Unseen Passage For Class 10 Factual CBSE With Answers

Factual passages: convey information in a straightforward and direct manner about a particular subject. Usually, the language and style are simple and clear. Factual passages may give instructions or descriptions or report of an event or a new finding.

Basic English Grammar rules can be tricky. In this article, we’ll get you started with the basics of sentence structure, punctuation, parts of speech, and more.

We also providing Extra Questions for Class 10 English Chapter wise.

Unseen Passage For Class 10 Factual CBSE With Answers

Type 1 Questions

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1 Tourists to Jammu and Kashmir have another attraction–a floating post office on the Dal Lake in Srinagar, the first in the country. ‘Floating Post Office, Dal Lake’–claimed to be the only one such post office in the world–is built on an intricately carved maroon houseboat, fastened on the western edge of the Dal Lake.

2 This post office lets you avail of all the regular postal services available in the country while being afloat. The seal used on everything posted from Floating Post Office is unique–along with the date and address, it bears the design of a boatman rowing a shikara on the Dal Lake. The special. feature of this post office is that letters posted from here carry a special design which has the picturesque scenery of Dal Lake and Srinagar city. These pictures reach wherever these letters are posted to and hence promote Kashmir as a tourist destination across the world.

3 This is actually a heritage post office that has existed since British times. It was called Nehru Park Post Office before 2011. But then the chief postmaster John Samuel renamed it as ‘Floating Post Office’.

4 The post office’s houseboat has two small rooms–one serves as the office and the other a small ‘museum that traces the philatelic history of the state postal department. It has a shop that sells postage stamps and other products.

5 But for the locals, Floating Post office is more than an object of fascination. 1–2 crore is deposited per month in Floating Post Office by communities living in and around the Dal Lake. The lake has several islets that are home to more than 50,000 people.

6. The greatest fear is the recurrence of 2014 like floods in which the houseboat had gone for a toss uncontrollably pushed by the flood. Rescue teams had to anchor it using special mechanism in a nearby highland. Then it was brought back on the Dal after the water receded. The biggest boon is that at no time of the year do you need a fan in this post–office!

Unseen Passage With Answers

Attempt the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read:

(a) Jammu and Kashmir has another attraction, the first in the country ………………………. .
(i) A floating ATM
(ii) A floating bank
(iii) A floating post office
(iv) A floating museum
Answer:
(iii)

(b) The greatest fear that the post office has is that ………………………. .
(i) it can get drowned
(ii) it can be looted
(iii) it has less deposits
(iv) the floods can ruin it
Answer:
(iv)

(c) The post office is of no use to the people of Kashmir. (True/False)
Answer:
False

(d) Chief postmaster John Samuel has renamed the post office. (True/False)
Answer:
True

(e) The post office is in an intricately carved houseboat. (True/False)
Answer:
True

(f) The post office’s houseboat has ……………………….. small rooms.
Answer:
two

(g) The heritage post office has existed since the ……………………….. times.
Answer:
British

(h) Find the word from the passage which means the same as “attraction”. (para 5)
Answer:
fascination

Unseen Passage Writing

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

1 Then all the windows of the grey wooden house (Miss Hilton used to live here. She expired last week.), were thrown open, a thing I had never seen before. At the end of the day, a sign was nailed on the mango tree: FOR SALE.

2. Nobody in the street knew Miss Hilton. While she lived, her front gate was always locked and no one ever saw her leave or saw anybody go in. So even if you wanted to, you couldn’t feel sorry and say that you missed Miss Hilton.

3 When I think of her house I see just two colours. Grey and green. The green of the mango tree, the grey of the house and the grey of the high iron fence that prevented you from getting at the mangoes.

4 If your cricket ball fell in Miss Hilton’s courtyard you never got it back. It wasn’t the mango season when Miss Hilton died. But we got back about ten or twelve of our cricket balls.

5 The house was sold and we were prepared to dislike the new owners even before they came. I think we were a little worried.

6 Already we had one resident of the street who kept on complaining about us to our parents. He complained that we played cricket on the pavement; and if we were not playing cricket he complained that we were making too much noise anyway.

7 One afternoon, when I came back from school Pal, said, “Is a man and a woman. She pretty, but he ugly like hell”. I didn’t see much. The front gate was open, but the windows were shut again. I heard a dog barking in an angry way.

8 One thing was settled pretty quickly. Whoever these people were they would never be the sort of people to complain that we were making noise and disturbing their sleep.

9. A lot of noise came from the house that night. The radio was going at full volume until midnight when the radio station closed down. The dog was barking and the man was shouting. I didn’t hear the woman.

Attempt the following questions on the basis of the passage you have read:

(a) Miss Hilton’s house had just 2 colours ………………………..
(i) Grey and Black
(ii) Grey and Blue
(iii) Grey and Pink
(iv) Grey and Green
Answer:
(iv)

(b) The sign ‘For Sale’ was hung on a ………………………..
(i) banyan tree
(ii) mango tree
(iii) oak tree
(iv) guava tree
Answer:
(ii)

(c) Miss Hilton was a very friendly lady. (True/False)
Answer:
False

(d) You would always get your cricket balls if they fell in Miss Hilton’s courtyard. (True/False)
Answer:
False

(e) The new owners of the house had a dog. (True/False)
Answer:
True

The iron fence did not let the boys get at the ………………………. on the tree.
Answer:
Mangoes

(g) Find a word in paragraph 8 which means the same as “arranged.
Answer:
settled

(h) Find a word in paragraph 6 which means ‘raised path for pedestrians at the side of a road’.
Answer:
pavement

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

1. Varieties of birds migrate or travel from one region to another depending on the availability of food, habitat and climatic conditions.

2. In order to escape the severe winter of northern and central Asia, several migratory birds visit the Indian subcontinent during winter. Here they find optimal conditions of food and climate for their survival. Studies reveal that the quality of habitat and human disturbances along their migratory routes are the deciding factors of the number of migratory birds that come to a place.

3. Loss of habitat due to human encroachment, like settlement, grazing and agriculture, is regarded as the main reason for this decline. Scientists have observed that the breeding habitats of these birds are becoming fragmented and the tropical grounds surrounding the habitats are being destroyed.

4. According to ornithologist and professor of Zoology at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Surya Prakash, the numbers per species of migratory birds have drastically gone down because of the loss of habitat, specially wetlands and aquatic ecosystems, due to commercial use of land and other anthropogenic factors.

5. The changing crop pattern is also seen as a major factor for the reduction in the number of migratory birds in India and certain birds have stopped visiting some areas due to such changes.

6. Delay in rainfall also leads to a delay in the arrival of migratory birds. Rains obstruct their flight and cause low visibility. Another cause of decline in migration to India is the large scale hunting of these birds. Birds like falcons are targets for many illegal hunters. In addition to this, the availability of food is also becoming scarce and various water bodies have dried up, thus robbing these birds of their habitat.

7. Unhygienic water, along with thin tree cover leads to lesser number of birds visiting man-made sanctuaries. High voltage power lines are another threat to the lives of these birds as they can get caught in between these lines and be electrocuted.

8. The World Migratory Bird Day is now celebrated to spread awareness about threats faced by migratory birds.

3.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, complete the following table.

Reasons for Lessening Numbers of Migratory Birds

3.2 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.
(a) Why do birds migrate from one region to another?
(b) What are some factors that can lead to delays in the arrival of migratory birds?
(c) Name the day that is celebrated to spread awareness about threats faced by migratory birds.

4. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. When was the last time you laughed a hearty, sidesplitting belly laugh that sent you reeling out of control?

2. Modem science confirms that this kind of laughter is not only enjoyable but also health-promoting. Laughter is an invigorating tonic that heightens and brightens the mood, gently releasing us from tensions and social constraints.

3. If you hate to workout, laughter (also called inner jogging) may be the exercise programme for you! A robust laugh gives the muscles of your face, shoulders, diaphragm and abdomen a good workout. The heart rate and blood pressure temporarily rise, breathing becomes faster and deeper and oxygen surges through your bloodstream. Sometimes your muscles go limp and your blood pressure may fall temporarily, leaving you in a mellow euphoria. A good laugh can bum up as many calories per hour as brisk walking.

4. Sadly, our culture seems to inhibit humour. Sometimes we repress our good humour, because we are afraid that others will think we are frivolous or foolish. But we need to cultivate a better sense of humour and to not care about others’ opinions about us; to let our sense of humour live and to seek out things that make us laugh.

6. Focus on yourself rather than others. If you can allow yourself the inevitable mistakes then you can laugh at yourself. A stressful situation can sometimes be transformed into a bit of fun if you can see the humour in it. Make sure that people around you are fun to be with. Certain people make you feel relaxed and happy. Spend more time with people who boost your mood. It can also trigger different thoughts that affect moods of sadness, happiness and anger. And if you can’t smile, fake it.

7. Not all humour is positive and healthy. Watch out for scorn, sarcasm, ridicule and contempt and inappropriate humour. And don’t joke about people’s names. They have to live with them. It is important to be sensitive.

8. Humour can be a powerful medicine and laughter can be contagious. The only side effect is pleasure.

4.1 Complete the answers for the questions given below. Each blank carried 1 mark. Answer questions worth 8 marks.

(a) What are the benefits of laughter?
(i) heightens and brightens mood
(ii) releases us from tensions and social constraints
(iii) workout for ……………………………………………… .
(iv) increases level of ……………………………………………… .
(v) bums ……………………………………………… .

(b) State a few reasons why adults don’t laugh.
(i) ……………………………………………… .
(ii) seriousness ……………………………………………… .
(c) How can one remain happy?
(i) ……………………………………………… .
(ii) spend time with ……………………………………………… .

(d) List the few types of negative humour.
(i) scorn
(ii) ……………………………………………… .
(iii) ……………………………………………… .
(iv) ……………………………………………… .
(v) inappropriate humour
(e) In terms of exercise, laughter is also known as ……………………………………………….
(f) A good laughter also provides a good workout to the following parts of the body:

5. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. Nowadays everyone is trying to manage thoughts since the popular novel The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho encouraged the reader to chase his or her dreams.

2. Another bestseller The Secret added to the hype by propagating the theory that one can get anything just by thinking about it. On the other hand, serious seekers on the spiritual path are also after thought management and want to tame their thoughts and attain the state of thoughtlessness and to do this they go to any extent, like learning spiritual practices like vipassana and meditation.

3. It is easier to understand the attitude of people who want to get material comfort by changing their thoughts and are not concerned about the afterlife and will do anything to gain a better and comfortable life in the present. However, it is more difficult to understand the attitude of spiritual seekers because the coming and going of thoughts is a natural phenomenon and it is puzzling to understand why anyone would want to interfere with it and think of the mind as an obstacle.

4. The taming of thoughts and control of the mind can take upto many lifetimes and so Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, clearly say that a person in his or her next life starts from the point where he or she had left in the previous one.

5. In the same way, thoughts derive their power from us. They thrive on the energy we provide them when we get attached to them and also when we want to remove them. Hence, it is not surprising that spiritual seekers complain that they are not able to meditate or concentrate, a fact which fills them with guilt.

6. The alternative is to ignore the thoughts and if we don’t give them any attention they will go away.

5.1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.

(a) Name the books that led to an increase in the concept of people trying to manage their thoughts.
(b) Thought management is sought after by which two kinds of people ……………………………………………… and ……………………………………………….
(c) What is the writer puzzled at? ……………………………………………… .
(d) What do Yoga Sutras of Patanjali say? ……………………………………………… .
(e) The two spiritual practices mentioned by the author are ……………………………………………… and ……………………………………………… .
(f) Whose attitude does the author find it difficult to understand?
(g) According to the author, the only way to make certain thoughts go away is to ……………………………………………….

Type 2 Questions

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. Salsa is a popular dance form considered to be a combination of Latin and Afro-Caribbean dances. It is a mixture of various roots and cultures and cannot be associated to a specific region. But a large part of the dance originated in the Cuban island.

2. The term ‘salsa’ actually means sauce in the Spanish language and is seen as a sensual dance that combines both sensuality and grace. It is a dance form where both the European and African cultures come together.

3. Various notions circulate regarding the origins of this particular dance form. According to one of them, when the French came to Cuba, they brought their own country dance along with them. Their native dance mixed with the native African dances like Guaguanco and gave rise to the salsa. As per another notion, the dance form of the native African slaves was known as rumba. The rumba got mixed with various other western dancing styles when these slaves were brought to America. The salsa thus originated from a mixture of various dance styles and cultures.

4. The term salsa was created in New York and there are different styles of salsa namely Cuban style, New York style, Los Angeles style, Colombian style and the Puerto Rican style, depending on the geographical locations from which they originated. Each style incorporates slightly different dance steps. Salsa branches also include the Colombian Salsa and the Miami-Style Salsa.

5. It is normally a couple dance where the male dancer and the female dancer complement each other perfectly. There are solo forms as well. The dance form usually consists of six different steps for music with eight counts.

6. Nowadays salsa is seen as a mode of exercise for people who want to get a toned body. It is a good way to maintain one’s body and also helps in relieving stress.

1.1 Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.

(a) Salsa represents the cultures of which nations?
(b) What did the name rumba originate from?
(c) How many types of salsa are there? Name a few types.
(d) Write a few lines on how Salsa originated.

1.2 Choose the correct answer for the following questions.

(a) What is the word used for ‘amalgamation’ as given in the passage?
(i) popular
(ii) combination
(iii) form
(iv) dance

(b) Which of the following words used in the passage mean the same as ‘idea’?
(i) notion
(ii) associated
(iii) root
(iv) form

(c) What does the word ‘native’ used in the passage mean?
(i) associated with a particular person to whom it belongs
(ii) associated with a particular plant
(iii) associated with a particular place to where it belongs
(iv) none of the above

(d) What does the word ‘solo’ used in the passage mean?
(i) a thing done by three people
(ii) a thing particular to a culture
(iii) a task done in a hurry
(iv) a thing done by one person

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

1. Popularly known as the Amazon of India, Sundarban is a tidal mangrove forest that gets its name from the Sundari tree that is found there. Mangroves are the different varieties of trees that are found in marshy lands. The Sundarban forest consists of 10,200 sq km area, spread over India and Bangladesh. Sundarban is located at the confluence of the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers and is part of the largest delta in the world. Its name means ‘beautiful forest’ in Bengali.

2. Sundarban has an extremely rich diversity of aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna. Being the abode of the famous Royal Bengal tigers, Sundarban forms the largest tiger reserve and national park in India.

3. The area is known for its wide range of fauna including the chital deer, rhesus monkey, Javan rhinoceros, water buffalo, swamp deer and gaur. The aquatic fauna includes different varieties of fish, crabs, the well-known Gangetic dolphins, and the olive ridley turtles. The reptiles found there include the estuarine crocodiles, Indian python, king cobra, sea snakes, and terrapins.

4. Large parts of Sundarban have been protected. The tiger reserve was set up as early as 1973. Sundarban has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. But of late it is seen that the increasing human population of the area has led to an exploitation of timber and fish like shrimps and other biological resources. In some areas, mangrove forests are being cut leading to habitat loss. The regulation of the water flow has led to the reduction of the inflow of freshwater. The increasing level of salinity in the water has adversely affected the migration and breeding patterns of the fish. It is feared that large parts of the area will be underwater because of the rising water level of the Bay of Bengal due to global warming.

2.1 Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.

(a) Name the three rivers that empty into the Bay of Bengal near Sunderban.
(b) What is Sundarban is named after?

3.2 Choose the correct answer for the following questions.

(a) Which of the following is a synonym of the word ‘entertainment’ as used in the passage?
(i) working i
(ii) bore
(iii) amusement
(iv) none of the above

(b) What does the word ‘jockey’ in the given passage mean?
(i) a person who rides in horse races
(ii) a person who takes care of all animals
(iii) a person who organizes horse races %
(iv) none of the above

(c) Which of the following words is an antonym of the word ‘immense’ as used in the passage?
(i) major
(ii) approved
(iii) honest
(iv) minute

(d) What does the word ‘subsidies’ mean as used in the passage?
(i) a loan of money
(ii) a pack of resources
(iii) financial aid or discount
(iv) expensive goods

4. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. Anger is usually defined as a strong feeling of hostility, displeasure, indignation, rage or annoyance. It is an emotional state that is accompanied by physiological and biological changes including an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, as well as an increase in the levels of one’s energy hormones, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. An angry mind often loses its capacity to think properly.

2. Anger can be caused by both external and internal events. You could be angry at a specific person (such as a co-worker or classmate) or event (a traffic jam, a cancelled flight), or your anger could be caused by worrying or brooding about your personal problems. Memories of traumatic or enraging events can also trigger angry feelings.

3. Anger in a limited quantity is considered to be good as it gives one an opportunity to unleash negative feelings. Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats. A certain amount of anger is needed to fight, defend and justify ourselves in society. Hence anger in small quantities is needed for our survival, like it is justified to get angry when one feels that one’s rights have been denied. But excessive anger can lead to destructive results including violent actions.

4. Anger can range anywhere from mild irritation to wild, uncontrollable fury. Anger leads people to behave in an impulsive and rash manner which in turn car^lead to strained relationships in the public as well as private sphere.

5. One of the most commonly used anger management methods includes breathing exercises. A number of anger management courses are available nowadays to help one control one’s anger. It always helps to have someone from whom one can seek help and talk. It is important to learn how to express one’s anger assertively rather than aggressively. One can also substitute the thought that makes one angry with more pleasant thoughts. Nowadays mental health professionals and psychologists are also available to help people control their anger.

4.1 Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.

(a) What are the effects of anger?
(b) What are the causes of angry feelings?
(c) Why is anger in a limited quantity good?
(d) Write a few lines on the range of types of anger.

4.2 Select appropriate synonyms for the following words from the passage out of the options provided.

(a) hostility
(i) antagonism
(ii) friendliness
(iii) proximity
(iv) behaviour

(b) personal
(i) public
(ii) familial
(iii) private
(iv) closeness

(c) aggressive
(i) mild
(ii) forceful
(iii) passive
(iv) calm

(d) pleasant
(ii) cold
(iii) uninviting
(iv) None of the above

5. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

1. Calcium is a mineral that is found in abundance in the human body. Besides the fact that it is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, it is also one of the most important minerals.

2. Calcium is required for various functions in the body, but the maximum amount of calcium in the body is found in the bones and teeth. Calcium is required to maintain the strength of the bones. Some of the best sources of calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, fish, and green leafy vegetables like cabbage and spinach.

3. The most common disease connected to calcium deficiency is rickets. Every time a child drinks a soft drink, he or she lays the groundwork for dangerous bone disease. Fizzy and sugary drinks do not cause osteoporosis. But, because they are often a substitute for a glass of milk, kids do not get the calcium and vitamin D they need to build a strong skeleton. Many of them also lead a sedentary lifestyle, so they do not get the bone-building benefits of vigorous exercise either. These children are not just in jeopardy of getting brittle bones and fractures in the future, but they could be at a risk of osteoporosis at a younger age than ever before.

4. The Indian Society for Bone and Mineral Research, a body of osteoporosis experts, is trying to spread awareness about this bone-crippling disease. Osteoporosis causes bones to become riddled with holes, like the framework of a house that has been attacked by termites. It causes loss of height, pain in the joints and back and fractures.

5. Doctors are of the view that a simple lifestyle and proper nutrition will help save our bones. They recommend adopting bone-friendly habits like—regular exercise, getting enough sunlight, and eating food which will give us adequate calcium. This way, we can keep our bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis.

5.1 Based on your reading of the passage, answer the following questions.

(a) What are the symptoms of people with less calcium in their bodies? –
(b) What is osteoporosis caused by?
(c) Why has osteoporosis been compared to a framework of ‘a house attacked by termites’?
(d) How does osteoporosis affect one’s bones?

5.2 Select appropriate antonyms for the following words from the passage out of the options provided.

(a) abundant
(i) plenty
(ii) meagre
(iii) enough
(iv) lot

(b) subsequent
(i) following
(ii) after
(iii) preceding
(iv) none of the above

(c) adequate
(i) inadequate
(ii) enough
(iii) plenty
(iv) none of the above

(d) prevent
(i) hinder
(ii) stop
(iii) inhibit
(iv) cause