Unseen Passage for Class 9 CBSE with Answers Factual

Factual Passages :

TYPE – I

Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow :

Question 1.
(1) Indians are fast in acquiring healthy habits. In keeping with trends worldwide, summer sales ices, juice based drinks, iced tea, flavoured milk, butter-milk and lassi over fizzy cola drinks.

(2) Juices and other non-aerated drinks are growing at a blistering 35-40% compared to fizzy drinks, which are notching up a 10% growth. The soft industry sees the perceptible shift towards healthy drinks in consumer tastes.

(3) The changing public perception towards colas and aerated drinks is in line with international Cola selling more non-aerated drinks. Thanks to increased awareness in schools about alleged harmful effects of aerated drinks caused by the pesticides. Pesticides controversy is making people turn towards healthier alternatives, be they juices or flavoured milk.

(4) Interestingly, within carbonated beverages segment, its lime-based drinks like Sprite, Limca and 7-up, besides diet variants of Coke and Pepsi that are growing faster than two big colas.

(5) It’s the same in the US, Europe and Japan. In the US, for instance, fizzy drinks have been on the decline since their sales peaked in 1998, while categories like water, energy drinks and juices are growing. Pepsi’s volume declined by 4% last year, while Coca-Cola has launched only diet drinks in the last two years.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any eight of the following with the help of the given options :

(a) Indians are fast in acquiring healthy habits. The proof is that ________
(i) fizzy cola drinks are sold more than any other drink.
(ii) milk, butter and lassi are preferred to tea and coffee.
(iii) juices and other healthy drinks are growing at a rate of 35-40%.
(iv) ice-drinks are completely avoided in summer.
Answer:
(iii) juices and other healthy drinks are growing at a rate of 35-40%.

(b) Compared to fizzy drinks, the sale of juices and non-aerated drinks is ________
(i) growing.
(ii) decreasing.
(iii) static.
(iv) volatile.
Answer:
(i) growing.

(c) The term ‘changing public perception’ connotes that ________
(i) colas and aerated drinks are catching up the market.
(ii) juices and non-aerated drinks are preferred.
(iii) lassi, milk and buttermilk are no more liked by people.
(iv) ‘pesticides controversy’ has blocked the market of non-aerated drinks.
Answer:
(ii) juices and non-aerated drinks are preferred.

(d) The spread of awareness among school children has resulted in ________
(i) the decline in the sale of aerated drinks.
(ii) bumper growth in the sale of aerated drinks.
(iii) the bumper production of milk products.
(iv) the sharp crash of prices of non-aerated drinks.
Answer:
(i) the decline in the sale of aerated drinks.

(e) Lime based drinks are ________
(i) Fanta, Limca and Cometto.
(ii) Coca-cola, Pepsi and Mother Dairy.
(iii) Sprite, Limca and 7-up.
(iv) Golden and Paragon.
Answer:
(iii) Sprite, Limca and 7-up.

(f) The word ‘vision’ means ________
(i) glimplse.
(ii) look at.
(iii) sight.
(iv) perception.
Answer:
(iv) perception.

(g) In last two years coca-cola has launched ________
(i) diet drinks.
(ii) stamina drinks.
(iii) protien drinks.
(iv) liver purifying drinks.
Answer:
(i) diet drinks.

(h) The term ‘healthier alternative’ point to ________
(i) junk food.
(ii) non-cereal eatables.
(iii) aerated drinks.
(iv) non-aerated drinks.
Answer:
(iv) non-aerated drinks.

(i) In the US, Europe and Japan, fizzy drinks are ________
(i) on the rise.
(ii) on the decline.
(iii) constant.
(iv) fluctuating.
Answer:
(ii) on the decline.

Question 2.
(1) The haze that blanketed Delhi last week was in the making over several days. As more and more among us develop respiratory complications from severe out-door pollution and governments grapple with menace, we take a look at air pollution around the world and why India, with China, continues to dominate pollution related deaths.

(2) Burning of fossil fuels like coal is the main source of air-pollution, a fallout of increasing urbanisation and industrialisation. The two most common pollutants linked to fuel combustion and industrial activity are sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and nitrous oxides (NO_x). These react in the atmosphere to form particulate matter (PM). The tiniest microscopic particulate matter, less than 2.5 microns in size (a micron is a thousandth of a millimeter) and hence called PM 2.5, is the most lethal because these lodge deep in the dense but fragile network of alveoli in our lungs, eventually leading to chronic lung disease and breathing distress.

(3) Developed economies didn’t escape air pollution. The earliest records country-wise of SO₂ emissions go back to 1850. As Europe industrialised, there was a rapid rise in sulphur pollution. London as far back as the 16th century witnessed some of the worst industrial smog events (the Great London Smog, 1952). By the mid-19th century, emissions in North America too had rapidly risen. As economies prosper, emissions grow. By the 1980s, S0₂ emissions had peaked in North America and Europe, followed by South America. All three regions thereafter saw a downward trend.

(4) Enter the hypothesis that SO₂ emissions follow a curve of rise, peak and decline called the Environ-mental Kuznets Curve (EKC) that links environmental degradation with economic development. It helps to explain how both Europe and America started off with a dirty period of industrialisation, but by 1980s emissions had peaked and then declined. People died as a result of outdoor air pollution in 2016. Of this, Asia accounted for 3 million. China and India each saw 1.1 million to 1.2 million deaths. (2018-DoEm)

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any eight of the following with the help of the given options :

(a) ________ covered Delhi last week.
(i) Whirl-wind
(ii) snow-fall
(iii) storm
(iv) haze
Answer:
(iv) haze

(b) Respiratory complications are caused by ________
(i) chemicals present in the air.
(ii) dust particles spread all around.
(iii) outdoor pollution.
(iv) unhealthy food habits.
Answer:
(iii) outdoor pollution.

(c) India and China dominate in ________
(i) dirty surroundings.
(ii) unhealthy life-style.
(iii) pollution related deaths.
(iv) science and technology.
Answer:
(iii) pollution related deaths.

(d) Air pollution is mainly caused by ________
(i) dirty surroundings.
(ii) cow-dung burning.
(iii) burning of fossil fuels like coal.
(iv) faulty drainage system.
Answer:
(iii) burning of fossil fuels like coal.

(e) The two most common pollutants are
(i) carbon and dust particles.
(ii) nitrogen and other gases.
(iii) sulphur dioxide and nitrous Oxides.
(iv) hydrogen, phosphorous and potassium.
Answer:
(iii) sulphur dioxide and nitrous Oxides.

(f) The tiniest microscopic particulate matter that is less than 2.5 microns in size is known as ________
(i) AM 5.0
(ii) AD 2.5
(iii) ESTD 5.2
(iv) PM 2.5
Answer:
(iv) PM 2.5

(g) PM 2.5 causes ________
(i) AIDS.
(ii) Cancer.
(iii) Tuberculosis.
(iv) lung disease.
Answer:
(iv) lung disease.

(h) Europe had the highest emissions of S0₂ in the ________
(i) 16th century.
(ii) 19th century.
(iii) 20th century.
(iv) 18th century.
Answer:
(ii) 19th century.

(i) The curve that shows the hypothesis that S0₂ emissions follow a curve of rise; peak and decline is called ________
(i) Kuznet’s Curve.
(ii) angular curve.
(iii) circular curve.
(iv) triangular curve.
Answer:
(i) Kuznet’s Curve.

Question 3.
Healthy diet is a diet which contains all nutrients such as proteins, fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, roughage and water in appropriate proportion. A healthy diet is one that helps to maintain or improve over all health.

The need for a healthy diet can be met from a variety of plant based or animal based foods. A healthy diet supports energy needs and provides healthy body to human beings. It avoids the risk of weight gain or toxicity.

Various nutrition guided are published by medical or government institutes to educate individuals on what they should be eating to promote health. In some countries it is compulsory to stick labels of nutrition facts on the products. This way consumers can choose their required components before buying. The idea of diet therapy i.e., using diet choices to maintain health and improve poor health is quite old and is used in modern life also.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any eight of the following with the help of the given options :

(a) A healthy diet is a diet which contains
(i) minerals.
(ii) carbohydrates.
(iii) fats.
(iv) all nutrients.
Answer:
(iv) all nutrients.

(b) Healthy diet helps to ________
(i) grow faster.
(ii) grow long hair.
(iii) improve sight.
(iv) maintain or improve over all health.
Answer:
(iv) maintain or improve over all health.

(c) We can meet the need of a healthy diet from a variety of plant based or ________ based foods.
(i) animal
(ii) reptile
(iii) mammal
(iv) rodents
Answer:
(i) animal

(d) A healthy diet gives a ________ body to human beings.
(i) sick
(ii) suffering
(iii) healthy
(iv) ailing
Answer:
(iii) healthy

(e) If we take a healthy diet, we avoid the risk of ________
(i) lungs problems.
(ii) pneumonia.
(iii) malarial fever.
(iv) weight gain or toxity.
Answer:
(iv) weight gain or toxity.

(f) Nutrition guides are published by medical or ________
(i) private companies.
(ii) NGOs.
(iii) government institutes.
(iv) pharmaceutical companies.
Answer:
(iii) government institutes.

(g) Labels of nutrition facts help consumer to ________
(i) find the right medicine for themselves.
(ii) discover the right treatment for any disease.
(iii) find the cheapest means of treatment.
(iv) choose their required components before buying.
Answer:
(iv) choose their required components before buying.

(h) A word in the 1st para of the passage which means ‘right’ is ________
(i) exact.
(ii) appropriate.
(iii) straight.
(iv) direct.
Answer:
(ii) appropriate.

(i) Diet therapy refers to diet choices to ________
(i) to maintain and improve health.
(ii) to grow muscles.
(iii) to increase stamina and flexibility.
(iv) to improve the eyesight.
Answer:
(i) to maintain and improve health.

Question 4.
Women Liberation in BPOs
BPOs have often been faulted for the lack of women in their senior managerial positions. “Communication and self-expression are the key challenges that women working in the BPO sector face today. These problems arise from lack of confidence,” says the CEO of sitagita.com, a blog for women who work in BPOs. Not all BPO women are considered to be confident and on par with their male colleagues. Women at the senior level may be very confident but lower rank employees have a long way to go.

Another interesting angle to the debate on female self-expression is the number of women from small towns and conservative backgrounds who are new to the BPO culture. What awaits them at the industry is a complete cross cultural dilemma a new work culture, pressure of deadline and never experienced before graveyard shifts. Such dilemmas tend to worsen when self-expression is curtailed or not encouraged. Employers do not present the full picture of the industry to prospective candidates. All is not rosy at the hiring stage. No employer comes forward to tell the flip side of the story.

“Life has taken a turn since I started blogging. I hardly get time to talk to friends or family members because of work pressure. But my blog helps me express my thoughts and feelings to so many people who are facing problems similar to mine,” says a BPO employee. The sector wants more women to join. The companies, especially, are looking at women for the stability factors. The current man-woman ratio in the BPO sector is 69:31. And the number of women is set to rise. So sitagita.com is a platform that women can use to express their concerns. (2018-DPS)

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any eight of the following with the help of the given options :

(а) BPOs are often criticized for the lack of ________
(i) men in their managerial positions.
(ii) women in their managerial positions.
(iii) adequate number of staff to maintain cleanliness.
(iv) enough salary and remunerations offered to the employees.
Answer:
(ii) women in their managerial positions.

(b) Lack of confidence in women results in ________
(i) lack of good communication and self expression.
(ii) inefficiency at work.
(iii) non-adjustment with the work culture there.
(iv) shabby dressing sense and unhygienic habits.
Answer:
(i) lack of good communication and self expression.

(c) According to the CEO of sitagita.com, not all women ________
(i) are serious at work due to their household liabilities.
(ii) have any necessity to work and earn money..
(iii) are considered to be confident on par with their male colleagues.
(iv) are inclined to rise on the hierarchy level.
Answer:
(iii) are considered to be confident on par with their male colleagues.

(d) Problems faced by small town women are a new work culture and ________
(i) night shifts and irregular timings.
(ii) non-adjustment with the atmosphere there.
(iii) non-harmonious relation with colleagues.
(iv) pressure of deadline.
Answer:
(iv) pressure of deadline.

(e) At the time of employment the candidates are shown ________
(i) only the thorny side of the industry.
(ii) only the rosy side of the industry.
(iii) in detail everything that they would come across.
(iv) handsome salary and remunerations.
Answer:
(ii) only the rosy side of the industry.

(f) One of the advantages of blogging is that it helps ________
(i) to communicate with your near and. dear ones.
(ii) to establish good relation with fellow beings.
(iii) to-work faster and win laurels.
(iv) to express one’s thoughts and feelings to people who face similar problems.
Answer:
(iv) to express one’s thoughts and feelings to people who face similar problems.

(g) ‘Graveyard shift’ in para 3 refers to ________
(i) work shift between 8 AM to 4 PM.
(ii) work shift’between.4 PM to 12 PM.
(iii) unpredictable work shift.
(iv) work shift between midnight and 8 AM.
Answer:
(iv) work shift between midnight and 8 AM.

(h) sitagita.com helps woirften to ________
(i) grab good job for themselves.
(ii) express their concerns.
(iii) purchase things at cost-effective prices.
(iv) get the required information for any thing.
Answer:
(ii) express their concerns.

(i) The BPO sector wants ________
(i) more men to join.
(ii) more women to join.
(iii) more semi-educated to join.
(iv) well-qualified people to join.
Answer:
(ii) more women to join.

Question 5.
Immigration and visa issues which have long plagued the information technology sector, could come back to hurt Indian IT services companies this year as the US heads towards presidential election in 2016. In the US, the’biggest market for the Indian IT services sector, “This will be a very contentious election and immigration reform is right up there for discussion,” said Phil Fersht, founder and chief executive of HfS Research. “The displacement of US IT and back office jobs will be a significant issue leading up to 2016.” India’s $146-billion’IT outsourcing industry has been a beneficiary of the temporary US work visas that are required by skilled foreign workers to work in that country. The employees working at client locations in the US are issued H-1B visas, which have a cap of 65,000 a year.

The US Congress in recent months has been considering bills that seek to triple the cap of H-1B visas to 1,95,000. There is, however, a growing discontent about the H-1B visa process among skilled workers in the US, who say the visas are a way for big companies to hire cheaper foreign workers. Recent examples, they cite, include electricity company Southern California Edison and entertainment company Disney, where local employees were laid off and replaced by H-1B visa holders. The layoffs have prompted some US senators to call for investigations into the visa process used by the companies.

“US workers who have trained a temporary visa-holding replacement as a condition of their severance describe it as a profoundly humiliating experience. These workers see a direct connection between the US government’s H-1B visa policies and their job loss, and they are furious,” said Patrick Thibodeau, senior editor at Computerworld.

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any eight of the following with the help of the given options :

(а) The US will see presidential elections in ________
(i) 2015.
(ii) 2016.
(iii) 2017.
(iv) 2018.
Answer:
(ii) 2016.

(b) The employees working at client locations in the US are issued _____
(i) H-lIB visas.
(ii) F-13C visas.
(iii) M-1B visas.
(iv) H-1B visas.
Answer:
(iv) H-1B visas.

(c) The US congress has been planning to introduce Bills that would ______ the visas.
(i) double the cap of
(ii) triple the cap of
(iii) abolish the practice of
(iv) strengthen the practice of
Answer:
(ii) triple the cap of

(d) Local companies like Southern California Edison and Disney replaced the local employees with ______
(i) H-1B visa holders.
(ii) untrained employees.
(iii) inexperienced red-card holders.
(iv) undeserving candidates.
Answer:
(i) H-1B visa holders.

(e) Investigation has been initiated by some US senators into the ______ used by the companies.
(i) immigration policies
(ii) visa process
(iii) emigration policies
(iv) issuance of visas
Answer:
(ii) visa process

(f) The Indian IT sector would be the worst affected due to the change in the _______
(i) visa policy.
(ii) immigration policy.
(iii) emigration policy.
(iv) non-issuance of visas.
Answer:
(i) visa policy.

(g) US workers find this laying off as the _______ experience.
(i) most satisfying
(ii) most lucrative
(iii) most humiliating
(iv) most helpful
Answer:
(iii) most humiliating

(h) In 2016 elections, the _______ reforms will be taken up for discussion.
(i) emigration
(ii) the visa
(iii) immigration
(iv) IT industry
Answer:
(iii) immigration

(i) The US congress has been considering bills that seek to _______
(i) triple the cap of H-1B visas.
(ii) double the cap of H-1B visas.
(iii) abolish altogether the H-1B visas.
(iv) minimise the duration of H-1B visas.
Answer:
(i) triple the cap of H-1B visas.

TYPE – II

Read the passages given below and answer the questions that follow:

Question 1.
It is customary for the British monarch to ride in a gilded horse-drawn ornamental carriage for the opening of the Parliament. This year, the Queen rode a brand new Australian built carriage, made to commemorate her diamond jubilee. The coach, an exact copy of the earlier one, contains nearly a thousand years of British history in its various parts.

The State Coach is only the second new horse- drawn carriage to be built in more than a hundred years. The crafting of this coach took ten years to complete. It contains wood from King Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose. The ship had sunk in 1545. Some more of the wood for the carriage has come from the very apple tree which had inspired the scientist Isaac Newton to discover the theory of gravity. The gilded portions of the carriage has been made from 400 books of gold leaf.

Apart from these fabulous components for building the carriage, the State Coach is also constructed with parts of ship and metal from some of the greatest battles that England has won. The crown on the top of the carriage has been carved from the oak that was used to build the HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship. In fact, it was this historic ship that in 1805, won the Battle of Trafalgar for England.

From the famous Battle of Waterloo, in which England had defeated Napoleon’s forces, is a lead musket ball. This piece of metal, from the casting of the Victoria Cross, has also been built into the coach. The Victoria Cross incidentally was given during the Second World War as the highest award of military honour, and not just to British soldiers but to many soldiers of the Commonwealth, including India.

To make it a modern vehicle, the coach is fitted with six hydraulic stabilizers, covered in gold leaf, to ensure a smooth ride for the royal passengers. There are also electrically operated windows and heaters, as 21st century inclusions.

1.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions:

(a) When does the British monarch ride in a horse-drawn coach?
Answer:
The British monarch rides in a horse-drawn coach on the occasion of the opening of the Parliament.

(b) What was unique about this year’s ride?
Answer:
This year, the Queen rode a brand new Australian built carriage, made to commemorate her diamond jubilee.

(c) Give two details about the coach.
Answer:
(i) The coach is an exact copy of the earlier one.
(ii) This contains nearly a thousand years of British history in its various parts.

(d) What two historic sources have been tapped for its wood?
Answer:
(i) This contains wood from King Henry VIII’s flagship, the Mary Rose.
(ii) Some more of the wood for the carriage has come from the very apple tree which had inspired the scientist Isaac Newton to discover the theory of gravity. .=

(e) How have its gilded portions been crafted?
Answer:
The gilded portions of the carriage have been crafted from 400 books of gold leaf.

1.2. Answer any four of the following with the help of the given options :

(a) The coach contains nearly a thousand years of ______ in its various parts.
(i) British history
(ii) World history
(iii) Indian history
(iv) Medieval history
Answer:
(i) British history

(b) The crown on the top of the carriage was carved from ______
(i) a fir tree.
(ii) an oak tree.
(iii) the famous apple tree.
(iv) king Henry’s flagship.
Answer:
(ii) an oak tree.

(c) In the famous battle of Waterloo, England had defeated ______
(i) Napoleon’s forces.
(ii) The allied countries.
(iii) Germany.
(iv) France.
Answer:
(i) Napoleon’s forces.

(d) Six hydraulic stabilizers fitted in the coach ensure ______
(i) complete safety of the royal passengers.
(ii) smooth ride of the royal passengers.
(iii) unpolluted atmosphere in the coach.
(iv) privacy in the coach.
Answer:
(ii) smooth ride of the royal passengers.

(e) As 21st century inclusions, there are electrically operated _______
(i) curtains.
(ii) windows and heaters.
(iii) doors.
(iv) roof and the gate.
Answer:
(ii) windows and heaters.

Question 2.
Faced with complaints of overpricing of medical devices like cardiac stents and implants, the government seems to be finally getting its act together. According to a government official, in a string of measures to regulate the industry under the Draft National Medical Device Policy, it has recommended creating an autonomous body the National Medical Devices Authority (NMDA), pricing control for medical devices by including them under the Essential Commodities Act and, most importantly, floating a separate pricing division in the drug pricing regulator, NPPA. Significantly, the draft says the government may announce a separate policy for regulating prices of identified medical devices and implement it through a separate medical devices control order.

Currently, prices of medicines are notified through the Drug Prices Control Order, by the department of pharmaceuticals. The NMDA may be headed by an officer of the rank of additional secretary/joint secretary and include a member secretary (rank of joint secretary), two medical practitioners, two medical device technologists or scientists and the secretary general of Quality Council’of India (ex-officio).

In a patient-friendly measure, the draft mentions adopting policies on efficacy and safety testing, and quality control through a ‘Made in India’ marking (BIS) specific to medical devices in line with global standards. In fact, the objective of the National Medical Device Policy, 2015 is “strengthening the Make in India drive by reducing dependence on imports and setting up a strong base for medical devices, especially those^with critical implications in terms of affordability and availability of patients.”

Medical devices, which are classified as equipment, implants and disposables, are mainly import driven, with nearly 70-80% high-end devices and equipment brought into the country, while the domestic industry manufactures disposables and medical supplies. “Lack of national regulation helped the MNCs in doing business in this sector,” it says. Incidentally, the Drugs and Cosmetics (Amendment Bill, 2015) for providing regulation on medical devices is also in the legislative process.

2.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions:

(a) Due to some serious issues like _____ of medical devices like cardiac stents etc., the government has now decided to take a call.
Answer:
overpricing

(b) The National Medical Devices Authority has decided to regulate the prices of such devices by putting them under ______.
Answer:
the Essential Commodities Act and, most importantly, floating a separate pricing division in the drug pricing regulator, NPPA.

(c) The prices of the medicines are notified through the ______ by the department of pharmaceuticals.
Answer:
Drug Prices Control Order,

(d) The main objective of National Medical Device Policy, 2015 is promoting and strengthening the ______ drive.
Answer:
Make in India.

(e) The entire effort is a _______ measure aiming to regulate prices, ensuring quality etc. to the patients.
Answer:
strong

2.2. Answer any four of the following with the help of the given options :

(а) The domestic industry in this sector contributed mainly to ______ and medical supplies.
(i) anti oxidents
(ii) anti dotes
(iii) disposables
(iv) anti depressants
Answer:
(iii) disposables

(b) The drugs and cosmetics (Amendment Bill, 2015) which would provide regulation on ______ is also in the legislative process.
(i) medical devices
(ii) medical cotton/bandages
(iii) disposables
(iv) syrups
Answer:
(i) medical devices

(c) The word in para 6 which means ‘extremely important is ______
(i) significant.
(ii) exact.
(iii) specific.
(iv) appropriate.
Answer:
(iii) specific.

(d) The government seems to be finally getting its act together ______
(i) it has a high degree of concern for the common people.
(ii) it is necessary for other developmental works.
(iii) it has got many complaints of overpricing.
(iv) it is essential for the government to continue.
Answer:
(iii) it has got many complaints of overpricing.

(e) About ______ high-end medical devices are imported in India.
(i) 20-30%
(ii) 40-50%
(iii) 70-80%
(iv) 90-95%
Answer:
(iii) 70-80%

Question 3.
A headache is usually caused due to spinal misalignment of the head due to poor posture. Sleeping on the stomach with the head turned to one side and bending over for a long time makes it worse. It is known that any shift in the level of body hormones and chemicals, certain foods and drinks, and environmental stress can also trigger it. Modern life includes computers, driving, hand-held devices, and watching TV; all create severe stress on our neck and shoulders. While we know we should take constant breaks from these activities, we ‘forget’!

Holding our arms out in front of us and/or cocking our necks to see the screen properly, we put pressure on our neck and shoulders that our body wasn’t built for. This results in muscle and joint strain and pain. In migraine headaches (one-sided headaches) the pain is usually on one side of the head and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, irritability and bright spots and flashes of light. This headache is made worse by activity, especially bending.

The throbbing pain in the head gets worse by noise and light. Certain triggers for migraines may be chocolate, caffeine, smoking or MSG in certain food items. The pain may last from 8 to 24 hours and there may be a hangover for two to three days. Migraines are often preceded by an aura—changes in sight and sensations. There is usually a family history of migraine.

Work on your posture and customise the keyboard and monitor height to your needs. Our parents and teachers were right. It will hurt at first if you are improving bad posture, but the effort will be well worth it.

3.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions:

(a) What are the various reasons that cause headaches?
Answer:
Spinal misalignment of the head due to poor posture, any shift in the level of body harmones and chemicals, certain foods and drinks and environmental stress.

(b) If one suffers from a headache that is accompanied by nausea or flashes of light, one could be suffering from _____
Answer:
migraine

(d) A migraine can last for ______
Answer:
8-24 hours

(e) Name foods which can act as trigger for migraines.
Answer:
chocolate, caffeine, smoking or MSG

3.2. Answer any four of the following with the help of the given options :

(a) A headache is usually caused by ______
(i) intake of green vegetables.
(ii) sitting in the sun.
(iii) poor posture.
(iv) drinking water after playing.
Answer:
(iii) poor posture.

(b) Sleeping on the stomach with the head turned to one side, ______
(i) alleviates headache.
(ii) aggravates headache.
(iii) is the right posture.
(iv) is advisable in headache.
Answer:
(ii) aggravates headache.

(c) Constant breaks from using modern gadgets ______
(i) is a must.
(ii) depends upon the kind of work one is doing.
(iii) is unnecessary.
(iv) is subject to the urgency of the work.
Answer:
(i) is a must.

(d) We put pressure on our necks and shouders by ______
(i) carrying loads on head.
(ii) driving long distances.
(iii) sleeping on the stomach.
(iv) cocking our necks to see the screen properly.
Answer:
(iv) cocking our necks to see the screen properly.

(e) Migraines may be triggered by
(i) citric acid food items.
(ii) calcium rich foods.
(iii) chocolate, caffeine and smoking.
(iv) fruit juices.
Answer:
(iii) chocolate, caffeine and smoking.

Question 4.
A high-rise building or an overbridge or a monument has the name of the person who inaugurated it or the one who donated heavily for the construction, etc. installed on a marble placard right at the entrance, but what about the ones who actually slog day in and day out to get the building completed? The construction workers are like the unknown soldiers who are not remembered once the war is over.

Mobile Creche, which was founded by Meera Mahadevan in 1969, helps the construction labourers by looking after their children for them while the mother is busy working at the site. The first creche was a small tent at the Gandhi Centenary Exhibition site where Meera Mahadevan was moved by the plight of children lying on heaps of rubble while the mother worked. Today, they run over 50 centres between their three branches in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune. The creche is built on the construction site with permission from the contractor because, after all, he should be willing to help bear ‘ some of the minimal expenses of shelter, water, electricity etc.

Some of them do so willingly, some others have to be coaxed, but in the long run it does prove to be beneficial for the contractor, because the efficiency of the mother increases as she is happy and relaxed and not under any mental tension of having to take care of the child as well as do her share of the work.

4.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions:

(a) Why have the construction workers been referred to as ‘unknown soldiers’?
Answer:
The construction workers slog day in and day out to get the building completed, but become unknown after the building is completed.

(b) Why was the initiative of Mobile Creche taken by Meera Mahadevan?
Answer:
The initiative of Mobile Creche was taken by Meera Mahadevan after seeing the plight of children lying on heaps of rubble while the mother worked.

(d) Why did Mobile Creche prove to be beneficial to the contractor?
Answer:
Mobile Creche proves to be beneficial to the contractor because the efficiency of the mother increases as she is happy and relaxed. Also, she is not under any mental tension of having to take care of the child as well as do her share of the work.

(e) Whose name is written on a high-rise building or a monument?
Answer:
The name of the person who inaugurates or the one who donates heavily for the construction, is written on a high-rise building or a monument.

4.2. Answer any four of the following with the help of the given options :

(а) The initiative of mobile creache was taken to ______
(i) supervisse the work of construction.
(ii) bring unity among the workers.
(iii) educate and look after the children of workers.
(iv) arrange basic needs for construction workers.
Answer:
(iii) educate and look after the children of workers.

(b) The word in the passage which means ‘to persuade gently’ is ______
(i) pinch.
(ii) push.
(iii) convince.
(iv) coax.
Answer:
(iv) coax.

(d) Some contractors have to be coaxed to let Mobile Creche centre be built at his site because ______
(i) they do not allow it willingly.
(ii) they do not require to help the workers.
(iii) they think their land will be occupied for ever.
(iv) their masters get displeased.
Answer:
(i) they do not allow it willingly.

(e) The first mobile creche was built at ______
(i) Bus terminus, Swargate, Pune.
(ii) Khatri Chowk, Ujjain.
(iii) Bada Bazaar, Kolkata.
(iv) Gandhi Centenary Exhibition.
Answer:
(iv) Gandhi Centenary Exhibition.

Question 5.
Cancer has emerged as the second leading cause of death globally after cardiovascular diseases. Proportion of deaths due to cancer around the world increased from 12% in 1990 to 15% in 2013, while the number of new cases almost doubled in India during the period.

In India, deaths from the disease have increased by 60%, according to the latest report ‘Global Burden of Cancer—2013’, released worldwide on Friday. “Even if we adjust for the rise in population in India over this period, the new cancer cases have increased by 30% per unit population and deaths have risen by 10%,” says Lalit Dandona, co-author of the study and Professor at the Public Health Foundation of India and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

In 2013, there were 14.9 million new cancer cases registered globally, whereas 8.2 million people died due to the disease. The report is based on a global study of 28 cancer groups in 188 countries by a consortium of international researchers from University of Washington and Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation.

The report suggests that new cases of virtually all types of cancer are rising in countries globally, regardless of income, but the death rates from cancer are falling in many countries primarily due to its prevention and treatment. However, it says there is a threat of increasing incidence in developing countries due to ill-equipped health systems. While incidence of breast cancer is highest in India as well as globally, most number of cancer deaths in India are caused due to stomach cancer, which is globally the second most common reason for death,

5.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions:

(a) Cancer is next only to ______ diseases resulting in deaths, worldwide.
Answer:
cardiovascular

(b) The report ______ claimed that cancer deaths in India have risen.
Answer:
Global Burden of Cancer

(c) The death rates from cancer in many countries are coming down mainly due to ______ and treatment.
Answer:
its prevention

(d) The developing countries have failed to control the death rate due to ______.
Answer:
ill-equipped health systems

(e) All types of cancer are on an increase regardless of ______.
Answer:
income

5.2. Answer any four of the following with the help of the given options :

(a) The developing countries have failed to control death rate due to cancer for lack of ______
(i) suitable human resources.
(ii) the right knowledge to curb it.
(iii) well-equipped health systems.
(iv) their uncontrolled population.
Answer:
(iii) well-equipped health systems.

(b) The incidence of ______ is the highest in India as well as globally.
(i) heart disease.
(ii) kidney problem.
(iii) breast cancer.
(iv) mouth cancer
Answer:
(iii) breast cancer.

(c) Most number of cancer deaths in India are caused by ______
(i) mouth cancer.
(ii) brain tumour.
(iii) stomach cancer.
(iv) kidney cancer.
Answer:
(iii) stomach cancer.

(d) There is a threat of increasing incidence of cancer in developing countries due to ______
(i) ill-equipped health systems.
(ii) tobacco intake
(iii) delay in detection.
(iv) unqualified doctors.
Answer:
(i) ill-equipped health systems.

(e) The synonym of the word phrase ‘come out’ in first para is ______
(i) emit.
(ii) emerge.
(iii) emanate.
(iv) drop.
Answer:
(ii) emerge.

Question 6.
Tarantula is a large, fierce hairy spider. Despite their often large and hairy appearance, these spiders are not considered to be dangerous spiders. As with most spiders, they do possess venom, and a bite may cause some ill effects. However, they afe quite reluctant to bite, and will usually try to run away rather than be aggressive. In houses they perform a useful role as natural pest controllers.

In the Middle Ages it was believed that people bitten by a tarantula became ill. The patients fell into a dull, unhappy state. The only way to stir people out of this state was with music and they were supposed to dance until they were completely worn out. From this belief, a dance called the ‘tarantella’ was developed. It is a very lively Italian dance that gets faster and faster until the end. While the bite of the tarantula is fatal to insects, there is no evidence that it is so to humans as well. But still, the fear of tarantula bite persists.

Tarantulas are found in Southern Europe and are named after the city of Taranto in Italy. Like some other spiders, they don’t spin webs. Instead they dig deep burrows which they line with silk. They hibernate during winter.

Tarantulas wait for their prey somewhat like tigers. They lie hidden within their burrows. As soon as their prey comes along, they rush out, bite it and then drag it into their burrows. The bite either kills the insect or paralyses it so that it becomes helpless. They suck out the blood and body juices. When it comes to their own young ones, tarantulas are very kind. They keep their cocoons in their houses, and carry them when they go out.

6.1. On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any four of the following questions:

(a) A person bitten by a tarantula ______.
Answer:
becomes ill

(b) A peculiar trait of these spiders is that they ______.
Answer:
are quite reluctant to bite, and usually try to fun away rather than be aggressive

(d) These creatures are different from others in the sense that they ______.
Answer:
don’t spin webs

(e) Why are they called Tarantulas?
Answer:
They are named Tarantulas after the city of Taranto in Italy.

6.2. Answer any four of the following with the help of the given options :

(a) As parents, Tarantulas are ______
(i) very kind.
(ii) careless.
(iii) casual.
(iv) cruel.
Answer:
(i) very kind.

(b) After being bitten by a Tarantula, the victim came out of the dull state ______
(i) by eating too much.
(ii) by running a lot.
(iii) by sleeping for 4 consecutive days.
(iv) by dancing until the victim was worn out.
Answer:
(iv) by dancing until the victim was worn out.

(c) Tarantula’s bite is fatal ______
(i) to insects.
(ii) to humans.
(iii) to insects as well as humans.
(iv) all and sundry.
Answer:
(i) to insects.

(d) Tarantulas are found in ______
(i) Northern Europe.
(ii) Southern Europe.
(iii) South Africa.
(iv) Asia.
Answer:
(ii) Southern Europe.

(e) A suitable word/expression from the passage that means ‘spending winters in a state like deep sleep’?
(i) hibernate.
(ii) somnambulate.
(iii) insomnia.
(iv) inactive.
Answer:
(i) hibernate.

Unseen Passage for Class 9 CBSE with Answers Factual

Class 9 English Question Answer