PADMASHREE SCHOOL (CBSE)
VANASAKTHI NAGAR, CHENNAI – 600099
GRADE: XII SUBJECT: ENGLISH
REVISION WORKSHEET
I. Answer the following
1. The Centre is methodical. The recently tabled press and registration of periodicals bill,
2023 appeared to many to be a methodical step in destroying freedoms. The government,
however, declared that the bill would simplify the process of registration presented in the
Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which the new law will replace. It will aid
transparency and ease of business and help small and medium publishers. But these uplifting
goals have not prevented the government from opening up multiple centres of power that can
decide the fate of journals.
The alarm expressed by the Editors Guild of India over the bill’s ‘draconian provisions’
indicates how the bill threatens press freedom. The EGI has written about its areas of worry
to the prime minister and highly-placed leaders and suggested that the bill be sent to a
parliamentary select committee for discussion. ‘Registration’, not ‘regulation’, is what a free
press requires.
The 1867 law empowered only the district magistrate to suspend or cancel the certificate of
registration for a publication. The new law gives this power not only to the press registrar but
also to other ‘specific authorities’, suggesting that law enforcement agencies, too, could butt
in. The EGI fears the possibilities of arbitrariness and intrusiveness because any of these
authorities can enter publishing premises to question people and seize documents. The bill
seems to have built-in guarantees of compliance. Anyone accused of terrorist activity and of
actions detrimental to the security of the State would be barred from publishing.
The ceaseless use of laws against terror and sedition is a constant threat to journalists, who
are occasionally jailed. But criticism of the government was so far being suppressed by
arresting individuals; the new law would ensure silence even before a line is published. Since
the Centre will evolve guidelines for news publication, it could mean a full-blown shift from
news to fairy-tale. Lightening the penal provisions of the 1867 Act is intriguing too.
An improper declaration of publishers and printers before the district magistrate will not
matter. And the law will tread lightly when there is publication without registration, making it
punishable if publishing continues for six months after warning. Who are the intended
beneficiaries? A free press is one of the most precious freedoms the country enjoys. This is
now at grave risk.
Based on the above passage answer the following questions.
I. Select the option that best captures the central theme of the passage. (1 M)
A. The evolution of press and registration laws in India
B. The challenges to press freedom posed by new legislation
C. The benefits of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023
D. The role of the Editors Guild of India in shaping press regulations
II. What is the primary goal of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, 2023, according
to the government? (1M)
A. To enhance transparency in press operations
B. To simplify the process of press registration
C. To promote ease of business for publishers
D. To aid small and medium publishers financially
III. Share evidence from the passage that supports the concern expressed by the Editors Guild
of India (EGI) about the new bill. (1 M)
IV. Complete the sentence appropriately with a characteristic or its description. (1M)
Based on the information in the passage, the Editors Guild of India is portrayed as ____
V. What aspect of the new law raises concerns about potential abuse of power? (1M)
A. The empowerment of district magistrates
B. The inclusion of 'specific authorities'
C. The provision for simplifying registration
D. The focus on ease of business for publishers
VI. Explain, in about 40 words, the potential implications of the new law on press freedom,
as highlighted in the passage. ( 2 M)
VII. In the context of the passage, how does the new laws' focus on "registration" rather than
"regulation" impact the concept of a free press? (2 M)
VIII. State TRUE or FALSE. (1M)
The new law is designed to lighten the penal provisions of the 1867 Act, making it easier for
publishers to operate without strict oversight
2. Answer the following
This is a time to understand things. Fundamental things. Like do you and I understand the
same things when we say the same things? Or are those things different things? Watan?
Where is it? Show please. Where is it?
No please, not the map. And which map? There are many maps. Our maps. Their maps. Maps
in atlases. Maps on negotiating tables. Maps on paper. Maps in our heads. Maps we are
given. Maps we are kept from. Sanctioned maps. Maps that will violate sanction.
I am right in thinking — let me not say it out aloud, or on record, you know how things are
these days with such things — that different people are right to imagine different shapes (or
maps) of the watan? I mean there is the akhand watan, call it vision or imagination or
ambition, but there is that notion of the akhand watan.
Then there is the vasudhaiv notion. The world in its entirety, not strictly a watan but a family,
one family, the same family. Tough to tell how that happens. Especially given, you know...
Just look around, you’ll see if you do not already. The whole blooming world a family? You
must be either very funny or terribly cruel. Which probably reminds me of something worth
mention. There is also the map that has been recently dented not in one place but several.
Wonder what that makes the watan look like, nobody’s telling because nobody really knows.
But watan is more than maps, a lot, lot more. Watan, more than anything else, is people. We
are now the watan with the most people in it, happened sometime ago. But this too is
happening — a lot of people, thousands and thousands, are choosing to leave the watan for
other watans. And many more are being asked to leave the watan by people belonging to this
watan. Watan people telling other watan people to go away to another watan, very often one
particular watan. We shall not name the watan because what fault is it of that watan, bhai?
Then there is always this thing lurking in the works, this provision, like a promise to some
and an apprehension to scores of others, that will by statute enable the extending of this
watan people to other watans, it is not clear which. Meantime, what’s approaching is this
watan time (and also that watan time).
It is that sort of time. Watan time. We do these things at this time. Watan things.
You want to tell me
You are this nation bar all
I get it, oh I see
Oh I see in you our fall.
Based on the above passage answer the following questions.
I. Select the option that best captures the central theme of the passage.
A. Exploring the concept of different maps and notions of "watan"
B. The history and evolution of maps in various contexts
C. The challenges of understanding and defining a nation
D. The importance of global unity and cooperation
II. What is the primary concern regarding the idea of a single, unified "watan"?
A. The lack of accurate maps to represent the watan
B. The struggle to define and imagine a united watan
C. The difficulty in distinguishing different watans from each other
D. The debate over whether the watan should be a family or a nation
III. Share evidence from the passage that suggests the complexity and ambiguity of the
concept of "watan."
IV. Complete the sentence appropriately with a characteristic or its description
Based on the information in the passage, "watan" is portrayed as a complex and evolving
concept that _________
V. What is the significance of the phrase "We do these things at this time. Watan time. We do
watan things."?
A. It emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation among different nations.
B. It highlights the need to prioritize global issues over national ones.
C. It reinforces the idea that actions and decisions are influenced by a sense of nationhood.
D. It suggests a rejection of national identity in favor of a broader global perspective.
VI. Explain, in about 40 words, how the passage portrays the concept of "watan" as both
inclusive and exclusive. (2 M)
VII. In the context of the passage, how does the concept of the "vasudhaiv notion" contrast
with the idea of a single "akhand watan"? (2 M)
VIII. State TRUE or FALSE.
The passage primarily focuses on the technical aspects of cartography and map-making.
II. Notice Writing
1. You are the Secretary of the Environment Club of Dharmik Sandhaya Public School. Write
a notice to invite students of Class XII to the tree plantation drive organised by the Club on
the World Environment Day.
III. Invitations
1. You have been asked by your Director to invite a team of students and teachers from SD
Public School, Modinagar for a workshop on changes in CBSE syllabus being conducted by a
reputed publisher of educational books. Write the invitation as the secretary, English Literary
Society of the published in 50 words. You are Sukanya/Sathish
IV. Article Writing
Rising prices of essential commodities make life difficult for the common man. You are
Nalini/Ranbir. Write an article in 120-150 words describing the causes, possible solutions and
how students can help their parents to cope with the problem.
Clues:
Varying demand and supply
Monitoring and controlling prices
Action against hoarders
Artificial shortages in the market
Lack of effective measures
