Q1. The following passage is given below. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: Circumstances. He loses confidence. He feels that his stars are not in his favour. The future is hopeless for him. His mental psychology is disturbed. For his poverty he sometimes blames his own fate and sometimes the society in which he lives. A poor man's children go about half-starved. They have no proper clothes to wear. He is often unable to educate them. His children begin to earn at an early age. This checks their all-round development. They have a poor chance of rising in life. Poverty compels the poor people to commit crime. It makes man dishonest. The fire of hunger destroys all the noble virtues of a person. To fulfil their needs they turn into thieves and murderers. They are so disappointed that they run from homes or put an end to their lives. For poverty both men and society are responsible. The social system is such that a few people enjoy all the comforts of life. A large number of people remain poor and backward. Therefore, such a social system must change. Sometimes people themselves are responsible for their poverty. They are lazy and have bad habits like gambling and drinking. Many evils of poverty will disappear with the spread of education. Lack of money is the root of all evils. Efforts should be made to remove poverty. There should be jobs or work for everyone. India is a vast country. People of different castes, communities and religions live here. They have different thoughts and habits. Sometimes their habits and behaviour are harmful to society. So our society is not free from evils. These evils come in the way of social development. Superstitions are one of the greatest social evils. Many people believe in evil spirits and ghosts. Sadhus and cunning people take advantage of such people. They make people do cruel and inhuman deeds. People who have no children do cruel things. They make sacrifice of animals and human beings. Some do strange things to get wealth and children. Dowry system is the greatest curse of our society. It has disturbed the peace and happiness of home and society. In the past parents gave dowry to their daughter at the time of her marriage. It was a kind of gift. In course of time this feeling changed. Now it has become essential to bring dowry. The evil effect of dowry can be seen in our social life. Many girls remain unmarried because their parents cannot give dowry. Suitable match depends on dowry. The demand for dowry is on the increase.
(a) What are the effects of poverty on the children of the poor?
(b) How does poverty compel people to commit crime?
(c) What are the reasons for the existence of poverty in India?
(d) What are superstitions and how do they harm society?
(e) Explain the evolution and impact of the dowry system in India.
