S.D.

JAIN MODERN SCHOOL, SURAT

STD - 9 (2024-25)
SUBJECT - ENGLISH
COMPREHENSION WORKSHEET
Periodic Test II

I. Read the following text :

1. Not too long ago, a group of teachers studied students and their learning problems. They found something interesting.
Students who struggled in subjects like Maths or Art could still do well in other areas. However, students who were bad
at reading tended to do poorly in all their subjects.
2. At first, the teachers were confused by this, but they soon found the answer. They realized that even subjects like
Maths and Science depend on reading.
3. While other skills are involved in subjects like Maths, such as adding and subtracting, most instructions are given in
written form. Students often have to read homework. directions, tests, and word problems. If students can't read and
understand these, they can't solve the problems. So, being good at reading is important for success in almost every
subject.
4. If you go to college, you'll spend most of your study time reading. You'll need more information, and the best way to get
it is by reading. Even if information comes in movies or tapes, it won't help you unless you know how to read. In the
future, magazines and books may be on computers or microfilm, but they will still need to be read. The same applies to
learning in school printed material isn't going away anytime soon.
5. Success in school still depends on being able to read well. Students who can't read or don't read well enough to
understand the material will struggle. You are entering a world where more and more reading is required every day.
Instructions for using apps, cooking food, understanding traffic signs, travel guides, and safety warnings all require
reading skills.
6. Your ability to find and keep a job is also linked to your reading ability. Even the simplest jobs require some reading,
and many people get better-paying jobs by learning new skills through reading. The more specialized the job. the more
you need to read quickly. and confidently. Doctors read medical journals to keep up with the latest treatments,
pharmacists read prescriptions, and lawyers spend a lot of time reading legal documents. Jobs that require strong
reading skills are growing fast, and today, people who can't read well may have a hard time finding employment.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. In paragraph 1, what did the teachers discover about students who struggled with reading? 1

ii. Complete the following with the correct option: 1

Why do students who are bad at reading struggle in subjects like Maths and Science?

(a) Because these subjects don't require any reading.

(b) Because even these subjects have written instructions and problems that students need to read and understand.
(paragraph 2)

iii. How does reading affect success in Maths, as explained in paragraph 3? 2

iv. Select the option that best explains the importance of reading in college: 1

(a) College students spend most of their time doing practical work.

(b) College students need to read a lot to get information, and even future technologies will still require reading.
(paragraph 4)

v. State whether the following statement is True or False. 1

Printed material will soon disappear from schools, according to the passage. (paragraph 4)

vi. The writer mentions in paragraph 5 that more reading is required in daily life today. 1

Which of the following are two examples of things that require reading skills? 1
(A) Understanding traffic signs and safety warnings.
(B) Instructions for using apps and food preparation guides.
(C) Both (A) and (B).
(D) Memorizing phone numbers and recognizing faces. (paragraph 5)

vii. List two reasons why reading is important for getting and keeping a job, as mentioned in the passage. 1
(paragraph 6)
viii. Fill in the blank with the correct option: 1
According to the passage, people who cannot read well:
(A) Will still find jobs easily in most professions.
(B) May struggle to find employment in today's world where reading is necessary.
(C) Do not need to worry about learning to read quickly or confidently.
(D) Don't need to worry about improving their reading skills. (paragraph 6)

II. Read the following text.

1. The rise of e-commerce has transformed the global retail landscape. In 2023, global e-commerce sales reached $5.9
trillion, accounting for 20% of total retail sales. This is a significant increase from 2015, when e-commerce accounted
for just 7.4% of retail sales.
2. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this shift, with online shopping becoming a preferred method for many consumers.
By 2021, more than 2.1 billion people worldwide. made online purchases, representing over a quarter of the global
population. Convenience, a wide range of options, and competitive pricing are major factors driving this growth.
3. Despite its advantages, e-commerce faces challenges. Issues like cybersecurity threats, data privacy concerns, and
environmental impacts from packaging and delivery services have raised questions about its sustainability. Additionally,
the rapid growth of e-commerce has increased competition among retailers, with small businesses struggling to keep
up..
4. Governments and businesses are working to address these issues. Many countries have implemented stricter
regulations on data privacy and introduced initiatives to promote sustainable packaging and carbon-neutral delivery
methods. E-commerce companies are investing in technologies like artificial intelligence and automation to enhance
customer experiences and reduce environmental impacts.
5. Experts predict that by 2030, e-commerce will account for 30% of total retail sales, further transforming the retail
industry and reshaping consumer behavior.

Answer the following questions :

i. What does the use of the phrase "transformed the global retail landscape" by the writer, in paragraph 1, tell us about the
impact of e-commerce? 1

(A) The writer is highlighting how e-commerce has drastically changed the retail industry.
(B) The writer believes e-commerce has had little impact on retail.
(C) The writer thinks e-commerce is not significant for retail.
(D) The writer is indifferent to e-commerce's impact on retail.

ii. Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below: 1

Assertion: E-commerce grew rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reason: The pandemic made online shopping a preferred method for many consumers due to convenience and safety
concerns.

(A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation. of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

iii. Identify the percentage of global retail sales accounted for by e-commerce in 2023, as mentioned in the passage. 1

iv. According to the passage, what are two major challenges faced by the e-commerce industry? 1

v. Read the given prompt and select the correct option in the brackets to fill in the blank: 1
The percentage of global e-commerce sales has risen sharply since 2015, driven by convenience, competitive pricing,
and a wide range of options. In 2023, e-commerce accounted for (15%/20%/30%) of total retail sales.

vi. What are some of the strategies mentioned in the passage that businesses and governments are using to address e-
commerce challenges? 1

vii. Complete the sentence suitably. 1

E-commerce companies are investing in new technologies such as __________________________________.

viii. Complete the following with a suitable reason: 1

Experts predict that e-commerce will account for 30% of total retail sales by 2030 because ___________________.
ix. In the context of paragraph 5, why is the growth of e-commerce expected to further transform the retail industry? 2

Read the following text.

1. A piano teacher once shared an interesting experience with a young woman who came to ask about music lessons.
The young woman asked. "How long will this course take? My father says it's trendy to play musical instruments, and I
should learn one quickly. I want something that is fast and easy." The teacher, amused, explained that learning music
takes a lifetime of careful practice. The young woman was disappointed and never returned.
2. The main reason some people succeed and others don't is because of this "instant coffee" attitude. Many of us want
quick results. We want to succeed right away and get frustrated when things don't go as planned. We forget about the
importance of perseverance and patience. When a skill or activity requires a lot of effort and time, we feel upset, lose
motivation, and sometimes want to give up.
3. But thinking this way doesn't help us solve the problem.
4. Life is hard for people with an "instant coffee" mindset. Real success and happiness come to those who have a "bread-
making" attitude. These are the people willing to put in the time and effort, like kneading dough, waiting for it to rise, and
going through the long process before it's ready. Nothing happens instantly. Whether it's in your career, studies, music,
sports, relationships, fitness, or even spirituality, everything requires time and effort.
5. Only if we are ready to spend time and work hard, while also having faith, can we achieve results. If we don't accept
this tough truth, our lives won't be truly happy or fulfilling. We might not make the extra effort needed to change our lives
for the better.
6. The problem with "instant coffee" solutions is that they don't last long. If we keep looking for quick fixes, we will likely
end up going in the wrong direction.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. In paragraph 1, what was the young lady expecting from the music lessons? 1

ii. Complete the following with the correct option: 1

The "instant coffee" attitude is when:

(a) People are willing to work hard and wait for results.
(b) People want quick results without putting in much effort or time.

iii. How does the "bread-making attitude differ from the "instant coffee" attitude, as explained in paragraph 47 2

iv. Select the option that best explains the problem with the "instant coffee" mindset: 1
(a) It motivates people to work harder in life
(b) It causes frustration and leads people to give up easily when things take time and effort. (paragraph 2 and 3)

v. State whether the following statement is True or False. 1

People who accept that success takes time and effort are more likely to live happy and fulfilling lives. (paragraph 5)

vi. The writer mentions in paragraph 6 that "instant coffee" solutions don't last long. 1

What does this imply for people who seek quick fixes?

(A) They achieve long-term success with case.

(B) They often end up unsatisfied and going in the wrong direction.
(C) They experience more happiness and fulfillment.
(D) They become more patient and willing to work harder.

vii. List two areas of life where the "bread-making" attitude is important, as mentioned in the passage.(paragraph 4) 2

viii. Fill in the blank with the correct option: 1

The main lesson of the passage is that real success comes to those who: (paragraph 4 and 5)
(A) Always seek the easiest path.
(B) Put in consistent time and effort with patience.
(C) Look for shortcuts and fast results.
(D) Depend on luck rather than hard work.

2. Read the following text.

1. India's agricultural sector plays a crucial role in the country's economy, employing nearly 42% of the workforce and
contributing around 17% to the national GDP in 2022. Despite this, the sector faces numerous challenges, including water
scarcity, inefficient farming practices, and dependency on monsoon rains, which account for nearly 70% of India's annual
rainfall. In 2021, nearly 70% of India's farmers were small and marginal, holding less than 2 hectares of land,
2. Climate change has exacerbated the unpredictability of monsoon patterns, leading to more frequent droughts and
floods. In 2020, floods caused losses of over $10 billion to Indian agriculture, while droughts in some regions led to a 30%
reduction in crop yields. Such fluctuations severely impact the livelihood of farmers, who rely heavily on consistent
weather patterns for successful harvests.
3. The government has implemented several initiatives to support farmers. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana
(PMFBY) provides crop insurance for over 58 million farmers, covering them against losses due to natural disasters.
Another major initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), has brought 21 million hectares of
farmland under improved irrigation systems, helping reduce the dependence on monsoons.
4. Despite these programs, small and marginal farmers who make up 86% of the farming community continue to face
issues such as limited access to technology, credit, and modern farming practices. In 2021, only 30% of small-scale
farmers had access to institutional credit, limiting their ability to invest in advanced agricultural methods and technologies.
5. Experts emphasize that further investments in technology, infrastructure, and training are essential to boost productivity
and ensure sustainable farming practices, which will be crucial for the long-term stability of India's agricultural sector.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

1. What does the use of the phrase "crucial role" by the writer, in paragraph 1, suggest about the significance of India's
agricultural sector? 1
(A) The writer believes agriculture is a minor part of the economy.
(B) The writer is emphasizing the essential importance of agriculture to India's economу.
(C) The writer is indifferent to the role of agriculture.
(D) The writer believes agriculture plays no significant role in the economy.

ii. Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below: 1
Assertion: Climate change has worsened agricultural challenges in India.
Reason: Unpredictable monsoon patterns have led to frequent droughts and floods, affecting crop yields.
(A) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
(B) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
(C) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(D) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.

iii. Identify the percentage of small and marginal farmers in India, as mentioned in the passage. 1

iv. According to the passage, what are two major government initiatives aimed at supporting Indian farmers? 1

v. Read the given prompt and select the correct option in the brackets to fill in the blank: 1
Small and marginal farmers in India face numerous challenges, including limited access to credit and technology, which
hampers their ability to adopt modern farming practices.
The percentage of Indian farmers who are small and marginal is _____________ . (70%/86%/58%)

vi. What are some of the strategies mentioned in the passage that the government is using to address agricultural
challenges? 1

vii. Complete the sentence suitably. 1

Floods in 2020 caused over $10 billion in losses to Indian agriculture, while droughts led to ____________________.

viii. Complete the following with a suitable reason: 1

Experts stress the need for more investment in technology and infrastructure because_________________________.

ix. In the context of paragraph 5, why is investing in modern technology and training critical for the long-term stability of
India's agricultural sector? 2