TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 2nd Year English Study Material Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages Exercise Questions and Answers.

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

Q.No.7 (4 out of 6 Questions: 4 × 1 = 4 Marks)

Read the following passages and answer the questions that follow:

1. Statues Dance Here!

The title sounds strange but the people who visit ‘the Ramappa Temple and see the statues there can feel the Monumental Dance and affirm that it is not an exaggeration. The temple is located at Palampet, a village 70 km from Warangal in Telangana. The ‘ presiding deity is Lord RamaUngesbwara Swamy but it is named after the sculptor, Ramappa who gave the structural form to the dance patterns recorded in the book Nritya Rathnavali, written by Jayapa Senani, a military commander.

Built by Kakathi Ganapathi Deva in 1213 AD, it features construction techniques unique to the Kakatiya dynasty i.e., Sand Box technique, Granite Beams and Pillars, Vimana Gopuram etc. On 25th July 2021, ‘ the temple, the first from the Telugu states, was recognised by the UNESCO.as a World Heritage Site. With this recognition its majesty and grandeur have become known worldwide, a moment of pride for all Telugu people

Answer the following questions.
i) Where is the Ramappa Temple located?
ii) Under whose reign was the temple built?
iii) What is the book Nritya Rathnavali about? Who wrote this?
iv) What was Jayapa Senani ?
v) What are the unique features involved in the construction of Ramappa temple?
vi) How was the temple recognised by the UNESCO?
vii) It is one of the World Heritage Sites from the Telugu states. Write true or false.
viii) Find the word. From the passage that means god.
Answers:
i) at Palampet
ii) Kakathi Ganapathi Deva
iii) about dance forms; Jayapa Senani
iv) a military commander
v) Sand Box technique, Granite Beams and Pillars, Vimana Gopuram, etc.
vi) as a World Heritage Site
vii) false
viii) ‘deity’

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

2. Raja Bahadur Venkata Rama Reddy

Members from royal families serving the society is a welcome gesture. But it becomes better when persons with humble beginnings play historic roles. To the latter category belongs. Raja Bahadur Venkata Rama Reddy. Born in 1869 to Baramma and Keshav Reddy in Rayanipet, in Wanaparthy Samsthan, he had a miserable childhood. . He lost his mother, father and his guardian maternal uncle when he was still a boy. He could manage only elementary education.

Yet, he improved his competencies in different languages, law and administration. He started his career as an Amin (Police Sub Inspector). With sheer.perseverance and Intelligent work. He acquired the highly influential post of Kothwal (Commissioner) of Hyderabad city and served people. Pleased with his administrative capabilities, the Nizam conferred on him the title of Raja Bahadur in 1930. Even King George V (pronounced as King George the Fifth) was impressed by his skills and conferred him the title Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) in 1931. Though busy with nis of dal engagements, he pledged his power to accelerate social awakening.

Prominent among his contributions in social service are: the establishment of the Reddy Hostel, First Telugu Medium School for Girls [Today, this school has been upgraded as a college and it is one of the oldest colleges for women and has recently been accorded the autonomous status.] and Reddy Girls’ Hostel. He tried his best to promote Hindu- Muslim Unity. For the services he rendered as a civil servant, his fame in Telugu States would last forever.

Answer the following questions.
i) Which category of persons does Venkata Rama Reddy belong to? (Don’t say the latter category.)
ii) Who looked after Venkata Rama Reddy after his parents died?
iii) Why did Venkata Rama Reddy have just elementary education?
iv) Name the disciplines Venkata Rama Reddy improved his competence in.
v) How did Venkata Rama Reddy use his highly influential post of Kothwal?
vi) What are the titles that were conferred on Venkata Rama Reddy?
vii) Analyse the word miserable into its root and suffix as child (root) + hood (suffix) = childhood.
viii) Mother’s brother is maternal uncle. Then, what do you call your father’s brother? (Don’t say just uncle.)
Answers:
i) to the category of persons with humble beginnings playing historic roles in social service
ii) his maternal uncle
iii) as his parents and guardian died while he was still a boy
iv) different languages, law and administration
v) to serve people
vi) Raja Bahadur, Order of the British Empire (OBE)
vii) misery (root) + able (suffix)
viii) paternal uncle

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

3. Gumuduru Inscription

Inscriptions are writings on hard surfaces like stones or metals. In olden days, kings used to record important information in the form of inscriptions. One such inscription of Tribhuvana-malla Vikramaditya VI (1076-1127 AD) of Western Chalukya Kings at -Guduru of Palakurthy Mandal, Jangaon District bears a date in the cyclic year Krodhin, equated with the 49th year 1124 AD. The script on the inscription has the poetic stanzas in Kannada on three sides and in Telugu on the fourth side.

It gives a genealogical account of the Chiefs of the Viriyala Family. It also records the endowment of the village Bammera, the birth place of Pothana, by Viriyala Malla. Pothana [1450-1510], a great scholar of Telugu and Sanskrit, rendered Sri Andhra Maha Bhagavatham into Telugu. Palakurthy, the Mandal head- quarter, is also famous as the birth place of Palkuriki Somanatha, one of the most popular Telugu poets of the 13th century.

Answer the following questions.
i) What are inscriptions?
ii) Where is the inscription mentioned in the passage located?
iii) How many languages do we find on this inscription?
iv) To-which dynasty did the King Tribhuvanamalla belong?
v) Write, from the passage, a philanthropic activity of Viriyala Malla?
vi) Who are the important literary figures associated with the region?
vii) Find the word from the passage which means a person with a deep knowledge of an academic subject.
viii) Write the part of speech of the word chiefs.
Answers:
i) writings on hard surfaces like stones or metals
ii) at Guduru of Palakurthy Mandai, Jangaon District
iii) two languages. (Kannada ; Telugu)
iv) Western Chalukya Kings
v) endowment of the village Bammera
vi) Bammera Pothana and Palkuriki Somanatha
vii) ‘scholar’
viii) noun (plural)

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

4. One Temple – Many Styles – True Spirit of Telangana

Temples are usually houses of worship. Yet, they have been serving multiple purposes since civilizations began to evolve. But, the recently-reconstructed Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple atop Yadagirigutta stands out with a unique feature. It blends in a distinct design several temple architectural styles of the times of the Pallavas Cholas, Nayakas, Vijayanagara Kings, Kakatiyas and the Nagara pattern of north India. This miraculously carver artistic wonder has used 2.5 lakh tons of black granite (Krishna: black+sila (stone). And no stone was left unturned to bring in both beauty and utility of the highest degree. The Nagara-styled, barrel-vaulted roof for devotee queue was made of aluminium casting alloy.

Lion pillars, hundreds carved elephants, high walls, specialised gopurams, imposing linear vimanam, huge prakarams, mythical yalis (part horse part lion and part elephant) are among the majestic features of this temple. The impact of the Brihadiswara Temple of Tanjavur, the Lord Balaji’s Temple at Thirumala and the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple at Ahobilam on this modern marvel is conspicuous. The structure of the temple became a reality because of the present Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao. This magnificent monument is bound to lend a rich spiritual experience to the faithful and (feast to the connoisseur! (/kmp’s3r/))

Answer the following questions.
i) What makes Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple atop Yadagirigutta stand out among many temples?
ii) Name the architectural styles that have been followed if designing this temple.
iii) Where is the Nagara pattern of north India used in the temple:
iv) Mention some majestic features of this modern marvel.
v) Write the idiom that is used in this passage which means tried every possible course of action to achieve the desired result.
vi) What is the one-word substitute you find in the passage that means a specialist in . matters involving judgement, appreciation etc. of fine arts etc. .
vii) Rewrite the following sentence using punctuation marks. but the recently reconstructed shri lakshminarasimha swamy temple atop yadagirigutta stands out with a unique feature
viii) Write the synonym of multiple from the passage.
Answers:
i) Its blending of several temple architectural styles into one design makes this temple unique.
ii) the styles of the times of the Pallavas, .Cholas, Nayakas, Vij ayanagara Kings, Kakatiyas and the Nagara pattern of north India
iii) in the roof for devotee queue
iv) lion pillars, carved -elephants, high’ walls, specialised gopurams, imposing linear- vimanam, huge prakarams, mythical yalis etc.
v) no stone was left unturned
vi) connoisseur
vii) But, the recently-reconstructed Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple atop Yadagirigutta stands out with a unique feature.
viii) several

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

5. Technology and Tradition Adorn Towers Here

Technology that is used in ISRO and NASA defence applications shines here atop the towers (gopurams) of Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple. The recently- reconstructed temple at Yadagirigutta has many unique features to its credit. One among them is the use of Nano Tech Gold Deposition (NTGD) technology. It went Into the electroplating of gold onto the fifty-two intricately-designed Kalasams that adorn the gopurams. It replaced the conventional gold coating.

It all began when the steely- nerved and iron-willed Kalvakuntla Chandrashekar Rao wanted the gold’s lustre to last for fifty years. Gold-coated objects shine just for fifteen years. Things moved fast to materialise the big dream. The Chennai-based Smart Creations was assigned with the job. They studied various technologies adopted in temples, masjids and, other religious places around the globe. Finally, they chose this NTGD Technology. This method consumes less gold. The gold is hundred percent recoverable. And the’. glitter withstands the vagaries of weather and shines for decades! Sculptural innovations add value to the spiritual experience of the pilgrims who visit this hill temple!

Answer the following questions.
i) Name the technology used to electroplate gold onto the ‘Kalasams’ of the hill temple.
ii) Who took up the job of electroplating the Kalasams with gold?
iii) How long does the glitter last In conventional gold coating?
iv) Write the three advantages of using NTGD technology.
v) What does the expression the big dream refer to ?
vi) Write the synonym of the word lustre that you find in the passage.
vii) Name the presiding deity of this hill temple.
viii) Write the part of speech of the word unique.
Answers:
i) Nano Tech Gold Deposition (NTGD)
ii) the Chennai-based Smart Creations
iii) for fifteen years
iv) a) consumes less gold b) hundred percent recoverable gold c) shine lasts for decades
v) gold’s lustre lasting for fifty years
vi) glitter
vii) Shri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy
viii) adjective

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

6. World Peace- A Noble Goal

“A combination of science and spirituality would bring peace to the world,” said Swami Vivekananda. With full faith in this dictum, MIT World Peace University, Pune has been organising annual editions of the World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy. The unification of science, religion and philosophy is for the well-being of mankind, assert the organisers.

On the eve of the inauguration of the three-day 8th edition of the World Parliament on April 3, 2022, MIT WPU, along with MIT Art, Design and Technology, celebrated the public dedication programme of the World’s biggest Peace Dome (Certified by the World Book of Records, London). This Dome is regarded as a spiritually oriented scientific laboratory, showing the pathway of happiness, contentment and peace to the world.

On this occasion, they distributed 1.25 lakh copies of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gila. Many believe the Gita as the Book of Life for entire humanity. Yet others consider it as the panacea. Prominent public persons, theologians of every major faith, philosophers, scientists etc. participate in the annual editions of this World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy.

Answer the following questions.
i) What is capable of bringing peace to the world, according to Swami Vivekananda ?
ii) Name the two other activities the organisers of the World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy took up on April 3, 2022.
iii) How is the World’s biggest Peace Dome regarded?
iv) How often do the organisers conduct the World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy?
v) Who can participate in the World Parliament of Science, Religion and Philosophy?
vi) Write the one-word substitute used in the passage that can replace persons who study religion and beliefs.
vii) Find out the one-word substitute used in the passage to mean something that will solve all the problems of a particular situation.
viii) _____________ theologians of every major faith _____________
The meaning of faith as used here is _____________. Fill in the blank choosing from…
a) trust b) a particular religion c) belief
Answers:
i) a combination of science and spirituality
ii) public dedication programme of the world’s biggest Peace Dome and distribution of 1.25 lakh copies of the Gita
iii) a spiritually oriental scientific laboratory
iv) once a year (annually)
v) prominent public persons, theologians, philosophers, scientists, etc.
vi) theologians
vii) panacea
viii) a particular religion

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

7. An Epitome of EQUALITY

“ Ramanuja’s heart was greater: He felt for the . downtrodden… asserted Swami Vivekananda. And Gosti Purna called Ramanujacharya Emperumanar (/emberu- ma:nar /- a Dravida word meaning superior to all of us). What made them describe Bhagavad Ramanujacharya thus? How noble Ramanujacharya must be to invite such appreciation! Yes, indeed He was! Regarded as a heavenly star descended down, he grew to be not only a spiritual giant but also an amazing social reformer.

He saw divinity in living and inanimate beings. As an epitome of EQUALITY, He threw himself heart and soul into eliminating all barriers. He defied the then rigid customs. He allowed even the downtrodden into temples and to partake in temple services. For that, He revamped the temple administration thoroughly. He was eager to learn from anyone and at any cost. With unmatching perseverance, He walked 100 KMs to Gosti Pura eighteen times to receive the ‘esoteric’ mantra.

He was equally committed to teach all. And, He revealed that secret ‘mantra’. to everyone. He affirmed that hell would be fine for Him, if everyone got liberation. How supreme His sacrifice was! This legendary incarnation of learner, teacher and reformer (three- ill-one) finds an astounding embodiment of His image and teachings as the gigantic 216-foot golden- hued STATUE OF EQUALITY – courtesy the vision and commitment of His Holiness Tridandi Chinna Srlmannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar! Shall we, then, assimilate the message? Follow it. Stay blessed. (216 words: 216-foot statue)

Answer the following questions.
i) How did Swami Vivekananda support his claim that Ramanuja’s heart was greater?
ii) Quote the sentence from the passage that proves that Ramanujacharya was eager to learn at any cost.
iii) Why did Ramanujacharya say that hell would be fine for Him?
iv) What did Ramanujacharya do to permit all to offer services in temples?
v) Write the synonym of the word embodiment Find it In the passage.
vi) Pick out the idiom from the passage that means with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
vii) What is the antonym of living that you find in the passage?
viii) The STATUE OF EQUALITY seeks to inspire us to submit ourselves to the service of our
Acharya ____________ to society and the Supreme Being.
Fill in the blanks with a correlative conjunction, choosing from the options given below.
a) neither ………………nor
b) both …………….. and
c) either ……………….or
d) not only …………….. but also
Answers:
i) by emphasising the fact that Ramanuja felt for the downtrodden
ii) He walked 100 kms to Gosti Pura eighteen times to receive the ‘esoteric’ mantra.
iii) He said that hell would be fine for Him (for revealing the esoteric mantra to all) if everyone got liberation.
iv) He revamped the temple administration thoroughly.
v) incarnation (epitome)
vi) heart and soul
vii) inanimate
viii) b) both …….and
d) not only but also (Both are right.)

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

8. God Sees All

The story of the Babylonian King, Belshazzar from the Bible offers us valuable lessons. Once he hosted a grand feast. He ordered his servants to serve wine in golden goblets brought from the temple of Jerusalem. That was sheer blasphemy. Fingers of a hand appeared all of a sudden. They wrote something on the wall. The King was frightened. But he didn’t understand what it was. On the Queen’s advice, the wise Daniel was summoned. He read the message. He said that power corrupted his father Nebuchadnezzar, But he learnt no lessons from his father’s fall. His days were numbered. The same night the King was slain. The writing on the wall became true.

Answer the following questions.
i) How is the story of Belshazzar important to us ?
ii) Where were those golden goblets brought from?
iii) What was the sheer blasphemy referred to in the story?
iv) The wise learn from others’ mistakes; fools don’t learn even from their own mistakes. This is a great saying. Do you see the truth of this saying here?
v) Who interpreted the writing on the wall ?
vi) What brought the fall of Nebuchadnezzar ?
vii) Write the one-word substitute used in the passage that means behaviour that insults God.
viii) Find out the idiom used in the passage to mean he would not continue to live/he would die soon.
Answers:
i) It is important as it teaches us valuable lessons.
ii) from the temple of Jerusalem
iii) using golden goblets of a temple to serve wine
iv) Yes. I do see the truth.
v) the wise Daniel
vi) power corrupted Nebuchadnezzar till his fall.
vii) blasphemy
viii) his days were numbered

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

9. Faith… Distinct

Jainism holds a distinct view about the God. Mahavira’s belief in the individual is insuperable. He declares, unhesitatingly, that every individual (Atma) is the Supreme Being (Paramatma).Mahavira attracts everyone’s admiration with his ability to destroy his own Karma, to know himself, and break free from the endless cycles of death and rebirth. Jain literature emphasises the need to examine Dharma critically.

It also advises one to discover the hidden knowledge in oneself – that is self-realization. When that happens, one realises that every creature is like oneself and one’s pain is other’s pain. That is what true Ahimsa is. They go to the extent of asserting that the God is no more than MAN’S own higher self. What a unique belief! And Jains sincerely seek to reach that higher self!

Answer the following questions.
i) What makes Jainism different from other faiths?
ii) What did Mahavira believe in firmly?
iii) What quality of Mahavira draws everyone’s admiration towards him?
iv) Does one need to examine Dharma critically? Think of this critically, keeping in mind your views about Dharma:
v) What do Jains say about the God? Do you agree with them?
vi) Mahavira’s trust in the individual is rather unshakeable. Does it do good to the individual? Explain in a sentence or two.
vii) The word discover is a combination of dis (prefix) + cover (root). Analyse toe word unhesitatingly in the same way.
viii) Add one prefix and one or two suffixes to the root word believe.
Answers:
i) their view about the God
ii) in the individual
iii) his ability to destroy his own Karma, to know himself and break free from the endless cycles of death and rebirth
iv) Yes, one needs to examine Dharma critically.
v) They say that the God is no more than MAN’S Own higher self. No, I don’t agree with them.
vi) Yes, it does good to the individual. That trust makes the individual better than what he has been till then in many ways.
vii) un(prefix) hesitate (root) + ing (suffix -1), ly (suffix – 2)
viii) unbelievably- un (prefix) + – able and -ly (suffixes)

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

10. Should the Wait; Continue for Quality and Equality

People who drafted our Constitution, also known as fathers of our constitution, did not intend that we just set up hovels, put students there, give untrained teachers, give them bad textbooks, no playgrounds and say we have complied with article 45 I dream to see students cultivate such a scientific spirit that they pursue their academics despite a Hindu V.C. is heading Aligarh Muslim University or a Muslim V.C. is administering Benares Hindu University.

These are the views of Mohammadali Carim Chagla (30.9.1900-19.02.1982), expressed as the Union Education Minister (1963 -1966). Look at the quality and equality he aimed at. Sixty years have passed since then. Yet, the wait continues. People like Chaglas are needed in multiples. He was a jurist, diplomat, minister with commitment to the cause of the country. Opposing the ideology of communal-based two nations, he broke ranks with his long-term associates. Education system needs such men to make it a man-making system!

Answer the following questions.
i) About our education system, this passage expresses __________. Fill in the blank choosing from the list.
a) happiness
b) anger
c) satisfaction
d) anguish

ii) Are we complying with the provisions of our constitution regarding providing education? Support your answer with a sentence from the passage.
iii) When can you say that students are cultivating scientific spirit?
iv) The views quoted in the passage were expressed sixty years ago. Are they relevant today? Provide proof from the passage that supports your answer.
v) Why does education system need men like Chaglas ?
vi) What did Chagla do to oppose communal-based nations ideology?.
vii) Find out the idiom used in the passage that means dissociated from.
viii) Write the one-word substitute used in the passage that can replace a set of ideas, beliefs etc held by a group of people.
Answers:
i) anguish
ii) No .. set up hovels, put students there, give untrained teachers, give them bad textbooks, no playgrounds.
iii) When students pursue their academics even if a Hindu V.C. is heading the AMU or a Muslim V.C. is administering the BHU.
iv) Yes, relevant today Yet, the wait continues.
v) to make it a man-making system
vi) He broke ranks with his long-term associates.
vii) broke ranks with
viii) ideology

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

11. Honesty is the Best Policy

Jataka Tales seek to spread moral values. See this. People once believed that the spirit of Bodhisattva lived in a holy castor tree. So, they used to offer prayers to the tree and place expensive gifts there. A poor man came there one day, prayed to the tree and wanted to present a piece of bread to the tree. But, feeling ashamed of his poor gift, he turned back without offering it.

Suddenly, a man appeared before him. He said he was hungry. He requested for that piece of bread. The poor man happily handed it over to him. Then, he informed that poor man about a pot of gold coins in the ground there. The man was ‘poor but he was honest. He knew how to play the King about that treasure. Valuing the poor man’s honesty, the King made him his royal treasurer!

Answer the following questions.
i) What do Jataka Tales aim at ?
ii) Why did people pray to the castor tree?
iii) How did the poor man feel when he saw the expensive gifts placed at the castor tree?
iv) Who approached that poor man requesting him for that piece of bread?
v) The poor man became the royal treasurer.’ What made him occupy that Important position?
vi) The words tale (used in the passage) and tail are homo- phones (with different spellings but the same sounds). Another set is see – sea. Now write two sets of homophones with peace and hymn.
vii) Write the noun form of the adjective hungry.
viii) Find out the Idiom used in the passage to mean act in the correct manner
Answers:
i) They aim at spreading moral values.
ii) as they believed that the spirit of Bodhisattva lived in that castor tree.
iii) The poor man felt ashamed of his poor gift.
iv) a hungry man
v) His honesty and the king valuing it made him the royal treasurer.
vi) peace – piece; hymn – him
vii) hunger
viii) play the game

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

12. Fastforwarded forest, the Miyawaki Way

India’s largest Miya the forest is coming up on a ter acre site at Kothapeta of Hyderabad. As part f Haritha Haram (green garland) to Telangana, the state government grounded work to plant two lakh saplings here on 24 July 2020. Miya- waki forests adopt the technique and name of a Japanese botanist, Akira Miyawaki. In 1970s, Miyawaki began to plant trees, shrubs and grasses in tight groves.

Saplings planted close together grow rapidly – in leaps and bounds – as they compete for light. It is struggle for survival, for sunlight! This concept soon caught the imagination of governments and boardrooms. Akira Miyawaki is believed to have supervised planting over fifteen hundred forests of this type around the globe! Impressed by the positive results of the Miyawaki method and moved by the urgent need to grow greenery, Shubhendu Sharma, an engineer at a Toyota factory, giving up a golden-goose-like job, founded a native forest-planting firm, with a view to popularising Miyawaki forests in India. The country now boasts of hundreds of thousands of Miyawaki forest trees!

Answer the following questions.
i) What is the speciality of the urban forest coming up at Kothapeta of Hyderabad ?
ii) Why are forests of the type discussed in the passage called Miyawald forests ?
iii) Mention the technique adopted in growing Miyawaki forests. Write its consequences as well.
iv) Write the sentence from the passage that shows the popularity of this type of forests.
v) How does Shubhendu Sharma seek to popularise Miyawaki forests in India?
vi) Pick out the Idiom used in the passage which means quickly, fast.
vii) Find out the phrasal verb used in the passage with the meaning quitting, leaving.
viii) What is the expression used in the passage to say made someone interested in ?
Answers:
i) It is the India’s largest Miyawaki forest.
ii) after the name of Akira Miyawaki who developed this concept
iii) Saplings are planted in close groves – very, very near to each other. That makes them compete for sunlight and grow very fast.
iv) There are about fifteen hundred forests of this type all over the globe..
v) by founding a native forest-planting firm
vi) in leaps and bounds
vii) giving up
viii) caught the imagination

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

13. An Empire Entirely Meant for the Wild

A seventy-acre, man-made forest near Suryapet has exclusively and entirely been dedicated to the wild. An amazingly ‘ incredible spirit of an agricultural graduate, Mr Dussaria Satyanarayana of Raghavapuram near Motey (Suryapet district) made this a reality and possibility. Birds and animals of hundreds of types have homes in this haven. The nature lover behind this project takes all measures to make this expanse a sanctuary.

Every product of this forest goes tc feed the wild. Not a grain from here goes out for human consumption: Even the fallen trees feed white ants and gel bio-degraded. Seven tanks dug here and there meet the water needs. The missionary zeal in him keeps him off the beaten track. He thanks his friends who happily share expenses. BBC Telugu telecast a ten-minute video of his mission. May his tribe multiply!

Answer the following questions.
i) What is the special feature of this forest as highlighted in the title?
ii) Who created this amazingly incredible wonder ?
iii) Where is that man-made forest?
iv) How do his friends help this nature-lover?
v) Write the synonym, from the passage, of the word unbelievable.
vi) Pick out from the passage the one-word substitute that means an area where wild birds and animals are protected.
vii) Find out the idiom used in the passage to mean far away from other people, houses, etc.
viii) Mark stress on the right syllable of the word missionary
Answers:
i) It is entirely meant for the wild.
ii) Mr Dussarla Satyanarayana
iii) at Raghavapuram
iv) by sharing expenses
v) incredible
vi) sanctuary
vii) off the beaten track
viii) ‘missionary

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

14. Father of Indian Industry – Pioneer of Global Philanthropy

Can you imagine who tops the list of philanthropists from across the globe in the last one hundred years? Thought of Tatas? You are, then, right! A survey by Edel-Give Foundation and Hurun India shows us some interesting facts. Tata’s contribution to charity over a century is $102 billions. Gates, with their $74.6 bn share, stand second in the list.

The only other Indian in the list of top fifty philanthropists is Azim Premji of Wipro, placed at 12th rank, with a share of $22 bn. The survey lists thirty-nine US citizens, five Europeans, three Chinese and two Indians. By starting their Trust for charity in 1892 (130 years ago!) Tatas, the doyen of Indian industry, proved themselves to be the pioneers of global philanthropy too. It is no wonder, then, that Jawaharlal Nehru often referred to Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata as the one-man planning commission.

Answer the following questions.
i) Describe the status of Tatas in global philanthropy.
ii) Who conducted the survey about global philanthropy over the period of one hundred years?
iii) How many US citizens find place in this list of top fifty philanthropists?
iv) When did Tatas establish their Trust for charity?
v) Name the two Indians who find place in this list
vi) How did Jawaharlal Nehru often refer to J N Tata ?
vii) Find out the synonym, from the passage, of the word philanthropy.
viii) Mark stress on the right syllables of foundation, contribution, commission
Answers:
i) Tatas top the list of philanthropists from across the globe.
ii) Edel-Give Foundation and Hurun India
iii) thirty-nine (39)
iv) in 1892
v) Tatas and Azim Premji
vi) as the one-man planning commission
vii) charity
viii) foun’dation contri’bution commission

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

15. Ananda Nilavam. literally!

Ananda Nilayam (Delight’s Dwelling / Home of Happiness)! The name speaks volumes about the place. Situated at Kondapaka (Siddipet district), two hundred metres off Hyderabad – Siddipet road, on a one-hundred-acre site, the place mainly serves the old (now forty inmates) with not much emotional support from their children. Even orphaned children (now numbering around 50) are provided shelter, care and education.

What looked like dry barren land with scattered bushes before 2010 is now a tastefully landscaped garden. Chirping birds, dancing twigs, fragrant flowers etc. greet the visitors and the inmates. A teacher from Siddipet one Mr Peddi Vaikuntam, along with other trustees and with advice and active help from Dr K.Y. Ramana Chary IAS (Rtd),, now advisor, Government of Telangana, initiated the process and has been carrying on me mission with success rates beyond expectations.

An industrialist from Karnataka Ms Sudha Janardan contributed Rs Fifty Lakhs to this project. Charity from rice-millers of Siddipet and Hotel Suprabhath of Hyderabad (Krishna Murthy – groceries) helps the trust provide food, medical services etc to the inmates at a nominal charge. The Trust has been serving gods, humans and nature with beauty, quality and equality. Each face here reflects the name of the place!

Answer the following questions.
i) Does the name of this Old Age Home indicate the mood and response of the inmates? Support your answer with a sentence from the passage.
ii) Where is this Home for the Aged located?
iii) Who initiated the project and who has been actively monitoring all the activities of the home?
iv) How do they manage to provide good food, medical facilities etc. with-nominal charges from the inmates?
v) Name the donor from a neighbouring state and the sum donated by her.
vi) Write the word used in the passage that means kindness, support, money etc extended to people in need.
vii) Find out the phrasal verb used in the passage to mean continuing with the work and taking it forward.
viii) Mark stress on the right syllables of the words charity, quality and equality.
Answers:
i) Yes. Each face here reflects the name of the place.
ii) at Kondapak
iii) Mr Peddi Vaikuntam
iv) with the help of charity from rice millers and hotel owners
v) Ms Sudha Janardan – 50 lakh rupees
vi) charity
vii) carrying on
viii) ‘charity ‘quality e’quality

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

16. Humanity at its Zenitli

Professional ethics coupled with concern for common man put this humane doctor at a peak that is close to divinity!. He is Doctor Edpuganti Hridayanath, practising medicine at Ravinuthula, (Krishnapadu Mandai) from a tiled home since March 17,1972 (fifty years of service). So far twenty lakh patients availed themselves of his services. 0f them, around ten thousand persons underwent surgeries. After completing MBBS from Kakinada, in 1971, he moved to Ravinuthula on the request of a patient – Ms Rattamma.

Understanding patients’ social, economic and emotional conditions helps him treat them effectively and at a low cost. He charges just seventy rupees as OP fee for a month. But he regards the smiles of patients as they leave healthy as invaluable fee. He lives a simple life but thinks high. He is worried about the falling moral values. He is happy that his children and I grandchildren appreciate his values! He has inspired dozens of his villagers to pursue medical education. Long live Doctor Hridayanath to help others live long and stay healthy.

Answer the following questions.
i) How long has Dr Hridavanath been practising medicine at Ravinuthula.
ii) Mention the appropriate number of persons who utilized this humane doctor’s medical services.
iii) What helps Dr Hridayanath treat his patients effectively and at a low cost?
iv) What is it that Dr Hridayanath regards as invaluable fee from his patients? Do you agree with him ?
v) What is Dr Hridayanath worried about?
vi) How do his children and grandchildren make him happy?
vii) Write the outcome of his inspiration to his villagers.
viii) Write the word that is used in the passage to mean moral values.
Answers:
i) for 50 years
ii) twenty lakh patients
iii) his understanding of patients’ social, economic and emotional conditions
iv) their smiles as they go out happy and healthy
v) about the falling moral values
vi) by appreciating his values
vii) dozens of his villagers are pursuing medical education
viii) ethics

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

17. A Sporting Genius

Meet Mithali Doral Raj, a rarecricketing genius. Bom on 3 December 1982 at Jodhpur, Rajasthan, she had her cricketing debut on 26 June 1999 (at just 17) as she played for India in a One-day International Match against Ireland. Her Test debut was on 14 January 2002. Awards she received are many. The first among them is Arjuna Award (2003). In 2015, she-received the PadmaShri.

The latest feather in her cap is Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award (2021). Records to her credit are innumerable indeed. Some of them are: (a) only woman to cross 7000 run mark in GDIs; (b) the first player to score seven consecutive half centuries in ODIs; (c) the first player from India (male or female) to score 2000 runs in Twenty-Twenty matches; (d) only woman player to have captained more than one ICC ODI World Cup Finals (in 2005 and 2017); (e) the first woman to play in 200 ODIs; (f) the first woman to complete 20 years in International Cricket. Inspiring indeed! It is sad that when she was in good form and could have played for a couple of more years, she declared her retirement on 10th June 2022. May her spirit encourage other sports persons.

Answer the following questions.
i) When did Ms Mithali Raj make her first International Test appearance?
ii) Where was Ms Mithali Raj born ?
iii) What is the latest award she received and when ?
iv) How is she distinct in terms of half centuries in ODIs ?
v) How long has she been playing in international cricket (till 2022) ?
vi) Name her distinction as a captain in ODl World Cup finals.
vii) Write the one-word substitute used in the passage that means the first public appearance of a player /performer / artist.
viii) Find out the idiom used in the passage that means some achievement one is proud of
Answers:
i) on 14 January 2002
ii) at Jodhpur, Rajastan
iii) Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award in 2021
iv) the first player to score seven consecutive half centuries in ODIs
v) for twenty years
vi) only woman player to have captained more than one ICC ODI World Cup Final
vii) debut
viii) feather in one’s cap

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

18. MatheMaGician Defining What Super Is!

Anand aa gaya was Anand’s grandmother’s comment when he was born on 01.01.1973 into a trouble-torn poor family. Thirty years after that new year day, a new era of spreading happiness began. This simple-looking miraculous mathematical genius started offering free IIT-JEE coaching to thirty poor students. Located in Patna and titled Super- 30, this institute has redefined Super and Pedagogy. The success rates are so incredible that any doubting Thomas would label it as a cock and bull story.

But then statistics shows it all. 18/30 (first batch, 2003), 22/30 (2004),26/30,28/ 30,30/30 in 2007,2008 and 2009 respectively. And there has never been looking back. The Hindu said Midas. The Newsweek called it “one of the four most innovative schools in the world”. Bouquets are bountiful, brickbats are not lagging behind, though. The secret of this amazing success: Anand makes the learners THINK, and THINK ALWAYS! Intention, intelligence, inquisitive nature, commitment, confidence, competence etc. work here consistently and concertedly. A true model to teachers!

Answer the following questions.
i) Anand has a happy childhood. Write true or false. Support your answer with a sentence from the passage.
ii) How has Anand been spreading happiness?
iii) What is the secret of Anand’s success?
iv) How has the Newsweek described Anand’s Super-30 institute?
v) Have you heard of any other institute that can be compared with Super-30 in IIT-JEE achievements ?
vi) Write the synonym, from the passage, of epoch.
vii) Find out the one-word substitute used in the passage to mean the study and practice of teaching methods.
viii) Pick out the idiom used in the passage that means something that is not true
Answers:
i) False – He was born into a trouble-torn poor family.
ii) by offering free IIT-JEE coaching to 30 poor students every year
iii) Anand makes the learners THiNK and THINK ALWAYS;
iv) as one of the four most innovative schools in the world
v) No, No, such institute
vi) era
vii) pedagogy
viii) a cock and bull story

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

19. Intelligence at its zenith

The students of Rula College, Mumbai were wonderstruck when they saw a nine- year-old visiting professor explaining the difficult concepts of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry with ease. He is Sobomo Isaac Bari, the youngest professor in the world. Born in 2012 to Rashidul Bari, a mathematician and Shaheda Bari, he showed exceptional abilities from childhood.

For his problem-solving capacities, he got a letter of recognition from the former U.S. President Barrack Obama in 2016 and received the Global Child Prodigy Award in 2020. India nominated him for the Nobel Prize 2021. Besides being a genius in Mathematics and Science, he is a writer. At the tender age of seven, he wrote a book titled The Love which outlines his dream to live in a world without terrorism. You must be inspired at the- child prodigy’s exceptional intelligence and moved by his plea for communal harmony and world peace! Then, let’s unleash “THE LOVE”…

Answer the following questions.
i) Why were the Ruia College students wonder-struck?
ii) What is the greatness of Soborno Bari?
iii) What is Soborno’s father?
iv) Former U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Soborno’s problem-solving capacities. Say true or false.
v) Which country nominated the child prodigy for the Nobel Prize 2021 ?
vi) What does the book The Love outline ?
vii) Write, from the passage, the opposite of the word dunce.
viii) Find the word from the passage which means a young person with remarkable abilities.
Answers:
i) as they ‘saw a nine-year-old visiting professor explaining difficult concepts of mathematics, physics and chemistry with ease
ii) He is the youngest professor in the world
iii) a mathematician
iv) false
v) India
vi) his dream to live in a world without terrorism
vii) genius
viii) prodigy

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

20. A World of Books or a Book of the World!

Learning there is pure fun. Life skills form the core of the curriculum. Lessons are drawn from the book of the world, not from the ‘World of academic books. Field visits the regular feature. Educational tours are annual events. Gardening is a hobby. In vast pla’ grounds, they discuss physics principles. Classrooms get converted into )layf: ids. The day dawns with games and physical activities. Reading newspapers is followed by Satsangs – discussions.

Letter writing, story writing, book reviews, stage performance, songs, dances drawing etc. are quite common activities here. Quizzes top them all. Prizes won in national and state level competitions number in hundreds. Everyone associated with this school was on cloud nine whom an eighth-grade girl by nanm Namrutha watched Chandrayan live along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 September 2019 from ISRO Bengaluru. That fun-filled school is Teja Vidyalaya! at Kodada, (a true temple of learning, and surprisingly, a temple has now come up beside it!) The inspiration, they say, is Rishi Valley ot Jiddu Krishna Murthy. And the school lives up to the inspiration!

Answer the following questions.
i) What forms the core of the curriculum at this fun-filled school?
ii) Name the regular feature followed at this school.
iii) How often do they conduct educational tours?
iv) When do Satsangs take place?
v) Where does the inspiration to run such a school come from?
vi) Write the. idiom used in the passage to mean extremely happy.
vii) Pick out the word from the passage that means the central part / essence.
viii) Mark stress .on the right syllable of the word inspiration
Answers:
i) life skills
ii) field visits
iii) once a year (annually)
iv) after reading newspapers
v) from Rishi Valley
vi) on cloud nine
vii) core
viii) inspiration

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

21. Mother of Inventor

Necessity is the Mother of Invention. So goes the widely- accepted wise saying. Here, however, a mother’s toil for long hours brought out the inventor in Padma Shri Chintakindi Mallesham. Born into a poor weaver’s family in Sharajpet village near Alair, Dr Mallesham dropped out of school after his s” class. His mother, Lakshmi, used to work on a manual Asu (a pre-loom activity in tie and dye weaving fashion).

That tedious work (turning the threads around the Asu for 9000 times to get yarn ready for just one saree!) used to leave her shoulders and joints strained to extreme levels. Moved by his mother’s pain, Dr Mallesham decided to find a way out. He moved heaven and earth for years. His determination was his sole resource. Challenges were many. Support from his wife Swarna (literally ‘gold’!) and a few friends mattered a lot.

Finally in 1999, he made his dream come true. Mechanical Laxmi (his mother’s name) Asu saw the light of day. That filled many weavers’ homes with the light of relief from their toil. Accolades came his way. Governments, universities, NGOs honoured him. A biopic was made based on his achievements. Even Forbes listed him among the seven powerful rural entrepreneurs. Now he runs an Asu-making unit at Alair. He visits institutions inspiring the young with his simple, to-the-point and time-specific talks.

Answer the following questions.
i) What throught out the inventor in Dr Mallesham ?
ii) Describe the work done on Asu.
iii) Describe the conditions in which Dr Mallesham struggled to make his dream machine.
iv) Does his invention help his mother alone ? Support your answer with evidence from the passage.
v) Name any two honours Dr Mallesham received.
vi) Find out the Idiom used in the passage that means did everything one could possibly do in order to achieve something.
vii) Pick out the one-word 8UbstibI~e from the passage that means persons who start business especially when that Involves taking financial risks.
viii) A portmanteau /po:(r)t’maent3u/word is a word blending the sounds and combining the meaning of two words –
Example: smoke + fog – smog.
Now find out one such portmanteau word from the passage that blends biography + picture .
Answers:
i) his mother’s toil and the resultant pain
ii) It is a pre-loom activity in tie and dye weaving fashion.
Threads are wound around the Asu to get yarn ready.

iii) Challenges were many. Determination was his sole resource.
Support from his wife and a few friends meant a lot.

iv) No. It helped many others. That filled many weavers’ homes with the light of relief from their toil.
v) the Padrna Shri and honorary Doctorate
vi) moved heaven and earth
vii) entrepreneurs
viii) biopic

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

22. A tele book Vs an ordinary book

A tele book is quite different from an ordinary book. In an ordinary book, words are printed on pages and remain there. A tele book, on the other hand, consists of words which appear on a screen and keep moving on it. People go through a tele book by reading words as they appear on the screen. The advantage, of tele books is that a great number of such books can be shown on a single screen.

The disadvantage is that we cannot turn back the page to read something again, With the invention of Kindle (an electronic tool, looking like a tablet, that call be used as a digital book) this problem has now largely been served It is time we learnt to read tele books the same way we have been reading ordinary books. The day is not far, when ordinary books may become obsolete….

Answer the following questions.
i) How is an ordinary book different from an unconventional book?
ii) What is the advantage of the new kind of books ?
iii) ‘How has the invention of Kindle helped us ?
iv) Why should we learn to read tele books the same way we have been reading ordinary books ?
v) Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option from the list given below:
The passage highlights
a) fast changing technology
b) the need on our part to change with the times
c) the way the world is turning into an e-world
vi) Write the part of speech of the word advantage.
vii) The word book is used in the passage to mean a bundle of bounded papers with words printed on the papers.
Use the same word book in your own sentences with two other meanings of the word book.
viii) Add one prefix and one suffix to the root advantage
Answers:
i) In an ordinary book words are printed on pages and they remain there. But in an unconventional book (Tele book) words appear on a screen and keep moving.
ii) A great number of books can be shown on a single screen.
iii) It solved the disadvantage of not being able to go back.
iv) because ordinary books may soon become obsolete
v) (b) the need on our part to change with the times
vi) noun
vii) They are trying to book (v – reserve) tickets for their proposed trip to Chennai.
They may book (v – register) a case of theft.
viii) disadvantageous

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

23. Indomitable Indeed!

Amazing young man this … tweeted Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao of Telangana Rashtra Samithi. “Dreaming big and working hard – this nineteen-year-old ‘runs’ home post his work shift as he dreams to be in the army,” said German Embassy, India. These sample encomiums are in response to Vinod Kapri’s – a film-maker and author – viral video. It is about Pradeep Mehra, a nineteen-year-old army aspirant from Almora of Uttarakhand. One night, Kapri saw him running on the roads of Noida.

On being asked why he was sprinting, Pradeep replied that his dream was to join the army. So; he runs ten kilometres a day from his workplace, Macdonald’s outlet at Sector 16, to his home at Barola. He supports his elder brother, cooks food for him and thinks of his ailing mother back home. He is so firm about his routine and views that he smilingly said ‘no’ to Kapri’s offer of dinner and dropping at his destination. By declining Kapri’s offer to drive him home, Pradeep is in fact driving home the value of regular hard work!

Answer the following questions.
i) Who shared the viral video discussed in the passage?
ii) Where does Pradeep Mehra hail from?
iii) Why does Pradeep Mehra run home — ten-kilometre- destination from his workplace – every day?
iv) What did Vinod Kapri offer Pradeep Mehra and how did Pradeep respond to Kapri’s offer?
v) Even common people, with their uncommon deeds, dreams and traits, tan attract the attention of prominent persons.
Support this statement with the help of the above passage.
vi) Write the Idiom .used in this passage which means making others understand / explaining.
vii) ‘Pick out from the passage the synonym of praise / tribute.
viii) Mark stress on.the right syllable of the word destination.
Answers:
i) Vinod Kapri
ii) from Almora of Uttarakhand
iii) to get practice to join the army
iv) offered dinner and dropping at home – refused as he was firm about his routine and views
v) Prominent persons like KTR and Emabassy officials tweeted appreciating this common man’s uncommon traits.
vi) driving home
vii) encomium
viii) destination

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

24. Age No Barrier

Quest for knowledge Is unquenchable. The more one tastes it the more the person craves for it. And it lasts till one’s last moment. Nothing can deter the determined mind from the pursuit. Here is a proof in a retired but untiring bank employee. After he hung up his boots, he acquired a dozen degrees in different domains like Business Administration, Covicll9, Crime, Psychology, Law and Software.

What could be his motive? “My urge to set an example to youth drove me,” answers Shri Ramalingeswara Rao B., from the heart of Hyderabad. Somajiguda. Proving that good manners are infectious; his son is an IlTian (with a dual degree) and his daughter (state s” ranker in EAMCET in composite AP) is a postgraduate in medicine. He spreads his tentacles into disciplines like serving the orphaned aged persons, writing poetry and raising coffee plantations in cool Karnataka hill slopes. Does one need more to live fully and meaningfully? Let’s emulate him!

Answer the following questions.
i) What does the passage say about one’s thirst for knowledge?
ii) How does the passage elaborate its views about one’s urge to learn more and more?
iii) “Good manners are infectious”, asserts the passage. What evidence does it provide?
iv) How does Shri B. Ramalingeswara Rao spend his time now?
v) Write the idiom used in this passage to mean retired.
vi) Pick out the word (a homonym) from the passage that is used twice in one sentence with these meanings: continues and final.
vii) Find out from the passage the synonym of discipline.
viii) The word untiring can be analysed as un (prefix) + tire (root) + ing (suffix). Now analyse the word unquenchable in the same way.
Answers:
i) Quest for knowledge is unquenchable.
ii) The more one tastes it (knowledge), the more the person craves for it.
iii) Like the father, his children also studied well and got rewarded.
iv) by serving orphaned aged persons, writing poetry and raising coffee plantations
v) hung up boots
vi) last
vii) domain
viii) un(prefix) + quench (root) + able (suffix)

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

25. Private Tragedy Serving a Public Cause

Falguni, wife of Dasarath Manjhi, died in 1959 of the injuries she suffered as she fell down from a mountainous path and of delayed medical help because, again, of the mountainous path! Manjhi (14.01.1934 – 17.08.2007), a labourer from Gehlaur village near Gaya in Bihar was moved into action by her death. Born into a low caste, he thought high. He started carving a path through the ridges. People called him lunatic. Yet, he toiled with a hammer, chisel and his steely resolve.

Twenty-two years (1960-1982) of his single-handed efforts bore fruit. The 110 metre-long, 9.1 metre-wide and 7.7-metre- deep path he carved through the ridges reduced the distance between Gehlaur and Gaya by forty kilo metres (from 55 to ‘15 KMs). Bihar Government honoured him. India Post released a stamp featuring him. A memorial with his statue stands tall in Gehlaur. People fondly remember him as the Mountain Man. Yet, the real reward to this departed soul could be to provide roads and medical aid to every village in India!

Answer the following questions.
i) Mention the reasons or Falguni’s death.
ii) How did Falguni’s death move her husband, Manjhi ?
iii) What were the tools Manjhi used to carve the path through the ridges?
iv) People fondly remember Manjhi as the Mountain Man because of his ……………. the blank choosing from:
a) caste
b) deed
c) wealth
v) How nearer is Gaya to Gehlaur because of the path.Manjhi created?
vi) List the honours governments and people extended to Manjhi.
vii) Find out the idiom used in the passage to mean had a successful result.
viii) Write the part of speech of the word mountainous
Answers:
i) injuries suffered as she fell down and delayed medical help
ii) moved him into action of carving a path through the mountain
iii) a hammer, chisel and his steely resolve
iv) (b) deed
v) by forty kms (55 to 15)
vi) Bihar government’s felicitation, a postal stamp, a memorial with his statue
vii) bore fruit
viii) adjective

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

26. The Last Lecture: Best Lessons

It was 18 September 2007. Carnegie Mellon University (US) auditorium was echoing with laughter as forty-six-year-old Randy Pausch was delivering an upbeat and humorous lecture. And, then, he knew he would die in a few months’ Terminal pancreatic cancer was the villain. He, yet, stressed the need to live fully and have fun in everything. He suddenly dropped and did push-ups to prove his point. Living right is more important than achieving dreams, asserted he. He listed his achieved dreams, quite many, though.

He thanked every- one who taught him a lesson or two. And he passed on those valuable lessons to posterity. He wants one to be frugal, not miserly. He advises elders to give children permission’ and inspiration to dream. He appeals to teachers to enable learners to achieve dreams. The most significant lesson, however, is the way he took the bull (of cancer or death) by the horns. The Last Lectures extended version is the best- selling book with the same title, worth reading again and again!

Answer the following questions.
i) When and where was this Last Lecture delivered?
ii) The auditorium echoed with loud laughter. Yet, every listener was crying silently. Why?
iii) What did the speaker emphasise despite being in the face of death?
iv) He suddenly dropped and did push-ups on the stage. How would you have reacted, had you been there?
v) What is his appeal to teachers?
vi) The word pancreatic is an adjective. Write its noun form.
vii) Write the two words you see in the passage that mean:
a) using only as much money as is necessary… and
b) hating to spend money.
viii) Find out the idiom used in the passage to mean faced a difficult or dangerous situation directly and with courage
Answers:
i) on 18-09-2007; at Carnegie Mellon University auditorium
ii) because they all knew that the speaker was about to die very soon.
iii) to live fully and have fan in everything
iv) I would have been surprised and shocked
v) to enable learners to achieve their dreams
vi) pancreas
vii) a) frugal b) miserly
viii) took the bull by the horns

TS Inter 2nd Year English Reading Comprehension Unseen Passages

27. Two Friends

Two friends, Amanda and Margot, one day were walking together in a desert. In the heat of an argument, Margot slapped Amanda in the face who was hurt but without saying anything, wrote on the sand, “Today, my best friend Margot slapped me in the face”. They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. While bathing, Amanda got stuck in the mire and started drowning.

Then, naturally, Margot saved Amanda by pulling her out of the quicksand. After recovering from near drowning, Amanda wrote on a stone, “Today, my best friend Margot saved my life”. On being asked by confused Margot why she did so, Amanda replied, “When someone hurts us, we should write it down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it, but when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it on a stone, so no wind can erase it”.

Answer the following questions.
i) Where were the two friends walking ?
ii) Why did Margot slap Amanda ?
iii) What happened to Amanda when she was bathing ?
iv) What would have happened to Amanda if Margot had not saved her ?
v) What is the difference between writing in the sand and writing on a stone ?
vi) According to the passage, we should never forgive our friends if they hurt us. Write yes or no.
vii) Find the word, from the passage, which means to remove all traces of something.
viii) Give the antonym of the word punishment from the passage.
Answers:
i) in a desert
ii) in the heat of an argument
iii) got stuck in the mire
iv) Amanda would have died.
v) Writing in the sand is erased with winds of forgiveness. Writing on a stone stays on forever.
vi) No
vii) erase
viii) forgiveness

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