READING COMPREHENSION PASSAGE (CLASS 9 AND 10)

WORKSHEET 20 

Based on the careful reading of the passage given below, answer the questions that follow:

AZERBAIJAN

1. Azerbaijan is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and West Asia. Officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is bounded by Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia and Turkey to the West and Iran to the south. Baku is the capital and largest city.

2. The People of Azerbaijan are sometimes called Azeri, after a Turkic language of the same name, and this group makes up about 90 percent of Azerbaijan’s population of modern times. The remaining 10 percent include individuals of Russian descent and these belonging to the regional ethnic group Dagestani and Armenian. Dagestan is a Republic of Russia.

3. The collapse of Soviet Union in August 1991 prompted the declaration of independence from nationalistic group inside Azerbaijan, whose demonstrations had been brutally suppressed by the soviets just a year earlier. Azerbaijan’s political life is dominated by New Azerbaijan Party formed in 1993 by Heydar Aliyev who served as a country’s president from 1993 to 2003. Parliamentary elections are held once in 7 years, unlimited number of terms.

4. Human rights groups assert that ruling New Azerbaijan Party engages in widespread electoral fraud. Its party loyalist are assigned to supervise elections and instances of vote-tampering and ballot stuffing are said to be a common place. The state controlled electronic media is ardently pro-government.

5. Nine out of eleven existing climate zones are present in Azerbaijan. Since the country is landlocked it leads to a formation of a sub-tropical climate on most foothills and plains of the country. Rivers and lakes form the principal part of the water system of Azerbaijan, they formed over a long geological time frame and changed significantly throughout the period. The Kura and Aras are the major rivers in Azerbaijan.

6. The Republic of Azerbaijan has a very rich flora. There are more than 4500 species of higher plants here, A rare flower Khari bulbul is grown only in Azerbaijan. The symbol of fauna in Azerbaijan is the Karabakh horse, which is a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse which can be found only in Azerbaijan. The horse was originally developed in the Karabakh region in the 5th century and is named after it. The national habitat of various types of animals in Azerbaijan is diverse. Azerbaijan has the highest number of mammal species. Some 107 species of mammals are recorded.

7. Azerbaijan exports are dominated by oil and natural gas which accounts for around 95 percent of total export revenues. Azerbaijan’s other exports include sugar, fruits meals and polymers. Azerbaijan’s main exports partners are Italy, The United Kingdom, The United States, Israel, Indonesia, France and Turkey.

8. Azerbaijan has different regions each having their own attractions and specialities. Baku is the most famous tourist attractions. Azerbaijan came in the category of nature’s diversity and has lot of outdoor activities to explore. This is a country which offers variety of landscapes which can be explored. Some of the sites hold immense historic values which can enrich young minds. April to June the lowlands of Azerbaijan are green and flowers in complete bloom. It is the perfect time to visit this region. July is the popular time for trekking in mountains.

9. The manat with the abbreviation AZN is the currency of Azerbaijan. One Azerbaijan manat is 48.56 INR. Large oil reserves are a major contributor to Azerbaijan’s economy. The country is considered an upper middle-income nation possessing a high level of economic development and literacy. Islam is the majority religion in Azerbaijan but the country is considered to be the most secular in the Muslim world.

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

1. What is the origin of 90 percent of Azeri population?
2. How did Azerbaijan gain its independence?
3. What type of climate does Azerbaijan enjoy?
4. What contributes to the economy of Azerbaijan?
5. Does Azerbaijan attract tourism?

PICK UP THE WORDS FROM THE PASSAGE THAT MEANS :

6. Across the continent (para 1)
7. The origin or background of a person (para2)
8. Savagely (para 3)
9. Intensely (para 4)
10. Temporal or not concerned with region (para 9)

ANSWERS

1. TURKIC

2. In the year 1991 the collapse of the Soviet Union prompted the declaration of Independence to Azerbaijan. The nationalistic group inside Azerbaijan, where demanding independence but their demonstrations had been brutally suppressed by the soviets just a year earlier.

3. Nine out of eleven existing climate zones are present in Azerbaijan. Since the country is landlocked it leads to a formation of a sub-tropical climate on most foothills and plains of the country.

4. Rich oil resources contribute the economy of Azerbaijan

5. Yes, Baku the capital city is the most famous tourist attractions. Azerbaijan came in the category of nature’s diversity and has lot of outdoor activities to explore. This is a country which offers variety of landscapes which can be explored.

6. TRANS-CONTINENTAL
7. DESCENT
8. BRUTALLY
9. ADERNTLY
10. SECULAR.