1st PUC English Grammar Notes Reading Comprehension

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Karnataka 1st PUC English Grammar Notes Reading Comprehension

Passage-1

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

Garcinia Indica is the biological name of the kokum fruit. This is also known as amsul. It is used as the flavouring agent in dais and sabzis, to add the right tanginess to the preparation. It’s added in bhindi sabzi so that it doesn’t get too sticky. While cooking arbi and other tubers, kokum is added to it and this helps to control the itch or irritation to the throat. In Assam, kokum is used to make tangy fish curry called Tenga. One can eat it raw like kachcha (unripe) aam with salt and masala. This prevents cavities. When we mix kokum with coconut milk, we get the famous ‘sol kadhi’ of the Western Ghats.

Kokum agal or kokum water mixed with lime or pudina is a trend starter. This prevents dehydration and acidity. Kokum sherbet is popularly called amrut kokum, which has sugar, spices, rock-salt in it. This is the best drink for weight loss. Kokum butter nurtures and regenerates skin cells. Farm festivals that promote local foods and food products often sell raw kokum butter. One can use it for many home beauty applications. Rubbing the soles of feet with kokum butter just before going to bed will provide restful sleep to the most stressed-out mind.

Questions:

1. What is the other name of kokum fruit?
2. Kokum is added with arbi while cooking to control the ……………….

(a) stickiness
(b) irritation in the throat
(c) taste.

3. Which is the tangy fish curry of Assam mentioned in the passage?
4. What is mixed with coconut milk to make ‘sol kadhi’?
5. How can kokum be used to prevent dehydration and acidity?
6. What is the popular name of kokum sherbet?
7. Name one of the uses of kokum butter as mentioned in the passage.
8. How will one get restful sleep?
9. Add a prefix to get the antonym of ‘hydrate’, [ne, de, un]
10. Raw kokum butter is sold in Farm festivals held for the ………………. (promote/promotion) of local foods. (Choose the right word given in brackets)

Answers:

1. Amsul.
2. (b) irritation in the throat.
3. Tenga.
4. Kokum.
5. Kokum water mixed with lime or pudina prevents dehydration and acidity.
6. Amrut kokum.
7. Kokum butter nurtures and regenerates skin cells.
8. By rubbing the soles of feet with kokum butter just before going to bed, one gets restful sleep.
9. Dehydrate.
10. Promotion

Passage – 2

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

Pheasants are shy, charming birds known for their brilliant plumage. These beautiful birds occupy an important niche in nature’s scheme of things. The pheasants belong to the order Galliformes and family Phasindac. The Galliformes are known as ‘game birds’ and this includes pheasants, partridges, quails, grouse, turkeys, and megapodes.

There are 51 species of pheasants in the world and these are shown in the identification chart brought out by the Environment Society of India (ESI). The purpose of this chart is to create awareness among the members of the school eco-clubs under the National Green Corps (NGC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

Except for the Congo Peafowl, all the other pheasants are from Asia. Scientists believe that all pheasants originated from the Himalayas and then scattered into Tibet, China, Myanmar, South and southeast countries as well as the Caucasus Mountains. The jungle fowl and the peafowl spread to South India and Sri Lanka long before the early settlers established themselves in the Indo-Gangetic plain.

About one-third of all pheasants in the world are found in India. The male blue peafowl (the peacock) is the best-known member of the pheasant family and is India’s national bird. It occupies a prominent place in India’s art, culture and folklore.

Glossary:

1. Niche: Suited to an environment Questions:
1. What is the passage about?
2. Name a game bird other than the pheasant mentioned in the passage.
3. How many species of pheasants are found in the world?
4. Who has brought out the identification chart of the pheasants?
5. ………………. is the only pheasant which is not from Asia.
6. According to the scientists, where did all the pheasants originate?
7. Name one of the pheasants that spread to South India and Sri Lanka.
8. Which is the best-known member of the pheasant family?
9. Add a prefix from the brackets to the word ‘known’ to get the antonym, (un, re, mis)
10. Pheasants are charming birds known for the ………………. (brilliant) of their plumage.
(Fill in the blank using the appropriate form of the word given in brackets)

Answers:

1. The passage is about pheasants.
2. Partridges.
3. 51 species.
4. The Environment Society of India.
5. Congo Peafowl.
6. The Himalayas.
7. The jungle fowl.
8. The male blue peafowl (The peacock).
9. Unknown.
10. Brilliance.

Passage – 3

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

Soybeans belong to the legume family. The beans are the seeds of the leguminous soybean plant. They can be grown in a wide variety of soils and a wide range of climates. Soybeans are versatile as they can be used as whole beans, soy sprouts or processed as a variety of food items, such as soy milk, tofu, textured vegetable protein, soy sauce, oil and margarine, and soy dairy alternatives. They are also used for making candles and bio-diesel.

Soy is excellent protein-rich food. It is low in saturated fats and is cholesterol-free. Vitamin B is plentiful in it. The minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, and copper are found in abundance in soy. It is also rich in fiber. Soy is highly recommended because of its ability to lower the levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), bad cholesterol. The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that foods containing soy protein are likely to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

An easy way to take soy is to drink it in the form of soya milk. It is not available with added flavours. Soya milk does not contain lactose (milk sugar) and can be drunk by those who are allergic to normal milk. To get soya milk, soybeans are soaked in water, ground and then strained.

Questions:

1. Which family does soybeans belong to?
2. Where are soybeans grown?
3. Mention one of the food items prepared using soybeans.
4. What are the other uses of soy?
5. Name the bad cholesterol mentioned in the passage.
6. What has the Food and Drug Administration confirmed about soy protein?
7. In recent times soy has been highly recommended because it

(a) is rich in vitamin B
(b) can lower the levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein
(c) has high-quality protein.

8. Why can soya milk be drunk by those who are allergic to normal milk?
9. Add a prefix to the word ‘saturated’ to form its antonym, (un, re, in)
10. The (versatile) of soybeans is proved by its use as whole beans, sprouts and a variety of processed food items. (Fill in the blank using the appropriate form of the word given in brackets)

Answers:

1. Legume family.
2. In a wide variety of soils and a wide range of climates.
3. Tofu.
4. Soybeans are used in making candles and bio-diesel.
5. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
6. The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that foods containing soy protein are likely to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
7. (b) can lower the levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein.
8. Soya milk does not contain lactose.
9. Unsaturated.
10. Versatility.

Passage -4

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

Max Mueller was a distinguished German poet. Some of his poems were set to music by Australian composer, Franz (Peter) Schubert. As a youth, Mueller took to the study of the Sanskrit language with great devotion and started learning the language. He took his Doctorate in Philosophy in 1843. He did research.work on Sanskrit and philosophy under eminent scholars in Berlin University.

In 1846, Mueller went to London to copy and collect manuscripts in Sanskrit. He translated Rig Veda, which consists of 1,028 hymns addressed to different gods. As it was being printed in a London university press, he migrated to Oxford in 1848 and lived there for the rest of his life.

The first volume of Mueller’s edition appeared in 1849, the sixth and last volume in 1874. This printed Rig Veda caused great enthusiasm in India. Several publications on Indian religion and literature appeared in quick succession. Max Mueller became the greatest interpreter of India to the Western World. His book ‘India – What it can teach us’ has a special place among his publications. But, Max Mueller never visited India!

Questions:

1. The famous music composer who set the music to Mueller’s poems was
2. When did Mueller get his Doctorate in Philosophy?
3. Name the university where Mueller did research work.
4. Why did Mueller go to London?
5. Who translated the verses of Rig Veda into English?
6. Mueller migrated to Oxford in

(a) 1846
(b) 1848
(c) 1849.

7. When did the sixth volume of Mueller’s edition appear?
8. Name the book of Mueller on India mentioned in the passage.
9. Add a prefix from the brackets to the word ‘appear’ to get the antonym, (un, dis, re)
10. Max Mueller’s (interpret) of India is very popular in the Western world.
(Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the word given in brackets)

Answers:

1. Franz Schubert.
2. In 1843.
3. Berlin University.
4. Mueller went to London to copy and collect manuscripts in Sanskrit.
5. Max Mueller.
6. (b) 1848.
7. In 1874.
8. India – What it can teach us.
9. Disappear.
10. Interpretation.

Passage – 5 

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

The US Navy is planning to use Armed Robotic Patrol boats with no sailors on board to escort and defend warships moving through sensitive sea-lanes. The technology was adapted from NASA’s Rovers on Mars. This will transform how the American Navy operates and is sure to raise fresh questions and concerns about the widening role of robots in warfare. The office of Naval Research has released the results of what is called an unprecedented demonstration in August involving 13 robotic patrol craft escorting a ship along the James River in Virginia.

In a simulated scenario, five of the robotic patrol boats guarded a larger ship, while eight others were ordered to investigate a suspicious vessel. The unmanned patrol boats then encircled and swarmed the target enabling the mother ship to move safely through the area. “The demonstration conducted over two weeks, was designed to replicate a transit through a strait”, Naval Research Chief Admiral Mathew Klundertold reporters in a recent briefing.

The demonstration was a breakthrough that goes far beyond any previous experiment. He also added that a similar robotic patrol craft is likely to escort US naval ships within a year. The patrol craft is a long vessel. It is known in military as Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats. Three or four sailors usually operate them. But as they are fitted with the robotic system, a single sailor could oversee up to twenty of the vessels.

Unlike drone aircraft, such as the famed “Predator” and “Reaper” planes, the robotic boats are more autonomous and can carry out directions without having to be operated by a human at every step. “The excitement about this technology is, it is autonomous”, Mr. Klunder said.

Questions:

1. What is the US Navy planning to use, to escort and defend warships?
2. When was the unprecedented demonstration held?
3. Name the river along which the demonstration was conducted.
4. What were the eight robotic patrol boats ordered to investigate?
5. How long was the demonstration conducted?
6. Who is the Naval Chief mentioned in the passage?
7. The number of robotic patrol boats that guarded the large ship was

(a) Eight
(b) Five
(c) Thirteen.

8. Add a prefix to the word ‘usual’ to form its antonym.
9. What benefits would the US Navy get by utilizing robotic patrol boats in overseeing the vessels?
10. The Admiral was in ……………. (excited / excitement) to speak about the technology.

Answers:

1. Armed Robotic Patrol boats.
2. In August.
3. James river in Virginia.
4. A suspicious vessel.
5. Over two weeks.
6. Admfral Mathew Klunder.
7. (b) five.
8. Unusual.
9. A single sailor could oversee up to twenty of the vessels.
10. Excitement.

Passage – 6

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

The credit for making the first war of Independence a memorable event goes largely to Tantya Tope. A man with a commanding personality, Tantya had courage, zeal, foresight and ability to take quick decisions. He was of immense help to Laxmi Bai and Nana Saheb. He was the commander-in¬chief of the rebel army at Shivrajpur. The victory of Indian forces at Kanpur was mainly due to his able leadership.

After capturing Kalpi, Tantya turned it into the main fort of the rebels. He won many battles by confusing the British Generals by guerrilla tactics. While the British energy was entirely directed to search and capture Tantya, he was busy organizing the force to ambush the British. His name was synonymous with bravery. For days he wandered in jungles facing hardships but still could hoodwink the enemy. However, he was unaware of a traitor who deceived him. The British captured him on 7th April 1859. In the trial, he admitted that all he did was for the sake of his country and he had no regrets. The first war of Independence came to an end with Tantya’s death.

Tantya was an only child of Pandurang and his wife Rukma Bai. He was, born in Yelva in Maharashtra but brought up in Bithoor where Nana Saheb lived. He adored Nana and dedicated his life for him. Tantya’s real name was Ram Ghander Rao. He was involved in rebellions since the Kanpur revolt and remained linked to the war of independence till his death on April 18th, 1859. Tantya is like Garibaldi in his revolutionary fervour and patriotism.

Questions:

1. How did Tantya Tope win many battles against the British?
2. What was Tantya Tope’s name synonymous with?
3. The credit for making the first war of Independence a memorable event goes to

(a) Laxmi Bai
(b) Nana Saheb
(c) Tantya Tope.

4. The victory of Indian forces at Kanpur was due to
5. Where was Tantya Tope born?
6. What was the real name of Tantya Tope?
7. When did Tantya Tope stop involving himself in rebellions?
8. Mention the rebel that Tantya Tope is compared to, in the passage.
9. Pick a word from the passage that describes Tantya Tope’s personality.
10. Fill in the blank with the right suffix to the word ‘Patriot’ ……………. (ism, ive, aly)

Answers:

1. Tantya Tope won many battles against the British by confusing the British Generals by guerrilla tactics.
2. Bravery.
3. (c) Tantya Tope.
4. Tantya’s able leadership.
5. At Yelva in Maharashtra.
6. Ram Chander Rao.
7. When he died on April 18th, 1859.
8. Garibaldi.
9. Commanding.
10. Patriotism.

Passage – 7

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

Gregor Johann Mendel was born in 1822. He was an Austrian monk. In the year 1856, he became famous for his work in a series of breeding experiments to study plant heredity. He conducted these experiments on the garden pea plant. The biological name of this plant is Pisum Sativum. This study formed the basis of scientific investigations on inheritance. Not much was known about genetics till then. Mendel was the first to work on the basic laws that govern the inheritance of genes. Earlier, it was believed that if a tall person married a short person, the children produced would have intermediate height. But Mendel proved it wrong. He showed that individual characteristics are passed on to the next generation and would never blend.

For years, he bred and studied the edible pea plant. He chose the pea plant for his experiments for many reasons; they were small and many could be grown in a limited area; the results of these crosses had been studied earlier; as they were easy to cultivate because of their rapid life cycles and as the flowers could self-pollinate themselves or even be cross-pollinated under controlled conditions.

Out of the many features that a pea plant possessed Mendel’s breeding experiments centered on the inheritance of a few contrasting features. He conducted his experiments using good scientific method. He controlled his experimental conditions carefully. He ensured that plants were pollinated only by the pollen he transferred. He performed his experiments in three sequential stages; first, selection of pure line parents, secondly, hybridization and thirdly, self-pollination of hybrids.

Questions:

1. What made Mendel famous?
2. When did Mendel become famous?
3. ………………….. is the biological name of the pea plant. (Fill in the blanks)
4. Who was the first one to work on inheritance of genes?
5. According to an earlier belief, a tall person married to a short person would give birth to children who

(a) are tall
(b) are short
(c) have an intermediate height.

6. Mention one of the reasons why the pea plants were easy to cultivate.
7. What were Mendel’s breeding experiments centered on?
8. ‘He performed his experiments in sequential stages’. The second stage was

(a) Hybridization
(b) Self-pollination of hybrids
(c) Selection of pure plants.

9. Fill in the blank with the right suffix to the word ‘experiment’ to form its adjective,
(al, ion, ed)
10. Add a prefix to get the antonym of ‘cultivated’ ………………… (an, unj in).
Answers:

1. His experiments to study plant heredity.
2. In 1856.
3. Pisum Sativum.
4. Mendel.
5. (c) Have intermediate height.
6. They were small and many could be grown in a limited area.
7. Inheritance of a few contrasting features.
8. (a) hybridization.
9. Experimental.
10. Uncultivated.

Passage – 8

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

Propaganda is a systematic effort to influence people’s opinions, to win them over. Propaganda is not concerned with what is good or bad, true or false. Propagandists simply want people to believe the messages.

The word ‘propaganda’ may seem relevant only in political arena. But this can be applied to advertising too. Every day we see slogans, commercials, trademarks, etc., in newspapers, magazines and on television. Advertisers depend on propaganda to sell ‘products’ like a brand of toothpaste, a candidate in elections or any viewpoint. Studies tell us that on an average, each of us is exposed to over five hundred different advertisements in a day.

Card stacking is one method of propaganda. Here propagandists may tell half-truths, distort evidence or divert attention from one issue to another. Advertisers use ‘weasel words’. These are small words. They usually slip right past us. But it takes a lot of difference between reality and illusion. The best example is of shampoos – ‘Helps control Dandruff’. But audience interprets this as ‘stops’ dandruff.

Another method is Bandwagon. Here propagandists try to pressurize. Like, “Everyone’s doing it, why don’t you?” Often propagandists succeed because many people have a deep desire not to be different. The political ads tell us to vote for the ‘winning candidate’. Advertisers know we always feel comfortable in doing what others do. All of us wish to be in the winning team and vote for the candidate.

Propaganda is so effective that we need to detect and understand how it is used. Some propaganda sends truthful and worthy messages – ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’, ‘Contribute to Charity’. Yet we must be aware that we are surrendering ourselves, our independence of thoughts and actions to others.

Questions:

1. What is propaganda?
2. Where is the word ‘propaganda’ relevant?
3. What are the ideas sold in advertising called?
4. Mention one of the forms of propaganda as given in the passage.
5. How does one advertise in card stacking?
6. What do advertisers use in card stacking?
7. Name the type of propaganda that pressurizes the people.
8. Why do the propagandists succeed in bandwagon?
9. Some propaganda sends (truth / truthful) message. (Choose the right word)
10. Add a suitable prefix to the word ‘comfortable’ to form its antonym, ……………….. (in, un, re)

Answers:

1. Propaganda is a systematic effort to influence people’s opinions to win them over.
2. In the political arena.
3. Ideas sold in advertising are called propaganda.
4. Card stacking
5. In card stacking the propagandists tell half-truths, distort evidence or divert attention.
6. Weasel words
7. Bandwagon.
8. Bandwagon method succeeds because of people’s deep desire not to be different.
9. Truthful.
10. Uncomfortable.

Passage – 9

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

Smoking kills 9,00,000 people every year in India. World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that smoking-related deaths worldwide will surpass 9 million annually by 2020, with 7 million of those deaths occurring in developing nations.

People start smoking for a variety of different reasons. Some think it looks cool. Others start because their family members or friends smoke. Statistics show that about 9 out of 10 tobacco users start smoking before they are 18 years old. Most adults who started smoking in their teens, never expected to become addicted. That is why people say it is just so much easier to not start at all.

It is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains a drug called nicotine. This drug is highly addictive. Like heroin or other addictive drugs, the body and mind quickly become so used to the nicotine in cigarettes that a person needs to have it just to feel normal. The nicotine can raise one’s blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen demand for muscles, mainly for the heart. Moreover, the second hand smoke which comes from two places i.e., smoke breathed out by the person who smokes and smoke from the end of a burning cigarette causes health effects including cancer, breathing problems and asthma. Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of death in our society. It is an expensive habit. The tobacco industry makes billions of rupees each year and they do not care about anyone’s existence. All they want is money. The more cigarettes one buys, the more the company earns.

Today’s generation needs to beware of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). This contains cancer-causing chemicals and other toxins. This also has a compound used in antifreeze. These battery-operated devices use cartridges filled with nicotine flavorings and other chemicals and convert them into a vapour that is inhaled by the user. Counselling and medical help need to be sought for smoking addicts.

Questions:

1. According to WHO, where do maximum deaths occur by smoking?
2. At what age do people start to smoke?
3. What did the teenagers never expect when they started smoking?
4. Name the drug in tobacco.
5. What is the effect of nicotine on the heart?
6. What is the most preventable cause of death in our society?
7. What does the tobacco industry care about?
8. ……………….. is needed to help smoking addicts to come out of it.
9. Smoking is an (addiction/addictive) habit.
10. Add a prefix to the word ‘expected’ to form the antonym, ……………..(non, un, re)

Answers:

1. In developing nations.
2. Before they are 18 years old.
3. The teenagers never expected to become addicted.
4. Nicotine.
5. Nicotine raises the oxygen demand for the heart.
6. Smoking.
7. Money or profits.
8. Counselling and medical help.
9. Addictive.
10. Unexpected.

Passage – 10

Read the following passage and answer the questions set on it:

One great Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, had come to India. He studied Buddhism for some time in Nalanda University. While returning to his country, he carried with him some manuscripts, granthas relating to Buddhism. He was sailing on the Bay of Bengal to China. Two Buddhist scholars Gnangupta and Tyagaraja accompanied him on board the ship. They had planned to travel with him till the ship crossed the Bay of Bengal and return to their homeland. Suddenly dark clouds appeared in the sky.

Terrific tempests and cyclonic winds began to blow. People on board the ship feared that the ship would sink. The Captain ordered that if anyone had any heavy article, it should be thrown into the sea. Hiuen Tsang had heavy manuscripts and granthas. He got ready to throw them into the sea. Gnangupta and Tyagaraja said to him that these works are ‘treasure house of knowledge’. They did not want it to be thrown into the sea. Instead they volunteered to jump into the sea.

They confirmed to tell that man’s life is transitory and perishable. Knowledge is permanent and imperishable. They requested Hiuen Tsang not to throw away these extraordinary granthas. They told that many people would obtain light which would lead them on the path of ‘Nirvana’ i.e., Salvation. This would result in ‘supreme bliss’. After having said this, the two Indian scholars jumped into the tempestuous sea. Hiuen Tsang continued his journey and mentioned about these two great people in his books.

Questions:

1. Who war Hiuen Tsang?
2. What did Hiuen Tsang study in Nalanda University?
3. What did Hiuen Tsang take when he returned to his country?
4. How far did Gnangupta and Tyagaraja plan to travel with Hiuen Tsang?
5. What was the fear of the members aboard the ship?
6. What did the Captain tell the crew to do?
7. Gnangupta and Tyagaraja said that these are ‘a treasure house’. Here ‘treasure house’ refers to
a) sea b) ship c) manuscripts and granthas.
8. Why did the two scholars jump into the sea?
9. Add the prefix to write the antonym of ‘perishable'(in, im, ir)
10. One reads books to become (knowledge / knowledgeable)

Answers:

1. A Chinese traveller.
2. Buddhism.
3. Manuscripts and granthas relating to Buddhism.
4. Till the ship crossed the Bay of Bengal.
5. The members aboard the ship feared that the ship would sink.
6. The captain ordered the crew to throw all heavy articles into the sea.
7. (c) Manuscripts and granthas.
8. They wanted to save the precious manuscripts and granthas. Hence, instead of throwing those, they decided to jump into the sea and make the ship lighter.
9. Imperishable.
10. Knowledgeable.

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