English Reading Comprehension

Dissolved

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

Once there was a merchant. He used to load the salt on his donkey. He used to go to nearby villages to sell his salt every day. On the way, they had to cross a stream. One day, the donkey fell into the stream. Much of the salt was dissolved into the water. The load was light. So the donkey was very glad.
Now the donkey knowingly fell into the stream daily. The merchant knew its intention. He thought of a plan. He wanted to teach it a lesson.
Next day the merchant loaded it with cotton. As usual the donkey fell into the stream. But now the load was very heavy. The donkey could move on with great difficulty.
It thought that it should not have lain into the stream. It came to know that it is not always good to play a trick. So it never played a trick again.

Knowingly

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

Once there was a merchant. He used to load the salt on his donkey. He used to go to nearby villages to sell his salt every day. On the way, they had to cross a stream. One day, the donkey fell into the stream. Much of the salt was dissolved into the water. The load was light. So the donkey was very glad.
Now the donkey knowingly fell into the stream daily. The merchant knew its intention. He thought of a plan. He wanted to teach it a lesson.
Next day the merchant loaded it with cotton. As usual the donkey fell into the stream. But now the load was very heavy. The donkey could move on with great difficulty.
It thought that it should not have lain into the stream. It came to know that it is not always good to play a trick. So it never played a trick again.

Intention

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

Once there was a merchant. He used to load the salt on his donkey. He used to go to nearby villages to sell his salt every day. On the way, they had to cross a stream. One day, the donkey fell into the stream. Much of the salt was dissolved into the water. The load was light. So the donkey was very glad.
Now the donkey knowingly fell into the stream daily. The merchant knew its intention. He thought of a plan. He wanted to teach it a lesson.
Next day the merchant loaded it with cotton. As usual the donkey fell into the stream. But now the load was very heavy. The donkey could move on with great difficulty.
It thought that it should not have lain into the stream. It came to know that it is not always good to play a trick. So it never played a trick again.

Pretend

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Protect

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Eager

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Further

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Ride

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Wondering

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Set out

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Drowned

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Frightened

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Quarrel

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

Days passed. The crocodile's wife was feeling more and more eager to eat the monkey's heart. So she thought of a plan to get the monkey there. One day the crocodile's wife pretended to be very ill. The crocodile was sad to see his wife ill. He sat by her and said, "What shall I do to help you?”
"I am very ill," said the wife. "I asked the doctor and he said that I would get well only if I ate a monkey's heart".
The crocodile began to think.  As a husband he had to protect his wife.  It was his duty. He decided to save the life of his wife. He went to see the monkey. The monkey was wondering why the crocodile was late that day and when he saw the crocodile he asked, "Why, my friend, why are you so late? Did you meet with an accident on the way?”
"No accident", said the crocodile. "My wife and I had a quarrel. She said that I was not your friend. You have done so much for us, yet I have not invited you home. She has asked me to take you home today. She wants to meet you."
"How sweet of her to ask me home!” said the monkey. "I would also like to meet her. But how can I go there? You live in water and I shall be drowned if I try to get to your home."
"We live on the river bank", said the crocodile. "I can easily take you there. You can ride on my back while I swim."
The monkey thought it was a good idea. He felt happy that he had such good friends.
The monkey and the crocodile set out for the home of the crocodile. The monkey sat on the crocodile's back and the crocodile started swimming up the river. When they reached the middle of the river the crocodile began to dive. The monkey was frightened. "Hey," he cried. "What are you doing? I shall be drowned if you go down any further."

Why King Lear wanted to divide his Kingdom?

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

King Lear, who is elderly and wants to retire from power, decides to divide his realm among his three daughters, and offers the largest share to the one who loves him best. Goneril and Regan both proclaim in fulsome terms that they love him more than anything in the world, which pleases him. For Cordelia, there is nothing to compare her love to, nor words to properly express it; she speaks honestly but bluntly, which infuriates him. In his anger he disinherits her, and divides the kingdom between Regan and Goneril. Kent objects to this unfair treatment. Lear is further enraged by Kent's protests, and banishes him from the country. Lear summons the Duke of Burgundy and the King of France, who have both proposed marriage to Cordelia. Learning that Cordelia has been disinherited, the Duke of Burgundy withdraws his suit, but the King of France is impressed by her honesty and marries her anyway.