Comprehension of passages for practice for class 10th

Alaskan polar bears have mastered the art of living in ice. Even during the frigid days of winter, these furry white creatures don’t hibernate in cozy dens, like other bears do. Instead, they go north, hunting for seals living in the ice-covered water.

In recent years, however, Earth’s climate has been getting warmer, and ice near the Poles has been melting. Now, a new study shows that disappearing ice is changing polar bear behavior. For instance, more than half of pregnant polar bears used to give birth in dens on solid blocks of ice that were floating out at sea. Today, they’re digging their dens on or near land.

The reason? Most of the ice has disappeared. Studies have shown that 27 percent of sea ice in the Arctic that stays frozen from year to year has disappeared during the past 30 years. So there’s now much less space for dens. Moreover, as the warming continues, the remaining ice becomes less stable. These conditions are unappealing to mother polar bears, who want a safe place to give birth. A mother polar bear often has two cubs at a time. Baby cubs stay with their mothers for more than 2 years.For now, Alaska’s polar bears seem to prefer returning to land rather than taking the risk of giving birth on shaky ice. That solution might not work forever, however, especially if the ice keeps melting. The bottom line? Polar bears are in trouble.

Answer the following questions.

1. Where do seals live?
2. Describe one trait that makes Alaskan polar bears different from other bears.
3. Polar ice is melting. Why?
4. What has forced polar bears to dig their dens on or near the land?Answers

1. Seals live in the ice-covered water of the north.
2. Alaskan polar bears are different from other bears in that they do not hibernate during winter. Instead, they go north hunting for seals.
3. Ice near the poles is melting because the earth’s climate is getting warmer.
4. Polar bears are now digging their dens on or near the land because the ice that used to float out at sea has disappeared.

from 

http://perfectyourenglish.com/blog/class-10-reading-comprehension-exercise/

punctuation for class 10th

Punctuation

You may possess good language skills and know how to express yourself in the language but without the knowledge of punctuation marks, your skills, especially written, is incomplete. A piece of writing which does include punctuation marks is difficult to read as compared to a piece of writing which carries proper punctuation marks at the right places. To make an impact on the examiner, it is important for you to take care of these little marks, to come across as a serious and professional writer. This module discusses the commonly used punctuation marks, their significance and their implementation.

1) COMMA (,)
The comma is used to indicate a short pause. It is used:
a. for words, phrases, and clauses in a series.For example, "Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation, died on 30th January, 1948.

                         "Apples, Mangoes and Bananas are my favourites."
                          "Gandhiji, who was the Father of the Nation, died on 30th January, 1948.

b. when you address a person.
For example, "Yes, Sir."

c. to separate numbers, dates and address.
For example, I was born on 9th August, 1990 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

d. When two persons, things or other elements are contrasted, the two are separated by a comma.
For example, I meant Raj, not Robin.2) SEMICOLON (;)

The semicolon represents a stronger pause than a comma. It is used to stress the close relationship between one sentence and another. 
For example, Today we love what tomorrow we hate;today we seek what tomorrow we shun; today we desire what tomorrow we fear.

3) COLON (:)
The colon is used to show that something is to follow.
For example, The principle parts of a verb in English are: the present tense, the past tense, and the past participle.) DASH (-)

The dash is used to make an abrupt stop or change of thought.
For example, If my husband were alive-but why lament the past?
                         He has-you may not believe it-failed.

5) EXCLAMATION MARK (!)
The exclamation mark is used after interjections and after phrases and sentences expressing sudden emotion or wish.
For example, Alas! Oh dear!

6) INVERTED COMMAS (")
Inverted Commas are used to enclose the exact words of a speaker, or a quotation.
For example, "I would rather die," he exclaimed, "than join the oppressors of my country."

7) QUESTION MARK (?)
Question Mark is used, instead of the Full Stop, after a direct question.
For example, Have you finished writing?8) FULL STOP (.)

The full stop is used to mark the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence. It represents the greatest pause.
For example, Rohan, Vinay and Sabay are best friends.8) FULL STOP (.)

The full stop is used to mark the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence. It represents the greatest pause.
For example, Rohan, Vinay and Sabay are best friends.

Test Yourself/ Punctuate the Sentences

Q1. Punctuate the following sentences.

a. i like playing with my friends sandy sunny sameer

b. we went through the smoky mountains, near shimla on our way to leh

c. my favourite soap is pears and my favourite toothpaste is pepsodent

d. i’m a catholic and that’s why i go to st.joseph’s school. my friend priya speaks german and she is teaching me some words 

f. he was honest sincere hard working

g. hindusmuslimssikhschristians live together in India

h. long ago in a town in Switzerland there lived a famous man called william

i. akbar the greatest of the mughal emperors ruled wisely

j. tanya said to ila rahul is a nice guy

from

https://www.mbarendezvous.com/punctuation/