Unseen Passage for Class 7 CBSE With Answers

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.

Unseen Passage for Class 7 CBSE With Answers Pdf

A. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. The introduction of harmful waste materials that are hazardous to life, the natural world and our activities, is commonly known as pollution. Pollution has harmful effects on the ecosystem. It disturbs the balance of biosphere in which living beings survive.

2. This imbalance of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and water vapour causes discomfort to all living organisms on the planet. It depletes the ozone layer over the earth that defends us from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. The major types of environmental pollution are air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, thermal pollution, soil pollution and light pollution.

3. Environmental pollution is caused by deforestation and hazardous gaseous emissions Air pollution is caused by the smoke emitted by cars, buses, trucks, trains and factories. This is known to cause lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and various skin and breathing problems along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna. Water pollution is caused when industrial waste products are released into lakes, rivers, and other water bodies. This is destructive for the marine ecosystem. Noise pollution is caused by loud noises from aircraft, cars, buses and trucks, vehicle horns, loudspeakers and industry noise.

Soil pollution is a result of acid rain, polluted water, fertilizers, etc. In short, this occurs when chemicals are released into the soil. Light pollution includes use of excess lighting equipment. The excessive and inappropriate artificial light causes several phenomena that decrease visibility and cause visual discomforts like glare, urban sky glow2 and light trespass}. Light pollution is a great hindrance to astronomy as it has become increasingly difficult to view the night sky because of interference from artificial light.

4. The last decade has witnessed an alarming rise in environmental pollution. This problem is even more alarming as this has caused irreparable damage to the earth.

A.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What is pollution?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. How does pollution affect the environment?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. How does the reduction of the ozone layer affect us?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. Mention four different kinds of pollution.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. What are the two chief causes of environmental pollution?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. What is the main cause of water pollution?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Mention any two causes of noise pollution.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. What is the most disturbing consequence of increasing pollution?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. The introduction of harmful waste materials that are hazardous to life, the natural world and our activities, is what is termed as pollution. Thus, pollution is caused by an imbalance of waste in our environment.

2. Pollution causes an imbalance of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and water vapour. This causes discomfort to all living organisms on the planet. Air pollution is also known to cause lung cancer, asthma, allergies, and various breathing problems along with severe and irreparable damage to flora and fauna. Water pollution destroys our marine life.

3. Ozone layer defends us from the damaging ultraviolet rays of the sun. Its depletion leads to these rays reaching us directly and harming us in various wa

4. The four different kinds of pollution include water pollution, soil pollution, air pollution and noise pollution.

5. The two chief causes of environmental pollution are deforestation and hazardous gaseous emissions.

6. Water pollution is caused when industrial waste products are released into lakes, rivers, and other water bodies. This has destroyed our marine life. It is no longer hospitable.

7. Noise pollution is caused by loud noises that may be caused by aircraft, cars, buses, and trucks, vehicle horns, loudspeakers, and industry noise, as well as high-intensity sonar effects.

8. Pollution has harmful effects on the ecosystem. It disturbs the balance of biosphere in which living beings survive. The last decade has witnessed an alarming rise in environmental pollution. This problem is even more alarming as this has caused irreparable damage to the earth.

A.2. Which words in the passage mean the following?

1. dangerous
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. disproportion
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. intrusion
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. permanent
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. hazardous/harmful
2. imbalance
3. trespass
4. irreparable

B. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. Adventure sports or extreme sports are recreational activities that are known to involve a high degree of risk. These risks could be in the form of speed, height, or a high level of physical exertion, and involve the use of highly specialized sports equipment. Hence, adventure sports require skills and physical prowess. These sports are usually competitive in nature. These are bold undertakings that involve hazardous action and their outcome is almost always uncertain. These are all about excitement. While some people do it for sheer fun, some others do it to test. The idea of unbounded freedom draws many to the sport.

2. Adventure sports encompass a very wide range of activities that require unusual physical and mental challenges. Some of these are skydiving, bungee jumping, surfing, skiing, sand – boarding ng, snowboarding, jet – boating, white – water rafting and scuba diving Adventure sports are undertaken at various places depending on the topography and weather conditions. Many of them are undertaken in hilly and mountainous areas. On snow-covered mountains, it is possible to carry out activities like skiing and sledging. Hang – gliding involves piloting a flexible wing aircraft by shifting one’s weight on to it.

Lahaul and Spiti, Solan and Billing in Himachal Pradesh are known for paragliding. Hot air ballooning is another adventure sport that is gaining popularity in India. This involves sailing across high altitudes in a basket hanging from a giant nylon balloon filled with hot air. The Western Ghats and Aravalli Hills also provide good opportunities for rock climbing. Adventure water sports like kayaking, sailing, surfing, watching are practised in coastal areas. Bird watching, camping and wildlife safaris have drawn a lot of sportspersons as well as other people too.

B.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What are adventure sports or extreme sports?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. What do these sports involve?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. What are the basic requirements of these sports?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. Why do people undertake hazardous sports? Give two reasons.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Why do people find these sports exciting?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Why do more people these days are likely to take to these sports?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Mention some adventure sports.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. How does topography affect the choice of sport?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. Adventure sports or extreme sports are recreational activities that are known to involve a high degree of risk. These risks could be in the form of speed, height, a high level of physical exertion, and highly specialized sports equipment.

2. Adventure sports involve hazardous action and uncertain outcomes. They are all about excitement. While some people do it for sheer fun, some others do it for testing the limits of what is humanly possible.

3. Adventure sports require a high level of physical exertion and highly specialized sports equipment. Hence, a person who wants to undertake them requires skills and physical prowess.

4. Some people undertake adventure sports it for sheer fun, while some others do it for testing the limits of what is humanly possible. The idea of unbounded freedom draws many to the sport. Apart from this, most jobs require sitting in offices or doing some moderate activity. Hence, people are more likely to try out adventure and adrenaline-fuelled activities.

5. Adventure sports encompass a very wide range of activities that require unusual physical and mental challenges. This is one of the reasons that people find these sports exciting?

6. Most jobs nowadays require sitting in offices or doing some moderate activity. Hence, people are more likely to try out adventure and adrenaline-fuelled activities.

7. Some adventure sports include skydiving, bungee jumping, surfing, skiing, sand-boarding, snowboarding, jet-boating, white water rafting and scuba diving.

8. Adventure sports are undertaken at various places depending on the topography and weather conditions. Many of them are undertaken in hilly and mountainous areas. On snow-covered mountains, it is possible to carry out activities like skiing and sledging.

B. 2. Give words from the passage that are the antonyms of words given below.

1. safety
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. relaxation
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. strenuous
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. rigid
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. risk
2. excitement
3. moderate
4. flexible

C. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
1. The diverse culture in India has had a very positive impact on its rich tradition of folk arts. Various tribes that live in the interiors of various states practise their distinct arts.

2. One such art form is Warli. This beautiful folk art of Maharashtra was traditionally created by tribal women. This art takes its name from Warli, the largest tribe found on the northern outskirts of Mumbai. Although they live in close proximity of the largest metropolis in India, the Warli tribesmen shun all influences of modern urbanization. This art was first discovered in the early seventies but according to some art critics, its roots may be traced to as early as the 10th century A.D. This art expresses the daily and social events of the Warli tribe. This was once the only way to transmit culture when people had not learnt the written word. Hence, one can see pictures of human beings engaged in activities like hunting, dancing, sowing and harvesting, along with scenes from daily life. These tribal people draw these designs with white paint on the mud walls of their house. They use basic materials for painting like rice paste with water and gum for white and a bamboo stick that has been chewed on that serves as a brush.

3. The Warli paintings earlier had no straight lines. These lines are a series of dots and dashes. However, of late, artists have recently started drawing straight lines. Moreover, these days Warli paintings are often done on paper. These painting have modern elements such as bicycle and car. Warli paintings on paper have become very popular and are now sold all over India. The incorporation of these elements have helped sell these paintings in the modern day world.

4. The tribals are forest – dwellers but the growing popularity of the Warli paintings has helped many tribals earn a decent living and becoming integrated with the mainstream.

C.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
1. What has been the effect of a varied way of life on Indian art?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Where did Warli art originate?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Which statement in the passage shows that Warli is an ancient art?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What pictures did older Warli art depict?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. What was the canvas used to draw?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. How did Warli tribals make their paint and brush?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. How has the Warli art changed?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. How does the art help Warli tribals?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. The diverse culture and a varied life in India has had a very positive impact on its rich tradition of folk arts. This allows various tribes that live in the interiors of various states to practise their distinct arts.

2. The Warli art originated in the northern outskirts of Mumbai in Maharashtra.

3. The following statement in the passage shows that Warli is an ancient art is: This art was first discovered in the early seventies but according to some art critics, its roots may be traced to as early as the 10th century.

4. Warli art expressed the daily and social events of the Warli tribe. This was once the only way to transmit culture when people had not learnt the written word. Hence, one can see pictures of human beings engaged in activities like hunting, dancing, sowing and harvesting, along with scenes from daily life.

5. Warli is designed with white paint on the mud walls of their house.

6. Basic materials are used for painting like rice paste with water and gum for white paint and a bamboo stick that has been chewed on that serves as a brush.

7. The Warli paintings earlier had no straight lines. These lines are a series of dots and dashes. However, of late, artists have recently started drawing straight lines. Moreover, these days Warli paintings are often done on paper. These painting have modern elements such as bicycle and car. Warli paintings on paper have become very popular and are now sold all over India.

8. The tribals who paint the Warli art are forest-dwellers but the growing popularity of the Warli paintings has helped many tribals earn a decent living and becoming integrated with the mainstream.

D. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. Puppets are models of human and animals. They have movable joints that are either controlled by strings from above or by placing the puppeteer’s hand inside the model. Puppets come in various shapes, sizes and materials. Puppetry is an ancient art form. It is believed to have originated about 3,000 years ago. Puppets are often used to communicate the ideas and needs of the society as well as for normal entertainment.

2. Hand puppets are also known as glove puppets as they are worn like a glove. Usually, the index finger serves as the neck while the thumb and the middle finger perform the arms of the puppet. Rod puppets are also known as the stick puppet as they are supported by sticks. To create shadow puppets, a shadow is cast using a cloth screen with a projector or a very bright light from behind. These are made of translucent materials such as coloured plastics for some colours to pass through the puppet. In the finger puppet, the puppeteer uses each finger for a different character.

3. The ventriloquist’s dummy is quite big. Usually, it is as big as a half of a regular adult. It sits on the ventriloquist’s knee, and is a human-like puppet that is supported from the back by the ventriloquist, who is in a conversation with his puppet. Marionettes are string – operated puppets that can move around a certain stage. Water puppets are made out of wood and immersed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and the puppets appear to be moving over the water. Puppetry is a traditional art used to educate and entertain. Since it is primarily a visual art, it can communicate to people of all languages. Puppets are also a very important and effective method for children to learn. They can stimulate a child’s imagination.

D. 1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What are puppets?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Why are puppets used for?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Why are glove puppets called so?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. How is a shadow puppet created using a shadow?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. What does ventriloquist’s dummy do?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. What are water puppets made of? How do they stay immersed in water?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. Why was puppetry successful in its purpose?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. What are the two ways that puppets are used in the modern-day world?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. Puppets are movable models of humans or animals that are typically moved either by strings, controlled from above or by a hand inside it. Puppets come in various shapes, sizes and materials.

2. Puppetry is an ancient art form. It is believed to have originated about 3,000 years ago. Puppets have been used to communicate the ideas and needs of the society.

3. Hand puppets are also known as glove puppets. These get their name as they are worn like a glove. Usually, the index finger serves as the neck while the thumb and the middle finger perform the arms of the puppet.

4. To create shadow puppets, a shadow is cast using a cloth screen with a projector or a very bright light from behind. These are made of translucent materials such as coloured plastics for some colours to pass through the puppet.

5. A ventriloquist’s dummy sits on the ventriloquist’s knee, and is a human-like puppet that is supported from the back by the ventriloquist, who is in a conversation with his puppet.

6. Water puppets are made out of wood and immersed in a waist-deep pool. A large bamboo rod supports the puppet under the water and the puppets appear to be moving over the water.

7. Puppetry is a traditional art that was used to educate and entertain. This is why puppetry was successful in its purpose.

8. Puppetry can communicate to people who are not literate or for those who even do not understand spoken language. Puppets are also a very important and effective method for children to learn. They can stimulate a child’s imagination.

E. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. Fifty years ago people ate ice cream only in the summer. Now it is eaten all the year-round. It originated in the Orient, centuries before English schoolboys first tasted it. Marco Polo saw people eating it there and brought back the idea to Italy. From Italy, the idea was carried to France. It became very popular with the rich, in France, and an effort was even made to keep the recipes a secret from the common people. But, of course, they soon learned about this delicious new food and ice cream became popular with everyone. Soon, it spread all over the world.

2. The first factory to manufacture ice cream was started in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1851. However, the real development of ice cream and the ice cream business didn’t take place until after 1900 with new developments in refrigeration. 3. The basis of all ice cream is cream, milk or milk solids, sugar and sometimes eggs.

Vanilla, chocolate, berries, fruit ingredients and nuts are added as flavours. This is the usual proportion of ingredients in ice cream: about eighty to eighty – five per cent cream and milk products, fifteen per cent sugar, half to four – and – a – half per cent flavouring and three – tenths of one per cent stabilizer. A small amount of gelatin is used in order to retain the smoothness of the ice cream by preventing the formation of ice crystals. When you eat a third of a pint of vanilla ice cream, you are getting about as much calcium, protein and vitamin B as are in half a cup of whole milk, and as much vitamin A and calories as are in one cup of milk.

E.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. a. Where was ice cream first made in?
i. Europe ii. the East iii. Africa
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b. In which season was ice cream eaten earlier?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. a. In which country did it become very popular?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b. Who wanted to keep the ice cream recipe a secret?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Why did the manufacture of ice cream increase after 1900?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. a. What is ice cream made from?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b. What is the percentage of cream and other milk products in an ice cream?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. Which ingredient prevents the formation of ice crystals?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Is ice cream a wholesome food? Give a reason for your answer.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

F. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. The World Animal Day is celebrated on 4th October every year to raise the status of animals in order to improve their welfare standards across the globe. It was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy, as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. On this day, animal welfare organizations, communities, clubs, businesses and individuals are encouraged to organize events in the celebration of World Animal Day. The mission is to connect animal advocates from all corners of the world. It is a cause for celebration for animals – lovers.

2. This day is a social movement to fight for social justice and reform. The animal welfare movement is made up of individuals or groups that have made the decision to use their time, talents and resources to help make the world a better place for animals. This is so because the lives of animals are greatly affected by the actions of humans. Therefore, it is important that the awareness of animal issues is increased. It is essential that, as sentient beings, their rightful status as recipients of social justice is realized to develop a compassionate culture.

3. To celebrate World Animal Day, a variety of inspiring events are held each year. These include awareness and educational events, pet adoption events, conferences and workshops, fund raising events such as concerts, sponsored walks, veterinary treatment camps, rabies prevention awareness and vaccinations, radio and TV interviews, peaceful marches, etc.

4. These are wildly diverse. In Australia, marchers have called for an end to poaching elephants and rhinoceroses. In India, a community has released indigenous birds, such as herons and egrets, into a clean and healthy environment. In Panama, an animal shelter offers a spay/neuter clinic for dogs and cats. The World Animal Day thus works to accelerate the process of invoking global concern towards the plight of animals and to unite animal lovers worldwide.

F. 1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. Why is World Animal Day celebrated?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. How was the celebration of this day initiated?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. What is the mission of the World Animal Day?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. Why is it important to involve more people in the movement?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. How is the awareness about animals created?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Why are the events widely diverse in countries?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. What was India’s initiative to celebrate the day?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. What does the World Animal Day aspire to do?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. The World Animal Day is celebrated to raise the status of animals in order to improve, their welfare standards across the globe.

2. It originated in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy, as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species.

3. The mission of the World Animal Day is to connect animal advocates from all corners of the world. It is a cause for celebration for animals-lovers.

4. The World Animal Day is a social movement to fight for social justice and reform. The animal welfare movement is made up of individuals or groups that have made the decision to use their time, talents and resources to help make the world a better place for animals. This is so because the lives of animals are greatly affected by the actions of humans. Therefore, it is important that the awareness of animal issues is increased and more people are involved in the movement.

5. In order to celebrate World Animal Day and spread awareness, a variety of inspiring events are held each year. These include awareness and educational events, pet adoption events, conferences and workshops, fundraising events such as concerts, sponsored walks, veterinary treatment camps, rabies prevention awareness and vaccinations, radio and TV interviews, peaceful marches, etc.

6. The events widely are diverse in countries because different species are found in different parts of the world.

7. In India, a community released indigenous birds, such as herons and egrets, into a clean and healthy environment to celebrate the day.

8. The World Animal Day aspires to accelerate the process of invoking global concern towards the plight of animals and to unite animal lovers worldwide.

F. 2. Pick the antonyms of the following words from the passage.

1. worsen
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. disconnect
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. ignorance
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. unfeeling
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. improve
2. connect
3. awareness
4. compassionate

G. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. Ayurveda in Sanskrit means “life – knowledge” or “science of life”. It is a system of medicine that originated in the Indian subcontinent more than 5,000 years ago. The ancient Vedic literature by sages has clearly laid out instructions to maintain health as well as fighting illnesses through therapies, massages, herbal medicines, diet control and exercise. Now modernized practices derived from Ayurveda are popular all over the world and are known as alternative medicine. The primary goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to help people live long, healthy and balanced lives without the need for prescription drugs, complicated surgeries or suffering through painful conditions.

2. Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the mind, body and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health, not fight diseases. So, a patient’s approach, attitude and conduct are often responsible for causing him health problems. Ayurveda believes that a negative attitude or negative thoughts can affect mental as well as physical health. It also believes overeating or excess fasting, and a lack of activity and overexertion is harmful for the body and leads to disharmony and disease. Therefore, the practice of yoga, meditation and attention towards one’s conduct are an integral part of the Ayurvedic treatment. But treatments may be geared towards specific health problems.

3. Ayurveda is witnessing a great revival worldwide with thousands of people looking for a holistic, sustainable, safe and effective form of treatment. Until just a few decades ago, modern science had not studied the role of diet and lifestyle in the manifestation and management of the disease. On the other hand, Ayurveda has been doing so for thousands of years. Consequently, the Ayurvedic system has reached an expertise in the role of food and lifestyle in diseases.

For example, it is a fact that the excess consumption of sweets can cause our blood sugar level to shoot up, while spicy food can lead to ulcers or acidity. Going late to bed and sleeping till late in the morning can disturb the metabolism and cause metabolic disorders. Ayurveda recognized these facts long ago and charted out easy and practical guidelines for food and lifestyle.

G.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. Where does Ayurveda get its name from?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. What do the Vedas suggest for good health?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. What is the aim of Ayurvedic medicine?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What does Ayurveda say about good health?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. Why is mental health important to an Ayurvedic doctor?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Why is yoga an important part of Ayurveda?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. What is Ayurveda’s position in the world today?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. What does Ayurveda excel in?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. Ayurveda gets its name from Sanskrit and means “life-knowledge” or “science of life”.

2. The ancient Vedas suggest that in order to maintain health as well as fight illness, therapies, massages, herbal medicines, diet control and exercise are very important.

3. The primary goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to help people live long, healthy and balanced lives without the need for prescription drugs, complicated surgeries or suffering through painful conditions.

4. Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the mind, body and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health, not fight diseases. So, a patient’s approach, attitude and conduct are often responsible for causing him health problems.

5. Ayurveda believes that a negative attitude or negative thoughts can affect mental as well as physical health. This is why mental health is important to an Ayurvedic doctor.

6. Ayurveda believes that overeating or excess fasting, and a lack of activity and overexertion is harmful for the body and leads to disharmony and disease. This is why is yoga is an important part of Ayurveda.

7. Ayurveda is witnessing a great revival worldwide with thousands of people looking for a holistic, sustainable, safe and effective form of treatment.

8. Ayurveda excels in the role of diet and lifestyle in the manifestation and management of the disease. On the other hand, In fact, the Ayurvedic system has reached an expertise in the role of food and lifestyle in diseases. For example, it is a fact that the excess consumption of sweets can cause our blood sugar level to shoot up, while spicy food can lead to ulcers or acidity. Going late to bed and sleeping till late in the morning can disturb the metabolism and cause metabolic disorders. Ayurveda recognized these facts long ago and charted out easy and practical guidelines for food and lifestyle.

H. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), fast foods are characterized as quick, easily accessible and cheap alternatives to home-cooked meals. These foods are tess nutritious as compared to traditionally cooked foods. These are considered less healthy because they tend to be high in saturated fat, sugar, salt and calories.

2. In a typically hurry burry generation as ours, there is little time to shop for and prepare meals like the earlier generations. Therefore, most people consider fast food as a convenient source of food. Fast food can be prepared and served within a very short time. Fast food outlets come to the rescue of people who tend to be busy or single people who do not wish to cook.

3. According to the NIH, the consumers nowadays have become health conscious and to meet these needs, some fast-food restaurants have salad bars, whole grain buns, grilled chicken and lean meats. Fast food menu provides people with extensive varieties of ready meals and health drinks. For example, a person can skip sugar drinks and opt for low-fat milk or fresh juices. People can also eliminate unhealthy ingredients in their meals by customizing their orders. A number of fast-food restaurants provide an information sheet on the nutritional content of the food on their menu.

4. Although fast food has got a bunch of advantages, it has some negative effects as well: It poses several health hazards. Fast food is rich in fats, salts, artificial substances and oils. Hence, people with heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes must be cautious. Obesity is also on the rise, owing to the popularity of fast food. Further, most fast meals involve frying and that destroys most of the important nutrients in food. Also, according to NIH, most fast food is still cooked with a large amount of oil and butter. This apart, they often do not include fruits and vegetables in their menus.

5. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), fast food can be good for the heart with a little planning. The Association suggests skipping “value” meals that give in extra food so that the quantity of intake is curtailed. The nutritional value of fast food can be enhanced by requesting a wheat bun and keeping away the cheese and sauces.

6. However, there is no substitute for homemade food that has more nutritional value and costs less than fast food.

H.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What category of foods can be called fast foods?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. Why are these foods less healthy?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Why does the modern generation find these foods convenient?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. How have fast food outlets changed their menus? Mention two points.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. How can one opt for a healthy option even at fast food joints?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. Mention two harmful effects of fast food.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. What are the two better options when opting for fast food?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. What are the two advantages of home-cooked food over fast food?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), fast foods are characterized as quick, easily accessible and cheap alternatives to home-cooked meals. These foods are less nutritious as compared to traditionally cooked foods.

2. These foods are considered less healthy because they tend to be high in saturated fat, sugar, salt and calories.

3. The modern generation is always in a hurry. So, there is little time for them to shop for and prepare meals like the earlier generations. Therefore, most people consider fast food as a convenient source of food. Fast food can be prepared and served within a very short time. Fast food outlets come to the rescue of people who tend to be busy or single people who do not wish to cook.

4. Fast food outlets have changed their menus quite a lot. Some fast-food restaurants have salad bars, whole grain buns, grilled chicken and lean meats. Fast food menu provides people with extensive varieties of ready meals and health drinks.

5. A person can skip sugar drinks and opt for low-fat milk or fresh juices. People can also eliminate unhealthy ingredients in their meals by customizing their orders. A number of fast-food restaurants provide an information sheet on the nutritional content of the food on their menu.

6. Fast foods pose several health hazards. They are rich in fats, salts, artificial substances and oils. Hence, people with heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes must be cautious. Obesity is also on the rise, owing to the popularity of fast food. Further, most fast meals involve frying and that destroys most of the important nutrients in food.

7. While opting for fast food, one should skip “value” meals that give in extra food so that the quantity of intake is curtailed. The nutritional value of fast food can also be enhanced by requesting a wheat bun and keeping away the cheese and sauces.

8. Home-cooked food has more nutritional value and costs less than fast food.

H.2. Give words from the passage that are synonyms of words given below.

1. easy to get
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. options
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. wide-ranging
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. leaving out
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. accessible
2. options
3. extensive
4. skipping

I. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) suggests that this is an unexplained aerial phenomenon but these are suspected spacecraft on which the aliens travel. These UFO sightings have been reported in various parts of the world and have been a major subject of interest since times immemorial. These curious flying objects have mentioned in legends as well as seen in stone carvings. Even Jacob Grimm’s fairytales included a story of a flying ship.

2. However in the recent past, in 1947, Kenneth Arnold, an American businessman while flying in his private plane near the northwest Pacific coast saw nine such objects in the sky. He described them as “flat like pie – pan, and so shiny that they reflected the sun like mirror” flying at an amazing speed of 1,700 mph, speed unheard of then.

3. After various reports, the United States Air Force began investigating to find out more about these “flying saucers.” They dismissed these reports calling them weather balloons, highflying aeroplanes, vapour trails, and meteorites, or even birds. They claimed some of these claims were hoaxes.

4. In 1954, a Frenchman who spotted this luminous object described it to be like a huge cigar. It was edged with a bright halo of light. This description was repeated by three American school boys, in 1965, when they saw this “ball of light”, about eight feet across, coming rapidly from the sky.

5. The reports remain unconfirmed and raise many questions on its reliability because descriptions vary greatly. Some describe aliens as little men, while others describe them as giants. Moreover, a bright light, such as the planet Venus, often appears to move. Astronomical objects can also be disconcerting to drivers, as they seem to “follow” the car. But certainly if we can land on moon and send rockets into space, there can be inhabitants on the other planets who are doing the same!

I.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What are UFOs?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. What have been people’s reactions to these sightings?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. Quote two examples from the passage that show UFO have been talked about for long.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. What did Kenneth Arnold spot?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. What was most mysterious about the sighting?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. How did United States Air Force react to these reports?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. What did the Frenchman see?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Why is the reliability of the reports doubtful?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) suggests that this is an unexplained aerial phenomenon but these are suspected spacecraft on which the aliens travel.

2. These UFO sightings have been reported in various parts of the world and have been a major subject of interest since times immemorial.

3. These curious flying objects or UFOs have mentioned in legends as well as seen in stone carvings. Even Jacob Grimm’s fairytales included a story of a flying ship.

4. Kenneth Arnold, an American businessman, while flying in his private plane near the northwest Pacific coast saw nine such objects in the sky that looked like a flying ship.

5. Kenneth described the sightings as “flat like pie-pan, and so shiny that they reflected the sun like mirror” flying at an amazing speed of 1,700 mph, speed unheard of then. This was the most mysterious thing about the sighting.

6. After various reports, the United States Air Force began investigating to find out more about the “flying saucers.” They dismissed these reports calling them weather balloons, highflying aeroplanes, vapour trails, and meteorites, or even birds. They claimed some of these claims were hoaxes.

7. In 1954, a Frenchman who spotted this luminous object described it to be like a huge cigar. It was edged with a bright halo of light. This description was repeated by three American school boys, in 1965, when they saw this “ball of light”, about eight feet across, coming rapidly from the sky.

8. The reports remain unconfirmed and raise many questions on its reliability because descriptions vary greatly. Some describe aliens as little men, while others describe them as giants. Moreover, a bright light, such as the planet Venus, often appears to move. Astronomical objects can also be disconcerting to drivers, as they seem to “follow” the car.

J. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

1. Travel is the activity of going from one place to another place. Making trips every day to the same place, work or school, is called “commuting”. Travelling is known to have many advantages. The foremost advantage that it offers is of meeting new people and making friends. One could improve business contacts as well as learn new skills. It is educative in the sense that one is exposed to various languages, foods, cultures, etc and this widens the worldview. During the process, we look at and experience the world from other people’s perspectives.

Thus, our outlook becomes more global. Travelling also de-stresses people. As they move out of their mundane routine, they leave behind the stresses of home and work. One of the best things about travelling is that it helps you store wonderful memories for a lifetime. Photographs and souvenirs bought back from such places are treasured because of memories associated with these travels.

2. However, travelling can have its pitfalls too. It is an expensive exercise and can upset your budget. Travelling in groups can reduce expenses, and offer more safety, but it offers no space for private time and individual’s interests. Hence, many people advocate appreciating the good things they have at home. The ecological impact is the greatest disadvantage. The carbon footprint that we leave behind because of the resources we deplete is immeasurable.

Travelling in itself can be a tedious process that involves booking tickets, packing, waiting at airports and stations, booking hotels, etc. Taking time out from your work is not an easy process. The security of the empty house because of burglaries can be a major disadvantage. Moreover, one often hears of travellers getting homesick. If you have pets, leaving them behind in someone’s custody can be a painful experience.

J.1. Answer the following questions very briefly.

1. What is the difference in travelling and commuting?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. How does travelling have a positive impact on the business?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. How does travelling improve learning?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. How is travelling a stress buster?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. How do photos and souvenirs from our travels give us pleasure?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6. What are the two advantages of travelling in groups?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7. How does travel affect the environment?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8. Mention two disadvantages of travelling.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. Travel is the activity of going from one place to another place. Making trips every day to the same place, work or school, is called “commuting”.

2. Travelling helps in meeting new people and making friends. Thus, it helps to improve business contacts as well as learn new skills.

3. Travel is educative in the sense that one is exposed to various languages, foods, cultures, etc and this widens the worldview. During the process, we look at and experience the world from other people’s perspectives. Thus, our outlook becomes more global.

4. Travelling helps people de-stress. As they move out of their mundane routine, they leave behind the stresses of home and work.

5. Travelling helps you store wonderful memories for a lifetime. Photographs and souvenirs bought back from such places are treasured because of memories associated with these travels.

6. Travelling in groups can reduce expenses, and offer more safety.

7. Travelling has an ecological impact on the planet. When we travel, the carbon footprint that we leave behind because of the resources we deplete is immeasurable.

8. Travelling is an expensive exercise and can upset your budget. In itself, it can be a tedious process that involves booking tickets, packing, waiting at airports and stations, booking hotels, etc. Taking time out from your work is not an easy process. The security of the empty house because of burglaries can be a major disadvantage.

j.2. Which words in the passage mean the following?

1. primary
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2. point of view
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. dull
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. drawback
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Answer:
1. foremost
2. perspectives/outlook
3. mundane
4. pitfalls/disadvantage