What is a vampire bat?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

A shoal of fish can be substituted by

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

This passage opens with a striking sentence. What method does the author employ to achieve his effect?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

In which phrase of the passage, do you find an illustration of the proverb 'Familiarity breeds contempt'?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

Explain the meaning of the word 'bizarre'.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

Vampire bats are described as a legend in Europe because

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

The Savannahs are found generally in

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

Which figure of speech is used by the author to describe the humming bird?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

The creatures give one the feeling that they

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

Give one example of each of the strangest, loveliest and most horrifying animals described in the passage.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

South America is the home to some of the strangest, some of the loveliest and some of the most horrifying animals in the world. There can be few creatures more improbable than the sloth which spends its life in a permanent state of mute slow motion, hanging upside down in the tall forest trees: few more bizarre than the giant ant eater of the Savannahs with its absurdly disproportionate anatomy, its tail enlarged into a shaggy banner and its jaws elongated into a curved and toothless tube. On the other hand, beautiful birds are so common as to become almost unremarkable. Gaudy macaws flap through the forest, their splendid plumage contrasting incongruously with their harsh cries; and humming-birds, like tiny jewels, flit from flower to flower sipping nectar, their iridescent feathers flashing the colours of the rainbow as they fly.
Many of the South American animals inspire the fascination which comes from revulsion. Shoals of cannibal fish infest the rivers waiting to rip the flesh from any animal which tumbles among them, and vampire bats, a legend in Europe but a grim reality in South America, fly out at night from their roosts in the forests to suck blood from cows and men.

Elizabeth's own tragedy began when

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Her father, Edward Moulton Barren, was, as Elizabeth later wrote, a very peculiar person.  "Heir to a fortune, educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he was nevertheless a complete domestic tyrant".  After bearing him twelve children, his gentle wife had little strength left for struggle against  him, and  the children never dared oppose  his wishes.

Yet Elizabeth's childhood was happy. She romped and studied with her eldest brother, learnt Greek and French, read widely and wrote poetic tragedies.  Her own tragedy began at fifteen with a cough and an injury to her back, which resulted in increasingly bad health.  Then her mother died.

Four years later, her father decided to sell the country home. The large family moved from house to house until her father bought No. 50 Wimpole Street.  There Elizabeth's health grew worse, and she became a creature of the shadows and silence.

As the years passed, the family grew used to her withdrawn life. She had a certain independence, for an uncle had left her a small income.  But her brothers and sisters were at the mercy of Mr. Barren's harsh rules, which hung over the household like thunder in heavy weather.  Chief among them was the absolute refusal to let his daughters marry.  He prevented the marriage of Elizabeth’s gay, dance-loving sister, Henrietta, and the scenes that followed broke Elizabeth’s heart. Yet she remained devoted to her father. It was a devotion that served to strengthen the walls of her prison.

Explain 'a creature of the shadows and silence'.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Her father, Edward Moulton Barren, was, as Elizabeth later wrote, a very peculiar person.  "Heir to a fortune, educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he was nevertheless a complete domestic tyrant".  After bearing him twelve children, his gentle wife had little strength left for struggle against  him, and  the children never dared oppose  his wishes.

Yet Elizabeth's childhood was happy. She romped and studied with her eldest brother, learnt Greek and French, read widely and wrote poetic tragedies.  Her own tragedy began at fifteen with a cough and an injury to her back, which resulted in increasingly bad health.  Then her mother died.

Four years later, her father decided to sell the country home. The large family moved from house to house until her father bought No. 50 Wimpole Street.  There Elizabeth's health grew worse, and she became a creature of the shadows and silence.

As the years passed, the family grew used to her withdrawn life. She had a certain independence, for an uncle had left her a small income.  But her brothers and sisters were at the mercy of Mr. Barren's harsh rules, which hung over the household like thunder in heavy weather.  Chief among them was the absolute refusal to let his daughters marry.  He prevented the marriage of Elizabeth’s gay, dance-loving sister, Henrietta, and the scenes that followed broke Elizabeth’s heart. Yet she remained devoted to her father. It was a devotion that served to strengthen the walls of her prison.

What does the phrase 'to pass from dream to grander dream' mean?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little nephew trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.

Some middle-aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. One man went into an entirely new business when he was past middle age and made a success of it. De Morgan did not start to write novels until he was past sixty. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of the Swiss mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept. the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.

What does the last sentence of the passage imply?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Her father, Edward Moulton Barren, was, as Elizabeth later wrote, a very peculiar person.  "Heir to a fortune, educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he was nevertheless a complete domestic tyrant".  After bearing him twelve children, his gentle wife had little strength left for struggle against  him, and  the children never dared oppose  his wishes.

Yet Elizabeth's childhood was happy. She romped and studied with her eldest brother, learnt Greek and French, read widely and wrote poetic tragedies.  Her own tragedy began at fifteen with a cough and an injury to her back, which resulted in increasingly bad health.  Then her mother died.

Four years later, her father decided to sell the country home. The large family moved from house to house until her father bought No. 50 Wimpole Street.  There Elizabeth's health grew worse, and she became a creature of the shadows and silence.

As the years passed, the family grew used to her withdrawn life. She had a certain independence, for an uncle had left her a small income.  But her brothers and sisters were at the mercy of Mr. Barren's harsh rules, which hung over the household like thunder in heavy weather.  Chief among them was the absolute refusal to let his daughters marry.  He prevented the marriage of Elizabeth’s gay, dance-loving sister, Henrietta, and the scenes that followed broke Elizabeth’s heart. Yet she remained devoted to her father. It was a devotion that served to strengthen the walls of her prison.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little nephew trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.

Some middle-aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. One man went into an entirely new business when he was past middle age and made a success of it. De Morgan did not start to write novels until he was past sixty. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of the Swiss mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept. the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.

What was Raman's reaction to Kali's anger?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

He opened the door, but just a little, and shouted, Holy Mother, unless you promise to grant my wish, I will not open the door.

Kali became very angry indeed, but Raman was obstinate. After some arguments the Goddess had to yield.  Then he opened the door.  She entered.

Though she had ten heads, she was beautiful to look at. But Raman began to laugh as soon as he saw her.  He could not control his laughter.  He laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down his cheeks and his little tuft unfastened.

Goddess Kali was dumbstruck by this behaviour.  She asked him angrily, Why are you laughing like a fool?
Tenali Raman could not answer her. He was still laughing. This annoyed her more but she was helpless. She waited patiently.

After a long time Raman recovered and replied, Oh Goddess, forgive me. You are the most beautiful Mother I have seen in my life. But I am laughing because some foolish thought occurred to me when I looked at you.
The Goddess became furious and wanted to know what it was. Tenali Raman brought his palms together humbly and replied, Oh Mother, when I get a cold I find it difficult to blow the one nose I have.  I was wondering how you manage with the ten noses you have, when you catch a cold. Saying this he laughed, all the more.
The goddess could not help laughing too, when she heard him.  It was the first time that she had laughed at herself. She was pleased with the young man. So she offered him a boon. She gave him the gift of making people laugh.

Tenali Raman was not satisfied.  He said that the gift would only help others and not him. Kali thought that this was reasonable and she wanted to give him something more.
She took two silver cups and said, Son, here are two silver cups. One is full of honey, which will give you wisdom. The other cup contains milk which will give you riches. You can choose what you want.

What was the funny thought?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

He opened the door, but just a little, and shouted, Holy Mother, unless you promise to grant my wish, I will not open the door.

Kali became very angry indeed, but Raman was obstinate. After some arguments the Goddess had to yield.  Then he opened the door.  She entered.

Though she had ten heads, she was beautiful to look at. But Raman began to laugh as soon as he saw her.  He could not control his laughter.  He laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down his cheeks and his little tuft unfastened.

Goddess Kali was dumbstruck by this behaviour.  She asked him angrily, Why are you laughing like a fool?
Tenali Raman could not answer her. He was still laughing. This annoyed her more but she was helpless. She waited patiently.

After a long time Raman recovered and replied, Oh Goddess, forgive me. You are the most beautiful Mother I have seen in my life. But I am laughing because some foolish thought occurred to me when I looked at you.
The Goddess became furious and wanted to know what it was. Tenali Raman brought his palms together humbly and replied, Oh Mother, when I get a cold I find it difficult to blow the one nose I have.  I was wondering how you manage with the ten noses you have, when you catch a cold. Saying this he laughed, all the more.
The goddess could not help laughing too, when she heard him.  It was the first time that she had laughed at herself. She was pleased with the young man. So she offered him a boon. She gave him the gift of making people laugh.

Tenali Raman was not satisfied.  He said that the gift would only help others and not him. Kali thought that this was reasonable and she wanted to give him something more.
She took two silver cups and said, Son, here are two silver cups. One is full of honey, which will give you wisdom. The other cup contains milk which will give you riches. You can choose what you want.

What gift did the Goddess offer Tenali Raman?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

He opened the door, but just a little, and shouted, Holy Mother, unless you promise to grant my wish, I will not open the door.

Kali became very angry indeed, but Raman was obstinate. After some arguments the Goddess had to yield.  Then he opened the door.  She entered.

Though she had ten heads, she was beautiful to look at. But Raman began to laugh as soon as he saw her.  He could not control his laughter.  He laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down his cheeks and his little tuft unfastened.

Goddess Kali was dumbstruck by this behaviour.  She asked him angrily, Why are you laughing like a fool?
Tenali Raman could not answer her. He was still laughing. This annoyed her more but she was helpless. She waited patiently.

After a long time Raman recovered and replied, Oh Goddess, forgive me. You are the most beautiful Mother I have seen in my life. But I am laughing because some foolish thought occurred to me when I looked at you.
The Goddess became furious and wanted to know what it was. Tenali Raman brought his palms together humbly and replied, Oh Mother, when I get a cold I find it difficult to blow the one nose I have.  I was wondering how you manage with the ten noses you have, when you catch a cold. Saying this he laughed, all the more.
The goddess could not help laughing too, when she heard him.  It was the first time that she had laughed at herself. She was pleased with the young man. So she offered him a boon. She gave him the gift of making people laugh.

Tenali Raman was not satisfied.  He said that the gift would only help others and not him. Kali thought that this was reasonable and she wanted to give him something more.
She took two silver cups and said, Son, here are two silver cups. One is full of honey, which will give you wisdom. The other cup contains milk which will give you riches. You can choose what you want.

Elizabeth's father was a complete domestic tyrant implies that

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Her father, Edward Moulton Barren, was, as Elizabeth later wrote, a very peculiar person.  "Heir to a fortune, educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he was nevertheless a complete domestic tyrant".  After bearing him twelve children, his gentle wife had little strength left for struggle against  him, and  the children never dared oppose  his wishes.

Yet Elizabeth's childhood was happy. She romped and studied with her eldest brother, learnt Greek and French, read widely and wrote poetic tragedies.  Her own tragedy began at fifteen with a cough and an injury to her back, which resulted in increasingly bad health.  Then her mother died.

Four years later, her father decided to sell the country home. The large family moved from house to house until her father bought No. 50 Wimpole Street.  There Elizabeth's health grew worse, and she became a creature of the shadows and silence.

As the years passed, the family grew used to her withdrawn life. She had a certain independence, for an uncle had left her a small income.  But her brothers and sisters were at the mercy of Mr. Barren's harsh rules, which hung over the household like thunder in heavy weather.  Chief among them was the absolute refusal to let his daughters marry.  He prevented the marriage of Elizabeth’s gay, dance-loving sister, Henrietta, and the scenes that followed broke Elizabeth’s heart. Yet she remained devoted to her father. It was a devotion that served to strengthen the walls of her prison.

The cup of honey would give him

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

He opened the door, but just a little, and shouted, Holy Mother, unless you promise to grant my wish, I will not open the door.

Kali became very angry indeed, but Raman was obstinate. After some arguments the Goddess had to yield.  Then he opened the door.  She entered.

Though she had ten heads, she was beautiful to look at. But Raman began to laugh as soon as he saw her.  He could not control his laughter.  He laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down his cheeks and his little tuft unfastened.

Goddess Kali was dumbstruck by this behaviour.  She asked him angrily, Why are you laughing like a fool?
Tenali Raman could not answer her. He was still laughing. This annoyed her more but she was helpless. She waited patiently.

After a long time Raman recovered and replied, Oh Goddess, forgive me. You are the most beautiful Mother I have seen in my life. But I am laughing because some foolish thought occurred to me when I looked at you.
The Goddess became furious and wanted to know what it was. Tenali Raman brought his palms together humbly and replied, Oh Mother, when I get a cold I find it difficult to blow the one nose I have.  I was wondering how you manage with the ten noses you have, when you catch a cold. Saying this he laughed, all the more.
The goddess could not help laughing too, when she heard him.  It was the first time that she had laughed at herself. She was pleased with the young man. So she offered him a boon. She gave him the gift of making people laugh.

Tenali Raman was not satisfied.  He said that the gift would only help others and not him. Kali thought that this was reasonable and she wanted to give him something more.
She took two silver cups and said, Son, here are two silver cups. One is full of honey, which will give you wisdom. The other cup contains milk which will give you riches. You can choose what you want.

What broke Elizabeth's heart?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Her father, Edward Moulton Barren, was, as Elizabeth later wrote, a very peculiar person.  "Heir to a fortune, educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he was nevertheless a complete domestic tyrant".  After bearing him twelve children, his gentle wife had little strength left for struggle against  him, and  the children never dared oppose  his wishes.

Yet Elizabeth's childhood was happy. She romped and studied with her eldest brother, learnt Greek and French, read widely and wrote poetic tragedies.  Her own tragedy began at fifteen with a cough and an injury to her back, which resulted in increasingly bad health.  Then her mother died.

Four years later, her father decided to sell the country home. The large family moved from house to house until her father bought No. 50 Wimpole Street.  There Elizabeth's health grew worse, and she became a creature of the shadows and silence.

As the years passed, the family grew used to her withdrawn life. She had a certain independence, for an uncle had left her a small income.  But her brothers and sisters were at the mercy of Mr. Barren's harsh rules, which hung over the household like thunder in heavy weather.  Chief among them was the absolute refusal to let his daughters marry.  He prevented the marriage of Elizabeth’s gay, dance-loving sister, Henrietta, and the scenes that followed broke Elizabeth’s heart. Yet she remained devoted to her father. It was a devotion that served to strengthen the walls of her prison.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

He opened the door, but just a little, and shouted, Holy Mother, unless you promise to grant my wish, I will not open the door.

Kali became very angry indeed, but Raman was obstinate. After some arguments the Goddess had to yield.  Then he opened the door.  She entered.

Though she had ten heads, she was beautiful to look at. But Raman began to laugh as soon as he saw her.  He could not control his laughter.  He laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down his cheeks and his little tuft unfastened.

Goddess Kali was dumbstruck by this behaviour.  She asked him angrily, Why are you laughing like a fool?
Tenali Raman could not answer her. He was still laughing. This annoyed her more but she was helpless. She waited patiently.

After a long time Raman recovered and replied, Oh Goddess, forgive me. You are the most beautiful Mother I have seen in my life. But I am laughing because some foolish thought occurred to me when I looked at you.
The Goddess became furious and wanted to know what it was. Tenali Raman brought his palms together humbly and replied, Oh Mother, when I get a cold I find it difficult to blow the one nose I have.  I was wondering how you manage with the ten noses you have, when you catch a cold. Saying this he laughed, all the more.
The goddess could not help laughing too, when she heard him.  It was the first time that she had laughed at herself. She was pleased with the young man. So she offered him a boon. She gave him the gift of making people laugh.

Tenali Raman was not satisfied.  He said that the gift would only help others and not him. Kali thought that this was reasonable and she wanted to give him something more.
She took two silver cups and said, Son, here are two silver cups. One is full of honey, which will give you wisdom. The other cup contains milk which will give you riches. You can choose what you want.

Explain the idiomatic expression: To break one's heart.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Her father, Edward Moulton Barren, was, as Elizabeth later wrote, a very peculiar person.  "Heir to a fortune, educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he was nevertheless a complete domestic tyrant".  After bearing him twelve children, his gentle wife had little strength left for struggle against  him, and  the children never dared oppose  his wishes.

Yet Elizabeth's childhood was happy. She romped and studied with her eldest brother, learnt Greek and French, read widely and wrote poetic tragedies.  Her own tragedy began at fifteen with a cough and an injury to her back, which resulted in increasingly bad health.  Then her mother died.

Four years later, her father decided to sell the country home. The large family moved from house to house until her father bought No. 50 Wimpole Street.  There Elizabeth's health grew worse, and she became a creature of the shadows and silence.

As the years passed, the family grew used to her withdrawn life. She had a certain independence, for an uncle had left her a small income.  But her brothers and sisters were at the mercy of Mr. Barren's harsh rules, which hung over the household like thunder in heavy weather.  Chief among them was the absolute refusal to let his daughters marry.  He prevented the marriage of Elizabeth’s gay, dance-loving sister, Henrietta, and the scenes that followed broke Elizabeth’s heart. Yet she remained devoted to her father. It was a devotion that served to strengthen the walls of her prison.

Why was Tenali Raman not satisfied?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

He opened the door, but just a little, and shouted, Holy Mother, unless you promise to grant my wish, I will not open the door.

Kali became very angry indeed, but Raman was obstinate. After some arguments the Goddess had to yield.  Then he opened the door.  She entered.

Though she had ten heads, she was beautiful to look at. But Raman began to laugh as soon as he saw her.  He could not control his laughter.  He laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down his cheeks and his little tuft unfastened.

Goddess Kali was dumbstruck by this behaviour.  She asked him angrily, Why are you laughing like a fool?
Tenali Raman could not answer her. He was still laughing. This annoyed her more but she was helpless. She waited patiently.

After a long time Raman recovered and replied, Oh Goddess, forgive me. You are the most beautiful Mother I have seen in my life. But I am laughing because some foolish thought occurred to me when I looked at you.
The Goddess became furious and wanted to know what it was. Tenali Raman brought his palms together humbly and replied, Oh Mother, when I get a cold I find it difficult to blow the one nose I have.  I was wondering how you manage with the ten noses you have, when you catch a cold. Saying this he laughed, all the more.
The goddess could not help laughing too, when she heard him.  It was the first time that she had laughed at herself. She was pleased with the young man. So she offered him a boon. She gave him the gift of making people laugh.

Tenali Raman was not satisfied.  He said that the gift would only help others and not him. Kali thought that this was reasonable and she wanted to give him something more.
She took two silver cups and said, Son, here are two silver cups. One is full of honey, which will give you wisdom. The other cup contains milk which will give you riches. You can choose what you want.

Dumbstruck means

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

He opened the door, but just a little, and shouted, Holy Mother, unless you promise to grant my wish, I will not open the door.

Kali became very angry indeed, but Raman was obstinate. After some arguments the Goddess had to yield.  Then he opened the door.  She entered.

Though she had ten heads, she was beautiful to look at. But Raman began to laugh as soon as he saw her.  He could not control his laughter.  He laughed and laughed and laughed till tears ran down his cheeks and his little tuft unfastened.

Goddess Kali was dumbstruck by this behaviour.  She asked him angrily, Why are you laughing like a fool?
Tenali Raman could not answer her. He was still laughing. This annoyed her more but she was helpless. She waited patiently.

After a long time Raman recovered and replied, Oh Goddess, forgive me. You are the most beautiful Mother I have seen in my life. But I am laughing because some foolish thought occurred to me when I looked at you.
The Goddess became furious and wanted to know what it was. Tenali Raman brought his palms together humbly and replied, Oh Mother, when I get a cold I find it difficult to blow the one nose I have.  I was wondering how you manage with the ten noses you have, when you catch a cold. Saying this he laughed, all the more.
The goddess could not help laughing too, when she heard him.  It was the first time that she had laughed at herself. She was pleased with the young man. So she offered him a boon. She gave him the gift of making people laugh.

Tenali Raman was not satisfied.  He said that the gift would only help others and not him. Kali thought that this was reasonable and she wanted to give him something more.
She took two silver cups and said, Son, here are two silver cups. One is full of honey, which will give you wisdom. The other cup contains milk which will give you riches. You can choose what you want.

How can you accomplish the most difficult tasks?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little nephew trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.

Some middle-aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. One man went into an entirely new business when he was past middle age and made a success of it. De Morgan did not start to write novels until he was past sixty. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of the Swiss mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept. the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little nephew trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.

Some middle-aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. One man went into an entirely new business when he was past middle age and made a success of it. De Morgan did not start to write novels until he was past sixty. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of the Swiss mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept. the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Her father, Edward Moulton Barren, was, as Elizabeth later wrote, a very peculiar person.  "Heir to a fortune, educated at Harrow and Cambridge, he was nevertheless a complete domestic tyrant".  After bearing him twelve children, his gentle wife had little strength left for struggle against  him, and  the children never dared oppose  his wishes.

Yet Elizabeth's childhood was happy. She romped and studied with her eldest brother, learnt Greek and French, read widely and wrote poetic tragedies.  Her own tragedy began at fifteen with a cough and an injury to her back, which resulted in increasingly bad health.  Then her mother died.

Four years later, her father decided to sell the country home. The large family moved from house to house until her father bought No. 50 Wimpole Street.  There Elizabeth's health grew worse, and she became a creature of the shadows and silence.

As the years passed, the family grew used to her withdrawn life. She had a certain independence, for an uncle had left her a small income.  But her brothers and sisters were at the mercy of Mr. Barren's harsh rules, which hung over the household like thunder in heavy weather.  Chief among them was the absolute refusal to let his daughters marry.  He prevented the marriage of Elizabeth’s gay, dance-loving sister, Henrietta, and the scenes that followed broke Elizabeth’s heart. Yet she remained devoted to her father. It was a devotion that served to strengthen the walls of her prison.

What obstructs real progress in life?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little nephew trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.

Some middle-aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. One man went into an entirely new business when he was past middle age and made a success of it. De Morgan did not start to write novels until he was past sixty. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of the Swiss mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept. the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.

What does the line 'He died climbing' signify?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following data.

Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little nephew trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.

Some middle-aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. One man went into an entirely new business when he was past middle age and made a success of it. De Morgan did not start to write novels until he was past sixty. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of the Swiss mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept. the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.