Q1. Read the following text critically and answer the questions given below.

In its widest sense, government means the framework and rules by which decisions that affect a community as a whole are arrived at and carried out. In a narrower sense, however, government is a person or body of persons giving effect to the framework or rules. There are different forms of governments depending on the manner in which a government is run such as monarchies, military dictatorships, civilian dictatorships and democracies. Monarchs, military men and civilian dictators often wield unlimited power which might result into tyranny and despotism. A democratically elected government exercises power and authority granted by the constitution and traditions.

A government is good, if it aims for the good of the people. The primary objectives for which such a government comes into existence are to maintain the rule of law look after its citizens without discrimination and fulfil their needs and work toward the establishment of welfare programs for the people. Only a government that has come into existence as an expression of the will of the people and adopts policies for the welfare of the people will have popular support. For this reason, a democratically elected government is certainly preferable to a benevolent dictatorship.

In the real world there are three important qualities which citizens look for in their governments. The first is that the government should be representative; the second, that it should provide a reasonable degree of stability; and the third that it should look after the wellbeing of its citizens.

The citizens of a country may sometimes demand policies that are short-sighted and disastrous in the long run. This is often seen in regard to economic policies. A good government is one that formulates and implements policies that are beneficial for the citizens and also ensure future prosperity of the country. That is to say, a good government should be expected to think for the future as well as act for the present requirements - about defense, economic development, education and employment.

A good government should rise above the narrow views of the people and take measures, however unpopular and repugnant they may be when they are taken, to solve present problems and ensure a bright future. It must be prepared to accept constructive criticism and enter into a dialogue with dissident groups with a view to making its policies and measures acceptable. It always aims at the good of the people. The men and women forming such a government are persons who have the support of the people with them in good or bad times.

To conclude, it may be said that a representative government i.e. a democratically elected government which is stable and which can act with circumspection and vision for the prosperity and welfare of its citizens as well as for the future of the nation as a whole is to be considered a good government. A good government should therefore take cognizance of what years ago Jean- Paul Rousseau wrote in his Du Contract Social about the ultimate source of authority of a good government. According to him the government is only an agent of the people in whom vests the ultimate source of authority and for whom the government is functioning.

1. Identify and write any two topic sentences. (1)
2. State the main objectives that a good government should achieve at all times. (2)
3. What is the authors purpose of writing this article? (1)
4. What are the various forms of governments identified in the passage? (2)
5. Identify any one fact and one opinion given in the paragraph. (2)
6. Write suitable title for this paragraph. (1)

Assessment Rubric for Critical Reading Questions:

1. Comprehension: accurate, clear, and precise
2. Analysis: accurate and relevant
3. Synthesis: construct and support explanations, conclusions, or arguments.
4. Evaluation: the accuracy, relevance, logic, or significance of the text.