Question

Read the extract given below:

(1)	Necessity is indeed the mother of invention. When areas in and around Leh began to experience water shortages, life didn't grind to a halt. Why? Because a retired civil engineer in the Jammu and Kashmir Government came up with the idea of artificial glaciers.
(2)	Ladakh, a cold desert at an altitude of 3,000 - 3,500 meters above sea level, has a low average annual rainfall rate of 50 mm. Glaciers have always been the only source of water. Agriculture is completely dependent on glacier melt, unlike the rest of river/monsoon-fed India. But over the years, with increasing effects of climate change, rainfall and snowfall patterns have been changing, resulting in severe shortage and drought situations. Given the extreme winter conditions, the window for farming is usually limited to one harvest season.
(3)	It is located between the natural glacier above and the village below. The one closer to the village and lowest in altitude melts first, providing water during April-May, the crucial sowing season. Further, layers of ice above melt with the increasing temperature, thus ensuring continuous supply to the fields.  Therefore, farmers have been able to manage two crops instead of one. It costs about 1,50,000 and above to create a glacier.
(4)	Fondly called the glacier man, he has designed over 15 artificial glaciers in and around Leh since 1987. In recognition of his pioneering effort, he was conferred the Padma Shri by The President of India.
(5)	There are a few basic steps followed while creating an artificial glacier. River or stream water at high altitude is diverted to a shaded area of the hill, facing north, where the winter sun is blocked by a ridge or a mountain range. At the start of winter ie., in November, the diverted water is made to flow on sloping hills facing distribution channels. Stone embankments are built at regular intervals which impede the flow of water, making shallow pools which freeze, forming a cascade of ice along the slope. Ice formation continues for 3-4 months resulting in a large accumulation of ice which is referred to as an ‘artificial glacier’.

Based on your understanding of the extract, answer the questions below:

1. Infer one reason for, the following, based on information in paragraph 1.       (1)
   Areas in and around Leh began to experience water shortage but life didn't grind to a halt.
2. Select from the passage the appropriate option to fill in the blanks:     (1)
   Agriculture is completely dependent on ______ unlike the rest of river/monsoon-fed India.
   1. rainfall pattern
   2. climate change
   3. glaciers melt
   4. extreme winter conditions
3. Complete the following analogy correctly with a word/phrase from paragraph 3:       (1)
   Icing : cake :: layers : ______.
4. Select the correct option to complete the following sentence:       (1)
   At the start of winter the diverted water is made to flow ______.
   1. on sloping hills facing distribution channels.
   2. on high altitude.
   3. on ice-cold water level.
   4. on mountain range.
5. From the chart select the months of water surplus.    (1)
   1. January, February.
   2. November, December.
   3. July, August, September.
   4. March, April
6. Fill in the blank by selecting from the passage the correct option:     (1)
   The ______ have been the only source of water in areas in and around Ladakh.
   
   1. glaciers
   2. rivers
   3. streams
   4. water springs
7. The word 'located' in paragraph 3 means:       (1)
   1. found
   2. locally found
   3. situated
   4. adapted
8. Write any two steps followed while creating the glaciers.      (1)
9. List one reason why artificial glaciers seem the best option.      (1)
10. Select the most suitable title from the following for the passage:    (1)
    1. Water Shortage.
    2. New Ways Pool Water.
    3. Artificial Glacier.
    4. River Beds.

Answer 1

1. because the idea of artificial glaciers was proposed by a retired civil engineer in the Jammu and Kashmir government.
2. Agriculture is completely dependent on glaciers melt unlike the rest of river/monsoon-fed India.
3. Icing : cake :: layers : Ice.
4. At the start of winter the diverted water is made to flow on sloping hills facing distribution channels.
5. July, August, September.
6. The glaciers have been the only source of water in areas in and around Ladakh.
7. situated
8. Any two steps taken while creating glaciers include diverting stream water to a shaded area of a north-facing hill. At the start of winter, this water is made to flow on sloping hills facing distribution channels.
9. Due to extreme weather conditions, farming is limited to the harvest season; thus, artificial glaciers appear to be the best option.
10. Artificial Glacier