Unseen Passage For Class 12 With Answers

Unseen Discursive Passage Class 12 English

Discursive Passage Read the passage carefully:

1. Climate change is one of the biggest global problems and almost every country is affected by it. The main cause of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The concentration of carbon dioxide has increased mainly due to the burning of fossil fuels like oil and coal. The average temperature of the earth has risen by more than 1° Celsius as compared to the pre-industrial era, 2016 being the warmest year recorded. This has caused the shrinkage of snow cover in mountains like the Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa. NASA’s experiments have shown a massive loss of ice cover in Greenland and Antarctica. Particularly Greenland has lost approximately 286 billion tons of ice per year since 1993. In the last century, the seawater level has raised by almost 20 centimetres. As oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, its pH level decreases. This phenomenon is called ocean acidification. It is affecting the coral reef ecosystem. Climate change has caused erratic precipitation patterns all over the world.

2. Reducing the emission of greenhouse gases can limit climate change. This can be achieved by reducing consumption of fossil fuels and incorporating renewable resources such as solar energy, hydropower, wind energy, etc., for power generation. Climate change will require modification of key services and infrastructure. Climate action can derive economic benefits to the tune of 26 trillion and generate more than 18 million jobs in the sustainable energy sector alone by 2030.

3. The Government of India launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change on 30th June 2008; focusing on solar power, sustainable agriculture, energy efficiency, water, etc. The Government has set a target of producing 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022. This will abate nearly 190 million tons of CO2 over its life cycle. More such steps, such as the development of public transportation are needed to be taken up by the government.

On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer any ten of the following questions:

Question. What is the message conveyed in the second paragraph?
(a) climate change cannot be limited
(b) limiting climate change will have no impact on the economy
(c) limiting climate change can help create jobs in sustainable energy sector by 2030
(d) reduction of fossil fuels will have an undesirable impact on limiting climate change

Question. Emission of greenhouse gases causes which of the following phenomenon?
(a) rise in temperature
(b) shrinkage of snow cover
(c) rise in sea level
(d) all of these

Question. Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the given quotes.  (Img 27)
(a) option 1
(b) option 2
(c) option 3
(d) option 4

Question. The rising temperatures have caused ____________ of snow cover in the mountains.
(a) abundance
(b) shrinkage
(c) increase
(d) thickening

Question. When did the Government of India launch the National Action Plan on Climate Change?
(a) 30th June 2008
(b) 30th June 2010
(c) 30th April 2008
(d) 30th December 2018

Question. What is the target that the Government has set for producing solar capacity by 2022?
(a) 10 GW
(b) 20 GW
(c) 200 GW
(d) 100 GW

Question. In the last century, the seawater level has risen by almost ____________.
(a) 21 centimetres
(b) 18 centimetres
(c) 20 centimetres
(d) 28 centimetres

Question. As oceans absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, their pH level decreases. This process is called ______________.
(a) ocean acidification
(b) ocean salination
(c) ocean current
(d) none of these

Question. Which of the following word is a synonym to sustainable?
(a) perishable
(b) stale
(c) old
(d) imperishable

Question. Which of the following will be the most appropriate title for the passage?
(a) world moves on
(b) weather is turning
(c) climate change crisis
(d) climate change; a hoax

Question. Choose the option that correctly specifies the two aspects of ‘fossil fuels’ as used in the passage.
(1) burning
(2) consumption
(3) reduction
(4) conservation

production
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 4 and 5

Question. Which of the following can be used to bring an effective climate control?
(a) solar power
(b) electricity
(c) water resources
(d) fertile soil

Discursive Passage for Class 12

Passage

1. People in only 12 out of 35 States (Figures are for undivided Andhra Pradesh) and Union Territories had overwhelmingly chosen Hindi as the first choice for communication. Among the rest, while a few chose Hindi as their second or third language of communication, a majority of them chose English, according to the results of the 2011 language Census released in 2018. About 43.63% of the total population said their mother tongue was Hindi.

2. Which Indian States are primarily Hindi-speaking according to the language Census?

3. The 2011 Census data shows that most Indian States, apart from a handful of States in northern and central India, do not primarily speak Hindi but have adopted the language as a secondary language. Most southern and north-eastern States are not Hindi-speaking and have adopted English as their secondary language. The given map shows the Statewise percentage of people who stated that Hindi was their first, second, or third choice of language. Most of the 12 States and Union Territories that chose Hindi as their first choice were located in northern and central India – over 96% of the population in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh speak Hindi.

4. The share of Hindi-speaking people in Gujarat is significantly lower than most States. The southern and north-eastern states, apart from Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, have the lowest proportion of Hindi-speaking population among all states.

Question. About how much percentage of population said that their mother tongue was Hindi?
(i) 50.27%
(ii) 32.93%
(iii) 43.63%
(iv) 45.69%

Question. Which states have adopted English as their secondary language of communication?
I. Southern states of India
II. Northern states of India
III. North-Eastern states of India
IV. Central states of India
(i) I and II
(ii) I and III
(iii) III and IV
(iv) I, II and III

Question. Choose a state/union territory from the options given below that does not have Hindi as its first language of communication as chosen by the people.
(i) Sikkim
(ii) Uttarakhand
(iii) Delhi
(iv) Himachal Pradesh

Question. Hindi speaking population in Arunachal Pradesh is :
(i) lowest among the north-eastern and southern states.
(ii) higher than other north-eastern states.
(iii) lowest among the north-eastern states.
(iv) higher than other north-eastern and southern states.

Question. Which state has a more lower share of Hindi speaking people than any other state?
(i) Gujarat
(ii) Tamil Nadu
(iii) Kerela
(iv) West Bengal

Question. People of most states and union territories located in northern and central India :
(i) speak their own mother tongue rather than English or Hindi to communicate.
(ii) speak English as their first language of communication.
(iii) chose Hindi as their first choice of language for communication.
(iv) are divided in the usage of English and Hindi in their daily life for communication.

Question. How many Union Territories and States in total have chosen Hindi as their first choice of language for communication?
(i) 12
(ii) 6
(iii) 10
(iv) 15

Question. Which of the following statements is/are true?
1. Sikkim has lowest Hindi speaking population among all states.
2. People of 12 out of 35 states and union territories chose Hindi as their first choice for communication.
3. Most Sourthern and North-Eastern states of India have adopted English as the secondary language of communication.
4. Over 96% of population in Southern India speaks Hindi as their first language of communication.
(i) 2 and 3
(ii) 1 and 4
(iii) 3 and 4
(iv) 1 and 2

Question. Which of the following is opposite in meaning to the word ‘significantly’.
(i) slightly
(ii) obviously
(iii) astonishingly
(iv) carefully

Question. According to 2011 census data, most Indian States, apart from a handful of States in northern and central India,
(i) primarily speak Hindi and the rest have adopted it as a secondary language
(ii) primarily speak Hindi
(iii) have adopted English as a secondary language
(iv) do not primarily speak Hindi but have adopted it as a secondary language 

Question. Which of the following is an antonym of the word ‘handful’.
(i) disturbance
(ii) few
(iii) majority
(iv) nuisance

Question. According to the map, which state has the highest percentage of Hindi speaking population in India?
(i) Tamil Nadu
(ii) Uttar Pradesh
(iii) Sikkim
(iv) Kerala

Unseen Passage with multiple choice questions for Class 12

Passage

1. Digital technology is already the great game changer of our time – and it could be transformative for the world’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable children, helping them learn, grow and fulfil their potential.

2. Digitalization allows children with disabilities to connect with friends and make decisions for themselves; provides access to education for children living in remote or marginalized areas; and, in humanitarian settings, helps children on the move find a safe route and connect with their families. Greater online connectivity has opened new avenues for civic engagement, social inclusion and other opportunities, with the potential to break cycles of poverty and disadvantage.

3. Skills and vocational training programmes are areas where digital connectivity is opening opportunities to learn. This is particularly true for disadvantaged children, who sometimes leave formal schooling to bring in income for their families, and for underserved or marginalized children.

4. For example, in Kampala, Uganda, the Women in Technology Uganda organization offers digital vocational training for young women in underserved communities. The set-up enables students to go at their own pace, which may benefit those not accustomed to formal schooling. In addition to teaching young women digital skills, the training also focuses on building confidence, leadership and life skills. Girls attending the programme have reported learning ICT and entrepreneurship skills and going on to use the internet to identify their own business opportunities.

5. Similarly, the Youth for Technology Foundation in Nigeria is implementing an initiative to empower young people and create opportunities for income generation and access to new market services. The Tech Communities programme, for example, engages students in technology projects, field work and meaningful internships, setting them up to become leaders and innovators in their communities. According to the organization, 90 per cent of the programme graduates are engaged in entrepreneurship activities.

IT Girls – Bosnia and Herzegovina Globally, there were 250 million fewer women online than men in 2016, according to the International Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n Union. Women are also notably under-represented in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – jobs. Bridging this gender digital divide is a considerable challenge, but a number of initiatives point to how girls’ digital access can be improved. One promising path is to promote ICT skills among girls, which also has the benefit of building up confidence and fundamental employment and entrepreneurship skills. Currently, three additional training programmes are under way aiming to reach an additional 60 girls. The training, which covers basic web development skills, also enhances girls’ knowledge of online safety and boosts their presentation skills. An important feature of IT Girls is its equity component: The training sessions are organized in parts of the country where children typically have less access to technology and information about ICTs, reaching girls from minorities, rural communities and other vulnerable groups.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNICEF, the United Nations Development Programme and UN Women have since 2016 been implementing an initiative called IT Girls, which aims to increase job opportunities for young women and girls by providing them with computer programming skills. The pilot organized six training programmes for 67 adolescent girls in both urban and rural locations. According to the first-year evaluation, the initiative has successfully raised young girls’ awareness of opportunities in the ICT sector, not only by promoting the ICT industry as exciting, diverse and lucrative, but also by bolstering their confidence and inspiring them to take on new challenges.

Question. Digital technology could be transformative for the world’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable children because :
(i) it will make them reach their potential at a faster pace.
(ii) it will make them become more connected to the outside world.
(iii) it will help them explore the infinite opportunities for themselves.
(iv) it will help them learn, grow and fulfil their potential.

Question. How is digital connectivity opening opportunities to learn for the disadvantaged, underserved or marginalized children?
(i) by providing unlimited access to various programmes without any essential educational background
(ii) by providing them with opportunities to learn free skills
(iii) by providing skills and vocational training programmes
(iv) by providing classes beyond the strict timings required by institutions

Question. Which of the following is a job where women are notably under-represented ?
1. Science
2. Technology
3. Engineering
4. Mathematics
(i) only 1
(ii) 1 and 2
(iii) 1, 2 and 3
(iv) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question. According to the first-year evaluation, which of the following is not something that the IT GIRLS initiative has achieved?
(i) providing basic developmental skills and enhancing their web safety knowledge 
(ii) promoting ICT industry as exciting, diverse and lucrative
(iii) raising young girls’ awareness of opportunities in the ICT sector
(iv) bolstering young girls’ confidence and inspiring them to take on new challenges

Question. The Women in Technology Uganda organization offers digital vocational training for young women in underserved communities. This organisation :
I. provides learning of ICT and entrepreneurship skills
II. enables students to go at their own pace
III. focuses on building confidence, leadership and life skills
(i) I and II
(ii) I and III
(iii) II and III
(iv) I, II and III

Question. An initiative is being implemented by The Youth for Technology Foundation in Nigeria to :
1. empower young people
2. create opportunities for income generation
3. provide access to new market services
4. set up field work and meaningful internships
(i) 1, 2 and 3
(ii) 2, 3 and 4
(iii) 3, 4 and 1
(iv) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question. The aim of the ‘IT Girls’ initiative set up by UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme and UN Women is :
(i) to increase job opportunities for young women and girls by providing them with computer programming skills.
(ii) to increase Job opportunities for young women and girls.
(iii) to provide young women and girls with computer programming skills. 
(iv) None of these

Question. According to International Telecommunication Union, how much fewer women were online than men?
(i) 100 million
(ii) 150 million
(iii) 200 million
(iv) 250 million

Question. Which of the following is not correct in the context of the passage?
(i) According to the Youth for Technology Foundation, 90 per cent of their programme graduates are engaged in entrepreneurship activities.
(ii) In humanitarian settings, digitalisation helps children on the move find a safe route and connect with their families.
(iii) Digitalization allows children with disabilities to connect with friends and make decisions for themselves.
(iv) Digital connectivity is not particularly helpful for disadvantaged children who sometimes leave formal schooling to bring in income for their families.

Question. Which of the following is not an opportunity that greater online connectivity has opened up?
(i) providing other paths for social inclusion
(ii) highlighting other opportunities available for learning
(iii) potential to break cycles of poverty and disadvantage
(iv) opening new avenues for civic engagement

Question. The country where UNICEF and other related organisations are providing digital skills to women is :
(i) Kampala
(ii) Nigeria
(iii) Bosnia
(iv) Uganda

Question. Which of the following best states the meaning of the word ‘implementing’? 
(i) halting
(ii) caving
(iii) executing
(iv) measuring

Short Unseen Passage Class 12 with questions and answers

Passage

1. In different developed countries, the convenience of online shopping has long been felt. People in developed countries have been doing online shopping in the past decade. However, among Indonesian young people, online shopping is still fairly new. This study found that Indonesian youths have just been doing online shopping for the last 1-4 years. Most of the respondents (43.4 per cent) have become acquainted with online shopping within this past year. Out of 500 youths investigated, 36.6 per cent said that they have been doing online shopping in the last 2 years. Only 14.2 per cent of respondents revealed that they have been doing online shopping in the last 3 years and 5.8 per cent in the last 4 years.

2. Most youths were induced to engage in online shopping for the first time by their peers. As fellow youths and part of the net generation, school peers or playmates were the ones introducing the advantages and convenience of online shopping to respondents. To buy any product anywhere, respondents said that it is no longer a problem today. To purchase books from Yogyakarta, for example, youths domiciled in Surabaya do not need to bother to go all the way to Yogyakarta. It just takes them some clicks on the web of a well-known bookstore in Yogyakarta to order, purchase and take a hold of books they desire in just a couple of days. Out of 500 interviewed youths, 34 per cent said that the ones introducing online shopping to them were their own siblings or family members. The remaining 18 per cent got to know online shopping from ubiquitous advertisements in the virtual world.

3. In the case of gadget, 81.2 per cent of respondents said that they had never done online shopping to buy one. Only 2.6 per cent admitted that they bought gadget online at some points in time. Some of the respondents expressed their concern about the security of buying gadget online. Peers’ accounts and mass media reporting on fraudulent gadget online trading have discouraged youths from making a purchase of gadget online.

4. Purchasing goods by shopping online, according to youths, is not less appealing than buying directly at offline stores. Although some youths investigated in this research still favoured buying goods offline, particularly when they needed the goods immediately, they still found some advantages of online shopping in some cases. One of the appeals of buying products online is the wide variety of products offered, even in an almost infinite amount (95.6 per cent). Moreover, 87.6 per cent of respondents said that online shopping was appealing to them because they could engage in it while relaxing at home or in the bedroom. As many as 64 per cent respondents shared that they found online shopping appealing because it allowed them to purchase goods from any place. Unlike department stores from which customers’ purchase is only limited to displayed items, online shopping enables them to explore the virtual world infinitely. With only a laptop or a hand phone and Internet access, youths can pick a product and make a purchase just by playing with their fingers, viewing the products they desired and making a purchase. The Appeal of Buying Products Online:

Question. How long have the Indonesian youth been doing online shopping?
(i) 1-3 years
(ii) 1-4 years
(iii) 2-3 years
(iv) 2-4 years

Question. The youths were mostly induced into online shopping by:
(i) discounts
(ii) their family
(iii) advertisements
(iv) their peers

Question. How much percentage of youths were introduced to online shopping by their siblings or family members?
(i) 45 percent
(ii) 18 percent
(iii) 34 percent
(iv) 22 percent

Question. How much percentage of respondents or youths had never bought a gadget online?
(i) 81.2 percent
(ii) 57.9 percent
(iii) 73 percent
(iv) 67 percent

Question. Which of the following is not a reason why respondents or youths do not buy gadgets online?
I. low understanding of the features available online as no one is there to explain them
II. concern about the security of buying gadget online
III. peers’ accounts and mass media reporting on fraudulent gadget online trading 
(i) only I
(ii) only II
(iii) only III
(iv) I and II

Question. One reason why some youths still preferred shopping offline is :
(i) they can buy the goods after checking the quality of the product.
(ii) they can get the goods immediately.
(iii) they do not have to spend extra shipping charges.
(iv) they do not have to go through a huge catalogue to find what they are looking for.

Question.Choose an option that lists the appeals of buying things online for youths.
1. Can be done from home
2. Lower cost
3. Exchangeable
4. Wide variety of products
5. Can buy products anywhere
6. Guaranteed quality
(i) 1, 2, and 3
(ii) 3, 4, and 6
(iii) 2, 4, 5, and 5
(iv) 1, 2, 3. 4, 5, and 6

Question. Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage?
(i) As many as 81.2 percent youths shared that they found online shopping appealing because it allowed them to purchase goods from any place.
(ii) According to youths, purchasing goods by shopping online is not less appealing than buying directly at offline stores.
(iii) People in developed countries have been doing online shopping in the past decade.
(iv) School peers or playmates were the ones introducing the advantages and convenience of online shopping to other youths.

Question. How much percentage of Indonesian youths (respondents) agreed that lower cost was one of the appeals of online shopping?
(i) 55 percent
(ii) 64 percent
(iii) 44.6 percent
(iv) 87.6 percent

Question. Which of the following is a disadvantage of offline shopping as mentioned in the passage?
(i) quality of items is not guaranteed
(ii) purchase is only limited to displayed items
(iii) products not exchangeable
(iv) higher prices of goods

Case based factual Passage for Class 12

Passage

1. States with higher literacy levels report more protests, and nearly half of these protests were led by political parties, according to the analysis of police data over six years. The sharpest rise in unrest came from student-led agitations (148%) between 2009 and 2014, according to the data gleaned from the Bureau of Police Research and Development, a national police agency.

2. Karnataka reported the most student protests (12%), despite a state-wide ban on student unions in colleges. A high literacy rate and a concentration of educational institutions in the state could be the reason, said Venkatesh Nayak, coordinator, Access to Justice Programme with Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, an advocacy. Protests in Karnataka:

3. Up to 75.6% of Karnataka is literate (national average : 74%) and the state’s capital, Bengaluru, has more colleges (911) than any Indian city.

4. Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra together account for more than 50% of all protests recorded by the police between 2009 and 2014. Except Madhya Pradesh, all other states have literacy rates higher than national average.

5. Between 2009 and 2014, 4,20,000 protests were held across India – an average of 200 protests every day nationwide, and a 55% rise over five years. The increase was mainly driven by Tamil Nadu and Punjab which, between them, registered nearly half the increase in protests nationwide.

6. Unrest grew across the country for varied reasons – communal (92%), government employee grievances (71%), political (42%) and labour (38%), as shown below: (Img 95)

Question. According to police data which states report more protests?
(i) states with low employment rate
(ii) states with higher population
(iii) states with higher literacy
(iv) states with low poverty line

Question. Between the years 2009-2014, the sharpest rise in the unrest came because of :
(i) student led agitation.
(ii) unemployed people’s protest.
(iii) political party instigated riots.
(iv) labour union marches against employers.

Question. Which state reports the most student led protests?
(i) Madhya Pradesh
(ii) Tamil Nadu
(iii) Assam
(iv) Karnataka

Question. Which of the following is not a state that together accounts for more than 50% of all protests recorded by the police between 2009 and 2014?
(i) Rajasthan
(ii) Punjab
(iii) Tamil Nadu
(iv) Maharashtra

Question. In which year did Tamil Nadu record the lowest number of protests according to data from the Bureau of Police Research and Development?
(i) 2009
(ii) 2011
(iii) 2013
(iv) 2014

Question. The growing unrest in India is because of the following reasons.
I. government employee grievances
II. political
III. unemployment
IV. labour
V. communal
VI. reservation of seats
(i) I, II, IV and V
(ii) II, III, V and VI
(iii) II, III, IV and V
(iv) I, II, III and V

Question. Which of the following is the highest number of protests observed across India because of government employee grievances. 
(i) 10,000
(ii) 15,000
(iii) 16,000
(iv) 20,000

Question. In the year 2013, the lowest protest in the country were because of :
(i) students
(ii) political
(iii) communal
(iv) labour

Question. The reasons behind Karnataka having high rate of protests are :
I. a concentration of education institutions in the state
II. high rate of literacy
III. industrial hub of India
(i) I and II
(ii) II and III
(iii) I and III
(iv) I, II and III

Question. What was the average of protests held across India between the years 2009 and 2014?
(i) 150 protests everyday
(ii) 170 protests everyday
(iii) 200 protests everyday
(iv) 250 protests everyday

Unseen Passage for Class 12 with answers

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:

1 In today’s fiercely competitive business environment, companies need to communicate information pertaining1 to a whole range of issues in a lucid2 and precise manner to their customers. This is particularly so in the case of companies which do business in areas such as manufacturing, information technology (IT), engineering products and services — companies whose products and services may not be understood by a customer not familiar with its technical aspects. These communication materials are prepared in a company these days by ‘technical writers’ — people who can effectively communicate to an intended audience.

2 The skills of a technical writer are being increasingly sought for preparing marketing documents such as brochures3, case studies, website content and media kits and for the preparation of a whole range of manuals4. Though technical writers in a company do a good portion of such work, the trend now is to outsource5 technical writing to freelancers6. Technical writing and writing textbooks are poles apart. The former is aimed at those who do not have an in-depth knowledge about a product and hence should be direct and lucid. An overdose of technical terms and jargon7 would only add to the confusion of the customer.

3 The basic requirement for being a technical writer is a near-total mastery over English language. A technical writer should be natural in creative writing and needs to be an expert in using Business English. This simply means that those with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature along with a diploma or degree in Journalism and having a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) are ideal candidates for being employed as technical writers. According to Joe Winston, Chief Executive Officer of ‘I-manager’, speaking ability is not imperative for a technical writer. All that one needs is the talent to write in a simple and effective manner. Many have inhibitions8 in speaking English but their writing skills would be very sharp. Technical writing would be a good option for such people. If a candidate is to be assigned the task of preparing high-end technical manuals, he / she is required to have higher qualifications such as an M.A. / M.Phil. in English Literature and a degree such as M.C.A.

4 Companies look for such qualifications because technical writers need to understand the technical information themselves, before trying to communicate it in de-jargonised language to the potential9 customers. However, it is also true that many companies provide rigorous on-the-job training to fresh technical writers before allowing them to graduate to high-end products.

5 Though the demand for good technical writers has risen sharply over the years, the emphasis is never on numbers but on skills. They point out that even graduates of English Literature are often found wanting when it comes to creative and effective writing. Merely having the right mix of writing and comprehension skills is not sufficient. A technical writer should keep his ‘writing blades’ constantly sharpened. It means untold hours of reading up the latest in the technological trends and ceaseless honing10 of one’s Business English and writing skills. The nature of technical writing is such that a writer has to be at the peak of his expressive powers in each piece of writing he produces.

6 A career in technical writing is seen as a good choice for women mainly because it is widely held that women are more adept11 at creative writing than men and the job does not entail12 ‘graveyard shifts13 ’ or arduous14 travelling. A beginner can expect to be paid anywhere between ₹ 8,000 and ₹ 15,000 a month. Technical writers usually join as executive technical writers and then go on to become senior technical writers, team leaders, documentation heads and some even manage to make it to a management job within a decade. As in most private sector jobs, merit is the main criterion15 for rise in job, and not necessarily the number of years one has put in.

Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate option :

Question. Business companies need to communicate information to …………
(a) their customers.
(b) their technical writers.
(c) their documentation heads.
(d) their management trainees.

Question. A technical writer needs to be an expert in ………..
(a) the use of computers.
(b) the use of literary terms.
(c) the use of Business English.
(d) the use of electronic devices.

Question. A career in technical writing is good for ………..
(a) men.
(b) women.
(c) both men and women.
(d) unmarried men and women.

Question. The main criterion for rise in most private sector jobs is ……….
(a) merit.
(b) regularity.
(c) experience.
(d) qualifications.

Question. A career in technical writing is good for women because ……….
(a) they are more skilled in creative writing.
(b) this job does not entail late-night shifts.
(c) both (a) and (b).
(d) the women are weaker than men.

Answer the following questions briefly :

Question. What is the need of technical writing in today’s world ?
Answer : To communicate effectively to an intended audience.

Question. According to Joe Winston, who could be a technical writer ?
Answer : One who has the talent to write in a simple and effective manner.

Question. What is the main criterion for promotion in the career of technical writing ?
Answer : As in most private sector jobs, the main criterion is merit, not the seniority.

Question. What is the nature of the job of a technical writer ?
Answer : To prepare marketing documents such as brochures, case studies, website content and media kits.

Question. What should be the academic qualifications of a high-end technical writer ?
Answer : He should be an M.A. or M. Phil. in English Literature and have a degree such as M.C.A.

Question. What higher positions can a technical writer be promoted to ?
Joining as executive technical writers, the persons can be promoted to become senior technical writers, team leaders, documentation heads and even managers.

Question. Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following :
(a) inability to do something naturally (Para 3)
(b) very difficult (Para 6)
Answer : (a) inhibition.
(b) arduous.

Unseen Passage for Class 12 with questions and answers pdf

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:

1 Smoking is the major cause of mortality1 with bronchogenic carcinoma2 of the lungs and is one of the factors causing death due to malignancies3 of larynx4, oral cavity5, oesophagus6, bladder7, kidney, pancreas8, stomach and uterine cervix9 and coronary10 heart diseases.

2 Nicotine11 is the major substance present in the smoke that causes physical dependence. The additives12 too produce damage to the body — for example, ammonia can result in a 100-fold increase in the ability of nicotine to enter into the nose.

3 Levulinic acid13, added to cigarettes to mask the harsh taste of the nicotine, can increase the binding of nicotine to brain receptors, which increases the ‘kick’ of nicotine.

4 Smoke from the burning end of a cigarette contains over 4000 chemicals and 40 carcinogens14. It has long been known that tobacco smoke is carcinogenic or cancer-causing.

5 The lungs of smokers collect an annual deposit of 1 to 1½ pounds of the gooey15 black material. Invisible gas phase of cigarette smoke contains nitrogen, oxygen and toxic gases like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde16, acrolein17, hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides. These gases are poisonous and in many cases interfere with the body’s ability to transport oxygen.

6 Like many carcinogenic compounds, they can act as tumour promoters or tumour initiators by acting directly on the genetic make-up of cells of the body leading to development of cancer.

7 During smoking, within the first 8-10 seconds, nicotine is absorbed through the lungs and quickly ‘moved’ into the bloodstream and circulated throughout the brain. Nicotine can also enter the bloodstream through the mucous membranes that line the mouth (if tobacoo is chewed) or nose (if snuff is used) and even through the skin. Our brain is made up of billions of nerve cells. They communicate with each other by chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.

8 Nicotine is one of the most powerful nerve poisons and binds stereoselectively18 to nicotine receptors located in the brain, autonomic ganglia19, the medulla20, and neuro-muscular junctions. Located throughout the brain, they play a critical role in cognitive processes21 and memory.

9 The nicotine molecule is shaped like a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine which is involved in many functions including muscle movement, breathing, heart-rate, learning and memory. Nicotine, because of the similar structure with acetylcholine when it gets into the brain, attaches itself to acetylcholine sites and produces toxic effect.

10 In high concentrations, nicotine is more deadly. In fact, one drop of purified nicotine on the tongue will kill a person. It has been used as a pesticide for centuries.

11 Recent research studies suggest that acute nicotine administration would result in increased dopamine22 release from the brain, producing perception of pleasure and happiness, increased energy and motivation, increased alertness, increased feeling of vigour during the early phase of smoking.

12 However, not withstanding these superficial effects, research shows that the relationship between smoking and memory loss is strongest in people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes each day and this is not specific to the socio-economic status, gender and a range of associated medical conditions. Smoking may speed up age-related memory loss but the details are not yet clear. Some studies suggest that repeated exposure to high nicotinic smoke related to the ‘Brain wiring’ is nothing but neurobiochemistry that deals with complex interaction among genetic experience and bio-chemistry of brain-cells.

13 ‘NO’ is a unique molecule which plays a role in a number of beneficial and some of the harmful brain and body mechanisms, for example, synapse formation, drug tolerance and local regulation of cerebral blood-flow, Parkinson’s disease, etc. It is also found that people who smoke more cigarettes a day have poorer memories in middle age than non-smokers.

14 Some experts say that smoking is linked to memory problems because it contributes to narrowed arteries that restrict blood-flow to the brain. One of the causes of memory decline in relation to the brain functions could be the nerve cell death or decreased density of interconnected neural23 network due to loss of dendrites, the tiny filaments which connect one nerve cell to another. Abstinence24 from smoking is essential, not only to avoid this systemic effect but also to reduce the ill-effects on the environment. 

Answer each of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate option :

Question. The burning end of a cigarette contains …………..
(a) no chemicals.
(b) no carcinogens.
(c) both chemicals and carcinogens.
(d) neither chemicals nor carcinogens.

Question. A sticky black material collects …………
(a) on the lungs of smokers.
(b) in the throat of smokers.
(c) on the tongue of smokers.
(d) in the nostrils of the smokers.

Question. ………… present in the smoke causes harm to the body.
(a) nicotine
(b) ammonia
(c) Levulinic acid
(d) all of the three.

Question. Memory loss is strongest in people who …………..
(a) are very poor.
(b) smoke very heavily.
(c) are physically very weak.
(d) belong to higher social status.

Question. What causes memory problem ?
(a) The narrowing of arteries.
(b) Reduction in blood-flow to the brain.
(c) Both (a) and (b).
(d) Abstinence from smoking.

Answer the following questions briefly :

Question. What in a cigarette makes the people addicted to it ?
Answer : Nicotine.

Question. What are neurotransmitters ?
Answer : They are chemical messengers which help nerve cells to communicate with each other.

Question. According to the experts, how is smoking linked to memory ?
Answer : Smoking restricts the flow of blood to the brain and causes the death of nerve cells.

Question. What happens within 8-10 seconds of smoking ?
Answer : Nicotine is absorbed through the lungs and then circulated throughout the brain.

Question. How can nicotine enter the bloodstream ?
Answer : It can enter through the mucous membranes or even through the smoke’s skin.

Question. What can one drop of purified nicotine do ?
Answer : One drop of purified nicotine on the tongue can kill the person.

Question. Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning to the following :
(a) death (Para 1)
(b) energy / force (Para 11)
Answer : (a) mortality.
(b) vigour.