Here is an Unseen Passage for classes 9-12. It is an exclusive unseen passage crafted especially for Indian students to help them improve their reading and writing skills.
I come from a time when mobile phones were rare and technology hadn’t yet woven its way into every part of our lives. Back then, simplicity was the essence, and the outside world was our playground. We didn’t need screens; we had the streets, the fields, and the joy of being with friends.
As a child, I was always captivated by the games we grew up around – games like kanche (marbles), kho-kho, and spinning the lattu (top). Although sometimes these games weren’t ones we could fully participate in, just watching others play was magical, sparking a curiosity in me. But then, there were the games we immersed ourselves in – like chuppan chuppai (hide and seek), baraf-pani, and kho-kho. These weren’t just games but adventures that filled our days and made time fly.
Reflecting on it now, I feel those games taught us so much more than play—they connected us to each other and the world around us. Unlike today, when most kids are glued to screens, we lived outside, experiencing the thrill of simple joys. It’s why, on this Student Day, I felt a pull to recreate a bit of that magic. It reminded me of a video we shot last year, capturing moments inspired by that era.
So, let’s relive those memories together. Tell me, what was your favourite game from childhood? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!
Story Credit: maroofculmen (Instagram)
Here are 20 possible questions based on the passage. Detailed answers to all the questions have been given below. You can check for self-appraisal.
Text-Based Questions
- What were the author’s childhood games that sparked curiosity?
- Which games did the author actively participate in?
- How does the author compare childhood games of the past to present-day activities?
- What inspired the author to recreate childhood memories on Student Day?
- Which specific childhood activity does the author mention shooting a video about?
Grammar-Based Questions
- Identify the tense used in the sentence: “Back then, simplicity was the essence, and the outside world was our playground.”
- Rewrite the sentence “We didn’t need screens; we had the streets, the fields, and the joy of being with friends.” in the past continuous tense.
- Convert the phrase “captivated by the games” into passive voice.
- Identify the main clause in the sentence: “Although sometimes these games weren’t ones we could fully participate in, just watching others play was magical.”
- Change the sentence “It’s why, on this Student Day, I felt a pull to recreate a bit of that magic” into reported speech.
Vocabulary-Based Questions
- What does the word “captivated” mean in the context of the passage?
- Find a synonym for “immersed” from the passage.
- What is the meaning of “essence” in the sentence: “Back then, simplicity was the essence”?
- Give an antonym for “thrill” as used in the passage.
- Replace “relive” in the last sentence with another word that conveys the same meaning.
Fill in the Blanks
- The author feels that childhood games taught them _______ more than just play.
- Unlike today, children of the past experienced the _______ of simple joys.
- Games like _______ and _______ connected the author to friends and the world.
Multiple-Choice Questions
- What was the main theme of the passage?
a) The advancement of technology
b) Nostalgia for childhood games
c) Benefits of playing outdoor games
d) The importance of Student Day
20. What is the author’s attitude toward modern-day childhood activities?
a) Neutral
b) Critical
c) Supportive
d) Indifferent
Text-Based Questions
1. What were the author’s childhood games that sparked curiosity?
- Games like kanche (marbles), kho-kho, and spinning the lattu (top) sparked the author’s curiosity.
2. Which games did the author actively participate in?
- The author actively participated in games like chuppan chuppai (hide and seek), baraf-pani, and kho-kho.
3. How does the author compare childhood games of the past to present-day activities?
- The author compares past childhood games as outdoor, interactive, and joy-filled adventures, unlike today when children are glued to screens.
4. What inspired the author to recreate childhood memories on Student Day?
- The author was inspired by nostalgia and the desire to relive the thrill of simple joys from their childhood.
Real-Life Based Question
5. How can playing outdoor games, as described in the passage, benefit students in today’s technology-driven world?
- Playing outdoor games can promote physical health, improve social skills, and provide a break from screens, encouraging creativity and teamwork.
Grammar-Based Questions
6. Identify the tense used in the sentence: “Back then, simplicity was the essence, and the outside world was our playground.”
- The tense used is past simple.
7. Rewrite the sentence “We didn’t need screens; we had the streets, the fields, and the joy of being with friends.” in reported speech.
- The author said that they didn’t need screens because they had the streets, the fields, and the joy of being with friends.
8. Identify the main clause in the sentence: “Although sometimes these games weren’t ones we could fully participate in, just watching others play was magical.”
- The main clause is: Just watching others play was magical.
9. Change the sentence “It’s why, on this Student Day, I felt a pull to recreate a bit of that magic” into reported speech.
- The author said that it was why, on that Student Day, he had felt a pull to recreate a bit of that magic.
Perception-Based Question
10. Do you think modern technology has reduced the charm of childhood games mentioned in the passage? Why or why not?
- Answers may vary. Students might say that modern technology has reduced the charm because children now prefer screens over outdoor games, or they might argue that technology offers different but equally engaging experiences.
Vocabulary-Based Questions
11. What does the word “captivated” mean in the context of the passage?
- It means fascinated or deeply interested.
12. Find a synonym for “immersed” from the passage.
- A synonym for “immersed” is involved.
13. What is the meaning of “essence” in the sentence: “Back then, simplicity was the essence”?
- “Essence” means the core or most important quality.
14. Give an antonym for “thrill” as used in the passage.
- An antonym for “thrill” is boredom.
15. Replace “relive” in the last sentence with another word that conveys the same meaning.
- “Relive” can be replaced with re-experience.
Fill in the Blanks
16. The author feels that childhood games taught them _______ more than just play.
- so much
17. Unlike today, children of the past experienced the _______ of simple joys.
- thrill
18. Games like _______ and _______ connected the author to friends and the world.
- chuppan chuppai (hide and seek) and baraf-pani
Multiple-Choice Questions
19. What was the main theme of the passage?
- b) Nostalgia for childhood games
20. What is the author’s attitude toward modern-day childhood activities?
- b) Critical
Here are some possible titles for the passage:
- The Magic of Childhood Games
- A Nostalgic Journey to Simpler Times
- Lessons from Outdoor Adventures
- From Marbles to Memories
- The Thrill of Childhood Play
- Before Screens Took Over
- Student Day: Rekindling Childhood Joys
- When Streets Were Playgrounds
- Rediscovering Childhood Bliss
- Games That Shaped a Generation
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