Class - XII
Section (a) Reading
Unseen Comprehension Passages (1)
1.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
The doctors clamouring against reservations for OBCs have demanded that merit be the sole
criteria for admission to medical and engineering colleges. Then, how is it that they haven’t
objected either to the NRI quota or candidates who procure admission on the basis of capitation
fee? Does this not affect quality ? Reservation was introduced in the Kolhapur State as early as in
1902 and in the State of Mysore in 1921 . In Tamil Nadu, where the human health index is much
better than in other states, there is as much as 69 per cent reservation. Let us take for a moment
that upper caste doctors are meritorious. But is this of any help to thenation when many of them
use elite institutes as springboard to go abroad for higher wages. Nearly 70 per centof doctors from
AIIMS doctors go abroad. How are these elite institutes, under such circumstances, serving the
interests of the common people ? On the other hand , it has been in Tamil Nadu that a good
number of SC/ST/OBC doctors, who procured admission into colleges due to the reservation policy,
stick to their stste or hometown, resulting in better healthcare services.
2.
Reservation is not a phenomenon exclusive to our country. The American MNC,IBM,
voluntarily in traduced reservations for Blacks in 1930 . In Malaysia there are reservations not just
in jobs but also in contracts , licences and company shares for Malays. Reservation for the
depressed and weaker sections exist in many countries like Brazil, South Africa, Japan, Netherland
and Ireland. There is 50 per cent reservation for Blacks and women in the medical faculity of
Harvard University. And the Whites have never made an issue of being eligible only for 50 per cent
of the seats. In fact, it is the handful of anti- reservationist doctors, who taik of disintegration of
society on account of reservation, who are really responsible for creating dissension and obstacles
in the ways of social justice of the OBCs.The media have, of course, played a negative role. But it is
a reality that Indian society is constituted on caste lines .If the anti reservations are so concerned
about the disintegrationof society on caste lines, they should first lead the struggle against social
discrimination.
3.
Reservation get a job or admission even if they get less percentage of marks, In one of the
cases a person was in Indian Revenue Service. He saw that candidates getting high marks in a
competition were not necessarily successful in the field. Merit, as it is being presently understood,
does not include honesty, hardwork and patriotism. In the American school system, besides the
syllabus, students have to undergo practical training in social
4.
services, etc. and marks are added in the certificate based on performance in thus area. The
only people tailing of merit today are those who have studied in public schools or whose children
study in such schools.
5.
The expenditure incurred on education in public schools in 50 to 100 times more than those
of corporation/ government schools. There is a vast difference in quality between the teachers of
public and government schools. Parents who can afford to send their children to public schools are
mostly educated. They not only teach the children themselves at home but also provide coaching
for them . On the other hand , parents who send their children to corporation/ government schools
are mostly uneducated . These children have to lend a helping hand to their parents after schools
hours . Under such circumstances, what is wrong if such students ask for concession of a few
marks?
6.
Reservation will bring unity and integrated in society. Reservation in elite institutes will
enable people from different social strata to come together and established bonhomie among
them . It is true that reservation is not a permanent solution to the vexed problem of our society.
As and when equal and compulsory education is introduced in the country, Dalits and OBCs will not
stake their claims to reservation.
7.
Reservation is not a pancea for the economic backwardness of the country. For this purpose
,the government has already launched many schemes. Reservation is only a concession given to
socially and educationally backward people, so that they may integrate with the mainstream. We
have no objection if the poor among the upper caste people, too, are the benefit of reservations.
But the problem here is that the among them start taking advantage of the policy.
On the basis of your reading the passage, answer the following questions:
(a) Why were the Indian doctors clamouring against reservation?
Ans. Value Point: merit be the sole criteria for admission to medical and engineering colleges.
(b) Write down the procedure on the basis of capitation fee.
Ans. Value point:Reservation was introduced in the Kolhapur State as early as in 1902, in the state
of Mysore in 1921.. In Tamil Nadu, where the human health index is much better than in other
states, there is as much as 69 percent reservation.
(c) What ideas do you know about reservations in Malaysia and Harvard University?
Ans. value point: In Malaysia there are reservations not just in jobs but also in contracts, licences
and company shares for Malays. There is 50 percent reservation for Blacks and women in the
medical faculty of Harvard University
(d) What view is taken by the Indians and Americans about merit?
Ans.value points: In india reservation on caste lines and reservationists get a job or admission
even if they get less percentage of marks. In American school system, besides the syllabus, students
have to undergo practical training in social service, etc. and marks are added in the certificate
based on performance in this area.
(e) Point out the difference in Public as well as Government University.
Ans. value points: The expenditure incurred on education in public schools in 50 to 100 times more
than those of corporation/ government schools.There is a vast difference in quality between the
teachers of public and government schools.
(f) What way out has been suggested in the passage about reservation?
Ans. Value Points : Reservation is only a concession given to socially and educationally backward
people so that they may integrate with the mainstream. We have no objection if the poor among
the upper caste people, too, are given the benefit of reservations.
8.
On the basis of reading the passage, trace words that are similar in meaning to the
following:. (a) the best possible(para-2)
(b) academically able(para- 5)
(c) a fine
remedy(para- 5) (d) money spent (para -4)
Ans.
(a)eligible
Ans-expenditure
(b)Ans. educated
c. Ans.solution
d.
PASSAGE-------------2.
The government appears to have woken up to the problem of acute agrarian distress. In a flurry of
activity surrounding the prime minister,s visit to Vidarbha, the government had declared its intent
to seek remedies for the crisis affecting the peasantry, symbolized by the spate of farmers’ suicides
over thelast few years . This is indeed welcome, though the response should have come sooner.
Reports and studies from various sources, including government commissions, on farmers’suisides
and their proximate causes have analysed the issue to the bone. What was missing was concerted
action on the part of the Centre.
The package being put together now recognizes that the immediate problem is not one of eccess
to credit or the level of the interest rate (though these are indeed medium- term issues0 but of a
legacy of debt that cannot be borne. Low farm gate prices, rising input cost and anadequate
increases in productivity have combined to make interest and debt repayment commitments too
onerous to bear. The explains the government’s decision to writeoff debt ay least in the case of
marginal and small farmers, and, if the Finance Ministry agrees, to insure them against crop failure
so to prevent the legacy of debt from becoming an unbearable burden for many more. These are
significant steps forward. However the government also adopt policies that militates against long
term redressal of the agrarian crisis that underlies farmer’s distress. The first of these is a fiscal
policy stance that precludes the adoption of measures that are crucial to revitalize agriculture. :
Massive public investment in rural infrastructure, including irrigation, drainage and flood control;
lowering of input cost through subsidies where necessary; and a hike in expenditure to restructure
the provision of a host of extention and a support services to improve agricultural productivity.
With the government focused on fiscal deficit reduction rather on raising India’abysmal tax-GDP
ratio and expanding much needed expenditures, thse measures are being virtually ignored. Rather
the emphasis, as reflected in this year’s budget for example, is on increasing the flow of credit to
rural areas, without recognizing why even the current limited flow has taken the farming
community into a debt trap.
The second is the decision to use free imports as a means to dampen inflation. The evidence on
inflation is clear. While aggregate inflation on an annual point to point basis(as measured by the
official Wholesale price index) stood at just 5.24 percent over the week ending June 10, 2006, the
rate of inflation in the case of indivisual essential commodities was much higher: Between 9 and 10
percent in the wheat, fuel and sugar and as much as 35 percent in the case of pulses.
A factor underlying these trends is long term deterioration in agricultural performances. In most
cases lower demand resulting from limited purchasing power among some sections of the
population has ensure that poor agricultural performance has yet to result in a short fall in supply
related to demand. Even so, speculative hoarding has indeed resulted in an artificial short fall.
Speculation has been added by a number of decisions of the government such as removal of
control on the movements of agricultural, commodities and liberalization of rules relating to the
operation of the private traders and agri-business firms, which in turn have resulted in the failure
to procure adequate government stocks at the minimum support price where applicable.
The government have sort to augment supply with imports. Beside deciding February to import
wheat to replenish dwindling government stocks, it has now decided to permit private actual users
of wheat like flour millers biscuit manufacturers and bread makers to import wheat duty free till
the next rabi harvest. It has also allow custom duty free import of sugar till the bignning of the next
crushing season which start in October. And it has put a ban on exports of pulses this efforts to
enhance domestic supply with import may be successful in dempening in inflationary expectations
and holding the price level in the short run. But it could also adversely affect revenues garnered by
the already- distressed peasantry with attended implications for private expenditure needed to
sustain and improve agricultural production. E.g., Reliance on PL-480 imports in the 1950s and early
1960s, while dampening price in inflation during Second Plan Years, was partly responsible for the
inadequate yield growth that preceded the aggrarion crisis of the mid-1960s.
Reliance on imports to dampen price increases can, Therefore, worsen the agrarian crisis and the
distressed condition of farmers in the medium term. What is needed is to directly curb speculative
activities, reverse policies with regard to freer agricultural trade that have brought in large private
players driven by opportunities for profit and combine this with an investment- led agricultural
strategy. If not, the small relief being offered the prime minister of farmers in the worst affected
areas would amount to little other than temporary relief and a declaration of concern.
On the basis of reading passage answer the following questions.
a)
What is the actual problem of agrarians in Vidarbha?
Ans : VALUE POINTS : Acute agrarian distress, the crisis effecting the peasantry, simbolised the
spate of farmers suicides over the last few years.
b)
How the government can help for their redressal? Write atleast two major steps.
Ans : VALUE POINTS : Intent to see remedies for the crisis, to militate against long term red ressal
of the agrarian crisis that underlies farmers distress.
First- Precludes adoption of measures that are crucial to revitalizes agricultural including
irrigation, drainage and flood control, provision of a host of extension supports services to improve
agricultural productivity.
Second- to use free imports as a means to dampen inflation.
c)
In what does the hoarding create a problem for all? Write down the solution.
Ans : VALUE POINTS : Speculation has been aided by a number of decisions of the government such
as removal of controls on the movements of agricultural commodities and liberalization of rules
relating to the operation of private traders and agribussinessfirm,which in turn have resulted in the
failure to procure adequate government stock s at the minimum support price where applicable.
The government has sought to respond to the situation by seeking to augment supply with imports.
d)
Mention the steps initiated by the government to tackle the situation?
Ans : VALUE POINTS : to permit private actual users of wheat like flour millers, biscuit
manufacturers and bread makers to import wheat duty free till the next rabi harvest.
, allowed customs duty- free, a ban on exports of pulses.
e)
What solution has been put forth by the writer in the concluding para?
Ans : VALUE POINTS : to directly curb speculative activity, reverse policies with regard to freer
agricultural trade that have brought in large private players driven by opportunities for profit and
combine this with an investment- led agricultural strategy,the small relief offer by prime minister of
farmers in the the worst affected areas would amount to little other than temporary relief .
3.Find words from the above passage that are similar in meaning to the following:
(a) havoc(para -1) (b) To shut off( para -3) (c) Collection (para-6 (d) farming( para-1)
Ans : (a) flurry
(c) garner
(b) militate
(d) agrarian
PASSAGE-3
2.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
It is reported that the government is close to finalizing a system of dual pricing for the public
procurement of food grains. There would be two basic elements to this system: Afixed Minimum
Support Price (MSP) covering the cost of cultivation, as at present,recommended by the
Commission on Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP), and variable procurement prices, at the
discretion of the department of food , depending on market For example, according to a working
group of the Planning Commission, over the five year period ending 2001-02 when there was a
steep rise in procurement price resulting in accumulation of embarrassing large stock of food grains
of over 60 million tones with the government, consumption of foodgrauns in the country was
reduced, on this account, by at least five million tones per annum. The new system by assigning a
greater role for private trade can improve the efficiency in the distribution of foodgrains and
susdtantially cut down subsidies, which can help to step up much needed public investment in
agriculture. The proposed dual pricing ststem is a better alternative than total marketisation of
foodgrains trade by disbanding altogether public procurement at MSP.
Such a dismantling could lead to a crash in market prices of foodgrains in years of food harvest.
Even though this may take exports competitive and raise domestic consumption of food grains in
the short run, it may undermine food security by sapping producer incentives. The experience of
green revolution underlines the importance of assured MSP including the farmers to step up their
own investment and effirt and derive full benefit from available infrastructure.
For the dual pricing system to yield desired results, it needs to be backed by several other policy
measures. Since the impetus for crop diversification would be greater in the infrastructurallydeveloped regions like the north-west , this can slow down the growth of foodgrains output in the
country and, in particular, the surpluses procured, unless immediate measures are taken to
strengthen public support for irrigation, technology, extension and credit in thr rest of the
company, especially in the central and eastern regions where there is a large potentialas the
growth of food grains output has barely kept pace with population growth since the mid-90s. This
also calls for more effective public procurement of food grains at MSP in these regions, as farmers
have to often sell their produce immediately after the harvest at prices that are lower than MSP.
Therefore, dual pricing system can be sustained only through non-price interventions such as
infrastructural support for regional dispersal of growth in foodgrains output.
The new system requires better market intelligence forecasts as well as concurrent analyses on
prices and sales in markets in India and abroad
Questions.
(a)
What are the two elements of dual pricing system for procuring foodgrains?
Ans : VALUE POINTS : A fixed Minimum Support Price (MSP) covering the cost of cultivation, as at
present, recommended by the Commission on Agriculture Costs and Prices(cacp) and variable
procurement prices, at the discretion of the department of food, depending on market conditions
in different seasons and regions of the country.
(b)
How will the above proposed system benefit the nation?
ANS: VALUE POINTS:
It would enable to the country to more effectively cope with emerging challenges in agriculture
.the proposal also recognizes the greater ability of our economy , in the post – liberalization era ,to
meet temporary shortages of food grains through imports.
(c)
Mention atleast four non food grain item used by the consumer
ANS: VALUE POINTS :
Non food grain items such as sugar , edible oils ,milk, meat, fish, eggs, vegetables and fruits are
used by the consumer
(d)
What is the result of ecological degradation in the north-western region of India ?
ANS: VALUE POINTS :
The depletion of soil nutrients and water table driven down to unsustainably
Low levels
(e)
In order to boost the dual system what urgent measures are needed to be taken?
ANS: VALUE POINTS :
Improving the efficiency in the distribution of food grains and substantially cut down
subsidies, which can help to step up much needed public investment in agriculture.
(f)
How we can sustain the dual pricing system?
ANS: VALUE POINTS: Only through non price interventions such as infrastructural support for
regional dispersal of growth in food grains output .
Trace words from the passage that are the synonyms of the following
(a)
Extra (para-3) (b) extract(para3) (c) a driving force (para-5) (d) Two roles(para-5)
Ans. a surplus b. depletion c. impetus d. dual
PASSAGE- 4
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
One of the greatest advances in modern technology has been the invention of computers. They are
widely used in Industries and in Universities . Now there is hardly any sphere of human life where
computers have not been pressed in to service of man. We are heading fast on the close of this
present century towards a situation when a computer will be as much part of man’s daily life as a
telephone or a calculator.
Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of learning . They can
solve the most complex mathematical problems or put thousands of unrelated facts in order. These
machines can be put to varied uses. For instance, they can provide information on the best way to
prevent traffic, or they can count the number of times the word “and” has been used in the Bible.
Because they work accurately and at high speed ,they save the research workers hard work. This
whole process by which machines can be used to work for us had been called ‘automation’. In the
future ‘automation’ may enable human beings for more leisure than they do today. The coming of
automation is bound to have important social consequences .
Some years ago an expert on automation , Sir Leon Bagrit , pointed out that it was a mistake to
believe that these machines could ‘think’ . There no possibility that human beings will be “
controlled by machines”. Thougth computers are capable of learning from their mistakes and
improving on their performance, they need detailed instructions from human beings to operate.
They can never ,as it were, lead independent lives or” rule the world” by making decision of their
own.
Sir Leon said that in future, computers would be developed which would be small enough to
carry in the pocket. Ordinary people would than be able to use them to obtain valuable
information. Computers could be plugged into a national network and be used like radios. For
instance, people going on holiday could be informed about weather conditions. Car drivers can be
given alternative routes when there are traffic jams. It will also be possible to make tiny translating
machines. This will enable people who do not share a common language to talk to each other
without any difficulty or to read foreign publication. It is impossible to assess that importance of a
machine of this short, for many international misunderstandings are caused simple through our
failure to understand each other. Computers will also be used in ordinary public hospital, by
providing a machine with a patient’s systems; a doctor will be able to diagnosis the nature of
illness. Similarly machines could be used to keep a check on a patient’s health record and bring it
up to date. Doctors will there for have immediate access to a great many facts which will help in
their work. Bookkeepers and accountants too could be relieved of dull clerical work, for the tedious
task of compiling and checking lists of figures could be done entirely by machines. Computers will
also be able to tell the exact the age a man is going to live, with the help of his blood picture.
Computers are the most efficient servants man has ever had and there is no limit to the way they
can be used to improve our life style and life.
Q.1 what is the greatest advancement in modern technology?
Ans. Value Points; the invention of computers.
Q.2 Explain Automation?
Ans. Value Points: Computers are capable of doing extremely complicated work in all branches of
learning. They can solve the most complex mathematical problems or put thousands of unrelated
facts in order. These machines can be put to varied uses. This whole process by which machines
can be used to work for us had been called”automation”
Q.3 What was the prediction of Sir Leon about the computers in future?
Ans. Value Points: in the future , computer s would be developed which would be small enough to
carry in the pocket.
Q.4 Name the areas where computers can be effectively used?
Ans. Value Points: used like radio, car drivers use for alternative routes, used in ordinary public
hospitals, patient,s systems, use for clerical work, tell the exact age of a man.
Q.5 Find word in above passage which convey the similar meaning for
i) Difficult or complex
ii) Collect or arrange
iii) Another choice
Ans.5 i) complicated ii) compiling iii) alternative
PASSAGE-5
The New year is the time for resolution .Mentally, at least most of us could compile formidable lists
of ‘do’s and ‘don’ts’. The same old favourites recur year in and year out with the children, do a
thousand and one job abut the house, be nice to people we don’t like, drive carefully, and take the
dog for a walk every day. Past experience has tahght us that certain accomplishments are beyond
attainment. If we remain deep rooted liars, it is only because we have so often experienced the
frustration that results from failure.
Most of us fail in our efforts at self improvement because our schemes are too ambitious and
we never have time to carry them out. We also make the fundamental error of announcing our
resolution to everybody so that we look even more foolish when we slipback into our bad old ways.
Aware of these pitfalls, this year I attempted to keep my resolution to myself. I limited myself to two
modest ambitions, to do physicat exericese every mornimg and to read more in the evening. An
overnight party on New year’s eve provided me with a good excuse for not carrying out eiter of
these new resolution on the first day of the year, but on the second, Iapplied myself assiduously to
the task.
The daily exercise lasted only eleven minutes and I proposed to do them early in the morning
before anyone had got up. The self discipline reqired to drag myself out of bed eleven minutes
earlier than usual was considerable. Nevertheless, I managed to creep down into the living room for
two days before anyone found me out. After jumping about in the carpet and twisted the human
frame into uncomfortable positions.I sat down at the breakfast table in an exhausted condition. It
was this that betrayed me. The next morning the whole family trooped into watch the performance.
That was really unsettling but I fended off the taunts and jibes of the family good humouredly and
soon everybody got used to the idea. However, my enthusiasm waned , the time I spent at exercises
gradually diminished. Little by little the eleven minutes fell to zero. By January10th I was back to
where I had started from. I argued that if I spent less time exhausting myself at exercises in the
morning. I would keep my mind fresh for reading when I got home from work. Resisting the
hypnotizing effect of television, Isat in my room for a few evenings with my eyes glued to a book.
One night, however, feeling cold and lonely, I went downstairs and sat in front of the television
pretending to read. That proved to be my undoing, for I soon got back to the old bad habit of dozing
off in front of the screen. I still haven’t given up my resolution to do more reading. In fact, I have just
bought a book entitled ‘How to Read a Thousand Words a Minute’. Perhaps it will solve my problem,
but Ijust have not had time to read it.
Q.1. Why most of us fail in our efforts for self-improvement?
Ans. Value Points: because our schemes are too ambitious and we never have time to
carry them out.
Q.2. Why is it a basic mistake to announce our resolution to everybody ?
Ans. Value Points: look even more foolish when we slipback into our bad old ways.
Q.3. Why did the writer not carry out his resolution on New Year’s Day
Ans. Value Points: An overnight party on New Year’s Eve provided the writer with a
good excuse for not carrying out either of these new resolutions on the first day of the
year.
Q.4. Find out the words in the above passage which convey the similar meaning to the
following: (1) Overwhelming (2) Drawbacks (3) Decrease
Ans..(1) Formidable (2) Pitfalls (3) Wane