Unseen Passage- 8 | English Grammar Class 8 PDF Download

8. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Today, the role friends’ play in our lives has become significantly greater than at any other time in our history as many of us live and work at great distances and are separated from our original families. The pain we feel when we are away from our families can be significant.

2. The happiness of an individual depends on his friendship which forms a necessary human connection. It is perfectly normal to need and want friends. Depression is more prevalent among those who lack friends. They lack the intimacy and richness friends can bring into their lives. Frequently friends reflect similar values to us. Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships. The more friends and acquaintances one has, the greater are ones communication skills. Some call these, people skills.

3. Like watering a plant, we grow our friendship and all our relationships by nurturing them. These relationships can be delightfully non-judgmental, supportive, understanding and fun.

4. Sometimes a friendship can bring out the positive side that you never show in other relationships. With a friend you can be yourself and free to change. Your friendship grows when you understand the value of friendship by revealing yourself; being attentive; putting yourself in their position; showing empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend. It is an unconditional experience where you receive as much as you give. When we learn to accept a person from a completely different cultural background or from a completely different family, we learn tolerance. In turn we gain tolerance and acceptance for our own differences.

I. Answer the following questions:

(i) Why has the role of friends become important in our lives?

Today, the role friends play in our lives has become significantly greater than at any other time in our history as many of us live and work at great distances and are separated from our original families.

(ii) Why is depression common among those who lack friends?

Depression is more prevalent among those who lack friends. They lack the intimacy and richness friends can bring into their lives.

(iii) How are ‘people skills’ important in friendship?

Communication skills are fundamental in all friendships. The more friends and acquaintances one has, the greater are ones communication skills. Some call these, people skills.

(iv) How is maintaining friendship similar to watering plants?

Like watering a plant, we grow our friendship and all our relationships by nurturing them.

(v) What makes ones friendship an unconditional experience?

Your friendship grows when you understand the value of friendship by revealing yourself; being attentive; putting yourself in their position; showing empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend. It is an unconditional experience where you receive as much as you give.

(vi) When is tolerance learnt?

When we learn to accept a person from a completely different cultural background or from a completely different family, we learn tolerance.

II. On the basis of your reading the passage, find the appropriate words:

(i) the antonym for – rarely _ (para 2)

the antonym for – rarely – frequently- (para 2)

(ii) the words – ability to share someone else’s feelings -are closest in meaning to _____. (para 4)

the words – ability to share someone else’s feelings are closest in meaning to emphathy. (para 4)