are children like us everywhere. They play and quarrel but become friends again.
स्मरण रखना चाहिए कि वहाँ भी हमारी तरह बच्चे हैं। वे खेलते हैं तथा झगड़ते हैं परन्तु पुनः मित्र बन जाते हैं।
2, We should visit other countries as friends.
हमें मिश्र के रूप में दूसरे देशों में जाना चाहिए ।
3. Their languages and clothes are different. This shows their outward difference.
उनकी भाषा और वस्त्र भिन्न हैं, यह उनकी बाह्य भिन्नता प्रकट करते हैं।
4. If the children are brought together, they play or quarrel.
यदि बच्चों को इकट्ठा कर दिया जाय, तो वे खेलते या झगड़ते हैं।
5. Their quarrelling is thought to be play because they do not think of differences amongst themselves.
उनके सहने झगड़ने को सेल समझा जाता है क्योंकि वे अपने बोग अन्तर नहीं समझते।

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

For a long time, it was thought that sharks ate people by choice. Now it has come to light that almost all attacks are accidents. The shark mistakes the human for its normal prey. Earlier it was thought that once the shark scented blood it launched into a feeding frenzy which resulted in death. Now we know that almost seventy-five percent of shark bite victims survive. This is perhaps because it realizes that it has made a mistake. We have now realized that sharks are not villains but victims too victims in danger.

Questions

Q.1 What is the myth regarding sharks?
Q.2 What percentage of shark bite victims survive?
Q.3 Why is the author calling the sharks victims in danger?
Q.4 Find the opposite of the following words from the passage:
(a) Dark
(b) Hero
(c) Safety
(d) Life
(e) Abnormal

Check your answers:
Ans.1. For a long time, it was thought that sharks ate people by choice.
Ans.2. Seventy-five percent of shark bite victims survive.
Ans.3. We have now realized that sharks are not villains but victims too-victims in danger.
Ans. 4. (a) Hero - Villains (b) Dark-Light (c) Safety-Danger (d) Life-Death (e) Abnormal – Normal

Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow.

Four-year-old Sheen sat in her mother's lap while they read a book about tigers and how they are an endangered species. The book used some pretty big words that Sheen didn't know, so her mother had to explain what they meant. Sheen learned that tigers are decreasing in number, and the places where they can live and freely roam are getting smaller and smaller, partly due to the expansion of cities into their territory. Some countries have started programs to help protect the tigers from becoming extinct-another big word Sheen learned from the story. It means that the tigers will eventually all be gone, if something isn't done to save them. 'Save the Tiger' month was begun to help create awareness about the problems the tigers are having. At the end of the book, Sheen suggested that her family should adopt a tiger. Her mother smiled.

Questions

1. How old is Sheen in the story?
(a) Three years old
(b) Four years old
(c) Five years old
(d) Six years old
2. What were Sheen and her mother reading about?
(a) Cats
(b) Elephants
(c) Tigers
(d) Dogs
3. The tiger is an ………. species.
(a) endangered
(b) extinct
(c) dangerous
(d) friendly
4. Tigers are in danger of becoming
(a) endangered
(b) dangerous
(c) extinct
(d) dead
5. Sheen suggested that her family should adopt a ……..
(a) cat
(b) dog
(c) elephant
(d) tiger

Check your answers:
1.B 2.C 3.A 4.C 5.D

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

Our Puja holidays had started a few days ago. Babu had gone to Jamsedhpur on tour. Only Ma, Feluda and I were at home. We didn't plan to go out of town this time. I didn't mind staying at home as long as I could be with Feluda. He had become quite well known as an amateur detective. So, it shouldn't be surprising at all, I thought, if he got involved in another case. My only fear was that he might one day refuse to take me with him. But that hadn't happened so far. Perhaps there was an advantage in being seen with a young boy. No one could guess easily that he was on investigation, if we travelled together.

Questions

Q.1 Who is 'I' in the passage?
Q.2 Why didn't he mind staying at home during Puja holidays?
Q.3 What was his only fear?
Q.4 What is the advantage of an investigation being seen with a young boy?
Q.5 Find the opposite of the following words from the passage. (a)ended
(b) many
(c) unknown
(d) disadvantage

Check your answers:
Ans.1. ‘I’ is the young boy.
Ans.2. He didn't mind staying at home as long as he could be with Feluda.
Ans.3. His only fear was that he might one day refuse to take with him.
Ans.4. Ans. No one could guess easily that he was on investigation.
Ans.5. (a) ended Started
(b) many a few
(c) unknown known
(d) disadvantage advantage

Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow.

"It's Friday", said Meenu "Friday is the best day of the week." "Yes", said mother. "I will pick you up after school." "Good", said Meenu, "Tonight we can watch a movie together." "What do you want for dinner?" asked mother. "Chicken please", said Meenu. "I love chicken." That night, Meenu and her mother ate chicken and watched a movie. "I love Friday", said Menu. "I also", said Mom.

Questions

Q1. Which day is mentioned in this passage?
(a) Thursday
(b) Saturday
(c) Wednesday
(d) Friday
Q2. What did Meenu say?
(a) Tuesday is the best day
(b) Wednesday is the best day
(c) Friday is the best day
(d) Saturday is the best day
Q3. Who loves chicken?
(a) Sheela
(b) Meena
(c) Meenu
(d) Teena
Q4. What is the first form of the verb 'Said'?
(a) Say
(b) Sayed
(c) Said
(d) Saying
Q5. Who is talking to Meenu in this passage?
(a) Her father
(b) Her sister
(c) Her mother
(d) Her aunt
Q6. Delhi is ….. than Mumbai during winter.
(a) Cold
(b) Colder
(c) Coldest
(d) More colder
Q7. Vivek ………… an apple daily
(a) eating
(b) eat
(c) eats
(d) eaten
Q8. Find the error in the following sentence
We had already see the movie.
(a) had already
(b) see
(c) the movie
(d) no error
Q9. Name the underlined part of speech.
Sunita kept the book on the table.
(a) Conjunction
(b) Preposition
(c) Verb
(d) Adverb
Q10. Choose the correct passive voice of the following sentence.
She is playing chess.
(a) Chess is played by her.
(b) Chess is being played by her
(c) Chess is been played by her
(d) Chess is play by her
Q11. Ravi celebrates his birthday ……… 5 January every year.
(a) at
(b) over
(c) in
(d) on
Q12. Read the sentence and choose the correct option.
The girl asked, "Did you buy those flowers?"
(a) The girl asked if she buys those flowers.
(b) The girl asked if I buy those flowers.
(c) The girl asked if I had bought those flowers.
(d) The girl asked if she bought those flowers.

Check your answers:
1. D 2. C 3. C 4. A 5. C 6. B 7. C 8. B 9. B 10. B 11. D 12. C

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

Oil spills happen when people make mistakes or are careless and cause an oil tanker to leak oil into the ocean. Equipment breaking down may cause an oil spill. Illegal dumpers are people who will dump crude oil into oceans because they do not want to spend money on decomposing their waste oil. Natural disasters (like hurricanes) may cause an oil spill too. Birds die from oil spills if their feathers get covered in oil. The bird will then be poisoned because it will try to clean itself. Animals may die because they get hypothermia, causing their body temperature to fall and they die due to low body temperature. Oil can blind an animal. The animals are not able to see and be aware of predators who then attack and kill them. Oil may also cause the death of an animal by entering the animal's lungs or liver. The animal will then be poisoned by the oil.

Questions

Q1. When do oil spills happen?
Q.2 Who are illegal dumpers?
Q.3 How do birds get poisoned?
Q4 Who suffer from oil spill?
Q.5 What happens due to hypothermia?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Oil spills happen when people make mistakes or are careless and cause an oil tanker to leak oil into the ocean. Equipment breaking down may cause an oil spill.
Ans.2. Illegal dumpers are people who will dump crude oil into oceans because they do not want to spend money on decomposing their waste oil.
Ans.3. Birds die from oil spills if their feathers get covered in oil. The bird will then be poisoned because it will try to clean itself.
Ans.4. Birds and animals suffer from oil spill.
Ans.5. Animals may die because they get hypothermia, causing their body temperature to fall and they die due to low body temperature.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions by choosing the most appropriate answer from the given options that follow:

The sun is rising in the east. It is making the day bright. The birds are flying in the sky. The river is flowing. It is reflecting the image of the sun. Some boats are floating on the river bank. Yogesh is rowing his boat. Anita is carrying a basket on her head. She is walking away from the river. A mango tree is growing behind two houses.

Questions

1. The sun is rising in the …….
(a) West
(b) South
(c) East
(d) North
2. What is reflecting in the river?
(a) Sun
(b) Moon
(c) Plants
(d) Stars
3. Who is rowing his boat?
(a) Anita
(b) Mohit
(c) Manish
(d) Yogesh
4. What is Anita carrying?
(a) A boat
(b) Mango leaf
(c) A basket
(d) Tea-leaves
5. What is growing behind the houses?
(a) A neem tree
(b) A banyan tree
(c) An oak tree
(d) A mango tree

Check your answers:
Answers: 1. C 2. A 3. D 4. C 5. D

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

Today is the age of science. New technology and developments in various fields of science have totally changed our lives in all spheres. If our ancestors were to return now to the earth, they would not recognise it. Science has made our life more comfortable, beautiful and hassle free. Due to development in the field of science, fast means of communication and transport have made the world smaller. Electricity is one of the invaluable gifts of science. It is needed to run factories, vehicles appliances, trains, etc. Science has also conquered many dreadful diseases. Now even brain can be operated upon and many vital organs can be transplanted. Means of transport and communication are many. As a result, travelling and working has now become comfortable. We have computers, cars, laptops, buses, cell phones, metro trains, ships and aeroplanes. Man has even reached the moon and many other planets. Undoubtedly, science is a wonderful gift to the mankind but care should be taken to use it for its welfare and not destruction.

Questions

Q.1 How has science made our life comfortable?
Q.2 Write down various uses of electricity?
Q.3 Write any two achievements in the field of medicine.
Q.4 Pick out words from the passage which have the same meaning as the words given below: Pleasant, progress, precious

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Science has made our life comfortable and hassle free. Due to development in the field of science, fast means of communication and transport have made the world smaller.
Ans.2. It is needed to run factories, vehicles, appliances, trains, etc.
Ans.3. Science has also conquered many dreadful diseases. Now even brain can be operated upon and many vital organs can be transplanted.
Ans.4. (b) pleasant-beautiful
(a) progress-development
(c) precious-valuable

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

The hardworking cobbler Ahmed used to work all day in his shop. The son of Mr. Sharma, Akash used to come to see him every day for hours. He would enjoy himself watching how the tradesman worked. "Young man, why don't you try your hand at making shoes, even if it is only to pass the time?" said the cobbler. The boy began to see what he could do. But after a little practice he found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest shoes. Old Mr. Sharma died and the son lost all his money. He had to leave home. It so happened that in the village there were numerous people who were spending a lot of money to buy strong shoes and even at times when they paid high prices, they were not always able to get what they wished. Akash, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making shoes and selling them. The village people happily accepted his offer. And after a while, Akash found that he was soon making the finest and strongest shoes in the village.

Questions

Q.1 Who was Ahmed?
Q.2 What did Akash watch for hours?
Q.3 Why did Akash leave home?
Q.4 What did Akash find after a little practice?
Q.5 What did Akash remember?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Ahmed was a cobbler.
Ans.2. He used to come to see how the tradesman worked for hours.
Ans.3. Akash's father died and he lost all his money. So, Akash had to leave home.
Ans.4. He found that he was becoming very skilled and soon he was making some of the finest shoes.
Ans.5. Akash, who was finding it difficult to earn his daily bread remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making shoes.

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

This is the story of Eklavya, a tribal prince, who regarded Dronacharya as his teacher. He made a clay statue of his guru and started practising archery in front of it. Soon he became an expert in shooting. Once, while Drona and his pupils were hunting in the forest, their hunting dog spotted his statue and started barking. Suddenly, seven arrows were shot at the dog's mouth but the dog was not hurt. Amazed Drona immediately learnt about this expert shooter greater than his favourite pupil, Arjuna. On being asked, this shooter admitted that he practised in front of his clay statue. Though impressed Drona remembered to have promised Arjuna to make him the world's greatest archer. He demanded as his gurudakshina from this tribal prince, his right-hand thumb.

Questions

Q.1 Who was Eklavya?
Q.2 Whom did Eklavya regard as his guru?
Q.3 What did Eklavya make?
Q.4 How many arrows were shot at the dog's mouth?
Q.5 What did Dronacharya demand as his gurudakshina from Eklavya?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Eklavya was a tribal prince.
Ans.2. Eklavya regarded Dronacharya as his guru.
Ans.3. Eklavya made a clay statue of his guru.
Ans.4. Seven arrows were shot at the dog's mouth.
Ans.5. Dronacharya demanded Eklavya's right hand thumb

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

Once there lived a slave in the city of Rome. His master was very cruel. He ill-treated the slave and beat him daily. One day he got a chance to run away. So, he reached a forest and there he saw a lion. He was afraid of the lion. But the lion had a thorn in his paw and was crying. The slave saw the thorn and picked it out. The lion was relieved of pain. The lion thanked the slave heartily.

Questions

Q.1 Where did the slave live?
Ans.1. The slave lived in the city of Rome.
Q.2 How did his master treat him?
Ans.2. He ill-treated the slave and beat him daily.
Q.3 How did he reach the forest?
Ans.3. One day he got a chance to run away and reached the forest.
Q.4 Why was the lion crying?
Ans.4. The lion had a thorn in his paw and was crying.
Q.5 What did the slave do?
Ans.5. The slave picked the thorn out.

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

Robert Bruce was the king of Scotland. His country was not free. It was under the English. He wanted to free his country. He made many attempts, but all in vain. He lost heart and fled into a forest. He hid himself in a cave. He was very sad. One day he caught sight of a spider. It was trying to reach its cobweb. The cobweb was near the ceiling. It made nine attempts, but failed. In its ninth attempt, it reached its cobweb. But it again fell down. The king thought that it would not try any more. But it did not lose heart. It tried once more. This time it got success. The king learnt a lesson. He decided to try once more. He gathered a large army. He attacked the enemy. He fought bravely. This time he succeeded. His country was free again. He was very happy.

Questions

Q.1 Who was Robert Bruce?
Q.2 Where did he hide himself?
Q.3 What did he see in the cave?
Q.4 What was the spider doing?
Q.5 What did the king learn from the spider?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Robert Bruce was the king of Scotland.
Ans.2. He hud himself in a cave.
Ans.3. He saw a spider in the cave.
Ans.4. The spider was trying to reach its cobweb.
Ans.5. The king learnt a lesson. He decided to try once more to free his country. This time he succeeded.

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

On the way, Varadraj felt thirsty. He came across a well and went close to it. He saw some marks of the rope on the stone wall of the well. He was surprised at it. He thought "constant rubbing by the rope has made marks on the stone wall. Why can I not learn reading and writing, if I practise regularly? He said to himself, "I will work hard." He was now full of determination and confidence. He drank water and resolved to go back to the Ashram.

Questions

Q.1 What did Varadraj see on the stone wall off the well?
Q.2 Why did Varadraj go to the well?
Q.3 What did Varadraj determine after seeing the stone wall?
Q.4 What can be helpful to learn reading and writing?
Q.5 Where did Varadraj go after drinking water?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Varadraj saw some marks of the rope on the stone wall of the well.
Ans.2. Varadraj went to the well because he felt thirsty,
Ans.3. He determined to learn reading and writing and practise regularly.
Ans.4. Regular practice can be helpful to learn reading writing.
Ans.5. He went back to the Ashram.

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

Rantideva, who was a king, became a Hermit. He had given his wealth to the poor and lived a simple life in the solitude of the jungle. He and his family had only the bare necessities of life. One day, after a fast of forty-eight hours, a light meal of rice with milk and sugar was prepared for him. A poor Brahmin came up to the door of the hut and asked for food. Rantideva gave him half of his rice. Then came a Sudra begging for help and Rantideva gave him half of what remained.
Next, Rantideva heard a dog barking, the poor beast seemed to be starving. Rantideva gave him what was left. Last of all came an outcaste who stopped at the Hermit's door and asked for help. Rantideva gave him the milk and the sugar, and continued to fast.
Suddenly, four Gods appeared in front of Rantideva, "It was to us, Rantideva, that you gave food, for we assumed the forms of a Brahmin, a Sudra, a dog and a poor outcaste. You were good to us all and we praise you for your loving thoughts." A kind heart treats all men and even animals as members of one family, the family of humanity.

Questions

Q.1 Who was Rantideva?
Q.2 For how long did Rantideva fast?
Q.3 What was the meal prepared for Rantideva?
Q.4 Who came at the door step of Rantideva?
Q.5 Who came last of all at door step of Rantideva?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Rantideva was a king. He became a Hermit.
Ans.2. Rantideva fasted for forty-eight hours.
Ans.3. A light meal of rice with milk and sugar was prepared for him.
Ans.4. A poor Brahmin came up to the door step of Rantideva.
Ans.5. Last of all an outcaste came at the door step of Rantideva.

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

Mary lived on a farm with her mother, father and uncle. She loved to ride horses. Her special horse was called Cinni. Mary and Cinni use to go riding every day. One day, they went near the river. Mary's saddle was loose and she fell off. Cinni could feel that she was sliding off, and she knelt down so that Mary fell gently and did not hurt herself.

Questions

Q.1 Where did Mary live?
Q.2 Who lived with Mary?
Q.3 Who was Cinni?
Q.4 What happened to Mary one day?
Q.5 What did Cinni do when she felt that Mary was sliding off?

Check your answers:
1. Mary lived on a farm.
2. Mary's mother, father and uncle lived with her.
3. Cinni was Mary's horse.
4. Mary's saddle was loose, and she fell off.
5. Cinni knelt down so that Merry fell gently and did not hurt herself.

Read the following passage carefully:

King Solomon was famous for his wisdom. The Queen of Sheba wanted to test him. One day she went to the King with two garlands. One of the garlands was made of real flowers. The other one was made of paper flowers. But both the garlands locked exactly alike. She held one garland in each of her hands and stood in front of the King She said, "O wise King, tell me, without moving from your seat, which one of these two garlands is made of real flowers." The King looked at each of the two garlands very carefully. They looked very much alike. He could not tell one from the other. When his eyes failed to guide him, the wise King used his brain to solve the problem. A bright idea came to his mind. He ordered one of his servants to open the window overlooking the garden. The servant opened the window. Soon bees came in from the garden and began hovering around the garland in the Queen's right hand. The King smiled and said, "The bees of my garden tell me that the garland in your right hand is made of real flowers." The Queen bowed down with respect and said. "O King, your answer is right. You are, indeed, a very wise man."

Now answer the following questions by choosing the correct options given below:

1. The Queen of Sheba wanted to test King Solomon’s
(a) wisdom
(b) honesty
(c) tolerance
(d) truthfulness
2.What was special about the two garlands?
(a) Both of them looked exceptionally beautiful.
(b) Both of them looked exactly alike.
(c) Both of them attracted bees
(d) Both of them withered at the same time.
3. When his eyes failed to guide him the king used his
(a) nose
(b) heart
(c) mind
(d) ears
4. …………… began hovering around the garland, made of real flowers.
(a) Insects
(b) bees
(c) Birds
(d) all of the above
5. The word "bowed' in the last paragraph means
(a) bent head in respect
(b) overlooked
(c) showed gratitude
(d) complained.

Check your answers:
1. a 2. b 3. c 4. b 5. a

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

The umbrella is an everyday thing for many of us. We use it during rains or when the sun is too strong. In olden days, only the royals used it. The old umbrellas were made of oiled silk while the modern ones are made of a material called Teflon. They can be folded and made shorter or extended to become longer. They are waterproof also. Majority of the umbrellas are made in China.

Questions

Q.1 Why is an umbrella everyday thing for many of us?
Q.2 Who used umbrellas in olden days?
Q.3 Which material was used to make old umbrellas?
Q.4 Which material is used to make modern umbrellas?
Q.5 In which country majority of umbrellas are made?

Check your answers:
1. We use it during rains or when the sun is too strong.
2. Only the royals used it in olden days.
3. Oiled silk was used to make old umbrellas.
4. Teflon is used to make modern umbrellas.
5. Majority of umbrellas are made in China.

Read the following passage carefully:

Buddhism is one of the great religions of the world. Most of its followers live in Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand, but there are Buddhists everywhere. The founder of Buddhism was Prince Gautama Siddhartha, born to luxury. One day, as he left his palace he saw three men-one very sick, one very old, and one dead. Very disturbed by this evidence of man's suffering, he began to wonder how man might find true and lasting happiness. He fasted and meditated as he sought the answer. One day, as he sat under a fig tree, which became known as the Bo Tree, or tree of enlightenment, he suddenly saw clearly that the cure for all unhappiness lay in a mastery of one's selfish desires. He set out to teach his discovery to the world. As Buddha, "the Enlightened One," he wandered through India with his disciples for more than forty years, teaching the people how to find true happiness.

Now answer the following questions by choosing the correct options given below:

1 Which of the following countries does not have followers of Buddhism?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) China
(c) Japan
(d) India
2 Among the three men, one was dead, one was sick and one was
(a) mad
(b) weak
(c) old
(d) saint
3. Buddha began to meditate under fig tree to find out
(a) the cure of man's suffering
(b) the cause of man's suffering
(c) the worth of man's existence
(d) the miseries of man's life.
4. Buddha discovered that "the cure for all unhappiness lay in a mastery of one's selfish desires. What is meant by mastery of one's selfish desires?
(a) One should enhance one's desires.
(b) One should control one's desires
(c) One should overlook one's desires.
(d) One should be guided by one's selfish desires.
5. The word 'enlightenment in the passage means
(a) happiness
(b) satisfaction
(c) understanding of something
(d) tolerance

Check your answers:
1. d 2. c 3. b 4. b 5. c

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

There are many kinds of squirrels. All of them belong to the rodent family, like mice and rats. Some squirrels live in trees. One of the best-known tree squirrels is the red squirrel. Red squirrels are reddish in colour. They have long, bushy tails. They like to live alone. They eat nuts and berries. They are much larger than Indian squirrel, at least one foot in length.

Questions

Q.1 To which group do squirrels belong to?
Q.2 Name a squirrel that lives in trees?
Q.3 What do red squirrels eat?
Q.4 Describe the Red squirrel.
Q.5 Does Red squirrel live in groups?

Check your answers:
1. Squirrels belong to the rodent family.
2. Red squirrel lives in trees.
3. The Red squirrels eat nuts and berries.
4. The Red squirrels are reddish in colour. They have long, bushy tails.
5. No, the red squirrel likes to live alone.

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

Books are very useful to us. They never cheat the reader. Books are a good source of knowledge. We get knowledge on different subjects. We can find everything in the books. By reading the books we can be in the company of great writers of the past. They provide us food for the mind and joy for the soul.

Questions

Q.1 What is useful us?
Q.2 Whom do the books never cheat?
Q.3 What do we find in books?
Q.4 What are the books good source of?
Q.5 What do the books provide us?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Books are very useful to us.
Ans.2. Books never cheat the readers.
Ans.3. We can find everything in the books. By reading the books we can be in the company of great writers of the past.
Ans.4. Books are a good source of knowledge.
Ans.5. Books provide us food for the mind and joy for the soul.

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

A big fruit basket is lying on the table. There are four bananas and three apples in the basket. It also has a small bunch of grapes and a papaya. Two apples are lying outside the basket. A 'Happy Diwali' Card is tied to the handle of the basket. There is a girl standing next to the basket. She has two apples in her hand.

Questions

Q.1 How many apples are outside the basket?
Q.2 How many apples are in girl's hand?
Q.3 How many apples are in the basket?
Q.4 What is the total number of apples?
Q.5 Name other fruits in the basket?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Two apples are outside the basket.
Ans.2. She has two apples in her hand.
Ans.3. There are three apples in the basket.
Ans.4. Total number of apples is seven.
Ans.5. Other fruits in the basket are-grapes and papaya.

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

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October 1931 at Rameshwaram. He was one of the four children of Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma. He did his schooling from Sahwaitz School. After graduating from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli, he completed his professional training as an engineer from Madras Institute of Technology. His political career is marked by becoming the Scientific Advisor to Government in 1999. He reached the Zenith of his career by becoming the 11th President of India on July 25, 2002.

Questions

Q.1 When was Abdul Kalam born?
Q.2 Write the names of his parents?
Q.3 When did his political career start?
Q.4 When did he become the president of India?
Q.5 From where did he complete his graduation?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Abdul Kalam was born on 15th October 1931.
Ans.2. The names of his parents are Jainulabdeen and Ashiamma.
Ans.3. His political career started in 1999,
Ans.4. He became the President of India on July 25, 2002.
Ans.5. He completed his graduation from St. Joseph's College, Tiruchirappalli.

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

Every Indian is proud of Rabindranath Tagore. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his book of poems 'Gitanjali'. Tagore's poems contain deep, noble and significant thought. Apart from poems, Tagore also wrote plays, novels, short-stories and essays. His peculiar interest in music resulted in a special kind of music called Rabindra Sangeet. Tagore returned the title of 'Sir' to the British Government in protest against the Jalianwala-Bagh Tragedy. He was a man of extraordinary charm and distinction.

Questions

Q.1 Which book of Tagore won Nobel Price for him?
Q.2 What kind of a man was Tagore?
Q.3 What is the main features of Tagore's poems?
Q.4 What was the result of Tagore's interest in music?
Q.5 Why did Tagore return the title of 'Sir' to British Government?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. Gitanjali.
Ans.2. Tagore was a man of extraordinary charm and distinction.
Ans.3. Tagore's poems contain deep, noble and significant thought.
Ans.4. His peculiar interest in music resulted in a special kind of music called Rabindra-Sangeet.
Ans.5. Tagore returned the title of 'Sir' in protest against Jalianwala-Bagh Tragedy.

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

There lived a cat and a dog. The cat's name was kitty and the dog was called Moti. They were very friendly. One day they saw a piece of cake in the verandah. The two friends ran towards it and collided with each other. Now they became enemies and started fighting for the piece of cake. A cunning squirrel was watching them from a branch of a tree. It jumped at the cake and ate it. It began to laugh loudly.

Questions

Q.1 What was the name of the cat?
Q.2 What was the name of the dog?
Q.3 What did they see one day?
Q.4 What happened when they ran towards the cake?
Q.5 Who ate the cake?

Check your answers:
Ans.1. The name of the cat was kitty.
Ans.2. The name of the dog was Moti.
Ans.3. They saw a piece of cake.
Ans.4. They collided with other and started fighting for the cake.
Ans.5. A squirrel ate the cake.

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

Twinkle studies in class VI. One day, when she was going outside to play with her best friend Minnie, she tripped over a stone, fell down and scraped her knee. There was blood all over. Twinkle got scared and started crying. Luckily, Twinkle's mother heard her cries and came running. Mother knew exactly what to do. She got a wet wash cloth, a tube of betadin and two cups of ice cream. Soon, Twinkle was on her way with a smile on her face.

Questions

Q.1 Where was Twinkle going?
Q.2 What stopped Twinkle from going out to play?
Q.3 Who was Minnie?
Q.4 Who heard Twinkle's cry?
Q.5 What did Twinkle's mother do to help her?

Check your answers:
1. Twinkle was going outside to play.
2. Twinkle tripped over a stone and got injured.
3. Minnie was Twinkle's best friend.
4. Twinkle's mother heard her cry.
5. Twinkle's mother got a wet wash cloth, a tube of betadin. She gave Twinkle two cups of ice-cream.

Solve your own:

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

Pinjore is a beautiful town in the lap of nature. It lies on the foothills of the Shivaliks in Panchkula district. It is about 22 kms. from Chandigarh. The rivers Kaushalya and Ghaggar flow nearby. In Pinjore, there are many places worth seeing. There are ancient temples such as Bhima Devi Temple, Lord Shiva Temple, etc. Pinjore is famous mainly for its Mughal Gardens. The garden is divided into terraces. There are attractive buildings like-Sheesh Mahal, Rang Mahal and Jal Mahal in it. A natural stream flows through the garden. Many fountains and orchards add to the beauty of the garden. There are many trees like-mango, lichi, almond, guava, peach, plum, etc.

Questions

Q.1 Where is Pinjore located?
Q.2 Name some fruit trees grown in the Pinjore garden.
Q.3 Name the places worth seeing in Pinjore.
Q.4 For which garden is Pinjore famous?
Q.5 Give the names of the rivers that flow nearby Pinjore.

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

Diwali is an important festival of Hindus. It means a row of lamps. It generally falls in the month of November. It is celebrated in honour of Rama's return to Ayodhya. People light their homes with candles and electric lights. There is a great rush at sweet shops. People give presents to their friends and relatives.

Questions

Q.1 Which is an important festival of Hindus?
Q.2 In which month does it fall?
Q.3 In whose honour is it celebrated?
Q.4 How do people decorate their homes?
Q.5 Pick out the word from the passage which means 'gift'?