English Reading Comprehension

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.”

Which of the following has not helped in bridging the spatial gap?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question on the basis of the content of the passage.

The Universe is open and it is ceaselessly expanding. Space means the whole universe, including the earth, while outer space begins where the earth's atmosphere ends and extends in all directions. The study of space and of outer space is, of course, not the common man's cup of tea, but the interests of mankind are deeply involved when space is put to certain uses, not all of which are peaceful. The use of space for civilian flights within a country and for the worldwide air services has brought mankind and continents closer than they ever were. In a matter of hours, a person can fly from one continent to another; the communications gap has been reduced by what seem to be fantastic means through space.

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.

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.