Question

5. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

The Taj Mahal is leaking at three places and one of the leaks is more than eight
years old. According to the officials of Archaeological Survey of India, the two
other leaks were noticed last Thursday after a heavy downpour. The attendants of
the monuments said that though the dome had been leaking for over eight years,
no action had been taken to plug it. They showed a UNI reporter the spots which
had developed leaks.

The officials and the attendants spoke on condition that they were not to be identified.
The superintending archaeologists refused to comment on the ground that ASI
conventions forbade officials to speak to the Press.

Of the two new leaks, one is on the dome and other is on the arch near the entrance to
the main chamber. The attendants said that the leaks were due to fissures in the dome.
An ASI officer said contractors have been instructed to initiate repairs as soon as the
rain ends. In the meantime, a tarpauline sheet has been spread over the central dome.
Plugging the fissures will involve a process known as 'water tightening' by which old
concrete is replaced with new, the official said, 'We are taking all possible measures
to plug the leaks," he said.

Leaks at the Taj Mahal are not new. A leak had developed a decade ago and historical
records also say that the dome had leaked soon after its construction.

Prince Aurangzeb, who supervised the repairs in the absence of Emperor Shahjahan,

had in a letter said that molten silver was used to plug the leak.
(a) State whether the following statements are true or false. Write 'T"

'F' for false (You need not write the sentences, write only the numbers):

(i) The ASI Officers spoke to the reporters freely.

(ii) At the advent of the rains, the repair works started.
(iii) Molten silver was used to plug the fissures in the dome.

(iv) A heavy downpour took place on last Thursday.

(b) Answer each of the following questions in about 30 words:

(i) Why did the superintending archaeologists refuse to comment?

(ii) What is 'water tightening'?

(iii) What temporary measure has been taken for the leaks?

Answer 1

a.

i. False

ii. False

iii. True

iv. True

b.

i. The superintending archaeologists refused to comment on the ground that ASI conventions forbade officials to speak to the Press.

ii. 'Water tightening' is a method which involves replacing the old concrete with new for plugging the fissures.

iii. A tarpauline sheet has been spread over the central dome as a temporary measure against the leaks.

Answer 2

Answer:

why did the superintending archaeologis refuse to comment