ICSE Class 9 English Unseen Passages Comprehensions With Answers

Unseen Passage for Class 9

Read the passage given below:

India is one of the fastest growing economies in 2020. Poverty is on the decline with close to 44 Indians escaping extreme poverty every minute, according to the World Poverty Clock. According to the Brookings report, today India has 73 million people living in extreme poverty which makes up 5.5% of its total population.

Two-thirds of people in India live in poverty. 68.8% of the Indian population live on less than $2 a day. Over 30% even have less than $1.25 per day and such people are considered extremely poor. More than 800 million people in India are considered poor. Most of them live in the countryside and keep afloat with odd jobs. The lack of employment which provides a liveable wage in rural areas is driving many Indians into rapidly growing metropolitan cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru. 

In 2019, the Indian government stated that 6.7% of its population is below its official poverty limit. According to Oxfam, India’s top 1% of the population now holds 73% of the wealth while 670 million citizens, comprising the country’s poorest half, saw their wealth rise by just 1%. As per the Tendulkar Poverty Line, poverty reduced from 14.9 per cent in 2011 to 7.0 per cent in 2017—the fastest pace the country has seen yet. So, 2020 is extremely challenging year not only for government and business, but also for those who are on the borderline of poverty. Fiscal, monetary and administrative policies have to be designed in a way that provides a safety for those living at the brink of poverty. Lifting people out of poverty ought to be on top of the government’s priority.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, attempt any five questions.

Question. As per the graph, which of these is/are the cause(s) of poverty in India?
(a) Colonial past
(b) Lack of education
(c) Population explosion
(d) All of these

Question. According to the graph, which state has the highest number of people living below poverty line?
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Bihar
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Uttar Pradesh

Question. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the reason for people migrating to metropolitan cities.
1. Poverty
2. More employment opportunities in metropolitan cities
3. Government schemes
4. Lack of employment
5. Better crops
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 2, 3 and 4

Question. In the line “… employment which provides a liveable wage”, the word ‘liveable’ DOES NOT refer to:
(a) good enough
(b) acceptable
(c) frugal
(d) comfortable

Question. Choose the option that is NOT TRUE.
(a) One-third of people in India live in poverty.
(b) Corruption contributes to poverty.
(c) Chandigarh has the lowest number of people living below poverty line.
(d) Poverty may develop due to limited resources.

Question. The year 2020 is an extremely challenging year for:
(a) the government
(b) the businessmen
(c) the people living on the border line of poverty
(d) All of these

B. Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What percentage of the total Indian population is living in extreme poverty?
Answer : 5.5% of the total population of India is living in extreme poverty.

Question. Who are considered extremely poor in India?
Answer : People having less than $1.25 per day are considered extremely poor.

Question. Why do rural people migrate to metropolitan cities of India? 
Answer : Rural people migrate to metropolitan cities because of lack of sufficient employment in rural areas.

Question. What does the study of Oxfam India focus on?
Answer : The study of Oxfam India emphasises that the country’s top 1% of population hold 73% of the wealth.

Question. What should be the top priority of government?
Answer : The government should act for t lifting people out of poverty.

Class 9 English Unseen Passage

Read the passage given below:

1. The novel corona virus has given rise to a global pandemic that has destabilized most institutional settings. While we live in times when humankind possesses the most advanced science and technology, a virus invisible to the naked eye has massively disrupted our lives, economies, healthcare, and education systems worldwide. Given the corona virus’s current situation, some households have also had time to introspect on gender roles and stereotypes. For instance, women are expected to carry out household chores like cooking, cleaning, and looking after the family. With men sharing household chores responsibilities during the lockdown period, it gives hope that they will realize the burden that women have been bearing and will continue sharing such responsibilities.

2. This tough period also gave people some time to reflect on the importance of keeping themselves fit. With sufficient time in hand, people started investing their time learning new ways to exercise. Those who never exercised before, giving excuses of busy lives, too developed some new habits of Yoga, Pranayam and exercises during the lockdown period. These new habits and people’s increased focus on their health, wellness and immunity will surely change the way we lead our lives even in future.

3. The nature too healed itself during the lockdown period. Restricted human movement led to better air quality, cleaner water bodies and joyful wildlife movements. The human beings, we hope, reflected during this time, how some of their unconscious activities cause disruption in nature and worked out ways to adopt environmental-friendly options for their activities in future. This situation also affected the education sector to a great extent. It has forced us to shift from offline to online mode of teachinglearning process, almost immediately without prior preparation. Is it giving us a peek into the reality ahead? Technology-enabled teaching is definitely the future we are looking towards, but it is important to identify key challenges for students and teachers in the current scenario. Once identified, academic leadership and the government can address these through innovations in the focused areas to minimise the effect of pandemic on the education of the students.

4. The current scenario has also affected our economies to the extent wherein many businessmen had to bear heavy losses in their businesses. The governments and individuals need to take actions to mitigate risk and minimize transmission while maintaining social and economic activities. However, relaxed control measures, declining risk perception and the understandable desire to return to normalcy have led to reduced protective behaviours and more social and workplace interactions, often in confined, close-contact settings, where the virus spreads really fast.

 5. It is our responsibility that we take all necessary precautions through mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene as part of daily life. It is highly important to make these new behaviours part of our everyday habits. Travelling to new places, casual café visits with a large bunch of friends, spending our weekends in shopping, window-shopping and casual strolls, large gatherings in birthday parties and other celebrations; will require some modifications and patience to fit into “New Normal” keeping all the safety norms in mind.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, attempt any five questions.

Question. The outbreak of COVID-19 is called a pandemic because:
(a) it has spread across the globe.
(b) it has spread across India
(c) it is invisible to naked eye
(d) it has disrupted many institutional settings

Question. According to the passage the lockdown period made people introspect on gender roles and stereotypes because :
(a) Women started handling all the household responsibilities alone
(b) Men started handling all the household responsibilities alone
(c) People talked about gender stereotypes during lockdown period
(d) Men started sharing responsibilities related to household chores

Question. Choose the option that is NOT TRUE.
People, who never exercised before, started exercising during the lockdown period because:
(a) they had sufficient time in hand
(b) exercise was the only way to treat people from the novel corona virus.
(c) people learnt new ways to exercise their body.
(d) people understood the importance of health and wellness in the face of the pandemic

Question. A positive change was seen in nature during lockdown period in terms of cleaner air and water bodies because:
(a) there was less human movement due to lockdown
(b) the virus helped in cleaning air and water
(c) the government made extra efforts to clean air and water
(d) People got together to clean water bodies.

Question. How did schools continued educating students during the pandemic?
(a) Through offline mode of teaching
(b) Through online mode of teaching
(c) By calling students to school on weekly basis
(d) Students were asked to study at home themselves.

Question. Which of the following has NOT led to reduced protective behaviours amongst people?
(a) relaxed control measures
(b) declining risk perception
(c) physical distancing
(d) understandable desire to return to normalcy.

OR
B. Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. How did the lockdown period bridge the gap of gender inequality?
Answer : Men shared household responsibilities with women during the lockdown period.

Question. How was the lockdown period good for the environment?
Answer : Human movement got restricted, as a result of which there were very few vehicles on roads. This proved beneficial for the environment.

Question. How did the pandemic affect economies of the countries?
Answer : Many businesses got paralysed which badly affected economies of the countries.

Question. What are the necessary precautions that we must take for protecting ourselves from corona virus?
Answer : Mask wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene are some necessary precautions that we must take for being safe from corona virus.

Question. What activities should we avoid during this pandemic? 
Answer : We should avoid travelling to new places, casual cafe visits with a large group of friends, large gatherings in birthday parties, other celebrations, and other similar activities.

Unseen Passage for Class 9 with Answers

Case-based Factual Passages Read the passage given below:

1. Man suffers from a distorted complex. He always considers animals as inferior beings only fit for exploitation. Man has been using domestic and wild animals for his selfish ends. Many animal lovers joined together to form the ‘Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’.

2. The society has been working for the well-being and welfare of animals for many years. Its main aim is to change the attitude and thinking of people towards animals. It is quite sad that animals continue to be ill-treated, tortured and killed according to the whims of the people. About 15% of the people entertain the belief that animals are man’s slaves. They use, misuse and torture them accordingly. About 50% of the people exploit animals for selfish ends.

3. Horses and oxen are used for transport, carrying loads and in agricultural activities. Dogs, cats and many birds are domesticated for fun, entertainment and convenience. Wild animals like elephants, tigers, lions and deer are victims of poaching and killing. Animals are forced to do acrobatic feats in circus shows. Unfortunately, about 35% of people don’t think about the animals at all. They are totally indifferent to them.

4. The Government and the animal lovers must work together to bring a change in the attitude of the people. Animals should not be killed and poached for fun, furs or financial gains. They should be treated with kindness, care and sympathy. Cruelty towards animals must be legally punished.

A. Multiple Choice Questions
On the basis of your understanding of the passage, attempt any five questions. 

Question. In the line “… fit for exploitation”, the word ‘exploitation’ does not refer to: 
(a) abuse
(b) ill-treatment
(c) oppression
(d) utilisation

Question. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the abuses of animals.
1. Used for transport
2. Used for carrying loads
3. Acrobatic feats in circus
4. Poaching
5. Agricultural activities
6. Domesticated for fun

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 6
(c) 5 and 6
(d) 3 and 4

Question. Man always considers animals as:
(a) superior beings
(b) inferior beings
(c) powerful beings
(d) All of these

Question. Man considers animals fit for:
(a) exploitation
(b) working hard
(c) helping man
(d) None of these

Question. For many years, ‘Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ has been working for:
(a) destruction of animals
(b) exploitation of animals
(c) the welfare of animals
(d) All of these

Question. Choose the option that is NOT TRUE.
(a) Animals must not be exploited by man.
(b) Animals should be treated well.
(c) Animals should be killed only for food.
(d) Animals should not be used in circus to earn one’s livelihood.

OR

B. Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why does man consider animals fit for exploitation?
Answer : Man considers animals fit for exploitation because he always considers animals inferior to him.

Question. What is the main goal of the “Society for Prevention of Cruelty of Animals”?
Answer : The main goal of the ‘Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ is to change the attitude and thinking of people towards animals.

Question. What percentage of people exploit animals for selfish ends?
Answer : About 50% of the people exploit animals for selfish ends.

Question. Why do some people domesticate dogs, cats and birds? Which animals are victims of poaching and killing?
Answer : Some people domesticate dogs, cats and birds for fun, entertainment and convenience. Animals like elephants, tigers, lions and deer are victims of poaching and killing.

Question. How should animals be treated?
Answer : Animals should be treated with kindness, care and sympathy.

Comprehensions for Class 9 English with Solutions

Read the passage given below:
Homestays initially grew in popularity as a way for language, cultural or student travellers to immerse themselves in the local culture of a town or city. But in the last few years, thanks in part to online aggregators that specialize in connecting guests and hosts, the profile of the typical homestay traveller has changed significantly. As indicated by the research by PhoCus Wright’s U.S. Consumer Travel Report Sixth Edition while students still account for 29% of homestay guests, nearly half of all homestay guests travel for leisure.

Why guests book homestays | Guests book homestays to enjoy staying in a home environment, for the location, for value for money, and the local experience.  (Img 21)

A homestay is an increasingly popular form of accommodation that connects guests with individual hosts who have opened their homes to travellers. Guests don’t stay in an empty apartment or home, but instead share the accommodations provided by the homeowner and his or her family. Homestays are a popular lodging option for consumers of all ages who want a more personalized, immersive and authentic travel experience. The key to a great homestay experience for both host and guest is about not only finding the right home, but also the right person. In other words, finding the right match. While some guests are seeking an immersive and cultural experience, others might simply want good quality, affordable
accommodations in the right location with a host they get along with. Similarly, some hosts will want to spend hours chatting with guests over a meal while others will prefer guests who are more independent.
According to research presented in PhoCus Wright’s U.S. Consumer Travel Report Sixth Edition:• 77% of next-generation travellers chose a home or apartment rental for lodging. The top reasons for choosing a rental over a hotel include: Homelike amenities • More space • Multiple rooms • Multiple travellers • Value for money and a perfect fit for millennials Holiday. The homestay traveller is most likely to be on holiday – 38% of our respondents indicated that they were traveling for leisure. The graph below depicts the motivations of homestay traveller. (Img 22)

Homestay caters to a new breed of traveller, one who places the experience of the travel over the price or destination. This traveller is served by a host who recognizes that opening one’s home to guests is enriching and life-changing.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, attempt any five questions.

Question. In the line “…thanks in part to online aggregators that specialize in connecting…”, the word “aggregator” does not refer to:
(a) Web based collection of information about a topic
(b) Web based banking
(c) Web based application to gather and provide data
(d) Website based communication about a particular topic.

Question. According to research presented in PhoCus Wright’s U.S. Consumer Travel Report Sixth Edition:
(a) Almost 50% of homestay guests travel for leisure
(b) Almost 50% of homestay guests are students
(c) Almost 29% of students travel for leisure
(d) Nearly 29% of homestay guests travel for leisure

Question. One of the elements that is important to a home stay is:
(a) Guests are required to spend time with owners
(b) Guests stay with the homeowners of the house
(c) Guests have to cook their own food
(d) Guests stay in a cheap place with basic amenities

Question. Rita might have to shift to Goa if she accepts offer for a new job. However, she wants to experience the culture, meet people, interact with them and get a feel of the place before she makes the final decision. Which type of accommodation should she stay at?
(a) A five-star hotel
(b) Hostels
(c) Homestay
(d) Guesthouse

Question. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the inherent qualities of homestays:
1. Provides a unique cultural experience
2. Allows you to stay alone in an apartment
3. Provides an opportunity to stay with a local person
4. Provides an opportunity to live in great luxury
5. Offers good quality, affordable living space with the homeowner

(a) 1,2 and 5
(b) 1,3 and 4
(c) 1,5 and 6
(d) 1,3 and 5

Question. As per the data of all the people who opt for home stays the ones who like it the most are:
(a) those who travel for fun or education.
(b) those who travel for education or business.
(c) those who travel for business or events.
(d) those who travel for relocation or internship.

Answer : 

OR

B. Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Why do guests book homestays?
Answer : Guests book homestays to enjoy home environment. They also like homestays for the locations, for value, for money and for the local experience.

Question. What are homestays?
Answer : Homestays are a form of accommodation that connect guests with hosts who have opened their homes to travellers.

Question. What is the key to a great homestay experience for both guest and host?
Answer : Finding the right match is the key to a great homestay experience for both guest and host.

Question. What may be the preferences of guests while they book homestays?
Answer : Some guests may seek enchanting and cultural experience, others may simply want quality food, affordable accommodation in the right location, etc.

Question. In what way do hosts differ from one another?
Answer : Some hosts want to chat with guests over a meal, while some other leave guests independent.

Unseen Passage Class 9 English Pdf

Read the passage given below:

Technological evolution is a certainty. Cyber-physical systems, Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT) have been changing the infrastructure of our world. In the 2020s, these phenomena, which are still in their nascency, will rapidly accelerate due to the increasing digitisation of key areas such as health, science, transport, communications and energy. The ubiquity of technology, and its increased ability to connect and communicate, has paved the way for this tipping point. Beneath the surface, we are moving towards an explosion of change. Over 50% of our global population is now online, and the other half is following fast. To be precise, around 726 million people joined the web in the last three years. These new users will change the shape of the internet. Many of them will be lower income. They are choosing smartphones over laptops and tablets and are more likely to use voice commands.

Geodata and the IoT will create new markets and supply chains. The automation of manufacturing, services and mobility has already begun. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will reach what Gartner terms the ‘Plateau of Productivity’, in which the technology becomes both mainstream and viable. McKinsey estimates that 70% of companies may adopt at least one AI technology by 2030. It is unlikely they will all use it well, but those that do could manage to take us to a place where man and machine are indistinguishable.

Bioscience has the potential to be transformative in the 2020s. Gene editing (CRISPR) technology will likely soon be able to edit genomes to allow animal organs to be accepted into human bodies – transforming, and perhaps saving, the lives of people currently waiting for organ transplants. Similar technology can also be used to combat inherited diseases, and even cancer. Elsewhere, gene therapy experiments are using the body’s immune system to fight cancer through re-engineering our cells.

 Technology has inarguably improved science, health, communications and transport. However, technology has not necessarily corresponded to increased economic productivity. Indeed, many of the most technologically advanced countries have seen productivity stagnate and stall, as discussed in growing inequality and opportunity.

In the 2020s many questions around technology will be resolved. The scaffolding is in place. This will be the decade in which AI, geodata, the IoT, bioscience, and quantum computing are given the opportunity to change our world. Whether this change will be surface- level or truly transformative remains to be seen.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, attempt any five questions.

Question. In the line “The ubiquity of technology, and its ……”, the word “ubiquity” DOES NOT refer to
(a) Ever-present
(b) Omnipresent
(c) Pervasive
(d) Usage

Question. According to McKinsey,
(a) 70% of companies will employ more labor force by the year 2030.
(b) Nearly 70% of the companies will adopt use of one AI by the end of this decade.
(c) Nearly 70% of all the companies will stop using AI by the end of 2030.
(d) 70% of all companies will depend on people who can use computers by the end of 2030.

Question. One of the important predictions in the passage is that we are going to reach, ‘Plateau of Productivity’ with respect to digitisation. Which option most reflects the meaning?
(a) There will be a widespread market use of AI even if it is not viable.
(b) There will be no more resources left to develop AI.
(c) The production and use of AI will be extensive and practicable.
(d) The use of AI will stop as it will become more expensive.

Question. According to the report, what will generate new market chain and supply?
(a) Artificial Intelligence
(b) Artificial Intelligence and Internet
(c) Geo-data and Internet of Things
(d) Access to meta-data

Question. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that best lists the inherent benefits of biosciences
1. Will revolutionise the field of cancer treatment
2. Will revolutionise the use of computers and phones
3. Will revolutionise the industry and its development
4. Will revolutionise the development of new phones
5. Will allow for genome transformation of animals
6. Will help patients who need organ transplants
(a) 1,2 and 3
(b) 1,5 and 6
(c) 2,3 and 4
(d) 3,4 and 5

Question. The years between 2020 and 2030 will see a next-level technological advancement as per the report.
What reason has been cited for the same?
(a) Large scale investment by private sector in technology.
(b) Technology development has been the top priority of the governments.
(c) A lot of advancement has taken place in the field of internet.
(d) Increased ability of technology to connect and communicate.

OR

B. Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. What technology will be used to combat inherited diseases in humans?
Answer : Gene editing (CRISPR) technology will be used to combat inherited diseases in humans.

Question. In which areas is digitisation increasing?
Answer : Digitisation is increasing in the key areas such as health, science, transport, communication and energy.

Question. How can we say that we are moving towards an explosion of change?
Answer : Over half of our global population is a online, and the other half is following fast. Around 726 million people have joined the web in the last three years.

Question. How do gene therapy experiments fight cancer?
Answer : Gene therapy experiments use the body’s immune system to fight cancer through re-engineering our cells.

Question. What is the purpose behind editing genomes?
Answer : Editing genomes will allow animal organs to be accepted into human bodies.

Solved Unseen Passages for English Class 8

Read the passage given below:

A night curfew from 10 pm to 5 am had been imposed in the capital from April 6 till April 30, 2021. All private organisations located in the capital had been advised to stagger office timings and also stagger the presence and quantum of staff with the objective to reduce the number of employees attending office at the same time. They had been further advised to follow the practice of work from home as far as possible.

“It has become necessary to take certain emergency measures to prevent and contain the spread of the virus in the interest of public health,” the order by DDMA stated. All Delhi government offices functioned with officers of the level of grade one and above to the extent of 100% strength while the remaining staff attended up to 50% as per requirement as assessed by head of the department while the remaining 50% were supposed to work from home. However, in health and family welfare and all related medical establishments, police, prisons, home guards, and other essential services were required to function without any restrictions.

There was no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement of people and goods, including those for cross-land border trader under treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate permission was required for such movements.

All schools, colleges and educational institutions remained closed. Online/distance learning was permitted and encouraged. However, students of Classes 9 to 12 might be called to school only for providing academic guidance and support to students for various examinations after following the prescribed standard operating procedure for Covid safety issued by the directorate of education and with the consent of parents.

The use of all swimming pools, except being used for training of sportspersons for participation in national and international events, were prohibited. The CM also underlined the laxity which crept into the system and agencies after the third wave of Covid, which hit the capital in November 2020, passed and daily cases dropped significantly. “We are currently in comfortable position with reference to beds and ventilators. We will ensure that the people of Delhi stay safe to the best of our abilities, Lockdown is not an option. We will announce the restrictions in the coming few days. Covid centres are being rebuild and some have already started functioning,” Delhi CM Kerjriwal said. He announced that the Delhi government would do preparations like it did during the third Covid wave in November 2020 to tackle the fourth wave.

The CM said that Delhi has 7-10 days’ stock of Covid vaccines and again appealed to the Centre to remove the age restriction for taking the jab because inoculating everyone would help. He said, “The Delhi government is ready to vaccinate all within 2-3 months if the restrictions are removed.” “Lok Nayak Hospital has 2,000 beds. During the last wave, all 2,000 were declared as Covid beds. Right now, we have declared 1,500 as Covid beds, 500 beds are still non-Covid. Slowly, the OPD will also be shut down at the hospital and, if the situation demands, all 2,000 will be made available for Covid patients.,” the CM said.

A. Multiple Choice Questions

On the basis of your understanding of the passage, attempt any five questions.

Question. In the line “… stagger the presence and quantum staff”, the word ‘stagger’ refers to:
(a) slow speed of work in an office.
(b) presence of less number of staff in an office.
(c) presence of all staff on alternate days in an office.
(d) work from home for all staff.

Question. In the line “…certain emergency measures”, the term ‘emergency measures’ Does not refer to:
(a) presence of 50% of staff in an office at the same time.
(b) proper functioning of all essential services for the restriction of Covid-19 cases.
(c) complete restrictions on travelling.
(d) shut down of schools, colleges and other educational institutions for a certain period of time.

Question. Which of these actions is/are must to prevent and contain the spread of Covid-19 cases?
(a) Wearing mask when going out of home
(b) Maintaining social distancing
(c) Washing hands with soap and water time and again
(d) All of these

Question. The number of new Covid-19 cases every day in our country indicates that:
(a) public are unaware of the consequences of Covid-19 virus.
(b) public are not following the protocols of safety measures properly.
(c) government is not taking any key step to prevent Covid-19 cases.
(d) it is impossible to control Covid-19 cases.

Question. Based on your understanding of the passage choose the option that lists the statements that are not
TRUE.
(1) There is no advantage of lockdown.
(2) Most of the office staff should be said to work from home.
(3) Covid vaccines are ineffective for preventing the spread of Covid-19 cases.
(4) The Delhi Government wants to vaccinate every Delhiite against Covid-19.
(5) There is no adverse impact of Covid-19 on students.
(a) 3 and 5
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 2 and 5

Question. The data given in the passages reveals that:
(a) most people who are Covid positive require ICU beds with ventilator.
(b) most people who are Covid positive get well at their homes.
(c) most of the Covid-19 patients succumb to death.
(d) the recovery rate is very low.

OR
B. Very Short Answer Type Questions.

Question. How many total Covid beds are there in the capital?
Answer : There are total 5,834 Covid beds in the capital.

Question. Why were private organisations in the capital advised to follow the practice of work from home?
Answer : Private organisations in the capital were advised to follow the practice of work from home in order to reduce the number of employees attending office at the same time.

Question. Who were required to function without any restrictions?
Answer : Medical staff, family welfare staff, police, homeguards, etc. were required to function without any restrictions.

Question. With what reference is the capital in comfortable position?
Answer : The capital is in comfortable position with reference to beds and ventilators.

Question. Who are allowed to use swimming pools?
Answer : Sportspersons who are getting training for participation in national and international events are allowed to use swimming pools.

Unseen Passages for Class 9 English

1. India is home to an estimated 10% of the global Snow Leopard population spread across five Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh which is only 5% of the available global habitat for the animal. 

2. Project Snow Leopard was introduced in India by the Project Snow Leopard Committee instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, in the year 2009 to safeguard and conserve India’s unique natural heritage of high altitude wildlife populations and their habitats by promoting conservation through participatory policies and actions.

3. Project Tiger and Project Elephant is prevalent in India with the former introduced in 1973 garnering worldwide attention.

4. The Snow Leopard usually occurs at an altitude of >2700m above sea level and is the apex predator in the Himalayan Region along with the Tibetan Wolf. The project is not only to protect the Snow Leopard, but as with Project Tiger, it is considered an umbrella species and with its protection, comes the protection of other species and the habitat which they are all a part of.

5. Top 3 National Parks in India where the Snow Leopard can likely be seen
(i) Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary – Himachal Pradesh (ii) Ulley Valley – Ladakh
(iii) Hemis National Park – Himachal Pradesh
The reasons for introduction of Project Snow Leopard are as follows
(i) High altitudes of India > 3000m including the Himalayan & Trans-himalayan biogeographic zones support a unique wildlife assemblage of global conservation.
(ii) There has been relatively less attention on the region from the viewpoint of wildlife conservation.
(iii) The region represents a vast rangeland system supporting important traditional pastoral economies and lifestyles.
(iv) The region provides essential ecosystem services and harbours river systems vital for the nation’s food security.
(v) India has ratified international agreements promoting the conservation of high altitude wildlife species such as the snow leopard.
(vi) The region is important for the country’s national security as well as international relations.
(vii) The high altitude wildlife in India today faces a variety of threats.
(viii) The existing high altitude protected areas in India require considerable strengthening.
(ix) Wildlife Management in the region needs to be made participatory.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any five out of the seven questions by choosing the correct option

Question. The purpose of above study is to show that snow leopards are …………. . Choose the correct option   
(a) Near threatened species that can be protected
(b) Vulnerable species and must be protected
(c) Least concerned species that need no protection
(d) Species that live in the Himalayas

Question. Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.   
(1) Project Snow Leopard was introduced in India in 2009 to conserve unique high altitude wildlife like snow leopards.
(2) Project Tiger was introduced in India in 1973 to conserve the endangered Bengal tigers and save them from extinction.
(a) (1) is the result of (2).
(b) (1) is the cause of (2).
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (1) contradicts (2).

Question. Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following phrase.   
“Snow Leopard… is considered an umbrella species…”
(a) Other species will also be protected by protecting Snow Leopards.
(b) It consists of many other species.
(c) It is the most important species in the region.
(d) None of the above

Question. According to the above passage, high altitude regions should be protected because they …………. .   
(a) Support unique wildlife of global significance
(b) Support endangered wildlife that must be protected
(c) Consist of very insignificant ecosystems and organisms
(d) Are rich in minerals and natural resources

Question. According to the passage, which other species can be found in the Himalayan Region besides the Snow Leopard?    
(a) Asian Elephants
(b) Endangered Tiger
(c) Tibetan Wolf
(d) Both (a) and (c)

Question. Which of the following is integral to the nation’s food security?   
(a) Wildlife management
(b) Vast rangeland system
(c) Aquatic ecosystems
(d) River systems

Question. The passage concludes that promotion of conservation of high altitude wildlife species by India requires it to …………… .    
Select the correct option
(a) Keep the region neat and tidy
(b) Protect the region as well
(c) Donate money to the human inhabitants of the region
(d) Hold such species captive in order to protect them