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Unseen Passage Test- 12th English, , 1. Too many parents these days can’t say no. As a result, they find themselves, raising ‘children’ who respond greedily to the advertisements aimed right at, them. Even getting what they want doesn’t satisfy some kids; they only want, more. Now, a growing number of psychologists, educators and parents think, it’s time to stop the madness and start teaching kids about what’s really, important : values like hard work, contentment, honesty and compassion. The, struggle to set limits has never been tougher—and the stakes have never been, higher. One recent study of adults who were overindulged as children, paints a, discouraging picture of their future : when given too much too soon, they grow, up to be adults who have difficulty coping with life’s disappointments. They, also have distorted sense of entitlement that gets in the way of success in the, work place and in relationships., 2. Psychologists say that parents who overindulge their kids, set them up to be, more vulnerable to future anxiety and depression. Today’s parents themselves, raised on values of thrift and self-sacrifice, grew up in a culture where ‘no’ was, a household word. Today’s kids want much more, partly because there is so, much more to want. The oldest members of this generation were born in the, late 1980s, just as PCs and video games were making their assault’ on the, family room. They think of MP3 players and flat screen TV as essential utilities,, and they have developed strategies to get them. One survey of teenagers, found that when they crave for something new, most expect to ask nine times, before their parents give in. By every measure, parents are shelling out record, amounts. In the heat of this buying blitz, even parents who desperately need to, say no find themselves reaching for their credit cards., 3. Today’s parents aren’t equipped to deal with the problem. Many of them, raised, in the 1960s and 70s, swore they’d act differently from their parents and have, closer relationships with their own children. Many even wear the same, designer clothes as their kids and listen to the same music. And they work, more hours; at the end of a long week, it’s tempting to buy peace with ‘yes’ and, not mar precious family time with conflict. Anxiety about the future is another, factor. How do well intentioned parents say no to all the sports gear and arts, and language lessons they believe will help their kids thrive in an increasingly, competitive world? Experts agree: too much love won’t spoil a child. Too few, limits will., 4. What parents need to find, is a balance between the advantages of an affluent, society and the critical life lessons that come from waiting, saving and working, hard to achieve goals. That search for balance has to start early. Children need, limits on their behaviour because they feel better and more secure when they, live within a secured structure., Older children learn self-control by watching how others, especially parents, act. Learning how to overcome challenges is essential to becoming a, successful adult. Few parents ask kids to do chores. They think their kids are, already overburdened by social and academic pressures. Every individual can, be of service to others, and life has meaning beyond one’s own immediate, happiness. That means parents eager to teach values have to take a long, hard, look at their own., , Questions:, A. Choose the most appropriate option: (1 x 4 = 4 marks)

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(a) What do the psychologists, educators and parents want to teach the children?, 1. To teach them about treachery., 2. To teach them about indiscipline., 3. To teach them about the values of life like hard work, contentment, honesty, and compassion., 4. None of these, , (b) What is essential to become a successful adult?, 1., 2., 3., 4., , Learn not to overcome challenges, Learn how to overcome challenges, Nothing is essential., None of these, , (c) Why do children need limits on their behaviour when they live within a secured, structure?, 1., 2., 3., 4., , They feel more secure and better., They feel insecure., They feel bored., None of these., , (d) What is the drawback of giving children too much too soon?, 1., 2., 3., 4., , They fail to cope with life’s disappointments when they grow up., They do not study seriously., They become quarrelsome when they grow up., None of these., , B. Answer the following questions briefly: 1 x 6 = 6, (a) What values do parents and teachers want children to learn?, (b) What are the results of giving the children too much too soon?, (c) Why do today’s children want more?, (d) What is the balance which the parents need to have in today’s world?, (e) What is the necessity to set limits for children?, (f) How do older children learn self-control?