CBSE Class 11 English Factual Passage Assignment Set 01

Factual Passage

(1) Soil is your garden’s natural growing medium, so it’s vital for the health and successful growth of your plants and crops that you keep it well maintained. Soil is basically rock that’s been ground down by the effects of the weather over a long period of time and made fertile by decayed organic matter (derived from dead insects and leaves). There are hundreds of different soil types, but they can broadly be classified as sandy, loamy or clay, referring to their basic texture. It is the texture that affects the drainage, aeration and nutrient content of the soil and you may have to take steps to improve this in certain types of soil.
(2) Take a handful of soil and run a small amount between your forefinger and thumb. Although all soils contain varying proportions of sand, silt and clay, you’ll readily be able to tell the difference between the main types.
(3) Sandy soil feels gritty when dry and even it’s wet particles will not stick together. Loamy soil, on the other hand, can be moulded by hand when moist, but aren’t at all sticky and gritty and are fairly loose when dry. Clay soil is sticky and smooth when wet, but becomes polished when rubbed and baked hard when dry.
(4) A loamy soil is a well-balanced amalgamation of sand, silt and clay, which combines excellent drainage with sufficient moisture retention to assure good growing conditions for most plants. It’s fairly easy to look after, although loamy soils do benefit from regular applications of well-rotted organic matter to prevent getting tightly packed.
(5) The particle consistency of sandy soil doesn’t hold water well, with the result that plant foods are often taken away by rain before they can do any good. Again, well-rotted organic matter can be added to bind the soil particles together.
(6) Clay soil is most difficult to work with, usually becoming waterlogged, so they are virtually impossible to dig. Artificial drainage will probably be the first step in improving the texture of the soil and various additives will break down the structure to make use of its excellent food stocks.
(7) There are various methods of improving your soil’s texture. Essentially this requires regular applications of a well-rotted organic substance called humus, which is obtained from decayed plant and animal matter (manure, compost, and seaweed; each provides ample sources).
(8) The presence of chalk in soil can also affect the growth of plants: some prefer slightly acid (chalk-free) soils, while others grow more successfully in alkaline, chalky soils. Most fruits and vegetables, however, grow better in neutral soil.
(9) Although benefiting the soil in some ways, compost, manure and fertilizers can actually add to its acidity, as organisms break them down. Over-acid soils can be treated with applications of lime—either hydrated (slaked) lime, or ground limestone (chalk). Of the two, ground limestone is your best choice.
(10) To apply lime, sprinkle it on the broken top soil and mix it lightly but don’t dig in; leave it to be washed down by rain. Apply lime every other year if need be. An alkaline soil can be treated with manure, garden compost or peat, well dug in.

Question. Why should we keep soil well maintained?
(a) Because it absorbs and retains water
(b) Because it responds to the effects of weather
(c) Because it raises water table
(d) Because it is the garden’s natural growing medium
Answer: (d) Because it is the garden’s natural growing medium

Question. Complete the given statement.
By taking a handful of soil and running it between our forefinger and thumb, we can tell ___________________________________________________.
Answer: the difference between the main types of soil.

Question. Complete the following.
Opinion: Clay soils are the most difficult to work with.
Reason: ________________________________________________________________________
Answer: they usually become waterlogged, making them virtually impossible to dig.

Question. Soil is divided into various types on the basis of:
(a) colour
(b) drainage
(c) texture
(d) aeration
Answer: (c) texture

Question. Fill in the blank.
The particle consistency of sandy soil doesn’t hold ________________ well.
Answer: water

Question. Complete the given analogy.
__________________ : combination : : moulded : shaped
Answer: Amalgamation

Question. Loamy soil is the best for plant growth because:
(a) it is a well-balanced mixture of sand, silt and clay
(b) it has weak drainage and retention
(c) its texture responds slowly to decayed organic matter
(d) it gets tightly packed unless looked after well
Answer: (a) it is a well-balanced mixture of sand, silt and clay

Question. Soils must be tested before growing fruits and vegetables because:
(a) they need alkaline soil
(b) they prefer slightly acidic soil
(c) they grow better in neutral soil
(d) they flourish in over-acidic soil
Answer: (c) they grow better in neutral soil

Question. State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
The presence of chalk in soil affects the growth of plants.
Answer: TRUE

Question. Pick a word from paragraph 5 which corresponds to the meaning of ‘firmness’ as in the passage.
Answer: consistency

Passage 2

(1) The defence mechanism of human body is a gift of nature provided to human beings. The power of our body to fight against various disease-producing agents is known as defensive mechanism. This defensive mechanism depends upon various factors which can be categorised mainly into two types—common factors and special factors.
(2) Amongst the common factors, the most important is the health of human beings. We all know if we have a good health, our body automatically remains protected against the diseases. For keeping good health, one should have nutritious balanced diet. A balanced diet is one which contains carbohydrates, fat, proteins, vitamins, etc. in proportionate amount.
(3) The skin of our body protects us from many micro-organisms producing diseases, provided that it is intact. In case there are cuts or abrasions on it, the micro-organisms penetrate the body through those cuts and abrasions and can cause diseases. Therefore, a cut or an abrasion should never be left open. In case there is no bandage, etc. available, it may be covered with a clean cloth.
(4) Some bacteria are residing on and inside the human body. They are our friends and are useful for us. They do not cause any disease and by their presence they do not allow disease-causing organisms to settle on those places. For example, the micro organisms, present in human saliva secrete a chemical which does not allow diphtheria causing bacteria to grow inside the oral cavity.
(5) The human body secretes a variety of fluids, which are killers for disease-causing micro-organisms. For example, gastric juice (acidic in nature) secreted by our intestinal tract kills all organisms which enter our body through food.
(6) There are a few automatic activities of our body known as “reflex phenomenon” which protect the body against many infections. This reflex phenomenon includes sneezing, coughing and vomiting.
(7) Fever is one of the most important constituents of the defensive mechanism of our body. The organ which regulates the temperature of our body is known as hypothalamus and it is situated in the brain. When micro-organisms after entering the body release toxic products, which reach the brain through blood, the hypothalamus starts increasing the temperature of the body and the person gets fever. This fever is very useful for the human body because by the increase in temperature the micro-organisms which are the root cause of the problem get killed.
(8) We are living in an environment which is full of bacteria. Many of these bacteria can produce serious diseases, but all of us do not suffer from such diseases. It is due to a special power present in our body to fight these diseases. A part of this special power of our body is known as innate immunity. This is inherited by us. The other part of this special power is called acquired immunity. This we gain during our lifetime.
(9) In a nutshell, we can say since nature has provided us with defensive mechanism to fight against so many diseases, let us maintain it and rather increase it by the way of immunisation.

Question. Why should one have nutritious balanced diet?
(a) It has food items for various tastes.
(b) It keeps one healthy.
(c) It is recommended by a dietician.
(d) It has all essential items.
Answer: (b) It keeps one healthy.

Question. Fill in the blank.
We are living in an environment which is full of _________________.
Answer: bacteria

Question. The defence mechanism of human body is important as:
(a) it protects us from diseases
(b) it checks deterioration of body
(c) it saves us from depression
(d) it builds up the wear and tear
Answer: (a) it protects us from diseases

Question. Complete the given statement.
In order to check the micro-organisms’ penetration in the human body, we should _____________________________________.
Answer: never leave a cut or an abrasion open.

Question. We can increase our defensive mechanism by:
(a) developing friendly bacteria
(b) checking infection through reflex phenomenon
(c) seeking proper immunisation
(d) suppressing fever in initial stages
Answer: (c) seeking proper immunisation

Question. State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
Fever is one of the most important constituents of the defensive mechanism of our body.
Answer: TRUE

Question. Complete the given analogy.
Reflex phenomenon : automatic activities of our body : : ________________ : power to fight against disease producing agents
Answer: defensive mechanism

Question. Fill in the blank.
The ____________ of our body protects us from many micro-organisms producing diseases.
Answer: skin

Question. Gastric juice secreted by our intestinal tract kills all extraneous organisms as:
(a) it flows very fast
(b) it is acidic in nature
(c) it prevents their multiplication
(d) it is a natural stimulant
Answer: (b) it is acidic in nature

Question. Pick a word from paragraph 3 which means the same as ‘scrapping or rubbing of’.
Answer: abrasions

Passage 3

(1) Just a century ago it would have been hard to imagine that human beings could significantly pollute the oceans. Human beings constitute the greatest threat to the oceans since the development of the nuclear industry. Nuclear power has become a major source of the world’s electric energy. But nuclear power plants also produce a great amount of nuclear waste which remains hazardous for thousands of years.
(2) For the purpose of disposal, nuclear wastes are of two categories: Low Level Waste (LLW) which includes several substances used in connection with nuclear reactors and High Level Waste (HLW) which consists primarily of spent fuel from nuclear reactors and weapons. Currently, there is no permanent method of disposal for HLW. All the HLW that has been produced so far is being stored near the reactor sites in swimming pools or in dry casks. These storage pools are not designed to store the waste for an indefinite period of time. As high-level nuclear waste presents a tremendous storage problem, dumping it into the ocean was considered as the most cost-effective solution.
(3) Even though dumping of highly radioactive wastes at sea was banned worldwide for more than three decades, it still continues. Russia has been dumping highly radioactive materials in the Arctic Sea. Until the London Dumping Convention in 1983, the Atlantic Ocean was a favourite dumping ground for nuclear nations like Great Britain, Germany, Japan, France, Switzerland and Sweden.
(4) The dumping of nuclear wastes not only goes against international practice, but is also a violation of international treaties. Dumping of the wastes is regulated by the 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the 1972 London Convention). The Convention outlawed the disposal of high-level wastes at sea. It required the nations disposing low-level radioactive wastes to do so in ocean basins at depths greater than 12,000 feet. But the depths at which the actual dumping took place was within the range of 200 to 1,000 feet, which is a clear violation of the convention.
(5) Although the dumping of any radioactive waste at sea has been prohibited by law since 1994, the status of sub-seabed disposal has been ambiguous. If a resolution is made to extend the definition of “dumping” to include “any deliberate disposal or storage of wastes or other matter in the sea-bed and the subsoil thereof ” and accepted by the convention, sub-seabed disposal will be prohibited, and the decision may not be appealed for twenty five years. If it is so, then sub-seabed disposal will be subjected to regulation and subsequent banning by the London Dumping Convention. Article III, Section 1(a) of the convention defines dumping as “any deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures at sea.”
(6) On the contrary, the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), reveals that the seabed, ocean floor and subsoil are beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. The seabed area is beyond the territorial jurisdiction of any nation and is open to use by all in accordance with commonly acceptable rules. Even though UNCLOS may not directly prohibit sub-seabed disposal, there are other provisions such as “to protect and preserve the marine environment” which will put a legal binding on the member states while undertaking the disposal.
(7) Clifton Curtis, a political adviser to Greenpeace International, who has fought against sub-seabed disposal method since 1978 favours land-based disposal as a better option.

Question. Why are human beings the greatest threat to oceans?
(a) They conduct hazardous nuclear experiments.
(b) They explore the oceans for its hidden treasures.
(c) Their lust for sea-food makes them plunge into the waves.
(d) They pollute oceans by dumping nuclear waste.
Answer: (d) They pollute oceans by dumping nuclear waste.

Question. Fill in the blank.
Clifton Curtis favours _______________ as a better option than the method of sub-seabed disposal.
Answer: land-based disposal

Question. State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
Sweden has been dumping highly radioactive materials in the Arctic Sea.
Answer: FALSE

Question. The nuclear waste produced by the nuclear power plants is dreaded as:
(a) it is a health booster
(b) it remains hazardous for thousands of years
(c) it is biodegradable
(d) it is a major source of electric energy
Answer: (b) it remains hazardous for thousands of years

Question. Complete the table given below.
Nuclear Power
Positive Aspect: __________________
Negative Aspect: __________________
Answer:
Positive Aspect: It is a major source of the world’s electric energy.
Negative Aspect: It produces a great amount of hazardous nuclear waste.

Question. Nuclear nations practised dumping high level nuclear waste into the ocean because:
(a) it was the easiest option
(b) it involved the least risk
(c) it was the safest way
(d) it was the most cost effective solution
Answer: (d) it was the most cost effective solution

Question. State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
Dumping of highly radioactive waste at sea was banned worldwide for more than five decades.
Answer: FALSE

Question. The status of sub-seabed disposal has been ambiguous because:
(a) nuclear waste has been dumped at the depth of 200 to 1000 feet
(b) the UN law of the sea makes it open to use by all
(c) the definition of ‘dumping’ does not include sub-seabed
(d) the sub-seabed area is under the territorial jurisdiction of the nearest country
Answer: (c) the definition of ‘dumping’ does not include sub-seabed

Question. Complete the given statement.
All the HLW that has been produced so far is being stored ___________________ _________________________________________. (where)
Answer: near the reactor sites in swimming pools or in dry casks.

Question. The word ‘deliberate’ in paragraph 5 means:
(a) done unconsciously
(b) happening by chance
(c) done slowly and carefully
(d) done intentionally
Answer: (d) done intentionally

Passage 4

(1) The National Disaster Management Authority has recently released guidelines on the management of urban flooding. It clearly states that urban flooding should be treated as a separate disaster as the causes of urban flooding and the strategies to deal with them are different.
(2) Even though urban flooding has been experienced for decades in India, sufficient attention was not given to plan specific efforts to deal with it holistically. In the past, any strategy on Flood Disaster Management largely focused on riverine floods affecting large tracts of rural areas.
(3) Urban flooding is significantly different from rural flooding as urbanisation leads to developed catchments which increases the flood peaks by up to 8 times and flood volumes up to 6 times. Consequently, flooding occurs very quickly due to faster flow, sometimes in a matter of minutes.
(4) Urban areas are centres of economic activities with vital infrastructure which needs to be protected 24 × 7. In most of the cities, damage to vital infrastructure has a bearing not only locally but could even have global implications.
(5) Urban areas are also densely populated and people living in vulnerable areas, both rich and poor, suffer due to flooding. It has sometimes resulted in loss of life, damage to property and disruptions in transport and power bringing life to a grinding halt and causing untold misery and hardships. Even the secondary effects of subsequent epidemics and exposure to infection often takes further toll in terms of loss of livelihood, human suffering, and, in extreme cases, loss of life. Therefore, management of urban flooding has to be accorded top priority.
(6) There has been an increasing trend of urban flood disasters in India over the past several years. Almost every major city in India has been severely affected. Mumbai floods of July 2005 turned out to be an eye opener. The deluge of rains in the catchment areas of the Yamuna during August and September in 2010 has inundated many villages and towns of Haryana, besides threatening the low-lying areas of Delhi, the national capital. The fury of floods did not spare many areas of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
(7) Storm Water Drainage systems in the past were designed for a rainfall intensity of 12-20 mm/h. However, we have been experiencing rainfall of higher intensities in most of our cities every year, which overwhelm the SWD system. Moreover, the systems very often do not work to the designed capacities because of encroachments, dumping of solid waste and poor operations and maintenance.
(8) Improper disposal of solid waste, including domestic, commercial and industrial waste and dumping of construction debris into the drains also contributes significantly to reducing their capacities. Everybody is responsible for this.
(9) Encroachments are a major problem in many cities and towns all over the country. With large scale encroachments on the natural drains and in the floodplains, the capacity of the natural drain has decreased, resulting in flooding even with lower intensities of rainfall.

Question. Urban flooding is to be treated as a separate disaster because:
(a) the problems of urban areas are unique
(b) urban areas get flooded easily
(c) the causes of urban flooding are different
(d) urban and riverine flooding are similar
Answer: (c) the causes of urban flooding are different

Question. State whether the given statement is TRUE or FALSE.
Storm Water Drainage systems in the past were designed for a rainfall intensity of 12-20 mm/h.
Answer: TRUE

Question. Urban flooding occurs very quickly as:
(a) the drainage is usually blocked
(b) storm water drainage is poor
(c) encroachments obstruct flow of water
(d) developed catchments increase faster flow
Answer: (d) developed catchments increase faster flow

Question. Complete the given statement.
Urban areas need a round the clock vigil as ________________________________ ____________.
Answer: damage to vital infrastructure has a bearing not only locally but could even have global implications.

Question. Choose any one.
In urban areas, flooding occurs very quickly due to (faster/slower) flow time.
Answer: faster

Question. Life comes to a grinding halt in a flooded urban centre as:
(a) people are vulnerable to deep water flowing fast
(b) transport and power are disrupted
(c) there is a loss of life and damage of property
(d) people face hardships and untold misery
Answer: (b) transport and power are disrupted

Question. Encroachment on natural drains intensifies flooding because:
(a) these divert the flow of water
(b) these cause whirls and speed up the flow
(c) these decrease the capacity of drain
(d) these obstruct the smooth flow of water
Answer: (c) these decrease the capacity of drain

Question. Fill in the blank.
There has been an increasing trend of _______________________ in India over the past several years.
Answer: urban flood disasters

Question. The word ‘overwhelm’ in paragraph 7 means:
(a) stunned
(b) flooded
(c) overpowered
(d) defeated
Answer: (c) overpowered

Question. Pick a word from paragraph 4 which means ‘basic system and service’.
Answer: infrastructure

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The best Eskimo carvings of all ages seem to possess a powerful ability to reach across the great barriers of language and time and communicate directly with us. The more we look at these carvings, the more life we perceive within them. We discover subtle living forms of the animal, human and mystical world. These arctic carvings are not the cold sculptures of a frozen world. Instead. They reveal to us the passionate feelings of a vital people well aware of all the joys, terrors tranquillity, and wildness of life around them.

Eskimos carvers are people moved by dreams. In spite of all their new contacts with the outsiders, they are still concerned with their own kind of mystical imagery. The most skilful carvers possess a bold confidence; a direct approach to their art has a freedom unsullied by any kind of formalized training. Eskimo carvers have strong skilled hands, used to forcing hard materials with their simple tools. Their hunting and the northern environment invigorates them. Bad weather often imposes a special kind of leisure, giving them time in which to perfect their carvings.

They are among the last of human societies that have retained some part of the keen sense of observation that we have long forgotten. The carves are also butchers of meat, and therefore masters in the understanding of animal anatomy. Flesh and bones and sheath of muscle seem to move in their works. They show us how to drive the caribou, how to hold a child, how to walk cautiously on thin ice. Through their eyes we understand the dangerous power of a polar bear. In the very best of Eskimo art we see vibrant animal and human forms that stand quietly or tensely, strongly radiating a sense of life. We can see, and even feel with our hands, the cold sleekness of seals, the hulking weight of walrus, the icy swiftness of trout, the flowing rhythm in a flight of geese. In their art we catch brief glimpses of a people who have long possessed a very different approach to the whole question of life and death.

In Eskimo art there is much evidence of humours which the carvers have in abundance. Some of the carvings are caricatures of themselves, of ourselves, and of situations, or records of ancient legends. Their laughter may be subtle, or broad and Chaucerian.

Perhaps no one can accurately define the right way or wrong way to create a carving. Each carvier must follow his own way, in his own time. Technique in itself is meaningless unless it serves to express content. According to the Eskimo, the best carvings possess a sense of movement that seems to come from within the material itself, a feeling of tension, a living excitement.

a) Make notes on the above passage using appropriate abbreviations and subtitles. Give a suitable title.

b) Write the summary of the above passage in 80 words.