English Reading Comprehension

Which of the following statements is/are true according to the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering the question.

There was once a poor farmer who went to the money-lender's house and asked him the secret of becoming rich. The money-lender piously told the farmer that riches came from God and he should ask him.

The simple farmer set out to find God. On his way, he found a poor man sitting under a tree. The poor man asked him about his journey and the farmer told him that he was going to find God! The poor man smiled and said, "I am God! What do you want of me?" The farmer told him the whole story, and God, taking pity on him, gave him a conch shell, and showed him how to blow it in a particular way, saying, “Just remember, whatever you wish for, you have only to blow the conch this way, and your wish will be fulfilled. Only have a care of that money-lender, for even magic is not proof against his wiles!"

The farmer went back to his village, rejoicing. The money-lender noticed his high spirits at once and went over to the farmer's house, and congratulated him on his good fortune . The farmer told him the whole story—everything except the secret of blowing the conch.

Nevertheless, the money-lender was determined to have the conch by hook or by crook, and waited for a favorable opportunity and stole the conch.

He tried blowing the conch in every conceivable way but had to give it up as a bad job. So, he went back to the farmer, and said, "I've got your conch, but it is of no use to either of us. Everything is at a stand-still unless we make a bargain. I will give you back your conch, and never interfere with your using it, on one condition, which is this, whatever you get from it, I am to get double."

The farmer refused the bargain but the wily money-lender persuaded him; "You will have your share! What does it matter to you if I am rich or poor?" So, though it went sorely against the grain to be of any benefit to a money-lender, the farmer was forced to yield and the knowledge of this fact so preyed upon the farmer's mind day and night, that he had no satisfaction out of anything.

There came a very dry season, - so dry that the farmer's crops withered for want of rain. Then he blew his conch, and wished for a well to water them, but the money-lender got two! This was too much for him to stand; and he brooded over it, till at last a bright idea came into his head. He seized the conch, blew it loudly, and cried out, "Oh, God! I wish to be blind of one eye!" And so he was, in a twinkling. But the money-lender became completely blind. He fell into his new well and drowned.

Why do you think God warned the farmer about the money-lender?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering the question.

There was once a poor farmer who went to the money-lender's house and asked him the secret of becoming rich. The money-lender piously told the farmer that riches came from God and he should ask him.

The simple farmer set out to find God. On his way, he found a poor man sitting under a tree. The poor man asked him about his journey and the farmer told him that he was going to find God! The poor man smiled and said, "I am God! What do you want of me?" The farmer told him the whole story, and God, taking pity on him, gave him a conch shell, and showed him how to blow it in a particular way, saying, “Just remember, whatever you wish for, you have only to blow the conch this way, and your wish will be fulfilled. Only have a care of that money-lender, for even magic is not proof against his wiles!"

The farmer went back to his village, rejoicing. The money-lender noticed his high spirits at once and went over to the farmer's house, and congratulated him on his good fortune . The farmer told him the whole story—everything except the secret of blowing the conch.

Nevertheless, the money-lender was determined to have the conch by hook or by crook, and waited for a favorable opportunity and stole the conch.

He tried blowing the conch in every conceivable way but had to give it up as a bad job. So, he went back to the farmer, and said, "I've got your conch, but it is of no use to either of us. Everything is at a stand-still unless we make a bargain. I will give you back your conch, and never interfere with your using it, on one condition, which is this, whatever you get from it, I am to get double."

The farmer refused the bargain but the wily money-lender persuaded him; "You will have your share! What does it matter to you if I am rich or poor?" So, though it went sorely against the grain to be of any benefit to a money-lender, the farmer was forced to yield and the knowledge of this fact so preyed upon the farmer's mind day and night, that he had no satisfaction out of anything.

There came a very dry season, - so dry that the farmer's crops withered for want of rain. Then he blew his conch, and wished for a well to water them, but the money-lender got two! This was too much for him to stand; and he brooded over it, till at last a bright idea came into his head. He seized the conch, blew it loudly, and cried out, "Oh, God! I wish to be blind of one eye!" And so he was, in a twinkling. But the money-lender became completely blind. He fell into his new well and drowned.

Which of the following is nearly opposite in meaning to the phrase ‘against the grain’ as given in the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering the question.

There was once a poor farmer who went to the money-lender's house and asked him the secret of becoming rich. The money-lender piously told the farmer that riches came from God and he should ask him.

The simple farmer set out to find God. On his way, he found a poor man sitting under a tree. The poor man asked him about his journey and the farmer told him that he was going to find God! The poor man smiled and said, "I am God! What do you want of me?" The farmer told him the whole story, and God, taking pity on him, gave him a conch shell, and showed him how to blow it in a particular way, saying, “Just remember, whatever you wish for, you have only to blow the conch this way, and your wish will be fulfilled. Only have a care of that money-lender, for even magic is not proof against his wiles!"

The farmer went back to his village, rejoicing. The money-lender noticed his high spirits at once and went over to the farmer's house, and congratulated him on his good fortune . The farmer told him the whole story—everything except the secret of blowing the conch.

Nevertheless, the money-lender was determined to have the conch by hook or by crook, and waited for a favorable opportunity and stole the conch.

He tried blowing the conch in every conceivable way but had to give it up as a bad job. So, he went back to the farmer, and said, "I've got your conch, but it is of no use to either of us. Everything is at a stand-still unless we make a bargain. I will give you back your conch, and never interfere with your using it, on one condition, which is this, whatever you get from it, I am to get double."

The farmer refused the bargain but the wily money-lender persuaded him; "You will have your share! What does it matter to you if I am rich or poor?" So, though it went sorely against the grain to be of any benefit to a money-lender, the farmer was forced to yield and the knowledge of this fact so preyed upon the farmer's mind day and night, that he had no satisfaction out of anything.

There came a very dry season, - so dry that the farmer's crops withered for want of rain. Then he blew his conch, and wished for a well to water them, but the money-lender got two! This was too much for him to stand; and he brooded over it, till at last a bright idea came into his head. He seized the conch, blew it loudly, and cried out, "Oh, God! I wish to be blind of one eye!" And so he was, in a twinkling. But the money-lender became completely blind. He fell into his new well and drowned.

What did the young man notice on his visit to the remote island after three days of being king?

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

Why did the people of the kingdom change the king every year?

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

What was the king’s request to the ministers after the completion of nine months?

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

Which of the following describe(s) the young king correctly?

(A) He was intelligent. (B) He had foresight. (C) He was cunning.

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

Why were the people of the kingdom puzzled when the young king was taken around the country to say goodbye to everyone?

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

What would happen to the king once his term of one year was over?

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

What arrangements did the young king make for money on the island?

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

What could be said about the island after the young king had made his servants work on it?

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

Long time ago, there was a country, where the people would change a king every year. The person who would become the king had to agree to a contract that he would be sent to an island after one year of his being a king.
One king had finished his term and it was time for him to go to the island and live there. The people dressed him up in expensive clothes and put him on an elephant and took him around the cities to say goodbye to all the people. This was a moment of sadness for all kings who ruled for one year. After bidding farewell, the people took the king to a remote island in a boat and left him there. On their way back, they discovered a ship that had sunk just recently. They saw a young man who had survived by holding on to a floating piece of wood. As they needed a new king, they picked up the young man and took him to their country. They requested him to be king for a year. First he refused but later he agreed to be the king.
After three days of being a king, he asked the ministers if they could show him the island where all the other kings were sent. The island was covered with a thick jungle and sounds of vicious animals were heard coming out of it. Soon, he discovered dead bodies of all the past kings. He understood that as soon as they were left on the island the wild animals had come and killed them.
The king went back to the country and collected 100 strong workers. He took them to the island and instructed them to clean the jungle, remove all the deadly animals and cut down all excess trees. Over the months, the island turned into a beautiful place. The young king would wear simple clothes and spend very little from his earnings as a king. He sent all the earnings to the island for storage. When nine months passed like this, the king called the ministers and told them: “I know that I have to go to the island after one year, but I would like to go there right now.” But the ministers didn’t agree to this and said that he had to wait for another three months to complete the year.
After the completion of his term, he was put on an elephant to take him around the country to say goodbye to the citizens. However, this king was unusually happy to leave the kingdom. People asked him, “All the other kings would cry at this moment. Why is it that you are laughing?” He replied, “While all the other kings were lost into the luxuries of the kingdom, I always thought about the future and planned for it. I turned the deadly island into a beautiful abode for me where I can stay peacefully.”

What was the master's reaction to the girl's decision to marry his disciple?

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

There was a girl who sang beautifully at the temple every morning. The music master used to happily recall, "One day when I went into the woods to pluck flowers, I found this baby under a pipal tree." He picked her up carefully, raised her lovingly as if she was his own daughter and he taught her to sing before she spoke her first word.

The music master grew old and didn't see too well. The girl tended to him caringly. Many people including young men travelled from far and wide to hear her sing. This made the music master's heart quake with fear, "You will choose one of them as your husband. What is to become of me?" The girl replied, "I shall not be apart from you." But on a full moon night during the harvest festival, the master's chief disciple touched his feet reverently and said, "Master grant me your permission for your daughter has agreed to marry me." The master's tears flowed freely, "She has chosen well. Go and fetch her, let me hear you sing the first of many melodies that you will sing together." The two began to sing in harmony. But the song was interrupted by the arrival of the royal messenger. "Your daughter is very fortunate - the king has sent for her," the messenger said. At the palace, the Queen summoned the girl to her and said, "I place upon you the honour of making sure my daughter is never unhappy at her husband's home." There wasn't a single tear in the girl's eyes, but she thought of the master and her heart was heavy.

What was the girl's reaction to leaving home?

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

There was a girl who sang beautifully at the temple every morning. The music master used to happily recall, "One day when I went into the woods to pluck flowers, I found this baby under a pipal tree." He picked her up carefully, raised her lovingly as if she was his own daughter and he taught her to sing before she spoke her first word.

The music master grew old and didn't see too well. The girl tended to him caringly. Many people including young men travelled from far and wide to hear her sing. This made the music master's heart quake with fear, "You will choose one of them as your husband. What is to become of me?" The girl replied, "I shall not be apart from you." But on a full moon night during the harvest festival, the master's chief disciple touched his feet reverently and said, "Master grant me your permission for your daughter has agreed to marry me." The master's tears flowed freely, "She has chosen well. Go and fetch her, let me hear you sing the first of many melodies that you will sing together." The two began to sing in harmony. But the song was interrupted by the arrival of the royal messenger. "Your daughter is very fortunate - the king has sent for her," the messenger said. At the palace, the Queen summoned the girl to her and said, "I place upon you the honour of making sure my daughter is never unhappy at her husband's home." There wasn't a single tear in the girl's eyes, but she thought of the master and her heart was heavy.

Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage?

(1) The girl was leaving the master and going to Kambhoj once she was married. (2) The king sent for the girl because she was a good singer. (3) The master did not let the girl study any other subject, except music.

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

There was a girl who sang beautifully at the temple every morning. The music master used to happily recall, "One day when I went into the woods to pluck flowers, I found this baby under a pipal tree." He picked her up carefully, raised her lovingly as if she was his own daughter and he taught her to sing before she spoke her first word.

The music master grew old and didn't see too well. The girl tended to him caringly. Many people including young men travelled from far and wide to hear her sing. This made the music master's heart quake with fear, "You will choose one of them as your husband. What is to become of me?" The girl replied, "I shall not be apart from you." But on a full moon night during the harvest festival, the master's chief disciple touched his feet reverently and said, "Master grant me your permission for your daughter has agreed to marry me." The master's tears flowed freely, "She has chosen well. Go and fetch her, let me hear you sing the first of many melodies that you will sing together." The two began to sing in harmony. But the song was interrupted by the arrival of the royal messenger. "Your daughter is very fortunate - the king has sent for her," the messenger said. At the palace, the Queen summoned the girl to her and said, "I place upon you the honour of making sure my daughter is never unhappy at her husband's home." There wasn't a single tear in the girl's eyes, but she thought of the master and her heart was heavy.

Why was the master afraid?

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

There was a girl who sang beautifully at the temple every morning. The music master used to happily recall, "One day when I went into the woods to pluck flowers, I found this baby under a pipal tree." He picked her up carefully, raised her lovingly as if she was his own daughter and he taught her to sing before she spoke her first word.

The music master grew old and didn't see too well. The girl tended to him caringly. Many people including young men travelled from far and wide to hear her sing. This made the music master's heart quake with fear, "You will choose one of them as your husband. What is to become of me?" The girl replied, "I shall not be apart from you." But on a full moon night during the harvest festival, the master's chief disciple touched his feet reverently and said, "Master grant me your permission for your daughter has agreed to marry me." The master's tears flowed freely, "She has chosen well. Go and fetch her, let me hear you sing the first of many melodies that you will sing together." The two began to sing in harmony. But the song was interrupted by the arrival of the royal messenger. "Your daughter is very fortunate - the king has sent for her," the messenger said. At the palace, the Queen summoned the girl to her and said, "I place upon you the honour of making sure my daughter is never unhappy at her husband's home." There wasn't a single tear in the girl's eyes, but she thought of the master and her heart was heavy.