GYAN BHARATI SCHOOL, SAKET

PRACTICE WORKSHEET
Reading Comprehension

PARAGRAPH 1
Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow:
1. As a high school student, studying poetry can be a rollercoaster ride. This journey is punctuated by
moments of profound appreciation for simpler pieces and intermittent frustration with more
complex works. Let's be real here -some poems are just plain confusing and no amount of re-
reading seems to help decipher the intended meaning. The puzzlement that results from such
instances can be both vexing and demotivating. If solving a riddle is what was intended, then
playing Sudoku is a better option. One is led to ponder if obscurity was the goal.
2. Conversely, some pieces resonate with the reader's soul stirring feelings of warmth, happiness,
and connection to the world. Often, these compositions centre on themes that are universally
understood, such as love, nature, or faith. Being able to actually understand what the poet is trying
to say can feel like a little victory and is a welcome relief after grappling with more perplexing
poetry.
3. Then there are poems that are emotionally charged; the ones that make the reader curl up in a ball
and cry or jump up and down with joy. One is left in awe of the poet's ability to convey emotion
through words. Let’s not forget the downright weird poems. These are the ones that defy
categorization and leave the reader to their own devices in attempting to interpret meaning. The
author's use of figurative language and unconventional imagery can create a sense of
bewilderment that is either intriguing or off-putting. Regardless, the reader can appreciate the
uniqueness of the work.
4. Despite the wide range of emotions and reactions that come with studying poetry, it can be a
rewarding pursuit. Not only does reading poetry allow one to appreciate the artistic beauty of the
written word but also enables one to develop crucial critical thinking and analytical skills. The
process of unlocking a poem's meaning can feel like cracking a code or solving a puzzle but the
sense of accomplishment derived from mastering a challenging piece can be deeply gratifying.
Finally, impressing an English teacher with a well-analysed poem can be a source of pride and
validation.
5. Overall, studying poetry is like a box of mixed chocolates, you never know what you're going to
get. But whether it's complex, emotional, simple, or just downright weird, there's always
something to be gained from the experience. So, let's applaud all the poets out there, for making
us laugh, cry, scratch our heads, and occasionally feel like a genius.
Answer the following questions on the basis of your reading of the passage:

I. Which of the following statements best describes the author's attitude towards studying poetry?
a) Finds poetry to be a frustrating and meaningless endeavour.
b) Believes that the emotional rollercoaster of studying poetry is not worth the effort.
c) Recognizes the challenges of studying poetry but also acknowledges the rewards it offers.
d) Feels that poetry is too obscure and abstract for the average person to appreciate.

II. Complete the sentence appropriately. The author's use of vivid imagery in the paragraph (3), such
as "curl up in a ball and cry" and "jump up and down with joy", greatly affects the reader because
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
III. The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets (a)-(e) below,
identify two sets of antonyms:
a) Intriguing and off-putting b) Deciphering and interpreting
c) Appreciate and applaud d) Simple and challenging e) Emotions and feelings
 IV. What is the message conveyed by Hina's experience, in the following case?
Hina spends hours trying to analyze a poem for her assignment and finally feels a sense of accomplishment
and pride, once she understands.
A. Only those with natural talent for poetry should engage with it.
B. Persistence makes studying poetry a rewarding pursuit.
C. Study of poetry is guaranteed to impress others.
D. The efforts of studying poetry is inversely proportional to the rewards gained.

V. State whether the following lines display an example of a simple / complex / emotionally charged
/ downright weird, poem.
The sun rises in the east,
A new day begins, a fresh start.
Birds chirp, nature wakes up,
A peaceful feeling in my heart.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
VI. Based on the reading of the passage, examine, in about 40 words, how studying poetry can be
like exploring a new city.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

PARAGRAPH 2
1. Red Cross: How Hope Evolved On June 24, 1859, Emperors Napoleon III and Franz Joseph I engaged
in the Battle of Solferino, commanding a combined total of about 270,000 troops onto the field for
a single day of battle. Nearly 40,000 were either dead, injured, or missing, many of whom were
simply left to die on the battlefield. Later, spectators crowded the fields, looking for loved ones,
searching for items they could sell, or simply taking in the horrors of the battle. A Swiss
businessman and social activist Jean Henri Dunant, who was traveling in Solferino witnessed all
this.
2. Jean Henri Dunant witnessed the atrocities of war as well as the countries not prepared or
equipped to ease the suffering of those who had been injured in the Battle of Solferino. Dunant
organized a group of volunteers to help bring water and food to the injured, to assist with medical
treatment, or write letters to the families of those who were dying and he urged the public to
create an organization which would assist the wounded, regardless of which side they fought for
during times of war. After that moment, he wrote the book, A Memory of Solferino, which urged
the public to create an organization which would assist the wounded, regardless of which side they
fought for during times of war. His writing inspired countless others to rally behind him in the
creation of the International Federation of the Red Cross.
3. The modern-day Red Cross began by devoting itself largely to disaster relief and epidemic
treatment. This effort continues to this day. One of the easiest ways you can help the Red Cross is
to make sure you are able to donate blood and make an appointment at the Red Cross website.
But, donating blood isn't the only way you can help out—the Red Cross also encourages donating
your time if you can. This is what the Red Cross wants everyone to know.

On the basis of your reading of the passage given above, answer the following questions:
a) How many soldiers fought in the battle of Solferino on June 24?
i. 270,000 ii. 40,000 iii. 230,000 iv. 23,000

b) What is the correct order of the information given below:

I. Dunant organised a camp of volunteers.
II. Emperor Napoleon III and Franz Joseph I fought a battle.
 III. The book ‘A Memory of Solferino was written.
IV. Dunant travelled in Solferino.
(i) IV, III, II, I (ii) I, II, III, IV (iii) II, I, IV, III (iv) II, IV, I, III

c) The writer of 'A Memory of Solferino’ was:

i. Emperor Napoleon III ii. Franz Joseph I iii. Jean Henri Dunant iv. International Red Cross

d) The modern day Red Cross does not deal with:

i. Blood donation ii. Disaster Relief iii. Epidemic Treatment iv. Writing a book

e) The most appropriate sub-heading to para 2 of the passage is:

i. How International Federation of Red Cross Evolved! ii. Functions of Red Cross
iii. The Contributions of Jean Henri Dunant iv. The Battle of Solferino

f) The aid provided by Dunant’s volunteers during the battle of Solferino was:
I. to help bring water and food to the injured II. to assist with medical treatment
III. to write a book IV. to give relief in epidemic
(i) I and III (ii) III and IV (iii) I and II (iv) II and III

g) You can donate your blood and your ………………………………………….. to Red Cross.

h) Jean Henri Dunant participated in the war. (True/ False)