In this article, we will share MP Board Class 10th English Solutions Unseen Passages Discursive Pdf, These solutions are solved subject experts from the latest edition books.
MP Board Class 10th Special English Unseen Passages Discursive
Passage-1
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Parents and teachers must learn to respect the children. No Japanese ever strikes a child. Yet Japanese children are models of reasonableness. The Japanese maintain a commendable attitude towards their children. They treat children as their equals and always address them as such. They never criticize them harshly. The use of rod is absolutely unknown in Japanese homes. Japanese code of life is very strict in certain respects. It exerts strict obedience and enforces strict respect. Japanese soldiers have earned a name for their high sense of duty and readiness from self-sacrifice. There come out of a traditional love for their country and its sovereign, rather than from fear of any penalties in childhood. (M.P. Board 2012)
Questions:
(i) How should parents and teachers treat children?
(ii) How do Japanese parents treat their children?
(iii) What type of attitude they keep with their children?
(iv) For what have Japanese soldiers earned a name?
(v) From what does their high sense of duty come?
(vi) What type of life Japanese lead?
(vii) What quality they gain from their childhood?
Answers:
(i) Parents and teachers should respect the children.
(ii) The Japanese never strike their children.
(iii) They maintain a commendable attitude towards their children.
(iv) Japanese soldiers have earned a name for their high sense of duty and readiness for self-sacrifice.
(v) It comes out of a traditional love for their country and its sovereign.
(vi) Japanese exert strict obedience and enforce strict respect to lead their life.
(vii) They gain the quality of commendable attitude from their childhood.
Passage-2
He was a Hindu and an Indian, the greatest in many generations, and he was proud of being a Hindu and an Indian. To him India was dear because she had represented throughout the ages certain immutable truths. But though he was intensely religious and came to be called the Father of the Nation, which he had liberated, yet no narrow religious or national bonds confined his spirit. And so he became the great internationalist believing in essential unity of man the underlying unity of all religions, and the needs of humanity, and more specially devoting himself to the service of poor, the distressed and the oppressed millions everywhere.
Questions:
(a) This passage is written about:
(i) Mahatma Gandhi
(ii) Pt. Nehru
(iii) Rajiv Gandhi
(b) The word in this passage similar in meaning to ‘that cannot be changed’:
(i) liberated
(ii) underlying
(iii) undevoting
(iv) immutable
(c) The meaning of ‘distressed’ is:
(i) happy
(ii) upset and anxious
(iii) relaxed
(d) What was he proud of?
(e) Why was India dear to him?
(f) What did the hero of the passage devote himself to?
Answers:
(a) (i) Mahatma Gandhi.
(b) (iv)immutable
(c) (ii) upset and anxious.
(d) He was proud of being a Hindu and an Indian.
(e) India was dear to him because she had represented certain immutable truths througout the ages.
(f) The hero of the passage devoted himself to the service of the poor, the distressed and the oppressed millions everywhere:
Passage-3
Our opportunities are great but let me warn you that when power outstrips ability, we will fall on evil days. We should develop competence and ability which would help us utilise the opportunities which are now open to us. From tomorrow morning — from midnight today — we cannot throw the blame on the Britisher. We have to assume the responsibility ourselves for what we do. A free India will be judged by the way in which it will serve the interests of the commonman in the matter of food, clothing, shelter and social activities. Unless we destroy corruption in high places and root out every trace of nepotism, love of power, profiteering and black marketing which have spoiled the good name of this country in recent times, we will not be able to raise the standards of efficiency in administration as well as in the production and distribution of the necessary goods of life. (153 ivords) Extract from a speech by Dr. S.Radhakrishnan (1947)
Questions:
(a) The speaker of these lines is
(i) Mahatma Gandhi
(ii) Pt. Nehru
(iii) Dr. S. Radhakrishanan
(b) The word in this passage similar in meaning to ‘takes away’ is:
(i) ability
(ii) outstrip
(iii) throw
(c) The meaning of ‘suppose’ is:
(i) trace
(ii) assume
(iii) raise
(d) What does the speaker warn of?
(e) What have we to assume?
(f) What can we do to raise the standards of efficiency in administration?
Answers:
(a) (iii) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
(b) (ii) outstrip
(c) (ii) assume
(d) The speaker warns when power outstrips ability we will fall on evil days.
(e) We have to assume the responsibility ourselves.
(f) We can destroy corruption and root out nepotism love of power, profiteering and black marketing.
Passage-4
I was overwhelmed with gratuitous advice. Well-meaning yet ignorant friends thrust their opinions into unwilling ears. The majority of them said I could not do without meat in the cold climate. I would catch consumption. Mr. Z went to England and caught it on account of his foolhardiness. Others said I might do without flesh but without wine I could not move. I would be numbed with cold. One went so far as to advise me to take eight bottles of whisky, for I should want them after leaving Aden. Another wanted me to smoke, for his friend was obliged to smoke in England. Even medical men, those who had been to England, told the same tale. But as I wanted to come at any price, I replied that I would try my best to avoid all these things but if they were found to be absolutely necessary I did not know what I should do. I may here mention that my aversion to meat was not so strong then as it is now. I was even betrayed into taking meat about six or seven times at the period when I allowed my friends to think for me. But in the steamer my ideas began to change. I thought I should not take meat on any account. My mother before consenting to my departure extracted a promise from me not to take meat. So I was bound nof to take it, if only for the sake of the promise.
The fellow-passengers in the steamer began to advise us (the friend who was with me and myself) to try it.
Questions:
(a) The word in the passage similar in meaning to ‘overjoyed’ is
(i) ignorant
(ii) overwhelmed
(iii) foolhardiness
(b) The meaning of ‘gratuitous’ is
(i) faithful
(ii) trustworthy
(iii) full of obligation
(c) Give a word which means opposite to ‘arrival’.
(d) Where did the narrator had this experience?
(e) What did the friends of the narrator advise him?
(f) Why did the narrator not accept their idea?
Answers:
(a) (ii) overwhelmed.
(b) (iii) full of obligation.
(c) departure.
(d) The narrator had this experience in England.
(e) The friends advised the narrator to eat meat.
(f) The narrator’s mother had taken a promise from him that he would not eat meat. So he did not accept their (friends’) idea.
Passage-5
He was a very regular correspondent. There was hardly a letter calling for a considered reply which he did not answer himself. Letters from individuals, dealing with their personal and private problems, constituted a considerable portion of his correspondence and his replies are valuable as guidance to others with similar problems. For a great period of his life, he did not take the assistance of any stenographer or typist, and used to write whatever he required in his own hand, and even when such assistance became unavoidable, he continued writing a great deal in his own hand. There were occasions when he became physically unable to write with the fingers of his right hand and, at a later stage in his life, he learnt the art of writing with his left hand. He did the same thing with spinning. Private correspondence, which absorbed much of his writing in this way, constituted an important and significant part of his teachings, as applied to particular problems of the ordinary man in his everyday life. (From Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Homage to Gandhiji)
Questions:
(a) has been talked about in this passage.
(i) Mahatma Gandhi
(ii) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(iii) Gautam Buddha
(b) The word in the passage similar in meaning to ‘very remarkable’ is
(i) correspondence
(ii) significant
(iii) required
(c) The meaning of ‘teachings’ is
(I) reading
(ii) writing
(iii) learning/preaching
(d) What is valuable for others?
(e) What did Gandhiji did for a great period of his life?
(f) What constituted a significant part of his teachings?
Answers:
(a) (i) Mahatma Gandhi.
(b) (ii) significant
(c) (iii) learning/preaching
(d) The correspondence of Gandhiji is valuable for others.
(e) Gandhiji did not take the assistance of any stenographer for a great period. He used to write a great deal in his own hand.
(f) Gandhiji’s private correspondence constituted a significant part of his teachings.
Passage-6
1. There are several reasons for a headache. Physical, emotional and mental factors, anxiety and tension are a few. Sometimes, head-ache can be a signal of an underlying disease. More than medicines, yoga therapy eminently suits any need. Yoga is a comprehensive mode of culturing the body and the mind. Using an ‘Integrated Approach of Yoga’, the Yoga Research Centres have been able to cure some tough headaches. The integrated approach includes breathing, asanas, pranayama, meditation and devotional sessions.
2. Yoga asanas, especially the ones imitating the natural postures of animals, have a tremendous tranquilising effect, without having to depend on common drugs. Pranayama inhibits random agitations in Pranic (energy) flows in Pranamayakosa, stabilising the autonomic nervous system. Dhyana and Samadhi culture the mind to relax it. This approach alters the reaction of an individual to headache. By interrupting the vicious cycle of pain-agony-pain, it prevents headache from becoming a crippling problem.
3. Through asanas that calm you, the pranayama exercises that inhibit
random energy flows and the meditation that cultivates and relaxes your mind, yoga offers a holistic-form of pain relief. It stops you from becoming locked in the vicious circle of pain-anxiety-pain.
4. Chronic pain: Chronic pain essentially is imbalance in prana (energy). This imbalance initially manifests only as functional abnormality like insomnia, lack of enthusiasm, fatigue, increased irritability and lack of concentration. Over the years, the imbal-ance settles in an organ. Chronic pain may sometimes be just a long standing muscle spasm, which later on may give rise to organic changes in the form of chronic inflammation.
Questions:
(a) The word similar in meaning to ‘interfering in an affair’ is
(i) cycle
(ii) interrupting
(iii) becoming
(b) Give adjective form of ‘essentially’.
(c) Sometimes headache can be a signal of an underlying desease. (Say True or False)
(d) How does yoga help us?
(e) What does integrated yoga include?
(f) What is chronic pain?
Answers:
(a) (ii) interrupting
(b) essential
(c) True
(d) Integrated yoga cures some tough headaches.
(e) Integrated yoga includes breathing, asanas, pranayama, meditation and devotional sessions.
(f) Chronic pain essentially is imbalance in prana(energy).
Passage-7
1. India was once considered the land of knowledge and enlightenment. In ancient times scholars from all over Asia and Europe used to flock to Taxila, Nalanda and other Indian centres of learning. Apart from the arts, culture, philosophy and religion, these scholars came to study medicine, law and martial sciences. But despite having a vastly expanded university system and historical advantages, modern India has yet to provide international or even regional leadership in higher education. From the surrounding countries of Asia and Africa only a few students come to India for higher education.
2. The United States is by far the most successful country in attracting foreign students. But other countries such as Australia, Canada and Britain also aggressively market their universities abroad through their education counselling services and recruit- merit fairs with the active cooperation of their diplomatic missions abroad.
3. Likewise, India should also capitalise on the advantages offered by its higher education institutions, market Indian universities abroad and facilitate the entry of foreign students into them.
4. The revenue from foreign students can be used to ease the financial crunch faced by Indian universities, improve academic facilities and subsidise the cost of educating Indian students.
5. But apart from economic advantages many other benefits would accrue to the nation. India would gain global and regional in-fluence, goodwill and become a major provider of higher education. Many Asian and African countries, especially the smaller ones have poorly developed university systems and would look to Indian universities for the higher education of their youth. At the same time Indian students will not be deprived if 10 per cent supernumerary seats for foreign students are created in universities and professional colleges.
6. Already professional education in India has proved accessible and affordable for foreign students, especially from Malaysia, the Middle East and South Africa. In these countries higher education training facilities are limited. Many NRI (non-resident Indian) families abroad, especially those from English-speaking industrialised countries are also keen to send their children to study in their motherland and are hopeful to become attuned to their Indian roots in the process.
Questions:
(a) The word similar in meaning to ‘inner awareness’ is
(i) knowledge
(ii) enlightenment
(iii) virtue
(b) Give a word opposite in meaning to ‘advantage’.
(c) India has never been a land of knowledge and enlightenment. (Say True or False)
(d) Name some ancient centres of learning in India.
(e) Which country attracts most foreign students.
(f) How can the revenue from foreign students be used?
Answers:
(a) (ii) enlightenment
(b) disadvantage
(c) False
(d) Taxila, Nalanda
(e) The United States attracts most foreign students.
(f) The revenue from foreign students can be used to ease financial crunch faced by Indian universities and improve academic facilities.
Passage-8
1. Our house is filled with photos. They cover the walls of my kitchen, dining room and den. I see our family’s entire history, starting with my wedding, continuing through the births of both sons, buying a home, family gatherings and vacations. When my sons were little, they loved to pose. They waved, danced, climbed trees, batted balls, hung upside down from the jungle gym and did anything for a picture. But when they reached adolescence, picture-taking changed into something they barely tolerated. Their bodies were growing at haphazard speeds. Reluctantly they stood with us or with their grandparents at birthday celebrations and smiled weakly at the camera for as short a time as possible.
2. I am the chronicler of our photographs. I select those to be framed and arrange the others in albums. The process is addictive, and as the shelves that hold our albums become fuller and fuller, I wonder what will become of them. Will anyone look at these photographs in future years? If my sons look at them, what will they think of us and of themselves? One bright afternoon, I took some photographs of my father with my husband as they fished on a lake near our vacation house. As my sons and I sat on the shore and watched them row away, I picked the camera up and photographed the beautiful lake surrounded by green trees. The two men I loved gradually grew smaller until all I could see were my father’s red shirt, and the tan and blue caps on their heads.
3. My father died a week later, and suddenly those photos became priceless to me. I wept when I pasted them in our album. I wept again afterwards when I saw my younger son looking at them. It was a few days before he went away to college. He had taken all our albums down from the bookshelves in the den and spread them out on the carpet. It had been a very long time since I had seen him doing this. Once he stopped posing for pictures, he seemed to lose interest in looking at them. But now he was on the verge of leaving home. This was his special time to look ahead and look back. I stood for a moment in the hall by the den, and then tiptoed away. I didn’t take a photo of my son that afternoon, but I will remember how he looked for as long as I live. Some pictures, I learned, don’t have to be taken with a camera.
Questions:
(a) Give a word similar in meaning to ‘marriage’.
(b) Give a word oppositie in meaning to ‘adolescence’.
(c) I picked the camera up and photographed the beautiful horse. (Say True or False)
(d) Give noun form of ‘entire’.
(e) What does the narrator talk about here?
(f) What did the narrator learn at last?
Answers:
(a) wedding
(b) maturity
(c) False
(d) entirety
(e) The narrator talks about his habit of photography.
(f) At last the narrator learned that some pictures don’t have to be taken with a camera.
Passage-9
1. Why is it that there are very few women players in our orchestras? If one could reply flatly—sex discrimination: they don’t want women in orchestras—that would be a definite answer. But one can’t say that. As a matter of fact there are, if not many, a few women playing today in symphony orchestras. Nevertheless, it is true that male orchestral players are in an overwhelming majority. Why is that? I’m afraid, there is no one to answer. There are physical reasons why women don’t perform well on certain instruments. The average woman is not likely to possess sufficient lung power and sheer muscular strength to play the tuba just as an average woman’s hands are not likely to be large enough to finger a double bass satisfactorily. But what about the other instruments?
2. I think social and family pressures have been very strong in keeping women out of orchestras. Think of the prejudice that existed half a century ago against the so-called ‘nice’ girls going on stage. The stage was won out for the simple reason that it had to have women to play feminine roles in plays and operas, and was willing to offer a young woman more money than she could make in any other profession. Moreover, on stage, she was appearing as an individual, as a centre of attraction. This was gratifying to both her and her family. To this day, while the average parents are reconciled to seeing their daughter become an opera singer or concert artist, they don’t like the idea of seeing her submerging her personality to become the member of a chorus of the orchestra.
Questions:
(a) The word similar in meaning to ‘a group of musicians’ is
(i) orchestra
(ii) chorus
(iii) stage
(b) As a matter of fact there are absolutely no women playing today in symphony. (Say True or False)
(c) The meaning of ‘majority’ is
(i) very few in number,
(ii) dozen,
(iii) maximum in number
(d) What is the prime reason for a few number of women in orchestras? ‘
(e) What is the genetic deficiency in women for singing?
(f) What are the reasons according to the narrator that keep women away from orchestras?
Answers:
(a) (i) orchestra
(b) False.
(c) (iii) maximum in number.
(d) Sex discrimination.
(e) The average woman is not likely to possess sufficient lung power and sheer musculer strength to play certain instrument like tuba at double bass.
(f) The narrator thinks social and family pressures have been responsible for keeping women awav from orchestras.