Test- READING SKILLS

Class XII Exam 2023-24

English-Core (301)

SECTION A- READING SKILLS 20

I. Read the passage given below 10
1. Nuclear capability gives a status to the country in the community of nations. No nation can afford to
make destructive use of the nuclear energy without risking a World War. That is why America did not
make use of nuclear weapon in the Vietnam War though it had become a matter of prestige for her.
Similarly Russia preferred to pull out her missile bases from Cuba instead of coming in direct conflict
with a nuclear power, America. But India, since she started adopting nuclear technology, had decided
to make only peaceful use of nuclear energy. The fear expressed by Pakistan and the comments made
in the Chinese press are more for the sake of propaganda than for the projection of truth.
2. India needs nuclear energy in order to meet her power shortage. She has been depending upon
hydroelectric power which is undependable because of the uncertainty of rainfall. Good quality of coal
which is another source of energy cannot be extracted commercially because it lies very deep and the cost
of extraction is very high. India is not producing much of oil, rather she has to import nearly 74 per cent
of her total consumption. So the only alternative with India is to have a cheaper and more dependable
source of energy. The known reserves of thorium in India are sufficient to last many hundred years. That
is why India has already commissioned two nuclear power stations, one at Tarapur and the other at Rana
Pratap Sagar. Each one has the installed capacity of producing 420 M.W. of electricity. Two other at
Kalpakkam, are operational. This energy will be able to meet the power shortage throughout the country. If
industries work at their full capacity, production will be higher and so per capita income will increase and
inflation will be neutralized.
3. With the help of controlled nuclear explosions, artificial dams can be made. In fact, for building a dam
there should be two huge mountain walls enclosing a deep valley just near the course of a river. These
conditions are not available at all the places. So with the help of controlled nuclear explosions
mountains can be blown up. This can also help in laying roads in the mountainous areas. In fact, some
of the borders of India have mountainous terrain and the movement of the army is quite difficult. So
even for the sake of national security it is necessary to have roads in those areas.
4. With the help of radiation the shelf life of vegetables and fruits can be increased. In the tropical
countries like India, it is necessary that the perishable fruit stuffs are preserved for a long time.
Radiation can check the sprouting of onions and potatoes which are much in demand in foreign
countries. Similarly fruits like bananas and mangoes which have much export potential can be
preserved for a very long time. The texture and taste of the fruit do not undergo any change.
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5. Nuclear technology can also be harnessed for medical purposes. It is said that radioactive iodine is
used for detecting the disease of the thyroid glands. Similarly, ‘India of U.N. experts, radiated vaccine
which can immunize sheep from lungworm disease, which used to take a heavy toll of sheep every
year.
6. Properly processed nuclear fuel is also used for artificial satellite in space. Weather satellites can
predict cyclones and the rainfall with extreme accuracy. Communication satellites can help in
conveying the messages to very long distances. In a huge country like India, communication satellites
are necessary.
7. Radiation is also used for preparing the mutant seeds. Many varieties of rice and some cereals have
been prepared at Tarapur laboratory. This will increase our agricultural production and help India to
become economically better off. So for India it is necessary to make peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
i. India needs nuclear energy in order to .
(a) gain status in the community of nations
(b) meet her power shortage
(c) increase her might
(d) frighten the hostile countries

ii. Coal, another source of energy, cannot be extracted commercially because .

(a) it lies very deep
(b) the cost of extraction is very high
(c) it lies very deep and the cost of extraction is very high
(d) it is risky for the miners to extract it

iii. In India are sufficient to last many years.

(a) nuclear power stations
(b) reserves of thorium
(c) vegetables and fruits
(d) radioactive iodine

iv. is also used for preparing mutant seeds.

(a) Nuclear energy
(b) Artificial satellites
(c) Radiation
(d) None of these

v. India is making use of nuclear energy.

(a) peaceful
(b) satellite
(c) medical
(d) explosive
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vi. Hydroelectric power is not dependable because .

vii. How can radiation be helpful?

viii. How does nuclear technology help in the field of medicine?

ix. In what way can nuclear energy boost our communication?

x. Mention one condition for building a dam.

II. Read the passage given below. 10

1. We often make all things around us the way we want them. Even during our pilgrimages we have
begun to look for whatever makes our heart happy, gives comfort to our body and peace to the mind. It
is as if external solutions will fulfil our needs, and we do not want to make any special efforts even in
our spiritual search. Our mind is resourceful-it works to find shortcuts in simple and easy ways.
2. Even pilgrimages have been converted into tourism opportunities. Instead, we must awaken our
conscience and souls and understand the truth. Let us not tamper with either our own nature or that of
the Supreme.
3. All our cleverness is rendered ineffective when nature does a dance of destruction. Its fury can and
will wash away all imperfections. Indian culture, based on Vedic treatises, assists in human evolution,
but we are now using our entire energy in distorting these traditions according to our convenience
instead of making efforts to make ourselves worthy of them.
4. The irony is that humans are not even aware of the complacent attitude they have allowed themselves
to sink to. Nature is everyone’s Amma and her fierce blows will sooner or later corner us and force us
to understand this truth. Earlier, pilgrimages to places of spiritual significance were rituals that were
undertaken when people became free from their worldly duties. Even now some seekers take up this
pious religious journey as a path to peace and knowledge. Anyone travelling with this attitude feels and
travels with only a few essential items that his body can carry. Pilgrims traditionally travelled light, on
foot, eating light, dried chickpeas and fruits, or whatever was available. Pilgrims of olden days did not
feel the need to stay in special AC bedrooms, or travel by luxury cars or indulge themselves with
delicious food and savouries.
5. Pilgrims traditionally moved ahead, creating a feeling of belonging towards all, conveying a message
of brotherhood among all they came across whether in small caves, ashrams or local settlements. They
received the blessings and congregations of yogis and mahatmas in return while conducting the
dharma of their pilgrimage. A pilgrimage is like penance or sadhana to stay near nature and to
experience a feeling of oneness with it, to keep the body healthy and fulfilled with the amount of food,
while seeking freedom from attachments and yet remaining happy while staying away from relatives
and associates.
6. This is how a pilgrimage should be rather than making it like a picnic by taking a large group along
and living in comfort, packing in entertainment, and tampering with environment. What is worse is
giving a boost to the ego of having had a special darshan. Now alms are distributed, charity done while
they brag about their spiritual experiences!
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7. We must embark on our spiritual journey by first understanding the grace and significance of a
pilgrimage and following it up with the prescribed rules and rituals - this is what translates into the
ultimate and beautiful medium of spiritual evolution. There is no justification for tampering with
nature.
8. A pilgrimage is symbolic of contemplation and meditation and acceptance, and is a metaphor for the
constant growth or movement and love for nature that we should hold in our hearts.
9. This is the truth !
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below.
i. Pick out the option that is not true according to the passage.
A pilgrim can keep his body healthy
1. by travelling a lot of places
2. by travelling light
3. by keeping free from attachment
4. by eating small amount of food
5. by eating snacks and rich food
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) only 2
(c) 1, 3, 4, and 5
(d) only 4

ii. As given in the passage, it states that most of the time, people prefer to do .

iii. Pick out the option that means the same as ‘render’ given in paragraph 3.
(a) withhold
(b) suppress
(c) return
(d) conceal

iv. Pick out the option that is TRUE about the pilgrimages, as discussed in the above passage.
(a) Pilgrimages have been converted into tourism nowadays.
(b) Pilgrimages should be performed at the young age only.
(c) One should avoid eating food while on a pilgrimage.
(d) Pilgrimages should be done for the purpose of fun only.

v. As per your understanding of the passage, choose the words that best describe the response of nature
against cleverness shown by us.
1. Catastrophic
2. Gratifying
3. Buoyant
4. Detrimental
(a) 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 4
(c) 1 and 2 (d) 3 and 4
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vi. The word Amma’ used by the writer signifies .

vii. As the word ‘Brotherhood’ can be replaced with ‘fraternity, the word ‘sisterhood’ can be replaced with
.

viii. According to passage, how do we satisfy our ego?

ix. What is the antonym for ‘contemplation’?

x. Choose the word from the given options which means the same as ‘complacent’.
(a) Very traditional
(b) Very satisfied
(c) Very cruel
(d) Very lethargic