MP Board Class 10th General English Important Passages from Workbook

Students get through the MP Board Class 10th English Important Questions General English Passages from Workbook which are most likely to be asked in the exam.

MP Board Class 10th General English Important Passages from Workbook

I. Read the poem and answer the following questions:

I woke before the morning, I was happy all the day,
I never said an ugly word, smiled and stuck to play.
And now at last sun is going down behind wood,
And I am very happy, for I know that I’ve been good.
My bed is waiting cool and fresh, with linen smooth and fair,
And I must be off to sleep in by, and not forget my prayer.
1 know that till tomorrow, I shall see the sun rise,
No ugly dream shall frighten my mind, no ugly sight my eyes.
But slumber will hold me tightly till I wake in the dawn,
And hear the thrushes singing in the lilac round the lawn.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
Why was the boy happy all the day?
Answer:
The boy was happy all the day because he woke up very early.

Question 2.
What did the boy remember to do before going to bed?
Answer:
He remembered to pray to God.

Question 3.
What was the boy hoping while going to bed?
Answer:
He was hoping to see the next sunrise without an ugly dream.

Question 4.
What did the boy find when he woke up?
Answer:
He found the thrushes singing in the lilacks when he woke up.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
All the day the boy tried ……….
Answer:
to stuck to play.

Question 2.
The bed of the boy was ……….
Answer:
cool and fresh.

C. Find the words which mean the same in the poem:

Question 1.
Sleep
Answer:
Slumber

Question 2.
The time of the day when light first appears
Answer:
dawn.

II. Read the passage and answer the following questions: (M.P. 2009 Set D, 15)

Prevention is better than cure and it is recognised that the only way to get rid of malaria completely is to get rid of the mosquitoes which cause it. Malaria is always associated with damp and marshy land. This is not because the land is damp, but because the stagnant water is the breeding place of the mosquito, which begins its life as a larva living in the water. Malaria does not frequently occur in dry desert countries, because mosquitoes cannot breed there. The only way to destroy mosquitoes is to prevent their breeding in stagnant water. This can be done by draining all ponds and pools, and by keeping them covered in the breeding season with a thin layer of kerosene oil, which by depriving the larvae of air, kills them.

Answer these questions:

Question 1.
In what places does malaria occur most? (M.P. 2015)
Answer:
Malaria occurs most in damp and marshy land.

Question 2.
St. How does a mosquito begin its life and where? (M.P. 2013,15 Imp.)
Answer:
A mosquito begins its life as a larva in the water.

Question 3.
In what places malaria does not occur? Why? (M.P. 2012, 15, 16, 17)
Answer:
Malaria does not occur in dry desert countries because they cannot breed there.

Question 4.
Explain. ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ (M.P. 2012)
Answer:
Prevention is better than cure and it is recognised that the only way to get rid of malaria completely is to get rid of mosquitoes which cause it.

Question 5.
Write a suitable title of the passage.
Answer:
Title: Prevention is better than cure.

Question 6.
The meaning of the word damp is:
(a) Dirty
(b) Wet
(c) Dry
Answer:
(b) Wet

Question 7.
The opposite of the word ‘destroy’ is ……….
Answer:
Prevent

Question 8.
The ………… is the breeding place of the mosquito : (M.P. 2015)
(a) flowing water
(b) dry and desert
(c) stagnant water.
Answer:
(c) stagnant water.

Question 9.
Malaria does not occur in …………. countries. (M.P. 2015)
(a) damp and marshy land
(b) dry and desert
(c) dirty water.
Answer:
dry and desert.

III. Read the passage and answer the following questions:

A warrior king, with his almost invincible army, invaded a much weaker country. The vanguard of the army under the king entered that country. At that very moment the king saw a woman at some distance who was walking along the road with two children, both three or four years old. When she saw the formidable army, she panicked. She picked one of the children in her arms and started running, leaving behind the other child. The king asked some of his soldiers to catch that woman and to bring her and the two children before him. The soldiers brought the fear-stricken woman and the two children. The king, out of curiosity, asked her, “Who are these children? Why did you pick one and leave the other to its fate ?” The woman said, “Sir, the child who I picked is my brother’s daughter. The child who I had to leave behind is my own son.” The king said in utter astonishment, “What? You wanted to save somebody else’s child and you had no thought whatsoever for your own child.” Sir,” said the woman, “My son is certainly dearer to me than my own life. But my brother had placed his daughter in my care. So it was my foremost duty to ensure this child’s safety regardless of what happened to my own child.” The king, who was deeply moved by the woman’s speech, said, “O most noble woman! How can I ever think of conquering a land which has such brave woman like you who are prepared to sacrifice their own flesh and blood beyond the call of duty?” The warrior king gave the woman rich gifts and let her go with the two children. He then ordered his army back to his country.

The above episode reminds us of a similar glorious chapter in the history of India when Panna Dhai sacrificed her own son to save the royal prince who had been placed in her care.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
Why did the woman start running? (M.P. 2014, 17)
Answer:
She started running because she saw formidable army and was panicked.

Question 2.
What was the king curious to know?
Answer:
The king was curious to know who those children were and why she left one child.

Question 3.
Why did the woman save somebody else’s child instead of her own? (M.P. 2013, 16)
Answer:
The woman saved somebody else’s child instead of her own because it was her duty to ensure the child’s safety who has been put in her care.

Question 4.
Why did the king give the woman rich gifts and let her go with the children?
Answer:
The king did so because he was impressed by the sacrifice of her own child for her moral duty.

Question 5.
Give a suitable title for the passage.
Answer:
Title: A moral woman/An ideal woman.

Question 6.
Why did Panna Dhai sacrificed her son? (M.P. 2017)
Answer:
Panna Dhai sacrificed her son to save the Royal son who had been placed in her care.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
The women’s sacrifice was similar to ………….
Answer:
Panna Dhai

Question 2.
One must sacrifice …………….
Answer:
To save one’s country.

C. Find the words which mean similar in the passage.

Question 1.
Too strong to be defeated …………….
Answer:
brave

Question 2.
A person who fights in a battle or war …………….
Answer:
warrior.

IV. Read the poem and answer the following questions:

Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
And charging along like troops in a battle
All through the meadows the horses and cattle;
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by.
Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,
All by himself and gathering brambles;
Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
And here is the green for stringing the daisies!
Here is a cart run away in the road
Lumping along with man and load;
And here is mill, and there is a river.
Each a glimpse and gone forever!

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What are the things that seem moving faster than fairies and witches? (M.P. 2012)
Answer:
Train seems moving faster than fairies and witches.

Question 2.
Why does a child clamber and scramble?
Answer:
Because he is gathering brambles.

Question 3.
What is the cart carrying?
Answer:
The cart is carrying a man some load.

Question 4.
Why do you think the things give a glimpse and disappear?
Answer:
Because the train is running very fast.

Question 5.
Write a suitable title of the poem.
Answer:
Title: The Train.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
When I travel by bus or train, I prefer sitting close to the window because I love to see the scenery running back.
Answer:

Question 2.
If the poet has daisies, he will make a bouquet.
Answer:

C. Give one word for the following phrases:

Question 1.
A field covered in grass …………
Answer:
A field covered in grass meadow.

Question 2.
A person with no home or job who travels place to place asking for food or money ……….
Answer:
A person with no home or job who travels place to place asking for food or money tramp.

V. Read the passage and answer the following questions: (M.P. 2015)

An American enlisted himself in the Spanish army. He did not know the Spanish language. The commander informed that the king would come on inspection after six months. The king usually asked three questions. “What is your age?” Since when have you been in army?” and “Are you satisfied with your lodging and boarding?” The commander taught him the answers and he crammed them. As usual the king came on inspection. Looking at the new soldier, he asked, “Since when have you been in my army?” “Sir, 25 years,” replied the soldier. The king was taken aback. He asked him tire second questions, “Then what is your age?” “Sir, six months,” the soldier humbly replied, “Am I mad or you? The king asked irritatingly, “Sir, both,” was the quick answer.

A. Answer the following questions:

Question 1.
What was the problem of the soldier? (M.P. 2015, 16, 17)
Answer:
The soldier did not know the spanish language.

Question 2.
Why was the king expected to come for the inspections?
Answer:
The king used to come an inspection every six months so he was expected to come.

Question 3.
How did the commander help the soldier?
Answer:
The commander taught the soldiers the answer of the questions which were expected to be asked by the king.

Question 4.
Why was the king surprised? (M.P. 2015 Imp.)
Answer:
The king was surprised because the new soldier said that he had been in army for 25 years.

Question 5.
Which questions do the king usually ask? (M.P. 2015 Imp.)
Answer:
The king usually asked three questions i.e., (1) What is your age? (2) Since when have you been in my army? (3) Are you satisfied with your lodging and boarding?

Question 6.
The soldier did not know ………… language: (M.P. 2015 Imp.)
(a) American
(b) Spanish
(c) English
Answer:
(b) Spanish

Question 7.
The soldier replied that I am …………. year old: (M.P. 2015)
(a) 20
(b) 25
(c) 27
(d) 29
Answer:
(b) 25.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
The soldier was an American and ………….
Answer:
The soldier was an American and didn’t know Spanish.

Question 2.
The commander wanted ………….
Answer:
The commander wanted the correct answer from the soldier.

C. Find the words which mean the same in the passage:

Question 1.
To check that everything is satisfactory ………….
Answer:
To check that everything is satisfactory inspection

Question 2.
To leam a lot of things in a short time ………….
Answer:
To leam a lot of things in a short time cram.

VI. Read the passage and answer the following questions: (M.P. 2015)

Students who are very fond of reading books are often labelled by their companions as bookworms. This criticism generally comes from students who consider themselves better in sports. Students who shine in athletics or in some games consider that it is better to spend time and energy in a sports arena than in a classroom or at a reading desk. All the same they do envy their fellows who shine academically. Academic honour has a glamour which is unique. It is not to be denied that playing games is a useful activity, because it creates team spirit and also makes the sports-men healthy and vigorous. That is why games and sports are given so much importance in the curriculum of schools and colleges. But studies should not be neglected and should be given due importance along with other activities connected with education. Let each type of activity have its own place in our daily routine. Then only will we have students both academically sound and physically fit. We want our educational system to generate this synergy among our youth.

A. Complete the following statements as briefly as possible:

Question 1.
Academically sound students are called bookworms because …………..
Answer:
They are very fond of reading books.

Question 2.
Students who do well in sports consider ………….
Answer:
That it is better to spend time and energy in a sports arena.

B. Write the word which means the same in the passage:

Question 1.
relating to studies.
Answer:
Academic

Question 2.
having no parallel.
Answer:
Unique.

C. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What is the main goal of our educational system? (M.P. 2012, 16 Imp.)
Answer:
The maingoal of our educational system is to make students acadimically sound and physically fit.

Question 2.
Which qualities can be acquired through playing games?
Answer:
Through physical games health and vigour can be acquired.

Question 3.
What should be given due importance in the curriculum?
Answer:
Games and sports should be given due importance in curriculum.

Question 4.
Why do some students prefer sports to studies?
Answer:
Some students prefer sports to studies because they consider that it is better to spend time and energy in sports arena than in classroom or at reading desk.

Question 5.
Students who are very fond of reading books are often labelled by their companion as ………….: (M.P. 2015)
(a) sports loving
(b) studious
(c) bookworms.
Answer:
(c) bookworms.

Question 6.
Why academically students are called bookworms? (M.P. 2015)
Answer:
Students who are fond of reading books are academically called bookworm.

Question 7.
Who envy their fellows who shine academically? (M.P. 2015)
Answer:
Student who shine in athletes consider better to spend time in sports arena than in a classroom.

Question 8.
Why do we play games? (M.P. 2015)
Answer:
It keeps us academically sound, physically fit and healthy and vigorous.

Question 9.
………… honour has a glamour which is unique. (M.P. 2015)
(a) academic
(b) sports
(c) creative.
Answer:
academic.

VII. Read the poem and answer the following questions:

The friendly cow all red and white,
I love with all my heart.
She gives me cream with all her might,
To eat with apple-tart.
She wanders lowing here and there,
And yet she cannot stray,
All in the pleasant open air,
The pleasant light of day;
And blown by all the winds that pass
And wet with all the showers,
She walks among the meadow grass
And eats the meadow flowers.

A. Answer these questions :

Question 1.
What does the poet say in the first two lines of the poem?
Answer:
The poet says that he loves the cow.

Question 2.
What does the poet get from the cow?
Answer:
The poet gets cream from the cow.

Question 3.
How does a cow bear the changes of weather?
Answer:
She wanders in the pleasant open air in day time.
She get wet in the showers, she bears all the winds.

B. Complete the following sentences:

Question 1.
The poet loves the cow because …………..
Answer:
The poet loves the cow because she gives him cream.

Question 2.
The cow walks ………….. and eats …………..
Answer:
The cow walks among the meadow grass and eats the meadow flowers.

C. Give one word for the following phrases:

Question 1.
To move away from the place where your should be …………..
Answer:
To move away from the place where your should be stray.

Question 2.
Pleasing or attractive …………..
Answer:
Pleasing or attractive delight.

VIII. Read the passage carefully and answer the following questions:

Modem etiquette is an art. It has to be cultivated by persistent practice. The first requirement of good etiquette is a pleasing personality, which includes a good dress in tune with times. After these basic requirements are in place, the person desiring to learn the art of etiquette must develop the power of speech to be a good communicatior. He must have a smooth accent in the language in which he converses. Modem etiquette includes having a clear idea of the day-to-day topics and happenings in the society or in the community in which one lives. These ideas enable a person to be interesting and entertaining at various functions, dinners, evening parties or in the clubs. To be sociable is a great asset in society. A sociable man, being popular, can crack good jokes when there is an occasion for them, can raise interesting issues for discussion and win friends and admirers.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What is the first requirement of good etiquette? (M.P. 2013, 17)
Answer:
The first requirement of a good etiquette is a pleasing personality.

Question 2.
If a person desires to learn the art of etiquette, what should he/she develop?
Answer:
He should develop the power of speech to be a good communicator.

Question 3.
What does modem etiquette include?
Answer:
Modem etiquette includes having a clear idea of day-to-day topics and happenings in the society.

Question 4.
A clear idea about the day-to-day topics benefits a person. How?
Answer:
Having a clear idea of day to day topics and happenings make him popular. He can crack good jokes when there is an occasion for them. He becomes interesting and entertaining at various functions. To be sociable is a great asset in society.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
Smooth accent in the spoken language is necessary …………..
Answer:
Smooth accent in the spoken language is necessary practice

Question 2.
A person having etiquette is …………..
Answer:
A person having etiquette is sociable.

C. Write one word for each one of the phrases given below:

Question 1.
One who is liked by a large number of people …………..
Answer:
One who is liked by a large number of people popular.

Question 2.
Way of speaking …………..
Answer:
Way of speaking speech.

IX. Read the passage and answer the following questions: (M.P. 2017)

It is an admitted fact that union or cooperation is strength, disunion is weakness. A united family, a united community, a united society, a united nation is strong, but those who are disunited or split up into fractions or groups, are all weak. Take the case of a football or hockey team. If the members of the team play together and cooperate with one another, they will form a strong team.

But if each member plays his own game, they will surely be defeated, however strong the individual players may be. The same is true of an army. To win a battle, an army must work as one man. Napoleon’s motto was, “Divide and conquer”. He tried to split up the armies fighting against him. Then he would overcome them one by one. Divided they were weak. A united team, a united army, a united nation is strong. “United we stand, divided we fall.”

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What is the factor that assures strength? (M.P. 2017)
Answer:
Unity assures strength.

Question 2.
What happens if each member of a football team plays his own game?
Answer:
If each member of a football team plays his own game then they will surely be defeated.

Question 3.
What moral does the passage carry. (M.P. 2012,15)
Answer:
“United we stand divided we fall”.

Question 4.
Divide and conquer was the motto of ………….
(a) Churchill
(b) Hitler
(c) Stalin
(d) Napoleon
Answer:
(d) Napoleon

Question 5.
Give a synonym of winner.
Answer:
Conquer.

B. Fill in the blanks with the suitable words:
[weakness, individual, motto, split]

Question 1.
The Minister refused to comment on ………… cases.
Answer:
The Minister refused to comment on individual cases.

Question 2.
Our school’s ………… is: ‘Duty, Honour, Country.’
Answer:
Our school’s motto is: ‘Duty, Honour, Country.’

Question 3.
The captain ………… his team into two groups.
Answer:
The captain split his team into two groups.

Question 4.
Shyness is a sign of …………
Answer:
Shyness is a sign of weakness.

C. Find one word for each of the following:

Question 1.
To defeat somebody ………….
Answer:
To defeat somebody conquer.

Question 2.
A division of a number or a small amount of something …………
Answer:
A division of a number or a small amount of something divide.

X. Read the story and answer the following questions:

A bee went to a tank to quench its thirst, and tumbling in, was almost drowned. A dove that happened to pass that way saw the danger the bee was in. It hastened to a neighbouring tree and plucking off a leaf, dropped it into the water before the bee. The bee climbed on to the leaf, dried its wings and flew away to its hive, full of gratitude to the dove that had saved its life.

A few days later the same bee, while returning to its hive after a hard day’s work, saw a cruel boy taking aim at the dove sitting upon the branch of a trees. At once, the bee flew to the wrist of the boy and just when he was going to shoot the dove, stung it. The boy danced with pain while the dove, realizing the danger to which it was exposed, flew safely away.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What happened to the bee that went to the tank?
Answer:
The bee tumbled in and was almost drowned.

Question 2.
How did the dove help the drowning bee? (M.P. 2012)
Answer:
The dove dropped a leaf into the water before the bee.
The bee climbed on it and saved its life.

Question 3.
What did the bee feel when it was returning to its hive?
Answer:
The bee felt gratitude for the dove when it was returning to its hive.

Question 4.
What did the bee find later? (M.P. 2014)
Answer:
Later the bee found a cruel boy taking aim at the dove.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
The dove dropped a leaf into the water …………..
Answer:
The dove dropped a leaf into the water before the bee.

Question 2.
The bee flew to the wrist …………
Answer:
The bee flew to the wrist of the boy and just when he was going to shoot the dove, stung it.

C. Find one word for each of the following phrases:

Question 1.
The feeling of being grateful …………..
Answer:
The feeling of being grateful gratitude

Question 2.
The possibility of something happening that will injure or harm: ………….
Answer:
The possibility of something happening that will injure or harm: danger.

XI. Read the poem and answer the following questions:

The sun is not a-bed, when I
At night upon my pillow lie,
Still round the earth his way he takes,
And morning after morning makes.

While here a home, in shining day
We round the sunny garden play,
Each little Indian sleepy head,
Is being kissed and put to bed.

And when at eve I rise from tea
Day dawns beyond the Atlantic sea,
And all the children in the west,
Are getting up and being dressed.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What does the sun keep making when he goes round the earth?
Answer:
The sun makes day and night.

Question 2.
What are the children doing on shining day? (M.P. 2013)
Answer:
The children are playing in the garden.

Question 3.
Where does the sun rise when the poet takes tea in the evening?
Answer:
The sun rises beyond the Atlantic sea when the poet takes tea is the evening.

Question 4.
Who is preparing to go to bed? (Imp.)
Answer:
The child (poet) is preparing to go to bed.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
The sun goes round the earth to …………..
Answer:
The sun goes round the earth to makes day and night.

Question 2.
The children are getting dressed because ………….
Answer:
The children are getting dressed because the sun has rises.

C. Find the words from the poem which mean the same as the following:

Question 1.
Daybreak ………….
Answer:
Daybreak dawn.

Question 2.
One who is feeling like sleeping …………….
Answer:
One who is feeling like sleeping sleepy.

XII. Read the passage and answer the following questions:

Emperor Ashoka was one of the earliest Indian monarchs who planted shady trees on roads and in public places. The Moghuls, too, realised the necessity of shade on the roads which they constructed. But there was no conscious planning and the peepal, banyan and pakur trees were indiscriminately mixed with neems, tamarinds and mahuas. It was only in Kashmir that they showed some preference for planning and planted magnificent avenues of chinar along the banks of the river Jhelum, which can be seen at their best at Gandhasbl and Matan on the way to Pahalgam.

A plantation plan for our national, state and district highways is urgently needed. At present, our roads are planted by the P. W.D. engineers who are ignorant of trees. Ultinuftely, the planting of new trees and replacement of dead trees is left to gardeners alone who plant any tree which comes handy. The result has been unfortunate and our roadside avenues have become a mixture of odd tress.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What did Ashoka do? (Imp.)
Answer:
Ashoka planted shady trees on roads and in public places.

Question 2.
What was the result of plantation with no conscious planning?
Answer:
The result of plantation with no conscious planning was that the peepal, banyan and pakur trees were indiscriminately mixed with neems, tamarinds and mahuas.

Question 3.
Where did the Moghuls plant the magnificent avenues of chinar? (M.P. 2014)
Answer:
The Moghuls planted the magnificent avenues of Chinar in Kashmir.

Question 4.
What do we need for our highways? (M.P. 2012)
Answer:
We need a plantation plan for our highways.

Question 5.
What is left to gardeners alone?
Answer:
The planting of new trees and replacement of dead trees is left to gardeners alone.

Question 6.
What is the result of the gardener’s haphazard plantation?
Answer:
Our road side avenues have become a mixture of odd trees.

Question 7.
Who was Ashok? (Imp.)
Answer:
Ashok was one of the earliest Indian monarch.

Question 8.
What is urgently needed for our state and national highway? (M.P. 2016)
Answer:
A plantation plan for our national highways and state is urgently needed.

B. Find out the words in the passage for the following meanings:

Question 1.
A person who rules a country …………..
Answer:
Emperor

Question 2.
A greater interest in something than in something else …………..
Answer:
Preference

Question 3.
A wide straight road with trees on both sides …………..
Answer:
Avenue

Question 4.
Lacking knowledge or information about something …………..
Answer:
Ignorance

Question 5.
Easy to do ……………
Answer:
Handy.

C. Match the words in column A with their meanings in column B:

A	B
1. Magnificent	(a) caused by bad luck
2. Unfortunate	(b) easy to use or to do
3. Realize	(c) extremely attractive and impressive
4. Handy	(d) to become aware of a particular fact or situation

Answers:
1. (c)
2. (a)
3. (d)
4. (b)

XIII. Read the passage and answer the following questions:

In the stress of the concerns of the adult world, the problems of, rather the plight of, children pass unnoticed. I am not referring to any particular class but to childhood itself. The hardship starts right at home, when straight from sleep the child is pulled out and got ready for school even before its faculties are awake. He (or she) is groomed and stuffed into a uniform and packed off to school with a loaded bag on their back. The school-bag has become an inevitable burden for the child. I am now pleading for abolition of the school-bag, as a national policy, by an ordinance if necessary. I have investigated and found that an average child carries strapped to their back, like a packmule, not less than six to eight kgs of books, notebooks and a water bottle. Most children, on account of this daily burden, develop a stoop and hang their arms forward like a chimpanzee while walking, and I know cases of serious spinal injuries in some children too. Asked why not leave some books behind at home, the child explains it is their teacher’s orders that all books and notes must be brought every day to class, for what reason God alone knows.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What hardship do children face at home? (M.P. 2013)
Answer:
The children are pulled out from sleep and got ready for school.

Question 2.
What is author pleading for?
Answer:
The author is pleading for abolition of the school bag as a national policy by an ordinance.

Question 3.
What is the invitable burned for a child?
Answer:
The school bag is an inevitable burden for the child.

Question 4.
How much load does an average child carry in their school-bag?
Answer:
An average child carries not less than 6 to 8 kgs of books in his school bag.

Question 5.
How does the daily burden affect children’s health?
Answer:
Most children develop a stoop and some times serious spinal injuries.

Question 6.
Why can’t children leave some of their books behind at home? (M.P. 2014)
Answer:
They can’t do this because they have to follow their teacher’s orders to bring all books and notes everyday to class.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
The school-bag has become a burden for children because …………..
Answer:
The school-bag has become a burden for children because it is heavy.

Question 2.
The author investigated and found that children …………..
Answer:
The author investigated and found that children carry strapped to their back.

Question 3.
Children’s school-bag contains …………..
Answer:
Children’s school-bag contains six to eight kg.

C. Fill in the blanks with the given words:
[plight, faculties, inevitable, abolition, paraphernalia]

Question 1.
Humanitarians are demanding the …………. of death penalty.
Answer:
inevitable

Question 2.
Punishment is the …………. consequence of crime.
Answer:
abolition

Question 3.
All the …………. of the school agreed to got to picnic.
Answer:
faculties

Question 4.
Everyone was moved by the …………. of the homeless children.
Answer:
plight

Question 5.
The mountaineer’s bag was packed with mountaineering ………….
Answer:
paraphernalia.

XIV. Read the incident and answer the following questions:

Gandhiji travelled a lot. He always travelled third class in trains. He did so because all poor people, in India, travelled third, (In those days there were three classes in trains).

Once, Gandhiji got off at Bombay (Mumbai) from a third class railway compartment. Lots of people had come to meet him. Among them were some American men and women. They went into Gandhiji’s compartment. They saw that it was very small.

“Why doesn’t he travel first ? ” Asked one of the ladies.
“I don’t know. Let’s go and ask him,” Replied one of the gentlemen.
“Mr. Gandhi, we’ve come to ask you a question”, the gentleman said to Gandhiji, “You’re the leader of the Indian people, but you travel third. Please tell us why you travel third.”

Gandhiji laughed and said, “The anser is very simple. I travel third because there is no fourth.” He laughed again and the American ladies and gentlemen laughed with him.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
Why did Gandhiji travel third class? (M.P. 2014, 17)
Answer:
Gandhiji travelled third class because all poor people, in India did so.

Question 2.
Who came to meet Gandhiji at Mumbai Railway station?
Answer:
Some American men and women came to meet Gandhiji at Mumbai railway station.

Question 3.
What was the questions of the American woman? (M.P. 2015)
Answer:
The American woman’s question was that why he didn’t travel first class.

Question 4.
What was the answer of Gandhiji to the American gentleman?
Answer:
Gandhiji answered that he travelled third because there was no fourth.

Question 5.
Why did Gandhiji travel third class? How do you like the reply of Gandhiji to men and women?
Answer:
Gandhiji’s reply was witty. When he was asked this question, he replied mat because there is no fourth. Really Gandhiji travelled third because all people in India travelled third. He had great sympathy towards people. In this way, he could leam a lot about common people of India. I like this reply verymuch. He was truly a great man.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
In the days of our slavery poor people …………..
Answer:
In the days of our slavery poor people travelled third.

Question 2.
The American men and women were surprised to see that ……………
Answer:
The American men and women were surprised to see that Gandhiji travelled third.

C. Rewrite these sentences replacing the underlined words with their opposites:

Question 1.
The third class railway compartment was very large.
Answer:
The third class railway compartment was very small.

Question 2.
Gandhiji said, The answer is very’ difficult.
Answer:
Gandhiji said, “The answer is very easy.”

XV. Read the poem and answer the following questions:

Health enough to make work a pleasure.
Wealth enough to support your needs.
Strength enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them.
Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them.
Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished.
Charity enough to see some good in your neighbours
Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others.
Faith enough to make real things of God.
Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning future.
– Johann W. Von Goethe

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
Why is good health needed?
Answer:
Good health is needed to make work a pleasure.

Question 2.
How much patience does a person need and why?
Answer:
A person needs enough patience to toil for long time to accomplish something good.

Question 3.
What does a person need strength for?
Answer:
A person needs strength to battle with difficulties and overcome.

Question 4.
How should we behave with our neighbours
Answer:
We should see good in our neighbours.

B. Complete this paragraph:

A person should have a feeling of love so that they can help others and prove them-selves to be useful for them. They must always be hopeful and should not worry about the future.
Answer:
A person should have a feeling of love so that they can help others and prove them-selves to be useful for them. They must always be hopeful and should not worry about the future.

C. Find out the words from the poem which mean the same as the following:

Question 1.
To stop doing something ……………
Answer:
To stop doing something cease.

Question 2.
Feeling worried or nervous …………..
Answer:
Feeling worried or nervous anxious.

XVI. Read the passage and answer the following questions: (Imp.)

You must have heard the name of Red Cross. The Red Cross Society is an international organisation. Its aim is very noble. It helps the mankind suffering from natural disasters like earthquake, flood and famine. It helps the sick and the wounded during wars It helps without any consideration of nationality, creed or colour. Sii Henri Dunant founded the Red Cross Society in 1863 in Switzerland. In 1920 the Indian Red Cross Society was formed. To inculcate the spirit of Red cross in students. Junior Red Cross was started. Students under 16 can be enrolled in Junior Red Cross (J.R.C.) The motto of J.R.C. is “I serve”. Its main objectives are Health, Service and Friendship. The teacher incharge of J.R.C. is called the counsellor. The students as members of Junior Red Cross work under the guid-ance of their counsellor in the service of human beings who need care and support.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What is the Red Cross Society? (M.P. 2010, Imp.)
Answer:
Red Cross Society is an International organisation.

Question 2.
What is the aim of the Red Cross Society? (M.P. 2013, 14, 16, Imp.)
Answer:
The aim of Red Cross Society is to help the mankind suffering from natural disaster.

Question 3.
What does the Red Cross Society do during wars? (M.P. 2010)
Answer:
During wars, Red Cross helps the sick and wounded, without any consideration of nationality, creed or colour.

Question 4.
Who founded the Red Cross Society and when? (M.P. 2012, 13)
Answer:
Sir Henri Dunant founded the Red Cross Society in 1863.

XVII. Read the passage and answer the following questions: (M.P. 2010)

In 1866 Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, introduced a form of nitroglycerine that could be handled safely. He called it dynamite. In 1875 he went on to invent pelignite. These explosives were used in engineering applications, but they also had an obvious military application. As a committed pacifist, Nobel hoped that his explosives would provide such a deterrent to war that they would bring peace to mankind. His inventions did not bring peace, but they did bring him a massive fortune, which he used in his will to endow the Nobel Prizes awarded to those who have conferred the greatest benefit the mankind in five categories. He left $ 32,00,000 in his will to finance prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace. The Bank of Sweden inaugurated a new Nobel Prize for Economics in 1969. In 1903, Marie Curie became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, sharing it with her husband.

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
Who was Alfred Nobel? (M.P. 2017)
Answer:
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist.

Question 2.
What did Alfred Nobel introduce? (M.P. 2010,16)
Answer:
Alfred Nobel introduced a form of nitroglycerine that could be handled safely.

Question 3.
As a committed pacifist what did Alfred Nobel hope?
Answer:
As a committed pacifist Alfred Nobel hoped that his explosives would provide such a deterrent to war that they would bring peace to mankind.

Question 4.
Why did Alfred Nobel leave $ 32,00,000 in his will?
Answer:
He left it to finance prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and peace.

Question 5.
What did the Bank of Sweden do in 1969?
Answer:
The Bank of Sweden inaugurated a new Nobel prize for economics in 1969.

B. Complete the following sentences:

Question 1.
Nobel Prize is awarded to those who have …………..
Answer:
Nobel Prize is awarded to those who have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind in five categories.

Question 2.
Alfred Nobel hoped his invention would bring peace but …………..
Answer:
Alfred Nobel hoped his invention would bring peace but they brought his massive fortune.

C. Find out the words from the passage that have the same meaning:

Question 1.
A large amount of money: …………..
Answer:
A large amount of money: Fortune

Question 2.
A person who believes that war and violence are always wrong: …………..
Answer:
A person who believes that war and violence are always wrong: Pacifist.

Question 3.
Easily able to explode: …………..
Answer:
Easily able to explode: Explosive

Question 4.
A citizen of Sweden: …………..
Answer:
A citizen of Sweden: Swedish.

XVIII. Read the poem and answer the following questions:

Everyone that flatters thee
Is no friend in misery.
Words are easy like the wind
Faithful friends are hard to find

Every man will be thy friend,
Whilst thou hast wherewithal to spend.
But if store of crowns be scant.
No man will supply thy want.

He that is thy friend indeed,
He will help thee in thy need.
If thou sorrow, he will weep,
If thou wake, he cannot sleep.

Thus of every grief in heart,
He with thee doth bear a part.
These are certain signs to know,
Faithful friends from flattering foe.
– William Shakespeare

A. Answer these questions:

Question 1.
What kind of friends are hard to find?
Answer:
Faithful friends are hard to find.

Question 2.
What happens when we have pockets full of money?
Answer:
When we have pocket full of money, then everyone is our friend.

Question 3.
What is the attitude of your true friends when you are in grief?
Answer:
When we are in grief, our true friends remain with us all the time. He will weep with us remaining sleepless.

Question 4.
If we are in want of money how do our flatteres behave?
Answer:
The flatterers disappear.

B. Complete these sentences:

Question 1.
A faithful friend is he who ………….
Answer:
A faithful friend is he who is hard to find.

Question 2.
Flattering friends leave us when ………….
Answer:
Flattering friends leave us when our hands become empty.

C. Find out the antonyms of the following words from the poem.

1. riches – misery
2. joy – sorrow
3. friend – enemy/foe
4. enough – scanty