1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow

Because the body responds directly to different allergens, allergic reactions have been divided into four categories. Type-I allergies, the most common are characterised by the production of immunoglobulin E a type of antibody the immune system releases when it thinks a substance is a threat to the body. IgE releases chemicals called mediators, like histamine, which causes blood vessels to dilate and release fluid into the surrounding tissues, usually resulting in a runny nose and sneezing. Type-I allergies include allergic asthma and hay fever as well as reactions to insect stings and dust. Type-II allergies, far more rare, are usually reactions to medications and can cause liver and kidney damage or anemia. The body sends immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G to the site to fight the infection. Type-III allergies are usually caused by reactions to drugs like penicillin. The body releases IgM and IgG, but these allergens cause IgM and IgG to bind away from cell surfaces. This creates dumps of allergens and antibodies that get caught in the tissues and cause swelling, which can affect the kidneys, joints and skin. Type-IV allergies cause the release of mediators that create swelling as well as itchy rashes. These are usually skin reactions to irritants like poison ivy, soaps, cosmetics and other contact allergens.

What is immunoglobulin E Describe in your own words.

What is the passage trying to tell you?

Which types of allergic reactions result in swelling

What can IgE, IgG and IgM be classified as?

Which of the following would be the best title for this passage

Preventing Allergic Reactions

Determining the Causes of Allergies

Allergens and the Human Body

Four Types of Allergic Reactions


Match the words from the passage with their meanings

Responds Discharges

Characterized Arbitrators

Releases Represented

Threat Acknowledge

Mediators Menace


Find the opposites of the following words from the passage

Divided Standard

Production Undivided

Release Arguers/Fighters

Rare Incarcerate

Mediators Destruction


3. Write an essay in about 200 -250 words on any one of the following

Does the media need censorship?

Is Delhi safe for women

Can law alone fight corruption?

Pollution in my city


Convert the following sentences into the passive voice:

Microsoft offered Raghu a job.

The instructor will show slides to the students.

The bank will lend them enough money.

The manager gave them a discount.

A letter has been shown to his parents.

Complete the following sentences, using a/an/the:

I want apple from that basket.

church on the comer is a free church.

My daughter is learning to play ___violin at her school.

Please give me cake that is on the counter.

apple a day keeps the doctor away.

5. Write a letter to your immediate supervisor about your co-worker's bad attitude in the workplace.

6. Summarize the passage given below to one-third of its length and give it Ii suitable title.

Vitamin A is only found in yellow animal fats, in egg-yolk, milk and cheese. It is particularly plentiful in fish-liver oils, hence, fish-liver oils are used for preventing and curing illness caused by the lack of Vitamin A In a well-fed, healthy human being, the liver can store up sufficient Vitamin A to meet the body's requirements for six months.

Although Vitamin A itself is not present in plants, many plants produce a substance called carotene, formed from leaf-green which our bodies can convert into Vitamin A Carotene is the yellow-red colouring matter in carrots. The greener a leaf is, the more carotene it usually contains. Hence, the importance of green, leafy vegetables in the diet as a source of carotene. Tomatoes, papayas, mangoes and bananas contain more carotene than most other fruits. Red palm oil contains so much carotene that it is used instead of cod-liver oil. Thus, it is very valuable, both as a food-fat and for deep-frying.

Vitamin A and carotene are insoluble in water and they are not destroyed by heat unless oxygen is present. Boiling in water, therefore, does not destroy much Vitamin A or carotene.

Vitamin A encourages healthy growth and physical fitness. Young animals soon stop growing and die, if Vitamin A is not present in their diet.

This vitamin keeps the moist surfaces lining, the digestive canal, the lungs and air passages healthy. It also helps keep the ducts of various glands, the tissues that cover the eyelids and covers the front of the eyeball functional. As Vitamin A helps these tissues build up resistance to infection, it is often called the anti-infective vitamin.

Some of the most common disorders in people are caused by a shortage of Vitamin when moist tissues become dry and rough. This often causes serious eye disease, followed by infection of the air passages. The skin may also become flaky and rough. Another defect caused by the lack of Vitamin A is 'night-blindness'.

As the body cannot produce Vitamin it has to come from external sources. Thus, a well-balanced diet is required and is usually sufficient to provide the necessary amount. There is, therefore, no need to supplement the need in the form of pills.