Read the following text and answer the following questions,…

Q1. [10]

(1) Rate of Internet Reach in India : 2014-2024 The rate of internet reach in India rose over 52% in 2024 from about 14% in 2014. Although these figures seem relatively low, it meant that more than half of the population of 1.4 billion people had internet access that year. This also ranked the country second in the world in terms of active internet users. (2) Internet availability and accessibility By 2021 the number of internet connections across the country tripled in urban areas because of a higher density of population leading to an increase in the number of connections. However, despite of incredibly low internet prices, internet usage in India has yet to reach its full potential. Lack of awareness about the internet in India persists, especially in rural areas and among women, driven by digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and a lack of perceived need for the internet. This hinders digital adoption, with many not knowing how to use the internet or even being aware of its existence. Targeted awareness campaigns and digital literacy programs are crucial to bridge this gap and ensure people understand and can benefit from the digital ecosystem. (3) Digital living Home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world, India is abuzz with internet activities being carried out every moment of every day. From information and research to shopping and entertainment to living in smart homes, Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms.

Read the following text and answer the following questions, based on the passage above:

I What does the use of the term "active internet users" convey? [1]
1. A Active people who use internet
2. B Active people who use active internet
3. C People who use active internet
4. D People who use internet actively
II Select the option that is true for the Assertion and Reason given below: Assertion: India is home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world. Reason: Lack of awareness and a tangible gender gap lie at the heart of the matter. [1]
1. A Both the Assertion and the Reason are true and the Reason is the correct explanation of the Assertion.
2. B Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.
3. C The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
4. D The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.
III Identify the word that indicates that internet reach is 'comparatively' low. (Paragraph 1) [1]
IV Based on the table which of the following time period illustrates the maximum internet usage? [1]
1. A 2017 to 2020
2. B 2023 to 2025
3. C 2020 to 2023
4. D 2019 to 2022
V From the passage identify one reason why there are less internet users among women? [1]
VI Fill in the blank with a suitable word given in brackets: Infrastructure limitations ________ (impedes/spurs) digital adoption. [1]
VII Complete the following with a suitable reason: An increase in the number of connections in urban areas is because of ________. [1]
VIII Which are the two ways to bridge the gap of digital unawareness? [2]
IX In the context of the last paragraph how does the author justify the statement, 'Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms'. [1]

Previously asked in CBSE board exam

2026 2/1/1 Q2

Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:08 · grounding stimulus

Model Answer

I. (D) People who use internet actively

II. (B) Both the Assertion and the Reason are true, but the Reason is not the correct explanation of the Assertion.

III. The word is "relatively" ("these figures seem relatively low").

IV. (A) 2017 to 2020
(Internet reach increased from 24.0% to 43.4%, a rise of 19.4 percentage points — the highest among all options.)

V. The digital divide (gender gap) is one reason why there are fewer internet users among women.

VI. Infrastructure limitations impedes digital adoption.

VII. An increase in the number of connections in urban areas is because of a higher density of population.

VIII. The two ways to bridge the gap of digital unawareness are:

Targeted awareness campaigns
Digital literacy programmes

IX. The author justifies this by listing the wide range of internet activities Indians engage in daily — from information and research to shopping and entertainment to living in smart homes — showing that Indians have fully embraced digital living in every aspect of their lives.

Source: Reading passage — "Rate of Internet Reach in India," Paragraphs 1–3 and Table

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Explanation

Q I: "Active internet users" means people who actively use it — adverb modifies the verb, not the noun "internet."
Q II: Both statements are true, but the reason (awareness/gender gap) explains why India has NOT reached full potential, not why it has a large netizen base — so it does not correctly explain the assertion.
Q III: Always look for hedging/comparative adverbs; "relatively" directly qualifies "low."
Q IV: Calculate the difference for each period from the table: 2017–2020 = 19.4 pts, the largest jump.
Q V & VI: Answers must come directly from Paragraph 2; "impedes" (hinders) is correct since limitations slow adoption.
Q VIII: Worth 2 marks — give two distinct points clearly.
Q IX: 1-mark answer needs only one well-supported point from Paragraph 3.

English Language & Literature — CBSE Class 10 board question