Passages for Comprehension
Passage 1
Tolerance, non-violence and peaceful public discussion of various issues are among the principal traits
of a democratic set-up. But, of late, violence has been increasing sharply, tainting the polity to a
disconcerting degree. Democracy, the rule of the people, is undeniably the only way to govern a country
such as India with its immense diversity, many religions and languages. But the spectacle of
Parliamentarians and State legislators indulging in violence is a sad reflection on the Indian polity. If
intolerance of others' opinions, non-secular actions, caste and similar other factors are not kept away from
politics, there would be a grave danger to democracy. There is little doubt that violence, whatever shape it
takes - communal, political or other - indicates a breakdown of the State. It also manifests fragility and
indefensible weakness of the social order. It points to a lack of sound character, a flaw in the mental
makeup of people, a rashness of temperament and lack of mental balance. It is a ticket to nowhere. In
fact, it spells relation of the worst type. It solves no problem and mends no situation.
Questions :
1. What principal traits of a democratic set-up does the writer mention ?
2. How is democracy defined in the passage ?
3. Why is democracy the most suitable way to govern India ?
4. What does violence indicate ?
5. Write a suitable title...
Answers
1 Tolerance, non-violence and peaceful public discussion of various issues are among the principal traits of a democratic set-up
2 Democracy, the rule of the people, is undeniably the only way to govern a country such as India with its immense diversity, many religions and languages.
3 Democracy is the most suitable way to govern India as there are a vast number of people of different religions in india.
4 whatever shape violence takes - communal, political or other - indicates a breakdown of the State. It also manifests fragility and indefensible weakness of the social order. It points to a lack of sound character, a flaw in the mental makeup of people, a rashness of temperament and lack of mental balance.
5 '' THE CAUSES OF VIOLENCE ''