Reading Comprehension 2

 Read the passage given below :

LIFE BEYOND ACADEMICS

1. Academics has always been an essential part of human development. It prepares

us to survive in the outside world and establish an identity of our own. But, is an

individual’s development restricted to merely academics? In India, from an early age,

we have been taught that education is limited to the boundaries of academics only;

the idea of getting out into the field, for gaining practical experience, is always

considered a hoax. This has hindered students’ development. But, the truth is that

education represents a considerably broader field than we know of it. Our teaching,

from the basics, has been focused on getting good grades and job offers, rather than

being creative and unique.

2. In the 21stcentury, the pure academic type of education is slowly paving way for a

whole new type. The paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. People

have now come to understand that education is a 360 degree activity that should

focus on students’ overall development, rather than restricting him/her to the

classroom.

3. Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or

supplement classroom curriculum, in some way, have become a point of focus today.

These activities help in the growth of the child, in more than one way. Participating in

such activities helps youngsters grow mentally, socially and individually. Intellectual

development of a student is developed in the classroom, but for the aesthetic

development such as team- building, character- building, and physical growth,

students must step out into the outside world. For instance, if a student is a part of

school football team, he/ she will learn team- work and coordination, in a practical

manner, which cannot be taught in the class.

4. Similarly, in colleges and institutions, there is a need for practical exposure so that

the students can experience the actual working of an industry. For example, taking a

student to a manufacturing firm will give him/ her the real insight and better learning

of the industry. Catering to this change, most professional colleges including Bschools, have started providing practical exposure to students through regular guest

lectures, industrial visits, conferences, seminars, cultural festivals, and so on. With

industry visits, students are able to better identify their prospective areas of work in

the overall organizational function. Moreover, they help enhance interpersonal skills

and communication techniques. In addition, guest lectures are equally important for

all – round development of students. It is a great way for students to gain maximum

exposure, as guest speakers talk about their real- life experiences and not what is

there in the text books.

5. Through such events, students are made to participate and coordinate different

events wherein, they get to know how exactly things are managed. Classroom

teaching provides the foundation, and co-curricular or extra- curricular activities

provide practical exposure and opportunities to implement what students learn in the

classroom. This helps in developing the overall personality of the students,

inculcating various soft – skills in them, which otherwise are difficult to teach. Clearly,

life beyond academics creates creative and empowered professionals. (507 Words)

1.1 On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer any five

of the questions given below by choosing the most appropriate option:

a. Students' development is hindered by

i. limiting education to academic boundaries.

ii. getting out to the field.

iii. being creative and unique.

iv.gaining practical knowledge.

b. The shift in the education system means

i. to restrict to classroom activities.

ii. to focus on academic development.

iii.to ignore 360 degree activity.

iv.to focus on overall development.

c. Co- Curricular activities that take place outside the classroom do not help in

i. teamwork and co-ordination.

ii. mental and social growth.

iii. intellectual development.

iv. character building.

d. Guest speakers talk about

i. all round development.

ii. their real life experiences.

iii. what is in text books.

iv. gaining exposure.

e. Classroom teaching provides

i. practical exposure

ii. opportunities to implement what is learnt in the classroom

iii. chance to learn soft skills

iv. the foundation

f. Life beyond academics facilitates

i. organizational functions

ii. creativity

iii. professional fields

iv. industrial visits

1.2 Answer the following questions briefly :

a. From earlier times what has not been the focus of education?

b. Where should students go for aesthetic development?

1x5=5

1x5=5

3

c. What kind of co- curricular activities have become points of focus today?

d. What will give children a better insight into industry?

e. Why are soft skills difficult to teach in the classroom?

1.3 Pick out the words/phrases from the passage which are similar in meaning

to the following:

i. untrue (Para 1)

ii. cooperative effort (Para 3)