Conversational Passage (HS 2nd Year, Alternative English) - Harmony
Literature Foundation: Reading Comprehension Practice
Essential passage analysis and dialogue comprehension for advanced students.
Passage 1: Read the following passage carefully
Pupil: Oh, I do hope so, Sir. I'm thirsty for knowledge. And then my parents too, they want most awfully for me to persevere in my studies. They would like me to specialize. They believe that nowadays a little general culture, however soundly taught, just doesn't go far enough.
Professor: Mademoiselle, your parents are perfectly right. You must continue your studies. I apologize for saying so, but it is really quite essential. Modern life has become very complex.
Pupil: And so complicated! ... Of course, I'm lucky, my parents aren't badly off. They'll be able to help me in my work, so that I can take the highest degrees there are.
Professor: And you would like to apply for an interview...
Pupil: As soon as possible. To start working for my Doctor's Degree. It's in three weeks.
Professor: Let's see, now, if you'll allow me to put the question you already have your school leaving certificate?
Pupil: Yes, Sir. For Arts and Science.
Professor: Oh, but you're well-developed for your age. And what Doctorate do you wish to read for? Material science or normal philosophy?
Pupil: My parents would really prefer to read for all the Doctorates -if you think it's possible in such short a time.
Professor: All the Doctorates?... You are a very courageous young lady. I really must congratulate you most sincerely. Well, we'll try, Mademoiselle, we'll do our best for you. Besides, you are most knowledgeable already. And so young, too.
Pupil: Oh, Sir!
Professor: All right, then! We've hardly any time to lose. If you'll forgive me, if you'll be so kind ... perhaps we should make a start.
Pupil: Not at all, Sir. Please, don't apologize. I'm anxious to start. [The maid comes in]
Professor: Well now, Mademoiselle, what do you say to doing a little arithmetic... that is, if you don't mind...
Pupil: Of course, Sir. Willingly. I could not ask for anything better.
Professor: It's fairly new science, a modern science: strictly speaking I suppose one should call it a method rather than a science.... It is also a therapy. [To the maid] Marie, have you finished?
Maid: Yes, Sir. I've found the plate I was looking for. I'm just going....
Professor: Hurry up, please, and go back to the kitchen.
Maid: Yes, Sir, I'm going. I beg pardon, Sir, but please be careful. Not too much excitement.
Professor: Don't be so ridiculous, Marie. Nothing whatever to worry about.
Maid: But that's what you always say.
Professor: Your insinuations are entirely without foundation. I'm perfectly capable of behaving myself. After all, I'm old enough.
Maid: That's just it, Sir. You'd much better not start Mademoiselle off with arithmetic. It makes you tired and upsets you.
Professor: I'm too old for that now. And what business is it of yours anyway? It's my concern and I know what I am doing. You've no right to be here, anyway.
Maid: Very well, Sir. But don't you go telling me I didn't warn you.
Professor: I'm not interested in your warnings, Marie.
Questions & Answers
(a) Outline, after the passage, the personality traits of the professor.
Based on the passage, the professor displays a mix of contrasting traits: he is overly polite and flattering to his pupil, accommodating but unrealistic (agreeing to prepare her for all Doctorates in three weeks), and becomes highly irritable, defensive, and arrogant when questioned by his maid.
(b) What was the professor's opinion on arithmetic?
He views arithmetic unconventionally, describing it as a "fairly new" and "modern science." He clarifies that it should strictly be called a "method" and intriguingly adds that it is also a form of "therapy."
(c) Why, do you think, the maid dissuades the professor from teaching arithmetic?
The maid warns him because past experience has shown her that the subject causes him "too much excitement," making him tired and upset, which implies it triggers unstable behavior.
(d) Who is 'Mademoiselle' referred to in the passage?
'Mademoiselle' refers to the Pupil, the young lady who has come to study for her Doctorates.
(e) Find a word in the passage which means 'wise' and another which means 'a suggestion of something bad'.
Wise: Knowledgeable. Suggestion of something bad: Insinuations.
(f) Give the noun of 'persevere' and adjective of 'philosophy'.
Noun: Perseverance. Adjective: Philosophical.
Passage 2: Read the following passage carefully
Suresh: How many events have you joined this year? What were they about?
Ranjit: I have joined more than 10 events so far, most of which were about education.
Suresh: What was your most memorable event?
Ranjit: The most memorable for me was an international study conference, in which I was introduced to some famous universities in Europe to study overseas.
Suresh: Was it organised indoors or outdoors?
Ranjit: It was an indoor event.
Suresh: Who sponsored the event?
Ranjit: The event organizer was the Education Department of American Center, but the universities introduced in the conference were the ones who paid.
Suresh: Who went to the event with you?
Ranjit: I went there with my friends, who shared the same interest in studying abroad as me.
Suresh: What were performances in the event?
Ranjit: There were not many performances. Each university representative just had a speech to introduce their school to students and then they hosted Q and A session.
Suresh: Was the event shown on TV?
Ranjit: The event was not aired, but there were television advertisements for it.
Suresh: How would someone market an event?
Ranjit: Taking advantage of social media is a smart way to promote an event.
Questions & Answers
(a) Why did Ranjit attend the international study conference?
He attended the conference because he was interested in studying overseas and wanted to learn about famous universities in Europe.
(b) Who sponsored the event?
The universities that were introduced at the conference sponsored the event, though it was organized by the Education Department of the American Center.
(c) How would you promote an event?
According to Ranjit, taking advantage of social media is a smart way to promote an event.
(d) Who accompanied him to the conference? And why?
Ranjit's friends accompanied him because they shared his interest in studying abroad.
(e) Find a word in the passage which means: (i) express publicly (ii) an act of presenting a play, concert etc.
(i) Aired (ii) Performances
Passage 3: Read the following passage carefully
Father: Son, as you have appeared in your finals, let's discuss your future plans.
Son: Sure dad, but you already know about those!
Father: Hmm... yes, you want to pursue B.Tech in a top-notch institute. I understand that, but, there are other options also available. The world is full of opportunities in various fields.
Son: Agreed dad, but I have discussed all possibilities with my tutor, Baruah Sir. You were also present on many such occasions!
Father: Okay, which branch would you like to select?
Son: You know I had always loved the core branches, especially Civil and Mechanical. Baruah Sir suggested Information Technology. But, you know, I am now seriously thinking of something new, something really new and exciting.
Father: Tell me, quick. (Just then the mother walks in carrying a platter of fruits.)
Father: Sit down Dolly, we are seriously discussing his future plans.
Son: Yes, mom, please sit. Of late I have been thinking of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It's new and pretty exciting. It is the future! It will completely revolutionise our lives in unthinkable ways. Already the impacts are visible and many countries are taking it very seriously.
Father: Exactly, there are lots of discussion about it in my office also.
Mother: I have also heard about it, but mostly it is negative.
Son: Mom, everything has two sides to it.
Father: But, are there institutes in India offering AI?
Son: Very few, but Baruah Sir and myself have identified some of them.
Mother: Tell us, them.
Son: Come, I will show both of you on my laptop.
Questions & Answers
(a) What does the son discuss with Baruah Sir?
The son discusses all the possible options for his future studies and career with his tutor.
(b) Which course does the son want to study?
He ultimately wants to study Artificial Intelligence (AI).
(c) What does the father suggest to his son?
The father suggests that he keep an open mind, noting that while pursuing a B.Tech is a good plan, there are other options available and the world is full of opportunities.
(d) Which branch (es) is/are loved by the son?
The son has always loved the core engineering branches, specifically Civil and Mechanical.
(e) What is the mother's immediate reaction to the mention of AI?
Her immediate reaction is skeptical; she mentions that what she has heard about AI is "mostly negative."
(f) What are the son's views about AI?
He views AI as a new and exciting field that represents the future. He believes it will revolutionize our lives in unthinkable ways and notes that its impacts are already visible globally.
(g) Which words from the conversational passage mean the following: (i) Effect (ii) Choice
(i) Impacts (ii) Options
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