Passage 1:

What causes the monsoon? The monsoon, which is essentially the

seasonal reversal in wind direction, causes most of the rainfall
received in India and some other parts of the world. The primary
cause of monsoons is the difference between annual temperature
trends over land and sea. The apparent position of the Sun with
reference to the Earth oscillates from the Tropic of Cancer to the
Tropic of Capricorn. Thus the low pressure region created by solar
heating also changes latitude. The northeast and southeast trade
winds converge in this low pressure zone, which is also known as the
Inter tropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ. This low pressure region
sees continuous rise of moist wind from the sea surface to the upper
layers of the atmosphere, where the cooling means the air can no
longer hold so much moisture resulting in precipitation. The rainy
seasons of East Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia and the southern
part of North America coincide with the shift of ITCZ towards these
regions.

Word-Notes: Apparent-clearly seen-स्पष्ट। Oscillate-move to and

fro-घूमना।

Questions:
Now answer the following questions by choosing correct options:
1. Monsoon is
(a) A type of sea wave
(b) a seasonal reversal in wind direction
(c) very hot wind
(d) very cold wind.
2. What is the full form of ITCZ?
(a) Intertrance Convergence Zone
(b) Intertropical Convergence Zone
 (c) Intertropical Capricorn Zone
(d) Intertropical Conveyance Zone.
3. The major cause of monsoon is the
(a) difference between annual temperature trends over land and
sea
(b) difference between day and night temperature
(c) moisture in the atmosphere
(d) None of these.
4. Low pressure region is created by
(a) solar heating
(b) lunar cooling
(c) moist wind
(d) dry wind.
5. It rains when
(a) moist wind goes down
(b) dry wind meets moist wind
(c) the air can no longer hold moisture resulting in precipitation
(d) annual temperature goes down.
Answers:
1. b
2. b
3. a
4. a
5. c

Passage 2:
Dry fruits are useful in various diseases of the brain, muscles and
tissues. Particularly almond has got unique properties to remove
brain weakness and strengthen it. Almond preserves the vitality of
the brain, strengthens the muscles, and destroys diseases originating
from nervous and bilious (sick) disorders.
Walnut is another dry fruit that possesses wonderful qualities of
curing brain weakness.
According to Dr. Johnson, almonds, figs, grapes, dates, apples, and
oranges are rich in phosphoric element and should normally be used
by brain workers. Phosphorus nourishes the vital tissues of the body.
It keeps the mind full of enthusiasm for more work.

Questions:
Now answer the following questions by choosing correct options:
1. Dry fruits are useful because they
(a) strengthen our heart
(b) cure various diseases of the brain, muscles and tissues
(c) give confidence to us
(d) empower us to do challenging tasks.
2. Which one is not a property of almond?
(a) It preserves the vitality of the brain
(b) It strengthens the muscles
(c) It destroys diseases originating from nervous and bilious
disorders
(d) It strengthens our digestive system.
3. Phosphoric element is profusely found in
(a) almonds, figs, grapes, dates, apples and oranges
(b) almonds, figs, papayas, guavas and pineapples
(c) all the green vegetables
(d) seasonal fruits.
4. Brain workers should take fruits rich in phosphoric element
because
(a) they remove brain weakness
(b) they nourish the vital tissues of the body
(c) they keep the mind full of enthusiasm
(d) all the above.
5. The word unique means the same as
(a) ordinary
(b) highly qualified
(c) unusual
(d) enlightened.
Аnswers:
1. b
2. c
3. a
4. d
5. C

Passage 3:
Garbage is a great environment hazard. It comes from various
sources—used paper, tiffin packings, plastic bags, ice-cream
wrappers, bottle caps, fallen leaves from trees and many more.
Garbage makes the premises ugly, unkempt and breeds diseases. A
lot of trash that is thrown away contains material that can be
recycled and reused such as paper, metals and glass which can be
sent to the nearest recycling centre or disposed of to the junk dealer.
It also contains organic matter such as leaves which can enrich soil
fertility. A compost pit can be made at a convenient location where
the refuse can be placed with layers of soil and an occasional
sprinkling of water. This would help decomposition to make valuable
fertilizer. This would also prevent pollution that is usually caused by
burning such organic waste.

Questions:
Now answer the following questions by choosing correct options:
1. Garbage originates from
(a) used paper, tiffin, packings, plastic bags and fallen leaves from
trees
(b) leftovers of food
(c) fallen branches from trees
(d) building materials.
2. Garbage can create havoc to the mankind by
(a) spreading foul smell
(b) slowing our vehicles on the road
 (c) spreading several diseases
(d) all the above.
3. What happens to the disposed of material at the recycling
centre?
(a) It is thrown away
(b) It is recycled for reuse
(c) It is sold to the rag pickers
(d) It is dumped into the ground.
4. Fallen leaves from trees are useful because they
(a) solve the problem of fuel wood in village households
(b) enrich water quality
(c) enrich soil fertility
(d) beautify landscape.
5. Which of these is correct with reference to a composite pit?
(a) The refuge is placed with layers of soil with an occasional
sprinkling of water
(b) It contributes to the manufacture of useful fertilizer
(c) It prevents pollution
(d) All the above.
Аnswers:
1. a
2. c
3. b
4. c
5. d
Passage 4:
Our ancestors had great difficulty in getting books. Now, our
difficulty is what to read. There are books and books but our hours of
reading are very few. Therefore, choice becomes essential. We
should be very careful about what we read. There are books which
poison our lives by suggesting evils. We should keep them at arm’s
length. We should read only those books which have stood the test
of time. Such books are our great classics like the Ramayana and the
Gita. They contain the wisdom of our sages and saints. They have
appealed to mankind from generation to generation. Reading of such
books has ennobling (raise) influence on our mind and character. It
gives us spiritual enjoyment. These books give us instruction with
entertainment. They represent our ancient culture. They set before
us high ideals to follow. They are our
best friends, best guides and the best treasure.

Questions:
Now answer the following questions by choosing correct options:
1. We should be selective because
(a) there is a great number of books available to us
(b) there is scarcity of books
(c) there are only bad books in the market
(d) none of the above.
2. We should avoid those books which
(a) cost high price
(b) come in paperback
(c) corrupt our lives by suggesting evils
(d) come in more than one volume.
3. The books which have stood the test of time are called….
(a) great books
(b) rare books
(c) biographies
(d) classics.
4. What is/are special quality/qualities of classics?
(a) They affect our mind in a good way
(b) They teach us something great and also entertain us.
(c) They help us in our spiritual growth
(d) All the above.
5. An expression in the passage which means ‘good effect’ is
(a) Spiritual enjoyment
(b) Ennobling (raise) influence
(c) high ideals
(d) Very careful.
Аnswers:
1. a
2. c
3. d
4. d
5. b
Passage 5:
Patriotism is an old concept, as old perhaps as the earliest of humans
civilizations. But all through the history of mankind, it has been
narrowly understood. Today people have begun to realize that
patriotism is an essential part of human instinct. Patriotism has its
negative sides particularly when it exceeds its proper bounds. People
who think their own country to be the best and are blind to its
weaknesses are not patriots at all.
We are the members of a large human family and so cannot neglect
our duties and responsibilities towards it. Our love for the country
should be conditioned by respect for the whole community. Narrow
prejudice can do nothing except to bring misfortune. In trying to
overlook others’ interest in the modem world, we harm our own.
Patriotism should be tempered with reason so that it may not be an
evil.

Questions:
Now answer the following questions by choosing correct options:
1. Today what is the belief of people regarding patriotism?
(a) It is narrowly understood
(b) It is not needed
(c) It is a part of human instinct
(d) None of the above.
2. Which type of the people can be categorized as patriots?
(a) Those who think others’ country greater than their own
(b) Those who think their own country to be the best in spite of its
weaknesses
(c) Those who keep a neutral attitude towards their country
 (d) Those whose love for the country is conditioned by respect for
the entire community.
3. Narrow prejudices always bring
(a) misfortune
(b) good opportunity
(c) good luck
(d) huge amount of money.
4. Patriotism is an evil when it is
(a) tempered with reason
(b) not tempered with reason
(c) beyond narrow feelings
(d) None of the above.
5. The word in the passage means opposite to positive
(a) Proper
(b) Narrow
(c) Negative
(d) Reason.
Аnswers:
1. c
2. d
3. a
4. b
5. c