SAMPLE QUESTIONS – Analytical Paragraph
1. Read the following excerpt from an article that appeared in a local daily:
India has imposed a ban on single-use plastics on items ranging from straws to cigarette packets,
to combat worsening pollution in a country whose streets are strewn with waste. Announcing the
ban, the government dismissed the demands of food, beverage and consumer goods companies
to hold off the restriction to avoid disruptions. Plastic waste has become a significant source of
pollution in India, the world's second-most populous country.
Write a paragraph to analyse the given argument. You could think about what alternative
explanations might weaken the given conclusion and include rationale/evidence that would
strengthen/counter the given argument.
Ans: ARGUMENT ‘FOR’ THE STATEMENT
The given information illustrates the opinion that single use plastic items should be banned in our
country. Plastic waste has become a significant source of pollution in India, the world's second-
most populous country. Hot food packed in plastic containers reacts with plastic and causes many
diseases. Negligent disposal of plastic bags leads to choked drains. Animals swallow plastic bags
with food mistakenly. Plastic bags are responsible for the deaths of many marine species, which
mistake the bags for food. Single use plastic bags for use by consumers in markets and other
stores should be made illegal. They litter our streets because they are not disposed of properly
after use. There is no question of reusing the same as the bags get damaged. Consumers must
accept that it is hugely wasteful, massively unethical and potentially deadly to continue using
plastic bags. Markets must be told by the government that continued supply of plastic bags will
result in hefty fines, while those supermarkets which stop using such bags can be rewarded. This
non-biodegradable object should be banned completely as it leads to environmental damage.
ARGUMENT ‘AGAINST’ THE STATEMENT
The report ignores the likely adverse impacts from such bans. No need to ban, just reduce the use
of plastic. Plastic bags have a bad reputation but banning them could have some surprising
negative effects. A ban could have repercussions on consumer convenience and even the economy
without making a truly significant improvement to the environment. The common belief is that
just about anything is better than the typical thin plastic bag you get from the supermarket, but
it's not so simple. There are surprising environmental issues to consider, as well as situations
where plastic just works better than paper or cotton. Sometimes, plastic is even being reused in
the process (like lining a bathroom trashcan or cleaning up after your dog on a walk). Paper takes
up more room in landfills and doesn't exactly disintegrate rapidly. Switching to biodegradable
plastic bags might be something to consider, but a ban on plastic bags won't do much for the
landfills. If anything, assuming an increase in paper bag usage, it could make the problem worse.
Metal water bottles and straws have pitfalls as well. Not only is it more energy-intensive to mine
and transport metal than it is to make plastic, but metal water bottles and straws may also harbour
pathogens if not cleaned properly. Plastics may be less recyclable than other products, but
landfilling offers a safe and environmentally sound way to manage waste, and space is unlikely
to run out even over thousands of years. Since landfills are basically designed to mummify trash,
none of it decomposes. To top it off, plastics also take up less landfill space than the other
alternatives.
2. Study the concept chart from the self-help magazine section of a monthly publication and write
a paragraph in not more than 120 words, analysing the listed responses to the situation when one
faces setbacks.
Answer: Healthy Processing
Setbacks often leave one with a feeling of disappointment and sometimes even worse. The
concept chart given displays two ways to handle setbacks, for the better or for the worse, the two
ways of processing setbacks – healthy and unhealthy. Healthy processing helps one learn from
and let go of the negative emotions. Despite scary early life experiences of being reprimanded or
not meeting expectations or unconscious or implicit memories, an optimistic way of seeing a
setback, processes the ability to feel, reflect, learn and align. One has to observe the pattern and
rework on the failures, which would help face the challenges. However, an assessment of the
magnitude of setback can make one to move forward towards building the future. Success awaits
a man who faces life optimistically. Self-motivation, grit to do the work and access healing
methods can help one to become positive. It’s all about learning lessons in our life. In other words,
it is always positivity that helps one to come up and attain success in life.
Inability to process fully
Setbacks often leave one with a feeling of disappointment and sometimes even worse. The
concept chart given displays two ways to handle setbacks, for the better or for the worse. Inability
to process leads to a block, self-criticism and self-doubt. In contrast to optimism, negative
perspective of a failure can lead to listlessness, diverted attention, excessive rumination and
unacceptance of failures. For instance, one might want to point to the fact that responding to
setbacks negatively leads to a vicious cycle of undesirable feelings. It is evident that experiencing
a setback leads to feelings of inadequacy and incompetency along with an unwillingness to accept
situations. In other words, such situations trigger apathy, anger anxiety and depression. To sum
up, setbacks in one’s life create negativity and pessimistic attitude, bringing with them weak spirit
and low morale.
Q3. “Boarding schools are far better than day schools for the all-round education of a child.”
Express your views either for or against the same.
Write a paragraph analysing SWOT notes to support your stand on whether boarding schools are
better.
Paragraph (For the Motion)
I strongly agree that boarding schools are far better than day schools for the all-round
education of a child. They offer a unique educational environment where students learn not only
academic subjects but also important life skills. The supportive guidance of teachers and senior
students, along with a disciplined daily routine, helps develop confidence, responsibility, and
self-discipline. Boarding schools also provide opportunities to learn teamwork, collaboration, and
self-reliance while encouraging innovative learning beyond the classroom. Although they may
be more expensive and students may experience homesickness, stress, and the challenge of living
away from home, these difficulties gradually help them become emotionally stronger and more
independent. While problems like bullying may occur, strict supervision and counselling can
effectively address such issues. Therefore, the strengths and opportunities of boarding schools
clearly outweigh their weaknesses and threats, making them a better choice for the holistic
development of a child.
Paragraph (Against the Motion)
I do not agree that boarding schools are better than day schools for the all-round education
of a child. Although boarding schools provide quality education, discipline, teamwork, and
opportunities to become independent, these benefits come at a high cost. They are more expensive
than most other educational options, and many children struggle with homesickness, stress, and
the emotional difficulty of living away from their families. Young children, in particular, may
find it hard to adjust and may even suffer from "boarding school syndrome." The possibility of
bullying and related problems can also negatively affect a child's emotional well-being. In
contrast, day schools offer quality education while allowing children to enjoy the love, guidance,
and emotional support of their families every day. This healthy balance between school and home
contributes more effectively to a child's overall growth. Therefore, I believe day schools are a
better choice for the all-round development of children.