Reading Unseen 01
Read the
following passage carefully:
A homoeopathy is a form of
alternative medicine, first proposed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in
1796 that attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted medicines.
Homoeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful
striking, which homoeopaths term succession after each dilution under the
assumption that this increases the effect of the treatment. Homoeopaths call
this process potentiating. Dilution often continues until none of the original
substance remains. Homoeopathic reference books known as repertories are then consulted,
and a remedy is selected based on the totality of symptoms.
Homoeopathic
remedies are considered safe but are criticized for putting patients at risk
due to advice against conventional medicine such as vaccinations, antimalarial
drugs, and antibiotics. Depending on the dilution, homoeopathic remedies may
not contain any pharmacologically active molecules, and for such remedies to
have pharmacological effect would violate fundamental principles of science.
Modern homoeopaths have proposed that water has a memory that allows
homoeopathic preparations to work without any of the original substance; however,
there are neither verified observations nor scientifically plausible physical
mechanisms for such a phenomenon. The lack of convincing scientific evidence
supporting homoeopathy’s efficacy and its use of remedies lacking active
ingredients have caused homoeopathy to be described as pseudoscience.
A. Choose
the most appropriate option:
1. Homeopathy
treats patients with:
(A) Heavy medicine
(B) Strong medicine
(C) Diluted medicine
(D) Concentrated medicine
2.
Homeopathic remedies are prepared by serial dilution with shaking by forceful striking,
the procedure is known as-
(A) Succession
(B) Potentization
(C) Dilution
(D) Convention
3. A report of UK states that homoeopathy is not
more useful than a placebo because after dilution the medicine doesn’t contain
any.
(A) Chemical
(B) Acid
(C) Pharmacologically active substance
(D) Vaccine against diseases
4. Homeopathy is also termed as pseudoscience
because:
(A) It is based on false notions effectiveness
(B) It lacks scientific evidence on its
(C) It has side effects
(D) It is a slow treatment
5. The word
in the passage which means the same as the facts /objects that make you believe
that something is true:
(A) pharmacology
(B) placebo
(C) accredited
(D) evidence
B. Match the terms in column A with their meaning
in column B:
A
|
B
|
(i)
Hahnemann
|
(a)
Homeopathy
|
(ii) Succession
|
(b) a process
that increases the effect of treatment
|
(iii) Repertories
|
(c) Modern
day consideration about homeopathy
|
(iv) Potentization
|
(d) A German
physician
|
(v) Pseudoscience
|
(e) Serial
dilution with shaking by forceful striking
|
Reading Unseen 02
Read the following
passage carefully and answer the questions that follow-
Prafulla Chandra Ray was born on 2 August 1861 in the
district of Jessore, now in Bangladesh, close to the birthplace of Madhusudan
Dutt, widely regarded as the Milton of Bengal. It was the best of times and the
worst... The British had by now perfected their role as masters and British
values permeated the Indian upper classes to the very last detail like table
manners. That of course, was not the worst of the British influence.
What was
far more demeaning to the educated Indians – and there were several – was the
fact that senior government positions were closed to them. Being forfeited of
one’s right in one’s land of birth would become the rallying point for the
Indian intelligentsia in the years to come. Ray’s father Harish Chandra Ray, a
man of learning and taste, was closely associated with the cultural and
intellectual leaders of the time and exerted great influence on his son.
Ray
had his early schooling in the village school founded by his father but soon
his father shifted to Calcutta and at the age of nine, little Prafulla set eyes
for the first time, on the bustling city that would be his home for many years
to come. He was filled with wonder at the ever-changing sights and sounds – the
city seemed to change moods ever so often! His formal schooling was interrupted
due to illness but that did not affect his education.
A. Answer the
following questions:
1. The British
perfected their role as masters because
a. they had enslaved Indians
b. they showed that they were superior
c. they were hated by the upper classes
d. upper-class Indians accepted them as role models
2. The educated
Indians felt insulted by the fact that
a. They had to follow British Customs
b. They were not allowed to study in institutions of higher
learning
c. They were not promoted to senior government positions
d. They were forced to speak only in English.
3. Prafulla Chandra
Ray was greatly influenced by.......
a. his brother
b. his uncle
c. his father
d. his cousin
4. Prafulla Chandra’s
illness could not stop his
a. Schooling
b. learning
C. routine
d. sportsman spirit
5. ‘Intelligentsia’
here means -
a. intelligent animals
b. Intel television
c. intelligent people
d. a special detergent
Reading Unseen 03
Read the passages given below and answer the questions that
follow them:
The concept of sustainable development was popularized in 1987
by the World Commission on Environment and Development. In its report, it
defined the idea as "Development that meets the needs of the present,
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs,"
i.e., without stripping the natural world of resources future generations would need. In the zoo at Lusaka, Zambia, there is a cage where the notice reads,
'The world's most dangerous animal'. Inside the cage, there is no animal but a
mirror where you see yourself. Thanks to the efforts of a number of agencies in
different countries, a new awareness has now dawned upon the most dangerous
animal in the world. He has realised the wisdom of shifting from a system based
on domination to one based on partnership.
Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species
with which mankind shares the earth. Estimates vary widely as regards the
still-uncatalogued living species—biologists reckon that about three to a
hundred million other living species still languish unnamed in ignominious
darkness. One of the early international commissions which dealt, inter alia,
with the question of ecology and environment was the Brandt Commission which
had a distinguished Indian as one of its members—Mr. L.K. Jha. The First Brandt
Report raised the question—"Are we to leave our successors a scorched
planet of advancing deserts, impoverished landscapes and ailing environment?"
Questions
I. Answer
briefly:
1. When was the concept of sustainable development
popularised?
2. Who popularised its concept?
3. What is written on the noticeboard at the Lusaka zoo?
4. What is inside the cage?
II.
Vocabulary:
1. The synonym for the phrase 'that supports' in the passage is:
(a) minimum
(b) sustainable
(c) impoverished
(d) languish
2. 'Classified'
means:
(a) put in parts
(b) put in groups
(c) separated
(d) catalogued
3. 'Those who study
living beings' are called:
(a) scientists
(b) zoologists
(c) biologists
(d) chemists
4. 'Groups of living
beings' are called:
(a) species
(b) varieties
(c) creatures
(d) animals
Reading Unseen 04
Read the following passage carefully
and answer the questions that follow:
Education is no longer restricted to bookish knowledge and
four walls of schools, colleges and universities. Apart from the activities in
the classrooms, laboratories and libraries a student has an opportunity to find
out and express his hidden potential in the form of various extracurricular
activities. Youth festivals are the best platforms for such activities.
It is essential for all round development of a student that
he should participate in one or the other activity. There are many extracurricular
activities some of them are declamation, debate, histrionics, mimicry,
painting, music, dance, singing poetical recitation etc.
Mere classroom studies make it boring and monotonous and
students need some outlet for their energies. They need opportunities and for
entertainment also. Youth festivals are the spice of academic life. When
students prepare for various items, they have a sense of achievement, a sense
of doing something useful. Preparing the stage for the show, receiving the
guest artists from other institutions and looking after them inculcate in them
a sense of responsibility, co-operation and tolerance.
As the competitions of these youth festivals are organized
among students of almost the same age, they get rid of stage phobia. They no
longer feel shy of the audience and the stage. They learn to face the audience.
Youth festivals ate the best means to search the talent
among the youth. These budding artists will become the singers, actors and
orators of tomorrow. Youth festivals prove to be the stepping stones for the
future real life. The absence of youth festivals makes student life insipid and
boring. As such, students take to subversive activities. If they remain busy in
preparing for competition in youth festivals their time is used in a productive
and fruitful way.
1). Education is not
merely –
a.-theoretical but also practical
b.-useful in learning and teaching both
c.-entertaining but instructive also
d. job giver but also an entertainer .
(2). ........... are essential for the development
of a student’s personality:
a. health and happiness
b. teaching and learning
c. extracurricular activities
d.-recreational activities
(3). Youth festivals
produce ......... among the students.
a. a sense of competition
b.-a sense of co-existence
c.-a sense of co- operation
d.- confidence
(4). Youth festivals
prepare the future –
a.-leaders politicians
b.-singers, actors and orators.
c. diplomats and politicians.
d.-teachers and researchers.
(5). Find out the
word from the passage which means the same ‘abnormal fear’:
a. budding
b. participate.
c.-restricted
d.-phobia
Reading Unseen 05
Read the following passage carefully:
Papaya is a healthy fruit with a
list of properties that is long and exhaustive. You can munch on it as a salad,
have it cooked or boiled or just drink it up as milkshake or juices. Papaya has
many virtues that can contribute to our good health. The most important of
these virtues is the protein- digesting enzyme it has. The enzyme is similar to
pepsin in its digestive action and is said to be so powerful that it can digest
200 times its own weight in protein. It assists the body in assimilating the
maximum nutritional value from food to provide energy and body building materials.
Pa-pain in raw papaya makes Up for the deficiency of gastric juice and fights
excess of unhealthy mucus in the stomach and intestinal irritation.
The ripe fruit, if eaten regularly corrects habitual constipation, bleeding piles and chronic diarrhea. The juice of the papaya seeds also assists in the above-mentioned ailments. Papaya juice, used as a cosmetic, removes freckles or brown spots due to exposure to sunlight arid makes the skin smooth and delicate. A paste of papaya seeds is applied in skin diseases like those caused by ringworm. The black seeds of the papaya are highly beneficial in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism, malnutrition, etc.. A tablespoonful of its juice, combined with a hint of fresh lime juice, should be consumed once or twice daily for a month. The fresh juice of raw papaya mixed with honey can be applied over inflamed tonsils, for diphtheria and other throat disorders. It dissolves the membrane and prevents infection from spreading.
The ripe fruit, if eaten regularly corrects habitual constipation, bleeding piles and chronic diarrhea. The juice of the papaya seeds also assists in the above-mentioned ailments. Papaya juice, used as a cosmetic, removes freckles or brown spots due to exposure to sunlight arid makes the skin smooth and delicate. A paste of papaya seeds is applied in skin diseases like those caused by ringworm. The black seeds of the papaya are highly beneficial in the treatment of cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism, malnutrition, etc.. A tablespoonful of its juice, combined with a hint of fresh lime juice, should be consumed once or twice daily for a month. The fresh juice of raw papaya mixed with honey can be applied over inflamed tonsils, for diphtheria and other throat disorders. It dissolves the membrane and prevents infection from spreading.
Choose the most
appropriate option:
1. The powerful protein-digesting enzyme in papaya materials
to the body by:
(A) improving the blood circulation
(B) assisting the body iii assimilating the maximum
nutritional from food
(C) increasing the resistance power of the body
(D) showing down the process of digestion
2. Excess of unhealthy mucus in the fought:
(A) if’ ripe papaya is eaten regularly
(B) if the juice of papaya seeds is taken regularly
(C) by pa-pain found in raw papaya which makes up for the
deficiency of gastric juice
(D) by correcting habitual constipation
3. The cosmetic value of papaya is that:
(A) it treats skin diseases
(B) it makes the skin smooth and delicate
(C) it treats cirrhosis of the liver
(D) it is helpful in treating chronic Diarrhea
4. Inflamed tonsils can be cured by:
(A) consuming a tablespoonful of papaya juice with a hint of
fresh lime juice daily for a month
(B) by applying a paste of papaya seeds on the tonsils
(C) chewing black seeds of papaya
(D) applying fresh juice of raw mixed with honey on the
tonsils
5. The word in the passage meaning the same as soft is:
(A) chronic
(B)smooth
(C) delicate
(D) cosmetic
Reading Unseen 06
Read the passages given below and answer the questions:
There is something humbling about nature. Even as the deep
sea, or a towering mountain or even a complex rain forest forces humility upon
you, nature manages to leave you with your ego intact. No one in their right
mind can seriously contemplate being in 'competition', with anything so perfect
and all-encompassing. In fact, I smile inwardly when I hear people talk about
'conquering' mountains. The mountain actually lets you climb it. If it was less
'benevolent' you would be dead.
On the other hand, if you respect its power and
tread lightly upon its earth, the Himalaya will protect you and deliver you the
satisfaction of being cocooned in pure nature. Take my word for it. Almost
anywhere you go, the traditional hospitality of the hill people will ensure
that you obtain a hot meal, a friendly welcome and a place to rest a tired body
for the night. All you need to pack is humility, essential trust and low-key
demands along with a good pair of walking boots and a sleeping bag.
It is
surprisingly easy to visit untrodden trails without it costing an arm and a
leg, provided one does not fall prey to the enticing promise of five-star
facilities. These promise physical comfort at steep prices, but the cost paid
by the environments in which such facilities are located is incalculable.
Besides, the sanitized options available take most of the organic pleasure away
from most destinations.
Answer the Following Questions:
1. What do the remote regions in the Himalayas protect?
2. Who are not in their right mind?
3. In what way are the mountains benevolent?
4. What are the hill people known for?
5. Write the verb form of 'connection'.
Reading Unseen 07
Read the following passage and answer the following
questions:
In India, as perhaps in many other countries of the world,
trees have been held in veneration since ancient times. Our rishis of yore
retired to forests to meditate and to do penance amidst trees and "far from
the madding crowd." Our forebears loved trees and forests so much so that
they even deified and worshipped them as abodes of Vrikshadevata and
Vanadevata. Many of them were not cut without good reason. In ancient India,
groves of trees and flower gardens were reared with loving care. In ancient
Sanskrit literature, there are many references to young maidens kicking the
Ashoka tree to make it flower. But in fact, the kick can be administered by
anyone.
The method seems to work, though nobody really knows why? Some say the
kick interrupts the flow of water upwards, triggering a defence mechanism which
causes the tree to flower. In Western countries, people beat their walnut trees
to encourage them to bear fruit. It is believed that a good beating ensures a
good crop of walnuts. Like the Ashoka, the walnut too is a tall tree. Perhaps
all tall trees benefit from a sound beating occasionally. In parts of Uttar
Pradesh, they resort to another stratagem to get mango trees to flower. If a tree
has not given fruit in a particular year, the owner, accompanied by three or
four friends, walks menacingly towards it with an axe and loudly announces his
intention of cutting down the tree. His friends persuade him not to do so. When
he has gone they berate the tree for not giving fruit and advise it to give
plenty of fruit the next time if it wants to live. The method is said to give
good results
Answer the following questions:
(a) Why did our rishis retire to forests?
(b) Who is referred to as Vrikshadevata and Vanadevata in
the passage?
(c) Why are walnut trees beaten in Western countries?
(d) In ancient times, young maidens used to kick the Ashoka
tree when it -------
(e) In Uttar Pradesh, mango trees are caused to flower
by-----------
(f) According to some people, kicking ------------the upward
flow of water.
(g) The Ashoka is a ----------
(h) The word 'menacingly' means -----------
Reading Unseen 08
Read the following passage carefully and answer the
questions that follow –
Yellowstone National Park is in the U.S. states of Wyoming,
Idaho, and Montana. It became the first National Park in 1872. There are
geysers and hot springs at Yellowstone. There are also many animals at
Yellowstone. There are elk, bison, sheep, grizzly bears, black bears, moose,
coyotes, and more. More than 3 million people visit Yellowstone National Park
each year. During the winter, visitors can ski or go snowmobiling there. There
are also snow coaches that give tours. Visitors can see steam (vapour water)
come from the geysers. During other seasons, visitors can go boating or
fishing. People can ride horses there. There are nature trails and tours. Most visitors
want to see Old Faithful, a very predictable geyser at Yellowstone.
Visitors
can check a schedule to see the exact time that Old Faithful is going to erupt.
There are many other geysers and boiling springs in the area. Great Fountain
Geyser erupts every 11 hours. Excelsior Geyser produces 4,000 gallons of boiling
water each minute! Boiling water is 100 degrees Celsius, or 212 degrees
Fahrenheit – that’s very hot! People also like to see the Grand Prismatic
Spring. It is the largest hot spring in the pa k. It has many beautiful
colors. The beautiful colors are caused by bacteria in the water. These are
forms of life that have only one cell. Different bacteria live in different
water temperatures. Visiting Yellowstone National Park can be a week-long
vacation or more. It is beautiful, and there are activities for everyone.
Choose the most appropriate option:
1) What is Yellowstone?
A. A park
B. A geyser
C. A mountain
D. A hot spring
2) Old Faithful is a...
A. river.
B. trail.
C. passage.
D. geyser.
3) Great Fountain Geyser erupts every 11...
A. minutes.
B. hours.
C. days.
D. months.
4) The largest hot spring in the park is...
A. Excelsior
B. Old Faithful
C. Great Fountain
D. Grand Prismatic
5) What causes colors in the springs?
A. sunlight
B. bacteria
C. eruptions
D. temperatures
6) Steam is...
A. snow.
B. running water.
C. freezing water.
D. water in vapour form.
7) Boiling water is...
A. 0 degrees C. or 32 degrees F.
B. 100 degrees C. or 212 degrees F.
C. very hot.
D. Both B and C are correct.
Reading Unseen 09
Read the passage and answer the following Questions:-
Supreme Court has today ordered that tourism is banned in
core areas of all tiger reserves in the country. It has said this ban should
continue till it passes final orders in the matter filed by Bhopal-based
environment protection, NGO Prayatna. The NGO is demanding a ban on tourism in
'core areas' of tiger reserves while it can continue in the 'buffer areas' of
tiger reserves. The court had earlier directed the National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA), under the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), to
submit final guidelines related to tourism in the core area by July.
The court
will hear now the matter on August 22 next, to examine the guidelines submitted
by the authority. The court also asked, "Why tourism should be allowed in the
core area? Tigers are practically on the verge of extinction whatever the
statistics." Opposing the ban on tourists from core regions of tiger reserves
proposed by the Environment Ministry, Travel Operators for Tigers (TOFT) have
said that wildlife tourism was saving forests and tigers. They added that
tourism ensured better security for tigers and was the best anti- poaching
mechanism, even though it made forest personnel highly and often uncomfortably accountable.
The Chairman said that a ban on wildlife tourism was not the answer.
A recent
tourism ministry study had shown that nearly 70% of resorts outside Corbett
National Park were venues for weddings and parties rather than eco-tourism.
Highlighting the fact that good tourism practices provide a means of legitimate
livelihood to people living in and around tiger reserves, TOFT said, "If
it were not for tourism bringing economic value to the forest area, it would be
sacrificed for mining, farming or industry." Emphasizing that the
alternative was to ensure implementation of rules and regulations, the Chairman
said, "Tiger tourism is the best anti-poaching unit, operating vehicles
watching for eight hours a day, deflecting poachers, loggers and grazers from
being there."
Answer the following questions:
(a) Name the NGO which filed a case in the Supreme Court
demanding a ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves. Where is the NGO based?
(b) What argument was put forward by TOFT in defense of
tourism in tiger reserves areas?
(c) In what ways are good tourism practices beneficial?
(d) How according to TOFT, would the forest area be used if
tourism to tiger reserves in banned?
(e) What is meant by the word `core’? (Para 1)
(i) important
(ii) essential
(iii) significant
(iv) compulsory
(f) What is meant by the word `conservation’? (Para 1)
(i)preservation
(ii)comfort
(iii)facility
(iv)environment
(g) What is meant by the word `security’? (Para 1)
(i) comfort
(ii) facility
(iii) safety
(iv) entertainment
(h) What is meant by the word ‘alternative’? (Para 2)
(i) suggestion
(ii) option
(iii) way
(iv) rule
Reading Unseen 10
Read the passage carefully and answers the following
questions:
We give undue importance to our health and the treatment of
diseases. A large number of medicines treat only the symptoms of the disease,
and not the root cause. In fact, the cause of many chronic ailments is still
being researched. It is here that Yoga therapy comes to our assistance. Yoga
emphasizes the treatment of the root cause of an ailment. It works in a slow, subtle
and miraculous manner. Modern medicine can claim to save a life at a critical
stage, but, for complete recovery and regaining of normal health, one must
believe in the efficiency of Yoga therapy.
The Yogic way of life includes a
code of ethics, regulations, discipline and more, combined with prayer and
meditation. Even a discussion of these subjects helps one relieve mental
tensions and change attitudes. Simple Asanas help to stretch and relax the
whole body and neutralize tensions. The sincere practice of Yoga postures benefits
all levels of experience. Through continued practice, Yoga postures can have a
profound effect on the inner dimensions of life, establishing deep calm,
concentration, emotional stability and confidence. Man is a physical; mental
and spiritual being; yoga helps promote a balanced development of all the three.
Other forms of physical exercises, like aerobics, assure only physical
well-being. They have little to do with the development of the spiritual or
astral body.
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i)What do most of the medicines treat?
(ii) What does the phrase 'Chronic ailments' refer to?
(iii) How is yoga different from other treatments?
(iv) What does the yogic way of life include?
(v) What do 'Simple Asanas' help to?
(vi) How does sithe ncere practice of yoga postures benefit
us?
(vii) How does yoga therapy work?
(viii) Is yoga better than physical exercises?
How?