READING COMPREHENSION PASSAGE (CLASS 11 AND 12 )Tourism

READING COMPREHENSION PASSAGE CLASS 12-(2021 QUESTION PAPER)

1. I got posted in Srinagar in the 1980s. Its rugged mountains, gushing rivers and vast meadows reminded me of the landscapes of my native place – the Jibhi Valley in Himachal Pradesh. Unlike Srinagar that saw numerous tourists, Jibhi Valley remained clouded in anonymity. That’s when the seed of starting tourism in Jibhi was planted. I decided to leave my service in the Indian Army and follow the urge to return home.
2. We had two houses – a family house and a traditional house, which we often rented out. I pleaded with my father to ask the tenant to vacate the house so that I could convert it into a guesthouse. When my family finally relented, I renovated the house keeping its originality intact, just adding windows for sunlight.
3. I still remember the summer of 1992 when I put a signboard outside my first guesthouse in Jibhi Valley! The village residents, however, were sceptical about my success. My business kept growing but it took years for tourism to take off in Jibhi Valley. Things changed significantly after 2008 when the government launched a homestay scheme. People built homestays and with rapid tourism growth, the region changed rapidly. Villages turned into towns with many concrete buildings. Local businesses and tourists continued putting a burden on nature.
4. Then, with the 2020-21 pandemic and lockdown, tourism came to a complete standstill in Jibhi Valley. Local people, who were employed at over a hundred homestays and guesthouses, returned to their villages. Some went back to farming; some took up pottery and some got involved in government work schemes. Now, all ardently hope that normalcy and tourism will return to the valley soon. In a way, the pandemic has given us an opportunity to introspect, go back to our roots and look for sustainable solutions.
5. For me, tourism has been my greatest teacher. It brought people from many countries and all states of India to my guesthouse. It gave me exposure to different cultures and countless opportunities to learn new things. Most people who stayed at my guesthouse became my repeat clients and good friends. When I look back, I feel proud, yet humbled at the thought that I was not only able to fulfill my dream despite all the challenges, but also play a role in establishing tourism in the beautiful valley that I call home. (394 words)

Source: https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/explore/story/71458/how-one-mans- conviction-put-jibhi-valley-on-the-world-tourism-map

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer any eight out of the ten questions by choosing the correct option

Q.1 The scenic beauty of Srinagar makes the writer feel

A. awestruck B. nostalgic C. cheerful D. confused

Q.2 A collocation is a group of words that often occur together.

The writer says that Jibhi valley remained clouded in anonymity.

Select the word from the options that correctly collocates with clouded in.

A. disgust B. anger C. doubt D. terror

Q.3 Select the option that suitably completes the given dialogue as per the context in paragraph 2. 

Father: Are you sure that your plan would work?
Writer: I can’t say (1) ................................................. Father: That’s a lot of uncertainty, isn’t it?
Writer: (2) ............................................................ , father. Please let’s do this.

1. (1) that I would be able to deal with the funding (2) Well begun is half done
2. (1) anything along those lines, as the competition is tough (2) Think before you leap
3. (1)that, is because it’s a question of profit and loss(2)All’s well that ends well
4. (1)I’m sure, but I can say that I believe in myself(2) Nothing venture nothing win

Q.5.Select the option that clearly indicates the situation before and after 2008, in Jibhi Valley.

                        Before 2008                                   After 2008

A                  picturesque landscape                  construction sites and commerce


B                 zero tourism in the valley            sceptical villagers


C                 buildings and hotels                     profitable ventures


D                zero tourism in the valley             scenic surroundings


Q.6. What is the relationship between (1) and (2)?

(1) ...tourism came to a complete stand still in Jibhi Valley.

(2) ... tourism has been my greatest teacher.

A. (2) is the cause for (1).
B. (1) repeats the situation described in (2).

C. (2) elaborates the problem described in (1).

D. (1) sets the stage for (2).

Q.7 The writer mentions looking for sustainable solutions. He refers to the need for sustainable solutions           because he realises that ------

1. even though all natural eco systems are essential pillars of resilience, we need to focus on using their     resources to address the economic needs of mankind, as a priority. 

2. the exposures to pandemics are a reality and a big threat to the countries across the world. 

3. for an economic recovery to be durable and resilient, a return to ‘business as usual’ and
    environmentally destructive investment patterns and activities must be avoided.

4. there is an increasing urgency in the climate movement and the need for collaborative
    action for the future.

Q.8 Select the option that lists the customer review for the writer’s project. 

a. Beautiful accommodation in the lap of nature. Luxurious cottage with indoor pool and garden. 

b. Comfortable and peaceful. Neat room with ample sunlight. Pleasant and warm host.
c. Enjoyed the sprawling suite on the fifth floor. Great view. Professional service.
d. Remote locale, good food and clean room. Would have loved more natural light, though.

Q.9 Which quote summarises the writer’s feelings about the pace of growth of tourism in Jibhi Valley?

1. We kill all the caterpillars, then complain there are no butterflies. - John Marsden

2. Nature will give you the best example of life lessons, just open your eyes and see.

– Kate Smith

3. We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understanding and our hearts. - William Hazlett 4. I’d rather be in the mountains thinking of God than in church thinking of the mountains.- John Muir

Q.10 Select the option that lists what we can conclude from the text.

(1) people of Jibhi Valley practiced sustainable tourism.
(2) the people of Jibhi valley gradually embraced tourism.
(3) tourists never revisited Jibhi Valley.
(4) the writer was an enterprising person.

A.(1) and (2) are true.
B.(2), (3) and (4) are true.
C. (2) and (4) are true.
D. (1), (3) and (4) are true.