List of top English Questions on Reading Comprehension asked in CBSE CLASS XII

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(1) Introduction : Nutrition plays a critical role in human development, especially during periods of growth, aging, and recovery. This case study explores the changing nutritional requirements across age groups — from children to the elderly ⎯ highlighting how dietary habits must adapt to support health and wellbeing.
(2) Methodology : A team of dietitians conducted a three-month observational study across five schools, two universities, three workplaces, and two retirement communities. Nutritional intake was recorded using food diaries, and health parameters were monitored through BMI, energy levels, and blood reports.
(3) Survey Examination : Participants were grouped into four age categories : children (6 – 12 years), adolescents (13 – 19 years), adults (20 – 59 years), and elderly (60+ years). Surveys assessed daily intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals), alongside hydration habits and meal frequency.
(4) Results : Children had higher energy and protein needs per kilogram of body weight, essential for growth and cognitive development. Adolescents showed increased calorie and calcium requirements due to rapid bone growth and hormonal changes. Adults required balanced intake to maintain weight and prevent chronic diseases, while the elderly needed more fibre, calcium and vitamin D to support bone health and digestion. Interestingly, adolescents consumed the most processed foods, while elderly participants had the most balanced diets due to regular meal routines. Adults often skipped meals due to work stress. Dehydration was common in both children and the elderly.
(5) Implications and Interventions : The findings highlight the need for age-specific dietary education. In schools, awareness programmes on healthy snacks and hydration were introduced. For working adults, meal planning workshops and healthy vending machines were recommended. Retirement homes integrated vitamin D supplements and fibre-rich meals into weekly menus. Across all groups, hydration reminders were implemented using digital tools and scheduled water breaks.
(6) Conclusion : Nutritional needs vary significantly with age, influenced by physical, cognitive, and lifestyle factors. Regular assessments and tailored interventions are essential for promoting long-term health across populations.
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Read the following passage carefully :
(1) Science fiction, often abbreviated as sci-fi, is a genre of literature and film that explores imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced technology, space exploration, time travel, and extra-terrestrial life. While sci-fi has long captivated audiences in western countries, its growth in India has been comparatively slower. However, the genre is gradually gaining popularity among Indian readers and writers.
(2) One of the major advantages of science fiction is its ability to stimulate imagination and curiosity. It encourages readers to think beyond the present and explore possibilities that lie in the future. For students and young readers, sci-fi can act as a bridge between literature and science, making learning more engaging. Books like Isaac Asimov’s Foundation or Indian writer Samit Basu’s Turbulence have introduced scientific ideas in exciting narratives.
(3) Science fiction also reflects social and ethical concerns. In a rapidly changing world, sci-fi allows authors to speculate on how technology might shape society, for better or worse. In India, where issues like climate change, overpopulation, and digital surveillance are becoming more relevant, science fiction provides a creative lens through which these problems can be examined.
(4) Despite its potential, science fiction remains a niche genre in India. One of the key disadvantages is the lack of access to quality sci-fi literature in Indian languages. Most of the well-known works are written in English, which limits their reach. Moreover, there is a lack of mainstream platforms that promote Indian sci-fi writers. Many readers are unaware of homegrown authors contributing meaningfully to the genre.
(5) To enhance the science fiction reading experience in India, several steps can be taken. Schools and colleges can include sci-fi stories in their curriculum to expose students to the genre early on. Indian authors should be encouraged to write in regional languages to broaden the audience base. Libraries and online platforms can host reading clubs and discussions to make science fiction more interactive and engaging.
(6) In conclusion, science fiction has immense potential to grow in India. With the right support and exposure, it can become a powerful tool to inspire imagination, promote scientific thinking, and spark conversations about the future.
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(1) Introduction: Humans are social creatures with a deep desire to interact with one another. Recent developments in technology have made it possible for billions of people worldwide to use cell phones to satisfy this need. The current study aims to analyse the impact of smartphone use among various categories of people in Kerala, India. The present study will provide an insight into the extent and magnitude of people's reliance on smartphones to communicate in this modern age and the dwindling nature of social relationships.
(2) Methodology: A google form created questionnaire was used to gather information on the subject from a sample of participants who were from various districts in Kerala, India.
(3) Survey Examination: Among the 131 study participants, 66 were men and the remaining 65 were women. For convenience, the study considered only the main purpose for which a smartphone is used by any given individual.
(4) Results:
 
Individuals differed in their interests and preferences regarding their choice of communication medium. Some preferred direct conversation, while others conveyed their messages through virtual mediums of communication, that did not involve any face-to-face interaction.
(5) Implications for Interventions: It was observed that individuals were interested in using their smartphones even when they were dining. This constant use can have several disadvantages such as reckless use of mobile phones, including prolonged hours of radiation exposure, over-calorie intake due to binge eating, leading to obesity, and other health problems. It is also a vital tool to achieve social progress.
The use of phones while travelling can sometimes detract from an individual's enjoyment of the serenity of the environment, the scenic beauty of picnic spots, and affect the way an individual behaves and interacts with his or her co-travellers.
(6) Conclusion: It is true that most of the population under different age and gender categories use smartphones every day, but there is no significant fall in the duration spent in direct face-to-face conversation with fellow beings, except in very few individuals. The majority of people agree that traditional face-to-face communication is more comfortable, reliable, and expressive than text messages, phone calls, or electronic mail.
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(1) Gossip. All humans partake in some form, despite the age-old adage, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." Whether it's workplace chatter, the sharing of family news or group texts between friends, it's inevitable that anyone who participates in the above, talks about other people.
(2) People tend to think of gossip as synonymous with malicious rumours, put-downs, or the breathless propagation of a tabloid scoop. But researchers often define it more broadly as "talking about people who aren't present," says an assistant professor of psychology. "It's something that comes very naturally to us" - an integral part of conversation, information sharing, and even community building.
(3) "It's not necessarily negative," adds a professor of psychology. "It can be positive or neutral." Some researchers argue that gossip helped our ancestors survive. Evolutionary psychologists first pioneered this idea, comparing gossip to the grooming primates engage in as a means of bonding.
(4) People are usually resistant to thinking about gossip as anything but bad. It is true that there are some types of gossip that should be avoided, such as gossip that is purely harmful and serves no purpose like mean comments on someone's way of dressing. In such a scenario no one benefits. Gossip can also be both active and passive. Active gossiping refers to directly sharing negative information about someone else. An active gossiper initiates the conversation and actively spreads it. Passive gossiping on the other hand involves more subtle behaviour like hinting, dropping suggestive comments or participating in gossip by listening without actively contributing, but still allowing the gossip to spread through their presence.
(5) It's interesting to note that gossiping also says something about relationships people have with one another. The act of gossiping often implies a level of trust and closeness with someone, which are key aspects of a good friendship.
(6) Research has found that gossip can stave off loneliness, while other studies have found it can facilitate bonding and closeness and serve as a form of entertainment. So, keep on talking. And when your conversation turns to gossip, as it inevitably will, remember that some good can come of it - with the right intentions, of course.
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