Reading Comprehension-6

                 CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

It is said that people should follow the customs and traditions when they start to live in a new country. Do you really agree to this? It is really difficult to come to a conclusion on this notion as, today, many Indians have settled abroad. From times immemorial we have foreign settlements in our mother land too. In places like Goa, Coorg, Assam we see a mixed culture of native Indians and foreigners who settled here. It is very difficult a task now to find out their origin also.
The saying goes as ‘Be a Roman in Rome’ refers to the importance of adapting yourself to the customs of the people who are in a certain place. Customs and traditions are age old practices which can’t be toppled in a day, at the same time, one can’t be conservative and follow it as it is. When we are the part of a new habitation, the first thing which gets affected is the language. To have a conversation with the people of the locality and get our things done, the first thing a person does is to learn the language and to imitate the localites in gestures. Slowly, yet steadily without the knowledge of the person himself, he starts to change many things, finally effecting their culture and tradition too.
Today, many Indians have settled abroad but are still Indians by heart. This happens when the person, after getting accustomed to this new lifestyle, one day realizes that a great deal of change has accumulated, resulting a loss of their identity. Meanwhile, this shapes into nostalgia. Finally, such a person starts to crave to enhance their own custom and tradition, which has already compromised with their way of living.
Henceforth, it is evident that when we settle in abroad, we must change our culture to adopt the culture of the country where we settle, nonetheless remain an ardent follower or lover of one’s own culture and tradition. ‘Remember, change is the only permanent notion in any nation. So, instead of fretting about cultural exchange, enjoy the fun of it.
Answer the following questions that follows:

  1. What happens when a person settles in foreign lands?
    a) Cultural instability
    b) Cultural tolerance
    c) Cultural exchange
    d) None of the above
  2. What is the meaning of the quote ‘Be Roman in Rome’?
    a) Everyone must change to look like a Roman.
    b) People of Rome too don’t look like Romans.
    c) To make oneself suitable to the new place.
    d) To make oneself conservative to the customs and traditions.
  3. What is the most inevitable thing according to the passage?
    a) Change
    b) Nostalgia
    c) Conservative
    d) Imitate
  4. What can’t be toppled in a day?
    a) Knowledge
    b) Age old customs and traditions
    c) Wisdom
    d) Adaptation
  5. Pick up the synonym of the word ‘ancestry’.
    a) Adapt
    b) Adopt
    c) Adept
    d) Origin

Answer Key is appended at the end.

Contributed by: Smt Suneela Jyotsna, M.A,M.Ed.,NET,<br>( A Teacher, Blogger and Podcaster)
Contributed by: Smt Suneela Jyotsna, M.A,M.Ed.,NET,
( A Teacher, Blogger and Podcaster)

Answer Key: 1.C 2.C 3.A 4.B 5.D

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