Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:
Edmund Burke called the press the Fourth Estate of the realm. I think he did not use this title for the Press thoughtlessly as social ruling group or class. The three Estates or Realms in England Lords Spiritual (i.e., the Bishops in the House of Lords), the temporal, (i.e. other Lords) and Commons, i. e., the common people). The Press has been rightly called the Fourth Estate as it also constitutes a ruling group or class like the Lords and Commons. It cannot be denied in a free country that the Press exercises good deal of influence in shaping public opinion and pointing out the weaknesses or defects of society or of Government, and in general bringing to light all those good or bad things in society which would have otherwise remained unnoticed. The power is not limited or put under any check. The Press, instead of, being controlled by anyone controls life and thought of a nation. Hence, the Press constitutes an Estate by itself. Obviously, thus power which the Press in a country wields depends upon the number of newspaper readers. The opinions and comments of newspapers can influence the life of a nation only when they are read, by people. Reading in turn, requires that the general mass of people should be educated. Thus, the spread of education determines the extent of the newspapers. Where readers are few; newspapers must necessarily be few. Their influence, in that case can extend only to a small minority of population. In a country like India, the percentage of literacy is very low and the standard of journalism is not very high. So, Press has to play the role of a teacher here.
(a) Answer the following questions:
(i) Give an appropriate title to the passage.
(ii) What did Edmund Burke call the Press and why?
(iii)According to the passage, the number of newspaper readers is determined by?
(b) Find the words/phrases/expressions in the passage that have similar meaning to those given below:
(i) not showing consideration for the needs of other people
(ii) be a part of
(iii) denied
(iv) the capacity to have an effect or impact
(v) Lacking strength
(vi) determined behaviour or emotions
(vii) a view or judgment formed about something
(viii) inevitably
(ix) the ability to read and write
(x) Someone who helps students to acquire knowledge and wisdom
(a) Answers
(i) Title: The Fourth Estate: Power and Influence of the Press
(ii) Reason for Calling Press the Fourth Estate: Edmund Burke called the Press the Fourth Estate because, like the Lords Spiritual, Lords Temporal, and Commons in England, it constitutes a ruling group or class, exercising significant influence in shaping public opinion and highlighting societal or governmental flaws.
(iii) Determination of Newspaper Readership: According to the passage, the number of newspaper readers is determined by the spread of education. Where education is widespread, readership is high, leading to greater influence of newspapers on the population.
(b) Similar Words/Phrases
(i) Not showing consideration for the needs of other people: thoughtlessly
(ii) Be a part of: constitutes
(iii) Denied: cannot be denied
(iv) The capacity to have an effect or impact: influence
(v) Lacking strength: weak
(vi) Determined behaviour or emotions: controls
(vii) A view or judgment formed about something: opinion
(viii) Inevitably: must necessarily
(ix) The ability to read and write: literacy
(x) Someone who helps students to acquire knowledge and wisdom: teacher