English Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary - Class IX

Question 1 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

In all probability, the impact of a nuclear exchange

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialised states. Current developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle Eastern oilfields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the Rapid Deployment Forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean, and the tensions in the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.

would be far reaching
would pose a great threat to the industrialised nations
would be strictly confined to the vicinity where it occurs
would result in the total wipe-out of nuclear powers

Question 2 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Aggressive forces have intentions to

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialised states. Current developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle Eastern oilfields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the Rapid Deployment Forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean, and the tensions in the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.

seize the Middle Eastern oilfields
deploy nuclear missiles across the world
carry on with their nuclear programmes
free the Indian Ocean from the impact of nuclear warfare

Question 3 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

The term 'aftermath' as used in the passage means

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialised states. Current developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle Eastern oilfields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the Rapid Deployment Forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean, and the tensions in the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.

consequences
inconvenience
disaster
deployment

Question 4 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What is being compared to the unfolding bud in this poem?

Directions: Read the following poem carefully and answer the given question:

Unfolding Bud

One is amazed
By a water-lily bud
Unfolding
With each passing day
Taking a richer colour
And new dimensions
One is not amazed,
At a first glance,
By a poem,
Which is as tight-closed
As a tiny bud.
Yet one is surprised
To see the poem
Gradually unfolding,
Revealing its rich inner self
As one reads it
Again

Naoshi Koriyama

The beginning of a day
A blossoming lily plant
A good poem
The imagination of a poet

Question 5 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

According to the poet, what is the striking similarity between a good poem and an unfolding bud?

Directions: Read the following poem carefully and answer the given question:

Unfolding Bud

One is amazed
By a water-lily bud
Unfolding
With each passing day
Taking a richer colour
And new dimensions
One is not amazed,
At a first glance,
By a poem,
Which is as tight-closed
As a tiny bud.
Yet one is surprised
To see the poem
Gradually unfolding,
Revealing its rich inner self
As one reads it
Again

Naoshi Koriyama

Both are colourful and beautiful.
Both are pretty ordinary looking in the beginning.
The development of both a bud and writing a poem are hard and time consuming.
If you have patience, both the bud and the poem will give you the sense of real beauty.

Question 6 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What does the poet suggest in the closing lines?

Directions: Read the following poem carefully and answer the given question:

Unfolding Bud

One is amazed
By a water-lily bud
Unfolding
With each passing day
Taking a richer colour
And new dimensions
One is not amazed,
At a first glance,
By a poem,
Which is as tight-closed
As a tiny bud.
Yet one is surprised
To see the poem
Gradually unfolding,
Revealing its rich inner self
As one reads it
Again

Naoshi Koriyama

It is very difficult to understand the meaning of a poem.
It is very essential to look at a bud again and again to enjoy its beauty.
One has to read a poem again and again to reach its rich inner meaning.
One needs to read a poem many times to enjoy its rhyme.

Question 7 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What does the poet mean by the expression 'as tight-closed as a tiny bud'?

Directions: Read the following poem carefully and answer the given question:

Unfolding Bud

One is amazed
By a water-lily bud
Unfolding
With each passing day
Taking a richer colour
And new dimensions
One is not amazed,
At a first glance,
By a poem,
Which is as tight-closed
As a tiny bud.
Yet one is surprised
To see the poem
Gradually unfolding,
Revealing its rich inner self
As one reads it
Again

Naoshi Koriyama

A poem is as beautiful as a bud.
A poem starts with some hidden meaning that would gradually come out.
It is amazing to read a poem from the very beginning.
It is an exciting experience to see a bud blossoming into a flower.

Question 8 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialised states. Current developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle Eastern oilfields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the Rapid Deployment Forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean, and the tensions in the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.

would be free from the impact of a future nuclear disaster
would be carrying out future nuclear explosions
are preparing for seizure of the Middle Eastern oilfields
could suffer the impact of future nuclear disasters

Question 9 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which word in the poem can replace the word 'develop'?

Directions: Read the following poem carefully and answer the given question:

Unfolding Bud

One is amazed
By a water-lily bud
Unfolding
With each passing day
Taking a richer colour
And new dimensions
One is not amazed,
At a first glance,
By a poem,
Which is as tight-closed
As a tiny bud.
Yet one is surprised
To see the poem
Gradually unfolding,
Revealing its rich inner self
As one reads it
Again

Naoshi Koriyama

Unfold
Amaze
Glance
Reveal

Question 10 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

A nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the given question:

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialised states. Current developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle Eastern oilfields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the Rapid Deployment Forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean, and the tensions in the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.

have a few unavoidable consequences
pose a great threat to the very existence of mankind
make human existence impossible in that region
result in widespread demonstrations

Question 11 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (ii).