WF Case Based Factual Passages Passage-1 Read the passage given below. 1. There are innumerable villages in India which have fewer than 500 residents. Many people from the other cities in India head to one of these sanctuaries to wash away all the hardships of an ultra- modern life. 2. With a population of just 289, the tribal village of Ha is the smallest named place in the country which is located at an altitude of 4,780 ft. in the Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh. The village is known for its brilliant natural beauty and the Menga caves which are dedicated to Lord Shiva. 3. Located about 27 km from Keylong in Himachal Pradesh, thevillage of Shansha has a population of 320 people in 72 houses. The hamlet is located close to the Tandi Kishtwar road which is generally a pit stop for those adventure-seeking individuals who ride through this dangerous route. The hamlet of Shansha is home to a greenhouse which is located at a height of 10,000 ft. and provides aid to the locals living and working in this highly challenging terrain. 4. One might think the entire state of Goa is filled with a bunch of beaches and shacks, but there is another side of the tiny state which is known for its isolated villages. Xelpem, also known as Shelpem, is an example of one such place which is located on the banks of Salaulim river and has a population of just 255. 5. The village of Sankri in Uttarakhand is the base camp of many treks and is well known for being the last village which has a market on the way to the Har ki Dun Trek, Kedarkantha. The hamlet has just 77 homes out of which three are small guest houses and has a population of about 270 people. Most families welcome the trekkers to stay at their homes as well. 6. One amongst the most scenic and hidden gems of Nagaland is the village of Nitoi. The village has a population of about 402 people and boasts of an 80% literacy rate even in its small population. The small hamlet can be reached from Kiphire which is an 8-hour drive from Kohima. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions. (i) The purpose of this passage is to provide awareness regarding the . Choose the correct option. (a) tiny towns and cities in India (b) small villages and hamlets in India (c) small hamlets and cities in India(d) isolated tribes in India Ans. (b) small villages and hamlets in India (ii) Select the option that is true for the two statements given below. (1) Shansha has a population of 320 people in 72 houses. (2) The hamlet of Shansha is home to a greenhouse. (a) (1) contradicts (2). (b) (2) is the reason for (1). (c) (1) is independent of (2). (d) (2) is the result of (1). Ans. (c) (1) is independent of (2). (iii) Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement. “Most families welcome the trekkers to stay at their homes as well.” (a) The hamlet consists of only guest houses for trekkers. (b) People from Sankri village aren't fond of any visitors. (c) The hamlet has just 77 homes with a population of about 270 people. (d) People from Sankri village keep their doors open for guests. Ans. (d) People from Sankri village keep their doors open for guests. (iv) According to the passage, the greenhouse in Shansha is essential for the people because. (a) it provides aid to the trekkers living and working in this highly challenging terrain. (b) it is the only source of food in the mountains. (c) it provides aid to the locals at a height of 10,000 ft. in this highly challenging terrain.(d) it is a major tourist attraction of that village. Ans. (c) it provides aid to the locals at a height of 10,000 ft. in this highly challenging terrain. (v) Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to. ‘The village has a population of about 402 people and boasts of an 80% literacy rate even in its small population.’ (1) The village has a population of 402 literate people. (2) The population of the village is 80% illiterate. (3) The 80% of the population is not illiterate. (4) The population of the village is limited to 402 individuals. (5) The village boasts high literacy rate even in its small population. (a) (1), (2) and (5) (b) (2), (4) and (6) (c) (1), (2) and (3) (d) (3), (4) and (6) Ans. (d) (3), (4) and (5) (vi) The Menga caves from the village of Ha in Arunachal Pradesh are dedicated to which deity? (a) Lord Shiva (b) Lord Krishna (c) Lord Ganesha (d) Lord Vishnu Ans. (a) Lord Shiva (vii) This passage lists an example of the tiny villages in India where Select the correct option.(a) people come for good business opportunities (b) people come to wash away all their sins in the holy pilgrimage sites (c) people come to escape all the hardships of an ultra-modern life (d) people have just discovered their existence and are not yet listed on maps Ans. (c) people come to escape all the hardships of an ultra-modern life (viii) Choose the correct option to answer the following: According to paragraph 4, ‘One might think the entire state of Goa is filled with a bunch of beaches and shacks.” This is so because: (a) Goa is famous for its small naturally scenic villages. (b) Goa is generally advertised as such in popular media. (c) not much is known about the beaches and shacks of Goa. (d) people don’t care about the natural diversity in Goa. Ans. (b) Goa is generally advertised as such in popular media. (ix) The tribal village of Ha, the smallest named place in the country, is located at an altitude of...... (a) 4,280 ft. (b) 4,580 ft. (c) 4,780 ft. (d) 4,980 ft. Ans. (c) 4,780 ft. (x) The village of Nitoi is described as. (a) scenic and hidden gem of Himachal.(b) filled with a bunch of beaches and shacks. (c) a pit stop for adventure-seeking individuals. (d) scenic and hidden gem of Nagaland. Ans. (d) scenic and hidden gem of Nagaland. (xi) Which word in the passage means ‘distress’? (a) dangerous (b) hardships (c) innumerable (d) isolated Ans. (b) hardships (xii) Which word in the passage is opposite to the meaning of ‘unstimulating’? (a) working (b) literacy (c) sanctuaries (d) challenging Ans. (d) challenging Passage-2 Read the passage given below. 1. Global coal capacity grew in every year between 2000 and 2019, nearly doubling from 1,066GW to 2,045GW. As far back as 1950, coal capacity has only ever risen — though this older data is less reliable. The rate of growth is slowing dramatically, however, with the 20GW net increase in 2018 the smallest in several decades. 2. The promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth has driven this expansion. But new coal is now more expensive than renewables in all major markets around the world, according torecently released analysis from think tank Carbon Tracker. 3. Coal generates nearly 40% of the world’s electricity, close to its highest share in decades. And there are now 80 countries using coal power, up from 66 in 2000. Another 13 plan to join the club, notably Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, though this is down from 16 last year. 4. CO2 emissions from existing plants are enough to breach the carbon budget for 1.5 or 2C. UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, is leading calls for an end to new coal plant development. 5. All unabated coal would have to close by 2040 to stay “well below” 2C, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This would mean closing 100GW of coal capacity every year for 20 years, or roughly one coal unit every day until 2040. 6. For the more ambitious 1.5C limit, global coal use for all purposes would need to fall by around 80% this decade, according to Carbon Brief analysis of pathways gathered by the Intergovernmental Panel ‘on Climate Change (IPCC). This would be equivalent to closing every coal plant in the world. 7. Yet newspaper headlines and energy projections suggest coal growth will not stop. This bleak outlook for the climate is tempered by signs of rapid change. The pipeline of plants under construction or the ones which are proposed to be constructed has shrunk by two- thirds since 2015. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following quesitons. (i) The purpose of the research by International Energy Agency was to study the. . Choose the correct option. (a) target of shutting coal plants to achieve 2C carbon budget. (b) target of shutting coal plants to achieve a below 2C carbonbudget. (c) target of shutting coal plants to achieve an above 2C carbon budget. (d) use of unabated coal in factories and power generation plants. Ans. (b) target of shutting coal plants to achieve a below 2C carbon budget. (ii) Select the option that is true for the two statements given below. (1) Global coal capacity grew in every year between 2000 and 2019. (2) The promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth. (a) (2) is the result of (1). (b) (2) is the reason for (1). (c) (2) is independent of (1). (d) (2) contradicts (1). Ans. (b) (2) is the reason for (1). (iii) Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement. “The pipeline of plants under construction or proposed has shrunk by two-thirds since 2015.” (a) There has been a significant decline in coal plants construction since 2015. (b) People are still not aware enough about the damages of carbon emissions. (c) Since 2015, there has been a significant increase in coal pipeline production. (d) The government and builders are doing close to nothing in reducing coal burning. Ans. (a) There has been a significant decline in coal plants construction since 2015.(iv) According to the analysis by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, reaching the ambitious 1.5C limit would mean (a) global coal use would need to fall by around 80% this year. (b) relying on renewable sources of energy like solar and wind. (c) generating electricity from unabated coal. (d) closing every coal plant in the world. Ans. (d) closing every coal plant in the world. (v) Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to. ‘CO2 emissions from existing plants are enough to breach the carbon budget for 1.5 or 2C.” (1) The current carbon budget has been set at 1.5 or 2C. (2) The coal plants are emitting CO2 at alarming levels. (3) The production of coal has become a lucrative market. (4) The budget set for Carbon emissions exceeds 2C. (5) The Carbon emissions from existing plants exceed 2C budget. (a) (2), (3) and (4) (b) (2), (3) and (6) (c) (1), (2) and (5) (d) (1), (3) and (4) Ans. (c) (1), (2) and (5) (vi) From the following, what was the global coal capacity for the year 2019? (a) 1,066GW. (b) 20GW rise that year. (c) 2,045GW.(d) 40% of the world’s electricity. Ans. (c) 2,045GW. (vii) This passage lists the concern that electricity generating coal plants have. Select the correct option. (a) very little impact on the overall air quality when compared to automobiles. (b) shown an improved form of regulation when it comes to following the 2C budget. (c) been a major source for carbon emissions and need to be shut down. (d) a better output in generating electricity than renewable energy. Ans. (c) been a major source for carbon emissions and need to be shut down. (viii) Choose the correct option to answer the following: According to paragraph 2, ‘new coal is now more expensive than renewables in all major markets around the world’. This is so because: (a) coal has seen an increase in demand even though it causes a lot of pollution. (b) renewable sources of energy are non-perishable unlike coal. (c) new coal is very hard to mine and many countries rely on it to generate electricity. (d) new coal can be artificially and cheaply made by burning wood. Ans. (c) new coal is very hard to mine and many countries rely on it to generate electricity. (ix) According to the passage, what has driven the expansion of global coal capacity?(a) Bleak outlook for the climate change. (b) Promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth. (c) New coal being more expensive than renewables. (d) CO emissions from existing plants. Ans. (b) Promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth. (x) How many countries were using coal power in 2000? (a) 66 (b) 80 (c) 13 (d) 18 Ans. (a) 66 (xi) Which word in the passage means “persistent”? (a) breach (b) projections (c) unabated (d) ambitious Ans. (c) unabated (xii) Which word in the passage is opposite to the meaning of ‘bright’? (a) fall (b) bleak (c) doubling (d) analysis Ans. (b) bleak Passage-3Read the passage given below. 1. There is a 70% reduction so far in instances of stubble burning in Punjab and 18% in Haryana from 2020, according to a report by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Last year in Punjab there were 4,216 instances of burning from September 15 to October 14 and 1,286 in the same period this year. There were 596 in Haryana last year compared to 487 this year. In eight districts of Uttar Pradesh, there were 22 instances of burning this year compared to 42 last year. 2. This, however, is a preliminary analysis as harvesting is still under way and the day-to-day variation in the number of fires is extremely high. Dr. Ravinder Khaiwal at PGIMER, Chandigarh, who monitors data from a NASA satellite that can detect thermal radiation, told The Hindu that when comparing data till October 15 in Haryana, there’s an increase in fires by 24% and till October 13 - a 30% decrease in fires. Similarly, in Punjab, a comparison till October 15 shows a reduction by 5%, whereas till October 13 it was a reduction of 67%. 3. Dr. Khaiwal added that he was optimistic there would be a decrease in fires this year because of a decrease in the area allotted to paddy sowing this year. The CAQM made a similar observation last week reporting that a 7% decrease in the area allotted to paddy and moving crops away from the popular variety PUSA 44 (that leaves behind more stubble in its wake) along with measures by Governments of Punjab and Haryana would likely to reduce fire count instances. 4. Over the years it has been observed that fire counts increase when there is too little time between the paddy being ready for harvesting and the right time to sow wheat. This year, excessive moisture in northern India due to an overhanging monsoon and a delay in the markets opening for trade, may further squeeze the time available for farmers to harvest and sow, further forcing them to settheir fields alight. Of the total 1,795 sites where burning had been reported, 663 fields had been inspected by officials, and fines or “environmental compensation” as they are called, were imposed on 252. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions. (i) The purpose of the research by Dr. Ravinder Khaiwal at PGIMER was to study the. . Choose the correct option. (a) impact of stubble burning on the air quality index. (b) benefits of using PUSA 44 variety of paddy. (c) extent of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. (d) measures by Governments of Punjab and Haryana. Ans. (c) extent of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. (ii) Select the option that is true for the two statements given below. (1) There was a decrease in the area allotted to paddy sowing this year. (2) There is a 70% reduction so far in instances of stubble burning. (a) (1) contradicts (2). (b) (2) is the reason for (1). (c) (1) is independent of (2). (d) (2) is the result of (1). Ans. (d) (2) is the result of (1). (iii) Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement. “The day-to-day variation in the number of fires is extremely high.” (a) There is a stable decrease in stubble burning. (b) Stubble burning instances vary daily.(c) The further number of fires can be predicted from existing data. (d) The number of fires is extremely high. Ans. (b) Stubble burning instances vary daily. (iv) According to the report by the Commission for Air Quality Management, in Haryana ; (a) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 18% from last year. (b) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 18% overall. (c) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 70% from last year. (d) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 70% overall. Ans. (a) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 18% from last year. (v) Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to. ‘In Punjab, a comparison till October 15 shows a reduction by 5%, whereas till October 13 it was a reduction of 67%.’ (1) The instances of fires increased from 13 October. (2) The instances of fires decreased from 13 October. (3) The reduction in fires was not properly noted. (4) Farmers in Punjab burned more stubble after 13 October. (5) The reduction in fires lessened from 13 to 15 October. (a) (1), (4) and (6) (b) (2), (4) and (5) (c) (1), (3) and (5) (d) (2), (3) and (4) Ans. (a) (1), (4) and (5)(vi) In what from the following States were the minimum number of stubble fires recorded? (a) Haryana (b) Punjab (c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Madhya Pradesh Ans. (c) Uttar Pradesh (vii) This passage lists the reason for the reduced stubble fires, which was Select the correct option. (a) Government providing the farmers with the alternatives for burning. (b) Government providing the farmers with the alternatives for burning. (c) Government posing heavy fines for burning stubble. (d) 7% decrease in the paddy crop production this year. ‘Ans. (d) 7% decrease in the paddy crop production this year. (viii) Choose the correct option to answer the following: According to paragraph 4, ‘fines, or “environmental compensation” as they are called, were imposed on 252’. This is so because: (a) this will generate a lot of revenue for farmers. (b) this will discourage any farmer from burning stubble. (c) farmers will not stop burning stubble willingly. (d) it is easier to collect fines than to provide a remedy. Ans. (b) this will discourage any farmer from burning stubble.(ix) How many instances of stubble burning were there in Haryana this year? (a) 596 (b) 4,216 (c) 487 (d) 1,286 Ans. (c) 487 (x) What does too little time between the paddy harvesting and sowing wheat forces farmers to do? (a) Rely on heavy machinery. (b) Bring in hybrid varieties of crops. (c) Set their fields alight. (d) Open markets for trading. Ans. (c) Set their fields alight. (xi) Which word in the passage means “aftermath”? (a) sow (b) instances (c) day-to-day (d) wake Ans. (d) wake (xii) Which word in the passage is opposite to the meaning of ‘unscheduled’? (a) overhanging (b) compensation (c) observed (d) excessiveAns. (a) overhanging Passage—4 Read the following excerpt from a case study titled The Science Behind The Eiffel Tower. 1. There are a few man-made structures that invoke an immediate mental image the moment their names are mentioned in any conversation. Take the Taj Mahal, for instance. You must be already picturing an ivory white marble mausoleum or the Great Wall of China that brings to mind an almost endless stretch of fortification, made of stones and bricks. And then, there is the Eiffel Tower. 2. Constructed to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower also turned into ashow of strength as it showcased France's industrial prowess in the late 19th century. While it is easy to credit the tower to Gustave Eiffel, whose name the tower bears, the French civil engineer wasn’t actually directly involved in its design. 3. The design belonged to Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, two engineers who worked with Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel, the company that Gustave owned. They came up with their design as an entry for the competition that was to decide the centerpiece of the proposed Paris Exposition or World’s Fair, of 1889. 4. Their design won and the construction of the wrought iron tower eventually began in 1887. After two years of construction, the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated on March 31, 1889. A colossal structure with 18,000 pieces constituting a combined weight of over 7,300 tonnes, more than 60 tonnes of paint was utilised to paint every inch of the structure. The completed Eiffel Tower came to be a symbol of modem architecture, right from the choice of the material used to the fact that it existed purely to demonstrate meaning, skill and creativity, with little real utility.5. The Eiffel Tower turned out to be a towering hit during the World’s Fair and as time passed, the fact that its height and therefore employability as a wireless telegraph transmitter proved it to be indispensable. It was used in transmission and reception over 400 km for starters and reached out across the Atlantic by 1913. It came in handy during World War |, allowing the French to intercept enemy messages and obtain crucial information. It still houses 120 antennas and is used to broadcast radio and television signals. 6. The Eiffel Tower was once the tallest man-made structure in the world. Open to visitors on all days of the year, millions of people from around the world enjoy the dazzling sight and the views that the Eiffel Tower has to offer. That number will only continue to rise like the Eiffel Tower itself, which seems to rise into the sky when viewed from close quarters. ‘enover grat yf nt of saniasons fe Ete Tore tne 01 ant aata eon san) On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIVE questions from the six given below. (i) Write the synonym of ‘competence’. Ans. The synonym of competence is prowess. (ii) How did the Eiffel Tower help in World War I? Ans. The Eiffel Tower helped in World War-I by allowing the French to intercept enemy messages and obtain crucial information.(iii) Which word in the passage is the same as ‘tomb’? Ans. The word mausoleum in the passage is the same as tomb. (iv) What does it still house? Ans. It still houses 120 antennas and is used to broadcast radio and television signals. (v) According to the data given in the table provided in the Passage, what do you think was the most profitable year for Eiffel tower? Ans. Over 87.2 million euros of revenue was generated in 2019, making it the most profitable year for Eiffel Tower. (vi) Who designed the Eiffel tower? Ans. The design belonged to Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, two engineers who worked with Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel, the company owned by Gustave Eiffel. Passage-5 Read the following excerpt from a case study titled The Museum of Dolls. 1. At a time when younger people are more into smartphones, televisions, and video games over other sources of entertainment, a nearly 55-year-old museum housing thousands of dolls from across the globe is still maintaining its old-world charm and attracting not only children and teenagers, but also visitors of all age groups, not surprising, as it actually transports you into a world where you can forget the woes of the present. 2. With over 7,500 dolls on display, Shankar's International Dolls Museum in the capital not only entertains children, but it also teaches them about art, culture, and costumes of different cultures. 3. The idea of dolls collection was born when eminent political cartoonist and journalist K. Shankar Pillai, better known simply asShankar, received one as a gift from the Hungarian Ambassador in the early 1950s. 4. “Shankar fell so much in love with the doll that he began to collect costume dolls whenever he visited any country. Soon, he was able to collect a good number of dolls as his visits to foreign nations were frequent. 5. He began to exhibit the dolls across the country after he was able to collect a good number, but the frequent packing and unpacking were damaging the dolls. Then the idea emerged of a permanent space for the dolls and that is how the museum was set up. 6. The museum is located in Nehru House on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in the building that houses the Children’s Book Trust, which was also set up by Shankar. The museum began in 1965 with 1,000 dolls. 7. Now there are more than 7,500 from over 85 countries. The museum has the largest number of costume dolls in the world. 8. Divided into two equal halves, one section of the museum is dedicated to Western countries like the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, as also the Commonwealth of Independent States and the other half to Asian, African and Middle-East countries, as also India. 9, Several countries gifted dolls to the museum to represent their country’s culture. Apart from those dolls received in exchange, there are a good number of dolls made at the workshop attached to the museum, including authentic Indian dolls in traditional attire. The dolls are sent as “return gifts” for the dolls gifted by various countries.Shankar's International Dolls Museum Number of exhibits 7,500 dolls Floor area 5184.5 sq. feet Number of display cases 160 glass cases, 1000 ft. long Number of countries covered 85 Number of Indian costume exhibits 150 dolls On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below. (i) Write the synonym of ‘melancholy’. Ans. The synonym of ‘melancholy’ is woe. (ii) How does Shankar’s Doll Museum teach its visitors about art, culture and costumes of different cultures? Ans. Shankar's Dolls Museum is home to dolls from different parts of the world. They are dressed in traditional costumes of different countries and represent the culture of the countries they belong to. (iii) Which word in the passage is the same as ‘legitimate’? Ans. The word ‘authentic’ in the passage is the same as legitimate. (iv) How do foreign countries contribute to the Doll museum? Ans. Foreign countries contribute to the Dolls Museum by gifting dolls to the museum to represent their country’s culture. (v) How many glass display cases serve in the museum according to the data given in the passage? Ans. A total of 160 glass cases, all adding up to 1000 ft. in length, encase and display the collection of over 7500 dolls in the museum. (vi) Comment on the significance of the workshop attached to the museum with reference to paragraph 7. Ans. There are a good number of dolls made at the workshop attached to the museum, including authentic Indian dolls in traditional attire. These dolls are sent as “return gifts” for the dollsgifted by various countries. Passage-6 Read the following excerpt from a case study titled Animals and Rain. 1. Do animals, birds and insects love the rains? 2. Some of us love rains and cannot resist stepping out and dancing in them, whereas others love watching and listening to its sound while sipping a hot cup of coffee. There cannot be many who hate rain, unless it turns out to be incessant, causing flood and disasters. What about animals? Do they like to stroll and dance in the shower or do they run for cover? Tastes and preferences differ in the animal kingdom too. While some do not mind rain, others are simply annoyed or scared. 3. Rain avoiders : For warm-blooded animals like mammals and birds, getting drenched in rain can be dangerous. They have to keep up their body temperature or they may become too cold to stay alive. But almost all species have some kind of protection on their skin — fur in animals and feathers in birds. A few drops or a few hours of rain are bearable. Their fur will help them to stay warm. Some birds dip their bills into oil glands near their tails and apply it over their feathers. The oil serves like a raincoat for a while. But when the rain gets worse, the animals use other tactics to stay dry. A deer may flatten its ears to keep water out and a hippo may close its nostrils. 4. Don’t minders : But a hippo or a buffalo do not mind pouring rain. They stand still and wait out a sudden storm. It's a thick layer of fat that’s at work in these animals in rain. 5. Cuddlers : Most terrestrial animals seek cover. In the forest, during storms, orangutans have been observed to make ‘hats’ out of leaves. They also retreat to an enclosure and huddle together, sitting out in rains. They may shelter under rocks or underground or on tree logs. 6. What about animals in the water? Frogs, turtles and fish mayretreat to lower levels of lakes and ponds, with some seeking added shelter under things like fallen rocks or woods. Thunder and lightning can freak out many animals — even big elephants and apes. 7. Rain bravers Reptiles’ scaly skins are composed of a protein called keratin, which allows waterproofing qualities. It also helps to remain hydrated. Crocodiles are pretty good at dealing with inclement weather. They remain calm and cool and never freak out. It's a different story for furry animals, such as giant pandas, tigers, brown bears. They can just shake themselves dry in mere seconds. For some animals, the rainy season is a time to party. On a rainy day, elephants head out for some mud bath, while toads look out for their mate. Earthworms end their day's long confinement under the soil and peep out their head. For it is time to slither on the surface, while still staying moist. Ideal Body Temperature of Animals and Birds Species Temperature in Celsius (°C) Human 37 Hippopotamus 37.8 Water Buffalo 38.2 Peacock 38.9 Orangutan 36.5 Deer 40 Frog 23 Crocodile 30 Elephant 36.5Brown Bear 37.5 Earthworm 22 On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY FIVE questions from the six given below. (i) Write the synonym of ‘withdraw’. Ans. The synonym of ‘withdraw’ is retreat. (ii) What helps reptiles brave the rains? Ans. Reptiles’ scaly skins are composed of a protein called keratin, which allows waterproofing qualities to brave the rains. (iii) Are there many who hate rain? Ans. There cannot be many who hate rain, unless it turns out to be incessant, causing floods and disasters. (iv) Which word in the passage is the same as ‘bleak’? Ans. The word inclement is the same as bleak. (v) With reference to the data provided in the table in the passage, which animals would you club into cold-blooded category? Ans. Frog, earthworm and crocodiles have the lowest body temperature of them all, hence they can be clubbed into cold- blooded category. (vi) The passage says that a few drops or a few hours of rain are bearable with respect to rain-avoider animals. Justify the comment. Ans. For warm-blooded animals like mammals and birds, getting drenched in rain can be dangerous. They have to keep up their body temperature or they may become too cold to stay alive. But almost all species have some kind of protection on their skin — fur in animals and feathers in birds. These adaptations make rain bearable for afew hours. Passage-7 Read the following excerpt from a case study titled Cataract. 1. Cataract is the major cause of blindness, which is also caused by a damage to the cornea. It refers to an eye disorder causing the eye’s lens to be opaque and cloudy hence reducing the vision. The lens is the clear part which helps to focus the right rays entering the eye into the retina which is sensitive to light and is located at the back of the eye. In order to function properly, the parts that are in front of the retina have to be transparent to allow a sharp image that fall on the retina. It occurs more often in old age. As one starts growing old, the lens of the eye hardens, loses its transparency and becomes opaque. It obstructs the light rays from entering the eye. 2. The disorder is more common among the elders and statistics have proven that by the age of 80 years, more than 40% suffer from cataracts and this condition worsens as the age increases. A cataract may occur on either one of the eyes or both. The onset of cataract blurs the vision. Sometimes, the cataract patient sees multiple images instead of a single object image. Because of the gradual development of cataract, the afflicted person loses his/her vision and the world becomes dark to him/her. 3. The development of cataract is a complex process. However, the following factors can be attributed to its formation. Cataract generally develops in old age but sometimes, children are born with cataract because of hereditary defect. This type of cataract is called congenital cataract. Cataracts may also develop as a result of other diseases such as diabetes or trauma to the eye. Eye injuries too, can cause cataracts. Other types of cataracts, especially in younger people and diabetics, may progress fast.Number of Cataracts in India Age Group Right Eye Left Eye Total 0-4 5-9 10-14 13,950 13,870 27,820 15-19 5,309 1,251 6,550 20-24 6,270 18,167 24,437 25-29 14,172 20,838 35,010 30-34 16,694 10,761 27,445 35-39 45,022 46,425 91,447 40-44 107,794 106,695 214,489 45-49 274,941 266,191 541,132 50-54 679,372 650,885 1,330,257 55-59 4,216,234 1,014,013 2,230,247 60-64 1,674,581 1,665,855 3,340,436 65-69 2,026,844 2,266,577 4,923,421 70-74 4,324,444 4,599,241 8,923,685 Total 10,405,627 10,680,759 21,086,386 4. People exposed to sun rays for longer periods develop cataract earlier than others. Researchers opine that the smoke inhaled while smoking carries substances internally damaging the eyes. 5. Overexposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is responsible for two major public health problems: skin cancer and cataract.Ultraviolet radiation, invisible to the human eye, is linked to skin cancer. A gradual progression of vision problem, eventually, if not treated, may result in vision loss. The victim loses vision and the world becomes dark to him. Cataracts can be removed completely through surgery. On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer ANY EIVE questions from the six given below. (i) Why does the lens of the eye become opaque in old age? Ans. Lens of the eye hardens and loses its transparency and becomes opaque in old age. (ii) How does cataract affect its victim ultimately? Ans. Cataract may lead to a complete loss of vision. (iii) How does one detect cataract in early stages? Ans. In early stages, the vision becomes blurred, one may also see multiple images in place of one. (iv) Give any two factors which are responsible for the formation of cataract. Ans. Any two factors which are responsible for the formation of cataract are long exposure to sun rays and hereditary defect. (v) Find the word from para 1 that means ‘that through which light cannot enter’. Ans. Opaque. (vi) How is smoking responsible for the development of cataract? Ans. Smoke, when inhaled, carries a substance that damages the eye and causes internal harm to the eye thereby developing cataract.Passage-8 Read the passage given below. Experience Indian Culture Through Dolls 1. At a time when younger people are privileging smartphones, television and video games over other sources of entertainment, a nearly 55-year-old museum housing thousands of dolls from across the globe is still maintaining its old world charm and attracting not only children and teenagers, but also the visitors of all age groups not surprising, as it actually transports you into a world where you can forget the woes of the present. 2. With over 7,500 dolls on display, Shankar's International Dolls Museum in the capital not only entertains children but also teaches them about art, culture and costumes of different cultures. 3. The idea of dolls collection was born when eminent political cartoonist and journalist K. Shankar Pillai, better known simply as Shankar, received one as a gift from the Hungarian Ambassador in the early 1950s. 4. “Shankar fell so much in love with the doll that he began to collect costume dolls whenever he visited any country. Soon, he was able to collect a good number of dolls as his visits to foreign nations were frequent. He began to exhibit the dolls across the country after he was able to collect a good number, but the frequent packing and unpacking was damaging the dolls. Then the idea emerged of a permanent space for the dolls and that is how the museum was set- up. 5. The museum is located in Nehru House on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in the building that houses the Children’s Book Trust, which was also set-up by Shankar. The museum began in 1965 with 1,000 dolls. Now there are more than 7,500 from over 85 countries. The museum has the largest number of costume dolls in the world.6. Divided into two equal halves, one section of the museum is dedicated to Western countries like the UK, the US, Australia and New Zealand, as also the Commonwealth of Independent States and the other half to Asian, African and Middle-East countries, as also India. 7. Several countries gifted dolls to the museum to represent their country’s culture. 8. Apart from those dolls received in exchange, there are a good number of dolls made at the workshop attached to the museum, including authentic Indian dolls in traditional attire. The dolls are sent as “return gifts” for the dolls gifted by various countries. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions : (i) How many dolls are there on display in the museum? (a) 7,500 (b) less than 7,500 (c) more than 7,500 (d) 5,500 Ans. (c) more than 7,500 (ii) K. Shankar Pillai was a : (a) cartoonist (b) journalist (c) both cartoonist and journalist (d) artist Ans. (c) both cartoonist and journalist (iii) The museum was established in the year : (a) 1945(b) 1955 (c) 1965 (d) 1975 Ans. (c) 1965 (iv) The museum is located on : (a) Gandhi Marg (b) Nehru Marg (c) Shankar Marg (d) Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg Ans. (d) Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg (v) How many countries’ dolls have been put in the museum? (a) 85 (b) 83 (c) 81 (d) 79 Ans. (a) 85 (vi) Several countries gifted dolls to the museum : (a) in exchange (b) to represent their culture (c) as a return gift (d) for exhibition Ans. (d) for exhibition (vii) Shankar's International Doll’s Museum is divided into Ans. two equal halves.(viii) Exhibitions across the country were damaging the dolls. (True/False) Ans. False Passage-9 Read the passage given below. The Science Behind The Eiffel Tower 1. There are a few man-made structures that invoke an immediate mental image the moment their names are mentioned in any conversation. Take the Taj Mahal, for instance. You must be already picturing an ivory white marble mausoleum or the Great Wall of China that brings to mind an almost endless stretch of fortification, made of stones and bricks. And then, there is the Eiffel Tower! 2. Constructed to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution, the Eiffel Tower also turned into a show of strength as it showcased France’s industrial prowess in the late 19th century. While it is easy to credit the tower to Gustave Eiffel, whose name the tower bears, the French civil engineer wasn't actually directly involved in its design. 3. The design belonged to Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier, two engineers who worked with Compagnie des Etablissements Eiffel, the company that Gustave owned. They came up with their design as an entry for the competition that was to decide the centerpiece of the proposed Paris Exposition or World's Fair, of 1889. 4. Their design won and the construction of the wrought iron tower eventually began in 1887. After two years of construction, the Eiffel Tower was inaugurated on March 31, 1889. 5. Colossal structure with 18,000 pieces constituting a combined weight of over 7,300 tonnes, more than 60 tonnes of paint wasutilised to paint every inch of the structure. The completed Eiffel Tower came to be a symbol of modern architecture, right from the choice of the material used to the fact that it existed purely to demonstrate meaning, skill and creativity, with little real utility. 6. The Eiffel Tower turned out to be a towering hit during the World's Fair and as time passed, the fact that its height and therefore employability as a wireless telegraph transmitter proved it to be indispensable. It was used in transmission and reception over 400 km for starters and reached out across the Atlantic by 1913. It came in handy during World War I, allowing the French to intercept enemy messages and obtain crucial information. It still houses 120 antennas and is used to broadcast radio and television signals. 7. The Eiffel Tower was once the tallest man made structure in the world. Open to visitors on all days of the year, millions of people from around the world enjoy the dazzling sight and the views that the Eiffel Tower has to offer. That number will only continue to rise like the Eiffel Tower itself, which seems to rise into the sky when viewed from close quarters. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions : (i) The Eiffel Tower of France was constructed : (a) to commemorate the centennial of the French revolution. (b) to showcase France's industrial prowess. (c) in the late 18th Century. (d) to show the power of France. Ans. (a) to commemorate the centennial of the French revolution. (ii) ‘Compagnie des Establissements’ was owned by : (a) Maurice Koechlin (b) Emile Nouguier(c) Gustave Eiffel (d) None of these Ans. (c) Gustave Eiffel (iii) The weight of Eiffel Tower is : (a) 18,000 tonnes. (b) 7,300 tonnes (c) 73,000 tonnes (d) 730 tonnes Ans. (b) 7,300 tonnes (iv) Eiffel Tower is constructed with : (a) wrought iron (b) pig iron (c) cast iron (d) malleable iron Ans. (a) wrought iron (v) How many years did it take to construct Eiffel Tower? (a) One year (b) Two years (c) Three years (d) Four years Ans. (b) Two years (vi) Eiffel Tower is used : (a) to broadcast radio and TV signals (b) to attract tourists (c) to intercept enemy messages(d) to view the whole city Ans. (a) to broadcast radio and TV signals (vii) The Eiffel Tower houses antennas to broadcast radio and TV signals. Ans. 120 (viii) The Eiffel Tower is the tallest man-made structure in the world till now. (True/False) Ans. False Passage-10 Read the passage given below. Dealing With Downpour 1. Do animals, birds and insects love the rains? 2. Some of us love rains and cannot resist stepping out and dancing in them whereas others love watching and listening to its sound while sipping a hot cup of coffee. There cannot be many who hate rain, unless it turns out to be incessant, causing flood and disasters. What about animals? Do they like to stroll and dance in the shower or do they run for cover? Tastes and preferences differ in the animal kingdom too. While some do not mind rain, others are simply annoyed or scared. 3. Rain avoiders : For warm-blooded animals like mammals and birds, getting drenched in rain can be dangerous. They have to keep up their body temperature or they may become too cold to stay alive. But almost all species have some kind of protection on their skin — fur in animals and feathers in birds. A few drops or a few hours of rain are bearable. Their fur will help them to stay warm. Some birds dip their bills into oil glands near their tails and apply it over their feathers. The oil serves like a raincoat for a while. But when the rain gets worse, the animals use other tactics to stay dry. A deer mayflatten its ears to keep water out and a hippo may close its nostrils. 4. Don’t mind’ers : But a hippo or a buffalo do not mind pouring rain. They stand still and wait out a sudden storm. It’s a thick layer of fat that’s at work in these animals in rain. 5. Cuddlers : Most terrestrial animals seek cover. In the forest during storms, orangutans have been observed to make ‘hats’ out of leaves. They also retreat to an enclosure and huddle together, sitting out in rains. They may shelter under rocks or underground or on tree logs. 6. What about animals in the water? Frogs, turtles and fish may retreat to lower levels of lakes and ponds, with some seeking added shelter under things like fallen rocks or woods. Thunder and lightning can freak out many animals — even big elephants and apes. 7. Rain bravers: Reptiles’ scaly skins are composed of a protein called keratin, which allows waterproofing qualities. It also helps to remain hydrated. Crocodiles are pretty good at dealing with inclement weather. They remain calm and cool and never freak out. 8. It's a different story for furry animals, such as giant pandas, tigers, brown bears. They can just shake themselves dry in mere seconds. For some animals, the rainy season is a time to party. On a rainy day, elephants head out for some mud bath, while toads look out for their mate. Earthworms end their day's long confinement under the soil and peep out their head. For it is time to slither on the surface, while still staying moist. On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions : (i) Warm blooded animals keep up their body temperature during rains because : (a) they hate rains.(b) they like to step out in rains. (c) they become too cold to stay alive. (d) their fur get drenched. Ans. (c) they become too cold to stay alive. (ii) What does deer do to avoid rain? (a) It flattens its ears. (b) It closes its nostrils. (c) It moves its tail. (d) It goes in the shed. Ans. (a) It flattens its ears. (iii) Fish and turtles seek shelter during rains by : (a) retreating to an enclosure. (b) hiding under leaves. (c) retreating to lower levels of lakes and ponds. (d) going under tree logs. Ans. (c) retreating to lower levels of lakes and ponds. (iv) Which animals are said to be rain bravers? (a) Reptiles (b) Aquatic animals (c) Terrestrial animals (d) Mammals. Ans. (a) Reptiles (v) Which animals make ‘hats’ out of leaves? (a) Hippo (b) Bear(c) Orangutan (d) Deer Ans. (c) Orangutan (vi) ‘Keratin’ present in the scaly skin of the reptiles is a kind of : (a) carbohydrate (b) protein (c) mineral (a) fat Ans. (b) protein (vii) Big elephants and apes are frightened by ............... and Ans. Thunder and lightning. (viii) Crocodiles become aggressive during rainy season. (True/False) Ans. False