Q1. Read the passage given below.

(1x10 = 10)

1.Social competence is a skill we often take for granted. We put our children in school so they can
learn how to read, write and calculate. But we spend little or no time teaching them social skills.

2.Harward psychologist Howard Gardner lists “interpersonal” Intelligence as one of eight basic
human aptitudes. Just as some children are naturally gifted in maths, others are gifted at relating to
people. At the other extreme are children who seem to lack social antennas. But social competence
can be improved-and it’s an effort worth making. According to Marion Porath, A Canadian professor
of educational psychology, studies have linked social competence to academic achievement.

3. Social aptitude can make or break careers and relationships in the adult world. “Poor social skills
put you at a greater disadvantage than poor spellings,” says Shirley Vandersteen, a senior
psychologist.

4. Let’s begin with the basic social skills. Saying hello, please and thank you, and answering a
question-all fall into this category. A child must answer politely, not in monosyllables like ‘fine’ or
‘excellent’ but in complete sentences. Another basic: How to shake hands. People are judged on
their handshake. Show your child how long, and how firmly to shake a hand, and then practice
together.

5.Then there is the art of speaking in turn. This skill is not instinctive. Parents should give explicit
instructions on how to do it. For example: “Listening means keeping your eyes on the speaker and
your hands quiet ...... Wait until the speaker has finished before you start talking.”

6. A shy child stumbles socially. Nagging or forcing the child to perform in high-pressure situation
won’t work. Don’t expose the child to an embarrassing situation. Letting the shy child retreat from
social interaction isn’t the answer either. The best approach is the same type of “graduated
exposure” that helps people overcome aeroplane or spider phobias. By proceeding in small, safe
increments, the parent can help the child build up to the hard stuff, such as speaking at a party full
of strangers. Also helpful is teaching your child how to ease herself into a group at play. To a shy
child, the internet may be a dream come true – a chance to connect socially without the risk of
rejection. But it can also delay the acquisition of true social confidence.

7. We really give children the opportunities to practice for big social challenges. Enter role-playing.
Advise children about facing the situation, adding humour whenever possible. Children can also
benefit from practicing ordinary conversation, and the dinner table is a good place to it. Start with an
amusing anecdote. This will inspire the child to relate his anecdote. Telling jokes should be
encouraged. Grooming and attire count to. And let the child be in step with his age. Let him not be
put to a social disadvantage. The best thing a parent can do is to teach by example. A more socially
confident child will emerge by watching parents interactions on the phone, at the park, in the school
compound, at the shopkeeper’s etc.

‘A child can build up his skills gradually.’

On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN questions from the
eleven given below.

1. Social competence leads to

a) Academic achievement
b) Breakup of careers and relationships
c) ability to Read, write and calculate
d) All of the above

2. Basic social skills include

1. saying hello, Please and thank you
2. How to shake a hand
3. answering in monosyllables
4. art of speaking in turns
5. overcome phobia
a) 1, 2 ,3
b) 1, 3, 5
c) 1, 2, 4
d) 1, 4, 5

3. According to the passage ____ is considered disadvantage for children.

a) Breaking careers and relationships
b) poor spellings
c) Poor social skills
d) All Of the above

4. Art of speaking is a skill which is acquired by a child –

a) through gradual learning
b) Instinctively
c) By inheritance
d) Genetically

5. ‘To a shy child, the internet may be a dream come true.’ What according to the passage is the
major disadvantage of such interaction?
a) social rejection
b) lack of confidence
c) exposure to embarrassing situations
d) both a and b
6. ________ plays an important role in improving social interaction.
a) internet
b) letting a shy child retreat
c) exposing the child to an embarrassing situation
d) attire

7. Graduated Exposure refers to

a) proceeding step by step
b) exposure after graduation
c) getting small increments
d) both (b) & (c)

8. ‘The parent can help the child build up to the hard stuff.’ According to this line, parents play an
important role in making the child
a) physically strong
b) academically ahead
c) socially interactive
d) all of the above

9. In paragraph 7 find a word which is a synonym of ‘a short story’.

a) role playing
b) conversation
c) interaction
d) anecdote

10. Find the incorrect option

Social skills can be developed in a child
a) In group play
b) At dinner table
c) At a party full of strangers
d) In high pressure situations

11. Interpersonal intelligence, considered as one of the eight basic human aptitudes refers to
a) individual or personal skills
b) communication skills
c) being god gifted in maths
d) good in academics