Q.1-10. In the following passage there are blanks each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each five words have been suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
Among the biggest worries of working couples today is day care for children and, now, elders. While good day care centres, although expensive, are available for children, such facilities are absent for (1). Working couples constantly worry about the safety of the elderly at home. They shudder to think of accidents that can occur due to faulty electricity connection, cooking gas leakage and a (2) in the bathroom, and dangers from service providers. In many instances, even people well known to aged couples have caused them harm.
Since nuclear families have become the norm in India, the number of working couples and senior citizens living alone during day time has increased tremendously. Paid caretakers are neither trustworthy nor (3), especially for the middle class. Day Care Centers are a good idea because many elders do not like to move into senior citizen homes. They are (4) to adjust with strangers and adopt a different lifestyle late in their lives. They do not want to be cut off from their children and grandchildren. The elders are picked up and dropped back home every evening. Working couples do not have to worry about them. According to the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA), there are more than 4,600 adult day care centres in the U.S. However, this concept is not (5) in India. DCCs should be (6) staffed, keeping in mind the needs of elders. Generally, the staff consist of a director, a social worker, a registered nurse, a driver, a secretary, an accountant and assistants who (7) in personal care. A well-run DCC should focus on enriching the lives of elders —building upon their skills, knowledge, and unique abilities and strengths. The activities usually include arts and crafts, music, and recreation. Mental stimulation games, gentle exercises, discussions on books and films, outdoor and indoor games, weekly outings and birthday celebrations also form part of the activities. There are health support services such as blood pressure monitoring, vision screening and counselling for depressed seniors. The staff of DCCs should be sensitised to the needs of senior citizens and trained in (8) friendly service. The needs of the physically challenged should be taken care of by specially trained persons.
The correct way to promote successful ageing is to ensure that elders stay connected with others and remain engaged in some activity of their liking. A DCC does exactly this. Some DCCs can offer programmes that include children. If a DCC and a child care centre are located in the same building, seniors can engage themselves in teaching music, painting, drawing, story-telling and other activities. Enjoyable activities keep the elderly busy. Chatting with others of their age group helps them drive away (9). A DCC should have a library, a computer room, resting rooms with comfortable bedding, senior-friendly rest rooms, television, and a canteen to provide healthy and timely food. DCCs can charge daily, weekly or monthly fees. They should be moderate and affordable. Running DCCs would be suitable for young entrepreneurs who want to experiment with non-traditional business ventures. This business has a social welfare angle to it. It will offer comfortable income to them since India has a significantly large number of pensioners, and middle-class caregivers will not mind (10). NGOs, too, can enter the field and charge nominally for their services.
Q.1. (1) Elders (2) children (3) adults (4) women (5) men
Q.2. (1) Odour (2) shiver (3) matter (4) comfort (5) slip
Q.3. (1) Unsophisticated (2) social (3) psychological (4) affordable (5) reliable
Q.4. (1) Confinement (2) reluctant (3) definite (4) willing (5) confident
Q.5. (1) Trivial (2) monotonous (3) common (4) standard (5) delighted
Q.6. (1) Surprisingly (2) hopefully (3) cunningly (4) adamantly (5) adequately
Q.7. (1) Aid (2) promote (3) benefit (4) compensate (5)rescue
Q.8. (1) Checking (2) rendering (3) reading (4) grasping (5) complicating
Q.9. (1) Wisdom (2) vulnerable (3) loneliness (4) solidarity (5) mobility
Q.10. (1) Showing (2) caring (3) driving (4) paying (5) restoring
ANSWERS
Q.1.(1) Q.2.(5) Q.3.(4) Q.4.(2) Q.5.(3) Q.6.(5) Q.7.(1) Q.8.(2) Q.9.(3) Q.10.(4)
