Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar

Comprehension Practice
Unit 1: GOOD MANNERS
I. Read the passage.
'Manner' refers to the way of doing something. 'Manners' refers to the way a
person behaves in society. Thus, manners can be good or bad, polite or impolite.
For example, in our Myanmar culture and society, at mealtimes, it is bad
manners for a junior to start eating before a senior does. It is always polite for a
junior to listen with arms folded while he or she is spoken to by a senior such as
a parent or teacher. One important point to bear in mind is that every society
and culture has its list of good and bad manners. Generally speaking, some
manners are universal while some are culture-specific. This means that a
manner which is acceptable in one society may not be tolerated in another. For
instance, belching or breaking wind in a company may be quite acceptable in
one society but not tolerated in another.
In one's home or elsewhere, good manners are vital for a pleasant atmosphere
and for getting on well in life. Thus, showing respect to the other person,
offering help, greeting appropriately, and saying 'I’m sorry' when having done a
wrong are all good manners. Now let us see how manners are acquired.

A. Complete the sentences.

1) At dining table, if a junior start eating before a senior is considered as
______________.
2) Manners can be good or bad, polite or ______________.
3) In our society, ______________ is considered polite gesture when spoken to
by elders.
4) Every society and culture has its list of ______________ manners.
5) For a pleasant atmosphere and for getting on well in life, you should
have______________ .
B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.
6) What is the difference between 'manner' and 'manners'?
7) What point should you bear in mind about every society and culture?
8) How can manners be generally differentiated?

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9) What does it mean when a manner is culture-specific?
10) Why is some manners culture specific?
11) Why are good manners important?

II. Read the passage.

'Home' may be considered the 'birthplace' of manners. Children hear what the
elders around them say and see what the elders do. As they imitate their elders,
they acquire their elders' manners. And there are times the father, mother,
elder sister or brother may formally teach the children to say or act politely. If
the elders around them are gentle and polite, they grow up to be gentle and
polite. If on the other hand, the elders around them are crude and rude, they
will grow up to be crude and rude as well. Next comes the school as an
institution to impart good manners. Almost all children not only learn the school
subjects their teachers teach but also imitate the teachers' manners and
behaviour. In a school where teachers are good role models, students learn to
be polite and respectful. In addition, they are quite likely to take their classmates
and senior students to be role models; and here is the danger of acquiring ill
manners. As we all know, teenagers and young adults are very often influenced
by celebrities, films and the type of books and articles they read. Hence, they are
quite likely to be misled and thereby acquire ill manners and negative views.
A. Complete the sentences.
1) 'Home' may be considered the ______________ of manners.
2) The school ______________ manners on students as it is their second home.
3) In a school where teachers are good role models, students learn to be
______________.
4) ______________ is acquired when students are influenced by their
classmate and senior students.
5) Celebrities, films, books and article can have ______________ on the
teenagers and young adults.
B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.
6) What is thought to be the 'birthplace' of manners?
7) How do children acquire elder’s manners?
8) When do students learn to be polite and respectful?
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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
9) Who teach the children how to behave formally?
10) What is another place where children acquire manners?
11) Who can be role models for students in developing good manners?
12) Apart from learning the school’s lessons, what else do children learn?
13) How can students acquire ill manners?
14) What can happen if teenagers and young adults are influenced by negative
role models?

III. Read the passage.

There is still another institution that imparts manners: the work domain. Once a
person gets a job, his work domain becomes an added institution to influence
him, for good or evil. To put it in a nutshell, the current generation as a whole is
the most powerful and most responsible institution for the imparting of good
manners. The modelling of society is no easy task. All the elders of this
generation should conscientiously join hands and teach their juniors to be law-
abiding, upright, honest, self-respecting, disciplined, punctual, charitable, helpful,
merciful, and forgiving. The quality of the next generation is in the hands of the
present generation. As a matter of fact, we are mutually responsible for building
a well-mannered society.

A. Complete the sentences.

1) You are likely to be imparted manners by your ______________ .

2) ______________ has the power to impart good manners to individuals.
3) Imparting of good manners to new generation is the sole ______________
of the current generation.
4) The current generation is ______________ for the quality of the future
generation.
5) In truth, we are all jointly accountable for creating ______________ society.

B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

6) Which institution imparts manners?

7) What is considered not easy task?
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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
8) Who holds the responsibility for building a well-mannered society?
9) Who is the most powerful and most responsible institution for the imparting
of good manners?
10) What should be taught to juniors by the elders of this generations?
11) In whose hands is the quality of the next generation?

Unit 2: KEY TO HAPPINESS

I. Read the passage.

If you were asked the question "What is happiness?", then what would
be your answer? It may be hard for you to come up with a clear-cut answer.
Your answer may be different from those of other people. Moreover, the
definition of happiness may change over time — today's view on happiness may
be a different one tomorrow. Thus, happiness is a difficult concept to measure,
because it is not constant.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2016), 'happiness' means 'a

state of well-being and contentment'. Psychologically, when you are in a
peaceful state of mind or when you have no stressful factors to think about, you
are most likely to feel relaxed and happy. Whatever you are—a student, a
worker, a housewife or a pensioner, happiness means a better quality of life.

A. Complete the sentences.

1) It is difficult to give ______________ answer for what is happiness.

2) The definition of ______________ changes with time.
3) Today's view on ______________ may be a different one tomorrow
4) Happiness is a difficult ______________ to measure, because it is not
constant.
5) Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines 'happiness' as a state of
______________ .

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

6) Why is it difficult to give a clear cut answer for the question what is
happiness?
7) Why is happiness a difficult concept to measure?
8) How does the Merriam-Webster Dictionary define happiness?
9) How is happiness defines psychologically?
10) What psychological state is associated with happiness?
11) What can happiness mean to a common man?

II. Read the passage.

Having a wide circle of friends and family is more enjoyable than having a lot of
money. In addition, people with large families and lots of close friends are
happier than people who live on their own. Sometimes you may not be in a good
mood or may feel depressed. At that time, if you hang out with friends or spend
time with your family, your stressful feelings will be released. It has even been
suggested that a happy home life and good friends can protect against illness.

Some people feel passionate about their work and love what they are doing. In
fact, job satisfaction and career success are important factors for your happiness.
For example, you tend to achieve happiness when you can accomplish the tasks
you have undertaken or when you become prosperous while doing the work you
enjoy.

Treating everyone with kindness is another key element of happiness. Acts of

kindness have the potential to make the world a happier place. According to
studies by psychologists in different countries, when you help other people, it is
not only good for them, it also makes you feel happier. A new survey has also
revealed that generous people are happier and healthier than those who are not.
The idea is that generosity gives them a nice, warm feeling when people say
'thank you' and show appreciation.

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
A. Complete the sentences.
1) People ______________ more when they have more friends and family
than a lot of money.
2) Sometimes you may not be in a good mood or may ______________.
3) You may not always be in a ______________ or feel gloomy.
4) Your stressed sentiments will be ______________ if you spend time with
friends or relatives.
5) ______________ in your work and job satisfaction have a big role in your
happiness.
6) You usually feel ______________ after completing the things you set out
to complete
7) Treating everyone with ______________ is another key element of
happiness.

B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

8) What can protect you against illness?

9) What has the potential to make the world a happier place?
10) When do you tend to achieve happiness?
11) What reflection can you get by helping other people?
12) Why are generous people happier and healthier than those who are not?

III. Read the passage.

The biggest barrier to happiness is envy, which is a state of desiring other

people's qualities, possessions, opportunities, etc. In your school or workplace,
you will find yourself around people who are doing much better than you are. In
that case, if you try not to judge yourself against other people, you will certainly
be happier. People who are envious of others are more likely to experience
negative emotions such as inferiority, dejection and depression. The best thing
you should do is try to replace envy with such positive emotions as sympathy or
empathetic Joy.

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
Good health also is vital for happiness. It is undeniable that healthy people are
happier than those who are not. To achieve true happiness, you must be fit,
both physically and mentally — a happy person has better physical and mental
health. It widely known that your mind and body are closely connected you feel
stressed out, you are likely to experience fatigue and muscle tension. Similarly, if
you feel happy and calm, you are likely to have more mental energy and more
physical vitality.

Contentment is the key to happiness — people who accept what they have are
happier than people who crave for more career success and money. A recent
survey shows that the simplest things in life are the most important for you. You
tend to be happy with simple things, like a walk in a park, a beautiful sunset and
an evening with a friend. It is true that people need to have a reasonable
amount of material possessions, but wanting more than what is necessary
breeds greed and frustration.

A. Complete the sentences.

1) ______________ is the largest obstacle to happiness..
2) You will undoubtedly be happy if you make an effort to ______________
yourself to other people.
3) People who are envious of others are more likely to experience
______________.
4) ______________ also is vital for happiness.
5) The best course of action is to attempt to replace pleasant feelings like
compassion or empathetic joy for ______________.
6) If you feel happy and calm, you are likely to have more mental energy and
more ______________ .
7) The simplest things in life are the most ______________ for people.

B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

8) How do you understand the term ‘envy’?

9) When do people tend to judge themselves against other people?

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
10) Why should you not judge yourself against other?
11) How can you explain the close connection between body and mind?
12) What types of things are important to you?

IV. Read the passage.

Most people believe that money is the best way to find happiness. Of course, a
person needs money to some extent in order to live comfortably. Rich people
often consider that they are happy as they can buy expensive houses, new cars,
big yachts and designer clothes. However, some people think happiness does
not depend on money. Nevertheless, we can see many people trying to get rich
in every possible way in the hope of achieving happiness in life.

It is often said that life is composed of positive elements and negative elements.
Having a positive attitude to life is a good way of finding happiness. For example,
when you encounter difficulties in your school or work, you may feel
disappointed and downhearted. At such a time, you must try to adopt a positive
attitude to cope with these problems. You must also learn how to live
contentedly with the negative elements of life rather than attempt to live a life
where nothing bad ever happens. If you respond very positively to everything
that happens, you will surely find happiness.

A. Complete the sentences.

1) Most people believe that money is the best way to find ______________.
2) The majority of people think that having money ______________ you
happy.
3) People need money to a certain ______________ in order to live
comfortably.
4) To some extent, people need money to live ______________ .
5) We can see many people trying to get rich in every possible way in the hope
of ______________ in life.
6) Having a______________ to life is a good way of finding happiness.

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
7) If you respond very ______________ to everything that happens, you will
surely find happiness.

B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

8) Why do the rich consider that they are happy?

9) According to the text, what is a good way of finding happiness?
10) Why are many people trying to get rich in every possible way?
11) When may you feel disappointed and downhearted?
12) What should you do when you encounter difficulties in your life?
13) What should you learn instead of trying to live a life where nothing bad ever
happens?

V. Read the passage.

You may be in a bad mood or feel downhearted from time to time, simply
because you are looking inside you, thinking about bad things. A group of
psychologists have discovered that thinking back to pleasant incidents in past
can improve your mood and make you more cheerful. For example, think about
something in your childhood that gives you great pleasure, look at old photos
showing happy events or recall hearing news of someone's good fortunes. These
sweet memories can put you in a better mood — they can make you smile, laugh
or feet joyful.

Nowadays, people may suffer from work-related stress, which leads to severe
diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. To reduce stress, people practise
meditation, which is also known as mindfulness. The idea is that you find a clean
floor, sit still and pay attention to what is happening to you at that very moment.
You should not think about the past or the future, just the present. Meditation
will ease the tension in your body, clear your mind of negative thoughts and give
you a sense of inner peace and well-being.

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
A. Complete the sentences.

1) If you think back to ______________ in past, your bad mood may be

improved.
2) You will smile, laugh or feel joyful when you think back ______________ .
3) Nowadays, people may suffer from ______________ which leads to severe
diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
4) When you practice mindfulness, you need to pay ______________ to what
is happening to you at that very moment.
5) ______________ will ease the tension in your body, clear your mind of
negative thoughts.

B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

6) Why may you be in a bad mood from time to time?

7) How can improve your mood and make yourself more cheerful?
8) What makes people duffer severe diseases such as diabetes and heart
disease?
9) What is another name for meditation?
10) What will meditation do to you?

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
Unit 3: DIET AND NUTRITION

I. Read the passage.

Diet is the food we consume regularly. Nutrition refers to 'the process by which
all living things receive the food necessary for them to grow and be healthy'.
Diet and nutrition are the most fundamental of human needs—they are
essential for our health, energy and growth. Just as plants obtain nutrients from
the soil in which they grow, we get nutrients from the diet we eat. Therefore, we
need to have a nutritious diet - a mixture of all the nutrients that our body needs
to survive. Moreover, diet and nutrition are strongly linked to environmental
factors.

Thus, it is important to consider not only the relationship between diet and
nutrition, but also the influence of environmental factors on them.

Grains such as rice, wheat, maize, millet, barley, and corn are energy-giving
foods that provide carbohydrates. Fresh fruits and vegetables give us minerals,
vitamins and fibre. Beans, milk products, and animal products such as meat, fish
and eggs are a rich source of proteins. Foods such as vegetable oil, fish and other
seafood, nuts and seeds, eggs, yogurt, milk, etc. are energy-giving foods that
provide fatty acids.

A. Complete the sentences.

1) The food we eat regularly is called ___________ .

2) 'The process by which all living things obtain the sustenance essential for
them to develop and be healthy' is known as ___________.
3) ___________ are obtained from the food we eat.
4) _____________ are strongly linked to environmental factors
5) Grains are energy-giving foods that provide ____________.
6) Fresh fruits and vegetables give us _____________ and fibre.

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B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

7) What is diet?
8) What is nutrition?
9) What are the energy-giving foods that provide carbohydrates?
10) What are the foods that provide minerals, vitamins, and fiber?
11) What are the most fundamental of human need?
12) What type of food are grains?
13) What type of food are fresh fruits and vegetables?
14) Which foods are rich sources of protein?
15) Which foods provide fatty acid?

II. Read the passage.

Physicians and nutritionists recommend that we should have a balanced diet

that consists of a variety of foods in order to stay healthy. A balanced diet simply
means eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, and consuming less food high
in fat, sugar and cholesterol. If we have a balanced diet, we will get all our
essential nutrients. Lack of essential nutrients is a major cause of ill health. It is a
balanced diet that can strengthen our immune system and protect us against
illness. Moreover, one of the most important factors in remaining healthy is
taking preventive medicine. Recent advances in nutrition advise people to
combat illness by taking vitamins or other nutritional supplements. In fact, we
need carbohydrates, not bread, and we need vitamins and minerals, not fruits
and vegetables. Thus, we can reasonably assume that preventive medicine helps
us stay healthy in some way. On the other hand, there are certain kinds of food
which are not good for us: processed foods, refined foods and high-cholesterol
foods. Many processed foods such as corned beef, canned meat and fish are not
advisable. The consumption of these foods is associated with high blood
pressure because they contain a lot of sodium. In addition, the artificial
colourings and flavouring in processed foods are chemicals that can be harmful
to our health.

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
A. Complete the sentences.

1) Physicians and nutritionists recommend that we should have a

____________ diet.
2) In order to stay healthy, _____________ that consists of a variety of foods
should be consumed.
3) A balanced diet that consists of _____________ in order to stay healthy.
4) A well-balanced diet has the potential to enhance our _____________ and
shield us from disease.
5) Balanced diet makes our immune system ____________ .
6) We should combat illness by taking vitamins or other ___________
supplements.
7) The foods that are not good for us are ___________ , refined foods and
high-cholesterol foods.

B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

8) What do physicians and nutritionists mean by balanced diet?

9) What does a balanced diet consist of?
10) Why is a balanced diet important?
11) What is the major cause of illness?
12) What is the recommendation regarding preventive medicine?
13) What advice is given to people to combat illness by nutrition researchers?
14) What type of foods should we avoid in order to be healthy?
15) What are some examples of processed foods that are not advisable?
16) Why are artificial colourings and flavouring in processed foods harmful to
our health?

III. Read the passage.

Refined foods are highly processed foods — foods that have been stripped of
their original nutrient content and fibre. Examples of these foods include white
flour, white rice, table sugar and high fructose corn syrup. They are not good for
our health because essential nutrients are lost in food Processing, Also, high-

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
cholesterol foods such as fried foods, full-fat dairy products and red meat are
linked to a higher risk of heart disease. These foods are bad for us because they
contain saturated fat. Therefore, we must be careful to avoid consuming foods
high in sodium, fat, sugar, and cholesterol. Nutrition is closely related to the
environment. If national institutions and local communities fail to protect the
environments around them, their hopes of thriving in the long run will be
dashed. Also, the human world will suffer from food insecurity. Forests bring
many benefits to the human world. Being a haven of biodiversity, forests are an
excellent source of foods such as mushrooms, bamboo shoots, nuts, berries,
leaves, and tubers. Deforestation will lead to loss of biodiversity and loss of
nutrition for many local communities. The root cause of environmental damage
is pollution. Air, water and soil pollutants are causing adverse effects on plants,
animals and humans as well. Moreover, environmental damage and loss of
biodiversity adversely affect diet, nutritional value and health. Thanks to recent
research on nutrition, we come to know that environmental deterioration can
cause nutrition-related health problems such as malnutrition and infectious
diseases. In conclusion, diet and nutrition are the very basic life-sustaining forces
of all living things and the keystone of good health. In addition, they must be
taken into consideration in the environmental context. A nutritious diet, which is
necessary for the survival and healthy development of human beings, also
depends on the environmental policies of the governments.

A. Complete the sentences.

1) Foods that have been stripped of their original nutrient content and fibre are
called ___________.
2) Fried foods are bad for us because they contain saturated fat ___________.
3) __________ bring many benefits to the human world.
4) ________________ and loss of biodiversity adversely affect diet, nutritional
value and health.
5) _______________ are the very basic life-sustaining forces of all living things
and the keystone of good health.

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Grade 12 Comprehension Scholar
B. Give a full-sentence answer to each question below.

6) What is refined food?

7) Give three examples of refined foods.
8) Why is refined food not good for us?
9) What will happen if national institutions and local communities fail to
protect the environments around them?
10) What important fact has been found out in recent research on nutrition?

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