Here, you can practice two unseen passages with multiple choice question answers. The first one is a discursive passage about nature and the lessons one can learn from nature. And the second passage is MCQ based discursive passage about research on the relationship between books and films in the United Kingdom. Answers have been added for the self-evaluation of students.
Unseen Passage with MCQ for Class 9-12
I. Read the passage given below.
I. Nature is our mother, our first teacher. The greatest lesson that she teaches us is to maintain an equilibrium in life. We learn to maintain composure through our joys, sorrows and fears. In fact, there are a thousand lessons that nature can teach us, provided we look for them.
II. With time, a sapling grows into a full-grown tree; something so tiny and delicate develops into a strong tree capable of supporting others. No matter how tall it grows, how much it may flourish, or how many animals and birds it may support, its roots are firmly buried from where it once rose. That’s a lesson – to keep ourselves grounded, respect and embrace our roots, and give something back to those humble beginnings that nurtured us into who we are.
III. Then there is the message of peaceful coexistence. ‘I am because we are.’ Nature provides every creature with a chance to exist. However, the existence of one creature or depending on the existence of the other. The tiger eats the antelope; without the antelope, the tiger wouldn’t survive. Likewise, without tigers, the over-abundance of antelopes would cause them to starve to death.
IV. I wonder if you have noticed that when birds or squirrels see a predator, they give out an alarm call to their fellow-creatures, of the lurking danger. They put themselves in danger to save the lives of others. Many animals, like the salmon, usually die after they spawn, but this doesn’t stop them. One life extinguished for the betterment of others is a small price to pay.
V. The snow melts in the warmth of spring to give birth to fresh green leaves. In autumn these leaves age into shades of gold only to be buried in the cold grave of winter. Change is inevitable; the sooner we embrace this, the better it is for us. We must also understand that even in pain there is growth. If you cut a hole in the tree, it will grow around it. No matter what may come in its way, a river will continue to flow. Similarly, no matter what grief may break your heart, nature teaches us that life goes on.
VI. Keep in mind life isn’t about making lists and trying to be one step ahead of others. Life is to live. Take a break-stop being a workaholic, and smell the roses, do whatever makes you feel happy and most of all spend some time with nature to pick up invaluable lessons.
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight out of the ten questions by choosing the correct option.
Q.1 According to the author, what, from the following, is the greatest lesson being taught by nature?
A. balanced in our emotions.
B. partial to joys in life.
C. afraid of unhappiness.
D. indifferent to fears.
Answer- (A)
Q.2 Select the option that suitably completes the dialogue with reference to paragraph II.
Jai: I’ve done well for myself in this school. I’m the best they have. I can get admission anywhere. This is my moment!
Sid: Congratulations! Just remember, we should …………………………………….
A. become strong despite our weakness.
B. be kind and supportive towards everyone.
C. respect the origins from where we have grown.
D. nurture ourselves well from the beginning.
Answer- (C)
Q.3 Choose the option that best conveys the message in – ‘I am because we are.’
A. Tigers are dependent on antelope
B. Antelope are dependent on tigers
C. Humans are dependent on animals
D. Everyone is dependent on each other
Answer- (D)
Q.4 What qualities do the birds and squirrels display when they warn others of possible danger? Choose one option from the following:
A. Observation skills and alertness.
B. Tendency to get easily frightened.
C. Selfless assistance to help others.
D. Determination to protect themselves.
Answer- (C)
Q.5 Select the option with the underlined words that can suitably replace lurking (paragraph IV).
A. The policeman pulled up the person who was wandering aimlessly through the city.
B. The thief knew that remaining hidden was the best strategy to avoid being caught.
C. The policeman was caught on camera while pouncing with force, to grab the fleeing culprit.
D. The thief was walking boldly into the house thinking it was devoid of residents.
Answer- (B)
Q.6 A Portmanteau word like smog (smoke + fog), is a blend of words in which parts of multiple words are combined into a new word. From the options given below, select a Portmanteau word that appears in para VI.
A. coexistence
B. workaholic
C. full-grown
D. flourish
Answer- (B)
Q.7 Select the qualities from paragraph III, that the author wants us to imbibe.
Being-
(1) acceptive
(2) passionate
(3) emotional
(4) resilient
(5) perceptive
A. (2), (4) and (5)
B. (1), (3) and (4)
C. (1), (4) and (5)
D. (3), (4) and (5)
Answer- (C)
Q.8 Which of the following is shown by the changing of seasons?
A. The beauty of nature.
B. Nature’s creativity.
C. All seasons are equal.
D. Nothing lasts forever.
Answer- (D)
Q.9 What does the writer advise, in paragraph VI?
A. Indulging in competition with others.
B. Making priority lists.
C. Taking life seriously.
D. Having free time for ourselves.
Answer- (D)
Q.10 Choose the option that lists the quote best expressing the central idea of the passage.
A. Nature: She pardons no mistakes. Her yea is yea, and her nay, nay. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
B. Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. – A. Einstein
C. Nature never deceives us; it is we who deceive ourselves. -Jean Jacques Rousseau
D. All the ugliness of the world can best be forgotten in the beauty of nature! -Mehmet Murat
Answer- (B)
II. Read the passage given below.
I. Research from the Publishers Association has shown that films based on books take 44% more at the box office revenue in the UK and 53% more worldwide than original screenplays. The report explores what impact a book has when adapted for film and TV.
II. The report reads: “Published material is the basis of 52% of top UK films in the last 10 years, and accounts for an even higher share of the revenue from these leading performers, at 61% of UK box office gross and 65% of worldwide gross.” The Hollywood adaptation of“My Cousin Rachel” was shown to have a significant impact on the sales of the Daphne Du Maurier thriller. The sales of the book in 2017 alone accounted for 23% of all sales since 1992.
III. The research suggests that adapted films tend to perform better because films can “leverage the popularity” of well-known books through an existing audience. Films adapted from books also tend to have a richer, more fully-developed story to draw on. In terms of the TV adaptation, it was revealed that a quarter of dramas were based on literary sources and attracted a 56% larger share of the audience than those based on original scripts. Fourteen of the 35 high-end series produced in the UK in the period between January and September 2017 were based on books, compared to seven based on true stories or historical events and five based on pre-existing films or TV stories.
IV. In the case of the 2016 BBC broadcast of “The Night Manager”, research revealed that while the novel was in circulation for over 25 years, 82% of the copies it sold were in 2016 and 2017. Sales of the paperback edition remained strong in 2017 even after the series went off the air.
V. In conclusion, the report states that “there is a strong two-way relationship between publishing and the wider creative economy, wherein a successful adaptation often has spill-over effects and gives a substantial boost to the sales of the original book.”
Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any six out of the eight questions by choosing the correct option.
Q.11 The purpose of the research by the Publishers Association was to study the_____. Choose the correct option.
A. variety in films and TV shows.
B. impact of films on books.
C. choice of books for film-making.
D. connect between books and films.
Answer- (D)
Q.12 Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.
(1) The revenues generated at the box office have increased.
(2) Majority of the top films in the UK are based on published material.
A. (1) is the result of (2).
B. (1) is the reason for (2).
C. (1) is independent of (2).
D. (1) contradicts (2).
Answer- (A)
Q.13 Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement.
“The sales of the book in 2017 alone accounted for 23% of all sales since 1992.”
A. There were 23% higher sales in 2017 than in previous years.
B. A major chunk of sales happened in 2017.
C. The sales were limited to 23% in 2017.
D. There were very few books sold in the previous years.
Answer- (B)
Q.14 According to the research, the films based on books have greater success because____.
A. people like to see the characters from the books on screen.
B. the films get the advantage of the fame of the books.
C. it takes less effort for people to watch films than reading books.
D. the films get a ready-made script from the books.
Answer- (B)
Q.15 Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to.
‘Films adapted from books also tend to have a richer, more fully-developed story to draw on.’
(1) The plot and the storyline of such films are better.
(2) The characters are likely to be more vivid.
(3) The production of such films is meant for the rich and famous.
(4) The settings and costumes are adapted from the book.
(5) The making of such films require the author to write a sequel.
A. (1), (3) and (4)
B. (2), (3) and (5)
C. (1), (2) and (5)
D. (1), (2) and (4)
Answer- (D)
Q.16 On what from the following were the maximum TV serials in UK in the year 2017 based?
A. books.
B. historical stories.
C. original true stories.
D. previous films.
Answer- (A)
Q.17 This passage lists an example proving that TV dramas based on literary works have_______.
Select the correct option.
A. increased the immediate sales of the book
B. increased the sales of the book during the first screening
C. had no immediate impact on the sales of the book
D. had very little impact on the sales of the book
Answer- (A)
Q.18 Choose the correct option to answer the following:
According to paragraph V, ‘there is a two-way relationship between books and the screen’. This is so because both
A. revolve around the same stories.
B. cater to an audience with the same taste.
C. gain from each other’s popularity.
D. belong to the creative field.
Answer- (C)