### Class 10 Unseen Passages (Hard Level)

## Case-Based Passage 1

Passage:

In 2020, a global pandemic reshaped the very foundation of human interaction. COVID-
19 didn’t just test healthcare systems, it exposed the deep-rooted inequities embedded
in society. As schools shut down, education moved online — a luxury not everyone
could afford. Poor households lacked internet access, digital devices, or even a quiet
space to study. Meanwhile, children from affluent families adapted swiftly, further
widening the educational divide. Governments scrambled to distribute devices, but the
damage was done. The crisis revealed that progress must be inclusive and technology
must be a right, not a privilege.

Questions:

1. What global event is discussed in the passage?

2. What sectors did COVID-19 impact, according to the passage?

3. How did online education highlight inequality?

4. Why couldn’t all children attend online school?

5. What is meant by “a luxury not everyone could afford”?

6. How did affluent children manage online education?

7. What does the passage suggest about government efforts?

8. What conclusion does the passage reach about technology?

9. Give a synonym for “affluent”.

10. State one major inequity exposed by the pandemic.

11. Suggest one way to bridge the digital divide.

12. What tone does the author use — critical, humorous, or neutral?
**Answers:

1. The COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Healthcare and education systems.

3. It showed that not all students had access to technology.

4. Due to lack of internet, devices, or study space.

5. Online education was not accessible to everyone.

6. They had the resources to adapt quickly.

7. They tried to help but were late.

8. Technology should be a basic right.

9. Wealthy or rich.
10. Unequal access to digital education.

11. Provide free internet/devices to underprivileged students.

12. Critical.

## Case-Based Passage 2

Passage:

India’s urban growth has been both a triumph and a challenge. Cities like Mumbai,
Delhi, and Bengaluru are economic powerhouses but are struggling with poor
infrastructure. Slums, traffic congestion, pollution, and inadequate water supply plague
these metropolises. Yet, they continue to attract migrants seeking better jobs. Urban
planning has not kept pace with migration rates. Smart city initiatives aim to create
sustainable living, but implementation often lacks coordination. For India to truly shine
on the global map, its cities must be both engines of growth and models of livability.

Questions:
1. What are the three cities mentioned?

2. List two challenges these cities face.

3. Why do people migrate to cities?

4. What is meant by “urban growth is both a triumph and a challenge”?

5. What is the purpose of smart city initiatives?

6. What issue exists with urban planning?

7. Define “livability”.

8. Suggest one improvement for city infrastructure.

9. What tone does the author use — optimistic, analytical, or sarcastic?

10. How does migration affect city resources?

11. Name one outcome of poor urban planning.

12. In one word, describe India’s urban situation.

Answers:

1. Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.

2. Slums and traffic congestion.

3. For better job opportunities.

4. Cities grow economically but face infrastructure issues.

5. To ensure sustainable and efficient urban life.

6. It does not match population growth.

7. Quality of life and ease of living.

8. Better public transportation.

9. Analytical.

10. It puts pressure on housing and services.

11. Overcrowding.
12. Complex.

## Case-Based Passage 3

Passage:

Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it’s a humanitarian crisis. With rising
temperatures, melting glaciers, and extreme weather events, the world is witnessing
unprecedented changes. Small island nations face existential threats as sea levels rise,
while droughts in Africa and floods in Asia threaten food security. Ironically, those who
contribute least to greenhouse gas emissions suffer the most. The global response has
been patchy at best. Although agreements like the Paris Accord exist, enforcement
remains weak. Climate justice must become a priority.

Questions:

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

2. Name two effects of climate change.

3. How does climate change impact small island nations?

4. What do droughts and floods threaten?

5. Who suffers the most due to climate change?

6. What global agreement is mentioned?

7. What is the issue with the Paris Accord?

8. Define “climate justice.”

9. What tone is used — passionate, indifferent, or sarcastic?

10. Suggest one way to enforce global climate agreements.

11. Explain “existential threat” in your own words.

12. What is ironic about the victims of climate change?

Answers:

1. Climate change is a humanitarian crisis.

2. Rising temperatures and extreme weather.

3. They may disappear due to rising sea levels.

4. Food security.

5. The least polluting populations.

6. Paris Accord.

7. Weak enforcement.

8. Fair treatment in addressing climate change.

9. Passionate.

10. Through international sanctions or audits.

11. A threat to survival.

12. They pollute the least but suffer the most.

## Case-Based Passage 4

Passage:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made rapid strides in recent years, from virtual assistants
to self-driving cars. While AI promises efficiency and innovation, it also raises ethical
concerns. Can machines make moral decisions? What about job displacement due to
automation? AI systems also risk inheriting human biases from the data they’re trained
on. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, society must develop frameworks to
regulate its growth. Without accountability, AI could become more of a threat than a
benefit.

Questions:

1. Name two applications of AI mentioned.

2. What are the two main concerns about AI?

3. Why is job displacement a concern?

4. How do AI systems inherit bias?

5. What is meant by “ethical concerns”?

6. Why is regulation necessary for AI?

7. Define “accountability” in the context of AI.

8. What tone does the passage use — cautious, celebratory, or dismissive?

9. Suggest a way to prevent bias in AI.

10. What does the passage say about the future of AI?

11. Do you think AI can replace human jobs entirely? Why or why not?

12. Write a synonym for “displacement” in this context.

Answers:

1. Virtual assistants and self-driving cars.

2. Ethics and job loss.

3. Machines may take over human employment.

4. From flawed or biased training data.

5. Moral issues or dilemmas.

6. To ensure safety and fairness.

7. Being held responsible.

8. Cautious.

9. Use diverse and unbiased data sets.

10. It could be a threat if unregulated.

11. No, because human judgment is still necessary.

12. Replacement.
## Discursive Passage 1

Passage:
The role of media in modern society is both powerful and controversial. On the one
hand, the media serves as the watchdog of democracy, exposing corruption and holding
those in power accountable. It has the power to shape public opinion, influence
government policy, and spark social change. On the other hand, with the rise of
sensationalism, misinformation, and media bias, the line between responsible
journalism and propaganda has blurred. In an age of social media and 24/7 news
cycles, the public is bombarded with information—some factual, some misleading. The
responsibility to consume and share information wisely now falls equally on the
audience. Critical thinking and media literacy have never been more important.

Questions:

1. What is one key role of media in a democracy?

2. Mention two powers the media holds in society.

3. What negative trends are emerging in modern media?

4. What does “the line between journalism and propaganda has blurred” imply?

5. How has the nature of media changed in the digital age?

6. Why is media literacy important today?

7. Define “sensationalism.”

8. What tone does the author use — informative, emotional, or humorous?

9. What responsibility does the public have now?

10. Suggest one way to combat misinformation.

11. How can media influence government policy?

12. Write a synonym for “bombarded” in this context.

Answers:
1. It acts as a watchdog.

2. Shaping opinion and influencing policy.

3. Sensationalism, misinformation, and bias.

4. News is sometimes used to manipulate opinions.

5. It is constant and largely unfiltered.

6. To distinguish truth from lies.

7. Exaggerating news for impact.

8. Informative.

9. Verify before sharing information.

10. Promote critical thinking and fact-checking.

11. By highlighting public issues consistently.

12. Overwhelmed.

Discursive Passage 2

Passage: The concept of failure is often misunderstood. In a society obsessed with

success, failure is stigmatized, treated as something to be avoided at all costs. Yet,
history is replete with examples of how failure has been the stepping stone to great
achievements. Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before inventing the electric
bulb. J.K. Rowling faced numerous rejections before publishing Harry Potter. Failure
teaches resilience, innovation, and introspection. It forces individuals to reassess,
rebuild, and grow. If failure is embraced instead of feared, it becomes an invaluable
teacher rather than a source of shame. Educational systems and workplaces must start
normalizing failure to foster creativity and perseverance.

Questions:

1. How is failure viewed in modern society?

2. Give two examples of famous people who experienced failure.
3. What three qualities does failure teach?
4. How did J.K. Rowling experience failure?
5. What is the central idea of the passage?
 6. Why should failure be embraced?
7. What does “stigmatized” mean?
8. What tone does the author use — reflective, humorous, or indifferent?
9. How can educational institutions change attitudes toward failure?
10. Explain the phrase “stepping stone to great achievements.”
11. Give a synonym for “introspection.”
12. What does the author suggest about workplaces?

Answers:

1. It is feared and avoided.

2. Thomas Edison and J.K. Rowling.
3. Resilience, innovation, introspection.
4. She was rejected by many publishers.
5. Failure is essential for growth.
6. It can lead to personal development.
7. Treated as shameful or disgraceful.
8. Reflective.
9. By encouraging learning from mistakes.
10. It means failure helps reach success.
11. Self-reflection.
12. They should normalize and learn from failure.

Discursive Passage 3

Passage: In recent years, fast fashion has emerged as a dominant force in the clothing
industry, offering trendy clothes at affordable prices. However, this convenience comes
with hidden costs. The environmental impact of fast fashion is staggering — from
excessive water usage to toxic dye pollution. Moreover, most garments are produced in
developing countries under poor working conditions, where laborers earn meager
wages. Consumers often discard clothes after a few uses, leading to increased textile
waste. The cycle of overproduction and overconsumption fuels climate change and
ethical concerns. Sustainable fashion, though more expensive, offers a solution by
promoting quality, longevity, and fair trade. Awareness and conscious consumerism are
the need of the hour.
Questions:

1. What is fast fashion?

2. Mention two environmental issues caused by fast fashion.
3. Where are most fast fashion clothes produced?
4. What are the working conditions like in these countries?
5. What happens to clothes after a few uses?
6. Define “sustainable fashion.”
7. What does the phrase “hidden costs” imply?
8. What tone does the author use — persuasive, humorous, or sarcastic?
9. Suggest one way to reduce the harm caused by fast fashion.
10. What role can consumers play?
11. Write a synonym for “discard.”
12. Give one reason sustainable fashion is better.

Answers:
1. Cheap, trendy clothing made quickly.
2. Water usage and dye pollution.
3. Developing countries.
4. Poor and exploitative.
5. They are thrown away.
6. Clothing made ethically and sustainably.
7. Harmful effects not immediately visible.
8. Persuasive.
9. Buy fewer but better-quality clothes.
10. Choose eco-friendly and ethical brands.
11. Throw away.
12. It promotes fair wages and less waste.

Discursive Passage 4

Passage: The increasing dependence on smartphones has dramatically altered human

behavior and social interactions. While these devices offer instant access to information,
they also lead to reduced face-to-face communication, shorter attention spans, and
even anxiety. Young people, especially, are often glued to their screens, prioritizing
virtual connections over real-world relationships. Notifications, likes, and shares trigger
dopamine responses similar to those caused by addictive substances. Despite their
benefits, smartphones can hinder productivity, sleep, and emotional well-being. It is
essential to set boundaries and encourage digital detox practices. Balance, not
banishment, is the key to healthy technology use in the 21st century.

Questions:

1. What positive function do smartphones serve?

2. Mention two negative effects of smartphone overuse.
3. How do smartphones affect attention span?
4. What age group is most affected?
5. Define “digital detox.”
6. What chemical is released due to social media activity?
7. Why is balance better than banishment?
8. What tone is used — informative, critical, or humorous?
9. Suggest a way to reduce screen time.
10. How can smartphones affect sleep?
11. Give a synonym for “altered.”
12. What is the central message of the passage?
Answers:

1. Provide instant access to information.

2. Less real communication, more anxiety.
3. It becomes shorter.
4. Young people.
5. Temporarily avoiding digital devices.
6. Dopamine.
7. Because we still need smartphones but must limit use.
8. Critical.
9. Turn off notifications.
10. Blue light affects sleep cycles.
11. Changed.
12. Use smartphones responsibly and with balance.