English Reading Comprehension

What task was entrusted to the girl by the Queen?

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 can be said about the girl?

(1) She was brought up by her father as her mother had died when she was a baby. (2) She was a talented singer who had learnt to sing at an early age. (3) She was only allowed to sing with the master's permission.

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.

Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Raised

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.

Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Collective

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 princess going on a journey?

(1) She was going to her prospective husband's home to get engaged. (2) Her parents wanted her to visit the kingdom of which she would be the future queen. (3) She was to take expensive gifts for the rulers of the Kambhoj who were well known to her parents.

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.

The author feels sad about the later part of his life because ____________________________.

Read the following passage & answer the questions that follow:
The last half of my life has been lived in one of those painful epochs of human history during which the world is getting worse, and past victories which had seemed to be definitive have  turned out to be only temporary.

Why were the people anxious to help the author?

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

In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valley 15 miles from Le Puy I spent about a month of fine days. Monastire is notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for freedom of language and for unparalled political dissension there are adherents of each of the four French parties Legitimists, Orleanists Imperialist and  Republicans in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe decry and calumniate each other.
Except for a business purpose or to give each other the lie in a tavern brawl they have laid aside even the civility of speech in the midst of this Babylon, I found myself a rallying point. Everyone was anxious to be kind and helpful to the stranger. This was not merely from the natural hospitality of mountain people nor even from the surprise with which I was regarded as a man living of his own free will in Le Monastire when he might just as well have lived any where else in this big world; it arose a good deal from my projected journey southward through the Cevennes. A traveller of my sort was a thing hitherto unheard of in that district. I was looked upon with contempt like a man who should project a journey to the moon, but yet with a respectful interest like one setting for the inclement pole. All were ready to help in my preparation; a crowd of sympathizers supported me at the critical moment of a bargain; not a step was taken, but was heralded by glasses round and celebrated by a dinner or a breakfast.

The author prepared himself for protection against ________.

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

In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valley 15 miles from Le Puy I spent about a month of fine days. Monastire is notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for freedom of language and for unparalled political dissension there are adherents of each of the four French parties Legitimists, Orleanists Imperialist and  Republicans in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe decry and calumniate each other.
Except for a business purpose or to give each other the lie in a tavern brawl they have laid aside even the civility of speech in the midst of this Babylon, I found myself a rallying point. Everyone was anxious to be kind and helpful to the stranger. This was not merely from the natural hospitality of mountain people nor even from the surprise with which I was regarded as a man living of his own free will in Le Monastire when he might just as well have lived any where else in this big world; it arose a good deal from my projected journey southward through the Cevennes. A traveller of my sort was a thing hitherto unheard of in that district. I was looked upon with contempt like a man who should project a journey to the moon, but yet with a respectful interest like one setting for the inclement pole. All were ready to help in my preparation; a crowd of sympathizers supported me at the critical moment of a bargain; not a step was taken, but was heralded by glasses round and celebrated by a dinner or a breakfast.

Which of the following is/are one of the features of Le Monastier?

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

In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valley 15 miles from Le Puy I spent about a month of fine days. Monastire is notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for freedom of language and for unparalled political dissension there are adherents of each of the four French parties Legitimists, Orleanists Imperialist and  Republicans in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe decry and calumniate each other.
Except for a business purpose or to give each other the lie in a tavern brawl they have laid aside even the civility of speech in the midst of this Babylon, I found myself a rallying point. Everyone was anxious to be kind and helpful to the stranger. This was not merely from the natural hospitality of mountain people nor even from the surprise with which I was regarded as a man living of his own free will in Le Monastire when he might just as well have lived any where else in this big world; it arose a good deal from my projected journey southward through the Cevennes. A traveller of my sort was a thing hitherto unheard of in that district. I was looked upon with contempt like a man who should project a journey to the moon, but yet with a respectful interest like one setting for the inclement pole. All were ready to help in my preparation; a crowd of sympathizers supported me at the critical moment of a bargain; not a step was taken, but was heralded by glasses round and celebrated by a dinner or a breakfast.

In the passage the author describes his stay at _____________.

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

In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valley 15 miles from Le Puy I spent about a month of fine days. Monastire is notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for freedom of language and for unparalled political dissension there are adherents of each of the four French parties Legitimists, Orleanists Imperialist and  Republicans in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe decry and calumniate each other.
Except for a business purpose or to give each other the lie in a tavern brawl they have laid aside even the civility of speech in the midst of this Babylon, I found myself a rallying point. Everyone was anxious to be kind and helpful to the stranger. This was not merely from the natural hospitality of mountain people nor even from the surprise with which I was regarded as a man living of his own free will in Le Monastire when he might just as well have lived any where else in this big world; it arose a good deal from my projected journey southward through the Cevennes. A traveller of my sort was a thing hitherto unheard of in that district. I was looked upon with contempt like a man who should project a journey to the moon, but yet with a respectful interest like one setting for the inclement pole. All were ready to help in my preparation; a crowd of sympathizers supported me at the critical moment of a bargain; not a step was taken, but was heralded by glasses round and celebrated by a dinner or a breakfast.

The sleeping - sack was _______.

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

In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valley 15 miles from Le Puy I spent about a month of fine days. Monastire is notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for freedom of language and for unparalled political dissension there are adherents of each of the four French parties Legitimists, Orleanists Imperialist and  Republicans in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe decry and calumniate each other.
Except for a business purpose or to give each other the lie in a tavern brawl they have laid aside even the civility of speech in the midst of this Babylon, I found myself a rallying point. Everyone was anxious to be kind and helpful to the stranger. This was not merely from the natural hospitality of mountain people nor even from the surprise with which I was regarded as a man living of his own free will in Le Monastire when he might just as well have lived any where else in this big world; it arose a good deal from my projected journey southward through the Cevennes. A traveller of my sort was a thing hitherto unheard of in that district. I was looked upon with contempt like a man who should project a journey to the moon, but yet with a respectful interest like one setting for the inclement pole. All were ready to help in my preparation; a crowd of sympathizers supported me at the critical moment of a bargain; not a step was taken, but was heralded by glasses round and celebrated by a dinner or a breakfast.

What is the meaning of the expression ''to give each other the lie''?

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

In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valley 15 miles from Le Puy I spent about a month of fine days. Monastire is notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for freedom of language and for unparalled political dissension there are adherents of each of the four French parties Legitimists, Orleanists Imperialist and  Republicans in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe decry and calumniate each other.
Except for a business purpose or to give each other the lie in a tavern brawl they have laid aside even the civility of speech in the midst of this Babylon, I found myself a rallying point. Everyone was anxious to be kind and helpful to the stranger. This was not merely from the natural hospitality of mountain people nor even from the surprise with which I was regarded as a man living of his own free will in Le Monastire when he might just as well have lived any where else in this big world; it arose a good deal from my projected journey southward through the Cevennes. A traveller of my sort was a thing hitherto unheard of in that district. I was looked upon with contempt like a man who should project a journey to the moon, but yet with a respectful interest like one setting for the inclement pole. All were ready to help in my preparation; a crowd of sympathizers supported me at the critical moment of a bargain; not a step was taken, but was heralded by glasses round and celebrated by a dinner or a breakfast.

Why did the author live in the village?

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

In a little place called Le Monastier, in a pleasant highland valley 15 miles from Le Puy I spent about a month of fine days. Monastire is notable for the making of lace, for drunkenness, for freedom of language and for unparalled political dissension there are adherents of each of the four French parties Legitimists, Orleanists Imperialist and  Republicans in this little mountain-town; and they all hate, loathe decry and calumniate each other.
Except for a business purpose or to give each other the lie in a tavern brawl they have laid aside even the civility of speech in the midst of this Babylon, I found myself a rallying point. Everyone was anxious to be kind and helpful to the stranger. This was not merely from the natural hospitality of mountain people nor even from the surprise with which I was regarded as a man living of his own free will in Le Monastire when he might just as well have lived any where else in this big world; it arose a good deal from my projected journey southward through the Cevennes. A traveller of my sort was a thing hitherto unheard of in that district. I was looked upon with contempt like a man who should project a journey to the moon, but yet with a respectful interest like one setting for the inclement pole. All were ready to help in my preparation; a crowd of sympathizers supported me at the critical moment of a bargain; not a step was taken, but was heralded by glasses round and celebrated by a dinner or a breakfast.

The author compares the hypothetical literature on air-traffic control with _____________.

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question. 
           
            During World War II, an inventor submitted a scheme for building a giant airship armed with death rays to the British government. He had provided details of the engines, navigational system, etc. when question about the death-ray themselves he exclaimed, “Oh, I thought the military had plenty of them available,”
            If a robot is defined, provisionally, as a machine made in the image of man, then it must be stated that like death – rays in 1940, robots in 1990 remain in the world of speculation not of established fact yet, just as the inventor took the existence of death – rays for granted and concentrated on putting them to use the popular imagination has been much more preoccupied by the question of what we should do when robots do arrive than with the business of actually making them , it is rather as if the Wright brothers first flight had been preceded by an extensive literature on air – traffic control .

The author of the passage through the story of the inventor in Britain, desires to illustrate the point that _______.

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question. 
           
            During World War II, an inventor submitted a scheme for building a giant airship armed with death rays to the British government. He had provided details of the engines, navigational system, etc. when question about the death-ray themselves he exclaimed, “Oh, I thought the military had plenty of them available,”
            If a robot is defined, provisionally, as a machine made in the image of man, then it must be stated that like death – rays in 1940, robots in 1990 remain in the world of speculation not of established fact yet, just as the inventor took the existence of death – rays for granted and concentrated on putting them to use the popular imagination has been much more preoccupied by the question of what we should do when robots do arrive than with the business of actually making them , it is rather as if the Wright brothers first flight had been preceded by an extensive literature on air – traffic control .