Reading-Discursive Passage - CBSE Test Papers

CBSE Test Paper 01
Discursive Passage

  1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
    The newspaper is one of the significant signs of modern civilization. It is the most popular form of reading in the present time because it interests all sorts of people. It is full of political news, sports, commercial news, as well as articles by well-known writers. A newspaper keeps us both entertained and informed.
    In these days of democracy, public opinion rules everywhere. No government can long withstand the pressure of a strong public opinion. It is, therefore, quite clear that the press controls public opinion, and public opinion, in turn, controls the government and ultimately the press controls the government. It acts as an interpreter between the government and the people and brings the rulers and the ruled together.
    The press also acts as a public court. All evils, corruptions, vices, scandals, etc. are given publicity and brought forth to the public through the medium of newspapers. The pressure of public opinion can be brought to bear upon the doors of evil and injustice. The oppressed and the downtrodden may easily demand justice at the bar of public opinion.
    Again, to build a nation, it becomes necessary to spread ideas of liberty and independence among the masses. The real freedom of a country is never possible without the upraising the thoughts of the people living in its nook and corners. Politicians, as well as economists, can circulate their ideas through newspapers, as they reach the most distant corners in the shortest possible time. Newspapers also tell people what their rights are and teach them how they can protect and exercise it. By placing new view-points before the readers every day, newspapers stimulate thoughts and ideas and increase the power of independent thinking. Thus, newspapers contribute to the development of knowledge and their educative influence is indeed immense.
    The advantages of having a strong, independent and honest press outweigh the faraway evils practised by a few cheap, irresponsible newspapers. The newspaper is one of the greatest blessings of civilization and journalism and therefore, it should be allowed to have the maximum amount of freedom possible.
    Restrictions on newspapers should be at least as possible in order to ensure the healthy growth of a nation. In the present stage of developing civilization, newspapers are an absolute necessity and if are given freedom of expression, they can do immense good to society, the country and the world. Thus, the freedom of Press is the requisite for freedom of the people.
    1. Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words:
      1. Give three reasons to show the importance of the newspaper.
      2. Give a suitable title for the above passage.
      3. How does public opinion rule everywhere in case of democracy?
      4. Why is the freedom of the press essential?
      5. When can real freedom come to existence?
    2. Do as directed:
      1. Which word in the passage means 'crushed'?
        1. spoiled
        2. trodden
        3. rotten
        4. untidy
      2. Find out the antonym of 'discourage' from the passage:
        1. encourage
        2. secure
        3. stimulate
        4. inspire
      3. Find the synonym of 'colossal' from the passage:
        1. immense
        2. small
        3. beautiful
        4. big
      4. Find out the antonym of 'restriction' from the passage:
        1. slavery
        2. courage
        3. influence
        4. freedom
  2. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow :
    Once upon a time, there was a 92-year old lady. She was fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with perfect makeup, even though she was blind, had moved to an old age home. Her husband recently passed away making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby, she smiled sweetly when she was told that her room was ready.
    She was escorted there by one of the attendants and she proceeded along with a great deal of alacrity. Her room was a simple one, comprising of the basic elements with a small window, overlooking the backyard of the building. The arrangement was vividly described to her, citing every little detail, for her convenience.
    Her response, to the attendant. was the most unexpected and considering the conditions under which she had to shift there. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old who had just been presented with a new puppy.
    "But....but Mrs. Jones, you hadn't seen the room," stammered the astonished attendant. "That doesn't have anything to do with it, she replied. "Happiness is something you decide. I have already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I can spend the day in bed, recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body, that does not work, or get out of the bed, and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as I am alive, I'll focus on a new day and on all the happy memories, that I've stored away, just for this time of my life."
    The attendant was greatly touched by the elderly woman's, sense of cheer and boundless enthusiasm. Such a positive attitude towards life and the difficulties that form a part and parcel of it represents a philosophy called 'The art of living'. It is a survival instinct that enables the individual to sail smoothly through the sea of despair and through the turbulence, created in the times of sorrow. Such an outlook is a source of strength to the learner, as well as an inspiration for others to follow it.
    On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions :
    1. Why was her response to the attendant, unexpected? 
    2. The attendant's description of the room cited every detail for her convenience'. What do you think is the significance of 'for her convenience'?
    3. How do you interpret the philosophy, 'The art of living'?
    4. What was the attendant greatly touched by?
    5. What is your opinion for being optimistic?
    Answer the following questions:
    1. Which word in the first paragraph represents 'eager quickness'?
      1. alacrity
      2. turbulence
      3. escorted
      4. proceeded
    2. The attendant stammered in astonishment, at the reaction of the old lady. Here the word 'stammered' reflect which state of his mind?
      1. shock
      2. confusion
      3. joy
      4. sorrow
    3. Find another word in the passage that is a synonym for dumbfound.
      1. attitude
      2. inspiration
      3. enthusiasm
      4. astonishment
    4. Which word in the first paragraph represents 'eager quickness'?
      1. inspiration
      2. happiness
      3. despair
      4. violent disruption
CBSE Test Paper 01
Discursive Passage

Solution
      1. Three reasons to show the importance of newspapers are:
        1. In the present time, newspaper interests all sorts of people as it contains political news, sports, commercial news as well as articles of well-known writers.
        2. Newspaper keeps us both entertained and informed.
        3. Through the medium of newspaper, all evils, corruptions, vices, scandals etc are given publicity and brought forth to the public.
      2. "Newspaper- a nation talker" can be a suitable title for the above passage. 
      3. In democracy, no government can long withstand the pressure of a strong public opinion. It controls the government.
      4. Freedom of the press is essential because it is the requisite for freedom of the people.
      5. Real freedom can come into existence if the press is given freedom of expression.
      1. trodden
      2. encourage
      3. immense
      4. freedom
  1. Part -II
    1. Her response that she loved the room allotted to her, was quite unexpected because being deprived of visual abilities it was difficult to form an opinion without actually seeing it. Moreover, the sorrow of bereavement did not reflect on her attitude.
    2. Visually challenged people are somewhat compensated by nature by increased sharpness of the sense of hearing as well as the sense of touch. The attendant's detailed description of the room would enable her to carry out her chores independently.
    3. The philosophy, 'The art of living' signifies that the kind of life one leads depends largely on the individual's attitude towards it. Optimism in life and acceptance of both joys and sorrows with a smile is a way of life that one should adopt. It is an art that should be perfected with practice.
    4. The attendant was greatly touched by the elderly woman's, sense of cheer and boundless enthusiasm.
    5. I think we should see the positive aspect of everything to remain optimistic.
    6. alacrity
    7. confusion
    8. astonishment
    9. violent disruption.