3.5 News Analysis – Class 7 – Balbharati

Author: Text-based Lesson (Functional English)

Genre: Informational / Media Awareness

Textbook: English Balbharati – Class 7

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The lesson News Analysis teaches students how to understand and evaluate newspaper reports. It presents four sample news items:

1. Closed Shoes Not Allowed in Examination Halls – A Bengaluru institute restricts footwear and electronic gadgets during entrance tests to prevent copying.

2. Ritika Takes a Break from Acting – A Bollywood actress, Ritika, decides to quit acting after completing her big-budget movie to enter politics.

3. Most Dangerous Time in History – Scientist Stephen Hawking warns about global problems like climate change, overpopulation, and epidemics, urging unity to protect Earth.

4. Quick Cure for All Ailments? – A self-styled godman, Miribaba, sells fake ‘magic’ powder, exposing the dangers of blind faith.

The lesson encourages students to identify facts, reliability, and bias in news items. It also trains them to classify news by type (political, cultural, science-related, etc.), write impressions, prepare letters, and compare print, radio, and TV bulletins. The focus is on developing critical thinking, awareness, and responsible reading of media.

Theme / Central Idea

The lesson highlights the importance of media literacy. It teaches students to analyse news critically, distinguish between reliable and unreliable reports, and understand the role of media in society.

Character Sketches(Not a story, but key figures appear in the news items.)

Ritika (Film Actress)

• Popular Bollywood actress.

• Highly paid and famous.

• Decides to leave films for politics.

• Her decision surprises fans and media.

  
  

Prof. Stephen Hawking

• Renowned physicist and thinker.

• Warns about global threats like climate change.

• Advocates responsibility to protect Earth.

  
  

Miribaba

• Self-proclaimed godman.

• Claims to cure diseases with ‘special powder.’

• Misleads followers with fake remedies.

• Exposed by doctors as unreliable.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “Students like to read newspapers daily.”

   Infinitive: to read – shows purpose.

2. Passive Voice

   Active: The institute issued new exam rules.

   Passive: New exam rules were issued by the institute.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “We should verify news before believing it.”

   Should shows advice.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: Ritika said, “I will not sign any more films.”

   Indirect: Ritika said that she would not sign any more films.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: Stephen Hawking warned about climate change.

   Question: What did Stephen Hawking warn about?

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Why do you think exam halls restrict gadgets and footwear?

   Exam halls restrict gadgets and footwear to prevent cheating. Rules ensure fairness and discipline in competitive exams.

   
   

2. What is your opinion about Ritika’s decision to quit acting?

   Ritika’s decision shows courage to change careers. Though fans may be sad, her choice reflects independence and desire to serve differently.

   
   

3. Do you agree with Stephen Hawking’s warning? Why?

   I agree because climate change, overpopulation, and epidemics are real threats. His words remind us to act responsibly and protect our planet.

   
   

4. How should people react to fake cures like Miribaba’s powder?

   People should reject blind faith and rely on science and doctors. Fake cures mislead and harm society. Awareness and education are the best solutions.

   
   

5. Why is media literacy important for students?

   Media literacy helps students think critically and not believe everything blindly. It teaches them to separate facts from opinions and become responsible citizens.

True or False (5)

1. Shivam Institute allowed calculators in the exam hall. → False

2. Ritika’s last film was titled Ant. → True

3. Stephen Hawking warned that mankind had two planets to live on. → False (He said we have only one.)

4. Miribaba claimed his powder came from a Himalayan herb. → True

5. Doctors confirmed that Miribaba’s powder cured diseases. → False (It was fake.)

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. What were the rules issued for the entrance test at Shivam Institute?

   The rules banned closed footwear, socks, mobile phones, calculators, and electronic gadgets. Pens were to be provided by invigilators.

   
   

2. Why did Ritika’s decision shock her fans?

   Her fans were shocked because she was a highly paid, successful actress, yet she quit films suddenly to join politics.

   
   

3. What global problems did Stephen Hawking warn about?

   He warned about climate change, overpopulation, epidemic diseases, and the danger of technology destroying Earth.

   
   

4. What claim did Miribaba make about his powder?

   Miribaba claimed it was made from a Himalayan herb and could cure all diseases, though this was proven false by doctors.

   
   

5. What does the lesson News Analysis teach us?

   It teaches us to read news critically, separate facts from unreliable claims, and understand the responsibility of media in informing society.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

News Analysis is an informative lesson that improves media awareness among students. By analysing different news items, it trains readers to classify news, judge reliability, and avoid blind faith. The lesson balances cultural, scientific, and social issues through practical examples. Its focus on Stephen Hawking’s warning and Miribaba’s fake powder makes it realistic and thought-provoking. It is memorable because it connects English learning with critical thinking and real-life media skills.

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