CBSE Class 12 English Literary Passage Worksheet Set 02

Passage 

1. As we speed our way from Guwahati towards Sualkuchi, vivid images of colourful silk mekhela chadars flood my mind. This is my second visit to Sualkuchi. Sualkuchi is endearingly referred to as the Manchester of the East. Situated on the Northern banks of the Brahmaputra, it is famous for its centuries-old heritage of weaving. When I reach Sualkuchi, I can hear the rhythmic click-clack of the traditional throw-shuttle loom.
2. Here, weaving is not just a tradition handed down by generations, but a way of life and a labour of love. The majority of the families have hand operated looms, which they call ‘taatxaal’. “I’ve been weaving for more than 25 years now; I still love the craft,” says Binita Roy, a weaver working here. As I ask Binita about the different designs used in the silk garments, I'm amazed at the sheer beauty of the motifs. A popular design used in mekhela chadars is the ‘kinkhaap’. It is believed that this design has been used since the days of the Ahom kings and consists of two front-facing lions. Other popular designs include those inspired by Assamese jewellery like the ‘gaamkharu’ (a wrist band) or ‘joonbiri’ (a half moon-shaped pendant) and the kaziranga design inspired by the wildlife at Kaziranga National Park. These days, coloured silk threads are bought from South India as it is not commercially viable to dye the silks before weaving here.
3. Assam’s flora and fauna often sneak into its mekhela chadars. Creepers are woven into borders, peacocks prance about the chadars and delicate, geometric flowers dot the bodies of the mekhelas. Occasionally, pots and lions too make an appearance. The more I learn about the tedious procedure of weaving, the more my respect for the craft grows.
4. There are mekhela chadars in different colours; red, blue, green, purple and blue as well as white, beige, black and grey. The ‘paat’ silk mekhela chadars have intricate designs made out of golden silk threads or guna all over. In some of them, different coloured threads are also used.
5. The white ‘paat’ silk, warm ‘eri’ and the golden ‘muga’ silk threads are made into exquisite chadars, saris, shawls, dress materials, rihas and gamochas’. The ‘paat’ fabric is often described as one that dries in the shade and hides in a fist. The crisp, bright, gold ‘muga’ silk, exclusive to Assam, is of superior quality and very costly. Mekhela chadars made from ‘muga’ are gracefully draped by dancers during Rongali Bihu, the traditional festival of Assam. ‘Muga’, the golden silk of Assam, was given the Geographical indication status in 2007 and the GI logo in 2014.

Question. What is special of Sualkuchi?
Answer: Sualkuchi is special because it is endearingly known as the 'Manchester of the East' and has a centuries-old heritage of weaving, where the craft is a way of life and a labour of love for the local community.

Question. What was the intention behind the writer’s question to Binita’s knowledge about the different designs?
Answer: The writer's intention was to learn about the deep cultural history and symbolism behind the beautiful and intricate motifs, such as royalty, jewelry, and nature, that are hand-woven into the traditional silk garments.

Question. Complete the given sentence appropriately. The rhythmic click-clack that the writer hears indicates .................
(a) sewing
(b) movement of machines
Answer: (b) movement of machines

Question. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option. The ‘gaamkharu’ and the ‘joonbiri’ designs have been inspired by .................
Answer: Assamese jewellery.

Question. Which of the following words is closest in meaning to ‘exquisite’ as used in the above passage?
(a) Elegant
(b) Crude
(c) Rudimentary
(d) Primitive
Answer: (a) Elegant

Question. Cite a reason for the high cost of muga silk.
Answer: Muga silk is costly because it is exclusive to Assam, of superior quality, has a crisp and bright gold appearance, and involves a very tedious procedure of hand weaving.

Question. “The more I learn about the tedious procedure of weaving, the more my respect for the craft grows.” What does this mean?
Answer: This means that as the writer understands the complexity, hard work, and extreme patience required in the traditional weaving process, they develop a deeper appreciation for the skill and dedication of the weavers.

Question. Select the option that lists central idea of Paragraph 5.
(a) Muga, the golden silk of Assam.
(b) Assam’s flora and fauna depicted in the mekhela chadars.
(c) The famous golden tea of Assam.
(d) Mekhela chadars- the identity of Sualkuchi in Assam.
Answer: (a) Muga, the golden silk of Assam.

Question. Select the most suitable title for the above passage.
(a) The Golden Silk of Assam
(b) The Assamese Textiles
(c) Visiting Sualkuchi
(d) A Trip to Remember
Answer: (a) The Golden Silk of Assam

Question. The passage states ‘Assam’s flora and fauna often sneak into mekhela chadars’. Elucidate.
Answer: This means that the local wildlife and plant life are commonly used as inspiration for the designs. Motifs of creepers are woven into borders, prancing peacocks decorate the fabric, and delicate flowers or even wildlife from Kaziranga are frequent features in the silk designs.

Passage 

1. Atticus was leaving the post office when Mr. Ewell approached him, cursed him, spat on him, and threatened to kill him. Miss Stephanie said Atticus didn’t bat an eye, just took out his handkerchief and wiped his face and stood there and let Mr. Ewell call him names wild horses could not bring her to repeat. Mr. Ewell was a veteran of an obscure war; that plus Atticus’s peaceful reaction probably prompted him to inquire, “Too proud to fight, you nigger-lovin’ bastard?”

2. Miss Stephanie said Atticus said, “No, too old,” put his hands in his pockets and strolled on. Miss Stephanie said you had to hand it to Atticus Finch, he could be right dry sometimes.

Jem and I didn’t think it entertaining. “After all, though,” I said, “he was the deadest shot in the county one time. He could-”

“You know he wouldn’t carry a gun. Scout. He ain’t even got one” said Jem.

“You know he didn’t even have one down at the jail that night. He told me havin’ a gun arounds an invitation to somebody to shoot you.”

“This is different,” I said. “We can ask him to borrow one.”

We did, and he said, “Nonsense.”

3. Dill was of the opinion that an appeal to Atticus’s better nature might work. After all, we would starve if Mr. Ewell killed him besides, he raised every child in the county but us, and we’d like to keep it that way. We thought it best to keep this among ourselves we were the first and only line of defense.

4. Atticus told us that Mr. Ewell was a coward, but he wasn’t going to take any chances. We could shoot all the bluejays we wanted, but it was a sin to kill a mockingbird.

“Remember, it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

That was the only time I ever heard Atticus say it was a sin to do something, and I asked Miss Maudie about it.

5. “Your father’s right,” she said. “Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

Question. Why is it considered a sin to kill a mockingbird?
Answer: It is considered a sin because mockingbirds are innocent and harmless; they don't damage gardens or property, they only provide joy by making music and singing their hearts out for people.

Question. What is the significance of Mr. Ewell confronting Atticus outside the post office?
Answer: The confrontation highlights the extreme racial tension and Mr. Ewell's malice, while also showcasing Atticus's remarkable composure, non-violence, and moral strength in the face of direct humiliation and threats.

Question. Read the extract and complete the following suitably. In the extract, the reference to mockingbird is to ....................
(a) provide worldly wisdom
(b) make a comparison between mockingbirds and Mr. Ewell
Answer: (a) provide worldly wisdom

Question. Complete the following suitably. Miss Stephanie said you had to hand it to Atticus Finch, he could be right dry sometimes. Here, ‘right dry’ indicates ....................
Answer: his understated, matter-of-fact, and quietly humorous way of defusing a tense or offensive situation without showing emotion.

Question. According to the passage, What was Atticus’s reaction to Mr. Ewell’s threat?
(a) Cursed
(b) Spat
(c) Threatened
(d) Kill
Answer: (b) Spat

Question. Miss Stephanie said Atticus didn’t bat an eye, just took out his handkerchief and wiped his face and stood there and let Mr. Ewell ....................
Answer: call him names wild horses could not bring her to repeat.

Question. What does this excerpt reveal about Atticus? Give 2 qualities.
Answer: 1. Exceptional self-control/patience. 2. Commitment to non-violence.

Question. Complete the following analogy with one word from the passage. Mr. Ewell : Disturbed :: Atticus : ............
(a) Cautious
(b) Indifferent
(c) Angry
(d) Sad
Answer: (b) Indifferent

Question. In the line ‘This emotional response provides early evidence that feeling is a vital component of language learning.’ What emotional response does the author refer to?
(a) Crying and Cooing
(b) Response to human voices uttering comforting words
(c) Response to toys and movements
(d) Response to food and hunger
Answer: (b) Response to human voices uttering comforting words

Question. Assess the relationship between mockingbirds and Mr. Ewell according to the excerpt.
Answer: There is a symbolic contrast: Mockingbirds represent innocence and the giving of joy (the "un-sinful"), whereas Mr. Ewell represents the destructive force that attacks innocence (the "sinful") through his cowardice and violence.

Passage 

1. There are some places which seem as cute and welcoming, some formal and intimidating. And weren’t we glad that Potboiler fell into the first category. We had dived into the coffee shop after being caught in a sudden sharp shower. High ceiling supported by old-fashioned columns, daylight pouring in from the wide windows, fairy lights, simple but comfortable seating arrangements and we were instantly struck by its inviting ambience.
2. As we were shown to our seats, we discovered there was more to the coffee shop than coffee. There were shelves of books around us, framed photographs of well-known authors and wall decoration sporting quotes from famous books. We could pick up any book (it was quite an eclectic collection) and read it while we sipped and munched, we were informed by the service staff.
3. As we scanned the menu and tried to figure out what to order, up walked a young girl to help us choose. Patiently she walked us through the varieties of coffee, about the journey of the beans from the farm to the cup, how it is roasted and brewed. Much later into the conversation we realised we were talking to the owner Sonali Lakhotia, who also happens to be a certified barista. And it is her love for books and coffee which forms the heart and soul of Potboiler. Even the brews and the food on the menu have been tweaked to give a literary turn.
4. “I am an avid reader who loves cafe hopping,” Lakhotia would say later. “I always wanted to create a safe, escapist space where each and everyone felt like they belong to. A place they could step into to keep their worries away.”
5. Incidentally, Potboiler showcases three to four coffee bean options from different roasters for a wholesome experience. It being a relatively uncrowded afternoon, we learned about where and how the coffee is grown, how it is roasted and brewed and what impacts the final cup. How one should be careful about the brewing method, the water temperature, the size of the ground coffee beans and their storage and the water-coffee ratio. And it is not only the coffee. While the beverage menu has been designed with some coffee experimentation, the food menu too has been revamped to suit a wide range of palate.

Question. What forms the heart and soil of the Potboiler?
Answer: The owner Sonali Lakhotia's passion and love for both books and coffee forms the heart and soul of Potboiler.

Question. The writer mentions- the food menu too has been revamped to suit a wide range of palate. What does this mean?
Answer: It means that the food menu has been completely updated and redesigned to offer a diverse variety of dishes that can appeal to the different tastes and culinary preferences of many types of customers.

Question. Pick the option that correctly states what did not happen after the writer checked in the coffee shop.
(a) The writer found the ambience of the shop very appealing and inviting,
(b) The writer was welcomed by the owner of the shop who was an entrepreneur,
(c) The writer did not like the stuffy and dilapidated look of the shop,
Answer: (c) The writer did not like the stuffy and dilapidated look of the shop,

Question. Complete the following appropriately. Potboiler can be defined as .................
Answer: a cozy, welcoming coffee shop and escapist bookstore space designed for people to feel a sense of belonging and leave their worries behind.

Question. The use of the word ‘intimidating’ in the first line of the above passage suggests that the place is
(a) friendly
(b) unapproachable
(c) responsive
(d) distant
Answer: (b) unapproachable

Question. What things are to be taken care of in the brewing method?
Answer: In the brewing method, one should be careful about the water temperature, the size of the ground coffee beans, their storage, and the specific water-coffee ratio.

Question. “As we were shown to our seats, we discovered there was more to the coffee shop than coffee.” Explain.
Answer: This means the shop wasn't just about selling beverages; it offered a complete cultural experience with shelves of books, author photographs, and literary-themed wall decor, allowing patrons to read while they ate.

Question. Complete the analogy with one word from Paragraph 5. Changed : ................. :: Taste : Palate
(a) Brewed
(b) Revamped
(c) Uncrowded
(d) Roasters
Answer: (b) Revamped

Question. Which of the following statements is/are not true in the context of the passage?
1. Sonali Lakhotia, the owner of Potboiler coffee shop, was a certified barista.
2. The owner of the coffee shop was an avid reader of books and a lover of coffee.
3. Potboiler showcases three to four coffee bean options from different roasters for a wholesome experience.
4. The writer had to wait their turn to have a cup of coffee in the packed and congested crowded places.
Options
(a) Only 1
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 1 and 3
(d) Only 4
Answer: (d) Only 4

Question. What happened after the writer checked in the coffee shop?
Answer: After checking in, the writer was struck by the shop's inviting ambience, discovered shelves of books and author-themed decor, and was helped by the owner, Sonali Lakhotia, who explained different coffee varieties and their journey from farm to cup.