Chapter

Practice
Read the passages carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Passage1
1. How does television affect our lives? It can be very helpful to people who carefully choose the shows that they
watch. Television canincrease our knowledge of the outside world, there are high quality prograrnmes that hel,
us understand many fields of study, science, medicine, the different arts and so on. Moreover, television benefit
veny oldpeople. who can't leave the house, as well as patients in hospitals. It also offers non-native speakers the
advantages of daily informal language practice. They can increase their vocabulary and practice listening.
2. On the other hand, there are several serious disadvantages of television. Of course, it provides us
pleasant way to relax and spend our free timne, but in some countries people watch television for anwith
a
six hours or more a day. Many children stare at the TV screen for more hours a day than average of
they spend on
anything else, including studying and sleeping. Its clear that TV has a powerful influence on their lives and
that its influence is often negative.
3. Recent studies show that after only thirty seconds of
that it does just before the person falls asleep. Anothertelevision viewing, a person's brain 'relaxes the same way
effect of television on the human brain is that it seems to
cause p0or concentration. Children who view a lot of television can often
to twenty minutes. They can pay attention only for the concentrate on a subject for only fifteen
amount of time between commercials.
4. Another disadvantage is that television often causes
people to become dissatisfied with their own lives. Real life
does not seem so exciting to these people. To many people,
own lives seem boring. Also many people get upset or television becomes more real than reality and
quickly as television actors seem to do. depressed when they can't solve problems in real lifetheir
as
5. Before a child is fourteen years old, he or
she views eleven
thousand murders on the TV. He or she begins to
believe that there is nothing strange about fights,
killings and
people become more violent after viewing certain other kinds of violence. Many studies show that
violent show. programmes. They may even do the things that they see in a
Questions
(a) On the basis of your reading of the
recognisable abbreviations (minimumabove passage, make notes on it
four) and a format you considerusing headings and
suitable. Supply asub-headings.
Use
(b) Make a summary of the above suitable title to it.
passage.

1. Getting enough sleep is as

important as
Passage 2
the health of your brain and gives you taking time out to relax. A
the best chance to meet the good night's sleep is essential for preserving
average person coming day with a razor sharp mind. An
than this as you needs about six to eight hour sleep a
grow older-another advantage of night-although it is also true that you need slightly less
Stress and sleep deprivation often feed on each aging.
night and sleep deprivation other. since stress tends to make it harder for you to
in itself causes stress. fall asleep at
2. Eventually, too little sleep can
dramatically interfere with the performance of your
obviously want to prevent. Ilf you
your normal bed time for a few days. are not getting enough sleep, try going to bed 30 memory-something
to 60 minutes you
Lie down on
daily routine work. This is normally enough to the bed and try to relax by dissociating yOurself from your earlier than
catch up on any sleep deprivation.
 29
CBSE TermIl|English Core 1th
doctor. The chances are it is already
3. If, however, you suffer from insomnia, vou should seek the advice of your
affecting your ability to remember and recall information-and if you are struggling to improve your memory
scores, this could be at the root of your problem. Prolonged periods of insufficient sleep can deplete your
immune system, make yon more accident prone and even cause depression-this can also reinforce a more
negative outlook on life, which can contribute to your stress burden. The good news is that your memory and
mood should automatically improve once you improve your sleep patterns. Tackle your sleep issues and
evervthing else should fall into place.
habit of setting
4. BecaUse stress management is so essential to maximise vour brain power, if you are not in the
aside time to relax. Make it a priority to do so. Even aminute or two of deep breathing can start to work
wonders.Oten the best ideas and memoriescan come to you when you are in astate of relaxation, as it is
during these moments that vour brain stores, processes and plays with the information it has received.
5. Meditation has long been part ofreligious and spiritual life, specially in Asia. Today, more and more people are
adoptingit in Western countries too, for its value in developing peace of mind and lowering stress. There is
some evidence that regular meditation can have real sleep gain and health benefits,particularly in terrms of
protecting your brain against aging.
Questions
(a) recognisable
On the basis ofabbreviations
your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and subheadings. Use
(wherever necessary-minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply
an appropriate title to it.
b) Write a summary of the passage.

Passage 3
1. To live in harmony with oneself and the environment is thewish of every human. However, in modern times
greater physical and emotional demands are constantly placed upon many areas of life. More and more people
suffer from physical and mental tension such as stress,anxiety, insomnia, and there is an imbalance in physical
activity and proper exercise. This is why methods and techniques for the attainment and improvement of health,
as well as physical, mental and spiritual harmony, are of great importance, and Yoga meets this requirement.
2. The word "Yoga' originates from Sanskrit and means "to join, to unite". Yogaexercises have aholistic effect and
bring body, mind, consciousness and soul into a balance. In this way, Yoga assists us in coping with everyday
dermands, problems and worries. Yoga helps to develop a greater understanding of our self, the purpose of life
and our relationship with God.
3. On the spiritual path, Yoga leads us to supreme knowledge and eternal bliss in the union of the individual Self
with the universal Self. Yoga is that supreme, cosmic principle. It is the light of life, the universal creative
consciousness that is always awake and never sleeps; that always was, always is, and always will be.
4. Many thousands of years ago in India, Rishis (wise men and saints) explored nature and the cosmos in their
meditations. They discovered the laws of the material and spiritual realms and gained an insight into the
connections within the universe. They investigated the cosmic laws, the laws of nature and the elements, life on
earth and the powers and energies at work in the universe both in the external world and on a spiritual level.
The unity of matter and energy, the origin of the universe and the effects of the elementary powers have been
described and explained in the Vedas. Much of this knowledge has been rediscovered and confirmed by modern
science.
5. From these experiences and insights a far-reaching and comprehensive system known as Yoga' originated and
gave us valuable, practical instructions for the body, breathing, concentration, relaxation and meditation. The
system "Yoga in Daily Life is taught worldwide in Yoga Centres, Adult Education Centres, Health Institutions,
Fitness and Sports Clubs, Rehalbilitation Centres and Health Resorts. It is suitable for all age groups - the name
itself indicates that Yoga can be and should be used 'in Daily Life'.
6. The exercise levels have been worked out in consultation with doctors and physiotherapists and can
therefore-with observation of the stated rules and precautions-be practised independently at home by anyone.
"Yoga in Daily Life" is a holistic system,which means it takes into consideration not only the physical, but also
the mental and spiritual aspects. Positive thinking, perseverance, discipline, orientation towards the Supreme,
prayer as wellas kindness and understanding, form the way to Self-Knowledge and Self-Realisation.
 30 CBSE Term Il |Engish Core 1th

Questions
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage,make notes on it using headings and subheadings. Use
recognisable abbreviations (wherever necessary-minimum four) and aformat you consider suitable. Also supply
an appropriate title to it.
(b) Write a summary of the above passage.

Passage 4
1. Physical education which is commonly part of the curriculum at school level includes training in the
development and care of the human body and maintaining physical fitness. Physical education is also about
sharpening overallcognitive abilities and motor skills via athletics, exercise and various other physical activities
like martial arts and dance.
Physical education promotes the importance of inclusion of a regular fitness activity in the routine. This helps
2. the students to maintain their fitness, develop their muscular strength, increase their stamina and thus, stretch
their physical abilities to an optimum level. Physical fitness helpsthem to inculcate the importance of
maintaining a healthy body, which in turn keeps them happy and energised.
self-confidence.
3. Participating in sports, be it team sports or dual and individual sports, leads to a major boost in
The ability to go on the field and perform instills a sense of self-confidence, which is very important for the
development of a person's character. Every victory achieved on the field, helps to boost a person's
self-confidence. Moreover, the ability to accept defeat on the field and yet believe in your capabilities brings a
sense of positive attitude as well.
4. Physical education classes are about participating in the physical fitness and recreation activities, but they are
also about learning the overall aspects of physical health. For example, in today's world the problem of obesity,
or anaemia and bulimia are common amongst teenagers. Physical education provides an excellent opportunity
for teachers to promote the benefits of healthy and nutritious food and warn against the ill effects of junk food.
can be
Promoting sound eating practices and guidelines for nutrition are some of the most valuable lessons that
taught through physical education classes at school level.
5. Participation in team sports and even dual sports helps to imbibe a sense of team spirit amongst the students.
hence they learn how to
While participating in team sports, the children have to function as an entire team, and
organise themselves and function together. This process of team building hones a person's overall
communication skills and the ability to get along with different people.
of the students. It also
6. Participation in sports and physical education activities help to sharpen the reflexes body posture. The
brings order and discipline to the body movementsand helps in development of a sound
hand-eye coordination improves as well.
7. Physical education classes also include lessons about the importance of personal hygiene and importance of
cleanliness. Thus, these classes help the students to know the important hygiene practices that must be
practised in order to maintain health and wellness throughout life.
a
8. Physical education classes help to enhance the overall cognitive abilities of the students, since they geta person
knowledge of the different kinds of sports and physical activities that they participate in. For example,
will also gain knowledge of the origins of the martial
who is participating in a specific type of martial arts class,
associated with it.
arts, and the other practices and historical significance
Questions
it using headings and subheadings. Use
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes onformat
recognisable abbreviation (wherever necessary minimum four) and a you consider suitable. Also suppl
an appropriate title to it.
(b) Write a summary of the above passage.
CBSE Term Il English Core 11th 31

Passage 5
during the last hundred
1. Occasional self-medication has alwavs been part of normal behaviour in India. Only
years or so has the development of scientific techniques made diagnosis possible. The doctor is now able to
follow up the correct diagnosis of many illnesses - with specific treatment of their causes. In many other
illnesses of which the cause remains unknown, he is still limited to the treatment of symptoms. The doctor is
essential difference
trained to decide when to treat symptoms only and when to attack the cause. This is the
between medical prescribing and self-medication.
2. The advance of technology has brought about much progress in some fields of medicine, including the
development of scientific drug therap,. In many countries public health organisationwhich is improving and people s
nutritional standards have risen. Parallel with such beneficial trends are two trends have an adverse
tended to influence
efect: one is the use of high pressure advertising by the pharmaceutical industry which has emergence of the
both patients and doctors and has led to the overuse of drugs generally. The other is the
overeating, unsuitable eating, insufficient sleep,
sedentary society with its faulty ways of life : lack of exercise, from unhappy
smoking and drinking. People with disorders arising from faulty habits such as these, as well as
Advertisers go to
human relationships, often resort to self-medication and so add the taking of medicines to the list.
great lengths to catch the market.
been able to cure
3. Clever advertising, aimed at chronic sufferers who will try anything because doctors have not
produce- by suggestion
them, can induce such faith in a preparation, particularly if steeply priced, that it willsuffering
though a very real effect in some people. Advertisements are also aimed at people from mild
complaints such as simple cold and cough which clear up by themselves within a short time.
4. These are the main reasons why laxatives, indigestion-remedies, painkillers,cough mixtures, tonics, vitaminsand
health,
iron tablets, etc., are found in many households. It is doubtful if taking these things ever improves a person's
ingredients; worse because the
it may even make it worse.Worse, because the preparation may contain unsuitable
taker may become dependent on them; worse because they might be taken in excess; worse because they may cause
food poisoning and worst of all because symptoms of some serious underlying cause may be masked and therefore
medical help may not be sought. Self-diagnosis is a greater danger than self-medication.
uestions
headings and subheadings. Use
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it using consider
recognisable abbreviations (wherever necessary minimum four) and a format you suitable. Also supply an
appropriate title to it.
(b) Write a summary of the above passage.

Passage 6
Fasting is said to bring a host of benefits, provided it is done under medical supervision. Doctors explain how to
repair and rejuvenates
goaboutit. Food is to the body what fuel is to a motor vehicle. It provides energy, helpsfasting.
and confers many other benefits. A lot of research has been done and is being done on When one fasts.
cleansed.
the digestive organs get rest and all body mechanisms are
reduced. The
While fasting, the natural process of toxin removal continues, while the entry of new toxins is
energy usually used for digestion is redirected to immune system and cell growth. Fasting helps youlose excess
weight and water, flushes out toxins, helpsyou heal at greater speed, cleanses your liver, kidney and colon,
the breath.
purifies your blood, clears the eyes and tongue and cleanses
Another research says fasting, even occasionally, helps in de-toxification. Through fasting we restrict digestive
the senses,
activity and so energy is utilised to cleanse different systems. Fasting improves metabolism, sharpenstremendous
calms the mind, improves general immunity, improves concentration and mental clarity. Fasting has
it helps in
benefits and impacts one at various planes: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Specificallymobilisation
de-toxification, repair and rejuvenation, gives rest to the gastro-intestinal system and promotes of
there are
excess fat. The crucial point to note is the difference between fasting and starvation. Research suggests
other benefits of fasting. It slows down the aging process, stress resistance, increased insulin sensitivity and
begins to use protein for fuel and may
increases lifespan. On the other hand, starvation occurs when the body
lead to death in some cases.
32 CBSE Term I|English Core 11th

Questions
wherever
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it in points only, using abbreviations
necessary (minimum four). Supply a suitable title.
(b) Write a summary of the above passage.
Passage 7
Keeping cities clean is essential for keeping their residents healthy. Our health depends not just
on personal hygiene and nutrition, but critically also on how clean we keep our cities and surroundings. The
deteriorating state of public health conditions in
spread of dengue and chikungunya are intimately linked to the
our cities.
is now getting attention through the 'Swachh
The good news is that waste management to keep cities cleanstops with the brooms and the dustbins, extending
Bharat Mission'. However, much of the attention begins and
waste to some distant or not so distant place, preferably
at most to the collection and transportation of the mixed different streams of solid waste, and safe disposal of
out of sight. The challenge of processing and treating the in municipal solid waste mnanagement than
the residuals in scientific landfills, has received much less attention
isexpected from a health point of view.
management for health, we have got sidetracked into
One of the problems is that instead of focusing on waste biodegradable component of solid waste (close to
"waste for energy" If only we were to begin by not mixing the instead use this stream of waste for composting and
60percent of the total) in or cities with the dry waste,and
producing a gas called methane.
alternative to farmyard manure (like cow-dung). It provides
City compost from biodegradable waste provides an and help improve agricultural productivity and quality of
an opportunity to simultaneously clean up our cities fertilisers in
very important role as a supplement to chemical
the soil. Organicmanure or compost plays acompost
enriching the nutrient-deficient soils. City can be the new player in the field.
holding capacity of the soil which uses compost
Benefits of compost on the farm are well-known. The water feature for a
helps with drought-proofing, and the requirement of less water per crop is a welcome stronger and resistant to pests
compost also makes roots
water-stressed future. By making the soil porous, use of pesticides. There is also evidence to suggest
compost, therefore, need less quantity of
and decay. Farmers using compost have better flavour, size, colour and shelf-life.
that horticulture crops grown with it the
the additional advantage of being weed-free unlike farmyard manure which brings with grow. City
City compost has additional labour cost for weeding as the crops
undigested grasses and requires a substantial value of city
seeds of
organic carbon, and our soils are short in this. Farmers clearly recognise the cities
compost isalso rich in making it available to the farmers for applying
to the soil,
compost. If city waste was composted before
would be much more productive.
would be cleaned up and the fields around them sustainable
cleaning up the cities of biodegradable waste, this would be a major and a
Quite apart from
improving the health of our soil without further damage by excessive chemical inputs. What
contribution to
marvellous change from waste to health!
some states are regularly laying plasticroads. Plastic roads willnot onlywithstand future
The good news is that
a city's problem of disposing of non-recyclable plastic. It is clear that if the
monsoon damage but will also solve would tackle the
into road construction material, it
mountains of waste from our cities were to be recycled
problem of managing waste while freeing up scarce land.
Questions and sub-headings.
above passage, make notes on it using headings
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the necessary consider suitable. Also
(minimum four) and a format you
Use recognisable abbreviations wherever
it.
supply an appropriate title to
above passage.
(b) Write a summary of the
 ÇBSE TermIl|English Core 11th 33

Passage 8
1. There are two types of dialbetes, insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent. 90-95% of the estimated 13-14
million people in the United States with diabetes have non-insulin dependent, or type IIdiabetes. Because this
type of diabetesusually begins in adults over theage of 40 and is mostcommon after the age of 55,it used to be
called 'adultonset diabetes', its symptomsoften develop graduallyand are hard to identify at first; therefore
nearly hall'of all the people withdiabetes do not knowit. So, someone who lhas developed Type IIdiabetes may
feel tiredor illwithout knowing why. Thiscan be particularly dangerous because untreated diabetes can cause
damage to the heart, blood vessels, eves, kid1neys and nerves. While the causes, short term effects, and
treatments of the two types of diabetes diller, both types can cause long term health problerns.
2. Most importantly, both types affect the body's ability to use digested food for energy. Diabetes does not interfere
with digestion, but it does prevent the body from using an important product of digestion, 'glucose, for energy.
After a nmeal, the normaldigestive system breakssome fooddown into glucose. The blood carries the glucose or
sugar throughout the body, causing blood glucose levels to rise. In response to this, insulin is released into the
blood stream and signals the body tissues to metabolise or burn the glucose for fuel, which causes blood glucose
levels to return to normal. The glucose that the body does not use is stored in the liver, muscle or fat.
3. Inboth types of diabetes, the normal function of glands is affected. Agland called pancreas makes insulin. In
people with insulin-dependent diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin at all. People with non-insulin
dependent diabetes usually produce some insulin in their pancreas but their body tissues do not metabolise the
glucose property, a condition known as insulin resistance.
4. There's no cure for diabetes yet. However, there are ways to get relief from its symptoms. Foods that are rich in
carbohydrates break down into glucose during digestion, causing blood glucose to rise. Also studies have shown
that cooked foods raise blood glucose higher than raw, unpeeled foods. So, we should eat such uncooked whole
grainfoods.
Questions
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use
recognisable abbreviations wherever necessary (minimum four). Also supply an appropriate title to it.
(b) Write a summary of the above passage.

Passage 9
The most alarming of man's assaults upon the environment is the contamination of air, earth, rivers and sea with
lethal materials. Thispollution is for the most part irrevocable; the chain of evil it initiates is for the most part
ireversible. In this contamination of the environment, chemicals are the sinister partners of radiation in
changing the very nature of the world; radiation released through nuclear explosions into the air comes to the
earth in rain, lodges into the soil, enters the grass, or corn or wheat grown there, and reaches the bones of a
human being, there to remain until his death. Similarly, chemicals sprayed on crops lie long in soil, entering
living organisms, passing from one toanother in a chain of poisoning and death. Or they pass by underground
streams until they emerge and combine into new forms that killvegetation, sicken cattle, and harm those who
drink from once pure wells.
Ittook hundreds of millions of years to produce the life that now inhabits the earth and reached a state of
adjustment and balance with its surroundings. The environment contains elements that were hostile as well as
supporting. Even within the light of the sun there are short-wave radiations with power to injure. Given time,
life has adjusted and a balance reached. For time is the essential ingredient, but in the modern world there is no
time. The rapidity of change and the speed with which new situations are created follow the heedless pace of
man rather than the deliberate pace of nature. Radiation is no longer the bombardment of cosmic rays; it is now
the unnatural creation of man's tampering with the atom.
The chemicalsto which life is asked to make adjustments are no longer merely calcium and silica and copper
and all the rest of the minerals washed out of the rocks and carried in the rivers to the sea; they are the synthetic
creations of man's inventive mind, brewed in his laboratories, and having no counterparts in nature.
 CBSE Term Il|Engish Core 1lth
34

Questions
it using headings and sub-headings. Ue
(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage make notes onformat
recognisable abbreviations (vherever necessary-minimum four) and a you consider suitable. Also supply
an appropriate title to it.
(b) Writea summary of the above passage.
Passage 10
The Great Wallof China was built to link existing fortifications into a united defense system and better keep
it is said
invading Mongol tribes out of China. It is the largest man-made monument ever to have been built andhuge
that it is the only one visible from space. Thousands of people must have given their lives to build this
construction.
The Great Wall of China is a series of towers made of stone, brick, earth, wood and other materials, generally
built along an East-to-West line across the historical Northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states
and empires against the raids and invasions of the various nomadic groups of the Eurasian Steppe. Several walls
were being built as early as the 7th century BCE; these, later joined together and made bigger and stronger, are
now collectively referred to as the Great Wall. Especially famous is the wall built (220-206 BCE) by Qin Shi
Huang, the first Emperor of China. Little of that wall remains. Since then, the Great Wall has on and off been
rebuilt, maintained and enhanced; the majority of the existing wallis from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, allowing the imposition of duties on goods
transported along the Silk Road, regulation or encouragement of trade and the control of immigration and
emigration. Furthermore, the defensive characteristics of the Great Wall were enhanced by the construction
of watch towers,troop barracks,garrison stations, signaling capabilities through the means of smoke or fire
and the act that the path of the Great Wall also served as a transportation corridor.
The Great Wallstretches from Dandong in the East to Lop Lake in the West, along an arc that roughly
delineates the Southern edge of Inner Mongolia. Acomprehensive archaeological survey, using advanced
technologies, has concluded that the Ming walls measure 8,850 km. This is made up of 6,259km sections of
actual wall, 359 km of trenches and 2,232 km of natural defensive barriers such as hills and rivers. Another
archaeological survey found that the entire wall with all of its branches measures out to be 21,196 km.
King Zheng of Qin conquered the last of his opponents and unified China as the First Emperor of the Qin
dynasty ("Qin ShiHuang") in 221 BCE. Intending to impose centralised rule and prevent the resurgence of
feudal lords, he ordered the destruction of some sections of the walls, however, he ordered building of new walls
to connect the remaining fortifications along the empire's Northern frontier. Transporting the large quantity of
materials required for construction was difficult, so builders always tried to use local resources. Stones from the
mountains were used over mountain ranges, while earth was used for construction in the plains. The Great Wall
concept was revived under the Ming dynasty in the 14th century, to gain a clear upper hand over the Mongolian
tribes.
uestions
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it, using headings and subheadings. Use
recognisable abbreviations (wherever necessary, minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply
an appropriate titleto it.
(b) Write a summary of the passage.

Passage 11
People tend to amass possessions, sometimes without being avware of doing so. They can have a
delightful surprise when they findsomething useful which they did not know they owned. Those who
never have to change houses become indiseriminate collectors of what can only be described as
clutter. They leave unwanted objects in drawers, cupboards and attics for years in the belief that they
may one day need them. Old people also accumulate belongings for two other reasons, lack of physical
and mental energy, and sentiment. Things owned for a long time are full of associations with the
nerhans with the relatives who are dead, and so they gradually acquire a sentimental value,. past,