Unseen Passage for Class 8 English

Unseen Passage for Class 8: Unseen passages are reading exercises where students encounter a piece of text for the first time during an exam or practice session. These comprehension passage for class 8 are designed to test reading comprehension skills by presenting unfamiliar topics or literary styles. Students must read carefully, understand the main ideas, and answer questions based on their understanding of the passage. Practicing with unseen passages helps students improve their ability to grasp new information quickly, enhances their vocabulary, and sharpens their analytical thinking skills.

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Unseen Passage for Class 8 English

The reading comprehension segment of the exam consists of two unseen passages, each carrying 10 marks. One passage adopts a discursive approach, offering multiple-choice questions that evaluate inference and vocabulary skills. The second passage presents factual information through a case-based scenario, often including statistical data or charts to assess analytical and interpretative abilities. For each passage, students are required to answer ten out of twelve questions provided.

This section holds significant weight, contributing 25% to the overall English paper score, underscoring its importance for students aiming to enhance their overall performance.

Below, we have a collection of unseen passages tailored for Class 8 students. These passages cover essential topics from the Class 8 curriculum, complete with answers, and are crafted according to the latest CBSE syllabus guidelines. CBSE unseen passages Class 8 English are designed to aid students in understanding crucial concepts and improving their comprehension skills effectively.

Also Check: Diary Entry for Class 8

Unseen Passage for Class 8 CBSE English – Passage 1

Mount Everest

Mount Everest, standing tall at 8,848 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in the world. Located in the Himalayas, on the border between Nepal and Tibet, it has been a fascination for adventurers and climbers since its first summit in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The mountain is known as “Chomolungma” in Tibetan, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World,” reflecting its awe-inspiring presence and spiritual significance to the local Sherpa people.

Despite its allure, conquering Everest is an extreme challenge. The treacherous conditions, including freezing temperatures, thin air, and unpredictable weather, have claimed many lives over the years. Climbers face not only physical but also mental challenges as they ascend through different climate zones, battling altitude sickness and exhaustion.

The allure of Everest extends beyond climbers. It serves as a crucial source of income for Nepal, with thousands of tourists visiting the region annually to trek to base camp or simply to catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring peak. However, this influx of visitors also poses environmental challenges, with concerns about litter, waste disposal, and the impact of human presence on the delicate ecosystem of the Himalayas.

Questions:

1. Where is Mount Everest located?
2. What is the local Tibetan name for Mount Everest, and what does it mean?
3. Who were the first climbers to summit Mount Everest?
4. What are some challenges that climbers face while attempting to climb Everest?
5. How does Mount Everest contribute to the economy of Nepal?
6. What are some environmental concerns related to tourism around Mount Everest?

Answers:

1. Mount Everest is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, in the Himalayas.
2. The local Tibetan name for Mount Everest is “Chomolungma,” which means “Goddess Mother of the World.”
3. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first climbers to summit Mount Everest in 1953.
4. Climbers face challenges such as freezing temperatures, thin air, unpredictable weather, altitude sickness, and exhaustion.
5. Mount Everest serves as a significant source of income for Nepal through tourism, with thousands of tourists visiting the region annually.
6. Environmental concerns related to tourism around Mount Everest include littering, waste disposal issues, and the impact of human presence on the delicate Himalayan ecosystem.

Also Check: CBSE Class 8 English Notice Writing

CBSE Class 8 English Unseen Passage – Passage 2

The Importance of Rainforests

Rainforests, dense and lush with diverse flora and fauna, play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of our planet. Covering only about 6% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to over half of the world’s plant and animal species. Located primarily near the equator, rainforests are found in South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.

The biodiversity of rainforests supports a myriad of life forms. Trees in rainforests can grow up to 50 meters tall and create a complex canopy that regulates temperature and humidity levels below. This unique environment supports countless species of insects, birds, mammals, and amphibians, many of which are not found anywhere else on Earth.

Apart from their biological significance, rainforests also provide invaluable ecosystem services. They help regulate the global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen through photosynthesis. Rainforests act as carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon that would otherwise contribute to climate change if released into the atmosphere.

However, rainforests face severe threats from deforestation, primarily driven by agriculture, logging, and urbanization. Clearing land for farming, mining, and infrastructure projects leads to habitat loss and fragmentation, endangering countless species and disrupting vital ecological processes.

Efforts are underway to conserve and protect rainforests through initiatives like sustainable forestry practices, national parks, and wildlife reserves. Conservation efforts not only aim to preserve biodiversity but also recognize the cultural and economic importance of rainforests to indigenous communities and local economies.

Questions:

1. Where are rainforests primarily located?
2. What is the significance of rainforests in terms of biodiversity?
3. How do rainforests contribute to regulating the global climate?
4. What are the main threats to rainforests?
5. What efforts are being made to conserve rainforests?
6. Besides biodiversity, why are rainforests important?

Answers:

1. Rainforests are primarily located near the equator in regions such as South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
2. Significance of Rainforests: Rainforest host over half of the world’s plant and animal species, showcasing immense biodiversity.
3. Rainforests help regulate the global climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen through photosynthesis.
4. The main threats to rainforests include deforestation for agriculture, logging, and urbanization, leading to habitat loss and fragmentation.
5. Conservation efforts include sustainable forestry practices, establishment of national parks and reserves, and initiatives to involve indigenous communities in forest management.
6. Besides biodiversity, rainforests are important for regulating water cycles, providing ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, and supporting indigenous cultures and local economies.

Unseen Passage Class 8 – Passage 3

The Story of Marie Curie

Marie Curie, born Maria Sklodowska in Warsaw, Poland in 1867, became one of the most renowned scientists in history for her pioneering research on radioactivity. Despite facing gender barriers, she pursued higher education and moved to Paris, where she met Pierre Curie, a physicist whom she married and collaborated with on groundbreaking experiments.

Marie Curie’s research focused on understanding the properties of radioactive elements, particularly uranium and thorium. In 1898, she discovered a new element, which she named polonium after her native Poland. Later that year, alongside her husband Pierre and Henri Becquerel, she isolated another radioactive element, radium. Their work not only expanded scientific knowledge but also laid the foundation for future developments in nuclear physics and medicine.

Despite her scientific achievements, Marie Curie faced challenges and discrimination as a woman in the male-dominated scientific community. She persevered, becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in 1903, jointly awarded with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity. After Pierre’s tragic death in 1906, Marie Curie continued her research and teaching career, becoming the first woman professor at the University of Paris.

Marie Curie’s contributions to science were not limited to her discoveries. During World War I, she developed mobile X-ray units, known as “petite Curies,” to assist battlefield surgeons in treating wounded soldiers. Her dedication and humanitarian efforts earned her further recognition and respect.

Marie Curie’s legacy continues to inspire scientists and women around the world. Her relentless pursuit of knowledge and determination in the face of adversity have left an indelible mark on the field of science and society as a whole.

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Questions:

1. Where was Marie Curie born?
2. What were Marie Curie’s major contributions to science?
3. Who did Marie Curie collaborate with on her groundbreaking experiments?
4. How did Marie Curie contribute to World War I efforts?
5. What challenges did Marie Curie face as a woman scientist?
6. Why is Marie Curie considered a significant figure in scientific history?

Answers:

1. Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1867.
2. Her major contributions to science: It include the discovery of polonium and radium, pioneering research on radioactivity, and development of mobile X-ray units during World War I.
3. It collaborated with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel on her groundbreaking experiments.
4. During World War I, Marie Curie developed mobile X-ray units (petite Curies) to assist battlefield surgeons in treating wounded soldiers.
5. Marie Curie faced challenges and discrimination as a woman in the male-dominated scientific community, despite her significant scientific achievements.
6. Marie Curie is considered a significant figure in scientific history for her pioneering research on radioactivity, Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, and contributions to medicine during wartime.