Unseen Passage

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

"Trees are of vital importance to human life and the environment. They act as the lungs of our planet by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, which is essential for all living beings to breathe. Furthermore, trees help in maintaining ecological balance by preventing soil erosion, holding rainwater, and regulating temperature. Roots of trees bind the soil particles tightly, preventing the topsoil from being washed away by heavy rains or floods. In addition to environmental benefits, trees provide us with fruits, timber, medicines, and shade. Deforestation, caused by human greed, has led to severe issues like climate change and global warming. Therefore, protecting existing trees and planting new ones is a vital responsibility every individual must fulfill."

Questions:

1. How do trees act as the lungs of Earth? Explain.
2. Describe the role of trees in preventing soil erosion and regulating climate.
3. Find words from the passage which mean: (i) Crucial / Essential (ii) Destruction of forests
4. Suggest a suitable title for the passage and write its central moral message.

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

"Time is the most valuable asset a person possesses in life. Unlike money, which can be earned again if lost, time once spent can never be recalled. For students, proper time management is the key to academic excellence and personal success. A disciplined student prepares a balanced daily schedule and strictly follows it, allocating sufficient time for study, physical exercise, and rest. Conversely, a student who procrastinates and wastes time on unproductive activities suffers from stress, anxiety, and poor examination performance. Great leaders and scholars throughout history achieved success because they respected the value of every single minute. Therefore, learning to prioritize tasks and avoiding wastage of time is essential for building a bright future."

Questions:

1. Why is time considered more precious than money?
2. Explain how proper time management helps a student succeed.
3. Find antonyms from the passage for the following words: (i) Recovered / Recalled (in opposite sense of 'wasted') (ii) Productive
4. Provide a suitable title for the passage and summarize its main lesson.

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

"Health is wealth is a famous proverb that highlights the supreme importance of good physical and mental health. A healthy body houses a healthy mind. In modern times, the lifestyle of people has changed drastically due to rapid urbanization and technological advancement. People, especially children, are becoming increasingly dependent on fast food, packaged snacks, and sugary beverages. These foods lack essential nutrients and contain harmful additives, leading to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues at a young age. To maintain good health, one must consume a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. A balanced diet provides all necessary nutrients like vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins required for proper bodily functions. In addition to a nutritious diet, regular physical exercise, adequate sleep of 7-8 hours, and drinking plenty of water are vital for maintaining physical fitness. Exercise improves blood circulation, strengthens muscles, and releases endorphins that keep mental stress away. Therefore, staying healthy requires conscious effort, discipline, and healthy choices."

Questions:

1. Why is a balanced diet essential for maintaining good health?
2. Describe the negative impacts of fast food on modern youth as mentioned in the passage.
3. Find words from the passage which mean: (i) Extreme fatness / Excessive weight (ii) Essential / Crucial
4. Suggest a suitable title for the passage and explain its central moral message.

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

"Success is not an accident or a matter of mere luck; it is the sweet result of hard work, perseverance, and relentless determination. Throughout human history, every great achievement, whether in science, art, sports, or administration, has been accomplished through consistent effort and unwavering commitment. Failure is an inevitable part of the journey toward success. Those who are afraid of failure often fail to attempt anything meaningful. A true conqueror views failure not as an endpoint, but as a stepping stone and a valuable lesson. When a person encounters obstacles, perseverance gives them the mental strength to keep trying until they reach their goal. Hard work builds character, instills self-confidence, and teaches the true value of achievement. Shortcuts and dishonest means may offer temporary gains, but only honest and continuous hard work yields lasting success, personal satisfaction, and respect in society. Therefore, young students should embrace hard work and view challenges as opportunities for growth."

Questions:

1. According to the passage, how should one view failure on the path to success?
2. What is the role of perseverance and hard work in building character and achieving long-term goals?
3. Find antonyms from the passage for the following words: (i) Avoidable / Preventable (ii) Temporary / Short-term (in the sense of permanent output)
4. Provide an appropriate title for the passage and write its central moral lesson.

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

"Water is the elixir of life, a precious natural resource without which no living organism can survive on Earth. Although nearly three-fourths of the Earth's surface is covered with water, only a minuscule fraction—less than one percent—is fresh water suitable for human consumption, agriculture, and industrial use. With the rapid growth of global population, urbanization, and industrial pollution, fresh water resources are depleting at an alarming rate. Many regions across the world, including several states in India, are facing severe water scarcity and drought-like conditions. Wasting water through careless domestic usage, leaking pipes, and over-exploitation of groundwater has aggravated this global crisis. Water conservation has therefore become an urgent necessity rather than an option. Simple daily practices like harvesting rainwater, repairing leaks promptly, turning off running taps, and reusing wastewater for gardening can save thousands of liters of water. Conserving water today ensures a sustainable future for upcoming generations."

Questions:

1. Why is fresh water considered a limited and precious resource despite Earth having abundant water?
2. Explain the main causes of water scarcity and list effective measures for water conservation mentioned in the passage.
3. Find words from the passage that mean: (i) A miraculous liquid / Nectar (ii) Extremely small / Very tiny
4. Suggest an appropriate title for the passage and summarize its main moral message.

Read the following unseen passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

"Water is the true elixir of life and the fundamental prerequisite for the existence of all living organisms on Earth. Rivers, lakes, underground aquifers, and glaciers are the primary sources of fresh water that sustain agriculture, industrial processes, household needs, and natural ecosystems. Despite its indispensable role, human society faces an alarming global water crisis driven by rapid population growth, unbridled urbanization, industrial pollution, and irresponsible water wastage. Rivers across the world are increasingly contaminated with toxic industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and plastic waste, rendering them unfit for consumption and devastating aquatic life. Furthermore, excessive extraction of groundwater has led to a severe depletion of subterranean water tables in many regions. To tackle this critical issue, adopting rainwater harvesting, implementing efficient irrigation techniques like drip irrigation, and promoting public awareness regarding water conservation are imperative. Rainwater harvesting involves collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops and land surfaces for future reuse or groundwater recharge. Conserving every drop of water today is essential to secure a viable future for humanity."

Questions:

1. Why is water called the 'elixir of life', and what factors contribute to the modern global water crisis?
2. What is rainwater harvesting, and how does it help combat water scarcity?
3. Find words from the passage that mean: (i) Essential condition or requirement (ii) Subterranean body of rock that contains groundwater
4. Provide a suitable title for the passage and explain its main message in detail.

Read the following unseen passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:

"Trees are the green lungs of our planet Earth, playing a pivotal role in regulating the global climate and maintaining planetary life-support systems. Through the continuous process of photosynthesis, trees absorb harmful carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere and release life-giving oxygen, which is essential for the respiration of human beings and animals. Beyond oxygen generation, trees act as natural barriers against soil erosion; their extensive root systems anchor the topsoil firmly, preventing it from being washed away by heavy rainfall or blown by strong winds. Furthermore, forests regulate local rainfall patterns, moderate atmospheric temperatures, and serve as natural habitats for millions of terrestrial wildlife species. Regrettably, rampant deforestation driven by agricultural expansion, urbanization, and commercial logging has reduced forest cover globally at an alarming rate. The destruction of forests accelerates climate change, increases global warming, and leads to frequent environmental disasters. To reverse this damage, afforestation initiatives like 'Van Mahotsav' must be actively supported by citizens and governments alike. Planting trees is not merely an environmental duty, but a vital pledge to safeguard our planet."

Questions:

1. Why are trees called the 'green lungs' of the Earth, and how do their roots prevent soil erosion?
2. Detail the severe consequences of rampant deforestation on global climate and human life.
3. Find words from the passage that mean: (i) Of crucial importance or central role (ii) The practice of planting trees to create new forests
4. Give a suitable title for the passage and describe its primary lesson in detail.