Page 92 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

English - II Digvijay Pandya, Lovely Professional University

Notes
Unit 5: Comprehension from Seen Passages

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
5.1 Solved Examples
5.2 Further Readings

Objectives
After reading this unit, students will be able to
• Evaluate their skill in comprehending the seen passages.
• Develop their understanding and grasp the ideas and facts of the given passages.

Introduction

Reading comprehension is defined as the level of understanding of a text/message. This understanding
comes from the interaction between the words that are written and how they trigger knowledge outside
the text/message. Proficient reading depends on the ability to recognize words quickly and effortlessly.
If word recognition is difficult, students use too much of their processing capacity to read individual
words, which interferes with their ability to comprehend what is read. In this Unit we try to provide
number of solved examples for the students to have proper understanding of the given passage.

5.1 Solved Examples

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows:
Social service is the highest form of service of the Motherland. This ideal was held by all the Indian
pioneers such as Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi equated
social service with religious duties. Later his followers also acted according to the belief of their leader.
Mahatma Gandhi was the embodiment of Indian tradition. But perhaps it will be unjust to say so
because he was at times greatly influenced by the western thinkers. Gandhi had faith in all the basic
tenets of ancient Indian culture. His sympathy for the down-troddens and aversion for caste were
largely influenced by the European liberalism of the 19th century which worked for freedom, progress
dignity of man. Similarly, his faith in non-violence found its root in the preachings of Jesus Christ,
known as the Sermon on the Mount, and the Russian philosopher and man of letters, Tolstoy. He
stood for the women’s right and here again he was influenced by the western thought. In the social
context, he was not an orthodx but an innovator. The methods recommended for social reform were
slow but he succeeded in laying stress on such a social order where all are equal. Working on the
lines of his immediate predecessors, Gandhi diverted people’s attention from the hierarchy of caste
and creed and gave a new lease of life to Hindu culture.
The modern generation of Indians is proud of its ancient culture but at the same time the young
intelligent Indians are open to modern changes. They are ready to give up the degenerating or weak
elements of their past culture. India is vis-a-vis many political and economic problems when it is
difficult to predict the tomorrow of India. But it is certain that the Indians will, not be blind imitators
of western culture rather they shall be deeply rooted in their ancient culture without being fanatical.
It is a fact that Indian culture and civilization has been a continuous process of synthesis. In the past
also, the Indian culture has been affected by various foreign cultures such as European, Mesopotamian,
Iranian, Greek, Roman, Turkish and Arab. With each new influence it has changed and become rich.
Soon the western ways are going to be assimilated with the Indian culture.

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