Question

Read the text given below:

Five enterprises received approval and grants for prototype development of sustainable educational toys. The government authorities, educational institutions and Ed Tech start-ups are planning to introduce state-of-the-art, made-in-India educational toys that not only throw light on Indian values and civilisations, but also help in developing children’s critical thinking, and decision-making skills. “One such enterprise is working on different types of projects that can teach children how electromagnets and magnetic fields work. These projects can resolve a lot of issues in many schools in tier two and three cities that don’t have proper infrastructure. Another is working on an excavation site to teach children about ancient Indian civilizations. It has implanted a few artifacts at the site, which the children will have to find so that they are able to learn how to preserve and label artifacts. Another start up has proposed to create miniaturized labs for schools in tier 2 and 3 cities where children can learn concepts of Physics. “We will ensure that these prototypes are developed within a year and then the production can be scaled up,” says the senior manager of the project talking about the importance of indigenously-built educational toys. Playtime is vital for the cognitive development of children and toys are an essential component that helps enhance specific cognitive abilities and skill sets. “Well-designed toys ignite students’ curiosity, increase focus and can be very beneficial in helping them master a skill and enhance understanding. These can be in the form of visuals, auditory aids, kinesthetic, or a mixture of all three.” says HOD, Early Childhood Education. Toys offer an engaging avenue to teach mathematical, verbal, problem-solving skills. “Toys that engage students in experiential learning enhance their special awareness and fine motor skills. Those designed for two or more players help students develop better social skills as they learn to negotiate, settle differences, etc, with their peers.” Experiential gadgets and toys enable students to learn faster and retain lessons longer. “A child’s interest is piqued when he is taught in a contextual framework as opposed to rote learning. The Indian education system has been witnessing several innovations with the development of toys and gadgets that can be used and felt in person or through VR platforms across subjects, be it Science, Technology, Math or Engineering.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage given above:

1. By tier 2 and tier 3 cities, the author refers to ______.
   1. Metro cities
   2. Cities with huge population
   3. Underdeveloped cities
   4. Cities with less population
2. Complete the sentence with evidence from the text.
   The made-in-India educational toys serves dual purpose of ______.
3. The author’s point of view that can be inferred from the above passage is that ______.
   1. educational toys are the booming business.
   2. educational toys are meant to entertain children.
   3. educational toys will replace teachers.
   4. educational toys will make education more pragmatic.
4. Complete the following sentence appropriately:
   Educational toys enhance the personality of children by ______.
   
5. Read the five headlines (a) – (e), given below:
   1. Sustainable Educational Toys are Developmentally Appropriate.
   2. Sustainable Educational Toys Promote Free play.
   3. Sustainable Educational Toys – Free and Widespread.
   4. Sustainable Educational Toys – Experiential Learning.
   5. Sustainable Educational Toys – Hinder Interaction with people.
      Identify the option that displays the headline that DOES/DO NOT correspond with what the passage highlights.
      
      1. only (e)
      2. (a) and (b)
      3. (c) and (e)
      4. only (d)
6. What evidences do you gather from the passage to state that educational system is revolutionized by educational toys ? Answer in about 40 words.
7. Explain in about 40 words, how education at grassroot level is benefitted by these projects.
8. As opposed to learning by heart, experiential toys ______.
   1. ignite interest
   2. challenge the teachers
   3. replace textbooks
   4. confuse learners
9. Playing is usually considered a distraction. Is it justified on the part of the narrator to assert that playing is an important aspect of education ? Write your answer in about 40 words.

Answer 1

1. By tier 2 and tier 3 cities, the author refers to Underdeveloped cities.
2. The made-in-India educational toys serves dual purpose of not only throwing light on Indian values and civilisations, but also help in developing children's critical thinking and decision-making skills -"Well-designed toys ignite students' curiosity, increase focus and can be very beneficial in helping them master a skill and enhance understanding".
3. The author’s point of view that can be inferred from the above passage is that educational toys will make education more pragmatic.
   Explanation:
   Since educational toys are designed to foster children's critical thinking abilities rather than rigid theories or rules, they will make education more practical.
4. Educational toys enhance the personality of children by engaging them in experiential learning that develops their social skills, mathematical, verbal and problem-solving skills.
5. (c) and (e)
6. Children's cognitive development greatly benefits from playtime, and toys are essential for developing particular skills and abilities. Effectively designed toys use visuals, auditory aids, kinaesthetic aspects, or a combination of all three to pique curiosity, enhance focus, and facilitate skill mastery and comprehension.
7. To promote critical thinking, enhance decision-making abilities, and highlight Indian values, the government, educational institutions, and EdTech start-ups are creating cutting-edge, domestically produced educational toys. Projects include setting up makeshift physics labs in smaller cities, teaching electromagnetism, and exploring ancient civilisations through excavation sites. These toys are essential for cognitive development since they improve particular skills and provide interesting ways to learn a variety of subjects.
8. As opposed to learning by heart, experiential toys ignite interest.
9. Every child's cognitive growth requires playtime. Toys increase some abilities, including focussing better and igniting curiosity. They provide an entertaining method of teaching skills and enhancing social relationships and come in a variety of formats, including graphics, aural aids, and kinaesthetic aspects.