English Language

English Reading Comprehension

3,503 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

What did Raju do when his cart was sinking in the mire?

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

One day it rained very heavily. The roads were muddy. It was the day for the market and Raju, the farmer, was riding his cart along the country road. He had to reach the market early so that he could sell his hay. It was very difficult for the horses to drag the load through the deep mud. On his journey, suddenly the wheels of the horse cart sank into the mire. The more the horses pulled, the deeper the wheel sank. Raju climbed down from his seat and stood beside his cart. He searched all around but could not find anyone around to help him. Cursing his bad luck, he looked dejected and defeated. He didn’t make the slightest effort to get down on the wheel and lift it up by himself. Instead he started cursing his luck for what happened. Looking up at the sky, he started shouting at God, “I am so unlucky! Why has this happened to me? Oh God, come down to help me.” After a long wait, God finally appeared before Raju. He asked Raju, “Do you think you can move the chariot by simply looking at it and whining about it? Nobody will help you unless you make some effort to help yourself. Did you try to get the wheel out of the pothole by yourself? Get up and put your shoulder to wheel and you will soon find the way out.” Raju was ashamed of himself. He bent down and put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses. In no time the wheel was out of the mire. Raju learnt his lesson. He thanked God and carried on his journey happily. God helps those who help themselves.

  1. He tried to pull the cart out.

  2. He stood beside his cart and did nothing.

  3. He called some people and pulled the cart out.

  4. He took a rope and tied it to the cart.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Which word in the passage is the opposite of hopeful?

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

One day it rained very heavily. The roads were muddy. It was the day for the market and Raju, the farmer, was riding his cart along the country road. He had to reach the market early so that he could sell his hay. It was very difficult for the horses to drag the load through the deep mud. On his journey, suddenly the wheels of the horse cart sank into the mire. The more the horses pulled, the deeper the wheel sank. Raju climbed down from his seat and stood beside his cart. He searched all around but could not find anyone around to help him. Cursing his bad luck, he looked dejected and defeated. He didn’t make the slightest effort to get down on the wheel and lift it up by himself. Instead he started cursing his luck for what happened. Looking up at the sky, he started shouting at God, “I am so unlucky! Why has this happened to me? Oh God, come down to help me.” After a long wait, God finally appeared before Raju. He asked Raju, “Do you think you can move the chariot by simply looking at it and whining about it? Nobody will help you unless you make some effort to help yourself. Did you try to get the wheel out of the pothole by yourself? Get up and put your shoulder to wheel and you will soon find the way out.” Raju was ashamed of himself. He bent down and put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses. In no time the wheel was out of the mire. Raju learnt his lesson. He thanked God and carried on his journey happily. God helps those who help themselves.

  1. Dejected

  2. Defeated

  3. Appeared

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

Concept based

Multiple choice

Who made him realise that he could help himself?

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

One day it rained very heavily. The roads were muddy. It was the day for the market and Raju, the farmer, was riding his cart along the country road. He had to reach the market early so that he could sell his hay. It was very difficult for the horses to drag the load through the deep mud. On his journey, suddenly the wheels of the horse cart sank into the mire. The more the horses pulled, the deeper the wheel sank. Raju climbed down from his seat and stood beside his cart. He searched all around but could not find anyone around to help him. Cursing his bad luck, he looked dejected and defeated. He didn’t make the slightest effort to get down on the wheel and lift it up by himself. Instead he started cursing his luck for what happened. Looking up at the sky, he started shouting at God, “I am so unlucky! Why has this happened to me? Oh God, come down to help me.” After a long wait, God finally appeared before Raju. He asked Raju, “Do you think you can move the chariot by simply looking at it and whining about it? Nobody will help you unless you make some effort to help yourself. Did you try to get the wheel out of the pothole by yourself? Get up and put your shoulder to wheel and you will soon find the way out.” Raju was ashamed of himself. He bent down and put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses. In no time the wheel was out of the mire. Raju learnt his lesson. He thanked God and carried on his journey happily. God helps those who help themselves.

  1. People

  2. Horses

  3. God

  4. Villagers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Who helped Raju?

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

One day it rained very heavily. The roads were muddy. It was the day for the market and Raju, the farmer, was riding his cart along the country road. He had to reach the market early so that he could sell his hay. It was very difficult for the horses to drag the load through the deep mud. On his journey, suddenly the wheels of the horse cart sank into the mire. The more the horses pulled, the deeper the wheel sank. Raju climbed down from his seat and stood beside his cart. He searched all around but could not find anyone around to help him. Cursing his bad luck, he looked dejected and defeated. He didn’t make the slightest effort to get down on the wheel and lift it up by himself. Instead he started cursing his luck for what happened. Looking up at the sky, he started shouting at God, “I am so unlucky! Why has this happened to me? Oh God, come down to help me.” After a long wait, God finally appeared before Raju. He asked Raju, “Do you think you can move the chariot by simply looking at it and whining about it? Nobody will help you unless you make some effort to help yourself. Did you try to get the wheel out of the pothole by yourself? Get up and put your shoulder to wheel and you will soon find the way out.” Raju was ashamed of himself. He bent down and put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses. In no time the wheel was out of the mire. Raju learnt his lesson. He thanked God and carried on his journey happily. God helps those who help themselves.

  1. People

  2. God

  3. Raju helped himself

  4. Raju's friend
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Nobody helped Raju,  Raju helped himself.

Multiple choice

The roads were muddy because

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

One day it rained very heavily. The roads were muddy. It was the day for the market and Raju, the farmer, was riding his cart along the country road. He had to reach the market early so that he could sell his hay. It was very difficult for the horses to drag the load through the deep mud. On his journey, suddenly the wheels of the horse cart sank into the mire. The more the horses pulled, the deeper the wheel sank. Raju climbed down from his seat and stood beside his cart. He searched all around but could not find anyone around to help him. Cursing his bad luck, he looked dejected and defeated. He didn’t make the slightest effort to get down on the wheel and lift it up by himself. Instead he started cursing his luck for what happened. Looking up at the sky, he started shouting at God, “I am so unlucky! Why has this happened to me? Oh God, come down to help me.” After a long wait, God finally appeared before Raju. He asked Raju, “Do you think you can move the chariot by simply looking at it and whining about it? Nobody will help you unless you make some effort to help yourself. Did you try to get the wheel out of the pothole by yourself? Get up and put your shoulder to wheel and you will soon find the way out.” Raju was ashamed of himself. He bent down and put his shoulder to the wheel and urged on the horses. In no time the wheel was out of the mire. Raju learnt his lesson. He thanked God and carried on his journey happily. God helps those who help themselves.

  1. there was a flood in the village

  2. it had rained very heavily

  3. people threw water on the road

  4. the water from a canal was flowing on the road
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

According to the passage, what does 'herb' mean?

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

Once there was a small boy. His name was Shankar. He was from a poor family. One day, he was passing through the forest carrying some wood. He saw an old man who was very hungry. Shankar wanted to give him some food, but he did not have any food even for himself. So, he continued on his way. On his way he saw a deer which was very thirsty. He wanted to give him some water, but he did not have water even for himself. So he went on his way ahead. Then he saw a man who wanted to make a camp but he did not have wood. Shankar asked him his problem and gave some of his wood to him. In return, he gave him some food and water. Now he went back to the old man and gave him some food and gave some water to the deer. The old man and the deer were very happy. Shankar then happily went on his way. However, one day Shankar fell down the hill. He was in pain but he couldn’t move and no one was there to help him. But, the old man whom he had helped before saw him; he quickly came and pulled him up on the hill. He had many wounds on his legs. The deer, to whom Shankar had given water, saw his wounds and quickly went to the forest and brought back some herbs. After some time his wounds had recovered. All of them were very happy that they were able to help each other. If you help others, then they will also help you.

  1. A plant used for adding flavours to the food

  2. A plant used as a medicine

  3. A plant used to make garlands

  4. A plant used for offering prayers to God
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the answer.

Multiple choice

Why did the old man and the deer help the boy when he was injured?

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

Once there was a small boy. His name was Shankar. He was from a poor family. One day, he was passing through the forest carrying some wood. He saw an old man who was very hungry. Shankar wanted to give him some food, but he did not have any food even for himself. So, he continued on his way. On his way he saw a deer which was very thirsty. He wanted to give him some water, but he did not have water even for himself. So he went on his way ahead. Then he saw a man who wanted to make a camp but he did not have wood. Shankar asked him his problem and gave some of his wood to him. In return, he gave him some food and water. Now he went back to the old man and gave him some food and gave some water to the deer. The old man and the deer were very happy. Shankar then happily went on his way. However, one day Shankar fell down the hill. He was in pain but he couldn’t move and no one was there to help him. But, the old man whom he had helped before saw him; he quickly came and pulled him up on the hill. He had many wounds on his legs. The deer, to whom Shankar had given water, saw his wounds and quickly went to the forest and brought back some herbs. After some time his wounds had recovered. All of them were very happy that they were able to help each other. If you help others, then they will also help you.

  1. Because he was the grandson of the old man and they had the deer

  2. Because the deer and the old man were very kind

  3. Because once the boy helped the deer and the old man by giving them water and food, respectively

  4. They helped him unknowingly
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is the only reason according to the passage.

Multiple choice

The boy was passing through

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

Once there was a small boy. His name was Shankar. He was from a poor family. One day, he was passing through the forest carrying some wood. He saw an old man who was very hungry. Shankar wanted to give him some food, but he did not have any food even for himself. So, he continued on his way. On his way he saw a deer which was very thirsty. He wanted to give him some water, but he did not have water even for himself. So he went on his way ahead. Then he saw a man who wanted to make a camp but he did not have wood. Shankar asked him his problem and gave some of his wood to him. In return, he gave him some food and water. Now he went back to the old man and gave him some food and gave some water to the deer. The old man and the deer were very happy. Shankar then happily went on his way. However, one day Shankar fell down the hill. He was in pain but he couldn’t move and no one was there to help him. But, the old man whom he had helped before saw him; he quickly came and pulled him up on the hill. He had many wounds on his legs. The deer, to whom Shankar had given water, saw his wounds and quickly went to the forest and brought back some herbs. After some time his wounds had recovered. All of them were very happy that they were able to help each other. If you help others, then they will also help you.

  1. a river

  2. a forest

  3. a busy road

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

It is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

The boy gave all his wood to the man because

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

Once there was a small boy. His name was Shankar. He was from a poor family. One day, he was passing through the forest carrying some wood. He saw an old man who was very hungry. Shankar wanted to give him some food, but he did not have any food even for himself. So, he continued on his way. On his way he saw a deer which was very thirsty. He wanted to give him some water, but he did not have water even for himself. So he went on his way ahead. Then he saw a man who wanted to make a camp but he did not have wood. Shankar asked him his problem and gave some of his wood to him. In return, he gave him some food and water. Now he went back to the old man and gave him some food and gave some water to the deer. The old man and the deer were very happy. Shankar then happily went on his way. However, one day Shankar fell down the hill. He was in pain but he couldn’t move and no one was there to help him. But, the old man whom he had helped before saw him; he quickly came and pulled him up on the hill. He had many wounds on his legs. The deer, to whom Shankar had given water, saw his wounds and quickly went to the forest and brought back some herbs. After some time his wounds had recovered. All of them were very happy that they were able to help each other. If you help others, then they will also help you.

  1. the man wanted to make food by burning wood

  2. the man wanted to make a camp

  3. the man wanted to hunt with the help of wood

  4. the man wanted to make a house
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

It is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

How did Shankar help the deer?

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

Once there was a small boy. His name was Shankar. He was from a poor family. One day, he was passing through the forest carrying some wood. He saw an old man who was very hungry. Shankar wanted to give him some food, but he did not have any food even for himself. So, he continued on his way. On his way he saw a deer which was very thirsty. He wanted to give him some water, but he did not have water even for himself. So he went on his way ahead. Then he saw a man who wanted to make a camp but he did not have wood. Shankar asked him his problem and gave some of his wood to him. In return, he gave him some food and water. Now he went back to the old man and gave him some food and gave some water to the deer. The old man and the deer were very happy. Shankar then happily went on his way. However, one day Shankar fell down the hill. He was in pain but he couldn’t move and no one was there to help him. But, the old man whom he had helped before saw him; he quickly came and pulled him up on the hill. He had many wounds on his legs. The deer, to whom Shankar had given water, saw his wounds and quickly went to the forest and brought back some herbs. After some time his wounds had recovered. All of them were very happy that they were able to help each other. If you help others, then they will also help you.

  1. He gave it food.

  2. He gave it water.

  3. He gave it wood.

  4. He gave it herbs.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage says, "Now, he went back to the old man and gave him some food, and gave some water to the deer."

Multiple choice

The passage is mainly about

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

The world famous opera singer, Enrico Caruso enjoyed telling his story: One fall, while on a walk through the autumnal beauty of upstate New York, he saw a sign on a farm gate announcing fresh apple juice for sale. Deciding he would like some, Caruso drove up to the farmhouse. 

The farmer himself served the juice, generously filling the glass to the brim, and as Caruso drank the fresh, sweet apple juice, the two men talked. During the conversation, the farmer asked the world famous singer his name.
“Caruso”, the latter replied. “You may have heard of me”. For a moment the farmer just stared at the singer. Then, exhilarated by his unexpected news, he replied in sheer delight, “Of course, I've heard of you. What an honour to have you here under my roof. My friends won't believe me when I tell them that in this very room I was hobnobbing with that famous world traveller, Robinson Crusoe”. He took the singer's glass and filled it again.

  1. a thirsty drinker

  2. country hospitality

  3. a mistaken identity

  4. a trip to the farmhouse

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage is focused on the mistaken identity of Caruso. Because the farmer could not identify him, he was confused about his identity. So, option 3 is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Caruso met the farmer when

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

The world famous opera singer, Enrico Caruso enjoyed telling his story: One fall, while on a walk through the autumnal beauty of upstate New York, he saw a sign on a farm gate announcing fresh apple juice for sale. Deciding he would like some, Caruso drove up to the farmhouse. 

The farmer himself served the juice, generously filling the glass to the brim, and as Caruso drank the fresh, sweet apple juice, the two men talked. During the conversation, the farmer asked the world famous singer his name.
“Caruso”, the latter replied. “You may have heard of me”. For a moment the farmer just stared at the singer. Then, exhilarated by his unexpected news, he replied in sheer delight, “Of course, I've heard of you. What an honour to have you here under my roof. My friends won't believe me when I tell them that in this very room I was hobnobbing with that famous world traveller, Robinson Crusoe”. He took the singer's glass and filled it again.

  1. the farmer offered him a glass of apple juice

  2. he stopped to quench his thrist

  3. he stopped for a drink

  4. the beauty of the farmhouse charmed him

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

From the sentence, “he saw a sign on a farm gate announcing fresh apple juice for sale. Deciding he would like some, Caruso drove up to the farmhouse” it becomes clear why Caruso went to the farmhouse.

Multiple choice

The farmer was greatly excited because

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

The world famous opera singer, Enrico Caruso enjoyed telling his story: One fall, while on a walk through the autumnal beauty of upstate New York, he saw a sign on a farm gate announcing fresh apple juice for sale. Deciding he would like some, Caruso drove up to the farmhouse. 

The farmer himself served the juice, generously filling the glass to the brim, and as Caruso drank the fresh, sweet apple juice, the two men talked. During the conversation, the farmer asked the world famous singer his name.
“Caruso”, the latter replied. “You may have heard of me”. For a moment the farmer just stared at the singer. Then, exhilarated by his unexpected news, he replied in sheer delight, “Of course, I've heard of you. What an honour to have you here under my roof. My friends won't believe me when I tell them that in this very room I was hobnobbing with that famous world traveller, Robinson Crusoe”. He took the singer's glass and filled it again.

  1. he had the rare opportunity of meeting a world famous singer

  2. he hoped that Caruso will sing for him

  3. for the first time in his life he had met a great literary figure

  4. he thought the man was the celebrated traveller, Robinson Crusoe

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

It is mentioned in the passage “My friends won't believe me when I tell them that in this very room I was hobnobbing with that famous world traveller, Robinson Crusoe”. This sentence shows the excitement of the farmer.

Multiple choice

Caruso enjoyed telling about his experience with the farmer because

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

The world famous opera singer, Enrico Caruso enjoyed telling his story: One fall, while on a walk through the autumnal beauty of upstate New York, he saw a sign on a farm gate announcing fresh apple juice for sale. Deciding he would like some, Caruso drove up to the farmhouse. 

The farmer himself served the juice, generously filling the glass to the brim, and as Caruso drank the fresh, sweet apple juice, the two men talked. During the conversation, the farmer asked the world famous singer his name.
“Caruso”, the latter replied. “You may have heard of me”. For a moment the farmer just stared at the singer. Then, exhilarated by his unexpected news, he replied in sheer delight, “Of course, I've heard of you. What an honour to have you here under my roof. My friends won't believe me when I tell them that in this very room I was hobnobbing with that famous world traveller, Robinson Crusoe”. He took the singer's glass and filled it again.

  1. the farmer was very nice to him

  2. the farmer was confused about his identity

  3. it really hurt his pride

  4. the farmer was the funniest man he had ever met

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

"For a moment the farmer just stared at the singer..... My friends won't believe me when I tell them that in this very room I was hobnobbing with that famous world traveller, Robinson Crusoe”. These lines show that at first farmer could not recognize the singer and later he mistook him for a famous traveller.

Multiple choice

CCIS insurance was limited to

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Crop insurance in India accounts for less than 2% of income generated from agriculture in a year. This, despite the fact that more than 60% of India’s labour force is dependent on agriculture, and the remaining two sectors — industry and services — derive a large part of their demand from agriculture. Further, Indian agriculture is still subject to uncontrollable risks, prime among which are the vagaries of the monsoon. A large part of crop insurance happens in the kharif season, which is critically monsoon-dependent. About 82% of total sum insured is for the kharif crop as are the 87% of the farmers who have so far benefited from crop insurance schemes. Nevertheless, in absolute terms, crop insurance’s role in agriculture is miniscule compared to agriculture’s significance to the country. The total insured crop area is only about 10% of the overall area under food grains. 
This suggests that not too much headway has been made in agriculture insurance since its initiation. The first nationwide crop insurance scheme, Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS), which was launched in 1985-86 by the General Insurance Corporation (GIC), did not achieve much. Over the years of its operation, the CCIS insured a total of 1.1% of the agriculture GDP over the period. From 1999-2000, a new scheme — the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) — was launched in place of the CCIS, with a newly-formed Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) as its implementing agency. This has fared slightly better than the CCIS, partly because of its scope. While the CCIS insured only those farmers who had taken short-term loans, the NAIS covers all farmers. The average yearly sum insured forms about 3% of income generated by agriculture in a year. Some of the bigger crop-producing states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan did not participate in the insurance scheme.

  1. kharif crop insurance

  2. flood prone areas

  3. farmers with short term borrowings

  4. the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

It is mentioned in the line "CCIS insured only those farmers who had taken short-term loans".