English Language is one of the core subject of Class 10, and it is important to score good marks in class 10 English subject to get good marks overall. English subject is divided into many section- English literature, Writing, Reading and Grammar. English reading section is testing using unseen passage or reading comprehension based questions, where students are given a 50-100 words passage, and they are asked questions based on the reading exercise.
In this article, we have given practice unseen passage exercise for ICSE English Class 10, so that students can practice and prepare for their English exam.
Unseen Passage Exercise -1
Source: Tribune
Himachal Pradesh, hailed for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, is now grappling with an alarming trend of rule-bending to accommodate infrastructure development. The latest in a series of violations is the decision to widen a road within the protected Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandi. This action not only threatens the local ecosystem but also raises serious questions about the state’s developmental priorities.
Himachal’s recent record of such projects is deeply concerning. The four-laning of highways, such as the Kalka-Shimla and Baddi-Nalagarh roads, has already demonstrated the consequences of reckless construction. Local communities have suffered from landslides due to unsafe slope-cutting, while inadequate retaining walls have worsened the damage. Homes in the vicinity of these highways have developed dangerous cracks, and the environmental degradation continues unabated. Similarly, pollution norms were flagrantly violated in the Baddi-Nalagarh highway project, leading to a deterioration of air quality. The road-widening within the sanctuary is another instance of Himachal bulldozing its way through ecologically sensitive zones. Experts have long warned against such construction in hilly terrains, where unscientific planning exacerbates the risk of landslides and habitat destruction. The devastation along the Mandi-Kullu and Kalka-Shimla highways during the monsoon is a testament to the dangers of ignoring ecological guidelines.
- Question 1- What is the ecology controversy around Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary?
- Question 2- What are the issues faced in Himachal Pradesh due to road construction?
- Question 3 – Summarize the passage in 50 words
- Question 4 – Suggest how can we balance economic development with ecosystem in 100 words
Unseen Passage exercise for ICSE Class 10 English
Source – Economics Times
Six new routes of Vande Bharat trains were flagged off on Sunday, bringing the total number of the VB fleet to 60. Even in this age of ‘democratised’ air travel, high-speed trains are a climate-smart solution for a densely populated country like India. Cars are the fastest mode of travel over short distances before becoming uncomfortable. But there is an efficiency band within planes and cars where trains deliver the most bang for the buck and comfort. Trains running at more than highway speed limit can move people faster between our cities. And that’s just the beginning. The fastest trains in the world are reaching top speeds almost half of the cruising speed of planes. The average flying time between Indian cities works to the advantage of trains. Airports are at a distance to city centres, which makes trains running into central districts an appealing alternative. High-speed intercity trains integrate better with metro rail networks. Railways need less land to be built upon and, thus, score over highways. Railway dependence on fossil fuel can be reduced quicker through electrification from renewable sources than by creating charging infra for EVs. There are two reasons why high-speed railway networks are relatively scarce. One, governments find it difficult to muster the political will to build them. Two, mismanagement of railways often causes them to become unprofitable. This feeds into the lack of political will. Yet, countries such as China, Japan, France and Germany that are expanding high-speed rail transport are doing so profitably. Investors have come round to the view that every new line will run into losses for some time before traffic grows. Private finance for high-speed railways is not as hard to come by as it used to be. Railways have a more direct impact on employment, which becomes a factor in their funding through public finance. India needs more high-speed-and high-end-trains to push through railway network upgradation. But the test of Vande Bharat trains will be their sustained commercial viability.
- Question 1- How many Vande Bharat trains are running at present, as per article?
- Question 2 – How is train travel better than other modes of travel?
- Question 3 – Why is high speed railways network important?
- Question 4- Summarize the passage in 50 words
Reading comprehension exercise for Class 10
Source – Reuters
Helium is used to pressurize fuel tanks, ensuring fuel flows to the rocket’s engines without interruption; and for cooling systems.
As fuel and oxidiser are burned in the rocket’s engines, helium fills the resulting empty space in the tanks, maintaining the overall pressure inside.
Because it is non-reactive, it can safely mingle with the tanks’ residual contents.
Helium’s small atomic size and low molecular weight mean its atoms can escape through small gaps or seals in storage tanks and fuel systems.
But because there is very little helium in the Earth’s atmosphere, leaks can be easily detected – making the gas important for spotting potential faults in a rocket or spacecraft’s fuel systems.
In May, hours before Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft made an initial attempt to launch its first astronaut crew, tiny sensors inside the spacecraft detected a small helium leak on one of Starliner’s thrusters that NASA spent several days analysing before deeming it low-risk.
Additional leaks were detected in space after Starliner launched in June, contributing to NASA’s decision to bring Starliner back to Earth without its crew.
The frequency of helium leaks across space-related systems, some engineers say, have highlighted an industry-wide need for innovation in valve design and more precise valve-tightening mechanisms.
Some rocket launches have experimented with gases such as argon and nitrogen, which are also inert and can sometimes be cheaper. Helium, however, is much more prevalent in the industry.
Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket ditched the helium of its predecessor Ariane 5 for a novel pressurization system that converts a small portion of its primary liquid oxygen and hydrogen propellants to gas, which then pressurizes those fluids for the rocket engine.
- Question 1- Why is helium used in spacecraft and rocket?
- Question 2- What are key issues in starliner spacecraft?
- Question 3 – What are the key improvements need to handle helium related incidents
End Note
In these article, students are given exercises for Class 10 English language. Students can do these exercises and practice for the exam.
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