English Language

English Reading Comprehension

2,692 Questions

English reading comprehension questions assess the ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written passages. Formats include paragraph rearrangement, cloze tests, and fact finding from text. Regular practice is essential for scoring well in the English sections of banking, SSC, and railway exams.

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English Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following best expresses Sumit's inability to donate anything for the orphanage?

Directions: Read the following two scenarios and answer the question that follows:

Scenario-1
The financial condition of Sumit’s family is not very good. His teacher announces in the class, trip to a city orphanage and asks the students to bring clothes for donation. All the students, except Sumit, bring generous donations in cash and kind for the orphans. Some of his classmates think of him as being heartless for showing a callous attitude towards a noble cause.

Scenario-2

Divya loves her dog very much. It falls ill just a day before her birthday and expires. All the preparations for her birthday party come to a standstill and she decides to call off the party. Her friends feel disappointed and consider it to be rude on her part to cancel the party at the last minute without a proper explanation.

  1. Unsympathetic

  2. Cold hearted

  3. Reluctant

  4. Helpless
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

He is helpless as his family's financial condition is very poor.

Multiple choice

What could have helped change the 'other people's opinion' in the second scenario?

Directions: Read the following two scenarios and answer the question that follows:

Scenario-1
The financial condition of Sumit’s family is not very good. His teacher announces in the class, trip to a city orphanage and asks the students to bring clothes for donation. All the students, except Sumit, bring generous donations in cash and kind for the orphans. Some of his classmates think of him as being heartless for showing a callous attitude towards a noble cause.

Scenario-2

Divya loves her dog very much. It falls ill just a day before her birthday and expires. All the preparations for her birthday party come to a standstill and she decides to call off the party. Her friends feel disappointed and consider it to be rude on her part to cancel the party at the last minute without a proper explanation.

  1. Giving them a party at some later date

  2. Explaining to them the reason for cancellation

  3. Formally apologising for the inconvenience

  4. Not sending invites so early from next time onwards
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Had Divya explained her reason for cancelling the party, her friends would have understood.

Multiple choice

What conclusion can be drawn from both the scenarios?

Directions: Read the following two scenarios and answer the question that follows:

Scenario-1
The financial condition of Sumit’s family is not very good. His teacher announces in the class, trip to a city orphanage and asks the students to bring clothes for donation. All the students, except Sumit, bring generous donations in cash and kind for the orphans. Some of his classmates think of him as being heartless for showing a callous attitude towards a noble cause.

Scenario-2

Divya loves her dog very much. It falls ill just a day before her birthday and expires. All the preparations for her birthday party come to a standstill and she decides to call off the party. Her friends feel disappointed and consider it to be rude on her part to cancel the party at the last minute without a proper explanation.

  1. People will take advantage of your kindness.

  2. Life is unpredictable.

  3. We should not form an opinion without knowing the whole story.

  4. You cannot please everyone.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

In both the cases, Sumit's classmates and Divya's friends respectively did not know about the real story or reason behind their actions.

Multiple choice

Directions: Refer to the following information and answer the following question. A, B, C and D are four ladies who are friends of Elizabeth. On one Saturday the four of them visited Elizabeth at her weekend getaway. I. The time of each visit was a follows: A at 8 O’clock, B at 9 O’clock, C at 10 O’clock and D at 11 O’clock. II. At least one woman visited Elizabeth between A and B. III. At least one of C or D visited Elizabeth before A. IV. C did not visit Elizabeth between B and D.

Who visited Elizabeth first?

  1. A

  2. B

  3. C

  4. Insufficient data
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

We are given that A visited at 8 O’clock. Now from III we conclude that A visited at 8 p.m. Now from I we concluded that B has to visit at 9 a.m. otherwise nobody will be able to visit in between A & B. Now if D were to visit at 11 p.m. then condition IV will get violated hence we conclude that D visited at 11 a.m. and C visited at 10 p.m. From here all the questions are answered.

Multiple choice

Directions: Refer to the following information and answer the following question. A, B, C and D are four ladies who are friends of Elizabeth. On one Saturday the four of them visited Elizabeth at her weekend getaway. I. The time of each visit was a follows: A at 8 O'clock, B at 9 O'clock, C at 10 O'clock and D at 11 O'clock. II. At least one woman visited Elizabeth between A and B. III. At least one of C or D visited Elizabeth before A. IV. C did not visit Elizabeth between B and D.

Who visited Elizabeth last?

  1. A

  2. B

  3. C

  4. Insufficient data
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

We are given that A visited at 8 O'clock. Now from III we conclude that A visited at 8 p.m. Now from I we concluded that B has to visit at 9 a.m. otherwise nobody will be able to visit in between A & B. Now if D were to visit at 11 p.m. then condition IV will get violated hence we conclude that D visited at 11 a.m. and C visited at 10 p.m. From here all the questions are answered.

Multiple choice
Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks; each blank indicates that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words. Choose the word or set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
After all this ___________ not only shall you see light but also experience the ___________ meeting mother:

  1. depression - oppression

  2. moroseness -obeah

  3. discomfort - bliss

  4. tyranny - abuse
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Oppression, abuse and malaise cannot describe the feeling or emotion on meeting are is mother. Obeah is a form of magic or witchcraft the option thus which thus which suits best is option (3).

Multiple choice
In context, which of the following revisions is necessary in sentence 13 (reproduced below)?
Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Bow Hunting

(1) He sighs in disappointment as he watches a bull run through the aspens. (2) He did everything he could; the bull didn't live that long by being stupid. (3) I never had that type of rush before, even though I had been defeated, I was hooked on bow hunting. (4) When school was ending in my sophomore year, I realized that I was going to be bow hunting that fall, and that I had better start to practice shooting. (5) I practiced shooting everyday. (6) I thought it wouldn't be too hard to get an elk; all I had to do was be able to hit it. (7) I started getting everything together on the day before season opened. (8) I was ready for the big day. (9) I was too excited to sleep that night so I just stayed up and read. (10) It was finally 4:30 in the morning when I jumped in the pickup and drove to where I was going to hunt. (11) It was still dark when I reached the mountain from where I wanted to glass, and waited for it to get light, so I could start looking for elk. (12) I glassed the slopes and openings but didn't see any elk.  (13) Then, I simply walked around the mountain to have a look, and when I got there, I saw some elk just moving into the aspens. (14) I thought I could get ahead of them if I cut around a hill. (15) While passing through the aspens, I heard a bull bugle just ahead of me. (16) I set up on the trail I thought he would use, checked the wind and began to call. (17) I could hear the bull moving in my direction. (18) When he was at 40 yards, he went behind some bush and I drew my bow. (19) He came into perfect sight at 30 yards and stopped broadside. (20) I was shaking so hard that I had a hard time getting my sights to hold still for the shot. (21) I put the pin right behind his shoulder and released. (22) I watched my arrow fly towards him. (23) Then I watched in horror as my arrow whizzed over his back and lodged itself into a tree behind the bull. (24) The bull hesitated a moment before he turned and ran away through the aspens. (25)I stood in disbelief and watched him run. (26) I did everything right except I was so excited that I had put the 40 yard pin on him instead of the 30 yard pin. (27) I stayed there for about five minutes and stared at where the bull had disappeared.

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. Change 'I simply walked' to 'I would walk'

  3. Delete 'to have a look'

  4. Insert semi-colon after 'look'
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) is the answer as the sentence is correct and cogently forms a link with sentences 12 and 13.

Multiple choice

Of the following, which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 16 (reproduced below)? But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV

(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.

(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

 

  1. Leave it as it is

  2. and the context of the situations she is involved in.

  3. making a reference to the context of the situations she is in.

  4. negating the involvement of the context of the situations.

  5. throwing light on the context of her situations.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (B) is the answer as it retains the parallelism of the sentence.

Multiple choice

Which word could best replace “blend” in sentence 19?

Directions: The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answers for the questions that follow. Some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask you to consider organization and development. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Passage – IV

(1) Pearl Buck's style in The Good Earth has been compared to old Chinese novels. (2) Actually, it is a simple, direct narrative style. (3) There are no complicated techniques such as cut-back or stream of consciousness. (4) The narrative moves along smoothly towards its conclusion. (5) There are no complicated subplots or subthemes. (6) Wang Lung is the central character; the actions of all the other characters relate directly to him. (7) No one in the story performs any action which is independent of the main action.  (8) Buck wrote The Good Earth at great speed, finishing it in there months.
(9)  Perhaps the greatest strength of the style of Pearl Buck in The Good Earth is the manner in which her characters perform. (10) No matter what any one of them does, it is always in keeping with his personality. (11)  Nevertheless, none of them can be described as stereotypes; their motivations are too complex. (12)  In O-lan, the reader sees a person who is fundamentally good. (13)  Yet she does some seemingly wicked things. (14)  She steals the jewels from the rich man's house.  (15) Worse than this, she kills her own child. (16)  But both of these actions are consistent with her character indicating the context of the situations involved.
(17)  Much has been written about Pearl Buck's style of writing in The Good Earth. (18) One critic calls it "almost Biblical," while others compare it to ancient folk epics. (19)  Another critic describes it as a blend of the King James Version of the Bible and a traditional Chinese epic.

(20) A writer's style can't always be traced to the influences of his or her childhood reading. (21) The two influences exist in Pearl Buck’s case. (22)   As the daughter of Presbyterian missionaries, Buck was brought up on the Bible. (23)  And although she read widely in English literature, she also read Chinese novels.

 

  1. mixture

  2. hybrid

  3. fusion

  4. medley

  5. miscellany
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

“Miscellany” in option (E) means a miscellaneous collection, esp. of literary work.  As it fits the context, hence the answer.

Multiple choice

Who were the customers?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

His first summer at college, Jimmy operated a candy route on the south side of Chicago.
I'd like to make one thing clear, said the boss the day he hired Jimmy. If you extend credit to anyone, it's your responsibility, your neck. We'll take any delinquencies out of your bond, see?
The customers were small mom and pop neighbourhood stores and an occasional supermarket. Most were poor credit risks, only marginally profitable at best.
At 7:00 A.M. Jimmy stocked the shelves of his rattly company van with a variety of candy bars-coconut, peanut, peppermint-both chewy and soft. The rule was that he'd be stuck with what didn't sell unless he traded it with another driver.
In a few weeks, several store owners had befriended Jimmy and favoured him with the bulk of their candy businessAmong them was Gus Fantas, a small, beaming, friendly man in his early forties who owned a tiny, sparsely stocked, rinky-dink convenience store in the middle of the black belt. Gus was one of those who let Jimmy make up his orders for him.
Whatever you think I need is okay with me, he' d say. How much do I owe?
Gus would push the NO SALE key on the cash register, withdraw a fistful of cash, and count out the desired amount of bills with a fl ourish, making sure that Jimmy saw how flush he was. Gus's store, which Jimmy visited every Thursday, was his favorite stop. He and Gus had such congenial talks he found it hard to tear himself away for the next call. They talked about a range of subjects: the economy, Gus's war experiences, Jimmy's long-range plans and women. Gus was a true man of experience, informed and wise.
I've got to go, Gus, Jimmy would say, still lingering. I've got to go.
Jimmy, you got it made, Gus said.
What do you mean? Jimmy asked.
The niggers go crazy over your peanut bars. 'Course it's junk but it fills 'em up.
Are you saying the customers are eating candy instead of real food? Jimmy asked. He emphasized customer because the word nigger bothered him.
Hey, Jimmy, where you been? The niggers don't have enough money for real food. See the dust on those cans of vegetables. Your candy moves ten times as fast which is okay with me. I make more money on the candy anyway.
That's not right, Gus. You shouldn't encourage them to eat so much of my stuff.
You want to sell, don't you? Get wise, Jimmy, unless you want to finish last.
On the second Thursday in August Jimmy made up Gus's order as usual. Gus pushed the NO SALE key on the cash register but this time the bill sections were empty.
Christ, Jimmy, I forgot to go to the bank for cash this morning. How about a cheque this time?
I'm sorry, Gus, but cheques are against the rules. The company won't take them.
Well, that's too bad. I s'pose you'll just have to take back the candy.
I don't want to do that, Gus.
I know you don't, Jimmy. You're a real friend. But I wouldn't expect you to break company rules.
Well, I could take your cheque but I'd have to cover it personally.
You mean you'd do that, Jimmy?
If it bounced I'd be responsible.
You have my word. My check's as strong as steel. You've got nothing to worry about.

  1. Small mom and pop and neighborhood stores

  2. Petty shop owners

  3. Big malls

  4. Small stores
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly states: The customers were small mom and pop neighbourhood stores and an occasional supermarket.

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of dust?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

His first summer at college, Jimmy operated a candy route on the south side of Chicago.
I'd like to make one thing clear, said the boss the day he hired Jimmy. If you extend credit to anyone, it's your responsibility, your neck. We'll take any delinquencies out of your bond, see?
The customers were small mom and pop neighbourhood stores and an occasional supermarket. Most were poor credit risks, only marginally profitable at best.
At 7:00 A.M. Jimmy stocked the shelves of his rattly company van with a variety of candy bars-coconut, peanut, peppermint-both chewy and soft. The rule was that he'd be stuck with what didn't sell unless he traded it with another driver.
In a few weeks, several store owners had befriended Jimmy and favoured him with the bulk of their candy businessAmong them was Gus Fantas, a small, beaming, friendly man in his early forties who owned a tiny, sparsely stocked, rinky-dink convenience store in the middle of the black belt. Gus was one of those who let Jimmy make up his orders for him.
Whatever you think I need is okay with me, he' d say. How much do I owe?
Gus would push the NO SALE key on the cash register, withdraw a fistful of cash, and count out the desired amount of bills with a fl ourish, making sure that Jimmy saw how flush he was. Gus's store, which Jimmy visited every Thursday, was his favorite stop. He and Gus had such congenial talks he found it hard to tear himself away for the next call. They talked about a range of subjects: the economy, Gus's war experiences, Jimmy's long-range plans and women. Gus was a true man of experience, informed and wise.
I've got to go, Gus, Jimmy would say, still lingering. I've got to go.
Jimmy, you got it made, Gus said.
What do you mean? Jimmy asked.
The niggers go crazy over your peanut bars. 'Course it's junk but it fills 'em up.
Are you saying the customers are eating candy instead of real food? Jimmy asked. He emphasized customer because the word nigger bothered him.
Hey, Jimmy, where you been? The niggers don't have enough money for real food. See the dust on those cans of vegetables. Your candy moves ten times as fast which is okay with me. I make more money on the candy anyway.
That's not right, Gus. You shouldn't encourage them to eat so much of my stuff.
You want to sell, don't you? Get wise, Jimmy, unless you want to finish last.
On the second Thursday in August Jimmy made up Gus's order as usual. Gus pushed the NO SALE key on the cash register but this time the bill sections were empty.
Christ, Jimmy, I forgot to go to the bank for cash this morning. How about a cheque this time?
I'm sorry, Gus, but cheques are against the rules. The company won't take them.
Well, that's too bad. I s'pose you'll just have to take back the candy.
I don't want to do that, Gus.
I know you don't, Jimmy. You're a real friend. But I wouldn't expect you to break company rules.
Well, I could take your cheque but I'd have to cover it personally.
You mean you'd do that, Jimmy?
If it bounced I'd be responsible.
You have my word. My check's as strong as steel. You've got nothing to worry about.

  1. Not sold

  2. Smut

  3. Muted

  4. Clean
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the context of the passage, Gus refers to the dust on cans of vegetables to imply that they are not selling and have been sitting on the shelves for a long time.

Multiple choice

What would Gus discuss about with Jimmy?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

His first summer at college, Jimmy operated a candy route on the south side of Chicago.
I'd like to make one thing clear, said the boss the day he hired Jimmy. If you extend credit to anyone, it's your responsibility, your neck. We'll take any delinquencies out of your bond, see?
The customers were small mom and pop neighbourhood stores and an occasional supermarket. Most were poor credit risks, only marginally profitable at best.
At 7:00 A.M. Jimmy stocked the shelves of his rattly company van with a variety of candy bars-coconut, peanut, peppermint-both chewy and soft. The rule was that he'd be stuck with what didn't sell unless he traded it with another driver.
In a few weeks, several store owners had befriended Jimmy and favoured him with the bulk of their candy businessAmong them was Gus Fantas, a small, beaming, friendly man in his early forties who owned a tiny, sparsely stocked, rinky-dink convenience store in the middle of the black belt. Gus was one of those who let Jimmy make up his orders for him.
Whatever you think I need is okay with me, he' d say. How much do I owe?
Gus would push the NO SALE key on the cash register, withdraw a fistful of cash, and count out the desired amount of bills with a fl ourish, making sure that Jimmy saw how flush he was. Gus's store, which Jimmy visited every Thursday, was his favorite stop. He and Gus had such congenial talks he found it hard to tear himself away for the next call. They talked about a range of subjects: the economy, Gus's war experiences, Jimmy's long-range plans and women. Gus was a true man of experience, informed and wise.
I've got to go, Gus, Jimmy would say, still lingering. I've got to go.
Jimmy, you got it made, Gus said.
What do you mean? Jimmy asked.
The niggers go crazy over your peanut bars. 'Course it's junk but it fills 'em up.
Are you saying the customers are eating candy instead of real food? Jimmy asked. He emphasized customer because the word nigger bothered him.
Hey, Jimmy, where you been? The niggers don't have enough money for real food. See the dust on those cans of vegetables. Your candy moves ten times as fast which is okay with me. I make more money on the candy anyway.
That's not right, Gus. You shouldn't encourage them to eat so much of my stuff.
You want to sell, don't you? Get wise, Jimmy, unless you want to finish last.
On the second Thursday in August Jimmy made up Gus's order as usual. Gus pushed the NO SALE key on the cash register but this time the bill sections were empty.
Christ, Jimmy, I forgot to go to the bank for cash this morning. How about a cheque this time?
I'm sorry, Gus, but cheques are against the rules. The company won't take them.
Well, that's too bad. I s'pose you'll just have to take back the candy.
I don't want to do that, Gus.
I know you don't, Jimmy. You're a real friend. But I wouldn't expect you to break company rules.
Well, I could take your cheque but I'd have to cover it personally.
You mean you'd do that, Jimmy?
If it bounced I'd be responsible.
You have my word. My check's as strong as steel. You've got nothing to worry about.

  1. Gus' war experiences

  2. Jimmy's college days

  3. About the office

  4. About the factory
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage lists the topics of their conversations: the economy, Gus's war experiences, Jimmy's long-range plans and women.

Multiple choice

How did Gus want to pay this time to Jimmy?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

His first summer at college, Jimmy operated a candy route on the south side of Chicago.
I'd like to make one thing clear, said the boss the day he hired Jimmy. If you extend credit to anyone, it's your responsibility, your neck. We'll take any delinquencies out of your bond, see?
The customers were small mom and pop neighbourhood stores and an occasional supermarket. Most were poor credit risks, only marginally profitable at best.
At 7:00 A.M. Jimmy stocked the shelves of his rattly company van with a variety of candy bars-coconut, peanut, peppermint-both chewy and soft. The rule was that he'd be stuck with what didn't sell unless he traded it with another driver.
In a few weeks, several store owners had befriended Jimmy and favoured him with the bulk of their candy businessAmong them was Gus Fantas, a small, beaming, friendly man in his early forties who owned a tiny, sparsely stocked, rinky-dink convenience store in the middle of the black belt. Gus was one of those who let Jimmy make up his orders for him.
Whatever you think I need is okay with me, he' d say. How much do I owe?
Gus would push the NO SALE key on the cash register, withdraw a fistful of cash, and count out the desired amount of bills with a fl ourish, making sure that Jimmy saw how flush he was. Gus's store, which Jimmy visited every Thursday, was his favorite stop. He and Gus had such congenial talks he found it hard to tear himself away for the next call. They talked about a range of subjects: the economy, Gus's war experiences, Jimmy's long-range plans and women. Gus was a true man of experience, informed and wise.
I've got to go, Gus, Jimmy would say, still lingering. I've got to go.
Jimmy, you got it made, Gus said.
What do you mean? Jimmy asked.
The niggers go crazy over your peanut bars. 'Course it's junk but it fills 'em up.
Are you saying the customers are eating candy instead of real food? Jimmy asked. He emphasized customer because the word nigger bothered him.
Hey, Jimmy, where you been? The niggers don't have enough money for real food. See the dust on those cans of vegetables. Your candy moves ten times as fast which is okay with me. I make more money on the candy anyway.
That's not right, Gus. You shouldn't encourage them to eat so much of my stuff.
You want to sell, don't you? Get wise, Jimmy, unless you want to finish last.
On the second Thursday in August Jimmy made up Gus's order as usual. Gus pushed the NO SALE key on the cash register but this time the bill sections were empty.
Christ, Jimmy, I forgot to go to the bank for cash this morning. How about a cheque this time?
I'm sorry, Gus, but cheques are against the rules. The company won't take them.
Well, that's too bad. I s'pose you'll just have to take back the candy.
I don't want to do that, Gus.
I know you don't, Jimmy. You're a real friend. But I wouldn't expect you to break company rules.
Well, I could take your cheque but I'd have to cover it personally.
You mean you'd do that, Jimmy?
If it bounced I'd be responsible.
You have my word. My check's as strong as steel. You've got nothing to worry about.

  1. By cheque

  2. In cash

  3. Notes

  4. Currency
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

When Gus found he had no cash, he asked Jimmy: How about a cheque this time?

Multiple choice

What was Jimmy doing?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

His first summer at college, Jimmy operated a candy route on the south side of Chicago.
I'd like to make one thing clear, said the boss the day he hired Jimmy. If you extend credit to anyone, it's your responsibility, your neck. We'll take any delinquencies out of your bond, see?
The customers were small mom and pop neighbourhood stores and an occasional supermarket. Most were poor credit risks, only marginally profitable at best.
At 7:00 A.M. Jimmy stocked the shelves of his rattly company van with a variety of candy bars-coconut, peanut, peppermint-both chewy and soft. The rule was that he'd be stuck with what didn't sell unless he traded it with another driver.
In a few weeks, several store owners had befriended Jimmy and favoured him with the bulk of their candy businessAmong them was Gus Fantas, a small, beaming, friendly man in his early forties who owned a tiny, sparsely stocked, rinky-dink convenience store in the middle of the black belt. Gus was one of those who let Jimmy make up his orders for him.
Whatever you think I need is okay with me, he' d say. How much do I owe?
Gus would push the NO SALE key on the cash register, withdraw a fistful of cash, and count out the desired amount of bills with a fl ourish, making sure that Jimmy saw how flush he was. Gus's store, which Jimmy visited every Thursday, was his favorite stop. He and Gus had such congenial talks he found it hard to tear himself away for the next call. They talked about a range of subjects: the economy, Gus's war experiences, Jimmy's long-range plans and women. Gus was a true man of experience, informed and wise.
I've got to go, Gus, Jimmy would say, still lingering. I've got to go.
Jimmy, you got it made, Gus said.
What do you mean? Jimmy asked.
The niggers go crazy over your peanut bars. 'Course it's junk but it fills 'em up.
Are you saying the customers are eating candy instead of real food? Jimmy asked. He emphasized customer because the word nigger bothered him.
Hey, Jimmy, where you been? The niggers don't have enough money for real food. See the dust on those cans of vegetables. Your candy moves ten times as fast which is okay with me. I make more money on the candy anyway.
That's not right, Gus. You shouldn't encourage them to eat so much of my stuff.
You want to sell, don't you? Get wise, Jimmy, unless you want to finish last.
On the second Thursday in August Jimmy made up Gus's order as usual. Gus pushed the NO SALE key on the cash register but this time the bill sections were empty.
Christ, Jimmy, I forgot to go to the bank for cash this morning. How about a cheque this time?
I'm sorry, Gus, but cheques are against the rules. The company won't take them.
Well, that's too bad. I s'pose you'll just have to take back the candy.
I don't want to do that, Gus.
I know you don't, Jimmy. You're a real friend. But I wouldn't expect you to break company rules.
Well, I could take your cheque but I'd have to cover it personally.
You mean you'd do that, Jimmy?
If it bounced I'd be responsible.
You have my word. My check's as strong as steel. You've got nothing to worry about.

  1. Operated a candy route

  2. Bus operator

  3. In force

  4. Tour operator
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The first sentence of the passage states: His first summer at college, Jimmy operated a candy route on the south side of Chicago.

Multiple choice

Who among them was important?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

His first summer at college, Jimmy operated a candy route on the south side of Chicago.
I'd like to make one thing clear, said the boss the day he hired Jimmy. If you extend credit to anyone, it's your responsibility, your neck. We'll take any delinquencies out of your bond, see?
The customers were small mom and pop neighbourhood stores and an occasional supermarket. Most were poor credit risks, only marginally profitable at best.
At 7:00 A.M. Jimmy stocked the shelves of his rattly company van with a variety of candy bars-coconut, peanut, peppermint-both chewy and soft. The rule was that he'd be stuck with what didn't sell unless he traded it with another driver.
In a few weeks, several store owners had befriended Jimmy and favoured him with the bulk of their candy businessAmong them was Gus Fantas, a small, beaming, friendly man in his early forties who owned a tiny, sparsely stocked, rinky-dink convenience store in the middle of the black belt. Gus was one of those who let Jimmy make up his orders for him.
Whatever you think I need is okay with me, he' d say. How much do I owe?
Gus would push the NO SALE key on the cash register, withdraw a fistful of cash, and count out the desired amount of bills with a fl ourish, making sure that Jimmy saw how flush he was. Gus's store, which Jimmy visited every Thursday, was his favorite stop. He and Gus had such congenial talks he found it hard to tear himself away for the next call. They talked about a range of subjects: the economy, Gus's war experiences, Jimmy's long-range plans and women. Gus was a true man of experience, informed and wise.
I've got to go, Gus, Jimmy would say, still lingering. I've got to go.
Jimmy, you got it made, Gus said.
What do you mean? Jimmy asked.
The niggers go crazy over your peanut bars. 'Course it's junk but it fills 'em up.
Are you saying the customers are eating candy instead of real food? Jimmy asked. He emphasized customer because the word nigger bothered him.
Hey, Jimmy, where you been? The niggers don't have enough money for real food. See the dust on those cans of vegetables. Your candy moves ten times as fast which is okay with me. I make more money on the candy anyway.
That's not right, Gus. You shouldn't encourage them to eat so much of my stuff.
You want to sell, don't you? Get wise, Jimmy, unless you want to finish last.
On the second Thursday in August Jimmy made up Gus's order as usual. Gus pushed the NO SALE key on the cash register but this time the bill sections were empty.
Christ, Jimmy, I forgot to go to the bank for cash this morning. How about a cheque this time?
I'm sorry, Gus, but cheques are against the rules. The company won't take them.
Well, that's too bad. I s'pose you'll just have to take back the candy.
I don't want to do that, Gus.
I know you don't, Jimmy. You're a real friend. But I wouldn't expect you to break company rules.
Well, I could take your cheque but I'd have to cover it personally.
You mean you'd do that, Jimmy?
If it bounced I'd be responsible.
You have my word. My check's as strong as steel. You've got nothing to worry about.

  1. Gus Fantas

  2. Old man

  3. George

  4. Old woman
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage highlights Gus Fantas as a store owner who befriended Jimmy and with whom Jimmy had frequent, meaningful conversations.