Which Approach is Better: Cramming vs. The Hindu Editorial Discussion?
As an experienced Principal and CUET English educator, you are dealing with a common challenge—students often memorize answers without truly understanding the concepts. Your approach of using The Hindu Editorial for discussion is significantly better than rote memorization. Let’s analyze both approaches in detail.
1. Understanding Cramming: A Short-Term Strategy
Cramming refers to memorizing information without understanding it deeply. Many students follow this approach because they:
✅ Want quick results
✅ Lack reading and comprehension skills
✅ Are under pressure to score high
✅ Believe that pattern-based memorization will help them in exams
Drawbacks of Cramming:
❌ Lack of Conceptual Clarity: Students may remember answers but struggle with applying the knowledge in new situations.
❌ Forgets Information Quickly: Memorized facts are stored in short-term memory, leading to poor retention.
❌ No Critical Thinking Skills: Cramming does not improve a student’s ability to analyze or interpret passages independently.
❌ Fails in Competitive Exams: CUET and other entrance exams test comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and reasoning, not just memorized facts.
2. The Hindu Editorial: A Better Learning Strategy
Your method of using The Hindu Editorial and discussing it with students is far superior for long-term learning. Here’s why:
Benefits of Using The Hindu Editorial for Discussion:
✅ Improves Reading Comprehension: Editorials have high-quality content, complex sentence structures, and advanced vocabulary—helping students read and understand tough passages.
✅ Enhances Critical Thinking: Students engage with real-world issues, analyze arguments, and form opinions rather than just memorizing.
✅ Boosts Vocabulary & Grammar: Editorials contain new words, idioms, and phrases that improve word power naturally.
✅ Prepares for CUET & Other Exams: Many exam passages are based on news, opinion pieces, and literature, making editorial reading a directly applicable skill.
✅ Encourages Active Learning: Instead of passively cramming, students discuss, debate, and analyze the content, making learning interactive and meaningful.
3. How to Implement the Hindu Editorial Approach Effectively?
Since many students are used to cramming, shifting them to editorial-based discussions requires a strategy. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Select Relevant Editorials
-
Choose articles related to education, technology, social issues, and economy to keep students engaged.
-
Example: If discussing evidence-based policymaking, select an article on education reforms in India.
Step 2: Break the Editorial into Parts
-
Identify important paragraphs and underline key vocabulary and phrases.
-
Explain complex ideas in simple words.
Step 3: Conduct Interactive Discussions
-
Ask Open-Ended Questions: “What do you think about this policy?”
-
Encourage Debate: Assign two sides (for and against) and let students discuss.
-
Use Real-Life Examples: Relate the editorial’s topic to students’ experiences or current events.
Step 4: Create MCQs and Exercises
-
Convert editorials into mock test questions similar to CUET.
-
Include synonyms, antonyms, grammar, and inference-based MCQs from the article.
4. Final Verdict: Which Approach is Better?
✅ The Hindu Editorial Discussion is a superior approach because:
-
It develops comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical skills.
-
It prepares students for CUET and competitive exams effectively.
-
It encourages independent thinking and long-term retention.
❌ Cramming, on the other hand, is ineffective because:
-
It limits understanding to only memorized content.
-
It fails in real exam scenarios where reasoning is required.
-
It does not build language skills, which are critical for success.
Conclusion:
Your strategy of using The Hindu Editorial for discussion is far more effective than cramming. While some students may resist at first, consistent engagement, questioning, and practice will help them develop real language proficiency—a skill that will benefit them not just in exams but in their entire academic and professional life.
Example Passage 1: The Hindu Editorial
Evidence-Based Policymaking and the NEP 2020’s Trilingual Policy
Evidence-based policymaking relies on data, research, and statistical analysis rather than ideology or political convenience. By this standard, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s push for a third language in schools appears flawed.
Surveys reveal that India’s school system struggles with even basic literacy. The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a global test assessing 15-year-olds in reading, math, and science, ranked India 73rd out of 74 countries in 2009. India has since withdrawn from PISA, while nations like Singapore and Finland consistently perform well.
Domestic studies confirm the crisis. The National Achievement Survey (NAS) 2017 found that only 48% of Class 8 students could read a simple paragraph, and 42% had a good grasp of grammar. NAS 2021 showed minor improvements. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2018 found that 27% of Class 8 students couldn’t read even a Class 2-level text; in 2022, this worsened to 30.4%. In 2016, 73.8% of Class 8 students struggled with basic English; in 2022, 53.3% still could not read simple English sentences. Notably, neither NAS nor ASER evaluates third-language proficiency, making its effectiveness unclear.
Research suggests that learning a third language (L3) increases cognitive load. According to the Cambridge Handbook of Third Language Acquisition, if students struggle with their first (L1) and second (L2) languages, adding L3 can reduce efficiency and cause mental fatigue. The impact varies based on language similarity—for example, Marathi speakers find Hindi easier to learn, while Tamil speakers face greater difficulty. Cross-linguistic interference can also create pronunciation and grammar issues.
NEP 2020’s rigid trilingual mandate ignores these realities. Instead of focusing on a third language, policymakers should allocate resources to math, science, and emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many advanced economies, including China, Canada, and the UK, are integrating AI into school curricula, while India remains focused on outdated linguistic policies.
CUET English Preparation: Why Editorial Discussions Beat Cramming for Success!
Passage 1 Questions
1. Which of the following best describes evidence-based policymaking?
A) Policies based on political convenience
B) Policies driven by ideology rather than facts
C) Policies formulated using research and statistical analysis
D) Policies based on assumptions without validation
Answer: C) Policies formulated using research and statistical analysis
2. Why is India’s withdrawal from the PISA rankings significant?
A) It highlights India’s strong education system
B) It shows India’s reluctance to face global comparisons
C) It demonstrates India’s leadership in international education
D) It confirms India’s success in language learning
Answer: B) It shows India’s reluctance to face global comparisons
3. What do NAS and ASER surveys reveal about Indian students?
A) They excel in their mother tongue and English
B) Their language proficiency is improving significantly
C) Many students struggle with even basic literacy
D) They prefer learning three languages over two
Answer: C) Many students struggle with even basic literacy
4. What challenge does the Cambridge Handbook of Third Language Acquisition highlight?
A) Learning a third language is easier than learning a second
B) Learning an additional language can cause cognitive overload
C) Language learning has no impact on cognitive development
D) The more languages a student learns, the better their memory
Answer: B) Learning an additional language can cause cognitive overload
5. What does the passage suggest India should focus on instead of a third language?
A) Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies
B) Promoting Sanskrit and Hindi nationwide
C) Expanding PISA participation
D) Increasing the number of teachers for L3
Answer: A) Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies
Passage 1: Evidence-Based Policymaking and the NEP 2020’s Trilingual Policy
10 MCQs Based on the Passage
1. According to evidence-based policymaking, what should policies be based on?
a) Political ideology
b) Data and research
c) Cultural traditions
d) Public sentiment
Answer: b) Data and research
2. Why did India withdraw from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)?
a) India ranked at the bottom in 2009
b) PISA was discontinued after 2009
c) India achieved high rankings and didn’t need it
d) PISA did not evaluate language proficiency
Answer: a) India ranked at the bottom in 2009
3. According to NAS 2017, what percentage of Class 8 students could write an essay or letter?
a) 42%
b) 48%
c) 47%
d) 56%
Answer: c) 47%
4. What does ASER 2018 reveal about Class 8 students in India?
a) 73.8% of them were proficient in English
b) 27% could not read even a Class 2-level text
c) 90% were fluent in their mother tongue
d) ASER does not evaluate school enrolment
Answer: b) 27% could not read even a Class 2-level text
5. What does the Cambridge Handbook of Third Language Acquisition suggest about learning a third language?
a) It is always beneficial
b) It increases cognitive load and can cause mental fatigue
c) It should be introduced only at the university level
d) It is easier than learning the first language
Answer: b) It increases cognitive load and can cause mental fatigue
6. What is the primary issue with NEP 2020’s three-language policy?
a) It oversimplifies language learning complexities
b) It does not allow the learning of foreign languages
c) It mandates Sanskrit for all students
d) It is only applicable in rural areas
Answer: a) It oversimplifies language learning complexities
7. Which students face the most difficulty in learning Hindi as a third language?
a) Punjabi and Odia speakers
b) Marathi and Bengali speakers
c) Tamil, Santali, and Mizo speakers
d) Hindi and Gujarati speakers
Answer: c) Tamil, Santali, and Mizo speakers
8. What is one of the practical challenges of implementing the three-language policy?
a) Students do not want to learn a third language
b) Schools lack qualified teachers for all language preferences
c) English proficiency is already high in India
d) Public schools have too much funding
Answer: b) Schools lack qualified teachers for all language preferences
9. Which country has successfully implemented a bilingual education system focused on English?
a) China
b) Singapore
c) Germany
d) Brazil
Answer: b) Singapore
10. Why is Artificial Intelligence (AI) mentioned in the passage?
a) It can help automate language learning
b) It is part of the three-language policy
c) It is irrelevant to language education
d) It replaces the need for language teachers
Answer: a) It can help automate language learning
MCQs for Passage 1
1. Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
Q1. Choose the correct synonym of “Rigid” as used in the passage.
A) Flexible
B) Strict
C) Weak
D) Uncertain
✅ Answer: B) Strict
Q2. Choose the correct antonym of “Allocate” as used in the passage.
A) Distribute
B) Withdraw
C) Assign
D) Dedicate
✅ Answer: B) Withdraw
Q3. Choose the correct synonym of “Proficiency” as used in the passage.
A) Expertise
B) Ignorance
C) Inability
D) Confusion
✅ Answer: A) Expertise
Q4. Choose the correct antonym of “Emerging” as used in the passage.
A) Growing
B) Developing
C) Declining
D) Evolving
✅ Answer: C) Declining
Q5. Choose the correct synonym of “Mandate” as used in the passage.
A) Requirement
B) Option
C) Suggestion
D) Proposal
✅ Answer: A) Requirement
2. One-Word Substitutions
Q6. What is the one-word substitution for “A system based on facts and research rather than personal beliefs”?
A) Empirical
B) Hypothetical
C) Subjective
D) Illogical
✅ Answer: A) Empirical
Q7. What is the one-word substitution for “The study of how languages are learned”?
A) Linguistics
B) Phonetics
C) Psychology
D) Anthropology
✅ Answer: A) Linguistics
Q8. What is the one-word substitution for “The process of making something easier to understand or use”?
A) Simplification
B) Complexity
C) Contraction
D) Expansion
✅ Answer: A) Simplification
Q9. What is the one-word substitution for “The ability to do something well through training or experience”?
A) Inefficiency
B) Proficiency
C) Ignorance
D) Illiteracy
✅ Answer: B) Proficiency
Q10. What is the one-word substitution for “A set of rules governing a particular subject”?
A) Regulation
B) Opinion
C) Chaos
D) Misinterpretation
✅ Answer: A) Regulation
3. Reading Comprehension MCQs
Q11. According to the passage, why is NEP 2020’s trilingual policy considered flawed?
A) It ignores the importance of learning foreign languages.
B) It does not consider India’s literacy challenges.
C) It only benefits urban students.
D) It focuses too much on mathematics and science.
✅ Answer: B) It does not consider India’s literacy challenges.
Q12. What do the NAS and ASER reports suggest about Indian students?
A) Their literacy levels have drastically improved.
B) A significant number of students struggle with reading and grammar.
C) Most students are fluent in three languages.
D) The English curriculum is highly effective.
✅ Answer: B) A significant number of students struggle with reading and grammar.
Q13. Why does the passage mention the Cambridge Handbook of Third Language Acquisition?
A) To highlight the benefits of learning a third language.
B) To show how multilingualism improves cognitive skills.
C) To explain how learning a third language increases cognitive load.
D) To compare English proficiency in different countries.
✅ Answer: C) To explain how learning a third language increases cognitive load.
Q14. What does the passage suggest India should focus on instead of the trilingual policy?
A) More linguistic research
B) Investing in artificial intelligence education
C) Encouraging students to learn regional languages
D) Expanding teacher training programs
✅ Answer: B) Investing in artificial intelligence education
Q15. According to the passage, how does cross-linguistic interference impact students?
A) It improves their ability to speak multiple languages.
B) It helps students learn grammar quickly.
C) It can cause pronunciation and grammar difficulties.
D) It reduces the need for learning grammar.
✅ Answer: C) It can cause pronunciation and grammar difficulties.
4. Grammar: Voices & Narration
Q16. Convert into passive voice: “The government should allocate resources to AI education.”
A) AI education allocated resources by the government.
B) AI education should be allocated resources by the government.
C) AI education will allocate resources by the government.
D) The government allocates resources to AI education.
✅ Answer: B) AI education should be allocated resources by the government.
Q17. Convert into indirect speech: The researcher said, “Students should improve their reading skills.”
A) The researcher said students will improve their reading skills.
B) The researcher said that students should improve their reading skills.
C) The researcher said that students must improve their reading skills.
D) The researcher said that students had to improve their reading skills.
✅ Answer: B) The researcher said that students should improve their reading skills.
Q18. Convert into passive voice: “Policymakers are implementing the NEP 2020 guidelines.”
A) The NEP 2020 guidelines are being implemented by policymakers.
B) Policymakers implement the NEP 2020 guidelines.
C) NEP 2020 guidelines will be implemented by policymakers.
D) Policymakers have implemented the NEP 2020 guidelines.
✅ Answer: A) The NEP 2020 guidelines are being implemented by policymakers.
5. Sentence Correction
Q19. Identify the grammatically correct sentence.
A) India has withdraw from the PISA assessment.
B) India withdrew from the PISA assessment.
C) India withdrawing from the PISA assessment.
D) India withdraw from the PISA assessment.
✅ Answer: B) India withdrew from the PISA assessment.
Q20. Identify the grammatically correct sentence.
A) Students struggles with language proficiency.
B) Students struggled with language proficiency.
C) Students struggle with language proficiency.
D) Students struggling with language proficiency.
✅ Answer: C) Students struggle with language proficiency.
6. Idioms & Phrases
Q21. What does the phrase “Cognitive load” mean in the context of the passage?
A) The ability to multitask
B) Mental effort required for learning
C) A method of improving memory
D) The physical weight of books
✅ Answer: B) Mental effort required for learning
Q22. What does “Cross-linguistic interference” refer to in the passage?
A) Mixing two languages incorrectly
B) Learning multiple languages easily
C) Speaking fluently in three languages
D) Using translation tools for learning
✅ Answer: A) Mixing two languages incorrectly
7. Adverbs & Adjectives
Q23. Identify the adjective in the sentence: “The policy has a significant impact on education.”
A) Policy
B) Significant
C) Impact
D) Education
✅ Answer: B) Significant
Q24. Identify the adverb in the sentence: “Students should focus primarily on literacy skills.”
A) Focus
B) Primarily
C) Literacy
D) Skills
✅ Answer: B) Primarily
Quiz/Worksheet on Evidence-Based Policymaking and the NEP 2020’s Trilingual Policy
Instructions:
-
Read the passage carefully before answering.
-
Choose the correct option from the given choices.
-
Each question carries 1 mark.
1. Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
Q1. Choose the correct synonym of “Rigid” as used in the passage.
A) Flexible
B) Strict
C) Weak
D) Uncertain
✅ Answer: B) Strict
Q2. Choose the correct antonym of “Allocate” as used in the passage.
A) Distribute
B) Withdraw
C) Assign
D) Dedicate
✅ Answer: B) Withdraw
Q3. Choose the correct synonym of “Proficiency” as used in the passage.
A) Expertise
B) Ignorance
C) Inability
D) Confusion
✅ Answer: A) Expertise
Q4. Choose the correct antonym of “Emerging” as used in the passage.
A) Growing
B) Developing
C) Declining
D) Evolving
✅ Answer: C) Declining
2. One-Word Substitutions
Q5. What is the one-word substitution for “A system based on facts and research rather than personal beliefs”?
A) Empirical
B) Hypothetical
C) Subjective
D) Illogical
✅ Answer: A) Empirical
Q6. What is the one-word substitution for “The study of how languages are learned”?
A) Linguistics
B) Phonetics
C) Psychology
D) Anthropology
✅ Answer: A) Linguistics
3. Reading Comprehension MCQs
Q7. Why is NEP 2020’s trilingual policy considered flawed?
A) It ignores the importance of learning foreign languages.
B) It does not consider India’s literacy challenges.
C) It only benefits urban students.
D) It focuses too much on mathematics and science.
✅ Answer: B) It does not consider India’s literacy challenges.
Q8. According to the passage, how does cross-linguistic interference impact students?
A) It improves their ability to speak multiple languages.
B) It helps students learn grammar quickly.
C) It can cause pronunciation and grammar difficulties.
D) It reduces the need for learning grammar.
✅ Answer: C) It can cause pronunciation and grammar difficulties.
Q9. What does the passage suggest India should focus on instead of the trilingual policy?
A) More linguistic research
B) Investing in artificial intelligence education
C) Encouraging students to learn regional languages
D) Expanding teacher training programs
✅ Answer: B) Investing in artificial intelligence education
4. Grammar: Voices & Narration
Q10. Convert into passive voice: “The government should allocate resources to AI education.”
A) AI education allocated resources by the government.
B) AI education should be allocated resources by the government.
C) AI education will allocate resources by the government.
D) The government allocates resources to AI education.
✅ Answer: B) AI education should be allocated resources by the government.
Q11. Convert into indirect speech: The researcher said, “Students should improve their reading skills.”
A) The researcher said students will improve their reading skills.
B) The researcher said that students should improve their reading skills.
C) The researcher said that students must improve their reading skills.
D) The researcher said that students had to improve their reading skills.
✅ Answer: B) The researcher said that students should improve their reading skills.
5. Sentence Correction
Q12. Identify the grammatically correct sentence.
A) India has withdraw from the PISA assessment.
B) India withdrew from the PISA assessment.
C) India withdrawing from the PISA assessment.
D) India withdraw from the PISA assessment.
✅ Answer: B) India withdrew from the PISA assessment.
Q13. Identify the grammatically correct sentence.
A) Students struggles with language proficiency.
B) Students struggled with language proficiency.
C) Students struggle with language proficiency.
D) Students struggling with language proficiency.
✅ Answer: C) Students struggle with language proficiency.
6. Idioms & Phrases
Q14. What does the phrase “Cognitive load” mean in the context of the passage?
A) The ability to multitask
B) Mental effort required for learning
C) A method of improving memory
D) The physical weight of books
✅ Answer: B) Mental effort required for learning
Q15. What does “Cross-linguistic interference” refer to in the passage?
A) Mixing two languages incorrectly
B) Learning multiple languages easily
C) Speaking fluently in three languages
D) Using translation tools for learning
✅ Answer: A) Mixing two languages incorrectly
7. Adverbs & Adjectives
Q16. Identify the adjective in the sentence: “The policy has a significant impact on education.”
A) Policy
B) Significant
C) Impact
D) Education
✅ Answer: B) Significant
Q17. Identify the adverb in the sentence: “Students should focus primarily on literacy skills.”
A) Focus
B) Primarily
C) Literacy
D) Skills
✅ Answer: B) Primarily
Q18. Which sentence correctly uses an adjective?
A) The students performed remarkable in the test.
B) The students performed remarkably in the test.
C) The students’ performance was remarkable.
D) The students remarkably performed in the test.
✅ Answer: C) The students’ performance was remarkable.
8. Miscellaneous
Q19. The phrase “Empirical research” refers to research that is based on:
A) Theories and assumptions
B) Experimentation and observation
C) Personal opinions
D) Political influences
✅ Answer: B) Experimentation and observation
Q20. What is the best title for this passage?
A) The Benefits of Learning Multiple Languages
B) How AI Can Improve India’s Education System
C) Evaluating the NEP 2020’s Language Policy
D) The Importance of Evidence-Based Research in Science
✅ Answer: C) Evaluating the NEP 2020’s Language Policy
Answer Key:
-
B | 2. B | 3. A | 4. C | 5. A | 6. A | 7. B | 8. C | 9. B | 10. B | 11. B | 12. B | 13. C | 14. B | 15. A | 16. B | 17. B | 18. C | 19. B | 20. C
✅ This quiz/worksheet covers essential areas of English comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary.
Down Free PDF for CUET English Preparation
