English Core > Reading Skills > Comprehension Passage

Read the following passage carefully:

(1) Gossip. All humans partake in some form, despite the age-old adage, "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all." Whether it's workplace chatter, the sharing of family news or group texts between friends, it's inevitable that anyone who participates in the above, talks about other people. (2) People tend to think of gossip as synonymous with malicious rumours, put-downs, or the breathless propagation of a tabloid scoop. But researchers often define it more broadly as "talking about people who aren't present," says an assistant professor of psychology. "It's something that comes very naturally to us" an integral part of conversation, information sharing, and even community building. (3) "It's not necessarily negative," adds a professor of psychology. "It can be positive or neutral." Some researchers argue that gossip helped our ancestors survive. Evolutionary psychologists first pioneered this idea, comparing gossip to the grooming primates engage in as a means of bonding. (4) People are usually resistant to thinking about gossip as anything but bad. It is true that there are some types of gossip that should be avoided, such as gossip that is purely harmful and serves no purpose like mean comments on someone's way of dressing. In such a scenario no one benefits. Gossip can also be both active and passive. Active gossiping refers to directly sharing negative information about someone else. An active gossiper initiates the conversation and actively spreads it. Passive gossiping on the other hand involves more subtle behaviour like hinting, dropping suggestive comments or participating in gossip by listening without actively contributing, but still allowing the gossip to spread through their presence. (5) It's interesting to note that gossiping also says something about relationships people have with one another. The act of gossiping often implies a level of trust and closeness with someone, which are key aspects of a good friendship. (6) Research has found that gossip can stave off loneliness, while other studies have found it can facilitate bonding and closeness and serve as a form of entertainment. So, keep on talking. And when your conversation turns to gossip, as it inevitably will, remember that some good can come of it with the right intentions, of course.

Answer the following questions, based on the above passage: (i) Complete the following suitably. ....think of gossip as synonymous with malicious rumours, put-downs ...... in paragraph (2). By the phrase 'put-downs' the writer means ________. (1 mark) (ii) Despite the bad reputation of 'gossip', mention any two benefits that it offers. (2 marks) (iii) Read and complete the following suitably : The phrase 'It's something that comes very naturally to us' suggests that gossip should not merely be associated with malicious rumours. Choose the correct response from the two options to complete the sentence. The concern this phrase points towards is about A. that some types of gossip should be avoided. B. that gossip can be viewed as part of our daily interaction and bonding. (1 mark) (iv) Complete the analogy with one word from paragraph (2). Praise: Commend :: ________ : Malevolent (1 mark) (A) Scoop (B) Propagation (C) Malicious (D) Conversation (v) What type of gossip does the author disapprove of and why? (2 marks) (vi) Complete the following suitably with one difference between the author's opinion and that of people about gossip. Generally, people do not readily accept ________. (1 mark) (vii) "There's also a physiological distinction to be drawn between active and passive participation in gossip." (paragraph (4)) Based on the above statement, classify the following sentences as active and passive participation. (1 mark) Sentence 1: Ranjan told Raman and Shah the sensational facts he had heard about his friend Vineet from others. Sentence 2: Kumar stayed silent while his friends criticized his close friend Vijay in his absence. (viii) Why does the author say that gossip is a reflection of relationships? (1 mark) (ix) Choose the correct option: gossip can 'stave off loneliness'. (paragraph (6)) The above statement is true as: (1 mark) (A) we always enjoy talking ill of others. (B) we believe what we read about people in the print media. (C) we are free to talk loosely in the absence of the person. (D) in order to gossip, you need to feel close to people. (x) Complete the following suitably : The author puts forth the fact that man can never ________ gossiping. (1 mark)