Introduction
Discursive writing is a style of writing that looks at a topic from different sides, often in a fair and balanced way. It can inform, discuss, or persuade by showing various viewpoints, using evidence and reasoning. Instead of always taking a firm position, it encourages the reader to think critically and explore the issue in depth.
- Balanced Discussion – Considers more than one point of view, showing advantages and disadvantages or different opinions.
- Neutral Tone – Uses calm and fair language, avoiding strong emotional or biased words.
- Clear Organisation – Ideas are arranged logically, often starting with an introduction, then body paragraphs for different viewpoints, and ending with a conclusion.
- Fact-Based – Supports points with examples, facts, and reasoning.
- Flexible Ending – May leave the reader to decide or give a balanced conclusion.
Types
- For and Against – Discusses pros and cons.
- Opinion-Based – Shows various views but may lean toward the writer’s opinion.
- Discussion – Explores different perspectives without trying to convince.
How to Answer Discursive Passage Questions
- Read the passage carefully to understand the topic and viewpoints.
- Identify key ideas and the author’s purpose (inform, discuss, persuade).
- Scan for details like examples, evidence, and comparisons.
- Answer in your own words, unless asked to quote.
- Be concise and accurate, sticking to the information in the passage.
- Pay attention to tone, as it may help with inference questions.
Solved Examples
Passage – 1
Read the passage given below and answer the following Questions:
Cardamom, known as the queen of all spices, boasts a history as ancient as the human race itself. It is the dried fruit of a herbaceous perennial plant. A warm, humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, distributed rainfall, and specialised cultivation and processing methods all combine to render Indian cardamom truly unique in aroma, flavour, size, and its distinct parrot green colour.
Two types of cardamom are produced in India. The first type, the larger variety, holds less significance as it is not traded in the futures market. It is cultivated in the northeastern regions of the country. The second type, produced in the southern states, is actively traded in the futures market. This variety is primarily cultivated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. As per the futures market rules, only the 7 mm quality was initially traded in exchanges. However, the norms were relaxed, and now the 6 mm quality is also traded.
Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. Indian cardamom is known in two main varieties: Malabar and Mysore. The Mysore variety, containing high levels of cineol and limonene, is more aromatic. India has emerged as the world’s largest producer and exporter of cardamom.
The main harvest season for cardamom in India spans from August to February. Cardamom reaches the yielding stage two years after plantation. The primary physical markets for cardamom include Kumily, Vandiperiyar, Thekkady, Puliyarmala in Kerala, and Bodinayakanur and Cumbum in Tamil Nadu.
Kerala is the principal producer of cardamom, contributing up to 60% of the total production. Karnataka accounts for around 25% of the production. In Tamil Nadu, Ooty is the major producer, contributing approximately 10-15% of the total output. Besides India, Guatemala also produces around 1,000-2,000 tons of cardamom annually. However, due to its lower quality, Guatemalan cardamom is available at cheaper rates.
Q1: Why does the passage describe cardamom as the “queen of all spices”?
(a) Due to its ancient history.
(b) Because of its versatile usage in cooking.
(c) Owing to its unique aroma and flavour.
(d) Because it is the most expensive spice.
Q2: What does the passage imply about the role of climate and soil in the cultivation of Indian cardamom?
(a) They are essential but not unique to India.
(b) They uniquely contribute to the quality of Indian cardamom.
(c) They have little impact on the cultivation process.
(d) They are more important for cardamom than other spices.
Q3: According to the passage, why might the larger variety of cardamom be less significant in the market?
(a) It has a weaker aroma and flavour.
(b) It is not traded in the futures market.
(c) It is only cultivated in limited areas.
(d) It is more expensive than the smaller variety.
Q4: What does the passage suggest about the global production of cardamom?
(a) India and Guatemala are the only producers of cardamom.
(b) Guatemala rivals India in the quality of cardamom.
(c) India leads in quality, while Guatemala competes in price.
(d) Indian cardamom is less expensive than its global counterparts.
Q5: Which of the following titles would be the most appropriate for the passage?
(a) “The Global Spice Trade: A Comprehensive Overview”
(b) “Cardamom: The Queen of Spices and Its Journey”
(c) “Agricultural Practices in India: A Case Study”
(d) “The Economic Impact of Spices in the International Market”
Passage – 2
Throughout human history, the leading causes of death have been infection and trauma. Modern medicine has achieved significant victories against both, and the major causes of ill health and death are now chronic degenerative diseases, such as coronary artery disease, arthritis, cataracts, and cancer. These diseases have a long latency period before symptoms appear and a diagnosis is made. It follows that the majority of apparently healthy people are actually pre-ill.
Many national surveys reveal that malnutrition is common in developed countries. This is not the calorie or micronutrient deficiency associated with developing nations; rather, it is a depletion of multiple micronutrients, often combined with caloric balance or excess. The incidence and severity of Type B malnutrition would likely be shown to be worse if newer micronutrient groups, such as essential fatty acids and flavonoids, were included in the surveys.
However, the pharmaceutical model has also created an unhealthy dependency culture, in which relatively few of us accept responsibility for maintaining our own health. Instead, we have handed over this responsibility to health professionals who know very little about health maintenance or disease prevention.
Based on pharmaceutical thinking, most intervention studies have attempted to measure the impact of a single micronutrient on the incidence of disease. The classical approach contends that if you give a compound formula to test subjects and obtain positive results, you cannot know which ingredient is exerting the benefit, so you must test each ingredient individually.
So, do we need to analyse each individual’s nutritional status and then tailor a formula specifically for him or her? While we do not have the resources to analyse millions of individual cases, there is no need to do so. The vast majority of people consume suboptimal amounts of most micronutrients, and most of these micronutrients are very safe. Accordingly, a comprehensive and universal program of micronutrient support is probably the most cost-effective and safest way to improve the general health of the nation.
Q1: What does the passage suggest about modern medicine’s impact on health?
(a) It has eliminated all diseases.
(b) Only focuses on chronic diseases.
(c) Shifted focus from infection to chronic diseases.
(d) Neglected the importance of nutrition.
Q2: According to the passage, what is a major health issue in developed countries?
(a) Caloric excess only.
(b) General malnutrition.
(c) Multiple micronutrient depletion.
(d) Over-reliance on medication.
Q3: What is implied about individuals’ roles in their own health care?
(a) Fully self-reliant.
(b) Dependent on professionals.
(c) Balanced with professional care.
(d) Irrelevant in modern healthcare.
Q4: What does the passage indicate about the effectiveness of a universal micronutrient program?
(a) Ineffective and costly.
(b) Necessary for individual cases.
(c) Most effective and safe for general health.
(d) Limited to specific groups.
Q5: Which of the following titles would be the most appropriate for the passage?
(a) “Nutritional Health Trends”
(b) “Modern Medicine’s Impact”
(c) “Micronutrients in Health”
(d) “Health Dependency Issues”