Question

Read the following extract and answer the questions.

Encyclopaedias make vast volumes of knowledge accessible to readers. It can help in satisfying their curiosity. Encyclopaedias provide fundamental information on any topic, in order to understand it properly. Thus, the reader gets motivated to read extensively. Encyclopaedias make the existing knowledge easily accessible to scholars and researchers and also highlight the research areas, which have not yet received enough attention. Encyclopaedias are indicators of the state of cultural ripeness of a society. The intellectual and cultural needs of a society determine what kind of encyclopaedic literature would be created. Accuracy, meticulousness, objectivity, standardised format of presentation and updated information are the criteria for designing a structure of an encyclopaedia. In order to incorporate the latest available information revised editions of encyclopaedias or supplements to original editions need to be published. Encyclopaedias are arranged either in alphabetical order or according to the order of topics. The type of order is decided by keeping the convenience of readers in mind and the ease of accessibility to the information. An index at the end of the encyclopaedia is very convenient in this regard.

1. Which one of the following is a benefit of an encyclopaedia?
   (i) Knowledge
   (ii) Information
   (iii) Caters to researchers
   (iv) All of these
2. What do encyclopaedias indicate?
   (i) Cultural ripeness
   (ii) Literacy rate
   (iii) Traditional values
   (iv) Economic growth
3. Do you think encyclopaedias are useful to students of history?

Answer 1

1. All of these
2. Cultural ripeness
3. Encyclopedias are definitely useful to history students because they provide information on a wide range of topics such as science, literature, history, geography, technology, culture, and traditions.