Unseen Passage For Class 8 English With Answers Pdf

Unseen Passage Class 8 Unseen Passages

Unseen Passage for Class 8

1. The choices we make on a daily basis—wearing a seatbelt, lifting heavy objects correctly or purposely staying out of any dangerous situation—can either ensure our safety or bring about potentially harmful circumstances.

2. You and I need to make a decision that we are going to get our lives in order. Exercising self-control, self-discipline and establishing boundaries and borders in our lives are some of the most important things we can do. A life without discipline is one that’s filled with carelessness.

3. We can think it’s kind of exciting to live life on the edge. We like the image of “Yeah! That’s me! Living on the edge! Woo-hoo!” It’s become a popular way to look at life. But if you see, even highways have lines, which provide margins for our safety while we’re driving. If we go over one side, we’ll go into the ditch. If we cross over the line in the middle, we could get killed. And we like those lines because they help to keep us safe. Sometimes we don’t even realise how lines help to keep us safe.

4. I’m not proud of this, but for the first 20 years of my life at work, I ignored my limits. I felt horrible, physically, most of the time. I used to tell myself “I know I have limits and that I’ve reached them, but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it.” I ran to doctors, trying to make myself feel better through pills, vitamins, natural stuff and anything I could get my hands on. Some of the doctors would tell me, “It’s just stress.” That just made me mad. I thought stress meant you don’t like what you do or can’t handle life, and I love what I do. But I kept pushing myself, travelling, doing speaking engagements and so on— simply exhausting myself.

5. Finally, I understood I was living an unsustainable life and needed to make some changes in my outlook and lifestyle.

6. You and I don’t have to be like everyone else or keep up with anyone else. Each of us needs to be exactly the way we are, and we don’t have to apologise for it. We’re not all alike and we need to find a comfort zone in which we can enjoy our lives instead of making ourselves sick with an overload of stress and pressure.

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

Question. Choose the option that best captures the central idea of the passage from the given quotes. 
(1) It’s all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between work and friends. — Philip Green
(2) To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short. — Confucius
(3) Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving. — Albert Einstein
(4) Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create. — Jana Kingsford
(a) Option (1)
(b) Option (2)
(c) Option (3)
(d) Option (4)

Answer

(d)

Question. Choose the option that correctly states the two meanings of ‘outlook’, as used in the passage.       
1. A person’s evaluation of life 2. A person’s experiences in life
3. A person’s point of view towards life 4. A person’s regrets in life
5. A person’s general attitude to life
(a) (1) and (4)
(b) (2) and (3)
(c) (3) and (5)
(d) (4) and (5)

Answer

(c)

Question. Which of the characteristics are apt about the writer in the following context: “I know I have limits and that I’ve reached them but I’m going to ignore them and see if or how long I can get by with it”?         
1. Negligent 2. Indecisive 3. Spontaneous 4. Reckless
5. Purposeless 6. Patient
(a) 2 and 5
(b) 3 and 6
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3

Answer

(c)

Question. The author attempts to ……………. the readers through this write-up.         
(a) rebuke
(b) question
(c) offer aid to
(d) offer advice to

Answer

(d)

Question. Which of the following will be the most appropriate title for the passage?         
(a) Much too soon
(b) Enough is enough
(c) How much is too much?
(d) Have enough to do?

Answer

(c)

Question. The phrase “potentially harmful circumstances” refers to circumstances that can:       
(a) certainly be dangerous
(b) be fairly dangerous
(c) be possibly dangerous
(d) seldom be dangerous

Answer

(c)

Question. Select the option that makes the correct use of “unsustainable”, as used in the passage, to fill in the blank space.    
(a) In the long run, the ……………. officials followed emergency procedures.
(b) Emergency procedures were ……………. by the officials.
(c) Officials reported an ……………. set of events during the emergency.
(d) Officials admit that the emergency system is ……………. in the longer run.

Answer

(d)

Question. The author uses colloquial words such as “yeah” and “Woo-hoo!”. Which of the following is NOT a colloquial word?     
(a) Hooked
(b) Guy
(c) Stuff
(d) Stress

Answer

(d)

Question. What does the author mean when he says, “to get our lives in order”?       
(a) To resume our lives
(b) To organise our lives
(c) To rebuild our lives
(d) To control our lives

Answer

(b)

Question. The reason why living on the edge has become popular, is because of the:       
(a) constant need for something different.
(b) population being much younger.
(c) exhausting effort to make changes.
(d) strong tendency to stay within our limits.

Answer

(a)

Class 8 English Unseen Passage

1. The road to success is not straight; there is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, caution lights called family, and you will have flats called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverance, insurance called faith, and a driver called God, you will make it to a place called success! In spite of all our planning and preparation, unexpected challenges are certain to arise. The bumps in the road are unavoidable, but you’ll never get to your destination if you aren’t willing to drive over them. The difference between a disaster and triumph lies in whether or not you’re prepared and willing to weather the storm. If you’re ready, those bumps will become stepping-stones.

2. The key thing to realize is that working harder is same as working smarter. How do you work smarter? You just need to have the right skills. People want improved circumstances and better life without an improved self. They want victory without paying the price or making efforts. It really cannot happen without the other. Any improvements that have not been generated by improving yourself are superficial and short-lived. If you want to have a better future, you have to change yourself. Stop worrying about the various challenges that will come your way. Just believe in yourself and use them as stepping-stones.

3. “Success” is getting whatever you want out of life without violating the rights of others. It is not an accident. Success is the result of our attitude and our attitude is a choice. Hence success is a matter of choice and not chance. Today success represents a holistic and positive attitude to life. Attitude is everything. Success is not restricted within some kind of brick and mortar premises. It assumes the individuality of a complete act executed with perfection; material achievements do not define life. We don’t remember sports stars for the products they endorse but the spirit of achievement they represent. In the abundance of positive attitude underline the grandeur of a truly rewarding rich life.

4. Success can be measured from two standpoints—the external and the internal. Externally it is the measure of a job well done and recognition. Internally it is the feeling of achievement and wholeness derived from the completion of a task or fulfillment of desire.

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

Question. According to the passage, success can be achieved by working: 
(a) tirelessly
(b) frantically
(c) diligently
(d) quickly

Answer

(c)

Question. In order to work smarter, we must have:         
(a) improved circumstances.
(b) right skills.
(c) better life.
(d) All of these

Answer

(b)

Question. The word ‘attitude’, as used in para 3 means the same as:             
(a) pose
(b) position
(c) viewpoint
(d) posture

Answer

(c)

Question. “If you are ready, those bumps will become stepping-stones.” Through this sentence the writer tells us to:     
(a) ignore ups and downs while working to achieve our goal.
(b) work with a proper plan to achieve our goal.
(c) focus only on our goal and ignore all responsibilities.
(d) take all challenges with strong determination.

Answer

(d)

Question. Which one of the following quotes captures the central idea of the passage?         
(1) It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. —Herman Melville
(2) Success is not final; failure is not total. It is the courage to continue that counts. —Winston Churchill
(3) The road to success and the road to failure are almost exactly the same. — Colin R. Davis
(4) Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it. —Henry David Thoreau
(a) Option 1
(b) Option 2
(c) Option 3
(d) Option 4

Answer

(b)

Question. If we want to have a better future, we have to:      
(a) change ourselves.
(b) stop worrying about the various challenges.
(c) believe in ourselves.
(d) All of these

Answer

(d)

Question. Success can be measured from true standpoints — the external and the internal.       
The external measure is the measure of:
(a) a job well done
(b) recognition
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Answer

(c)

Question. The internal measure of our success is the feeling of achievement:       
(a) from the completion of a task.
(b) from the fulfilment of desire.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Answer

(c)

Question. In para 1, ‘unexpected challenges’ refers to:         
(a) financial problem
(b) health problem
(c) lack of time
(d) All of these

Answer

(d)

Question. Select the option that makes the correct use of ‘destination’ as used in the passage.          
(a) We will reach our destination by 6 o’clock.
(b) She is working hard to reach her destination.
(c) Shimla is her favourite destination.
(d) The cinema hall is the largest entertainment destination in the city.

Answer

(b)

Unseen Passage for Class 8 with Answers

1. “Why does humanity need Superman?”, wrote Lois Lane, the reporter from the Superman series. It’s a very relevant question in our context too. Why do we need superheroes? We are all enchanted by the action sequences in superhero movies, and also by how the superhero can always save the day – and with good reasons.

2. If you’re trying to guess what it is, you can forget about powers like super-strength, laser vision, or — our personal favourite — the ability to consume any type of matter in the universe. The underlying reason we’re so enamoured of them is quite possibly the best superhero power – the way they can inspire and motivate us. From the smallest boy and girl wonders, to the oldest Captains – each superhero has had their own lesson to impart unto all of us.

3. Whether it’s Batman saving Gotham city, Superman saving humanity, or our very own Krissh saving his fellow countrymen – we need superheroes because they give us the hope and strength we need to fight the injustice we encounter today. It’s like Batman once said, “Sometimes the truth isn’t good enough. Sometimes people deserve more. Sometimes people deserve to have their faith rewarded.”

4. Yes, it’s true that we need faith today, when we know a lot tends to go wrong, whether it is with regard to terrorism, or growing crime – people need the hope and strength they get from superheroes. That’s why we need superheroes, because of how they give us a sense of right, which helps us fight the injustice happening around us. It was best summarised by Superman when he said that “There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape,” and by Batman in the Dark Knight, when he said that “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

5. So, every time we choose to see a superhero movie, it gives us a nudge to fight the unjust with our own ideas or capabilities. Every child and adult that watches superhero movies will be motivated to rise above the injustice happening in the real world. It’s not just about the power, but also the principle.

 6. You and I can also be a superhero just by helping our neighbours, and by standing against what is wrong. Whether the situation is political or apolitical, injustice can be fought with thoughts of righteousness and courage.

7. From the day we are born, we are told that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, but superheroes fan our subconscious desire for greatness. They also teach us that the greatest power is the integrity that keeps us from going down the wrong path. None of us will ever leap a tall building in a single bound, change the course of a mighty river, or bend steel with our bare hands but we can always return that lost wallet with its contents intact, tell the truth when it matters, stand our ground when it’s easier to walk away and unto others as we would want them to do unto us.

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

Question. Identify the sentence where the word “bestow” has been used incorrectly.       
(a) He was ever-ready to take blame on himself and bestow praise on others.
(b) During the ceremony, the Prime Minister will bestow medals of honour to the brave soldiers who rescued their comrades.
(c) The king will bestow a title and land to the man who saved the princess.
(d) If you want to avoid a misunderstanding, I bestow you to consider your words before speaking.

Answer

(d)

Question. According to the writer, how can a common man become a superhero?           
1. Bend steel, change the course of rivers
2. Stand up against injustice, return that wallet intact
3. Help around the neighbourhood
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1 and 2

Answer

(b)

Question. Select the option that makes the correct use of “righteousness”, as used in the passage, to fill in the blank space.       
(a) Both sides in the dispute adopted a tone of moral ……………….. .
(b) The newspaper reports are a ……………….. of gossip.
(c) She was confused about obligation and ……………….. .
(d) Cultural contexts bring ……………….. in international relations.

Answer

(a)

Question. What is the central idea of the passage?         
(a) Fight the injustice 
(b) Superheroes are necessary
(c) Help your neighbours
(d) Save humanity

Answer

(a)

Question. What are the two meanings of “encounter” as used in the passage?     
1. To experience something unpleasant
2. To experience something unexpected
3. To affect something
4. To cover with a thin layer
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 2 and 3

Answer

(a)

Question. Despite our age and status in life, few enigmatic qualities endear us to superheroes.     
Select the correct options from below: 
1. Give our subconscious a desire for greatness
2. Have a lesson to bestow
3. Inspire and motivate us
4. Give us hope to fight the bad
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer

(d)

Question. “There is a superhero in all of us, we just need the courage to put on the cape.” By this, Superman is implying that:     
(a) the cape is heavy and not everyone can bear it
(b) we all have special powers
(c) the ability to fight the unjust with our own ideas or capabilities is present in all of us
(d) society needs superheroes

Answer

(c)

Question. Choose the option that suits best as the title for the passage.            
(a) Humans are superheroes
(b) Humanity needs Superheroes
(c) Superheroes are vital to humans’ lives
(d) Humans should help each other

Answer

(b)

Question. What are the two things we need to fight injustice today?           
(a) Superpower and superhero
(b) Truth and faith
(c) Hope and strength
(d) Hope and confidence

Answer

(c)

Question. The author attempts to ……………….. the readers to fight the unjust.           
(a) motivate
(b) nudge
(c) rebuke
(d) put

Answer

(b)

Comprehensions for Class 8 English with Solutions

1. Great people are born to produce an influence on society. One such personality, who was so humble and lived his complete life with determination and purpose to achieve certain aims was Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. He was a great social reformer, writer, educator and worked endlessly to transform the society. He strongly protested against polygamy and child marriage. He favoured widow remarriage and women’s education in India. The Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856 making the marriage of widows legal because of his efforts to solve these problems.

2. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar refined the way Bengali language was written and taught. His book ‘Borno Porichoy’ (Introduction to the Alphabet) is still used as the introductory text to teach Bengali alphabet. Thus, he brought about a revolution in the Bengali Education System. Vidyasagar is credited with the role of completely changing the old method of teaching which prevailed in Sanskrit College. As a professor in Sanskrit College, he brought modern outlook into the method of teaching. He included English and Bengali as mediums of learning, besides Sanskrit. He, also, introduced courses in European History, Philosophy and Science alongside Vedic scriptures. He encouraged students to study these subjects and make the best of both the worlds.

3. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a strong advocate of women education. He rightly viewed education as the primary way for women to achieve emancipation from the society’s oppression they had to face at that time. He exercised his power to open schools for girls and even outlined suitable curriculum to educate them. He went from door to door, requesting heads of families to allow their daughters to be enrolled in schools.

4. Ishwar Chandra was a man who defined his own path of action. He never listened to what others said about his work and made decisions based on his own judgement. He was famous for all these qualities. He was also known for his great courage. Vidyasagar had a very soft heart that sympathised with those in trouble. He was easily moved to tears when he saw someone in pain and was always the first one to offer his help to colleagues and friends in distress. After his death, Rabindranath Tagore said, “One wonders how God, in the process of producing forty million Bengalis, produced a man!”

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

Question. What are the necessary traits a person should possess to achieve certain aims?         
1. Confidence 2. Determination 3. Humbleness 4. Positivity
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 3 and 4

Answer

(b)

Question. What is the message conveyed in the second last paragraph of the passage?         
(a) Educate a girl child
(b) Education is for all
(c) Education is the sole weapon
(d) Transform society through education

Answer

(a)

Question. Choose the option that correctly states two meanings of ‘advocate’.           
1. To support something publicly
2. To impact something
3. A person who supports in favour of someone
4. A report which puts forward opinion
(a) 1 and 4
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 2 and 4

Answer

(c)

Question. Select the option that makes the correct use of “judgement”, as used in the passage, to fill in the blank space.           
(a) She showed a lack of ……………. when she voted for the first time.
(b) Scientists have accurate ……………. on the world community for the changing climate.
(c) Article-32 provides a ……………. remedy for the enforcement of rights.
(d) Literacy is necessary for political ……………. in any country.

Answer

(a)

Question. Vidyasagar always made decisions based on:         
(a) others’ judgement
(b) his own judgement
(c) circumstances
(d) All of these

Answer

(b)

Question. What, according to you, is the central idea of the passage?             
(a) A reformer can change the world.
(b) Be the change you want to see.
(c) Education is vital for the society.
(d) A determined person achieves his aims at all costs.

Answer

(d)

Question. Which of these was/were strongly protested against by Vidyasagar?         
(a) Polygamy
(b) Child marriage
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Answer

(c)

Question. According to Ishwar Chandra, which of these is the primary way for women to achieve emancipation from the oppression of society?       
(a) Earning money
(b) Having physical strength
(c) Education
(d) Politeness

Answer

(c)

Question. The passage ……………. the importance of education for women.       
(a) admitted
(b) described
(c) offered
(d) stressed

Answer

(c)

Question. Vidyasagar brought modern outlook into the method of:             
(a) working
(b) teaching
(c) learning
(d) reading

Answer

(b)

Solved Unseen Passage for Class 8 English

Over 80% of fatalities in road accidents in India happened due to speeding and dangerous or careless driving, a comparative analysis of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data since 2014 shows.

While this corroborates the popular perception of how people drive on the road in a country where getting a driving licence is often said to be too easy. Experts said most of the fatal accidents are recorded by police under speeding and dangerous driving categories in the FIR as there are no other provisions in the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for such offences. According to the latest NCRB report on accidental deaths, 83.2% of road fatalities were on account of these two types of violations and the rest 16.8% of fatalities were due to reasons including drunk driving, bad weather conditions and mechanical defect. In 2014, when such causes of fatal crashes were first compiled, 89.4% of the deaths were due to speeding and dangerous or careless driving as per the police records and this was the highest ever. “We face a host of challenges ranging from poor system of issuing driving licences to almost zero scientific investigation of fatal crashes, which are provided in the law. Most of our national highways and state highways, which pass through villages, have no pedestrian crossings. On the top of this, in all fatal cases, police automatically registers them under section 279 (negligent driving resulting death) of the IPC,” said road safety expert Rohit Baluja, who has been a regular guest faculty at Indian Police Academy, Hyderabad.

Confirming this, traffic a d v i s e r i n P u n j a b government, Navdeep Asija said in case of all fatal accidents, the provisions of IPC are slapped. “In IPC, any crime or offence has to be lodged against a human being and hence there cannot be any charge against a road, vehicle or any other object. That’s why police data may not indicate the exact reason of crashes. But it is also a fact that violation of traffic rules is rampant on roads and only electronic surveillance can put a check on them,” he added. Baluja said there is a need to define what is dangerous driving and the norms for fixing speed limits. “In Delhi, the speed limit is same across major roads, residential areas and markets during day time and at night as well. No authorities are held responsible for deficiencies on their part,” he pointed out. Though the amended Motor Vehicle Act has included a provision to hold road owning agencies, contractors and consultants in case of fatal accidents due to faulty road construction or design, the government is yet to notify the process for this.

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

Question. Choose the option that lists statement that is NOT TURE.       
(a) Police data may not indicate the exact reason of crashes.
(b) Fatal accidents may occur due to faulty road construction.
(c) Violation of traffic rules is hardly observed on roads.
(d) IPC stands for Indian Penal Code.

Answer

 (c)

Question. According to the latest NCRB report, what percentage of total fatal road accidents occur due to high speed driving and rash driving? 
(a) 16.8%
(b) 32.3%
(c) 27.5%
(d) 83.2%

Answer

 (d)

Question. According to NCRB, which of these factors is/are responsible for fatal road accidents?   
(a) High speed driving
(b) Rash driving
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Answer

 (c)

Question. As per the amended Motor Vehicle Act, who among these are also held responsible for fatal road accidents?       
(a) Road contractors
(b) Road consultants
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)

Answer

 (c)

Question. In the line “….. the norms for fixing speed”, the word “norm” DOES NOT refer to:       
(a) a model
(b) a standard
(c) usual
(d) exception

Answer

 (d)

Question. In which year were the causes of fatal crashes first compiled?     
(a) 2014
(b) 2012
(c) 2016
(d) 2018

Answer

 (a)

Question. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists accurate speed limit rules authorised in Delhi.   
1. Different speed limits for major roads and residential areas.
2. Same speed limit for major roads and residential areas.
3. Same speed limit during day time and at night as well.
(a) Only 1
(b) Both 1 and 2
(c) Both 2 and 3
(d) Only 2

Answer

 (c)

Question. According to the traffic adviser in Punjab government, any crime of offence must be lodged against:         
(a) the road
(b) the vehicle
(c) the human being
(d) All of these

Answer

 (c)