NTA DU JA ENGLISH Comprehension

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NTA DU Junior Assistant Descriptive Type Paper-II

COMPREHENSION
Tips for solving comprehension passages:
1. Read the passage thoroughly. The reading should be quick.

2. Focus on the relevant details and underline them with a pen or pencil.
3. Read the questions carefully and go back to the passage to find the answers.
4. The answers are generally in a logical sequence.
5. Try to write the answers in your own words.
6. To find answers to the vocabulary-based questions like synonyms, etc., replace the word
with the meaning. If you find that it is the same in meaning, the answer is correct.
7. To find the correct option in Multiple Choice Questions, go through all the options. Re-read
the passage and then tick the correct option.
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PASSAGES:
Passage 1:
These days, it is not unusual to see people listening to music or using their electronic gadgets
while crossing busy roads or travelling on public transports, regardless of the risks involved. I
have often wondered why they take such risks : is it because they want to exude a sense of
independence, or is it that they want to tell the world to stop bothering them ? Or is it that they
just want to show how cool they are ? Whether it is a workman or an executive, earphones have
become an inseparable part of our lives, sometimes even leading to tragicomic situations.
The other day, an electrician had come to our house to fix something. We told him in detail
what needed to be done. But after he left, I found that the man had done almost nothing. It later
turned out that he could not hear our directions clearly because he had an earphone on.
Hundreds of such earphones addicts commute by the Delhi Metro every day. While one should
not begrudge anyone their moments of privacy or their love for music, the fact is ‘iPod oblivion’
can sometimes be very dangerous.
Recently, I was travelling with my wife on the Delhi Metro. Since the train was approaching
the last station, there weren’t too many passengers. In our compartment, other than us, there
were only two women sitting cm the other side of the aisle. And then suddenly, I spotted a
duffel bag. The bomb scare lasted for several minutes. Then suddenly, a youth emerged from
nowhere and picked up the bag. When we tried to stop him, he looked at us, surprised. Then he
took off his earpieces, lifted the bag, and told us that the bag belonged to him and that he was
going to get off at the next station.
We were stunned but recovered in time to ask him where he was all this while. His answer : he
was in the compartment, leaning against the door totally immersed in the music. He had no
clue about what was going on around him. When he got off, earplugs in his hand, we could
hear strains of the song.
(i) What reasons does the author offer for the people taking risks on the road ?
(ii) Why didn’t the electrician carry out the work properly ?
(iii) Why were the people in the Metro doubtful about the bag ?
(iv) Why were the passengers stunned ?
(v) Explain the term ‘earphone addicts’?
ANS. (i) Exude a sense of independence or to tell the world to stop bothering them.
(ii) He did not hear the instructions carefully and so did not do the work properly.
(iii) Nobody came forward to take the bag so, they doubted it to be a bomb scare.
(iv) At the carelessness and behaviour of the young boy.
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(v) Persons who always wear earphones and keep listening to music.
Passage 2:
Long, long ago, in a big forest, there were many trees. Among the cluster of trees, there was a
very tall pine tree. He was so tall that he could talk to the stars in the sky. He could easily look
over the heads of the other trees. One day late in the evening, the pine tree saw a ragged, skinny
girl approaching him. He could see her only because of his height. The little girl was in tears.
The pine tree bent as much as he could and asked her : “What is the matter ? Why are you
dying ?”
The little girl, still sobbing, replied, “I was gathering flowers for a garland for goddess Durga,
who I believe, would help my parents to overcome their poverty and I have lost my way”. The
pine tree said to the little girl, “It is late in the evening. It will not be possible for you to return
to your house, which is at the other end of the forest. Sleep for the night at this place.” The pine
tree pointed out to an open cave-like place under him. The little girl was frightened of wild
animals. The girl quickly crept into the cave-like place. The pine tree was happy and pleased
with himself. He stood like a soldier guarding the place. The little girl woke up in the morning
and was amazed to see the pine tree standing guard outside the cave. Then her gaze travelled
to the heap of flowers that she had gathered the previous night. The flowers lay withering on
the ground. The pine tree understood what was going on in the girl’s mind. He wrapped his
branches around the nearby flower trees and shook them gently. The little girl’s eyes
brightened. But a great surprise awaited her. The pine tree brought out a bag full of gold coins
which had been lying for years in the hole in its trunk and gave it to the girl. With teary eyes
she thanked her benefactor and went away.
(a) Why was the girl crying ?

(b) Where did the pine tree want the little girl to sleep for the night ?
(c) Why was the little girl disappointed when she looked at the flowers and what did the tree
do to make her happy ?
(d) What lesson does this short story teach us ?
ANS. (a) The little girl was crying because she had lost her way while gathering flowers for a
garland for goddess Durga.
(b) The pine tree wanted the little girl to sleep in an open cave-like place under the tree itself.
(c) The little girl was disappointed because the flowers that she had gathered the previous night
lay withered on the ground. The tree wrapped his branches around the nearby flower trees and
shook them gently so that the little girl may become happy getting so many flowers.
(d) The short story teaches us to help others in their time of need.
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Passage 3:
After a long day out in the scorching sun at Nizamuddin railway station, having checked out
every bit of garbage disposed off trains, a group of ragpickers gathered for a chat in a rain-
swept shelter. This was no regular gathering for them. It was a Mother’s Day gathering.
Most children had never heard the word but grew emotional once they got to know what the
day signified. Gifts for their mothers ranged from promises of not running away, to earning
enough to assure their mothers of some comfort some day.
When it came to actual celebrations for the day, a group of boys at the centre run by Chetna,
an NGO, near the station, surrounded Manjula Rai. Some even pulled her hair and the rowdy
ones calmed down after a stem glance from her. For many boys and girls, this 47-year old social
worker is a face recognized as a help at hand. For quite a few of them, Manjula is the ‘mother’
who influences them.
When they settled down to talk, the children at Chetna, related their aspirations with thoughtful
intent. Vikas Kumar, who felt shy to pronounce the word Mother’s Day, said he was determined
to secure some day, quality life for his mother, who was a domestic worker. His promise to his
mother on Mother’s Day was to take out his mother from a rented house and to give her a home
with a better life, some day.
Vikas left school when he was just 9, but is now a motivator for other boys to break free of
ragpicking and study through die Open School System. Today, Vikas, who is a Class VII
student, is the pride of the Centre and Manjula has been a part of his journey all through. She
has been convincing the parents of these children to understand their evolution from being a
child labourer to a teenager who can acquire skills for a better life.
Aslam for instance, who giggled as the boys tried to pronounce Mother’s Day, knew the words
‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ having watched T.V. serials and Hindi films. According to him : “I keep
running away from home and fight with my Mom. But on Mother’s Day, when I go back, I will
not fight and stay with her.” The traumatic life stories related by these children become a self-
explanation for their aggressive behaviour and their suppressed feelings.
(a) What was special about Mother’s Day at the rain-swept shelter ?
(b) What were the ragpickers’ reaction about Mother’s Day ?
(c) How did the children celebrate the day at the Chetna premises ?
(d) Why is Vikas’ case inspiring for the ragpickers ?
ANS. (a) At the rain swept shelter, a group of boys had gathered for a special occasion. It was
a Mother’s Day gathering and not a regular gathering.
(b) The ragpickers grew emotional as they had never heard the word before and thought of
some gifts for their mothers in the form of promises.
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(c) The children at the Chetna premises surrounded Manjula Rai as for a few of them, she is
the ‘mother’ who influences them.
(d) Vikas’ case is inspiring for the ragpickers because he studied through the Open School
System after breaking himself free of ragpicking.
Passage 4:
“Something is coming uphill”, said Mother Wolf, twitching one ear. “Get ready”. The bushes
rustled a little in the thicket and father Wolf dropped on his haunches under him, ready for his
leap. Then, if you had been watching, you would have seen the most wonderful tiling in the
world-the wolf checked in mid-spring. He made his leap before he saw what he was jumping
at, and then he tried to stop himself. The result was that he had shot up straight into the air for
four or five feet, landing almost where he had left the ground. “Man!” he snapped. “A man’s
cub. Look!”
Directly in front of him, holding on a low branch, stood a naked brown baby who could just
walk-as soft and as dimpled a little atom as ever came to a wolf’s cave at night. He looked up
into Father Wolf’s face and laughed. “Is that a man’s cub ?” said Mother Wolf. “I have never
seen one. Bring it here. How little! How naked! How bold!” she said softly. The baby was
pushing his way between the cubs to get close to the warm hide. “Aha! He is taking his meal
with the others. And so this is a man’s cub. Now, was there ever a wolf that could boast of a
man’s cub among her children ?”
“I have heard now and again of such a thing, but never in our pack or in my time”, said Father
Wolf. “He is altogether without hair, and I could kill him with a touch of my foot. But see, he
looks up and is not afraid.” The moonlight was blocked out of the mouth of the cave, for Shere
Khan’s great square head and shoulders were thrust into the entrance. Tabaqui, behind him,
was squeaking: “My lord, my lord, it went in here!”
“Shere Khan does us great honor”, said Father Wolf, but his eyes were very angry. “What does
Shere Khan need ?”
My quarry. A man’s cub went this way”, said Shere Khan. “Its parents have run off. Give it to
me.”
(a) Why did Father Wolf drop on his haunches ?

(b) Why did he stop in the middle of his jump ?
(c) What did a man’s cub look like ?
(d) What did it do to keep itself warm ?
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Ans. (a) To be ready for a leap.

(b) Saw a man’s cub holding a low branch.
(c) Naked brown baby, soft and dimpled.
(d) Pushed his way between the wolf cubs to get close to their warm hide.
Passage 5:
Cardamom, the Queen of all spices, has a history as old as the human race. It is the dried fruit
of a herbaceous perennial plant. Warm humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter,
distributed rainfall and special cultivation and processing methods all combine to make Indian
cardamom truly unique in aroma, flavour, size and it has a parrot green colour.
Two types of cardamom are produced in India. The first type is the large one, which has not
much significance as it is not traded in the future market. It is cultivated in North-eastern area
of the country. The second type is produced in the Southern states and these are traded in the
future market. These are mainly cultivated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. As per the
future market rules, only 7 mm quality was previously traded in exchanges. But later, it relaxed
its norms, and now 6 mm quality is also traded in the exchanges.
The small variety, known for its exotic quality throughout the world, is now traded in India’s
commodity future exchanges. Traditional auction markets also exist for trading in small
cardamom in the country.
Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated and there are
many inferior substitutes from cardamom-related plants such as Siam cardamom, Nepal
cardamom, Winged Java cardamom, etc. However, it is only Elettaria cardamom which is the
true cardamom. Indian cardamom is known in two main varieties : Malabar cardamom and
Mysore cardamom. The Mysore variety contains levels of cineol and limonene and hence is
more aromatic.
India was the world’s largest producer and exporter of cardamom till the 1980s. By 1990s
Guatemala emerged as the leading producer and exporter of cardamom.
The main harvest season of cardamom in India is between August-February. Cardamom
reaches yielding stage two years after planting. The primary physical markets of cardamom are
Kumily, Vandenmedu, Thekkady, Puliyarmala in Kerala and Bodynaikkannur and Cumbam in
Tamil Nadu. Cardamom auctions also take place in Sakalespur and Sirsi in Karnataka.
North India is the main market for cardamom produced in the country. Normally, domestic
demand goes up during the major festivals such as Diwali, Dussehra and Eid. Colour, size and
aroma are the major variables that shape cardamom prices in the Indian market. Cardamom
price formation in India is also influenced by the output in Guatemala as that country controls
the global markets.
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Kerala is the main producer of cardamom and contributes up to 60% in total production.
Karnataka produces around 25% cardamom of the total production. Ooty is the main producer
of cardamom in Tamil Nadu and contributes around 10-15% of the total production.
Besides India, Guatemala also produces around 2,200 ton cardamom. On the other hand, India
produces nearly 1,000-2,000 ton cardamom per year. Due to low quality of cardamom from
Guatemala, it remains available at cheaper rates. Moreover, cardamom of Indian origin fetches
$ 3-4 per kilogram higher rates than the ones from Guatemala.
(a) Why is Indian cardamom unique ?

(b) What is special about the Mysore quality of cardamom ?
(c) What role does Guatemala play in the Indian market ?
(d) Write two sentences on the harvesting of cardamom.
Ans. (a) Indian cardamom is unique because it requires warm humid climate, loamy soil rich
in organic matter, distributed rainfall, special cultivation and processing methods.
(b) The Mysore quality of cardamom is unique as it contains higher levels of cineol and
limonene and is more aromatic.
(c) Guatemala produces around 2200 ton cardamom and controls the global market.
(d) The harvest season of the cardamom in India is between August and February. It reaches its
yielding stage two years after planting.
Passage 6 (Difficult):
Other animals move about the world as nature made them. Why then, did man start to adorn
himself by hanging
things round the neck, arms, waist and legs or putting things on his head.
We can imagine many reasons. If an exceptionally strong or brave man succeded in killing an
exceptionally large bear, might he not get the idea of boring a hole through one of its teeth with
a sharp flint and lying the tooth round his neck in order to remind himself of his great
achievement and to show his friends what a great man he was ? Gradually, it might have
become the custom in that tribe for all strong and brave hunters to wear a bear’s tooth, and it
might be regarded as a disgrance not to wear one and a sign that one was weak or very young.
Another man might make an ornament of a coloured shell or stone simply because he liked it
or because its shape reminded him of something. Then if he happened to escape from some
danger when he was wearing it he might think the ornament had something to do with it- that
it had magic qualities. And his friends and relations would not be satisfied until they had an
ornament of the same kind.
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People who wear ornaments would soon learn to arrange them in different ways according to
their size and colour in order to make them more decorative and impressive. A necklace found
in Italy with the skeleton of young man of the Stone Age was quite elaborate. It consisted of
stage’s teeth arranged at intervals with, between them, two upper rows made up of the vertebrae
of a fish and row of shells.
Another reason why men might tie feathers, horns, skins and all kinds of other things td
themselves would be in order to make themselves look fierce and more terrifying to animals or
to the men of other tribes.
Objects such as sea-shells that came from a distance and were therefore, scarce for people
living far inland— would come in time to have a special value and might be worn only by
chiefs and their families in order to show that they were particularly important people.
Primitive tribes living today often associate themselves with some particular animal or bird,
such as an eagle or lion, or with a particular place, such as a mountain or river. Man may have
started doing this kind of thing very early in his history. Then, every member of a group of
family may have worn something such as feathers, claws or even a stone or wooden object of
a certain shape or colour, to represent the animal or mountain or whatever it might be that they
believed themselves to be connected with.
So, as we have seen, clothing may have started as ornament or to distinguish one tribe from
another or to show rank or because certain things were believed to have magical qualities. But
in some places a time came when men and women began to wear clothes for other reasons.
During the ice age, when the polar ice spread over far more of the world than it does today,
some of the districts in which human beings were living became very cold and indeed. Man
must have learnt that he would be more comfortable and more likely to survive, if he covered
his body with the skins of animals. At first perphaps, he would simply tie a skin round his waist
or over his shoulders but as time passed he learnt how to treat skin in order to make them softer
and more supple and how to join them together in order to make better garments.
Flint tools have been found buried deep under the earth floors of caves in which prehistoric
men sheltered When the weather became colder. Some of the tools were probably used to scrape
the inner side of skins to make them soft. Stone Age people may also have softened skins in
the same way that Eskimo women do today, by chewing them. The teeth of Eskimo women are
often worn down to stumps by the constant chewing of seal skins.
Among the wonderful flint and bone tools and implements that later cave-men made, have been
found some beautiful bone needles, some not bigger than those we use today: Although the
people who made them had only flint tools to work with, some of the needles are finer and
more beautifully shaped than those of Roman times.
(a) How did man start to adorn himself ?

(b) What was the speciality about the necklace found in Italy ?
(c) Why did man tie feather and skin to himself ?
(d) What did man realise during the ice age ?
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Ans. (a) Man started to adorn himself by hanging things around his neck, arms, waist and legs
or by putting things on his head.
(b) It consisted of stag’s teeth arranged at intervals with two upper rows made up of the
vertebrae of a fish and one row of shells.
(c) Man tied feather and skin to himself so that he could look fiercer and more terrifying to
animals or to the men of other tribes.
(d) During the ice age, man realised that he would be more comfortable and more likely to
survive if he covered his body with the skins of animals.
Passage 7 (Difficult):
Last summer I boarded a flight from the IGI airport. The airplane waited at the runway in a
queue to take off for one hour, with the engines running. A lot of aviation fuel was wasted.
Carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and water vapour were released into the atmosphere.
With the entry of many players in the aviation industry, pollution has reached the skies as well.
With the number of air line flights worldwide growing and expected to skyrocket over the
coming decades, the problem of delayed arrival and departure will intensify.
The inefficiencies in the air and on the ground caused by the system also mean wastage of fuel
and excessive of CO2. No doubt, the air travel industry is coming under scrutiny for its role in
climate change. Though aviation industry contributes only 2% of the total C-emissions. But
with the rapid economic growth and ever increasing affordability of air travel, this industry will
only expand at a much faster pace than ever before, thus increasing the rate of carbon emissions.
Aircraft emission pollutes the air and threatens to become one of the largest contributors of
global warming by 2050. At present, pollution from the aircrafts is less that 3% of the
environmental pollution, but it is believed that aircraft emissions are currently one of the fastest
growing contributors to global warming.
Aviable and a sustainable solution comes from the next generation jet bio fuels made from
algae or coconuts. Another sustainable alternative would be to put an analog traffic-control
system, which is installed in a few airports around the world.
Next Gen is the FAA’s (Federal Aviation Administration) long term plan to replace the current
U.S. radar based air – traffic control system with one that operates using satellites and a global
positioning system. Instead of a radar system, that updates the position of planes only as often
as its dish rotates every 12 sec. or so, next Gen will use satellite data to locate planes in real
time. Instead of relying on time consuming voice communication with a control tower, pilots
will instantly know the location, speed and direction of the planes around them. Every minute
saved from a flight plan means fuel saved and carbon emissions averted. And with jet fuel
costing about $ 1.75 per gallon that save the airlines millions.
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(a) What is the outcome of the entry of many players in the aviation industry ?
(b) What did the inefficiencies in the air on the ground caused by the system mean ?
(c) What does every minute saved from a flight plan means ________
(d) What is FAA’s long term plan ?
Ans. (a) With the entry of many players in the aviation industry, pollution has reached the sky.
Moreover, the problem of delayed arrival and departure will also intensify.
(b) The inefficiencies in the air and on the ground caused by the system means wastage of fuel
and excessive CO2.
(c) Every minute saved from a flight means fuel saved and carbon emission averted.
(d) FAA’s long term plan is to replace the current US radar based on traffic control system with
one that operates using satellites and a global positioning system.
Passage 8:
One would imagine that at the very sight of the panther, deer, antelopes and its other preys
would just run for their lives. Nothing of the sort. They all stand their ground and make such a
loud noise that the panther is left with no other choice except to leave quietly. I have seen a
tinny chital baby standing in the middle of an opening in the forest, stamping its feet on the
ground and shooting away a tiger. With the white of its erect tail showing, it kept up its shrill
call until the tiger made itself scarce. No tiger in its senses would attempt to catch such an
impertinent brat, just as you would not dram of catching an offending crow cawing away in
your verandah.
While the panther sticks to cover and hugs the edge of the forest, the game animals, on the
other hand, like to assemble right out in open vast grazing grounds. Open spaces, which the
panther carefully avoids, are what the game animals deliberately seek.
It is difficult to describe the pandemonium kicked up by various animals when they spot or
suspect a panther around. The chital strikes a shrill note, the kakar emits a deafening bark and
the sambar rings a bell. The peacock on its perch, the jungle fowl on the ground, and the
monkey treetops, all join in the chorus of condemnation of the panther. They curse the panther
in their own inimitable language. The resulting confusion of sounds is so irritating to the sharp
ears of the panther that it is left with no other option except to go away.
The panther has thus to deal with its ever alert and watchful associates who show no mercy and
expect none. It is a fight between finesse and flight, between clever and skilful defence.
Contrary to the common belief, the panther never springs upon its prey. It stalks as close to its
victim as it can manage, and then makes the final dash by rushing at it at lightning speed.
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(a). What strategy do animals like deer, antelopes etc adopt to drive away the panther?
(b). How do the panther and the game animals (deer, antelopes, etc) react to open spaces?
(c). What effect does the loud noise made by birds and animals have on the panther?
(d). How does the panther kill its prey?
Ans. (a). The animals like deer, antelope etc. stand their ground and make such a loud noise
that the panther is left with no other choice except to leave quietly.
(b). The panther carefully avoids open spaces by sticking to cover at the edge of the forest,
whereas the game animals deliberately seek such spaces. They like to assemble in vast open
grazing grounds.
(c). The loud noise made by the birds and animals when they suspect that a panther is around
is so irritating to the sharp ears of the panther that it has no option except to go away.
(d). The panther kills its prey by first stalking as close as possible to its victim and then makes
the final dash by running at it at lightning speed.
Passage 9 (Hard Level):

Frankness may be among the most overrated of virtues! And here‘s why. Because unrestricted
and unfiltered frankness is a recipe for breaking relationships, even the closest ones. Such
frankness is understandable, acceptable and even 'cute' only in children under the age of five.
Thinking before one speaks and using restraint are hallmarks of growing maturity and
preparation for life. Learning to put a filter between thought and spoken word (and, even more
importantly, written word) is an important life skill. Think is a popular acronym for True,
Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind. This would do wonderfully well as a filter in our
minds.
It is good to speak what‘s true, but only along with the other attributes in the acronym,
particularly the last one, kindness. In the righteous glow of speaking what we see as the truth,
we often forget to be kind. We blurt out 'truths' even when it is totally unhelpful and
unnecessary to do so, let alone inspiring! Too often, such truth–telling is destructive rather than
noble. Only those who do not care about the consequences can afford the luxury of 'speaking
their minds' whenever and wherever they please. When relationships are at stake, it is essential
to choose the time, place and words appropriately when imparting unpleasant truths. And even
then, only when absolutely necessary and with the utmost kindness.
Speaking without forethought can be even more dangerous in other circumstances, for
example, when someone has entrusted us with a secret. A sign of maturity is the ability to keep
a secret. Very young children are incapable of understanding the concept of a secret. To them,
every piece of information is interesting, new and meant to be shared. As we grow older, we
all learn how to keep a secret, but too often we keep only our own secrets and not those that
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others confide in us. We may blurt out something a friend told us in confidence, perhaps
carelessly but often to appear important in other people‘s estimation. It gives us a sense of
power to know something that our friends don‘t, and it requires conscious effort to keep the
information to ourselves.
But this is the real test of an important life skill: self–restraint. Revealing a friend‘s secret is to
betrayal of the friendship. Indeed, the consequences may well spread way beyond the
friendship alone. It may lead to gossip spreading like a forest fire, destroying peace of mind
and even lives.
Words have power to hurt or heal. They are not mere tools for tweeting and messaging. Before
the tongue speaks, before the fingers fly over the keyboard, it is important to pause and apply
the THINK acronym filter. Is this True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind?
Of course, it is important to communicate. But it is far more important to be considerate and
compassionate. Speaking well is a skill: speaking kindly is a life skill.
(a) How much of frankness is acceptable?

(b) What does the term 'put a filter' mean in this context?
(c) According to the writer what is the best way to reveal the truth‖?
(d) Why is it important to keep secrets?
ANS. (a) One should be frank to the extent that it does not affect relationships. Complete
frankness looks good only in small children. As we grow old we should be smart and filter
information.
(b) In this context 'to put a filter' means before speaking, a sensible person will filter whatever
he wishes to say. He will think through his thoughts before uttering a word.
(c) The writer says that one must ensure that the place, time and the words are chosen with
care. In addition to this, one must use very kind words to convey the truth.
(d) It is very important to keep secrets. We may blurt out something a friend told us in
confidence, in a careless manner but often to appear important in other people‘s estimation. So,
it requires conscious effort to keep the information to ourselves.
Passage 10 (Good Level):

Child marriages are rampant in North India. The curse continues to blight the lives of people
even as the country stands at the threshold of the 21st century. Children bound by marriage are
victims of blind customs and superstitions prevalent in rural areas and in certain urban
concentrations as well among the weaker socio-economic groups. Nothing seems to stop this
anti-social practice despite the Child Marriage Act passed as early as in 1929, which makes
child marriage, a grave offence.
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Why do marriages take place at all and what could be done to wean the people away from the
practice? The evil thrives because of illiteracy and other related causes—the most important of
which is the anxiety of parents to marry off their daughters as early as possible. In many states
where illiteracy is high, like in Rajasthan, the practice of child marriage is in vogue. ‘Akhha
Teej’ is D-day for parents of minor girls, for on that day, they seek their salvation from the
anxiety of girls growing up in their midst.
A child marriage is less likely to take place if the parents are literate or at least the father is. He
is then aware of the legal minimum age and health hazards his daughter will face by an early
marriage. If the mother, otherwise literate, has been exposed to the importance of family
planning, she is also less likely to solemnize her daughter’s wedding at an age below the legal
minimum.
Among the other factors causing parents to give away young daughters in marriage is the need
felt by families having more than one daughter, to keep wedding expenses down. By marrying
two daughters at the same time parents save on expenses. Parental anxiety about grown up (14
years and above) daughters going astray, forces the less educated to give away their female
children in marriage.
The existing law was amended in 1978 raising the minimum age of marriage for girls from 15
to 18 years and for boys from 18 to 21 years. The committee on the status of women, in its
report in 1974, had recommended that all offences under the child marriage restrained Act
should be made cognizable and special officers be appointed to enforce the law. The
Government however did not pay heed to it while raising the minimum age of marriage. At the
same time, there is no foolproof system of registering births and thus, there is no legally
enforceable method for establishing the age of a male or female.
The committee also recommended that a girl should be entided to repudiate a child marriage
on attaining maturity even if such marriage was consummated. But this remained only a hope
which was never implemented by law or in its true spirit. It has never been appreciated that
what is needed is social action, especially by social activists and organisations so that the
provisions of the legislation are rigorously practised.
The crux of the problem is that the girl child in traditional rural areas is caught in a situation,
which is pre-determined and pre-destined. Her role is circumscribed around
Answer the following questions briefly:
(i) What are the reasons for child marriages in India?

(ii) How can the provisions of the legislation be rigorously practised?
(iii) What are the recommendations of the committee on the status of women?
(iv) Why is it often difficult to establish the age of male or female legally?
(v) Which act makes child marriage a grave offence?
(vi) Which is the D-day for parents of minor girls in Rajasthan?
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(vii) Find the word in the passage which means most vital part of an issue.
(viii) Find the word in the passage which means ‘worry’.
Answer:
(i) Blind customs and superstitions prevalent in certain communities, along with illiteracy and
anxiety of parents to marry off their daughters are the reasons for child marriages in India.
(ii) The provisions of the legislation can be rigorously practised if social activists and
organisations stood up and took some actions.
(iii) The committee had recommended that all offences under the child marriage restrained Act
should be made cognisable and special officers be appointed to enforce law. A girl should be
entitled to repudiate a child marriage on attaining maturity even if such marriage was
consummated.
(iv) It is often difficult to establish the age of male or female legally as there is no fool proof
system of registering birth and thus, there is no legally enforceable method for establishing it.
(v) The Child Marriage Act of 1929 makes child marriage a grave offence.
(vi) ‘Akhha Teej’ is the D-day for parents of minor girls in Rajasthan.
(vii) Crux.
(vii) Anxiety.
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NTA DU JA ENGLISH Comprehension

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NTA DU Junior Assistant Descriptive Type Paper-II

Tips for solving comprehension passages:

1. Read the passage thoroughly. The reading should be quick.

(a) Why was the girl crying ?

(a) Why did Father Wolf drop on his haunches ?

Ans. (a) To be ready for a leap.

(a) Why is Indian cardamom unique ?

(a) How did man start to adorn himself ?

Passage 9 (Hard Level):

(a) How much of frankness is acceptable?

Passage 10 (Good Level):

Answer the following questions briefly:

(i) What are the reasons for child marriages in India?

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