Student Name: ______________ Worksheet No

Class: X
Subject: English Date:

TOPIC: Comprehension
1. Read the following text.

(1) The invention of the safety bicycle in the late nineteenth century transformed the world of cycling. While
early versions of bicycles had been used in Europe since the seventeenth century, it was the safety bicycle
with its lightweight hollow steel frame and equal-sized wheels that revolutionised the cycling experience.
(2) This resulted in enhanced mobility for both men and women, allowing them to explore the countryside
freely and travel between towns. Bicycles symbolised freedom, particularly for women, granting them self-
reliable transportation and the ability to participate in recreational activities, like bicycle racing. The rise of
bicycles also brought a shift in fashion, with more functional and relaxed clothing tailored specifically for
cycling
(3) Bicyclists also became a political force. They played a significant role in the development of road maps,
guiding riders along the best routes. They campaigned for better infrastructure to enhance their riding
experiences.
(4) Today, advances in technology, wearables* and complex data analysis have transformed sports science,
particularly in endurance sports, like cycling. Cyclists can now gather vast amounts of data simply by using
mobile apps to track their activities. This data not only encompasses exercise details, like its volume or
intensity, but also external factors like the impact of weather on the physiological response of the athlete.
Furthermore, technology has made it very easy to monitor performance-influencing data outside of training,
such as heart rate or sleep quality, through various wearables and cost-effective mobile apps.
(5) However, just because we are able to monitor so much information does not mean that it is useful for
improving the sports performance of our athletes. In this sense, we believe that we must be critical while
adopting any new technologies or trends in training. The first thing we should know is whether there is
scientific support for the use of that new gadget or wearable. For example, core temperature is of great
importance in the mechanisms that produce fatigue and exhaustion in endurance sports. A few years ago, a
device came on the market that estimated this measurement in a non-invasive way and we saw many top
cyclists and runners wearing it. However, a study later showed it is an invalid device for measuring one's
temperature.
(6) Innovation in cycling has evolved from the invention of safety bicycles to technological advancements in
sports science. Maximizing the potential benefits of these developments requires critical thinking to enhance
the training and performance of modern cyclists.

Answer the following questions based on the passage above

1. What is the passage mainly about?

A. How did the advancement of sports science impact the fashion industry?
B. What were the primary societal changes brought about by the rise of bicycles?
C. How did the invention of the safety bicycle contribute to the development of wearable technology?
D. In what ways did early versions of bicycles differ from the safety bicycle in the late nineteenth century?
2. In which sentence does the author express uncertainty about the use of new technologies in training?
A. "...advances in technology have transformed sports science." (paragraph 4)
B. "This data not only encompasses exercise details but also external factors like weather." (paragraph 4)
C. "...just because we can monitor so much information does not mean it is useful." (paragraph 5)
D. "Maximizing the potential benefits of these developments requires critical thinking." (paragraph 6)

3. Complete the sentence appropriately by providing two distinct reasons in the blank below. It can be said the
world of cycling has seen massive changes because _________ it transitioned from primarily using steel cycles
to safety bicycles and saw technological advancements, like wearables in sports science._.

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 4. Which of these is opposite to 'invalid' as used in paragraph 5? A. ethical B. accurate C. authentic D. trustworthy

5. Using information solely from the passage, provide two distinct reasons to complete the sentence appropriately.
Bicycles can be seen as a symbol of empowerment because ____________. they facilitated women's freedom to
commute freely and easily between places and participate in recreational activities like bicycle racing
.6. Imagine you are a sports scientist tasked with developing a new technological tool to aid cyclists in their training.
Provide a brief description, within 40 words, of its specific features and why you chose to include them. The tool
would offer customized training recommendations and plans, integrated GPS for improved navigation,
analysis and feedback capabilities, and social features for connecting with fellow cyclists. This
comprehensive approach would enhance cyclists' performance by providing tailored training
opportunities and fostering a supportive community.
7. Select the option that shows the correct relationship between (1) and (2).

(1) Cyclists were able to improve the accuracy of maps

(2) Cyclists became influential and campaigned for better infrastructure.

A. (2) is a contradiction of (1)

B. (2) is independent of (1)

C. (2) is an example of (1)

D. (2) is the cause of (1)

8. Below are statements from cyclists.

Identify two statements that could be said by a cyclist in the late nineteenth century.

1. "I like having a personal coach on my wrist. It just told me how many calories I have burned so far!"

2. "It's quite a struggle riding up these steep hills on my heavy steel framed bicycle."

3. "I feel so liberated whenever I hop on my bicycle. I didn't have freedom like this before!"

4. "Ugh, there is so much traffic ahead. And I feel so pressured to meet my performance targets every time I hop on
a bike."

2. Read the following text.

(1) India is a country of many languages. The constitution recognizes 22 languages officially, but over 121 unique
languages have been identified in the country.

(2) To preserve and encourage the literary function of language, the government introduced 'classical languages' in
2004. According to the Ministry of Culture, a classical language is one that is at least 1,500 years old and has ancient,
valuable literature recorded in it. Further, such a language is original and not derived from another language. Based
on these guidelines, six languages have been classified as classical languages: Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu,
Malayalam and Odia.

(3) The following graph shows the percentage of Indian people whose mother tongue is a classical language. This is
as per data collected by the census of 2011. The census was not conducted in 2021 due to the pandemic.

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(4) According to the graph, around 6.7% of the Indian population are native speakers of Telugu, whereas Sanskrit has
been identified as a mother tongue by only 0.002% of the population, which is around 24,821 people. Malayalam has
the second lowest number of native speakers, making up about 2.9% of Indians.

(5) The 2011 census data also noted that a majority of the native speakers reside in the area that their mother
tongue originated from. For example, 93% of Kannada speakers live in Karnataka. Similarly, 93% of Malayalam
speakers live in Kerala.

(6) Balancing preservation of culture and inclusivity is a delicate equation for a heterogeneous country like India.
With growing awareness, concepts like 'classical languages' may help us achieve harmony.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above

1. Which of these pieces of information can be confirmed by reading the passage?

(I) the number of people in India who speak Tamil

(II) where the majority of native Sanskrit speakers live

(III) the reason Malayalam is considered a classical language

(IV) when the idea of classical languages was introduced in India

A. Only (I) B. Only (IV) C. Only (I) and (II) D. Only (III) and (IV)

2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets.

Based on the passage, the __________ (functional/historical) value of a language is of utmost importance while
(preserving/categorising) it as a classical language.

3. Imagine that a committee was formed to ensure that classical languages have more native speakers by the time
the next census is conducted.

In 40 words, answer the following questions to help the committee achieve its objective.

(1) Which classical language needs its attention most urgently and why?

(2) Which classical language would be THIRD on its priority?

(1) Sanskrit, as it has the lowest percentage of people who identify it as their mother tongue

(2) Odia

4. State an example from the passage that shows that India is a 'heterogeneous country'. Answer in one sentence.

• a country of many languages

• over 121 unique languages identified in the country
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 • a variety of mother tongues that are different from each other

5. Why has the writer stated the following line in the passage?

Give a reason. The census was not conducted in 2021 due to the pandemic.

• to justify why data from a census as old as 2011 has been used
• to state that newer data is not available
• because readers would expect the next census to have been conducted in 2021 (10
years after the 2011 census) for more recent data
• to give a disclaimer to readers in case they find updated information in recent times
that contradicts the stated data

6. Complete the sentence based on information from the passage.

If Tamil originated from Tamil Nadu, we can infer that __________ of the native Tamil speakers would be living in
Tamil Nadu.

• most
• a majority
• any percentage that shows majority: 80% or above

7. Which of these hypothetical situations would help India achieve harmony? Justify your answer in about 40 words.
(a) if the majority of Indians who speak a classical language are settled abroad

(b) if more languages from remote and tribal areas of India are identified as classical languages

(c) if the percentage of Indians who are native Telugu speakers increases to more than 10 percent

(b) if more languages from remote and tribal areas of India are identified as classical languages

Justification (any one):

The passage mentions that preservation and inclusivity are important. Therefore, including
languages that are native to people who live in lesser-known areas of India would lead to more
harmony.

The recognition of lesser-known languages as 'classical languages' would make certain cultures
and languages more nationally acceptable for citizens of the country.

It would increase our awareness about our own country, which would lead us to understand
unique cultures and languages with more curiosity than judgement.

8. Which of these sentences uses 'delicate' in the same way as paragraph (6) does?

A. She looked beautiful in the dress with the delicate floral pattern.

B. He was frequently admitted to the hospital due to his delicate health.

C. This discussion will require careful consideration as it is a delicate matter.

D. Please handle these delicate items carefully during transportation as they break easily.

3. Read the passage given below.

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I. Despite plenty of nay-sayers, the textbook is dead. It just doesn’t know it yet and continues on walking about as
though alive. I even have one, A Text-Book of Physics, on my bookshelf beside me that was printed in 1891. It has
some line drawings and no colour. Today, textbooks have lots of colourful images and engaging questions sprinkled
about them. They also have tons of advice for teachers on how to use them effectively.

II. The word “textbook” originated in the 1720s, almost 300 years ago. It’s had a good run and is ready to retire.
Those who argue that you cannot learn well without a textbook ignore the centuries prior to 1720 when lots of
people learned and learned well with no textbooks anywhere. You can learn without textbooks. That’s certain. But
why should we bother to change something that’s worked for 300 years? Many deliver the verdict in a single word:
technology. That’s way too simplistic.

III. We’ve seen film loops, overhead projectors, motion picture projectors, machine scoring of tests and a myriad of
other technological innovations in classrooms, but the textbook remains. No, technology alone will not end the reign
of the textbook. It takes something more, and that became available in the 1940s — the programmable electronic
computer. But here we are, 70 years later, with plenty of textbooks visible. The computer was not sufficient by itself.

IV. The next big change began with ARPANET in the 1960s. This foundation led to the Internet, and its growth has
been phenomenal. But a widespread communication medium alone is not sufficient to dislocate textbooks either.
Inexpensive computers, easy-to-use interfaces (GUIs) and ready access to the Internet all contribute.

V. "Fine," say many. "But the textbook publishers are putting their books online. They are creating e-textbooks. So,
textbooks live!"

VI. This argument misses the essential difference between education technology in the earlier times and education
technology in the present, other than mere cost. Computer software can be interactive. Previous education
technology was, like textbooks, rather passive. Active learning is far superior to passive learning, so much so that it’s
not a step, not a leap, but a rocket-propelled launch past old-fashioned learning.

VII. It’s the mental engagement with something that determines whether you learn and how well. The really big
change will come when students can jump into online situations that are more like real life, and are able to use a
variety of devices to reach the web and become part of the learning community. They will be guided by a
combination of human mentors and machines. Furthermore, diagnostic analysis of their work will tell mentors when
students are ready for certain learning and, more importantly, when they’re not.

VIII. Textbooks do not tap into our brains to realise this learning potential. Hence, today, the textbook is a zombie.
It’s just waiting for that wooden stake or silver bullet to put it to a well deserved rest.

Q.1 In the passage, the author talks about a well-deserved rest for the textbooks. Which of these describes the
author's attitude towards textbooks?

A. He criticises the value added by textbooks in society.

B. He recommends that textbooks are the sole medium for effective learning.

C. He thinks that textbooks are far more superior than other mediums of knowledge.

D. He is concerned about the continued use of textbooks as a primary source of learning.

Q.2 Based on the passage, the following developments took place in the education field.

i) The process of learning took place without the use of textbooks.

ii) The invention of computers and digital books reduced the dependency on physical books.

iii) The creation of adaptive and interactive learning tools contributed to the way learning took place.

iv) The introduction and circulation of textbooks turned them into a commonly used medium of learning.

Which of these arranges the developments in the order of their occurrence?

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A. i-ii-iii-iv

B. i-iv-ii-iii

C. ii-i-iii-iv

D. iii-i-ii-iv

Q.3 Select the option that can weaken the author's case for a complete shift to computer learning in paragraph VI.

A. a sharp increase in the creation of e-textbooks

B. a rising dependency on using technology as a medium of learning

C. scholarly articles comparing the effectiveness of online learning with that of textbooks

D. the development of e-textbooks with activities that require active participation from readers

Q.4 Which of these best conveys the meaning of 'diagnostic analysis' as used in paragraph VII?

A. a depiction of the learners' interests

B. a display of the learners' achievements

C. an evaluation of the learners' capabilities

D. an appreciation of the learners' initiatives

Q.5 Which of these sentences CORRECTLY uses the phrase 'rocket-propelled' as used in paragraph VI?

A. Sean is lucky to have a friend who talks to him in a rocket-propelled way.

B. Anika screamed out of fear and ran out of her house in a rocket-propelled manner.

C. Regular practice and a good coach gave the batsman a rocket-propelled rise in his career.

D. The TV was buzzing with the news of severe damage caused by a rocket-propelled explosion.

Q.6 Select the option that BEST describes the passage.

A. Harry Keller's piece gives an account of the origin of textbooks.

B. Harry Keller's essay provides a boost to the field of education technology.

C. Harry Keller's commentary on the popularity of computers is a must-read.

D. Harry Keller's observations on the changes in learning patterns are brilliant.

Q.7 Select the option from the passage that does NOT qualify as a fact.

A. Today, textbooks have lots of colorful images and engaging questions sprinkled about. (paragraph I)

B. The word “textbook” originated in the 1720s, almost 300 years ago. (paragraph II)

C. But here we are, 70 years later, with plenty of textbooks visible. (paragraph III)

D. The really big change will come when students can jump into online situations that are more like real life...
(paragraph VII)

Q.8 Suppose the students have to learn about the water cycle. According to the author, a student will BEST learn
about the water cycle while __________.

A. creating a miniature model of it

B. listening to a teacher explain it in detail

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C. reading about it through colorful textbooks

D. watching an informative video about it on the internet

Q.9 Based on the text given, we can say that the author is __________.

A. documenting the history of learning tools

B. suggesting ways to limit the use of technology

C. proposing an argument and making a case for it

D. highlighting the cause of a problem and its effects

Q.10 We’ve seen film loops, overhead projectors...and a myriad of other technological innovations in classrooms... In
other words, we can say that the author has seen film loops, projectors and __________ technological innovations in
classrooms.

A. various B. definite C. distinct D. complex

4. Read the passage given below.

I. The Nobel Prize is an international award administered by the Nobel Foundation and is based on the fortune of
Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor and entrepreneur. The Nobel prize is awarded for the best contribution in the fields
of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and to the person who has contributed by and large to bring Peace on
Earth. In 1968, Sweden’s central bank established the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in memory of
Alfred Nobel.

II. A look into the history of the recipients of the award reveals that only 57 women have received the award
compared to 873 male recipients. There are various historical reasons for why this is the case, but the trend appears
to be improving.

III. Goran Hansson, the permanent secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said , " While more women
are being recognised now compared with previous decades, only about 10% of the professors in natural sciences in
western Europe or North America are women, and even lower if you go to east Asia." All over the world, the number
of men working in STEM fields is much higher than the number of women.

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IV. Hansson emphasised that they have made sure to identify the problem and also learn about subconscious bias in
the prize-awarding committees and academies. "We’ve had lectures by sociologists, we’ve had group discussions, we
have put quite a lot of effort into it,” he said.

V. “In the end, we will give the prize to those who are found the most worthy, those who have made the most
important contributions," he added.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct
option.

Q.11 According to the passage, the gender disparity among Nobel Prize recipients is due to __________ factors.

A. historical B. economical C. sociological D. psychological

Q.12 Based on the passage, what efforts are being made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences to address the
low representation of female scientists?

i. The Academy is consciously awarding female scientists from the 2000s.

ii. The Academy is inviting sociologists to lecture about the gender gap.

iii. The Academy is hosting group discussions to boost the intelligence of female scientists.

A. only (i) B. only (ii) C. (i) and (iii) D. (ii) and (iii)

Q.13 According to the passage, Goran Hansson says that there are __________.

A. more female scientists in East Asia than in Europe

B. fewer male scientists than female scientists in Europe

C. fewer male scientists being considered for recognition now

D. more female scientists being recognised for their work now

Q.14 Which of these can be inferred from the graph showing the number of women Nobel laureates by decade?

A. No woman received the Nobel prize before the year 1910.

B. More women have received the Nobel prize since 1971 than men.

C. At least one woman received the Nobel prize every year since 1901

D. Since 1961, women Nobel laureates have been increasing steadily every decade.

Q.15 Which of these pieces of information is NOT present in the passage?

A. number of Nobel prizes given in the year 2009

B. number of men who have received Nobel prizes till date

C. percentage of male scientists belonging to eastern countries

D. percentage of female scientists belonging to western countries

Q.16 Select the sentence that CORRECTLY uses the phrase 'by and large' as used in paragraph I.

A. Paula prepared a by and large cake for dinner.

B. We bought by and large clothes for the campaign.

C. Most of the lions by and large eat deer when hungry.

D. She was so excited that she screamed by and large on the road.

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Q.17 The Nobel Prize is an international award because it recognises the achievements made __________.

A. in all subjects B. by all genders C. in all countries D. by all institutions

Q.18 Identify the opinion from these statements about the information shared in the passage.

A. The Nobel prizes have been awarded to more men than women.

B. Alfred Nobel's wealth is used to award the Nobel prizes to the winners.

C. The Nobel prize was awarded for the best contribution in only four fields initially.

D. Women in general are more inclined to working on world peace than on other subjects

5. Read the passage given below.

History in general remains an endeavour to search for the truth about the past in a contemporary light. The search is
done by examining the treasure trove of a documented past. This also holds true for the history of food. Cookbooks
have always played an instrumental role in researching the history of any community. The roots of recording the
history of food are nearly as old as the history of writing itself. In the East, Meng Shen of the T'ang dynasty recorded
the origin and usage of every food consumed in the court. In India, mythology mentions that the oldest and first-ever
book on cookery is Pakadarpanam (The Mirror of Culinary Skills), written by King Nala.

Cookbooks are a guiding light that can take one on a journey of understanding traditions and culture. Scholars in the
past also believed that cookbooks are a source of information not only to understand social or gender-specific roles
but also material factors such as trade and network.

So what could be considered a cookbook in our modern society? It has been noted recently that there is a surge in
the number of infotainment and documentary programs about food. Recipes are no longer just about cookbooks. In
fact, a new breed of Indian culinary experts are cooking their way to celebrity status. And they are achieving this via
social media. As they demystify Indian cuisine and offer step- by-step guidance to creating mouthwatering Indian
dishes, these talented men and women are inspiring a lot of Indians to pick up their ladles and try out various recipes
in their own kitchens

The social media chefs are here to stay. No longer does an amateur home chef have to struggle with trying to
understand what exactly the recipe instruction means when it says things like, "the batter should be of pouring
consistency". Now one can see the chef demonstrate on video what exactly 'pouring consistency' ought to be like.

A lot of people used these recipes that were easily available on social media to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cooking, which was considered a necessity at the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown days, turned into a
recreational activity over time. It also functioned as a tool to improve people's psychological well-being.

This gave them a goal-oriented behaviour to engage in, while also being a way to connect with others by sharing
recipes or posting pictures of their creations on social media. Thus, documenting recipes online is the modern
version of authoring a cookbook.

1.The search is done by examining the treasure trove of a documented past. This also holds true for the history of
food. (Paragraph 1) Why would the author refer to cookbooks as a treasure trove"?

A. because they contain recipes for rich foods

B. because writing them requires a lot of time and money

C. because they hold a wealth of information about the past

D. because writing recipes is considered a rewarding experience

2.Refer to the following from Paragraph 1:

Meng Shen: records of food consumed in court

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King Nala: Pakadarpanam, the oldest book on cookery (Paragraph 1)

Which of the options display the MOST LIKELY the reason the first cookbooks were from royal households?

A. The royalty was involved in the planning of all their meals.

B. The royalty wanted ordinary folk to know how to eat like kings.

C. The royalty had to be ready to serve special food to foreign visitors.

D. The royalty had the resources to create complex dishes and document them.

3. Cookbooks are a guiding light... (Paragraph 2)

Which of these options uses the same literary device as the line above?

A. This cake is the heaven of taste!

B. These grapes are as sweet as candy.

C. These biscuits are delicious. They're the best!

D. This recipe was so interesting. It jumped right off the page.

4. The author says "cookbooks are a source of information to understand gender-specific roles. "(Paragraph 2) State
one of the ways how cookbooks could reveal information on gender-specific roles.

5. Provide one example of how cookbooks can be a source of information about trade and network.

6. Complete the following with a phrase from paragraph 3.

Phrase Meaning
____ gradually progress from one stage to the next

7. The social media chefs are here to stay. (Paragraph 4) Which of these best describes the tone in the above line?

A. curious

B. hopeful

C. confident

D. argumentative

8. Based on the passage, state any two reasons why more Indians are exploring the art of cooking.

1.___________

2.___________

9. In the passage, which of these is NOT suggested as a reason for people 1 posting on social media about the food
they cooked?

A. to share that they have completed a task

B. to maintain a record of all that they have cooked

C. to explain the steps they used for making the dish

D. to create a sense of competition among their follower

10. Write an appropriate title for this passage.

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