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

Sermon

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Social preaching

  2. Historical preaching

  3. Religious preaching

  4. Economic Preaching

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states the saint 'needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers.' The context is about a religious saint with spiritual powers and a following. In this context, a 'sermon' is a religious discourse or preaching delivered to followers.

Multiple choice

Auspicious

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Auspicious Moment

Once upon a time, there lived an old couple. They were very simpleton and gullible people. They were stupid in many ways. One night, there was some noise in their house. The old couple wake up. The wife said, “Sounds as if there are thieves in the house, Should I shout for the neighbours for help.”
“No, no! Don’t be foolish, don’t you remember that we don’t do anything without checking the auspicious time. It is our family tradition for generations as our ancestors also have been doing it”, the husband said.
So they checked the time chart and the time for action was after six months. The couple went back to sleep and did not do anything. The thieves had a field day. They helped themselves to all they could lay their hands on and decamped.

  1. Harmful

  2. Cheerful

  3. Unlucky

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

In the passage, the old couple follows a family tradition of checking the "auspicious time" before taking any action. This means they wait for a favorable or lucky moment. The thieves stole everything because the couple waited six months for the "auspicious" time instead of acting immediately.

Multiple choice

Scriptures

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Holy writings

  2. Fiction

  3. Volumes

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

The passage describes a saint who gains followers and wealth, but ultimately learns from an unkempt man that the path to heaven isn't through scholarly texts. In this spiritual context, "scriptures" means holy writings - the sacred texts the saint had been relying on instead of genuine spiritual practice.

Multiple choice

Spiritual

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Evil

  2. Holy

  3. Mysterious

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

The saint is described as having "spiritual powers" in the context of his religious following and sermons. In this passage about a sage's journey to understanding true devotion, "spiritual" refers to holy or sacred qualities connected to religious experience rather than worldly concerns.

Multiple choice

Gullible

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Auspicious Moment

Once upon a time, there lived an old couple. They were very simpleton and gullible people. They were stupid in many ways. One night, there was some noise in their house. The old couple wake up. The wife said, “Sounds as if there are thieves in the house, Should I shout for the neighbours for help.”
“No, no! Don’t be foolish, don’t you remember that we don’t do anything without checking the auspicious time. It is our family tradition for generations as our ancestors also have been doing it”, the husband said.
So they checked the time chart and the time for action was after six months. The couple went back to sleep and did not do anything. The thieves had a field day. They helped themselves to all they could lay their hands on and decamped.

  1. Trustful

  2. Lovable

  3. Good-natured

  4. Confident

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The old couple is described as "gullible" and "stupid" because they're so naive they let thieves rob their house while waiting for an "auspicious time." In this context, "gullible" means being too trusting or easily fooled - they trusted their superstition more than the obvious need to protect their home.

Multiple choice

Unkempt

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Frail

  2. Infected

  3. Nasty

  4. Untidy

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage describes a man with "a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn" - someone clearly neglected in appearance. "Unkempt" means untidy or messy, which perfectly matches this description of the ascetic who has devoted himself completely to spiritual seeking rather than personal grooming.

Multiple choice

Disciples

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Opponents

  2. Teachers

  3. Friends

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

The passage describes people who support the saint by providing him with comfortable transport - a palanquin and bearers. In this religious context, "disciples" refers to followers who devote themselves to a spiritual teacher and support his work.

Multiple choice

Trance

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. In a state of pain

  2. In a state of wonder

  3. In a state of shock

  4. In a state of dream

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The man stands motionless with arms stretched toward the sky for years, and when the sage approaches, he sees "a strange light in his eyes" before the man begins levitating. In this mystical context, "trance" describes a dream-like state of deep spiritual absorption where the person becomes disconnected from ordinary awareness.

Multiple choice

Simpleton

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Auspicious Moment

Once upon a time, there lived an old couple. They were very simpleton and gullible people. They were stupid in many ways. One night, there was some noise in their house. The old couple wake up. The wife said, “Sounds as if there are thieves in the house, Should I shout for the neighbours for help.”
“No, no! Don’t be foolish, don’t you remember that we don’t do anything without checking the auspicious time. It is our family tradition for generations as our ancestors also have been doing it”, the husband said.
So they checked the time chart and the time for action was after six months. The couple went back to sleep and did not do anything. The thieves had a field day. They helped themselves to all they could lay their hands on and decamped.

  1. Easy to express

  2. Easy to fool

  3. Easy to understand

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

The passage describes the old couple as "simpleton" alongside "gullible" and "stupid" - they're so foolish they wait months for an "auspicious time" while thieves steal everything. In this context, "simpleton" means someone lacking good judgment who is easily fooled or tricked.

Multiple choice

Palanquin

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Stretcher

  2. Wooden box

  3. Framework

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

The saint receives "a palanquin and bearers" for comfortable travel in shade during his journeys. A palanquin is a traditional covered vehicle carried by people - essentially a mobile couch or portable seat that provided shade and comfort for wealthy or important people in historical times.

Multiple choice

Promptly

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Timely

  2. Willingly

  3. Readily

  4. Reluctantly

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

When the wealthy disciple realizes the saint needs comfortable transport, he provides "a palanquin and bearers" without delay. "Promptly" here means readily or quickly - the disciple responded immediately and generously to the saint's needs for comfort during his journeys.

Multiple choice

Decamped

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Auspicious Moment

Once upon a time, there lived an old couple. They were very simpleton and gullible people. They were stupid in many ways. One night, there was some noise in their house. The old couple wake up. The wife said, “Sounds as if there are thieves in the house, Should I shout for the neighbours for help.”
“No, no! Don’t be foolish, don’t you remember that we don’t do anything without checking the auspicious time. It is our family tradition for generations as our ancestors also have been doing it”, the husband said.
So they checked the time chart and the time for action was after six months. The couple went back to sleep and did not do anything. The thieves had a field day. They helped themselves to all they could lay their hands on and decamped.

  1. Went away

  2. Appeared

  3. Stayed over

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

After stealing everything they could, the thieves "decamped" - they left the scene. "Decamped" means to depart suddenly or leave a place, which makes perfect sense in this context: the thieves robbed the house and then quickly went away with their loot.

Multiple choice

Bearers

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Road to Heaven

Once upon a time, there lived a famous saint. He was blessed with spiritual powers. The saint had a large following and needed to travel a lot to give sermons to his followers. Realizing the saint’s needs for comfort on such journeys, he was promptly provided with a palanquin and bearers by one of his wealthy disciples. The comfort of travelling in shade overruled all his moral arguments. His popularity and wealth grew. One day on such a journey, he was stopped by a very unkempt figure of a man. “I want to go to heaven,” the man said. “Stretch your arms upwards and look towards the sky. You will find the way to heaven”, the Sage said.
Many years passed and the saint had an even larger following. One day he was passing through the same way, when he saw the same man standing in the middle of the road with his hands stretched towards the sky. The man had grown a beard up to his knees and his clothes were torn but on approaching him, the sage saw a strange light in his eyes. The man was in a trance.  Soon a miracle happened. He started to rise above the ground. The sage ran and caught hold of the feet of the mad man.
Later the sage gave his last sermon and said that the road to God’s abode is not through reading scriptures.

  1. Carriers

  2. Messengers

  3. Old men

  4. Horses

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The saint receives "bearers" along with his palanquin - these are the people who physically carry the portable vehicle. In this historical context, bearers are carriers or porters who transport the palanquin and its passenger, providing the comfort of shade during journeys.

Multiple choice

Ancestors

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

The Auspicious Moment

Once upon a time, there lived an old couple. They were very simpleton and gullible people. They were stupid in many ways. One night, there was some noise in their house. The old couple wake up. The wife said, “Sounds as if there are thieves in the house, Should I shout for the neighbours for help.”
“No, no! Don’t be foolish, don’t you remember that we don’t do anything without checking the auspicious time. It is our family tradition for generations as our ancestors also have been doing it”, the husband said.
So they checked the time chart and the time for action was after six months. The couple went back to sleep and did not do anything. The thieves had a field day. They helped themselves to all they could lay their hands on and decamped.

  1. Forefathers

  2. Grand parents

  3. Relatives

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

Ancestors refers to people from previous generations in one's family line, particularly those who came before and established traditions. In the passage, the husband mentions their ancestors followed the tradition of checking auspicious time, meaning forefathers/previous generations. Forefathers is the correct synonym - grandparents are too specific (only two generations), relatives is too broad (includes lateral family), and descendents means future generations (opposite of ancestors).

Multiple choice

Pounced

Directions: Read the passage and select appropriate contextual meanings for the words underlined.

Once an old tiger found a gold bangle by the side of a marshy pool. He was too old to hunt; so he thought he would use the bangle as a bait to catch a man. Just then an old traveller was passing by on the opposite bank. The tiger spotted him and decided to have him for his dinner.
The tiger called the traveller and asked him to take the gold bangle, as he had no use for it. The traveller suspected that this may be a trick to get him.
"How can I trust you?" asked the traveller.
The tiger replied, "Don't you see I am old! My teeth are practically gone. My claws are blunt, and I cannot use them. I am now a vegetarian and have given up meat. Don't worry, come and take my gold bangle as a gift."
The traveller said, "When I get closer, my smell may change your mind."
"Don't be silly, have no fear. I am now leading the life of an ascetic. You are safe with me."
The traveller’s love for gold overcame his natural fear of the tiger.
"I think he is telling the truth,” the traveller said to himself. "I will wade across the pool and get the gold bangle. He seems to be a nice tiger."
As he started to wade through the marshy pool he got stuck in the quick sand and began to sink. The tiger shouted with a smile on his face, "Wait there, I am coming to rescue you."
Finally the tiger pounced upon the traveller and killed him.
That night the tiger had the greatest feast of his life.

  1. Hopped

  2. Attacked

  3. Bounced

  4. Ate

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The word 'pounced' in this passage describes the tiger suddenly attacking the traveller after deceiving him. In the story, the tiger pretended to be harmless and offered to 'rescue' the traveller, but once the traveller was stuck, the tiger revealed his true nature by suddenly attacking. 'Attacked' correctly captures this predatory action - pouncing is how predators suddenly leap upon their prey to attack them.