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Content updated on 25 April 2026
An unseen passage appears in your exam. You have never read it before. How do you approach it without panicking? Unseen passages are designed to test your reading ability, vocabulary, and comprehension — not your memory. This lesson for Class 7, 8, and 9 students provides a complete strategy to tackle unseen passages with confidence. You will learn how to read smartly, identify key information, answer direct and indirect questions, and manage your time. With five solved passages and five practice passages, each followed by detailed answers, this post gives you everything you need to master unseen passages and score full marks in this section.
✅ Recommended for: Class 7–9 (Unseen Passage Mastery) | CBSE & UP Board
In this post you will get:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
A strong vocabulary and reading habit make unseen passages much easier. Strengthen your word power with the Vocabulary Building Hub and practise different types of passages with the Comprehension English Grammar page. For Hindi unseen passages, see Apathit Bodh (เค
เคชเค िเคค เคฌोเคง).
1. What are Unseen Passages?
An unseen passage is a text that you have not studied before, given in your exam to test your reading comprehension. It can be a story, a factual article, a letter, a speech, or a poem. The passage is followed by a set of questions — usually 8 to 10 — that check whether you understood the content, vocabulary, and ideas. Because you cannot prepare for the passage in advance, you need a reliable strategy to handle it efficiently and accurately. The key is not to read every word painstakingly, but to read actively and purposefully.
2. Step‑by‑Step Strategy for Unseen Passages
- Read the questions first (30 seconds). This tells you what to look for. Underline keywords in the questions like names, dates, or specific terms.
- Skim the passage quickly (1 minute). Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph. Get the overall theme.
- Read the passage carefully (2‑3 minutes). Now read fully, keeping the questions in mind. When you spot an answer, underline that line in the passage.
- Answer in your own words, using complete sentences. Do not copy whole sentences from the passage unless asked to. Show that you understand.
- For vocabulary questions, use context clues. Read the sentence before and after the word to guess its meaning.
Understanding the types of questions asked in unseen passages is crucial. Learn to identify factual and inferential questions in the next topic — Factual & Inferential Questions. For improving your reading speed, revisit Reading Strategies & Techniques.
3. Solved Examples (5 Passages with Answers)
Solved Passage 1 (Narrative)
Read the following passage carefully:
It was the coldest winter in fifty years. The lake near the village had frozen completely, and the snow lay thick on the rooftops like a soft white blanket. For most children, this was a treat. They spent the days sledging down the gentle hill near the old church, their laughter cutting through the crisp air. But for Ravi, the winter brought more chores. His father was ill, and the cattle needed to be fed and the barn kept warm. Every morning before sunrise, Ravi would put on his worn coat and boots, carry a lantern across the frozen yard, and spend an hour clearing snow from the barn door and laying fresh hay for the cows. He never complained. One evening, his neighbours gathered and secretly cleared the snow from his entire yard and stacked firewood by his door. The next morning, Ravi opened the door to find a mountain of wood and a path neatly cut to the barn. His eyes filled with tears. Kindness, he realised, was the warmest blanket of all.
Questions:
1. Why was the winter special for most children?
2. What extra chores did Ravi have to do in winter?
3. What did the neighbours do for Ravi?
4. How did Ravi feel when he saw what the neighbours had done?
5. What is the message of the story?
It was the coldest winter in fifty years. The lake near the village had frozen completely, and the snow lay thick on the rooftops like a soft white blanket. For most children, this was a treat. They spent the days sledging down the gentle hill near the old church, their laughter cutting through the crisp air. But for Ravi, the winter brought more chores. His father was ill, and the cattle needed to be fed and the barn kept warm. Every morning before sunrise, Ravi would put on his worn coat and boots, carry a lantern across the frozen yard, and spend an hour clearing snow from the barn door and laying fresh hay for the cows. He never complained. One evening, his neighbours gathered and secretly cleared the snow from his entire yard and stacked firewood by his door. The next morning, Ravi opened the door to find a mountain of wood and a path neatly cut to the barn. His eyes filled with tears. Kindness, he realised, was the warmest blanket of all.
Questions:
1. Why was the winter special for most children?
2. What extra chores did Ravi have to do in winter?
3. What did the neighbours do for Ravi?
4. How did Ravi feel when he saw what the neighbours had done?
5. What is the message of the story?
Show Answers
Answer 1: For most children, the winter was special because the lake had frozen completely and they could sledge down the hill.
Answer 2: Ravi had to feed the cattle, keep the barn warm, clear snow from the barn door, and lay fresh hay for the cows.
Answer 3: The neighbours secretly cleared the snow from Ravi's yard and stacked firewood by his door.
Answer 4: Ravi's eyes filled with tears of gratitude when he saw what the neighbours had done.
Answer 5: The message of the story is that kindness and community support can bring warmth and hope even in difficult times.
Answer 2: Ravi had to feed the cattle, keep the barn warm, clear snow from the barn door, and lay fresh hay for the cows.
Answer 3: The neighbours secretly cleared the snow from Ravi's yard and stacked firewood by his door.
Answer 4: Ravi's eyes filled with tears of gratitude when he saw what the neighbours had done.
Answer 5: The message of the story is that kindness and community support can bring warmth and hope even in difficult times.
Solved Passage 2 (Factual)
Read the following passage carefully:
Satellites are objects that orbit around planets. They can be natural, like the Moon orbiting the Earth, or artificial, like the thousands of man‑made satellites launched into space. Artificial satellites serve many purposes. Communication satellites relay television signals, internet data, and phone calls across the globe. Weather satellites monitor cloud patterns, storms, and temperature changes to help predict the weather. Navigation satellites, like the ones in the GPS system, allow us to find exact locations anywhere on Earth. Scientific satellites study distant stars and galaxies. The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. Today, India has a robust space programme and has launched many satellites through ISRO, including the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions. Satellites have become an invisible but essential part of our daily lives, quietly orbiting hundreds of kilometres above us.
Questions:
1. What is the difference between a natural and an artificial satellite?
2. Write any two uses of artificial satellites.
3. What do navigation satellites help us do?
4. Which country launched the first artificial satellite and when?
5. Name the Indian space agency mentioned in the passage.
Satellites are objects that orbit around planets. They can be natural, like the Moon orbiting the Earth, or artificial, like the thousands of man‑made satellites launched into space. Artificial satellites serve many purposes. Communication satellites relay television signals, internet data, and phone calls across the globe. Weather satellites monitor cloud patterns, storms, and temperature changes to help predict the weather. Navigation satellites, like the ones in the GPS system, allow us to find exact locations anywhere on Earth. Scientific satellites study distant stars and galaxies. The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union in 1957. Today, India has a robust space programme and has launched many satellites through ISRO, including the Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions. Satellites have become an invisible but essential part of our daily lives, quietly orbiting hundreds of kilometres above us.
Questions:
1. What is the difference between a natural and an artificial satellite?
2. Write any two uses of artificial satellites.
3. What do navigation satellites help us do?
4. Which country launched the first artificial satellite and when?
5. Name the Indian space agency mentioned in the passage.
Show Answers
Answer 1: A natural satellite is a celestial object that naturally orbits a planet, like the Moon orbiting Earth, while an artificial satellite is man‑made and launched into space.
Answer 2: Artificial satellites are used for communication (TV signals, phone calls) and weather monitoring. (Also: navigation, scientific study.)
Answer 3: Navigation satellites like GPS help us find exact locations anywhere on Earth.
Answer 4: The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957.
Answer 5: The Indian space agency mentioned is ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
Answer 2: Artificial satellites are used for communication (TV signals, phone calls) and weather monitoring. (Also: navigation, scientific study.)
Answer 3: Navigation satellites like GPS help us find exact locations anywhere on Earth.
Answer 4: The Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, in 1957.
Answer 5: The Indian space agency mentioned is ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).
Solved Passage 3 (Descriptive)
Read the following passage carefully:
The banyan tree stood at the centre of the village like a wise old guardian. Its massive trunk, gnarled and twisted with age, rose from the earth like a wooden tower. From its branches, aerial roots hung down like thick ropes, some reaching the ground and forming new trunks. The tree provided shade to travellers, shelter to birds, and a meeting place for the villagers. Under its canopy, the elderly played chess, children played hide‑and‑seek, and storytellers wove tales of gods and heroes. At dusk, hundreds of parrots returned to nest in its branches, filling the air with their noisy chatter. The banyan tree had witnessed generations of births and deaths, festivals and droughts, yet it stood timeless. When a road‑widening project threatened to cut it down, the entire village united to save it. They wrote petitions, held protests, and finally convinced the authorities to preserve it. The banyan tree, they said, was not just a tree — it was the soul of the village.
Questions:
1. Where did the banyan tree stand?
2. Describe the trunk and roots of the banyan tree.
3. What did the elderly and children do under the tree?
4. What happened when the road‑widening project threatened the tree?
5. Why did the villagers call the tree "the soul of the village"?
The banyan tree stood at the centre of the village like a wise old guardian. Its massive trunk, gnarled and twisted with age, rose from the earth like a wooden tower. From its branches, aerial roots hung down like thick ropes, some reaching the ground and forming new trunks. The tree provided shade to travellers, shelter to birds, and a meeting place for the villagers. Under its canopy, the elderly played chess, children played hide‑and‑seek, and storytellers wove tales of gods and heroes. At dusk, hundreds of parrots returned to nest in its branches, filling the air with their noisy chatter. The banyan tree had witnessed generations of births and deaths, festivals and droughts, yet it stood timeless. When a road‑widening project threatened to cut it down, the entire village united to save it. They wrote petitions, held protests, and finally convinced the authorities to preserve it. The banyan tree, they said, was not just a tree — it was the soul of the village.
Questions:
1. Where did the banyan tree stand?
2. Describe the trunk and roots of the banyan tree.
3. What did the elderly and children do under the tree?
4. What happened when the road‑widening project threatened the tree?
5. Why did the villagers call the tree "the soul of the village"?
Show Answers
Answer 1: The banyan tree stood at the centre of the village.
Answer 2: The trunk was massive, gnarled, and twisted with age. Aerial roots hung down like thick ropes, some reaching the ground and forming new trunks.
Answer 3: Under the tree, the elderly played chess, children played hide‑and‑seek, and storytellers told tales.
Answer 4: The entire village united to save the tree — they wrote petitions, held protests, and convinced the authorities to preserve it.
Answer 5: They called it the soul of the village because it had witnessed generations, was central to community life, and held deep emotional value for everyone.
Answer 2: The trunk was massive, gnarled, and twisted with age. Aerial roots hung down like thick ropes, some reaching the ground and forming new trunks.
Answer 3: Under the tree, the elderly played chess, children played hide‑and‑seek, and storytellers told tales.
Answer 4: The entire village united to save the tree — they wrote petitions, held protests, and convinced the authorities to preserve it.
Answer 5: They called it the soul of the village because it had witnessed generations, was central to community life, and held deep emotional value for everyone.
Solved Passage 4 (Biographical)
Read the following passage carefully:
Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana, in 1962. From a young age, she was fascinated by aeroplanes and space. She studied aeronautical engineering in India and then moved to the United States for higher studies. In 1994, she was selected by NASA as an astronaut. Her first space mission was aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1997, where she spent 16 days in space. In 2003, she went on her second mission, STS‑107, along with six other crew members. The mission was a success, but tragedy struck when the shuttle disintegrated while re‑entering the Earth's atmosphere on 1 February 2003. All seven astronauts on board lost their lives. Kalpana Chawla became a national hero in India and an inspiration to millions of young people, especially girls, who dream of careers in science. Her life story teaches us that with determination and hard work, the sky is not the limit — it is just the beginning.
Questions:
1. Where was Kalpana Chawla born?
2. What did she study in India?
3. When did Kalpana Chawla go on her first space mission?
4. What happened on 1 February 2003?
5. What lesson does Kalpana Chawla's life teach us?
Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana, in 1962. From a young age, she was fascinated by aeroplanes and space. She studied aeronautical engineering in India and then moved to the United States for higher studies. In 1994, she was selected by NASA as an astronaut. Her first space mission was aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1997, where she spent 16 days in space. In 2003, she went on her second mission, STS‑107, along with six other crew members. The mission was a success, but tragedy struck when the shuttle disintegrated while re‑entering the Earth's atmosphere on 1 February 2003. All seven astronauts on board lost their lives. Kalpana Chawla became a national hero in India and an inspiration to millions of young people, especially girls, who dream of careers in science. Her life story teaches us that with determination and hard work, the sky is not the limit — it is just the beginning.
Questions:
1. Where was Kalpana Chawla born?
2. What did she study in India?
3. When did Kalpana Chawla go on her first space mission?
4. What happened on 1 February 2003?
5. What lesson does Kalpana Chawla's life teach us?
Show Answers
Answer 1: Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana.
Answer 2: She studied aeronautical engineering in India.
Answer 3: Her first space mission was in 1997 aboard the space shuttle Columbia.
Answer 4: On 1 February 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated while re‑entering Earth's atmosphere, and Kalpana Chawla along with six other crew members lost their lives.
Answer 5: Her life teaches us that with determination and hard work, the sky is not the limit — it is just the beginning.
Answer 2: She studied aeronautical engineering in India.
Answer 3: Her first space mission was in 1997 aboard the space shuttle Columbia.
Answer 4: On 1 February 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated while re‑entering Earth's atmosphere, and Kalpana Chawla along with six other crew members lost their lives.
Answer 5: Her life teaches us that with determination and hard work, the sky is not the limit — it is just the beginning.
Solved Passage 5 (Letter)
Read the following passage carefully:
15, Green Park
New Delhi – 110016
10 March 2026
Dear Ananya,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to tell you about a wonderful experience I had last weekend. Our school took us on a trip to a blind school in the city. Initially, I was not sure what to expect. But the moment I entered the school, my nervousness vanished. The children there were learning to read using Braille — a system of raised dots that they touch to understand letters and words. Their fingers moved so swiftly across the pages! They also performed a beautiful song for us, and some even played musical instruments like the tabla and harmonium. What touched me most was their cheerful attitude. Despite their challenges, they were full of joy and curiosity. We spent the day playing games and sharing stories. When I returned home, I felt deeply grateful for my own abilities and promised myself that I would never take them for granted.
With love,
Riya
Questions:
1. Who wrote the letter and to whom?
2. Where did the school trip take Riya?
3. What is Braille?
4. What did the children at the blind school perform for the visitors?
5. How did Riya feel after returning home and what did she promise herself?
15, Green Park
New Delhi – 110016
10 March 2026
Dear Ananya,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to tell you about a wonderful experience I had last weekend. Our school took us on a trip to a blind school in the city. Initially, I was not sure what to expect. But the moment I entered the school, my nervousness vanished. The children there were learning to read using Braille — a system of raised dots that they touch to understand letters and words. Their fingers moved so swiftly across the pages! They also performed a beautiful song for us, and some even played musical instruments like the tabla and harmonium. What touched me most was their cheerful attitude. Despite their challenges, they were full of joy and curiosity. We spent the day playing games and sharing stories. When I returned home, I felt deeply grateful for my own abilities and promised myself that I would never take them for granted.
With love,
Riya
Questions:
1. Who wrote the letter and to whom?
2. Where did the school trip take Riya?
3. What is Braille?
4. What did the children at the blind school perform for the visitors?
5. How did Riya feel after returning home and what did she promise herself?
Show Answers
Answer 1: The letter was written by Riya to her friend/whoever Ananya is.
Answer 2: The school trip took Riya to a blind school in the city.
Answer 3: Braille is a system of raised dots that blind people touch to read letters and words.
Answer 4: The children at the blind school performed a beautiful song and played musical instruments like the tabla and harmonium.
Answer 5: Riya felt deeply grateful for her own abilities and promised herself that she would never take them for granted.
Answer 2: The school trip took Riya to a blind school in the city.
Answer 3: Braille is a system of raised dots that blind people touch to read letters and words.
Answer 4: The children at the blind school performed a beautiful song and played musical instruments like the tabla and harmonium.
Answer 5: Riya felt deeply grateful for her own abilities and promised herself that she would never take them for granted.
4. Practice Passages (5 Passages for You to Solve)
Practice Passage 1
Read the passage and answer the questions:
Paper is one of the most common items we use daily, yet few people know its long history. Paper was first invented in China around 105 AD by a court official named Cai Lun. Before this, people wrote on bones, clay tablets, or papyrus. Cai Lun made paper by mashing together mulberry bark, old rags, and fishing nets. This pulp was pressed into thin sheets and dried in the sun. The technique spread to Korea and Japan, and later to the Arab world and Europe. Today, paper is made from wood pulp in huge factories. However, the invention of paper is considered one of the most important events in human history, because it made writing and education available to common people, not just the rich. In the digital age, we use less paper, but millions of books, newspapers, and notebooks are still printed every day.
Questions:
1. Who invented paper and around which year?
2. What materials did Cai Lun use to make paper?
3. How did papermaking spread from China?
4. Why is the invention of paper considered so important?
5. What is used to make paper today?
Paper is one of the most common items we use daily, yet few people know its long history. Paper was first invented in China around 105 AD by a court official named Cai Lun. Before this, people wrote on bones, clay tablets, or papyrus. Cai Lun made paper by mashing together mulberry bark, old rags, and fishing nets. This pulp was pressed into thin sheets and dried in the sun. The technique spread to Korea and Japan, and later to the Arab world and Europe. Today, paper is made from wood pulp in huge factories. However, the invention of paper is considered one of the most important events in human history, because it made writing and education available to common people, not just the rich. In the digital age, we use less paper, but millions of books, newspapers, and notebooks are still printed every day.
Questions:
1. Who invented paper and around which year?
2. What materials did Cai Lun use to make paper?
3. How did papermaking spread from China?
4. Why is the invention of paper considered so important?
5. What is used to make paper today?
Show Answers
Answer 1: Paper was invented by Cai Lun around 105 AD in China.
Answer 2: He used mulberry bark, old rags, and fishing nets.
Answer 3: The technique spread to Korea and Japan, then to the Arab world and Europe.
Answer 4: Because it made writing and education available to common people, not just the rich.
Answer 5: Today, paper is made from wood pulp in factories.
Answer 2: He used mulberry bark, old rags, and fishing nets.
Answer 3: The technique spread to Korea and Japan, then to the Arab world and Europe.
Answer 4: Because it made writing and education available to common people, not just the rich.
Answer 5: Today, paper is made from wood pulp in factories.
Practice Passage 2
Read the passage and answer the questions:
The Indian rhinoceros, also known as the greater one‑horned rhino, is found mainly in Assam and West Bengal. With its thick, armour‑like skin and a single black horn, it is an impressive sight. Rhinos are herbivores and spend most of their day grazing on grass, leaves, and aquatic plants. They love wallowing in mud, which protects their skin from insects and sunburn. The Indian rhino was once on the brink of extinction due to excessive hunting and habitat loss. At the turn of the 20th century, fewer than 200 remained. Thanks to strict conservation efforts by the Indian government and organisations like the WWF, their numbers have now risen to over 3,700. Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to the largest population of Indian rhinos in the world. The story of the Indian rhino is a powerful example of how dedicated conservation can save a species from disappearing forever.
Questions:
1. Where is the Indian rhinoceros mainly found?
2. What do Indian rhinos eat?
3. Why do rhinos wallow in mud?
4. How many Indian rhinos were left at the start of the 20th century?
5. Why is the story of the Indian rhino considered a success?
The Indian rhinoceros, also known as the greater one‑horned rhino, is found mainly in Assam and West Bengal. With its thick, armour‑like skin and a single black horn, it is an impressive sight. Rhinos are herbivores and spend most of their day grazing on grass, leaves, and aquatic plants. They love wallowing in mud, which protects their skin from insects and sunburn. The Indian rhino was once on the brink of extinction due to excessive hunting and habitat loss. At the turn of the 20th century, fewer than 200 remained. Thanks to strict conservation efforts by the Indian government and organisations like the WWF, their numbers have now risen to over 3,700. Kaziranga National Park in Assam is home to the largest population of Indian rhinos in the world. The story of the Indian rhino is a powerful example of how dedicated conservation can save a species from disappearing forever.
Questions:
1. Where is the Indian rhinoceros mainly found?
2. What do Indian rhinos eat?
3. Why do rhinos wallow in mud?
4. How many Indian rhinos were left at the start of the 20th century?
5. Why is the story of the Indian rhino considered a success?
Show Answers
Answer 1: The Indian rhinoceros is mainly found in Assam and West Bengal.
Answer 2: They eat grass, leaves, and aquatic plants.
Answer 3: Rhinos wallow in mud to protect their skin from insects and sunburn.
Answer 4: Fewer than 200 Indian rhinos remained at the start of the 20th century.
Answer 5: It is considered a success because strict conservation efforts raised their numbers from fewer than 200 to over 3,700, saving the species from extinction.
Answer 2: They eat grass, leaves, and aquatic plants.
Answer 3: Rhinos wallow in mud to protect their skin from insects and sunburn.
Answer 4: Fewer than 200 Indian rhinos remained at the start of the 20th century.
Answer 5: It is considered a success because strict conservation efforts raised their numbers from fewer than 200 to over 3,700, saving the species from extinction.
Practice Passage 3
Read the passage and answer the questions:
Kerala, a state on India's southwestern coast, is often called "God's Own Country". It is famous for its serene backwaters, palm‑fringed beaches, and lush green hills. The backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, and lagoons that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. Tourists from around the world visit Kerala to experience a houseboat stay on these backwaters. The state is also renowned for its unique art forms such as Kathakali, a classical dance‑drama known for its elaborate makeup and costumes. The cuisine of Kerala is another highlight, featuring dishes like appam, stew, and spicy seafood. The monsoon season transforms Kerala into a paradise of misty mornings and rain‑washed greenery. The state's high literacy rate and excellent healthcare system are models for the entire country. A trip to Kerala is not just a vacation; it is an immersion into nature and culture.
Questions:
1. Why is Kerala called "God's Own Country"?
2. What are the backwaters of Kerala?
3. What is Kathakali?
4. Name two dishes from Kerala's cuisine.
5. What makes Kerala a model for the rest of India?
Kerala, a state on India's southwestern coast, is often called "God's Own Country". It is famous for its serene backwaters, palm‑fringed beaches, and lush green hills. The backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, and lagoons that run parallel to the Arabian Sea. Tourists from around the world visit Kerala to experience a houseboat stay on these backwaters. The state is also renowned for its unique art forms such as Kathakali, a classical dance‑drama known for its elaborate makeup and costumes. The cuisine of Kerala is another highlight, featuring dishes like appam, stew, and spicy seafood. The monsoon season transforms Kerala into a paradise of misty mornings and rain‑washed greenery. The state's high literacy rate and excellent healthcare system are models for the entire country. A trip to Kerala is not just a vacation; it is an immersion into nature and culture.
Questions:
1. Why is Kerala called "God's Own Country"?
2. What are the backwaters of Kerala?
3. What is Kathakali?
4. Name two dishes from Kerala's cuisine.
5. What makes Kerala a model for the rest of India?
Show Answers
Answer 1: Kerala is called "God's Own Country" because of its beautiful backwaters, beaches, hills, and rich culture.
Answer 2: The backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, and lagoons that run parallel to the Arabian Sea.
Answer 3: Kathakali is a classical dance‑drama known for its elaborate makeup and costumes.
Answer 4: Appam and stew are two dishes from Kerala's cuisine. (Also: spicy seafood.)
Answer 5: Its high literacy rate and excellent healthcare system make Kerala a model for the rest of India.
Answer 2: The backwaters are a network of interconnected canals, rivers, and lagoons that run parallel to the Arabian Sea.
Answer 3: Kathakali is a classical dance‑drama known for its elaborate makeup and costumes.
Answer 4: Appam and stew are two dishes from Kerala's cuisine. (Also: spicy seafood.)
Answer 5: Its high literacy rate and excellent healthcare system make Kerala a model for the rest of India.
Practice Passage 4
Read the passage and answer the questions:
Most people think of dirt as something to be cleaned away, but soil is one of the most important resources on the planet. A single handful of healthy soil contains billions of microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, and tiny insects — that help break down dead plants and animals into nutrients. These nutrients are absorbed by plant roots and eventually reach our food. Soil also stores water and carbon, helping to regulate floods and climate. However, soil is being lost at an alarming rate due to deforestation, over‑farming, and pollution. It can take hundreds of years to form just one centimetre of topsoil. Without healthy soil, farming becomes impossible, and food shortages follow. Scientists and farmers are now working together to protect soil through methods like crop rotation, organic farming, and planting cover crops. Protecting soil means protecting life itself.
Questions:
1. What does a handful of healthy soil contain?
2. How do microorganisms in soil help plants?
3. How does soil help regulate floods and climate?
4. Why is soil being lost at an alarming rate?
5. What methods are being used to protect soil?
Most people think of dirt as something to be cleaned away, but soil is one of the most important resources on the planet. A single handful of healthy soil contains billions of microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, and tiny insects — that help break down dead plants and animals into nutrients. These nutrients are absorbed by plant roots and eventually reach our food. Soil also stores water and carbon, helping to regulate floods and climate. However, soil is being lost at an alarming rate due to deforestation, over‑farming, and pollution. It can take hundreds of years to form just one centimetre of topsoil. Without healthy soil, farming becomes impossible, and food shortages follow. Scientists and farmers are now working together to protect soil through methods like crop rotation, organic farming, and planting cover crops. Protecting soil means protecting life itself.
Questions:
1. What does a handful of healthy soil contain?
2. How do microorganisms in soil help plants?
3. How does soil help regulate floods and climate?
4. Why is soil being lost at an alarming rate?
5. What methods are being used to protect soil?
Show Answers
Answer 1: A handful of healthy soil contains billions of microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, and tiny insects.
Answer 2: They break down dead plants and animals into nutrients that plants absorb.
Answer 3: Soil stores water and carbon, which helps regulate floods and climate.
Answer 4: Soil is being lost due to deforestation, over‑farming, and pollution.
Answer 5: Methods like crop rotation, organic farming, and planting cover crops are being used to protect soil.
Answer 2: They break down dead plants and animals into nutrients that plants absorb.
Answer 3: Soil stores water and carbon, which helps regulate floods and climate.
Answer 4: Soil is being lost due to deforestation, over‑farming, and pollution.
Answer 5: Methods like crop rotation, organic farming, and planting cover crops are being used to protect soil.
Practice Passage 5
Read the passage and answer the questions:
Every morning, Raju, a milkman in the small town of Anand, begins his day at 4 AM. He cycles to the dairy with two large aluminium cans, fills them with fresh milk, and then sets off on his bicycle to deliver milk to over fifty households. Raju has been doing this for twenty years. He knows every lane, every customer, and even the names of their children. "Milk is not just business," he says with a smile. "When I deliver milk, I am also delivering health and happiness to families." His customers trust him completely. Some leave their keys with him when they are away, asking him to water their plants or feed their pets. Raju's dedication and honesty have made him a beloved figure in the community. He may not be rich in money, but he is rich in friendships and respect.
Questions:
1. At what time does Raju begin his day?
2. How does Raju deliver milk?
3. For how many years has Raju been delivering milk?
4. What does Raju say about his work?
5. Why is Raju respected in his community?
Every morning, Raju, a milkman in the small town of Anand, begins his day at 4 AM. He cycles to the dairy with two large aluminium cans, fills them with fresh milk, and then sets off on his bicycle to deliver milk to over fifty households. Raju has been doing this for twenty years. He knows every lane, every customer, and even the names of their children. "Milk is not just business," he says with a smile. "When I deliver milk, I am also delivering health and happiness to families." His customers trust him completely. Some leave their keys with him when they are away, asking him to water their plants or feed their pets. Raju's dedication and honesty have made him a beloved figure in the community. He may not be rich in money, but he is rich in friendships and respect.
Questions:
1. At what time does Raju begin his day?
2. How does Raju deliver milk?
3. For how many years has Raju been delivering milk?
4. What does Raju say about his work?
5. Why is Raju respected in his community?
Show Answers
Answer 1: Raju begins his day at 4 AM.
Answer 2: He cycles to the dairy, fills two aluminium cans with milk, and delivers it to over fifty households on his bicycle.
Answer 3: Raju has been delivering milk for twenty years.
Answer 4: Raju says that when he delivers milk, he is also delivering health and happiness to families.
Answer 5: Raju is respected because of his dedication, honesty, and trustworthiness over twenty years.
Answer 2: He cycles to the dairy, fills two aluminium cans with milk, and delivers it to over fifty households on his bicycle.
Answer 3: Raju has been delivering milk for twenty years.
Answer 4: Raju says that when he delivers milk, he is also delivering health and happiness to families.
Answer 5: Raju is respected because of his dedication, honesty, and trustworthiness over twenty years.
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