Reading Comprehension (Unseen) Passage Set - 22

Reading Comprehension (Unseen) Passage for class 6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12 | WBBSE, WBCHSE, ICSE and CBSE

Reading Comprehension (Unseen) Passage Set - 22

Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :-

Tomorrow, May 31, is when Delhi's tongas go off the road. In one stroke, over 200 tongawallahs will be left with no option but to discontinue a profession that many of them have been involved in, for generations. It will also be the end of a way of life for many people in old Delhi — used to having the tonga in their midst for commuting around the area. Or, for those who are dependent on it for their livelihood, like horse-shoe makers and cleaners. Why are tongas being phased out ? Apparently, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) decided last year that the tongas cause congestion and pose a threat to traffic security. Therefore, they have to go. The alternative being provided to the tongawallahs is a tehbazaari or a roadside shop. This shift in profession is something that most tongawallahs are not too keen about they feel that the shops are located too far away from the old Delhi area where they live. And neither do most of them have the capital to equip the shops with goods nor do theyhave the inclination to let go of their horses, which inevitably, they will have to, once their tongas are gone. Is there a solution to their plight? Majority of tongawallahs that I spoke to, are keen on an idea which, if it is implemented, can be a workable solution. It is simply, to let them refurbish their tongas as buggies (carriages) and allow them to cater to tourists in areas like India Gate, Red Fort etc. Indeed, many cities across the world are doing this already from the 'Victorias' operating near the Gateway of India in Mumbai to the chariots rented out to tourists near the Colosseum in Rome to Fiacres, the quaint carriages that carry visitors around the old city of Vienna.

A) State whether the following statements are True or False. Write 'T' for True and 'F' for False.

i. Phasing off tongas from the roads of Delhi will not affect any other profession.

ii. The MCD has offered to rehabilitate with tehbazaari.

iii. Most of the tongawallahs are very keen to give up their horses.

iv. Tongawallahs wish to change their vehicles into buggies for tourists in areas like India Gate, Red Fort etc.

B) Answer each of the following questions in about 30 words.

i. What will happen if tongas are phased off the roads of Delhi?

ii. What alternative is provided to the tongawallahs?

iii. What solution do the tongawallahs offer?