Question

Read the following passage carefully :
The news paper is one of the significant signs of modern civilization. It is the most popular form of reading in the present times because it interests all sorts of people. It is full of political, news, sports and commercial news, as well as articles by well-known writers. A newspaper keeps us both entertained and informed.
In these days of democracy, public opinion rules everywhere. No government can long withstand the pressure of a strong public opinion. It is, therefore, quite clear if the press controls public opinion, and public opinion in turn controls the government, ultimately the Press controls the government. It acts as an interpreter between the government and the people and brings the rulers and the ruled together.
The press also acts as a public court. All evils, corruptions, vices, scandals, etc. are given publicity and brought forth to the public through the medium of newspapers. The pressure of public opinion can be brought to bear upon the doers of evil and injustice. The oppressed and the downtrodden may easily demand justice at the bar of public opinion.
Again, to build a nation, it becomes necessary to spread ideas of liberty and independence among the masses. The real freedom of a country is never possible without the upliftment of the corners people. Politicians as well as economists can circulate their ideas through newspapers, as they reach the most distant corners in the shortest possible time. Newspapers also tell people what their rights are and teach them how they can protect and exercise their rights. By placing before the readers new view¬points every day, they stimulate thought and increase the power of independent thinking. Thus, newspapers contribute to the development of knowledge and their educative influence is indeed immense.
The advantages of having a strong, independent and honest press far outweighs the evils practiced by a few cheap, irresponsible newspapers. The newspaper is one of the greatest blessings of civilization and journalism and therefore, it should be allowed to have the maximum amount of freedom possible.
Restriction on newspaper should be as few as possible in order to ensure the healthy growth of a nation. In the present stage of developing civilization, newspapers are a absolute necessity and given freedom of expression, they are capable of doing immense good to society, the country and the world. Thus, the freedom of Press, is the requisite for freedom of the people.
(A) Answer the following questions in about 30-40 words :
(a) Give three reasons to show the importance of the newspaper.
(b) How does public opinion rule everywhere in case of democracy ?
(c) Why is the freedom of the press essential ?
(d) When can real freedom come to existence ?
(B) Do as directed :
(a) Which word in the passage means 'crushed' ?
(i) spoiled (ii) trodden (iii) rotten (iv) untidy
(b) Find out the antonym of 'discourage' from the passage :
(i) encourage (ii) secure (iii) stimulate (iv) inspire
(c) Find the synonym of 'colossal' from the passage :
(i) immense (ii) small (iii) beautiful (iv) big
(d) Find out the antonym of 'restriction' from the passage :
(i) slavery (ii) courage (iii) influence (iv) freedom

Answer 1

(A) (a) The three reasons are:
 (i) In the present time, newspaper interests all sorts of people as it contains political news, sports, commercial news as well as articles of well-known writers.
(ii) Newspaper keeps us both entertained and informed.
(iii) Through the medium of newspaper, all evils, corruptions, vices, scandals etc are given publicity and brought forth to the public.
(b) In democracy, public opinion is controlled by press, in turn controls the government.
(c) Freedom of the press is essential because it is must for the freedom of people.
 (d) For real freedom, press, especially the newspaper which is one of the greatest blessings of civilization and journalism, should be allowed to have the maximum amount of
freedom.
 (B) (a) (ii) trodden
 (b) (i) encourage
 (c) (i) immense
(d) (iv) freedom

Answer 2

(A)
(a) Newspapers keep us both entertained and informed.  Newspapers are signs of modern civilization.  They carry political, sports and commercial news.  They carry articles by well known writers.

(b) Press controls the public opinion. And the Public opinion controls the government.  Public opinion expressed through press exerts high pressure on government and on doers of evil and injustice.  No one can withstand this pressure.  Thus public opinion rules everywhere.

(c) Newspapers teach people what their rights are.  They teach them how to protect them and exercise them.  Press helps spreading ideas of liberty and independence.  Press develops knowledge among people.  Even though some newspapers are irresponsible, an honest , strong independent press is good for the society.  Newspaper is a great blessing of civilization and journalism.  Without freedom of expression by the press, upliftment of the society and development are not possible. Healthy growth of the country will stop.  So pressmust be allowed maximum freedom.

(d) When newspapers are given full freedom of expression and when the freedom of press is really given, then real freedom comes into existence in the country and in people.

(B)
a) trodden
b) encourage
c) immense
d) freedom