CLASS 10 CBSE READING COMPREHENSION WITH ANSWERS

 Practice Questions 2021–22

English Language & Literature (Term I)

Class – X

I. Read the passage given below.

I. Despite plenty of nay-sayers, the textbook is dead. It just doesn’t know it yet and continues on

walking about as though alive. I even have one, A Text-Book of Physics, on my bookshelf beside

me that was printed in 1891. It has some line drawings and no colour. Today, textbooks have lots

of colourful images and engaging questions sprinkled about them. They also have tons of advice

for teachers on how to use them effectively.

II. The word “textbook” originated in the 1720s, almost 300 years ago. It’s had a good run and is

ready to retire. Those who argue that you cannot learn well without a textbook ignore the

centuries prior to 1720 when lots of people learned and learned well with no textbooks anywhere.

You can learn without textbooks. That’s certain. But why should we bother to change something

that’s worked for 300 years? Many deliver the verdict in a single word: technology. That’s way

too simplistic.

III. We’ve seen film loops, overhead projectors, motion picture projectors, machine scoring of tests

and a myriad of other technological innovations in classrooms, but the textbook remains. No,

technology alone will not end the reign of the textbook. It takes something more, and that became

available in the 1940s — the programmable electronic computer. But here we are, 70 years later,

with plenty of textbooks visible. The computer was not sufficient by itself.

IV. The next big change began with ARPANET in the 1960s. This foundation led to the Internet, and

its growth has been phenomenal. But a widespread communication medium alone is not sufficient

to dislocate textbooks either. Inexpensive computers, easy-to-use interfaces (GUIs) and ready

access to the Internet all contribute.

V. "Fine," say many. "But the textbook publishers are putting their books online. They are creating

e-textbooks. So, textbooks live!"

VI. This argument misses the essential difference between education technology in the earlier times

and education technology in the present, other than mere cost. Computer software can be

interactive. Previous education technology was, like textbooks, rather passive. Active learning is

far superior to passive learning, so much so that it’s not a step, not a leap, but a rocket-propelled

launch past old-fashioned learning.

VII. It’s the mental engagement with something that determines whether you learn and how

well. The really big change will come when students can jump into online situations that are more

like real life, and are able to use a variety of devices to reach the web and become part of the

learning community. They will be guided by a combination of human mentors and machines. 

Furthermore, diagnostic analysis of their work will tell mentors when students are ready for

certain learning and, more importantly, when they’re not.

VIII. Textbooks do not tap into our brains to realise this learning potential. Hence, today, the

textbook is a zombie. It’s just waiting for that wooden stake or silver bullet to put it to a welldeserved rest.

- Harry Keller, July 22, 2013

(482 words)

Source (edited): 'Textbooks are Zombies' - https://etcjournal.com/2013/07/22/textbooks-are-zombies/

Q.1 In the passage, the author talks about a well-deserved rest for the textbooks.

Which of these describes the author's attitude towards textbooks?

A. He criticises the value added by textbooks in society.

B. He recommends that textbooks are the sole medium for effective learning.

C. He thinks that textbooks are far more superior than other mediums of knowledge.

D. He is concerned about the continued use of textbooks as a primary source of learning.

Q.2 Based on the passage, the following developments took place in the education field.

i) The process of learning took place without the use of textbooks.

ii) The invention of computers and digital books reduced the dependency on physical books.

iii) The creation of adaptive and interactive learning tools contributed to the way learning took place.

iv) The introduction and circulation of textbooks turned them into a commonly used medium of learning.

Which of these arranges the developments in the order of their occurrence?

A. i-ii-iii-iv

B. i-iv-ii-iii

C. ii-i-iii-iv

D. iii-i-ii-iv

Q.3 Select the option that can weaken the author's case for a complete shift to computer learning in

paragraph VI.

A. a sharp increase in the creation of e-textbooks

B. a rising dependency on using technology as a medium of learning

C. scholarly articles comparing the effectiveness of online learning with that of textbooks

D. the development of e-textbooks with activities that require active participation from readers

Q.4 Which of these best conveys the meaning of 'diagnostic analysis' as used in paragraph VII?

A. a depiction of the learners' interests

B. a display of the learners' achievements

C. an evaluation of the learners' capabilities

D. an appreciation of the learners' initiatives

Q.5 Which of these sentences CORRECTLY uses the phrase 'rocket-propelled' as used in paragraph VI?

A. Sean is lucky to have a friend who talks to him in a rocket-propelled way.

B. Anika screamed out of fear and ran out of her house in a rocket-propelled manner.

C. Regular practice and a good coach gave the batsman a rocket-propelled rise in his career.

D. The TV was buzzing with the news of severe damage caused by a rocket-propelled explosion.

Q.6 Select the option that BEST describes the passage.

A. Harry Keller's piece gives an account of the origin of textbooks.

B. Harry Keller's essay provides a boost to the field of education technology.

C. Harry Keller's commentary on the popularity of computers is a must-read.

D. Harry Keller's observations on the changes in learning patterns are brilliant.

Q.7 Select the option from the passage that does NOT qualify as a fact.

A. Today, textbooks have lots of colorful images and engaging questions sprinkled about. (paragraph

I)

B. The word “textbook” originated in the 1720s, almost 300 years ago. (paragraph II)

C. But here we are, 70 years later, with plenty of textbooks visible. (paragraph III)

D. The really big change will come when students can jump into online situations that are more like

real life... (paragraph VII)

Q.8 Suppose the students have to learn about the water cycle.

According to the author, a student will BEST learn about the water cycle while __________.

A. creating a miniature model of it

B. listening to a teacher explain it in detail

C. reading about it through colourful textbooks

D. watching an informative video about it on the internet

Q.9 Based on the text given, we can say that the author is __________.

A. documenting the history of learning tools

B. suggesting ways to limit the use of technology

C. proposing an argument and making a case for it

D. highlighting the cause of a problem and its effects

Q.10 We’ve seen film loops, overhead projectors...and a myriad of other technological innovations in

classrooms...

In other words, we can say that the author has seen film loops, projectors and __________ technological

innovations in classrooms.

A. various

B. definite

C. distinct

D. complex

ANSWERS

1 D  2 B  3 D  4 C  5 C  6 B  7 D  8 A  9 C  10 A