Comprehension based questions :

Read the following passage carefully :

1. The mystery of Shining Stones

A bus was wheeling away towards its destination. It was I I O’clock at night. Modern Public School had
arranged a school tour to Nainital for class 8th students. Four teachers were also accompanying them.
Children were very happy. Nobody was feeling sleepy even at midnight. were enjoying themselves joking
and singing songs.

Suddenly, the bus started shaking badly. The driver somehow took control of the bus and halted into the
side of the road. Then he got down to check the engine.“What happened, driver?” Mohit asked. “The
engine has developed some snag,” the driver answered. He checked but could not get any clue about the
snag. “We will have to send a helper to Bareilly to call a mechanic. It will take a long time,” the driver
said. He stopped a bus coming from the opposite direction and giving his helper some instruction told
him to bring a mechanic.

It was pitch dark all around. Even children’s faces hung along with those of the teachers. They all sat
quietly on the bus for some time. “Oh look! What is there at the banks of the lake? How strangely are
those shining stones jumping?” looking out of the window Ravi said. “Yes, they are,” all looked towards
the lake. They actually could see shining stones jumping and dancing. “How strange is this?” Bipin Sir, the
Science teacher wondered.

“Probably sir, it is some ghost working. Neither do stones shine this way nor they dance like this,” the
frightened driver said. The children got scared at hearing him.“Shut up, you are a fool. Who believes in
ghosts?” We must find out this secret,” Aalok Sir, who taught Biology, said and started getting down from
the bus.

The driver wanted to stop him but with the fear of’ getting shouted at, he did not. Seeing the teacher
getting down from the bus, others too were encouraged. The four teachers and some courageous
children got down and walked towards the lake. They carried two torches. In the light of the torch, when
they reached the banks of the lake, they were taken aback. What they were thinking to be stones were
actually frogs that were jumping.

“But how are these frogs shining?” Bipin Sir wondered “I will tell you. These frogs have swallowed
glowworms,” the Biology teacher explained. '‘Actually the membrane of their stomach is transparent.
That is why they are shining. Children were listening carefully to their teachers. They were surprised
hearing the fact.

If their teachers had not investigated, no one would have known the secret of the shining stones.

Type I (Sentence Completion)

1 . 1 Complete the following sentences appropriately:

2. The helper was sent to Bareilly so that he could …………………………

3. The children’s and teachers’ faces hung in disappointment because …………………………

4. The jumping stones were actually ………………………..

Type II (Very Short Answer Type Questions)

1 .2 Answer the following questions briefly:

I. On its way to its destination, the bus started shaking badly. What was the reason for it?

2. What startling discovery did Ravi make?

3. How can you say that the driver of the bus was superstitious?

4. The driver did not stop Aalok Sir for the fear of getting shouted at. Who would shout at him and why?

5. How did the teacher explain to the students the mystery of jumping stones P

1 1 .3 Find words from the passage which mean the same as

I . problem/fault

2. silent and still

2. Village Fairs

1. Mahatma Gandhi used to say that if we want to see real India we should go to the village. Similarly, if
we want to See the real spirit of’ Indian life, we shall have to go to see villagers celebrating their fairs.
Last year I was invited by a friend to see a fair in his village. Though this fair was not an annual affair; last
year it assumed more importance and attracted a large number of visitors because one of’ our senior
ministers had very kindly consented to inaugurate it The minister’s consent “as not an unusual thing
since it was an election year.

2. The village was situated at a distance of about ten miles from Delhi. I travelled by cycle and reached
my friend’s house at about noon. It was a cloudy day and the countryside looked beautiful. The minister
arrived in time. He was preceded and followed by a number of policemen. In the life of villagers visits by
such dignitaries are a very unusual affair. Everyone bowed in deep respect and I was wondering whether
the atmosphere created by the presence of the was in tune with the gay spirit of the fair.
3. After the ceremonial departure of the minister, villagers seemed to heave a sigh of relief. They came in
increasingly large numbers. They were in their colourful best. Men, women and children were very
happily advancing towards the Mela grounds near the tomb of a Muslim saint. Many stalls had sprung
up. There were toy sellers and sweetmeat sellers. Every child was forcing his parents to buy toys. The
toys the sweetmeats were dust laden as every blow of wind laid a fresh coat of dust on them, There
were no roads, only dusty pathways led to the stalls and the fairground.

4’. Some distance from the stalls I saw a juggler performing his tricks. The simple-minded villagers
watched his tricks with open-mouthed wonder and felt besides themselves with joy at every new trick.
Another group of villagers was enjoying the feast of a rope dancer. Children and women were availing
themselves of swinging in the air on ropes tied to the trees. Everywhere and in every heart there was a
joy. The colourful dress of children and women and their songs added to the beauty of the fair.

5. Near the tomb, I saw about half a dozen Muslim holy men sitting quietly and receiving the homage of’
the simple villagers who gathered there every year to invoke the blessing of the great saint to keep the
evil spirits away from their fields. A group of villagers formed a circle danced hand in hand around the
tomb. A couple of women also took part in it.

6. As evening fell, the fair came to an end. 1’he villagers dispersed as easily as they had gathered. There
were no traffic jams, no policemen to control mischief-makers and no voluntary agencies to look after
the missing children. Everybody in the village knew one another and there was no fear of loneliness. This
show of brotherhood among the villagers deserves to be followed by city-dwellers.

Type I (Multiple Choice Questions)

2. 1 Choose the most appropriate option :

1. We should go to a village to see the:

(A) ministers (B) village people (C) real spirit of life (D) village fair

2. Dignitaries visiting a village is an unusual affair because:

(A) they don’t like villagers (B) they are interested in inaugurations only

(C) village fairs are not frequent (D) their usual Visits are during elections only

3. After the departure of the minister:

( A) the villagers went back to their home (B) the villagers came in large number to the fair

(C)every one bowed in deep respect (D) no one spoke loudly

4. Every child in the fair forced his parents to buy:

( A) sweetmeats (B) colourful dresses (C) toys (D) sweets

(A) juggler (B) rope dancers ( C) swings (D) electronic swings

6. When a village fair comes to an end, there are:

(A) traffic jams (B) policemen (C) no mischief-makers (D) fearful

7. The word from the passage which means the opposite of ‘homage’ is

(A) respect (B) tribute (C) contempt (D) reverence

Type — II (Very Short Answer Type Questions)

2. 2 Answer the following questions briefly :

I. The author visited a village fair. What had made the event assume more importance?

2. How did the villagers behave when the minister arrived? Why did they do so?

3, Describe the village fair scene.

4. What were the people doing near the tomb?

5. How was the disposal scene different from those in cities?

3. Neem Oil: The Best Mosquito Repellent

1. With the arrival of winter, the mosquitoes go in hiding but they still remain a menace that is tolerated
by all and sundry, whether rich or poor throughout the year.

2. Using repellents made by various companies foreign or Indian that are flooding the markets in
different brands and types assures all a safer sleep, protected from the mosquitoes’ bites.

3. But, in studies that have been carried out by experts, Neem oil would be a better mosquito repellent
when compared to the market’s repellents in terms of cost and impact on human health.

4. The studies have revealed that domestic Neem tree, of a botanical name of Azadirachta indica, has
amazing repellent property against mosquitoes’ movements.

5. The Neem oil, what is produced from the fruits of the Neem tree, can provide a more than ninety per
cent protection from the mosquitoes responsible for malaria, and, is effective on dreadful dengue carrier
parasites too.

6. The most attractive feature of Neem oil is that it is cheaper.

8. Market-based repellents like coils, mats, vaporisers etc. contain usually prallethrin or allethrin as the
main compound with insecticidal properties.

9. But, the repellents of these synthetic chemicals are not proven as non—hazardous product due to
toxins. The study of Industrial Toxicological Research Institute, Lucknow, has revealed that some serious
health consequences have been reported after the use of synthetic repellents.

10. Abnormal facial sensations, sneezing, sniffing, dizziness, fatigue, skin reaction etc. were the
complaints that were recorded.

11. The Malaria Research Centre (MRC), a premier body of government of India, says that 31 worst
effects of these repellents is seen in the case of children.

1 2. Neem oil, therefore, has been found to be the best solution to the mosquito nuisance and promising
a phytochemical (a plant chemical) in malaria control.

I 3. According to the study, carried out by Dr V.K. Dua and others, application of coconut. oil, with a
mixing of just 2 per cent Neem oil in it, on the exposed body of a human-like face, hands and legs makes
for safety from the mosquitoes’ bites.

I4• Dr Dua is a scientist in a field station of Malaria Research Centre at Hardwar and data were taken in
the study of Hardwar district. Source: Tapan Susheel (The Hindustan Times)

Type — I (Sentence Completion)

3. 1 On the basis of your reading of the passage, complete the following statements:

1. Mosquito repellents are being used by people all over the world to…………………….

2. The repellents that are found in the market are unsafe as………………………………..

3. The fascinating feature of neem oil is……………………………….

4. If you apply coconut oil with two per cent mixing of Neem oil on your body parts it…………………………

5. Neem oil is better mosquito repellent because …………………………….

6. Using market-based repellents can cause ………………………………..

Type — II (Word Attack)

I
3. 2 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following

1. something that causes a problem (Para 1-4)

2. very surprising (Para 4-7)

3. made known/shown (Para 7-10)

4. results (Para 9-12)