Business Communication
Mechatronics Engineering, Sem IV (M5)
(Unit-1, Reading Comprehension)
ASSIGNMENT- 1
INSTRUCTIONS:
Attempt both the passages.
Each passage carries ten marks.
Passage 1
Nature writing is nonfiction or fiction prose or poetry about the natural environment. Nature
writing encompasses a wide variety of works, ranging from those that place primary
emphasis on natural history facts (such as field guides) to those in which philosophical
interpretation predominate. It includes natural history essays, poetry, essays of solitude or
escape, as well as travel and adventure writing.
Nature writing often draws heavily on scientific information and facts about the natural
world; at the same time, it is frequently written in the first person and incorporates personal
observations of and philosophical reflections upon nature.
Modern nature writing traces its roots to the works of natural history that were popular in the
second half of the 18th century and throughout the 19th. An important early figure was the
"parson-naturalist" Gilbert White (1720 – 1793), a pioneering English naturalist and
ornithologist. He is best known for his Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne (1789).
I. Read the passage and choose the most appropriate option. (1x5=5)
Q1. Nature writing emphasizes on
i. Historical facts about nature
ii. Philosophical interpretations of the natural environment
iii. Scientific information and facts
Choose the most appropriate option
a) Only (i) and (iii)
b) Only (i) and (ii)
c) All the above
d) Only (ii)
Q2. Based on the passage what is period to which the modern nature writing can be traced to?
a) 1850 till 1999
b) 1850 to 1899
c) 1750 till 1899
d) 1750 till 1900
Q3. Which statement summarizes the above passage?
a) The passage talks about the life and lessons of Gilbert White, a profound naturalist and
ornithologist.
b) The passage talks about how the nature writing is missing in the modern era and needs to
be revived.
c) The passage talks about from where the writers draw inspiration for nature writing, and
how its importance is diminishing in the modern era.
d) The passage talks about what nature writing is, the different types of nature writing, its
style, and about the roots and pioneer of modern nature writing.
Q4. Which word aptly describes the word “reflections” as used in the passage?
a) Opinion
b) Reproduction
c) Images
d) None of the above
Q5. According to the passage, what kinds of works are written as part of nature writing?
i. Natural history essays and essays of solitude or escape
ii. Poetry
iii. Travel and adventure writing
Choose the correct options
a) Only (i)
b) Only (i) and (ii)
c) Only (ii) and (iii)
d) All the above
II. Suggest an appropriate title for the passage and justify your choice. (5)
Passage 2
If India has to develop her internal strengths, the nation has to focus on the technological
imperatives, keeping in mind three dynamic dimensions: the people, the overall economy and
the strategic interests. These technological imperatives also take into account a „fourth‟
dimension, time, an offshoot of modern day dynamism in business, trade, and technology that
leads to continually shifting targets. We believe that technological strengths are especially
crucial in dealing with this fourth dimension underlying continuous change in the aspirations
of the people, the economy in the global context, and the strategic interests. The progress of
technology lies at the heart of human history. Technological strengths are the key to creating
more productive employment in an increasingly competitive market place and to continually
upgrade human skills. Without a pervasive use of technologies, we cannot achieve overall
development of our people in the years to come. The direct linkages of technology to the
nation‟s strategic strengths are becoming more and more clear, especially since 1990s.
India‟s own strength in a number of core areas still puts it in a position of reasonable strength
in geo-political context. Any nation aspiring to become a developed one needs to have
strengths in various strategic technologies and also the ability to continually upgrade them
through its own creative strengths. For people-oriented actions as well, whether for the
creation of large scale productive employment or for ensuring nutritional and health security
for people, or for better living conditions, technology is the only vital input. The absence of
greater technological impetus could lead to lower productivity and wastage of precious
natural resources.
Activities with low productivity or low value addition, in the final analysis hurt the poorest
the most.
The technological imperatives to lift our people to a new life, and to a life they are entitled to
is important. India, aspiring to become a major economic power in terms of trade and
increase in GDP, cannot succeed on the strength of turnkey projects designed and built
abroad or only through large-scale imports of plant machinery, equipment and know how.
Even while being alive to the short-term realities, medium and long-term strategies to
develop core technological strengths within our industry are vital for envisioning a developed
India.
I. Read the passage and choose the most appropriate option. (1x5=5)
1. According to the above passage, which of the following are indicative of the fourth
dimension?
(a)Aspirations of people
(b)Modern day dynamism
(c)Economy in the global context
(d)Strategic interests
Code:
(1)(a), (b) and (c) only
(2)(b), (c) and (d) only
(3)(a), (c) and (d) only
(4)(a), (b) and (d) only
2. More productive employment demands:
(1)Pervasive use of technology
(2)Limiting competitive market place
(3)Geo-political considerations
(4)Large industries
3. Absence of technology would lead to:
(a) Less pollution
(b) Wastage of precious natural resources
(c) Low value addition
(d) Hurting the poorest most
Code:
(1) (a), (b) and (c) only
(2) (b), (c) and (d) only
(3) (a), (b) and (d) only
(4) (a), (c) and (d) only
4. The advantage of technological inputs would result in:
(1) Unbridled technological growth
(2) Importing plant machinery
(3) Side lining environmental issues
(4) Lifting our people to a life of dignity
5. Envisioning a developed India requires:
(1) Aspiration to become a major economic player
(2) Dependence upon projects designed abroad
(3) Focus on short-term projects
(4) Development of core technological strengths
II. Suggest an appropriate title for the passage and justify your choice. (5)
