Question

(1) As the family finally sets off from home after many arguments there is a moment of lull as the car takes off. “Alright, so where are we going for dinner now?” asks the one at the driving wheel. What follows is a chaos as multiple voices make as many suggestions.

Accepted Answer

(2) By the time order is restored and a decision is arrived at, tempers have risen, feelings injured and there is at least one person grumbling.

(3) Twenty years ago, you would step out of home, decision of meal and venue already made with no arguments or opposition and everybody looked forward to the meal with equal enthusiasm. The decision was made by the head of the family and the others fell in line. Today every member of the family has a say in every decision which also promotes a sense of togetherness and bonding.

(4) We empower our kids to take their own decisions from a very early age. We ask them the cuisine they prefer, the movie they want to see, the holiday they wish to go on and the subjects they wish to study.

(5) It's a closely connected world out there where children consult and guide each other. A parent’s well meaning advice can sound like nothing more than unnecessary preaching. How then do we reach our children through all the conflicting views and make the voice of reason be heard ? Children today question choices and prefer to go with the flow.

(6) What then is the best path to take? I would say the most important thing one can do is to listen. Listen to your children and their silences. Ensure that you keep some time aside for them, insist that they share their stories with you. Step into their world. It is not as complicated as it sounds; just a daily half an hour of the quality time would do the trick.

On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following questions in 30 - 40 words each.

A. Write one advantage and one disadvantage of allowing every family member to be part of the decision making process.

Advantage: every member of the family has a say in every decision / voice their opinion / promotes a sense of togetherness and bonding. (any one)

Disadvantage: there is chaos / feelings injured / grumbling members / tempers rise

B. In today’s world, what are parents asking their kids ?

to take decisions at a very early age / the cuisine they prefer / the movie that they want to see / the holiday they wish to go on / the subjects they wish to study.

C. Which two pieces of advice does the writer give to the parents ?

listen to children and their silences / ensure that you keep some time aside for them / insist that they share their stories with you /step into their world / spend at least half an hour of quality time with children.

D. The passage supports the parents. How far do you agree with the author’s views ? Support your view with a reason

Agree with the author’s view. – parent’s well-meaning advice / empowering their kids to take their own decision

Disagree with the author’s views – children question choices and prefer to go with the flow/ children consult and guide each other

On the basis of your reading of the above passage, answer the following

A. The synonym of ‘hurt’ as given in paragraph 2 is ____ .

The synonym of ‘hurt’ as given in paragraph 2 is injured.

B. The word which means the same as ‘a style or method of cooking’ in paragraph 4 is :

i. Cuisine ii. Gourmet iii. Gastric iv. Science

The word which means the same as ‘a style or method of cooking’ in paragraph 4 is cuisine.

C. The antonym of ‘agreeable’ as given in paragraph 5 is ___ .

The antonym of ‘agreeable’ is conflicting.

D. The antonym of ‘simple’ as given in paragraph 6 is

The antonym of ‘simple’ is complicated.