10TH ENGLISH - Read the following passage ANSWER ALL

 

        Read the following passage carefully :

 

1                          Happiness is like the sun; it is often hidden by the clouds of thoughts, worries and desires. We have to scatter and dissolve these clouds to experience happiness. You don t have to create it, all you have to do is calm your mind, because when there is a quiet mind and inner peace, there is happiness. It is not something far away and unattainable and does not depend on circumstances, objects or events. Happiness is an inseparable part of our consciousness, of our essence, but hidden and covered from sight by our thoughts, desires, and worries.

2                          The mind is always in a constant race from one thought to another, from one worry to another. It constantly moves from one object or task to another. This restlessness hides the happiness that is within you. It is like a choppy sea that hides the bottom. When the sea gets calm, you can see the bottom. In the same way, when the mind gets quiet, you sense the happiness that is within you.

3                          You cannot see a treasure at the bottom of a stormy and muddy lake although it is there. However, when the wind stops, the water becomes still and the mud sinks, you can see the treasure. The treasure is there, whether you see it or not. So is happiness. It is always here, only hidden by thoughts, desires and worries.

4                          You can experience more happiness in your life. Only your thoughts stand in your way of experiencing it. Next time you feel happy, stop for a moment and watch the state of your mind. You will be surprised to discover that it is calm, and there are almost no thoughts in your mind. Since the mind is not accustomed to stay in this peaceful state for long, it soon becomes active again, and the sense of happiness disappears.

 

 

 

5                          Many people connect happiness to achievement of certain goals. This makes happiness a reward and not an emotion that must be felt. We forget that it is something that comes by looking inward rather than waiting for an external trigger. Once you start looking inwards, you will have to treat yourself as you would treat a valued friend. This will lead to happiness. Take time to appreciate yourself, your work and your accomplishments. Surround yourself with happy people and recall positive memories. It is important to recognise that you have the power to feel happy within you and with practice, it will be felt frequently.

 

 

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below 

(i)                      Why does the writer say that you have to scatter and dissolve these clouds to experience happiness ?

(a)          Our thoughts and worries hide the true essence of our happiness.

(b)          Our inner peace has to be dissolved to enhance true happiness.

(c)          Our desires, thoughts and worries are a part of our consciousness and bring happiness.

(d)         (d)

 

 

(ii)                   Select the option that corresponds to the following relation below : Happiness is like the sun, hidden by c louds of worry.

(a)          Happiness is where there is a q uiet mind and i nner peace.

(b)          Less work is like a breeze which brings h appiness.

(c)          The choppy sea hides the t reasure of happiness.

(d)         The wind blows and brings h appiness.

 

(iii)                 Select the option that displays what the writer projects, with reference to the following : (Paragraph 1)

Happiness is not something far away and unattainable.

(a)          doubt

(b)          caution

(c)          conviction

(d)         denial

(iv)                 Select   the   phrase    that   states    reference   to    the             following reason (Paragraph 2) :

 

Opinion	Reason
	This restlessness hides the happiness within

(v)                   The writer compares the choppy sea hiding the bottom to

                              .

 

(vi)                 Based on your reading of the text, list two reasons why the writer says happiness is an inseparable part of our consciousness .

(a)                                      

(b)                                      

 

(vii)              What connect does the writer draw out between the treasure that cannot be seen and happiness ? (Paragraph 3)

(viii)            The writer says           time you feel happy, stop for a moment and watch the state of your mind The state of your mind will be :

(a)          resolute

(b)          calm

(c)          firm

(d)         decisive

(ix)                 Supply one point to justify the following :

Connecting happiness to achievement of certain goals makes it a reward, not an emotion.

 

(x)                   Evaluate the inappropriate reason for having the power to feel happy to be within ourselves.

(a)          recalling positive memories

(b)          appreciating yourself

(c)          achievement of certain goals

(d)         looking inwards

 

ANSWERS