Doc: Narrative Passage- 5 | English Language Preparation for CUET UG PDF Download

Passage- 1

The finance ministry's recent decision to impose a 25% safeguard duty on solar equipment is expected to lead to an increase in solar power tariffs and affect sales. Power Minister R.K. Singh has assured project developers that the Centre will amend bidding rules to ensure that the higher import duties are passed through. However, there is still uncertainty regarding GST on solar panels. The last thing we need are taxes and duties that could harm solar power; bureaucratic inefficiency is already hindering progress. With this in mind, solar power in India will truly thrive when pigs fly.

The government aims to achieve a total solar power capacity of 100 GW by 2022, with 40 GW of that coming from rooftop installations. The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), the body overseeing the National Solar Mission, has successfully reduced tariffs for solar power projects, bringing them down to as low as Rs 2.44 per unit. However, there has been minimal progress on the solar rooftop front, with only 1 GW of rooftop power capacity installed so far.

The way forward involves engaging institutional partners to accelerate rooftop solar capacity. Experts believe India could tap into a solar rooftop power potential of 400 GW. What’s needed is a well-thought-out policy that includes options such as leasing battery packs for rooftop solar plants to help reduce upfront costs. Additionally, there is a need to increase the demand for rooftop solar capacity, for example, by making it easier to charge devices like phones, computers, and home appliances using solar power. This can encourage broader adoption.

There’s also potential for other uses, such as powering air conditioners or even charging electric vehicles, including two-wheelers. New products, like solar-powered induction cookers, must be introduced to create greater demand for solar panels. Regulatory measures must be implemented to support these changes and drive the growth of the solar power sector.

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Questions

1. What is the likely impact of the finance ministry's safeguard duty on solar equipment?

A) It will decrease solar power tariffs

B) It will increase solar power tariffs and affect sales

C) It will reduce the import duties on solar equipment

D) It will have no impact on solar power tariffs

  View Answer

2. What is the government's solar power target for 2022?

A) 40 GW from rooftop installations

B) 100 GW of total solar power capacity

C) 400 GW of rooftop solar power

D) 100 GW from non-rooftop solar power

  View Answer

3. What is missing in India’s solar rooftop plan according to experts?

A) Sufficient technological support

B) A well-structured policy to boost rooftop capacity

C) Financial support from foreign investments

D) Knowledge about solar power potential

  View Answer

4. What is one suggestion to increase the demand for rooftop solar power?

A) Lowering solar panel prices

B) Making it easy to charge devices like phones and computers using solar power

C) Offering free solar panels to citizens

D) Reducing taxes on electricity

  View Answer

5. The government aims to achieve __________ of solar power capacity by 2022.

A) 100 GW

B) 400 GW

C) 1 GW

D) 40 GW

  View Answer

Passage- 2

The education sector has witnessed significant changes in recent years, with new technologies emerging as powerful tools for enhancing learning experiences. Digital learning platforms, virtual classrooms, and interactive educational apps have become more popular, offering students flexibility and accessibility like never before. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of online education as schools and universities shifted to remote learning. This move to online education, while initially a challenge, has opened up new possibilities for students and educators alike.

However, despite the many advantages of online learning, challenges remain. One of the key issues is the digital divide—many students, especially in rural and low-income areas, do not have access to reliable internet connections or the necessary devices for online education. This creates inequality in access to quality education and limits the potential of digital learning.

To overcome these challenges, experts suggest that governments and educational institutions work together to provide affordable internet access and devices to underprivileged communities. Additionally, the development of hybrid learning models, combining both in-person and online elements, is gaining traction. These models aim to offer the best of both worlds: the flexibility and convenience of online learning with the social interaction and support of traditional classroom settings.

The future of education lies in blending traditional teaching methods with new, innovative technologies. As digital learning continues to evolve, it is crucial that educational policies adapt to ensure that all students, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to succeed.

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Questions

1. What is the central argument about the challenges and benefits of online education in the passage?

A) Online education has not proven to be effective due to technical difficulties.

B) Online education presents a significant challenge to underprivileged students, yet it offers new possibilities for enhanced learning.

C) Online education should be the exclusive mode of learning moving forward.

D) The transition to online education will lead to the complete closure of physical schools in the future.

  View Answer

2. How does the passage define the concept of "digital divide," and what impact does it have on online education?

A) The digital divide refers to a lack of interest in online education, particularly among students in rural areas.

B) The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to necessary technology for online learning and those who do not, leading to inequality in education.

C) The digital divide only affects students in urban areas who lack the infrastructure for digital learning.

D) The digital divide is a term used to describe the difference in educational outcomes between different states.

  View Answer

3. What is the role of hybrid learning models as proposed in the passage, and how do they address current challenges in education?

A) Hybrid learning models focus exclusively on online learning to enhance accessibility.

B) Hybrid learning models combine both traditional and online learning to leverage the benefits of both, including flexibility and social interaction.

C) Hybrid learning models are limited to rural schools and are not relevant in urban areas.

D) Hybrid learning models replace the need for physical classrooms entirely.

  View Answer

4. What does the passage suggest about the future direction of educational policies, and how should they adapt to current technological trends?

A) Educational policies should focus on maintaining traditional classroom teaching methods only.

B) Educational policies should be more rigid and stick to one mode of learning, whether online or in-person.

C) Educational policies should adapt to the evolving technological landscape and ensure equal access to learning opportunities for all students.

D) Educational policies should not focus on technology and should prioritize in-person classroom interactions.

  View Answer

5. The primary challenge posed by online education is the __________, which leads to unequal access to digital resources in different communities.

A) digital transformation

B) digital divide

C) digital platform shift

D) technological barrier

  View Answer