1) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions

that follow:

1. The introduction of harmful waste materials that are hazardous to life, the natural
world, and our activities is commonly known as pollution. Pollution has harmful effects
on the ecosystem, disturbing the balance of the biosphere in which living beings
survive.

2. This imbalance of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon, and water vapor causes
discomfort to all living organisms on the planet. It depletes the ozone layer over the
earth that defends us from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. The major types
of environmental pollution are air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, thermal
pollution, soil pollution, and light pollution.

3. Environmental pollution is caused by deforestation and hazardous gaseous

emissions. Air pollution is caused by the smoke emitted by cars, buses, trucks, trains,
and factories, known to cause lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and various skin and
breathing problems, along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna.
Water pollution occurs when industrial waste products are released into lakes, rivers,
and other water bodies, which is destructive for the marine ecosystem. Noise pollution
is caused by loud noises from aircraft, cars, buses and trucks, vehicle horns,
loudspeakers, and industry noise.

4. Soil pollution results from acid rain, polluted water, fertilizers, etc. In short, this
occurs when chemicals are released into the soil. Light pollution includes the use of
excess lighting equipment. The excessive and inappropriate artificial light causes
several phenomena that decrease visibility and cause visual discomforts like glare,
urban sky glow, and light trespass. Light pollution is a great hindrance to astronomy
as it has become increasingly difficult to view the night sky because of interference
from artificial light.

5. The last decade has witnessed an alarming rise in environmental pollution. This
problem is even more alarming as it has caused irreparable damage to the earth.

A. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What is pollution?
2. How does pollution affect the environment?
3. How does the reduction of the ozone layer affect us?
4. What are the two chief causes of environmental pollution?
5. What is the main cause of water pollution?
6. Mention any two causes of noise pollution.

B. Which words in the passage mean the following?

1. dangerous
2. disproportion
3. intrusion
4. permanent

C. Choose the correct options:

1. What is the cause of soil pollution?
(i) deforestation (ii) acid rain (iii) smoke of factories
2. Which pollution is responsible for asthma?
(i) air pollution (ii) water pollution (iii) noise pollution
3. Pollution disturbs the balance of___________.
(i) atmosphere (ii) biosphere (iii) society

D. Competency Focused Questions

Please choose the option that best represents

1. Assertion: Pollution disturbs the balance of the

biosphere in which living beings survive.
Reason: Harmful waste materials are introduced into the
environment through pollution.
A) Both Assertion and Reason are relevant and correct.
B) Both Assertion and Reason are relevant, but Reason is
incorrect.
C) Assertion is relevant, but Reason is irrelevant.
D) Both Assertion and Reason are irrelevant.

2. Assertion: Environmental pollution has led to an

alarming rise in irreparable damage to the Earth.
Reason: Deforestation is one of the causes of
environmental pollution.
A) Both Assertion and Reason are relevant and correct.
B) Both Assertion and Reason are relevant, but Reason is
incorrect.
C) Assertion is relevant, but Reason is irrelevant.
D) Both Assertion and Reason are irrelevant.
3. Which of the following statements is NOT relevant to
pollution?
A) Pollution disturbs the balance of the biosphere.
B) Light pollution affects astronomy visibility.
C) Noise pollution causes lung cancer and asthma.
D) Argon is one of the major types of environmental
pollution.

4. Identify the statement that represents an opinion rather

than a fact.
A) Water pollution is caused by industrial waste products.
B) Air pollution leads to skin and breathing problems.
C) Pollution has harmful effects on the ecosystem.
D) Light pollution interferes with astronomy observations.

2. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. Adventure sports or extreme sports are recreational activities known to involve a
high degree of risk. These risks could be in the form of speed, height, or a high level
of physical exertion and involve the use of highly specialized sports equipment. Hence,
adventure sports require skills and physical prowess. These sports are usually
competitive in nature and are bold undertakings that involve hazardous action, with
their outcomes almost always uncertain. They are all about excitement. While some
people do them for sheer fun, others do it to test themselves. The idea of unbounded
freedom draws many to the sport.

2. Adventure sports encompass a very wide range of activities that require unusual
physical and mental challenges. Some of these activities include skydiving, bungee
jumping, surfing, skiing, sandboarding, snowboarding, jet boating, white-water rafting,
and scuba diving. Adventure sports are undertaken in various places depending on
the topography and weather conditions. Many of them are carried out in hilly and
mountainous areas. On snow-covered mountains, activities like skiing and sledging
are possible. Hang-gliding involves piloting a flexible wing aircraft by shifting one's
weight onto it.

3. Lahaul and Spiti, Solan, and Billing in Himachal Pradesh are known for paragliding.
Hot air ballooning is another adventure sport that is gaining popularity in India. This
involves sailing across high altitudes in a basket hanging from a giant nylon balloon
filled with hot air. The Western Ghats and Aravalli Hills also provide good opportunities
for rock climbing. Adventure water sports like kayaking, sailing, surfing, and watching
are practiced in coastal areas. Bird watching, camping, and wildlife safaris have drawn
a lot of sports enthusiasts as well as other people too.
A. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What are adventure sports or extreme sports?

2. What do these sports involve?
3. What are the basic requirements of these sports?
4. Why do people undertake hazardous sports? Give two reasons.
5. Why do people find these sports exciting?
6. Why do more people these days are likely to take to these sports?

B. Fill in the blanks:

1. Two adventurous sports are ________ and ___________.
2. The Western Ghats and Aravalli Hills also provide good opportunities for______.
C. Give words from the passage that are the antonyms of words
given below.

1. safety
2. relaxation
3. strenuous
4. rigid

C. Competency Based MCQs

1. Assertion: Adventure sports require skills and physical

prowess due to the high degree of risk involved.
Reason: The use of highly specialized sports equipment is
necessary in adventure sports.

A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is

the correct explanation of the Assertion.
B) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is
not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
C) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
D) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.

2. Which of the following statement is NOT Relevant to

adventure sports?
A) Adventure sports involve a high degree of risk.
B) Some people do adventure sports for sheer fun.
C) Adventure sports are usually competitive in nature.
D) Adventure sports are all about unbounded freedom.
3. Which statement is a fact according to the passage?
A) Adventure sports are undertaken in various places
depending on the topography and weather conditions.
B) The idea of unbounded freedom draws many people to
adventure sports.
C) Hot air ballooning is the most popular adventure sport
in India.
D) Adventure sports are all about excitement.

4. Assertion: Adventure sports are known to involve a high

degree of risk.
Reason: The physical and mental challenges required in
adventure sports make them risky.
A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is
the correct explanation of the Assertion.
B) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is
not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
C) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
D) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.

5. Which of the following statement is NOT Relevant to

adventure sports?
A) Hang-gliding involves piloting a flexible wing aircraft by
shifting one's weight onto it.
B) The Western Ghats and Aravalli Hills provide good
opportunities for rock climbing.
C) Hot air ballooning is a dangerous adventure sport.
D) Adventure sports encompass a very wide range of
activities that require unusual physical and mental
challenges.

6. Which statement represents an opinion rather than a

fact?
A) Adventure water sports like kayaking, sailing, and
surfing are practiced in coastal areas.
B) White-water rafting is a thrilling adventure sport.
C) Adventure sports are usually competitive in nature.
D) Bird watching and camping have drawn a lot of sports
enthusiasts.

3. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. The diverse culture in India has had a very positive impact on its rich tradition of
folk arts. Various tribes that live in the interiors of various states practice their distinct
arts.

2. One such art form is Warli. This beautiful folk art of Maharashtra was traditionally
created by tribal women. This art takes its name from Warli, the largest tribe found
on the northern outskirts of Mumbai. Although they live in close proximity to the
largest metropolis in India, the Warli tribesmen shun all influences of modern
urbanization. This art was first discovered in the early seventies, but according to
some art critics, its roots may be traced back to as early as the 10th century A.D.
This art expresses the daily and social events of the Warli tribe. This was once the
only way to transmit culture when people had not learned the written word. Hence,
one can see pictures of human beings engaged in activities like hunting, dancing,
sowing, and harvesting, along with scenes from daily life. These tribal people draw
these designs with white paint on the mud walls of their house. They use basic
materials for painting like rice paste with water and gum for white and a bamboo
stick that has been chewed on, which serves as a brush.

3. The Warli paintings earlier had no straight lines. These lines were a series of dots
and dashes. However, of late, artists have recently started drawing straight lines.
Moreover, these days Warli paintings are often done on paper. These paintings have
modern elements such as a bicycle and car. Warli paintings on paper have become
very popular and are now sold all over India. The incorporation of these elements
has helped sell these paintings in the modern-day world.

4. The tribals are forest-dwellers, but the growing popularity of the Warli paintings
has helped many tribals earn a decent living and become integrated with the
mainstream.

A. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What has been the effect of a varied way of life on Indian art?
2. Where did Warli art originate?
3. Which statement in the passage shows that Warli is an ancient art?
4. What pictures did older Warli art depict?
5. What was the canvas used to draw?.
6. How did Warli tribals make their paint and brush?
7. How does the art help Warli tribals?
8. This beautiful folk art of Maharashtra was traditionally created by _______.

B. 1. Write the synonym of the word transmit

2. The growing popularity of the Warli paintings has helped many tribals_________.
3. The Warli paintings earlier had no straight lines. (True/False)

C. Competency based MCQs –

1. Assumption and Reasons:

Assertion: Warli paintings were the only way to transmit culture when people had not
learned the written word.

Reason: Warli paintings are created using basic materials like rice paste and
bamboo stick.

A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct explanation of
the Assertion.

B) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but Reason is not the correct explanation
of the Assertion.

C) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.

D) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.

2. Which of the following statement is NOT Relevant to Warli paintings?

A) Warli paintings express the daily and social events of the Warli tribe.

B) The Warli tribe lives on the northern outskirts of Mumbai.

C) Warli paintings are created using white paint on the mud walls of houses.

D) Warli paintings have no straight lines and consist of dots and dashes.

3. Facts vs Opinions:

Which statement represents an opinion rather than a fact?

A) Warli paintings are a beautiful folk art of Maharashtra.

B) Warli paintings on paper have become very popular and are now sold all over
India.

C) The Warli tribe shuns all influences of modern urbanization.

D) The growing popularity of Warli paintings has helped many tribals earn a decent
living and become integrated with the mainstream.
4. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
Food can maintain and save life. It can destroy life as well. Proper food serves as
medicine, while improper food works as poison. A little care about the quality and
quantity of food will keep us healthy and happy. If we go about eating all sorts of things,
we shall become sick.

We take pride in calling ourselves civilized. Being sensible means knowing the
difference between good and bad, right and wrong. It will not do to become slaves to
our tongue or taste. Even cattle, birds, and beasts eat only what is best for their body.
We mostly consume processed food and refined sugar. We pay heavily for junk food,
Chinese dishes, or deep-fried snacks, resulting in catching diseases. We have drifted
away from mother nature, laughing at the rules of hygiene, healthy diet, and the advice
of our elders. This has given rise to diabetes.

We offer chocolates, cakes, and ice creams too often to our children. We also attend
parties or dine out every day. This way, we invite obesity and diabetes.

Answer the following questions briefly:

(a) What are the functions of food?
(b) What is meant by ‘improper food’?
(c) What does ‘civilised life’ imply?
(d) Explain: We have drifted away from nature.
(e) How does a modem life style and food habit affect us?
B.Find words from the passage that mean the same as:
(a) being fat
(b) Cleanliness
C. Choose the correct option:
1. ________ is an example of junk food.
a) Cake b) fresh juice c) burger
2. Proper food serves as ______.

a) poison b)treatment c) medicine

Competency-based Multiple Choice Questions

(MCQs) based on the given passage:

1. Assumption and Reasons:

Assertion: Improper food can work as poison and
lead to sickness.
Reason: Cattle, birds, and beasts eat only what is
best for their body.
A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and
Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
B) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, but
Reason is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion.
C) Assertion is correct, but Reason is incorrect.
D) Assertion is incorrect, but Reason is correct.

2. Which of the following statement is NOT Relevant

to the passage?
A) Food can maintain and save life.
B) Being sensible means knowing the difference
between good and bad, right and wrong.
C) We offer chocolates, cakes, and ice creams too
often to our children.
D) Proper food serves as medicine.

3. Facts vs Opinions:
Which statement represents an opinion rather than a
fact?
A) A little care about the quality and quantity of food
will keep us healthy and happy.
B) We mostly eat processed food and refined sugar.
C) We have drifted away from mother nature.
D) Improper food serves as poison.

Answer Key of comprehension passages

Passage 1
1. The introduction of harmful waste materials that are hazardous to life, the natural
world and our activities, is what is termed as pollution. Thus, pollution is caused by
an imbalance of waste in our environment.
2. Pollution causes an imbalance of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and
water vapour. This causes discomfort to all living organisms on the planet. Air
pollution is also known to cause lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and various
breathing problems along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna.
Water pollution destroys our marine life.

3. Ozone layer defends us from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Its
depletion leads to these rays reaching us directly and harming us in various ways.

4. The two chief causes of environmental pollution are deforestation and hazardous
gaseous emissions.

5. Water pollution is caused when industrial waste products are released into lakes,
rivers, and other water bodies. This has destroyed our marine life. It is no longer
hospitable.

6. Noise pollution is caused by loud noises that may be caused by aircraft, cars,
buses, and trucks, vehicle horns, loudspeakers, and industry noise, as well as high-
intensity sonar effects.

B. 1. Hazardous/harmful
2. Imbalance
3. Trespass
4. Irreparable

C. 1.Acid rain 2. Air pollution 3.Biosphere

D. 1. Answer: A) Both Assertion and Reason are relevant

and correct.
Explanation: The Assertion states that pollution disturbs
the balance of the biosphere, which is relevant and
supported by the passage. The Reason states that harmful
waste materials are introduced into the environment
through pollution, which is also relevant and supported by
the passage.

2. Answer: A) Both Assertion and Reason are relevant and

correct.
Explanation: The Assertion states that environmental
pollution has led to an alarming rise in irreparable damage
to the Earth, which is relevant and supported by the
passage. The Reason states that deforestation is one of
the causes of environmental pollution, which is also
relevant and supported by the passage.
3. Answer: D) Argon is one of the major types of
environmental pollution.
Explanation: All other statements (A, B, and C) are relevant
to pollution as they mention different aspects or causes of
pollution. However, the statement in option D is not
relevant because argon is not a major type of
environmental pollution. It is a naturally occurring noble
gas and not a pollutant.

4. Answer: B) Air pollution leads to skin and breathing

problems.
Explanation: Option B represents an opinion rather than a
fact. While it is true that air pollution can lead to various
health problems, stating that it directly leads to specific
issues like skin and breathing problems is subjective and
can vary depending on individual susceptibility and
exposure levels. The other options (A, C, and D) are factual
statements about pollution and its effects.

Passage 2
1. Adventure sports or extreme sports are recreational activities that are known to
involve a high degree of risk. These risks could be in the form of speed, height, a
high level of physical exertion, and highly specialized sports equipment.
2. Adventure sports involve hazardous action and uncertain outcomes. They are all
about excitement. While some people do it for sheer fun, some others do it for
testing the limits of what is humanly possible.

3. Adventure sports require a high level of physical exertion and highly specialized
sports equipment. Hence, a person who wants to undertake them requires skills and
physical prowess.

4. Some people undertake adventure sports it for sheer fun, while some others do it
for testing the limits of what is humanly possible. The idea of unbounded freedom
draws many to the sport. Apart from this, most jobs require sitting in offices or doing
some moderate activity. Hence, people are more likely to try out adventure and
adrenaline-fuelled activities.

5. Adventure sports encompass a very wide range of activities that require unusual
physical and mental challenges. This is one of the reasons that people find these
sports exciting?
6. Most jobs nowadays require sitting in offices or doing some moderate activity.
Hence, people are more likely to try out adventure and adrenaline-fuelled activities.

B.
1. sky diving, scuba diving, bunjee jumping
2.rock climbing
C.
1. risk
2. excitement
3. moderate
4. flexible

D. Competency Based question

1. Answer: A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct
explanation of the Assertion.

2. Answer: C) Adventure sports are usually competitive in nature. (This statement is

not mentioned in the passage and is therefore not relevant to adventure sports).

3. Answer: A) Adventure sports are undertaken in various places depending on the

topography and weather conditions. (This statement is a fact supported by the
passage).

4. Answer: A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the correct
explanation of the Assertion.

5. Answer: C) Hot air ballooning is a dangerous adventure sport. (This statement is

not mentioned in the passage and is therefore not relevant to adventure sports).

6. Answer: B) White-water rafting is a thrilling adventure sport. (This statement

expresses a personal opinion about white-water rafting being thrilling, rather than
presenting a verifiable fact).

Passage 3
1. The diverse culture and a varied life in India has had a very positive impact on its
rich tradition of folk arts. This allows various tribes that live in the interiors of various
states to practise their distinct arts.

2. The Warli art originated in the northern outskirts of Mumbai in Maharashtra.

3. The following statement in the passage shows that Warli is an ancient art is: This
art was first discovered in the early seventies but according to some art critics, its
roots may be traced to as early as the 10th century.
4. Warli art expressed the daily and social events of the Warli tribe. This was once
the only way to transmit culture when people had not learnt the written word. Hence,
one can see pictures of human beings engaged in activities like hunting, dancing,
sowing and harvesting, along with scenes from daily life.

5. Warli is designed with white paint on the mud walls of their house.

6. Basic materials are used for painting like rice paste with water and gum for white
paint and a bamboo stick that has been chewed on that serves as a brush.

7. The tribals who paint the Warli art are forest-dwellers but the growing popularity of
the Warli paintings has helped many tribals earn a decent living and becoming
integrated with the mainstream.

8. tribal women
B.
1. pass on, transfer, convey.
2. earn a decent living and becoming integrated with the main
3. True

C. Comptency Based Questions

1. Assumption and Reasons:

Answer: A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is the
correct explanation of the Assertion.

Explanation: The Assertion states that Warli paintings were the only way
to transmit culture when people had not learned the written word, which
is correct and supported by the passage. The Reason states that Warli
paintings are created using basic materials like rice paste and a bamboo
stick, which is also correct and explains why it might have been an
accessible means of expression.

2. Which of the following statement is NOT Relevant to Warli paintings?

Answer: B) The Warli tribe lives on the northern outskirts of Mumbai.

Explanation: This statement is not directly relevant to Warli paintings.

While it provides some information about the location of the Warli tribe, it
does not directly relate to the art form of Warli paintings.

3. Facts vs Opinions:
Answer: A) Warli paintings are a beautiful folk art of Maharashtra.

Explanation: This statement represents an opinion rather than a fact, as

it uses subjective language ("beautiful") to describe Warli paintings.
While many may indeed find Warli paintings beautiful, it is a matter of
personal judgment and not a verifiable fact presented in the passage.

Passage 4
(a) Food maintains and saves life.
(b) Food which is of poor quality and has harmful effect on the body.
(c) Being civilised means – to know what is right and what is wrong.
(d) Our lifestyle has pushed us away from nature.
(e) We don’t follow the rules of hygiene and healthy diet. We eat processed, fried or
junk food.
B. (a) obesity
(b) Hygiene
C. 1.burger
2.medicine

D. Competency based Questions

1. Answer: A) Both Assertion and Reason are correct, and Reason is

the correct explanation of the Assertion.

Explanation: The Assertion states that improper food can work as poison
and lead to sickness, which is correct and supported by the passage.
The Reason states that cattle, birds, and beasts eat only what is best for
their body, which is also correct and explains why improper food can be
harmful.

2. Answer: B) Being sensible means knowing the difference between

good and bad, right and wrong.

Explanation: This statement is not relevant to the passage as it does not

directly relate to the concept of food, its effects, or the topic of the
passage.

3. Answer: C) We have drifted away from mother nature.

Explanation: This statement represents an opinion rather than a fact, as
it reflects a subjective viewpoint about people drifting away from nature.
It is not a verifiable fact presented in the passage.