Speed Reading — Level 6 — 500 wpm 

Now do this put-the-text-back-together activity.

This is the text (if you need help).

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined his controversial plan to make India a cashless society. Indians are already up in arms following his recent and sudden decision to ban the old 500 and 1,000 rupee banknotes. They ceased to be legal tender in India from the 9th of November, although the old 500-rupee note was replaced by an updated version. The government claimed the move was an effort to stop the banknotes being used to fund terrorism, as well as being a crackdown on counterfeit money in India. The ban means 80 per cent of the country's currency has been withdrawn from circulation and business has been brought to a virtual standstill. It is very unpopular among most Indians.

Mr Modi went a step further on Sunday when he called for a cashless society. He said in a televised speech: "I want to tell my small merchant brothers and sisters, this is the chance for you to enter the digital world." He added: "Learn the different ways you can use your bank accounts and Internet banking. Learn how to effectively use the apps of various banks on your phones. Learn how to run your business without cash. Learn about card payments and other electronic modes of payment….A cashless economy is secure. It is clean." He addressed India's more tech-savvy people by declaring that: "All the youth of India can do it very quickly, and within a month, the world can see a modern India."

Comprehension questions
  1. What kind of plan did the article say Narendra Modi outlined?
  2. What phrase did the article use to say Indians are angry?
  3. What Indian banknote was replaced with a newer version?
  4. What is Mr Modi's plan designed to crack down on?
  5. What percentage of India's currency was withdrawn from circulation?
  6. Where did Mr Modi make a speech about the cashless society?
  7. What did Mr Modi tell small merchants they could enter?
  8. What did Mr Modi encourage people not to use in their businesses?
  9. What did Mr Modi say a cashless economy was besides being secure?
  10. Who did Mr Modi say could make India modern within a month?

Back to the cashless society lesson.

More Activities