Read the following passage :
(1) Cell phones have become a nearly universal aspect of contemporary Western culture. In many locations, children of elementary school age regularly carry cell phones. Cell phones, however, are not always welcome, and in some areas cell phone are banned. The reasons for the bans range from health to safety. There are various reasons for not allowing cell phones in the schools. Most of the schools have banned their usage in schools completely.
(2) It is not only the classrooms where there is a blanket ban on the usage of the cell phones but it has been banned while driving too. Distracted driving is a major factor in serious and fatal automobile accidents. In the United States many locations have passed laws banning the use of cell phones while driving. Other laws allow cell phones to be used for conversation if they are connected to hands-free devices. Texting while driving poses a heightened risk because it involves taking one or both hands off the steering wheel in order to operate the telephone keypad. President Barack Obama issued an executive order banning texting while driving for federal employees in 2009. Teenagers are especially prone to text while driving.
(3) The original reason given for banning cell phones on airplanes was the risk of interference with sensitive cockpit equipment. Newer digital phones have been shown to present little or no risk to air navigation, though, several airlines have lifted bans on cell phone use. There are usually still restrictions involved with on-board cell phone use, such as limitations to a particular network. The United States has continued to ban cell phone use on airplanes. The House of Representatives went so far as to draft a bill called HANG UP (H.R. 5788 Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace Act of 2008) although the bill never made it out of committee. With airlines such as American Airlines introducing on-board Wi-Fi service, some commentators believe it is only a matter of time before cell phone use is also permitted, especially if the airlines are allowed to charge fees.
(A) Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words.
(a) According to the passage what is the position of cell phones in today's culture? Why has it been a cause of worry in some sectors ?
(b) How is the use of cell phones while driving fatal ? What is the stand of the United States. on it ?
(c) Why did Barack Obama ban the texting while driving ?
(d) Why was the use of cell phone banned in airplanes? What change has taken place now ?
(B) Do as directed.
(a) Which of the following alternatives is a synonym for the word, 'contemporary', as used in the passage?
(i) permanent (ii) co-existent (iii) temporary (iv) old
(b) Which of the following alternatives, is a substitute for the word, 'fatal', as used in the passage?
(i) normal (ii) serious (iii) deadly (iv) sudden
(c) Which of the following alternatives, is a substitute for the word, 'poses', as used in the passage?
(i) causes (ii) affects (iii) position (iv) invites
(d) Which of the following alternatives, is an antonym for the word, 'prone to', as used in the passage?
(i) inclination (ii) not affected (iii) like (iv) assume
Answers
(b) Distracted driving is a major factor in serious and fatal automobile accidents. In the United States many locations have passed laws banning the use of cell phones while driving. Other laws allow cell phones to be used for conversation only if they are connected to hands-free devices.
(c) Texting while driving poses a heightened risk because it involves taking one or both hands off the steering wheel in order to operate the telephone keypad. President Barack Obama issued an executive order banning texting while driving for federal employees in 2009.
(d) The use of cell phone in airplanes was banned because it interfered with sensitive cockpit equipment. Now the newer digital phones have been shown to present little or no risk to air navigation so several airlines have lifted ban on cell phone use.
(B) (a) (ii) co-existent
(b) (iii) deadly
(c) (i) causes
(d) (ii) not affected
Answer:
(a) Cell phones have become a nearly universal aspect of Contemporary Western Culture. In many locations even the children of elementary classes carry cell phones. Cell phones, however, are not always welcome as they involve the risk on health and safety.
(b) Distracted driving is a major factor in serious and fatal automobile accidents. In the United States many locations have passed laws banning the use of cell phones while driving. Other laws allow cell phones to be used for conversation only if they are connected to hands-free devices.
(c) Texting while driving poses a heightened risk because it involves taking one or both hands off the steering wheel in order to operate the telephone keypad. President Barack Obama issued an executive order banning texting while driving for federal employees in 2009.
(d) The use of cell phone in airplanes was banned because it interfered with sensitive cockpit equipment. Now the newer digital phones have been shown to present little or no risk to air navigation so several airlines have lifted ban on cell phone use.
(B) (a) (ii) co-existent
(b) (iii) deadly
(c) (i) causes
(d) (ii) not affected
Explanation: