(1) Creativity is our most precious resource and the most inexhaustible one. As anyone who has ever spent any time with children knows, every single human being is born creative; every human being is innately endowed with the ability to combine data and perceptions, materials and ideas and devise new ways of thinking and doing. What fosters creativity? More than anything else: the presence of other creative people, contrary to that creativity is the province of great individual geniuses. In fact, creativity is a social process. Our biggest creative breakthrough comes when people learn from, compete with, and collaborate with other people.
(2) Cities are centres of creativity. With their diverse populations, dense social networks, and public spaces, people can meet spontaneously and spark or catalyse new ideas. With their infrastructure for finance, organization, and trade, they allow the idea to swiftly reach its destination.
(3) A study tracking the decline of unconventional thinking ability as children age states that while 98 percent of 3 to 5-year-olds exhibited creative thinking, this dwindled to 10 percent among 13 to 15-year-olds and a mere 2 percent among 25-year-olds. Thus, adulthood witnesses the erosion of innate creativity. There is a variance in creative vitality across cities. Although all cities harbour creative individuals by default, some are saturated with leaders, institutions, and people that inhibit creativity.
(4) Creativity (or the lack of it) follows the same general contours of the great socio-economic divide– our rising inequality– that plagues us. According to estimates, roughly one-third of people are able to do work which engages our creative faculties to some extent, whether as artists, musicians, writers, techies, innovators, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, journalists, or educators. That leaves a group termed “the other 66 percent”, in which their creativity is subjugated, ignored, or wasted.
(5) Creativity itself is not in danger. It is flourishing all around us– in science and technology, arts and culture, in our rapidly revitalizing cities. But we still have a long way to go if we want to build a truly creative society that supports and rewards creativity for each one of us. (Created for academic usage / 410 words)
The central idea of this passage is that:
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- social interaction is necessary to nurture creativity.
- creativity and ideas are gradually declining in all societies.
- the creativity divide is widening in societies in line with socioeconomic trends.
- more people should work in jobs that engage their creative faculties.
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Select the option that is true for the assertion and reason given below:
Assertion: Creativity is the province of great individual genius is not true.
Reason: Creativity is a social process.
Assertion: Creativity is the province of great individual genius is not true.
Reason: Creativity is a social process.
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- Both the Assertion and Reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.
- Both the Assertion and Reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation of the assertion.
- The Assertion is true, but the Reason is false.
- The Assertion is false, but the Reason is true.
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Creativity thrives on people interacting, working together, and sharing ideas.
This teamwork enables people to learn, combine viewpoints, and come up with new solutions.
So, the idea that creativity is only an individual skill is wrong, but the reason it's social is correct.
The text emphasizes the value of teamwork and community for creative success, showing that social involvement helps, not hurts, creativity.
Seeing creativity as a group effort goes against the old idea of the lone genius.
Identify the word in paragraph 1 which means something that cannot be used up or depleted.
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Solution and Explanation
It describes creativity as a plentiful, unending resource.
This implies that creative ability is limitless and constantly renewed, unlike limited resources.
Using "inexhaustible" for creativity stresses that people and communities can consistently produce new ideas and inventions without depletion.
This view promotes optimism about human inventiveness, emphasizing the infinite possibilities from creative thought.
Thus, "inexhaustible" accurately reflects creativity's boundless quality.
What important trends does a study tracking the decline in creative thinking ability in children reveal? Answer in about 40 words.
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Solution and Explanation
Creative thinking is evident in 98% of 3-to-5-year-olds, but only 2% of 25-year-olds show similar creative abilities.
This significant drop indicates a major loss of creativity over time. This suggests that aging may inhibit creative potential.
Possible contributing factors include education systems that emphasize conformity, societal expectations, or a decrease in encouragement for imaginative thought.
The study emphasizes the need to support and protect creativity throughout life to maintain innovation and problem-solving capabilities.
It recommends deliberate efforts in education and culture to foster creative growth beyond the early years.
Read the given prompt and select the correct option in the brackets to fill in the blank:
Our biggest creative breakthrough comes when people learn from, compete with, and collaborate with other people.
Creativity is thus a __ (economic, industrial, social) process.
Our biggest creative breakthrough comes when people learn from, compete with, and collaborate with other people.
Creativity is thus a __ (economic, industrial, social) process.
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Solution and Explanation
Creativity flourishes through learning, competition, and collaboration.
Social interaction allows for idea exchange, feedback, and diverse perspectives.
This environment fosters innovative thought and helps overcome creative obstacles.
Hence, viewing creativity as a social process underscores community and interaction's role in generating novel ideas.
The text emphasizes that creativity is linked to social experiences and relationships.
According to the passage, where does creativity thrive apart from arts and culture?
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Solution and Explanation
The text emphasizes creativity's impact across diverse fields, fostering innovation in areas such as medicine and technology.
Creative thought promotes problem-solving, idea generation, and groundbreaking discoveries that enhance life.
This broad creativity application underscores its importance beyond art.
It drives progress by enabling scientists, engineers, and inventors to imagine novel solutions and exceed limitations.
Therefore, creativity is a universal force that accelerates growth across various disciplines.
Complete the following with a suitable reason:
About thirty-three percent of citizens engage their creative faculties in tasks that use __.
About thirty-three percent of citizens engage their creative faculties in tasks that use __.
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Solution and Explanation
The passage indicates that about thirty-three percent of people are employed in roles that encourage creativity.
This encompasses jobs and pursuits in areas like the arts, technology, innovation, and other fields that demand original thought and problem-solving skills.
Creative work enables individuals to share ideas, develop new concepts, and contribute to advancements across different sectors.
The statistic emphasizes the significance of creative professions in today's workforce and their contribution to economic and cultural development.
Thus, “creative work” precisely reflects the character of these stimulating and imaginative activities as presented in the passage.
In the context of the last paragraph, explain how does the passage view the future of creativity in society.
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Solution and Explanation
It emphasizes the growth of creativity in areas like arts, technology, and innovation, indicating progress.
Nonetheless, the text admits that more effort is necessary to establish a society that fully supports and values creativity for all.
This involves cultivating creative environments, ensuring equal opportunities, and appreciating diverse creative input.
Realizing creativity's full potential demands continuous work from educators, policymakers, industries, and communities.
The passage's optimistic tone promotes collaborative efforts to cultivate a universally thriving creative culture, benefiting both individuals and society.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
(1) Pancakes, a beloved breakfast dish across the world, has a surprisingly long and diverse history. Archaeological evidence shows that people were cooking pancakes as food as far back as 30,000 years ago on hot stones and primitive griddles.
(2) In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes were made from wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. They were often served as a sweet treat during festivals or special occasions. In medieval Europe, pancakes became a popular dish during Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent began. In France, thin crepes became a national delicacy, often filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. In Russia, blinis were made using buckwheat flour and served with sour cream or caviar. In Ethiopia, the spongy injera became a staple food, made from teff flour and used as both a plate and utensil. Similarly, in China, pancakes are often savoury while in Japan, fluffy “souffl´ e pancakes” have become a modern favourite.
(3) The American version of pancakes, thick and soft, gained popularity in the 18th century. The use of baking powder made them light and airy, and they were often served with butter and maple syrup– a symbol of hearty comfort food. Over time, pancakes became a universal dish, symbolizing community and celebration. Whether sweet or savoury, thick or thin, every culture has found a way to adapt this simple food to its own taste and traditions.
(4) India has its own rich tradition of similar dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries. Across the country, almost every region has a version of a pancake– whether sweet or savoury– made from grains, pulses, or rice. These Indian pancakes not only satisfy hunger but also reflect the diversity of India’s culinary culture. In South India, dosas and adai are the most famous forms of pancakes. Made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, dosas are crisp and light, while adai is thicker and more filling. The fermentation process adds a unique sour flavor and makes them nutritious and easy to digest. In Kerala, the appam, made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk, is soft in the center and crispy at the edges. Moving north, we find the western style cheela, a simple and wholesome Indian pancake made from gram flour, spiced with onions, chillies and coriander. In Maharashtra, the thalipeeth is a multigrain pancake that uses flours like jowar, bajra and rice mixed with spices and vegetables. It is both flavorful and filling, providing a good balance of carbohydrates and proteins.
(5) In the eastern parts of India, pitha is a traditional pancake made during festivals and special occasions. Varieties like patishapta in Bengal are sweet, filled with coconut and jaggery. In Assam and Odisha, pithas can be steamed, fried, or roasted, depending on the custom and region. In the western deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, people prepare chilla and handvo, which are savoury western pancake-like dishes baked in traditional ovens. These pancakes are a blank canvas for toppings, waiting for a splash of fruit or a scattering of condiments.
(6) Today, pancakes continue to evolve with new recipes, from vegan and gluten-free varieties to those infused with fruits, oats, or even protein powder. Despite their many forms, they remain a timeless reminder of how food connects mankind through shared history and creativity. Each pancake tells a story of regional identity, food traditions and a deep love for food that brings people together. Pancakes are warm, edible hugs that are a perfect comfort on a bleak day.- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
(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.
Rate of Internet Reach in India
- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Extract: “We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.”
(Nelson Mandela– Long Walk to Freedom)- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Extract: OOP : I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Maybe they’re hats. (He opens a book and puts it on his head.) Say, maybe this is a haberdashery!
OMEGA:(bowinglow) Perhaps the Great and Mighty Think-Tank will give us the benefit of his thought on the matter.
THINK-TANK:Elementary, my dear Omega. Hold one of the items up so that I may view it closely. (Omega holds a book on the palm of her hand.) Yes, yes, I understand now. Since Earth creatures are always eating, the place in which you find yourselves is undoubtedly a crude refreshment stand.
OMEGA:(to Iota and Oop) He says we’re in a refreshment stand.
OOP:Well, the Earthlings certainly have a strange diet. (The Book that Saved the Earth)- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
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