Question

Read the following text: 

(1)	Pancakes, a beloved breakfast dish across the world, has a surprisingly long and diverse history. Archaeological evidence shows that people were cooking pancake as food as far back as 30,000 years ago on hot stones and primitive griddles.
(2)	In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes were made from wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. They were often served as a sweet treat during festivals or special occasions. In medieval Europe, pancakes became a popular dish during Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent began. In France, thin crepes became a national delicacy, often filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. In Russia, blinis were made using buckwheat flour and served with sour cream or caviar. In Ethiopia, the spongy injera became a staple food, made from teff flour and used as both a plate and utensil. Similarly, in China, pancakes are often savoury while in Japan, fluffy “souffle pancakes” have become a modern favourite.
(3)	The American version of pancakes, thick and soft, gained popularity in the 18th century. The use of baking powder made them light and airy, and they were often served with butter and maple syrup - a symbol of hearty comfort food. Over time, pancakes became a universal dish, symbolizing community and celebration. Whether sweet or savoury, thick or thin, every culture has found a way to adapt this simple food to its own taste and traditions.
(4)	India has its own rich tradition of similar dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries. Across the country, almost every region has a version of a pancake - whether sweet or savoury - made from grains, pulses, or rice. These Indian pancakes not only satisfy hunger but also reflect the diversity of India’s culinary culture. In South India, dosas and adai are the most famous forms of pancakes. Made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, dosas are crisp and light, while adai is thicker and more filling. The fermentation process adds a unique sour flavor and makes them nutritious and easy to digest. In Kerala, the appam, made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk, is soft in the center and crispy at the edges. Moving north, we find the western style choela, a simple and wholesome Indian pancake made from gram flour, spiced with onions, chillies and coriander. In Maharashtra, the thalipeeth is a multigrain pancake that uses flours like jowar, bajra and rice mixed with spices and vegetables. It is both flavorful and filling, providing a good balance of carbohydrates and proteins.
(5)	In the eastern parts of India, pitha is a traditional pancake made during festivals and special occasions. Varieties like patishapta in Bengal are sweet, filled with coconut and jaggery. In Assam and Odisha, pithas can be steamed, fried, or roasted, depending on the custom and region. In the western deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, people prepare chilla and handvo, which are savoury western pancake-like dishes baked in traditional ovens. These pancakes are a blank canvas for toppings, waiting for a splash of fruit or a scattering of condiments.
(6)	Today, pancakes continue to evolve with new recipes, from vegan and gluten-free varieties to those infused with fruits, oats, or even protein powder. Despite their many forms, they remain a timeless reminder of how food connects mankind through shared history and creativity. Each pancake tells a story of regional identity, food traditions and a deep love for food that brings people together. Pancakes are warm, edible hugs that are a perfect comfort on a bleak day.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above: 10 

1. In paragraph 1, what does the phrase ‘has a surprisingly long and diverse history’ mean? 1
2. Complete the following with the correct option from the two given:
   The uniqueness of the spongy injera, is that ______. 1
   1. it is both a savoury and a sweet
   2. it can be used for cooking and also for eating
      (Paragraph 2)
3. How are American pancakes made light and fluffy? When did the American-style pancakes gain popularity? (Paragraph 3) 1
4. State whether the following statement is True or False: 
   Every culture has adopted the pancake and tempered it with its own ingredients, flavour and taste. (Paragraph 3) 1
5. The writer mentions ‘fermentation process’. Based on the information given in the passage, which of the following pancakes are made from the fermentation process? 1
   1. Dosa and appam
   2. Chilla and thalipeeth
   3. Blinis and souffle
   4. Pitha and patishapta
6. Select the option that best explains the phrase about pancakes being, ‘a blank canvas’ (Paragraph 5): 1
   1. Like a painter starts with a blank canvas, a diner can get creative.
   2. Pancakes reflect the 30,000 old lineage of being the first food.
7. List any two points from the Passage that support the statement, ‘pancakes are a timeless reminder of how food connects people.’ (Paragraph 6) 1
8. Fill in the blank with the correct option from those given:
   In the line ‘warm, edible hugs that are a perfect comfort on a bleak day’ the phrase ‘warm, edible hugs’ refers to ______. (Paragraph 6) 1
   
   1. comfort food that provides a sense of emotional security
   2. the pancake that represents the history of the region
   3. the choice of eating hot steaming pancakes
   4. the food that gives you energy

Answer 1

1. It means pancakes are excited for many years.
2. The uniqueness of the spongy injera, is that it can be used for cooking and also for eating.
3. American pancakes are made light and fluffy by the use of baking powder; the American-style pancakes gained popularity in the 18th century.
4. True 
5. Dosa and appam
6. Like a painter starts with a blank canvas, a diner can get creative.
7. • Pancakes appear in many cultures in many forms (sweet/savoury, thick/thin), showing shared history and creativity.
   • Pancakes symbolize community and celebration and tell stories of regional identity and food traditions.
8. comfort food that provides a sense of emotional security