Reading skills practice set

Class ix & x

. Attempt questions based on specific instructions for each part.

Section A Reading

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

"The great model of affection of love in human beings is the sentiment which
subsists between parents and

children." As time goes by, things change. What was popular, and normal, in
the 70's has changed. The older

generation always wonders what has gone wrong with the younger
generation and the younger generation also

wonders why parents can`t understand their needs. They don`t know how to
deal with the differences between

each other and that has led to a gap between parents and children. The
interests, food, habits, slang,

entertainment, and way of thinking of the younger generation differ from

those of the older generation. These

changes are indicative of progress. The difference in the ways of thinking and
perception of the people of two

different generations, which results in behavioural differences and

sometimes, conflict among them is usually

called the generation gap. The generation gap between parents and their
children is generally seen in the family.

It is not only because of the age gap but also because of the way parents
react to a particular situation. Children

being very young and immature do not understand the way of thinking of
their parents. In many cases, the

parents, even if they are mature, do not empathize with the changing values
and thinking patterns of the modern

world. This creates a communication gap between these two generations.

Parents themselves mostly cause a generation gap between parents and
children. They do not talk openly to

their children and take part in solving their problems. This behaviour gives
the impression of parents being

authoritative persons because they only dictate without understanding the

problems faced by their children. As

a result, the children become mentally isolated from their parents. Some
parents become so busy with their

work that they don't spend quality time with their family, which makes them
completely unaware of how their

children are growing, what kind of mentality is being developed in them, and
so on. This ultimately creates a

gap between them. They only realize it when it is too late.

Changes in technology have led to the generation gap in this modern world.
Children tend to spend most of

their time with their digital devices and are so busy with social media, that
they do not discuss their problems with their parents. The internet provides
solutions to most of the worldly problems. So children, instead of

contacting their own parents, use the help of the internet in case of any
problem, thus again reducing

communication, leading to a generation gap between them.

The generation gap has greatly increased these days because the time is
changing fast and people find it

difficult to cope with this change. To overcome this problem, parents should
show interest in all matters of their

children and deal with them positively instead of just scolding them and
leaving them alone to deal with their

problems. Giving time to the children, having open communication, and

allowing the child to feel free and not

under any kind of pressure, will eventually reduce the generation gap to a
tolerable extent.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase ‘The interests, food, habits, slang,
entertainment, and way of thinking

of the younger generation differ from those of the older generation’

emphasise? (1)

ii. Complete the following with the correct option from the two given. (1)

The generation gap is primarily caused because ________.

(a) the younger generation is immature and doesn’t understand the older
generation’s thinking.

(b) the differences in values and perceptions of the two generations create
conflicts. (paragraph 1)

iii. Support the writer’s idea that the generation gap is worsened by the lack
of communication between parents

and children. (paragraph 2) (2)

iv. Select the option that best reflects the concept of ‘technology’s role in
increasing the generation gap’.

(paragraph 3) (1)

v. State whether the following statement is True or False. (paragraph 2)

“Parents often unintentionally create a generation gap by neglecting to

spend quality time with their

children.” (1)

vi. The writer mentions ‘coping with fast-changing times’ in paragraph 4.

Which of the following strategies can help bridge the generation gap? (1)

(a) Scolding children to ensure they conform to traditional values.

(b) Encouraging children to abandon modern technology completely.

(c) Engaging in open and positive communication with children.

(d) Avoiding involvement in the personal matters of children.

vii. List any two causes of the generation gap as mentioned in the passage.
(paragraphs 2 & 3) (2)

viii. Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given. (paragraph 4)
In the phrase ‘dealing with them positively’, the word ‘positively’ refers to
________. (1)

(a) Approaching children’s problems with understanding and empathy.

(b) Enforcing strict rules to guide children’s behaviour.

(c) Ignoring modern influences on children.

(d) Giving children the freedom to make their own decisions without parental
involvement.

2. Read the passage given below:

1. Starting Monday, the country's low-cost Mars mission with the red planet
for an extended period will enter

the "blackout" phase snapping communication with the satellite. From June 8
to 22 the Sun will block Mars

from the Earth snapping communication with the satellite.

2. A senior Indian Space Research Organisation official said. "This will be for
the first time that there will be a

communication break for such a long period of about 15 days. During this
period, there will be no

communication with the satellite", he added.

3. Expressing confidence about regaining control over the satellite once the
blackout phase is over, he said,

"the scenario has been tested and the line of communication will be
established." The spacecraft's life has

been extended for another six months in March due to surplus fuel.

4. Stating that the spacecraft has been "configured" for the blackout, the
ISRO official said, "we are not

sending any commands to the spacecraft now, till 8th June few hours of
signals will be sent by the

spacecraft that will be for about two to three hours per day". In May next
year, the mission will have to go

through a similar phase once again, if there is another extension of mission

life when the Earth will come
between the Sun and Mars.

5. Scripting space history, India on September 24 last successfully placed its

low-cost Mars spacecraft in orbit

around the red planet in its very first attempt, breaking into an elite club of
three countries.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given

below: (10)

i. What is the "blackout" phase in the context of the Mars mission, and how
long will it last? (2)

ii. Choose the appropriate option to fill in the blank. (1)

From paragraph 1 & 2, we can infer that there will be ________.

1. no communication with the people.

2. blackout phase.

3. satellite will get no communication.

4. moon will block the earth.

5. the communication break will be for 15 days.

a. 1, 2 & 3

b. 1, 3 & 4

c. 2, 3 & 5

d. 3, 4 & 5

iii. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phase from

paragraph 2: (1)

aroma: cooking:: ________: space research

(Clue - just like aroma is integral to cooking, similarly ________ is/are integral
to Space Research.)

iv. According to ISRO official till 8th July, when Sun will block Mars, ________
signal/signals per day will be

sent to the spacecraft. (1)

a. no
b. considerable

c. indefinite

d. only for few

v. Select the correct option to complete the following sentence: (1)

The ISRO officials are ________ about their control over the spacecraft after
the blackout phase.

a. doubtful

b. apprehensive

c. confident

d. jittery

vi. How has the spacecraft's mission been managed to handle the blackout
phase and what is planned for

communication during this period? (2)

vii. Read the following sentences: (1)

A. The blackout was a sudden development.

B. Because of this, the officials are very nervous about the success of the
spacecraft.

a. Both (A) & (B) are true.

b. Both (A) & (B) are false.

c. (A) is true and (B) is false.

d. (A) is false and (B) is true.

viii. Substitute the word 'nonpareil' with one word similar in meaning in the
following sentence from paragraph

5. (1)

India managed to get into the nonpareil club of Mars spacecraft in orbit.