How to Answer a Discursive Passage | English Grammar Advanced - Class 10 PDF Download

Introduction

• A passage where the writer rambles from topic to topic is called a discursive piece of writing. The adjective discursive is often used to describe a speech or writing that tends to stray from the main point, but the word can also have almost the opposite meaning. Discursive can also be used to describe an argument based on reason instead of intuition, a writing that is well-argued and well reasoned. Also tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects. While attempting a ‘discursive passage’ it is important to read through the passage, scan for details, and then answer the given questions.
• Discursive writing expresses opinions. It can be argumentative, i.e. may give reasons, explanations, or explore cause and effect relationship. Passages of this kind are analytical. Sometimes the author presents his views with great depth of reasoning or force of argument with the intention of convincing the reader to his point of view. Such texts have great persuasive power.

Solved Examples

Passage - 1

Read the passage given below and answer the following Questions:

1. Cardamom, known as the queen of all spices, boasts a history as ancient as the human race itself. It is the dried fruit of a herbaceous perennial plant. A warm, humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, distributed rainfall, and specialized cultivation and processing methods all combine to render Indian cardamom truly unique in aroma, flavor, size, and its distinct parrot green color.
2. Two types of cardamom are produced in India. The first type, the larger variety, holds less significance as it is not traded in the futures market. It is cultivated in the north-eastern regions of the country. The second type, produced in the southern states, is actively traded in the futures market. This variety is primarily cultivated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. As per the futures market rules, only the 7 mm quality was initially traded in exchanges. However, the norms were relaxed, and now the 6 mm quality is also traded.
3. Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. Indian cardamom is known in two main varieties: Malabar and Mysore. The Mysore variety, containing high levels of cineol and limonene, is more aromatic. India has emerged as the world’s largest producer and exporter of cardamom.
4. The main harvest season for cardamom in India spans from August to February. Cardamom reaches the yielding stage two years after plantation. The primary physical markets for cardamom include Kumily, Vandiperiyar, Thekkady, Puliyarmala in Kerala, and Bodinayakanur and Cumbum in Tamil Nadu.
5. Kerala is the principal producer of cardamom, contributing up to 60% of the total production. Karnataka accounts for around 25% of the production. In Tamil Nadu, Ooty is the major producer, contributing approximately 10-15% of the total output. Besides India, Guatemala also produces around 1,000-2,000 tons of cardamom annually. However, due to its lower quality, Guatemalan cardamom is available at cheaper rates.

Q1: Why does the passage describe cardamom as the “queen of all spices”?
(a) Due to its ancient history.
(b) Because of its versatile usage in cooking.
(c) Owing to its unique aroma and flavor.
(d) Because it is the most expensive spice.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage highlights cardamom's unique aroma, flavor, and distinct parrot green color, which contribute to its status as the "queen of all spices." This uniqueness in sensory qualities is what makes it stand out among spices.

Q2: What does the passage imply about the role of climate and soil in the cultivation of Indian cardamom?
(a) They are essential but not unique to India.
(b) They uniquely contribute to the quality of Indian cardamom.
(c) They have little impact on the cultivation process.
(d) They are more important for cardamom than other spices.
Ans: (b)
Sol: The passage mentions that a warm, humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, and other factors contribute to making Indian cardamom unique in terms of aroma, flavor, size, and color. This suggests that these environmental conditions are crucial in defining the quality of Indian cardamom.

Q3: According to the passage, why might the larger variety of cardamom be less significant in the market?
(a) It has a weaker aroma and flavor.
(b) It is not traded in the futures market.
(c) It is only cultivated in limited areas.
(d) It is more expensive than the smaller variety.
Ans: (b)
Sol: The passage notes that the larger variety of cardamom is less significant because it is not traded in the futures market, unlike the smaller variety which is actively traded.

Q4: What does the passage suggest about the global production of cardamom?
(a) India and Guatemala are the only producers of cardamom.
(b) Guatemala rivals India in the quality of cardamom.
(c) India leads in quality, while Guatemala competes in price.
(d) Indian cardamom is less expensive than its global counterparts.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage indicates that India is the largest producer and exporter of cardamom and that the Mysore variety is known for its high levels of cineol and limonene, making it more aromatic. It also mentions that Guatemalan cardamom is available at cheaper rates due to its lower quality, implying that India leads in quality while Guatemala competes on price.

Q5: Which of the following titles would be the most appropriate for the passage?
(a) “The Global Spice Trade: A Comprehensive Overview”
(b) “Cardamom: The Queen of Spices and Its Journey”
(c) “Agricultural Practices in India: A Case Study”
(d) “The Economic Impact of Spices in the International Market”
Ans: (b)
Sol: This title reflects the focus of the passage on cardamom's unique qualities, its history, and its global significance. It captures the essence of cardamom's prestige and its production journey, making it the most appropriate choice.

Passage - 2

1. Throughout human history, the leading causes of death have been infection and trauma. Modern medicine has achieved significant victories against both, and the major causes of ill  health and death are now chronic degenerative diseases, such as coronary artery disease, arthritis, cataracts, and cancer. These diseases have a long latency period before symptoms appear and a diagnosis is made. It follows that the majority of apparently  healthy people are actually pre-ill.
2. Many national surveys reveal that malnutrition is common in developed countries. This is not the calorie or micronutrient deficiency associated with developing nations; rather, it is a depletion of multiple micronutrients, often combined with caloric balance or excess. The incidence and severity of Type B malnutrition would likely be shown to be worse if newer micronutrient groups such as essential fatty acids and flavonoids were included in the surveys.
3. However, the pharmaceutical model has also created an unhealthy dependency culture, in which relatively few of us accept responsibility for maintaining our own  health. Instead, we have handed over this responsibility to health professionals who know very little about health maintenance or disease prevention.
4. Based on pharmaceutical thinking, most intervention studies have attempted to measure the impact of a single micronutrient on the incidence of disease. The classical approach contends that if you give a compound formula to test subjects and obtain positive results, you cannot know which ingredient is exerting the benefit, so you must test each ingredient individually.
5. So, do we need to analyze each individual’s nutritional status and then tailor a formula specifically for him or her? While we do not have the resources to analyze millions of individual cases, there is no need to do so. The vast majority of people consume suboptimal amounts of most micronutrients, and most of these micronutrients are very safe. Accordingly, a comprehensive and universal program of micronutrient support is probably the most cost-effective and safest way to improve the general  health of the nation.

Q1: What does the passage suggest about modern medicine’s impact on health?
(a) It has eliminated all diseases.
(b) Only focuses on chronic diseases.
(c) Shifted focus from infection to chronic diseases.
(d) Neglected the importance of nutrition.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage notes that while historical causes of death were infection and trauma, modern medicine has shifted focus to addressing chronic degenerative diseases such as coronary artery disease, arthritis, cataracts, and cancer.

Q2: According to the passage, what is a major health issue in developed countries?
(a) Caloric excess only.
(b) General malnutrition.
(c) Multiple micronutrient depletion.
(d) Over-reliance on medication.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage highlights that in developed countries, malnutrition is often characterized by a depletion of multiple micronutrients, even when caloric balance or excess is present.

Q3: What is implied about individuals’ roles in their own health care?
(a) Fully self-reliant.
(b) Dependent on professionals.
(c) Balanced with professional care.
(d) Irrelevant in modern healthcare.
Ans: (b)
Sol: The passage implies that there is an unhealthy dependency on health professionals for maintaining health, rather than individuals taking responsibility for their own health maintenance and disease prevention.

Q4: What does the passage indicate about the effectiveness of a universal micronutrient program?
(a) Ineffective and costly.
(b) Necessary for individual cases.
(c) Most effective and safe for general  health.
(d) Limited to specific groups.
Ans: (c)
Sol: The passage suggests that a comprehensive and universal program of micronutrient support is likely the most cost-effective and safest way to improve general health, given the widespread suboptimal intake of micronutrients and their safety.

Q5: Which of the following titles would be the most appropriate for the passage?
(a) “Nutritional Health Trends”
(b) “Modern Medicine’s Impact”
(c) “Micronutrients in Health”
(d) “Health Dependency Issues”
Ans: (d)
Sol: This title best captures the central theme of the passage, which discusses the issues related to dependency on health professionals and the potential benefits of a universal micronutrient program. The other titles focus more narrowly on specific aspects rather than the overarching theme of health dependency and its implications.