SYBCom Sem 3 Compehension Passage 9 Advertising

 Passage 9  Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

 Advertising

Advertising is the business of drawing public attention to a product/ service to try and convince potential customers into buying or using that product/service. It is done to boost sales. The attention drawn must be positive; hence advertisements tend to favourably stress the key points of the product/service.

Types of advertising and advertising media

Nowadays, it is tough to go a single day without encountering advertising in all its forms. Virtually any medium can be used, which means we are likely to come across ads everywhere we go. The section below explores the most common forms of advertising.

Billboards

Billboards are large outdoor signboards on which advertisers can put up creative images of their product for the public to see. They are a common form of most advertising, typically located in high traffic areas. A billboard attempts to be as eye-catching as possible, and is located in a traffic-heavy location where passers-by can easily see the ad.

Print

 Also called 'press advertising', this describes any advert that comes in the form of printed material. Therefore ads in newspapers, magazines, journals, etc., all come under print advertising. Such advertising has the potential to reach a broad audience as the ads may appear in national or local newspapers, or may appear in popular magazines which target a large readership base. When you get the chance, compare the style of advertisements in newspapers against the style of advertisements in magazines. Are there noticeable differences?

Radio

Many advertising agencies purchase airtime from radio channels, networks or stations in order to broadcast their ads. Radio ads are audio ads, which means that people only hear about the product/service. These ads tend to be very brief, lasting a minute or so. Due to their brevity, they try to be as catchy and memorable as possible.

There are two types of radio ads.

Live reads: During a show, a radio jockey (a person who plays recorded music for listeners) will read out an advertisement or endorse (publicly support) a company, product or service.

Produced spots: The advertisement agency records their ad, and sends it to the radio station for playback.

Television

This form is considered to be the most effective form of mass-market advertising (advertising designed to appeal to many different people at once) as one commercial can reach millions of viewers. Here, just as in radio advertising, advertisers purchase airtime from TV networks and channels, so that they can insert television commercials that could be as short as a few seconds, or as long as a few minutes. cost of such advertising can be incredibly high, especially during peak broadcast hours (or 'prime time'), when people are most likely to be at home and watching television.

Celebrity endorsements

In advertising, across all mediums, celebrities or known public figures (from sports figures to politicians to musicians) may endorse or publicly show their support for a product/service. Using such figures helps bolster the company's image, making it more recognisable to the public through their heroes and icons.

Online

This refers to various forms of advertising that rely on the internet as a platform for promoting products/services. Banner ads (ads located or 'embedded' within a webpage) and pop-up ads (new web-browser windows that open or ‘pop up' in front of a previously accessed webpage) are the two most common forms of online advertising. Short video advertisements, embedded either within a webpage or within a longer video, are also very common. As opposed to the older forms of print or broadcast advertising, online advertising can be targeted at a focused or interested audience using data analytics, algorithms and tracking software, making them more efficient than traditional modes of advertising.

Questions and Answers: 

1. What is advertising?

• Advertising is the business of drawing public attention to a product or service to convince potential customers to buy or use it.

2. What is the primary function of advertising?

• The primary function of advertising is to boost sales.

3. The two main features of advertising that enable it to fulfill its primary aim are:

• Drawing positive public attention.
• Favorably stressing the key points of the product or service.

4. Skim the passage and complete the following table.

Media	Typical/Identifying Characteristics/Features
Billboards	Large outdoor signboards, eye-catching, located in high-traffic areas.
Print	Ads in newspapers, magazines, journals; reach a broad audience, varying styles between newspapers and magazines.
Radio	Audio ads, brief and catchy, includes live reads by radio jockeys or produced spots recorded by ad agencies.
Television	Most effective mass-market advertising, commercials during peak hours, expensive, reaches millions of viewers.
Online	Ads on the internet; includes banner ads, pop-up ads, and short video ads; targeted using data analytics and algorithms.
Celebrity endorsements	Involves public figures supporting a product/service, boosts company image by associating with well-known personalities.

5. Using the notes you made in the table above, write a summary of the passage on advertising in your own words.

Advertising is the business of attracting public attention to products or services to increase sales. There are several types of advertising media, each with distinct characteristics. Billboards are large, eye-catching signs in high-traffic areas. Print advertising appears in newspapers and magazines, reaching a wide audience. Radio ads are brief and rely on catchy audio, either read live by a jockey or pre-recorded. Television advertising is highly effective, reaching millions, though costly; during peak hours. Online advertising uses the internet, featuring targeted banner ads, pop-ups, and video ads. Celebrity endorsements use famous personalities to enhance a company's image and appeal to the public. Each form of advertising is designed to highlight key product features and persuade potential customers.

 

SYBCom Sem3 Compehension Passage 7 Why Are Beggars Despised? George Orwell

 Passage 7 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

Why Are Beggars Despised?  George Orwell

It is worth saying something about the social position of beggars, for when one has consorted (be/spend time) with them, and found that they are ordinary human beings, one cannot help being struck by the curious attitude that society takes towards them. People seem to feel that there is some essential difference between beggars and ordinary 'working' men. They are a race apart—outcasts, like criminals and prostitutes. Working men 'work,' beggars do not 'work'; they are parasites, worthless in their very nature. It is taken for granted that a beggar does not 'earn' his living, as a bricklayer or a literary critic 'earns' his. He is a mere social excrescence (abnormal ugly outgrowth), tolerated because we live in a humane age, but essentially despicable (shameful/unworthy).

Yet if one looks closely one sees that there is no essential difference between a beggar's livelihood and that of numberless respectable people.

Beggers do not it is said; but then, what is work? A navy works by swinging a pick. An accountant us by adding up figures. A beggar works by standing out of doors in all weathers and getting varicose veins, chronic bronchitis, etc. It is a trade like any other; quite useless of course- but, then, many reputable trades are quite useless.

And as a social a beggar compares well with scores of others. He is honest compared with the sellers of most patent medicines, high minded compared with a Sunday newspaper proprietor, amiable compared with a hire-purchase tout (vender) —in short, a parasite, but a fairly harmless parasite. He seldom extracts more than a bare living from the community, and, what should justify him according to our ethical ideas, he pays for it over and over in suffering. I do not think there is anything about a beggar that sets him in a different class from other people, or gives most modern men the right to despise (hate) him.

Then the question arises, Why are beggars despised? -for they are despised, universally. I believe it is for the simple reason that they fail to earn a decent living. In practice nobody cares whether work is useful or useless, productive or parasitic; the sole thing demanded is that it shall be profitable. In all the modern talk about energy, efficiency, social service and the rest of it, what meaning is there except 'Get money, get it legally, and get a lot of it'? Money has become the grand test of virtue. By this test beggars fail, and for this they are despised. If one could earn even ten pounds a week at begging, it would become a respectable profession immediately.

 Questions and Answers:

1.       List the three different ways by which society differentiates between beggars and ordinary  'working' men.

       Ans:  - Beggars do not "work" while ordinary men do.

                  - Beggars are seen as parasites, while ordinary men are considered productive.

                  - Beggars are viewed as a separate, despised class, similar to criminals and prostitutes,

                     unlike ordinary men.

2.        Identify the word that indicates that the second paragraph contradicts what is stated in the first paragraph.

Ans:  The word "Yet" indicates the contradiction.

3.       'It is a trade like any other. . . ' What does 'it' refer to in this sentence?

Ans: “It” refers to begging.

4.       What qualities does the writer assign to a beggar?

Ans: The writer describes a beggar as honest, high-minded, amiable, and a fairly harmless          parasite.

5.       According to the writer, why are beggars despised?

Ans: Beggars are despised because they fail to earn a decent living and do not make a profit,

 which is the modern test of virtue.

6.       What is the most important factor about work?

Ans: The most important factor about work, according to the passage, is that it should be profitable.

7.       Which test do beggars fail?

Ans: Beggars fail the test of making money or being profitable.

8.       Do you think that the writer is sympathetic towards beggars? Justify your answer.

Ans: Yes, the writer is sympathetic towards beggars. (May be sarcastically.) He argues that beggars are no different from others, challenges the negative perception of them, and highlights their suffering and honesty.

9.       The writer mentions a number of other jobs/professions in the passage.  List these out.

Ans: The jobs/professions mentioned are bricklayer, literary critic, navy, accountant, sellers of patent medicines, Sunday newspaper proprietor, and hire-purchase tout.

10.  Change the voice in the following sentences.

               a. Why are beggars despised?   

               Ans: Why do people despise beggars?

               b. A beggar does not earn his living.

               Ans: His living is not earned by a beggar.

11.  Find out the meanings of the following words:

a. Consorted: Associated with or spent time with.  

b. Excrescence: An abnormal or unwanted growth.  

c. Navy: A laborer or worker who performs physical tasks like digging.  

d. Proprietor: The owner of a business or property.

e. Amiable: Friendly and pleasant.

 f. Tout: A person who sells something, often in an aggressive or annoying way.

 g. Parasite: A person who lives off others without giving anything in return. 

12.  Fill in the blanks with the correct option:

               a. Beggars are compared with  (compared to) other  ‘working' men.

               b. Shailesh paid for  (paid off) his telling a lie.

13.  Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:

              a. The attitude   of    people has to change.

              b. A crowded bus passed by  .

              c. The cat jumped into   the box.

SYBCom Sem3 Comprehension Passage 6 Quality _ By John Galsworthy

Passage 6  Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

Quality    By John Galsworthy

A week later, passing the little street, I thought I would go in and tell him how splendidly the new boots fitted. But when I came to where his shop had been, his name was gone. Still there, in the window, were the slim pumps, the patent leathers with cloth tops, the sooty riding boots.

I went in, very much disturbed. In the two little shops—again made into one—was a young man with an English face.

'Mr Gessler in? I said.

He gave me a strange, ingratiating look,

'No, sir', he said, 'no, But we can attend to anything with pleasure, We've taken the shop over. You've seen our name, no doubt, next door.

We make for some very good people,'

'Yes, yes', I said; 'but Mr Gessler?'

'Oh!' he answered; 'dead.'

'Dead! But I only received these boots from him last Wednesday week.'

'Ah!' he said; 'a shockin' go. Poor old man starved 'imself.' 'Good God!'

‘Slow starvation,the doctor called it! You see he went to work in such a way! Would keep the shop on; wouldn't have a soul touch his boots except himself.  When he got an order, it took him such a time, people won't wait. He lost everybody. And there he'd sit, goin' on and on- I will say that for him—not a man in London made a better boot! But look at the competition! He never advertised! Would 'ave the best leather, too, and do it all 'imself. Well, there it is. What could you expect with his ideas?'

'But starvation-‘  That may be a bit flowery, as the sayin' is—but I know myself he was sittin' over his boots day and night, to the very last. You see I used to watch him. Never gave 'imself time to eat; never had a penny in the house. All went in rent and leather. How he lived so long I don't know. He regular let his fire go out. He was a character. But he made good boots.'

'Yes', I said, 'he made good boots.'

And I turned and went out quickly, for I did not want that youth to know that I could hardly see.

Questions and Answers:

Choose the correct answer from the choices provided in the following sentences:

1. Mr Gessler was a

      a.  shoemaker.       b.  tailor.         c. draper.           d.       baker.

2. What did the narrator notice was missing from the shop?

      a.  Mr Gessler's name on the shop              b.     the windows in the shop

      c.   the display of shoes                                    d.      the shop assistant

3. The narrator received his boots from Mr Gessler the previous

      a.  Monday.                  b.          Wednesday.               c.      Thursday.              d.        Friday.

4. Mr Gessler's death is probably due to

      a.  tuberculosis.              b.    starvation.          c.       Pneumonia.           d.     heart attack

 5.  What thought does the narrator have as he passes by Mr Gessler’s Shop?

The narrator thought he would go in and tell Mr. Gessler how well the new boots fitted.

6. Whom does the narrator meet in the shop?

The narrator meets a young man with an English face who has taken over the shop.

7. Why does Mr Gessler's business decline? What happens to Mr. Gessler?

Mr. Gessler's business declines because he took a long time to make boots, didn't advertise, and insisted on making them himself using the best leather. He starved himself because he spent all his money on rent and leather, eventually leading to his death.

8. How does the narrator react to the news regarding Mr Gessler?

The narrator is shocked and saddened, and he leaves the shop quickly to hide his tears.

9. Briefly describe Mr Gessler's work routine.

Mr. Gessler worked day and night on making boots, never allowing anyone else to touch them. He spent all his money on materials and rent, often forgetting to eat and letting his fire go out.

10. Summarize the passage in your own words.

The narrator visits Mr. Gessler’s shop to compliment him on new boots but finds the shop under new management. The new owner informs him that Mr. Gessler has died of starvation because he was so dedicated to his craft that he neglected his own well-being. The narrator is deeply saddened by the news.

11. Find out the meanings of the following words and use them in sentences:

a.      sooty - covered with or colored like soot.

Sentence: The old fireplace was sooty after years of continuous use.

b.     ingratiating - intended to gain approval or favour.

Sentence: His ingratiating smile made everyone trust him instantly.

c.      starvation - suffering or death caused by lack of food.

Sentence: The reason for the death of the poor man was starvation.

d.     flowery - full of elaborate or literary words and phrases.

Sentence: Her flowery speech was beautiful but hard to understand.

12. Identify the tense in the sentence, "I went in, very much disturbed."

The tense used in this sentence is - past simple tense.

 

SYBCom Sem3 Comprehension Passage 3 Indra Nooyi: A Corporate Giant

 Passage 3 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

Indra Nooyi: A Corporate Giant

Indra Nooyi has directed the company's global strategy for over a decade and was the primary architect of its restructuring, including the divestiture (restructuring/selling off subsidiary business) of its restaurants into the successful Yum! Brands, inc. (incorporated-legally established), the spin-off (creating another independent sub business) and public offering of company-owned bottling operations into anchor bottler Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), acquiring Tropicana, and the merger with Quaker Oats that brought the vital Quaker and Gatorade businesses to PepsiCo. She earned plaudits (appreciation) for her strategic planning and vision.

Recently, Nooyi has been driving critical cross-business initiatives to enhance operations and enable PepsiCo to meet the changing needs of consumers and retailers, the company said. Speaking on behalf of PepsiCo's board of Directors, Presiding Director Robert E Allen said: 'We have seen first-hand the difference that Indra has made on the business and the people, and we look forward to working even more closely with her to usher (help) in the next generation of dramatic growth and advancement that has been a hallmark (identity mark/symbol) of PepsiCo since its founding.'

      On her part, Nooyi described her elevation (advancement/progress)) as a humbling experience. 'I am humbled by the opportunity to lead PepsiCo, and profoundly grateful to follow in the footsteps of Steve Reinemund, Roger Enrico, Wayne Calloway and Don Kendall. Steve has steered (directed) the company to a strong and enviable position, and he will be a continuing source of wisdom and perspective. I am equally fortunate to have amazing partners, not only on the board and executive team, but in the bright, talented colleagues around the world who deliver the results every day and as committed as I am to continue capturing every growth opportunity,’ Nooyi said.

There are many interesting aspects of Indra Nooyi's successful journey to the top of a prominent global corporation. one we'd like to take note of here is her explanation of how she was able to handle her official and personal responsibilities. She hired nannies (caretakers) and had a helpful family support system. PepsiCo, however, seems to have gone a good deal further, at least for its senior staffers, in creating a support system for their parental roles. Nooyi has said her nine-year old daughter would come from school and only had to call the office to say she wanted to come over to be near her mother; the office would arrange the details. She says it wasn't uncommon to find her daughter sitting with the company's founder-chief, or doing her homework in the offices of other executives; she talks of how it was usual for the entire senior team to lend a hand with others' children when the need arose, how the office telephone receptionist was trained to handle her children's queries and monitor their schedule when she herself would be travelling on work.

In sum, says Nooyi, rules two and three for how she has got to the top of the PepsiCo ladder (rule one being the pluses (+) of strong family ties) consist of co-opting (choosing/having) the 'entire ecosystem around you' to bring up your kids and for having a 'closed-loop'(fast response feedback connection link) system to keep you abreast (well-informed) of what's going on at home, thanks to the office. Put another way, the punishing (exhausting/demanding) output that helped get Nooyi to the top-never going home in the evening, answering e-mails promptly at 4 a.m. -was possible since her employers recognised that they couldn't expect her to optimally integrate her many roles with the office one, without making a sincere effort to meet her halfway.

This is far, far beyond what almost all employers, state or private, in business or any other field of work, consider appropriate. Yet, if you wish to foster and draw out the potential that, by definition, exists in each human, workplaces have to change in this direction. Else, remain satisfied with having worried, unsure employees, making unsatisfactory compromises in all directions.

Questions and answers:

1.   List out some of the reasons for Indra Nooyi's professional success.

ANS: The reasons for Indra Nooyi's professional success are :

a.   She could Manage a balance between her personal and professional responsibilities as she got a strong  support system at both places in her family as well as at her workplace.

b.   Directed PepsiCo's global strategy and restructuring.

c.   Initiated critical cross-business initiatives.

d.   Earned plaudits for strategic planning and vision.

2.   Give one example of each of the activities that Indra Nooyi undertookand which led to her rise in Pepsi Co?

ANS: The activities leading to her rise in PepsiCo are:

1. Strategic Restructuring: Divestiture of restaurants into Yum! Brands, Inc.

2. Strategic Acquisitions: Acquiring Tropicana and merging with Quaker Oats.

3.   What were the two main types of support that Indra Nooyi received which enabled her to devote herself to her career?

ANS: The two types of support that Nooyi received which enabled her career devotion are:

Family Support: Hiring nannies and a helpful family system.

Workplace Support: PepsiCo's arrangements for her daughter's needs and the same kind of support from her colleagues.

4.   Why does Indra Nooyi describe her experience as a humbling one?

Indra Nooyi describes her experience as humbling. She feels privileged and grateful to lead PepsiCo and to follow the legacy of previous leaders. She feels herself equally fortunate to have amazing partners, not only on the board and executive team, but also having the bright, talented colleagues around the world.

She also feels that the overall workplace environment that she got has helped her growth as a successful leader.

5.   Explain the following phrases as they have been used in the passage:

a. Entire Ecosystem: The complete network of people and systems around her.

b. Closed-loop: A self-sustaining system where information flows continuously.

c. Punishing Output: Extremely high productivity and work intensity.

d. Optimally Integrate Many Roles: Efficiently balancing and performing multiple responsibilities.

e. Foster and Draw Out: Encourage and develop potential.

6.   Rewrite the following sentences in indirect speech:

a.   'I am humbled by the opportunity to lead PepsiCo and profoundly grateful to follow the footsteps of Steve Reinemund, Roger Enrico, Wayne Calloway and Don Kendall.'

ANS: Indra Nooyi said that she was humbled by the opportunity to lead PepsiCo and profoundly grateful to follow in the footsteps of Steve Reinemund, Roger Enrico, Wayne Calloway, and Don Kendall.

b.  'We have seen first-hand the difference that Indra has made on the business and the people, and we look forward to working even more closely with her to usher in the next generation of dramatic growth and advancement that has been a hallmark of PepsiCo since its founding.'

ANS: Robert E. Allen stated that they had seen first-hand the difference that Indra had made on the business and the people, and they looked forward to working even more closely with her to usher in the next generation of dramatic growth and advancement that had been a hallmark of PepsiCo since its founding.

7.   'Recently, Nooyi has been driving critical cross-business initiatives to enhance operations and enable PepsiCo to meet the changing needs of consumers and retailers.' Rewrite this sentence in past tense.

ANS: Recently, Nooyi drove critical cross-business initiatives to enhance operations and enable PepsiCo to meet the changing needs of consumers and retailers.

8.   The last paragraph of the passage is an example of:

    a.   illustration

    b.   conclusion

c.   inference

d.   statement

9.   From the passage pick out one word/phrase that represents:

   a.   Time : Recently

b.   Comment: Punishing output

c.   Conclusion: In sum

Conclusion: In sum

SYBCom Sem 3 Comprehension - Passage 2 The Responsibilities of Young Citizens

Passage 2  Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follows. 

The Responsibilities of Young Citizens. --- By Lal Balladur Shastri

Whatever your station (position) in future life, you should first of all think of yourselves as citizens of this country. This confers (talks) on you certain rights, are guaranteed by the Constitution, but it also subjects you to certain responsibilities, which also have to be clearly understood.

Ours is a democracy, which enjoins freedom to the individual, but this freedom has to be subjected to a number of voluntary (self decided) restraints in the interests of organised society. And these voluntary restraints have to be exercised and demonstrated in everyday life.

A good citizen is one who obeys the law, whether there is a policeman around or not, and who takes delight in performing his civic (social) duties. In the olden days, sense of self-restraint and discipline was inculcated by the combined effort of the family and the teacher. The economic stresses of present-day life unfortunately do not leave enough time to the parents to look after the children.

In the educational institutions the numbers have grown so large as to take away the benefits, which used to accrue (accumulate) formerly by personal contact between the teacher and the taught. Inevitably (unavoidably), our young students are often left much to their own resources. Often this creates problems, which we all know about. This is an important aspect, which needs thorough examination. The responsibility of our young citizens is great. In my view every station in life is important in itself. Work has its own dignity and there is great satisfaction in doing one's own job to the best of one's ability. Whatever the duties, we should apply ourselves with sincerity and devotion. Such an approach, apart from being good in itself, also has the added advantage of opening avenues (paths) for further advancement. We have to see whether we have done our own job well before thinking of criticising anybody else. All too often, we succumb (surrender) to the temptation of decrying (criticizing) others without bothering to look to ourselves.

Never forget that loyalty (faithfulness) to the country comes ahead of all other loyalties. And this is an absolute loyalty, since one cannot weigh it in terms of what one receives. It is essential to remember that the entire country is one and that anyone who fosters (nurture) or promotes separatism or fissiparous (dividing) tendencies is not our true friend, What I have said stems (shoots/comes) from a desire to see that the youth of our country prepares itself in a disciplined and determined manner for the responsibilities of tomorrow A democratic country is sustained not by the greatness of a few but by the cooperative effort of the many. "The future of the country is in your hands and as the older generations complete their task the new ones come along to take their place. If they are well equipped as individuals and a; citizens, the country's future will be bright indeed. At a time when you are at the threshold of a new period in your life I would urge (need) you to play your role with confidence.

Our position with regard to secularism is known so well that it hardly needs any reiteration (restatement/repetition)). It is embodied in our Constitution, which ensures equal respect for all religions and equal opportunities for all citizens, irrespective of their caste and creed (belief)) and the faith which they profess (own). In spite of a seeming diversity, there is a fundamental unity in India, which we all cherish and it has to be our constant endeavor (try hard) to maintain and strengthen this unity.

The country can progress only if it does away completely with fissiparous tendencies and emerges as an integrated whole. And it is in the field of education that the seed of secularism has to be sown at the earliest stages, so that the plant can be carefully nurtured as it grows. (abridged version of a speech delivered by Lal Bahadur Shastri on 19 December 1964)

Questions & Answers: 

1.  What is the main idea of this passage?

Ans: The passage emphasizes the responsibilities of young citizens, highlighting the importance of civic duties, loyalty to the country, and the role of education in fostering secularism and unity.

2.  Describe two characteristics of a good citizen.

Ans: The two Characteristics of a Good Citizen are.. 1. A good citizen obeys the law regardless of supervision (policeman around or not). 2. A good citizen takes delight in performing civic duties.

3.  Which two institutions helped inculcate the qualities of a good citizen in human beings in the past? Are they as effective today as they were earlier.

Ans: Institutions that inculcated qualities of a good citizen are.. 1. Family and 2. Teachers. These institutions are not as effective today due to economic stresses on parents and large number of students reducing personal contact between teacher and student.

4.  What role has education to play for the development of our country?

Ans: The most important role of education in the development of our country is to inculcate secularism and unity in the citizens. In other words, It sows the seeds of secularism and nurtures unity, ensuring citizens respect all religions and have equal opportunities, thus fostering national integration.

5.  What will make our youth well-equipped as individuals and citizens?

Ans: Youth will be well-equipped through sincerity, devotion to their duties, and by preparing themselves in a disciplined and determined manner for future responsibilities.

6.  Explain the meaning of 'absolute loyalty'.

Ans:  Absolute loyalty means complete and unconditional loyalty to the country, without thinking or considering it against what one receives in return.

7.  Rephrase the following sentence beginning with the agent (doer Of the action) as the subject.

“A democratic country is sustained not by the greatness of a few but by the cooperative effort of the many.”

Ans: The cooperative effort of the many sustains a democratic country, not the greatness of a few.

8.  Explain the following sentence in your own words:

“In spite of a seeming diversity, there is a fundamental unity in India.”

Ans:  The sentence means that, despite the apparent differences among people, there is an underlying unity in India that is precious and needs to be maintained.

9.  write the meanings of the following words.

a.        Fissiparous: Dividing attitude, Separatist.

b.       secular: Not connected with particular religious.

c.        advance: Move forward or make progress.

d.       inculcate: Teach an idea, attitude, or habit.

10.   Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

a.       The students in the class are thinking (think) of ways to celebrate Teachers' Day.

b.       The soldier Succumbed (succumb) to his injuries.

c.       It is important that we sustain (sustain) the environment  for the greater good.

SYBCom Sem 3 Comprehension - Passage 1 Leadership Skills

 Passage 1   Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.

Leadership Skills

The term 'soft skills' refers to a group of skills and personal qualities that present-day employers look for and value in their employees. Soft skills relate to excellent communication skills, both spoken and written, positive personality traits, social skills and personal attitudes. In this sense, soft skills complement hard skills, which have to do the technical requirements of a job. Hence, you may have the right professional qualifications, be academically brilliant and perhaps even have the required work experience, but you will be successful in an organisation only if you know, for example, how to work as part of a team or how to get along with both your senior and junior colleagues. In other words, soft skills are all about how you deal with people. They are very important in the present-day professional context that requires constant interaction and communication. Thus, it is not surprising that very often, an interviewer talking to two different candidates with equally impressive CVs, decides in favour of the one who seems relaxed, open, friendly and well-adjusted. Of course, neat personal appearance and pleasing personality also makes a positive impression in such situations.

While soft skills are acquired early in life and depend to a great extent on the environment in which you were brought up, they can also be consciously learnt. The process could begin either by asking someone who know you closely to decide whether you possess the soft skills or through an honest self-appraisal. You can begin by looking at some of the soft skills recommended by behavioural training experts.

In short, soft skills are personality traits that determine a person's interaction with others and the ability to be successful at work. Soft skills complement a person's professional skills and affect his or her performance at work, relationships with colleagues and career prospects. Some important soft skills employers look for in the people they employ are attitude, adaptability, goal setting, motivation, time management, stress management, critical thinking and problem solving, team work and leadership.

 Questions and Answers:

1. List five skills that can be considered to be part of the soft skills repertoire of an individual.

Attitude

Adaptability

Goal setting

Motivation

Time management

2. How do we acquire soft skills?

Soft skills can be acquired early in life through the environment in which one is brought up. They can also be consciously learned either by asking someone who knows you closely to evaluate whether you possess soft skills or through an honest self-appraisal.

3. Why do you think relationships are important in the work environment?

Relationships are important in the work environment because they enable effective interaction and communication, which are essential for teamwork, collaboration, and a harmonious workplace. Good relationships with colleagues can improve job satisfaction and productivity.

4. How does teamwork complement your soft skills?

Teamwork complements soft skills by enhancing one's ability to work effectively with others. It requires good communication, cooperation, and mutual respect, which are all integral parts of soft skills. Teamwork helps individuals learn from each other, solve problems collectively, and achieve common goals.

5. Give examples of soft skills mentioned in the passage.

Leadership

Stress management

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Social skills

6. Make notes of the key points and sub-points from the passage regarding soft skills.

Definition of soft skills:

Skills and personal qualities valued by employers

Relate to communication, personality traits, social skills, and attitudes

Importance of soft skills:

Complement hard (technical) skills

Essential for teamwork and interaction

Influence hiring decisions

Affect performance, relationships, and career prospects

Acquisition of soft skills:

Early development based on environment

Conscious learning through self-appraisal or feedback from others

Examples of soft skills:

Attitude, adaptability, goal setting, motivation, time management, stress management, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, leadership

7. What qualities do you need for employment apart from your qualifications?

Apart from qualifications, you need soft skills such as excellent communication, a positive personality, social skills, adaptability, goal setting, motivation, time management, stress management, critical thinking, problem solving, teamwork, and leadership.

8. State the relation between soft skills and work environment.

Soft skills are crucial in a work environment that requires constant interaction and communication. They influence how well an individual can work as part of a team, build relationships with colleagues, and contribute to a positive and productive workplace.

9. Explain the following sentence in your own words: In other words, soft skills are all about how you deal with people.

Soft skills refer to your ability to interact and communicate effectively with others, handle relationships, and navigate social situations in the workplace.

10. Write down the meanings of the following words:

a. Professional: Relating to a job that requires special education, training, or skill.

b. Team: A group of people working together towards a common goal.

c. Skills: The abilities and expertise required to perform tasks effectively.

11. Pick out words from the passage that convey the following meanings:

a. Addition: Complement

b. Conclusion: In short

c. Contrast: But,

d. Comment: For example