English Class X Sample Paper 2

A.2        Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: (12 marks)
EV – AN ELECTRIFING THOUGHT
(1)  According to a study by the Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), pollution in India could arise to alarming levels by the middle of the century unless urgent action is taken. The group estimates that under current conditions, the suspended particulate matter load in the air would rise to 52 million tons by 2047, up from 17 million in 1997. Methane realized from landfills would increase from 7 million to 39 million tons during the same period. The study cites industrial production, motor vehicles and fossil fuels as the biggest potential contributors. All this would contribute to global warming and acute respiratory problems. One solution to the problem is the increased used of EVs, short for electrically powered vehicles. An EV is an environment friendly vehicle which runs on an electric motor powered by a rechargeable battery. It is nearly noiseless and emits no harmful exhaust.
(2)  An average car in India emits 4 g/km of CO and 2 g/km of Nitrogen Oxides and     Hydrocarbons. If there were even 40,000 electric vehicles on the road with an annual driving distance of 12,000 km/vehicles, we would reduce 3,000 tons of pollutants.
(3)  In effect Electrical Vehicles (EVs) could serve as a stimulant in bringing down pollution. EVs would also help free the Indian government of some of its debts and deficits. 50 per cent of all our oil requirement for transportation is imported, which in numbers accounts for a whopping savings in the foreign exchange of over $24 million on petrol alone. The Petroleum Ministry has estimated that every one-dollar increase in international oil prices translates into a Rs.3, 000 crore (Rs. 30 billion) increase in our oil import bill annually.
(4)    EV’s would have an effect on the following: Air and Noise pollution; infrastructure availability; safety; vehicle up gradation; economic resource sustainability. EV’s are easier to service and maintain, and are ideal for “stop-start” city driving conditions. The absence of gears and clutch make them extremely reliable and easy to drive and manoeuvre on congested roads. Research has revealed that regular commuters don’t travel distances more than 30-40 kms a day. With heavy traffic congestion and narrow roads, the average speeds maintained in the city is below 40 km/h. Hence Ev’s with a top speed of 50-75 km/h and a range of 70-100 km meet over 90 per cent of city mobility requirements.
(5)  The government needs to push EV sales by providing separate meters for charging EVs and by implementing concessional rates of 50 % tariff for night charging. Reserved and free parking areas for EVs with charging facility and making charging points for EVs mandatory in parking lots of all multi-storey buildings, commercial complexes is a must. Some state governments have been proactively pushing the cause by exempting EVs from road and sales taxes. In addition, the Central government is providing a subsidy of Rs. 75,000 on EVs purchased by its organizations.

2.1 On the basis of your of the above passage, complete the following statements. (8 marks)
(a)According to TERI studies pollution in India could arise alarmingly because of four factors. (1/2 * 4 =  2 marks)
1) _______________________________
2) ______________________________
3) ______________________________
4) ______________________________

(b)Two definite advantages an EV has for India over a conventional car are: (1+1=2 marks)
1) ______________________________
2) ______________________________

(c) List four other advantages of EV that make them ideal for city driving conditions: (1/2 * 4 = 2 marks)
1) _______________________________
2) _______________________________
3) _______________________________
4) _______________________________

(d) Four steps the government can take to increase the sales of EVs are:  (1/2 * 4 = 2 marks)
1) _______________________________
2) _______________________________
3) _______________________________
4) _______________________________

2.2 Find words from the passage which mean the same as the following from the paragraph indicated.  (4 marks)
a) extremely big (Para 3)
b) regular travellers between home and work (Para 4)
c) to move into desired position (Para 4)
d) tending to take initiative (Para 5)