Reading comprehension (UNSEEN)

Unseen reading comprehension is an important part of the WBCHSE Class 11 English exam. Many students find it difficult because they do not know how to answer correctly. This page gives you unseen passages with questions and answers in simple English. You will learn how to read, understand, and answer step by step. With regular practice, you can improve speed, increase accuracy, and score better marks in your exam.

1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Lata Mangeshkar, the queen of melody, was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer. Born as Hema Mangeskar on 28th September, 1929, is widely considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential singers in India. Her contribution to the Indian music industry in a career spanning seven decades gained her honorific titles such as the “Queen of Melody”, “Nightingale of India”, and “Voice of the Millennium.” Lata recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages and a few foreign languages, including Millennium.” Lata recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages and a few foreign languages; including Russian, English, Dutch and Swahill. She receivd several accolades and honors throughout her career. In 1989, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award was bestowed on her by the Government of India. In 2001, in recongnition of her contribution to the nation she was awarded the :Bharat Ratna,” “India’s highest civilian honour; she is only the second female singer after M.S. Subbulakshmi, to receive this honour. France conferred on her its highest civilian award, “Officer of the National Order of the Legion of Honour,” in 2007.

Complete each one of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided:

(i) Lata Mangeshkar sang in the Indian music industry for –
(a) 60 years
(b) 50 years
(c) 70 years
(d) 65 years

Ans: (c) 70 years

(ii) The word ‘accolades’ means –
(a) Disrespect
(b) Acquire
(c) Honour
(d) Acknowledgement

Ans: (c) Honour

(iii) The childhood name of Lata Mangeshkar was –
(a) Hemashree
(b) Usha
(c) Hemangi
(d) Hema

Ans: (d) Hema

(iv) Apart from Lata Mangeshkar the only female singer who received “Bharat Ratna” Is
(a) Asha Nhonsle
(b) Shreya Ghoshal
(c) Usha Uthup
(d) M.S. Subbulakshmi

Ans: (d) M.S. Subbulakshmi

(v) Late Mangeshkar has been famed as –
(a) Nightingle of World
(b) Queen of Music
(c) Queen of Melody
(d) Voice of the year

Ans: (c) Queen of Melody

2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

The Rising Importance of Sleep

Sleep is one of the most essential activities for maintaining good health. Experts say that teenagers need at least eight to nine hours of sleep each night, yet most students sleep far less. Lack of sleep affects memory, concentration and emotional balance. Many schools are now considering starting classes later in the morning so that students can get enough rest. Scientists believe that better sleep habits can significantly improve academic performance and overall well-being.

Complete each one of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided:

1. According to experts, teenagers need
(a) 5–6 hours
(b) 6–7 hours
(c) 8–9 hours
(d) 10–11 hours

Ans: (c) 8–9 hours

2. Lack of sleep mainly affects
(a) height
(b) memory and focus
(c) eyesight
(d) appetite

Ans: (b) memory and focus

3. Schools are planning to start classes later to
(a) reduce stress
(b) give more playtime
(c) help students sleep enough
(d) shorten school hours

Ans: (c) help students sleep enough

4. According to scientists, better sleep habits can improve
(a) academic performance
(b) handwriting
(c) sports ability
(d) uniform discipline

Ans: (a) academic performance

5. The passage mainly talks about
(a) morning exercise
(b) importance of sleep
(c) school life
(d) teenage behaviour

Ans: (b) importance of sleep

3. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Mother Teresa – A Life of Service

Mother Teresa, born on 26th August 1910 in Skopje, devoted her entire life to serving the poor and needy. She moved to India at a young age and founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950. Her organisation worked to help the sick, homeless, and abandoned people living in difficult conditions. She believed in serving humanity with love, compassion, and dignity.

Mother Teresa received numerous awards for her humanitarian work, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Despite global recognition, she lived a very simple life. She passed away on 5th September 1997 in Kolkata, leaving behind a legacy of kindness and selfless service. In 2016, she was declared a saint by the Catholic Church.

Complete each one of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided:

1. Mother Teresa was born in
(a) India
(b) Skopje
(c) Rome
(d) Paris

Ans: (b) Skopje

2. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in
(a) 1950
(b) 1960
(c) 1975
(d) 1940

Ans: (a) 1950

3. The organisation mainly helps
(a) business owners
(b) wealthy families
(c) the poor and sick
(d) tourists

Ans: (c) the poor and sick

4. Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in
(a) 1965
(b) 1970
(c) 1979
(d) 1985

Ans: (c) 1979

5. Her lifestyle was
(a) luxurious
(b) very simple
(c) modern
(d) fashionable

Ans: (b) very simple

6. She passed away in
(a) Delhi
(b) Mumbai
(c) Kolkata
(d) Chennai

Ans: (c) Kolkata

7. The Catholic Church declared her a saint in
(a) 2001
(b) 2010
(c) 2016
(d) 2020

Ans: (c) 2016

8. Mother Teresa believed in
(a) fame
(b) power
(c) serving humanity with love
(d) competition

Ans: (c) serving humanity with love

9. Missionaries of Charity was started to
(a) run schools
(b) help the needy
(c) promote sports
(d) produce music

Ans: (b) help the needy

10. The passage mainly highlights her
(a) education
(b) hobbies
(c) service to the poor
(d) travel experiences

Ans: (c) service to the poor

4. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Raja Ravi Varma – The Master Painter

Raja Ravi Varma was one of India’s greatest artists, known for blending Indian traditions with European artistic techniques. He was born on 29th April 1848 in Kerala. His paintings often depicted scenes from Indian mythology, especially characters from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. His style made these stories more accessible to the common people.

Ravi Varma introduced lithographic printing in India, which allowed his artwork to reach thousands of homes at affordable prices. He received several awards during his lifetime, including recognition at international exhibitions. Today, he is remembered as a pioneer of modern Indian art whose influence can still be seen in Indian painting and calendar art.

Complete each one of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided:

1. Raja Ravi Varma was a
(a) singer
(b) dancer
(c) painter
(d) writer

Ans: (c) painter

2. He was born in
(a) Kerala
(b) Gujarat
(c) Punjab
(d) Assam

Ans: (a) Kerala

3. His paintings mostly showed
(a) machines
(b) mythology
(c) buildings
(d) wildlife

Ans: (b) mythology

4. The epics mentioned in the passage are
(a) Odyssey and Iliad
(b) Mahabharata and Ramayana
(c) Shakespearean works
(d) Panchatantra tales

Ans: (b) Mahabharata and Ramayana

5. Lithographic printing helped his art reach
(a) only kings
(b) fewer people
(c) many households
(d) foreign countries only

Ans: (c) many households

6. His style combined Indian traditions with
(a) Chinese art
(b) African patterns
(c) European techniques
(d) Australian designs

Ans: (c) European techniques

7. Ravi Varma’s work made stories
(a) confusing
(b) difficult
(c) accessible to all
(d) expensive

Ans: (c) accessible to all

8. He received awards at
(a) hospitals
(b) sports events
(c) international exhibitions
(d) schools

Ans: (c) international exhibitions

9. He is considered a pioneer of
(a) modern Indian art
(b) classical music
(c) modern science
(d) fashion design

Ans: (a) modern Indian art

10. The passage mainly highlights his
(a) acting
(b) artistic contributions
(c) business ventures
(d) political work

Ans: (b) artistic contributions

5. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:

Rani Lakshmibai – The Warrior Queen

Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, born on 19th November 1828, is remembered as one of the bravest women in Indian history. From a young age, she was trained in horse riding, sword fighting, and archery. She became the queen of Jhansi at a young age and proved to be a strong and courageous leader.

During the Revolt of 1857, she refused to surrender to the British forces and fought fearlessly to defend her kingdom. Her bravery inspired thousands of freedom fighters across India. Although she died in battle in 1858, her courage and patriotism continue to inspire generations.

Complete each one of the following sentences, choosing the correct option from the alternatives provided:

1. Rani Lakshmibai was the queen of
(a) Delhi
(b) Kolkata
(c) Jhansi
(d) Mysore

Ans: (c) Jhansi

2. She was born in
(a) 1857
(b) 1828
(c) 1835
(d) 1800

Ans: (b) 1828

3. She learned sword fighting and riding at a
(a) late age
(b) middle age
(c) young age
(d) old age

Ans: (c) young age

4. She fought against
(a) French
(b) Mughal Empire
(c) British forces
(d) Portuguese

Ans: (c) British forces

5. She died in
(a) 1800
(b) 1858
(c) 1900
(d) 1888

Ans: (b) 1858

6. The Revolt mentioned is of
(a) 1830
(b) 1857
(c) 1947
(d) 1919

Ans: (b) 1857

7. She is remembered for her
(a) wealth
(b) intelligence only
(c) bravery and leadership
(d) singing skills

Ans: (c) bravery and leadership

8. Her actions inspired
(a) soldiers only
(b) farmers
(c) freedom fighters
(d) doctors

Ans: (c) freedom fighters

9. She refused to
(a) read books
(b) travel
(c) surrender
(d) train soldiers

Ans: (c) surrender

10. The passage mainly highlights her
(a) hobbies
(b) bravery
(c) illnesses
(d) childhood games

Ans: (b) bravery

Related Links

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