Unit 1- Reading A - Attitude is Altitude

Click Here ➤SSC Model Paper Based Comprehension- Unit 1- Reading A - Attitude is Altitude

Textbook Comprehension

I. Answer the following questions.

1. ‘I call it my chicken drumstick,’ joked Nick. What does ‘it’ refer to? How does it help him?

‘It’ refers to the small foot that Nick has on his left hip. It helps him balance and enables him to kick. Nick uses his one foot to type, write with a pen and pick things up between his toes.

2. ‘His parents decided not to send him to a special school.’ Was Nick happy about his parents’ decision? Why or why not? What do you think about this decision?

Nick was not happy with his parents’ decision. His classmates at mainstream school teased him. But later, he realised that his parents’ decision was the best one. I think that this decision was the best one which made him achieve a degree in Financial Planning and Real Estate. The decision made him independent.

3. How did Nick’s parents help him to become independent?

Right from the start Nick’s parents did their best to make him independent. His father put Nick in the water at 18 months and gave him the courage to learn swimming. He encouraged Nick to get into football and skating. He taught Nick how to type. Nick’s mother invented a special plastic device for Nick to hold a pen and pencil. Both the parents encouraged him to study in a mainstream school.

4. Pick out the symptoms of Nick’s depression. Do you think his depression was normal or something unique about him? Give reasons for your opinion.

Nick was deeply depressed when he was eight years old. When he was in depression, he went to his mother crying and told her that he wanted to kill himself. He felt cold and bitter. He hated God for doing this to him. He was terrified about his future without his parents. At age ten Nick tried to drown himself in the bath. These were the symptoms of Nick’s depression. I think his depression was normal. Any human being born like Nick might have the same depression.

5. Which incident in this text is funny? What makes it funny?

Once Nick was in a car and a girl at traffic lights was looking at him interestingly. She could only see Nick’s head so he decided to do a 360 in the car seat to freak her out. When she saw the torso, she sped off really quickly. This is the funny incident in the text. The idea of Nick showing the girl his torso makes the scene funny.

6. What made Nick choose Bethany Hamilton as his teacher to learn surfing?

Nick went to Hawaii in 2008 and met surfing master Bethany Hamilton. She had her arm bitten off by a shark when she was 12. Nick chose Bethany Hamilton as she was also a disabled person. As a disabled person, she could know how a disabled person could learn how to surf.

7. Which aspect of Nick’s physical condition helps him to do a 360 degree spin?

Nick has a very low centre of gravity so he has got good balance. This condition helps Nick to do 360 degree spin.

8. What are the distinct features of this text? List them.

It is an autobiography.
Varied sentences are used.
Ideas are arranged in a logical sequence.
Emotive and persuasive language is used.
Ideas are exemplified very well.

9. What do you learn from the life of Nick Vujicic?

Nick Vujicic uses his life story to inspire people. From the life of Nick, we learn that if we fail, we should try again and again until we succeed. Faith, hope, perseverance and strong will power made Nick successful and disability will not prevent one from reaching great heights.

II. Given below are some of the statements made by Nick Vujicic. Which of these are substantiated by Nick’s life ?

I realised why God had made us like this – to give hope to others.

I wanted to concentrate on something good that / had.

I tell people to keep on getting up when they fall and to always love themselves.

If I can encourage just one person, then my job in this life is done.

Answer:

I think all the above statements are substantiated by Nick’s life.

i) I realised why God had made us like this – to give hope to others:

When Nick was 13, he read a newspaper article about a disabled man who had managed to achieve great things and help others. Nick was inspired very much by the disabled man mentioned in the article. He got a hope from him. Then he decided to use his life to encourage others and give them hope.

ii) I wanted to concentrate on something good that I had:

Nick was not discouraged with his disability. He knew that he had no arms and legs but he thought that they would never take away the beauty of his eyes. With his positive approach, he thought that his eyes were very good ones for him. He wanted to love his positive qualities such as faith, will power and perseverance. Further, he was quite satisfied with what he had, i.e. a small foot on his left hip. He said he would be lost with it.

iii) I tell people to keep on getting up when they fall and to always love themselves:

If Nick fails, he tries again and again until he succeeds. When Nick was learning how to surf, he was terrified at first but later he did very well. Though he has no limbs, he always loves himself. I know this by his statement, “I decided to be thankful for what I do have, not get angry about what I don’t.”

iv) If I can encourage just one person, then my job in this life is done:

This statement was substantiated by Nick aptly. He encouraged many people in the world. He used his life story to inspire others. He made many people realise their inner beauty and personality. He was able to rise many people from the state of despair to the state of great hope.

Look at the list of adjectives in the box. Which of them describe Nick Vujicic. Tick (✓) them.

Explanation:

positive: hopeful and confident✔️
negative: harmful, unpleasant or not wanted
optimistic: believing that good things will happen In the future✔️
pessimistic: expecting that bad things will happen in the future
generous: willing to give money, spend time, etc. in order to help people or give them pleasure✔️
nervous: worried or frightened about something
confident: sure that something will happen in the way that you want or expect✔️
smart: fashionable, clever✔️
sociable: friendly and enjoys being with other people✔️
cowardly: not at all brave
courageous: brave✔️
reliable: dependable
Independent: confident and able to do things by oneself in ones own way✔️
dependent: needing someone or something in order to exist, be successful, be healthy, etc.
obedient: always doing what one is told to do✔️
trusting: willing to believe that other people are good and honest✔️
valiant: very brave in difficult situation✔️
self-centred: paying so much attention to oneself that one doesn’t notice what is happening
arrogant: behaving in an unpleasant or rude way
sarcastic: saying things that are the opposite of what one means, in order to make an unkind joke
quarrelsome: one who quarrels a lot with people
rude: not polite and annoys others
creative: good at using imagination to make things✔️
stubborn: determined not to change one’s mind when people think one is being unreasonable
lazy: not making any effort to do anything
pompous: trying to seem magnificent or very important; fond of display, acting too proudly, self-important.
level-headed: sensible in making judgements ✔️

II. Given below are words that describe the positive or negative attitude of a person. Discuss them with your partner and put a tick (✓) against the positive qualities and a cross (✕) against the negative qualities.

Explanation:

sullen: angry and silent (negative quality)✖️
sneaky: doing things in a secret and dishonest way (negative quality)✖️
exuberant: happy and full of energy and excitement (positive quality)✔️
bossy: always telling other people what to do in a way that is annoying (negative quality)✖️
cautious: careful to avoid danger or risk (positive quality)✔️
aggressive: behaving in an angry threatening way (negative quality)✖️
competitive: determined or trying very hard to he more successful than other people (positive quality)✔️
finicky: too concerned with unimportant details and small things that you like or dislike (negative quality)✖️
imaginative: good at thinking of new and interesting ideas (positive quality)
observant: good or quick at noticing things (positive quality)✔️
enthusiastic: showing a lot of interest and excitement about something (positive quality)✔️
outgoing: someone who Is outgoing likes to meet and talk to new people (positive quality)✔️
haughty: behaving in a proud. unfriendly way (negative quality)✖️
intrepid: willing to do dangerous things; fearless, brave (positive quality)✔️
malicious: very unkind and cruel and is trying to do harm to others (negative quality)✖️
meticulous: very careful about small details and always makes sure that everything is done correctly (positive quality)✔️
slovenly: lazy untidy and careless (negative quality)✖️
obnoxious: very offensive, unpleasant or rude (negative quality)✖️
stingy: not generous. especially with money (negative quality)✖️
Idealistic: believing that one should live according to high standards and principles, even when they are very difficult to achieve (positive quality)✔️
affable: friendly and easy to talk to (positive quality)✔️
logical: reasonable and sensible (positive quality)✔️
mean: cruel (negative quality)✖️
cultured: intelligent, polite and interested in art, literature, music etc. (positive quality)✔️

Pick out from the text the examples that support these attributes.

1. Positive

In spite of his disability he has become great.

2. Optimistic

He always thinks, “If I fail, I try again, and again, and again. If I can encourage just one person, then my job is done.”

3. Generous

He spends most of his time delivering motivational speeches all over the world.

4. Confident

Though he has no limbs, he gains faith and hope and tries to give them to others.

5. Smart

He appears to be smart and shows his cleverness in learning things.

6. Sociable

He enjoys being with others by delivering speeches, playing football, golf, surfing, etc.

7. Courageous

Despite the absence of his limbs, he didn’t get discouraged. With great courage, he tries again and again and becomes a football player, a swimmer and a surfer.

8. Reliable

He is the most reliable person. As an Evangelical Christian he has faith and gives the same to others with his motivational speeches. The people believe his reliability and are attracted towards him.

9. Independent

He independently has done the things what he has wanted to do. e.g.: Playing football and golf, swimming, surfing, delivering speeches, etc.

10. Obedient

He seems to be obedient in accepting the unlucky birth.

11. Valiant

With great determination, he has reached a great position in his life. He becomes an international symbol of triumph over adversity.

12. Creative

He also plays golf with a club tucked under his chin.

13. Level-headed

He judges well when he says, “The challenges in our lives are there to strengthen our convictions. They are not there to run us over.”

III. Tick (✓) the word/expression which is nearest in meaning to the word underlined in each sentence given below.

1. Water sports aren’t Nick’s only thing – he also plays golf with a club tucked under his chin.

a) kept ✔️

b) pulled

c) covered

d) tied

2. His distraught mother couldn’t bring herself to hold him until he was four months old.

a) angry

b) careless

c) shy

d) anxious ✔️

3. Despite the risk of bullying, his parents insisted on Nick’s attending mainstream school.

a) discrimination

b) humiliation ✔️

c) negligence

d) failure

4. Nick, who was teased and bullied, had an electric wheelchair for mobility, and a team of carers to help him.

a) socialising

b) movement ✔️

c) travel

d) safety

5. Nick managed to pull through to become an international symbol of triumph over adversity.

a) disability

b) poverty

c) difficulties ✔️

d) opposition

6. The challenges in our lives are there to strengthen our convictions.

a) feelings

b) practices

c) beliefs ✔️

d) characters

IV. Read the following descriptions about persons and fill in the blanks with the words that match with these descriptions.

1. Ashok is a very unpleasant and rude fellow. I don’t talk to him. He is _____

2. Srinu is very confident, elegant and polite. But sometimes he does not appear to be sincere. He is _______

3. Sujatha is quiet and calm. She doesn’t like to spend time with others. She is interested in her thoughts and feelings. So she is an _________

4. Ramesh is very sensitive. He always shows sympathy for people who are suffering. He is__________

5. My neighbour is such a person that he has a feeling of hatred for others. He desires to hurt others’ feelings. He is ———–.

6. My father pays careful attention to every detail. He makes thorough planning for everything in our home. He is ———–.

7. Prem is an extremely unpleasant person. He always tries to offend people. He is ———–.

8. My mother is very calm and peaceful. She doesn’t get excited or irritated easily. She is ———–.

9. Rahul is a very lively and confident person. He enjoys being with his friends. He is an ———–.

10. Sridhar is always afraid of speaking in the class. He is ———–.

Answers:

1. boorish
2. suave
3. introvert
4. compassionate
5. malicious
6. meticulous
7. obnoxious
8. placid
9. extrovert
10. timid

GRAMMAR

I. Read the text again and identify some more Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses.

1. —————————————————————

2. —————————————————————

3. —————————————————————

4. —————————————————————

5. —————————————————————

Answer:

1. Nick has a small foot, which helps him balance. (Non-defining Relative Clause)

2. Nick, who was born in Melbourne, now lives in Los Angeles. (Non-defining Relative Clause)

3. I read about a disabled man who had managed to achieve great things and help others. (Defining Relative Clause)

4. I decided to give people the courage that the article had given me. (Defining Relative Clause)

5. Nick, who later achieved a degree, says this. (Non-defining Relative Clause)

II. Read the following sentences and circle the Non-defining Relative Clauses and put a comma/a hyphen wherever necessary.

1. The meeting which was held in the town hall was a great success.

2. The people who live in glass houses must not throw stones.

3. The teachers who have taught Abhiram say that he is an exceptionally creative student.

4. Napoleon who won the French honour died at St. Helena.

5. The silk sarees which are made in Banares are popular all over the world.

Answer:

1. The meeting which was held in the town hall was a great success. (Defining Relative Clause)

2. The people who live in glass houses must not throw stones. (Defining Relative Clause)

3. The teachers who have taught Abhiram say that he is an exceptionally creative student. (Defining Relative Clause)

4. Napoleon, who won the French honour, died at St. Helena. (Non-defining Relative Clause)

5. The silk sarees which are made in Benares are popular all over the world. (Defining Relative Clause)

III. Complete the sentences with Defining or Non-defining Relative Clauses.

1. This is the peaceful place __________________________ .

2. The Mahaprasthanam’ is a popular book __________________________ .

3. Suresh ____________________________ has left the school just now.

4. Is this the street _______________________________________________ ?

5. The express __________________________________ has just arrived.

6. The place ___________________________ has been closed to traffic.

7. This is a famous engineering college _____________________________ .

8. My sister_______________ has secured ajob as an engineer in BHEL.

9. The theatre _____________________________ was designed by Mr Rao.

10. Viswanath is one of the outstanding directors in Telugu film industry _____________________ .

Answer:

1. This is the peaceful place that is liked by every student.

2. The Mahaprasthanam’ is a popular book which I have bought in Kurnool.

3. Suresh, who is my cousin, has left for Mumbai just now.

4. Is this the street where met with an accident?

5. The express which runs between Delhi and Chennai has just arrived.

6. The place which is behind our house has been cleaned after ages.

7. This is a famous engineering college that is funded by the government.

8. My sister, who has completed her education in Bengaluru, has secured a job as an engineer in Microsoft.

9. The theatre which was built in 2012 was closed in 2020 due to corona.

10. Viswanath is one of the outstanding directors in Telugu film industry who produced a number of movies on art.

WRITING

I. Writing a biographical sketch

A biographical sketch is an account of the life and activities of an individual. It includes information about the person’s name, place of residence, education, occupation, life and activities and other important details. It is written by another person. If a person writes an account of his/her own life, it is called an autobiography.

Given below in the table is the biographical information about Stephen Hawking. Based on this information write a biographical sketch.


Points to be covered	Details of the person
Name	Stephen Hawking
Date and place of birth	January 8,1942, Oxford, England
Information about the family	Eldest one of four sons Mother: Isobel Hawking Father: Frank Hawking, a medical researcher with a speciality in tropical diseases
Important events in life	Early academic life: recognized as a bright student High school years: third from the bottom of his class Pursuits outside of school: loved board games, constructed a computer out of recycled parts at the age of 16, solved rudimentary mathematical equations Marriage: married Jane Wilde Health: Suffered from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research: on black holes Discovery: Hawking Radiation
Awards, prizes, honours	Fellow of the Royal Society at the age of 32 Albert Einstein Award. The Pius XI- Gold Medal for Science from Pope Paul VI in 1975
Contribution to his field and society	Contributed to the advancement of science and research

Answer:

Biographical Sketch of Stephen Hawking

Stephen William Hawking is one of the greatest scientists of the world. He was born at Oxford in England on 8 January, 1942 to Isobel Hawking and Frank Hawking. He was the eldest of four sons. His father, Frank Hawking, was a medical researcher with a speciality in tropical diseases.

Hawking was as a bright student. Hawking used to enjoy board games. He built a computer from recycled components when he was 16. Hawking solved rudimentary mathematical equations.

He married Jane Wilde on 14 July, 1965. He suffered from an incurable disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) which has weakened his muscles since he was 17 years old

Stephen Hawking is known for his work regarding black holes and for authoring several popular science books. He researched on black holes. He discovered Hawking Radiation and became Fellow of the Royal Society at the age of 32.

As a mark of his eminence, Professor Hawking obtained Albert Einstein Award and the Pius XI- Gold Medal for Science from Pope Paul VI in 1975. He contributed to the advancement of science and research

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