English Reading Comprehension

The word 'meager' could mean

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

The word "tundra" is the English form of a Finnish word "tunturia" that means treeless land. Tundra are regions of the Earth where frost covers the land through the year. Tundra has its own typical plant and animal life. Its greenery is poor and meager. Its animals are built for the lashing cold. It's a land of freezing winds. If you spend a whole day in tundra, you can thank your stars if you manage to come back without frostbite. That is tundra.

There are two types of tundra in the world: the arctic and the alpine. The arctic tundra spreads from the cold polar regions of the north into places like Alaska and Siberia. Arctic fox, arctic hare, snowy owl, and in general most animals whose names start with arctic, polar, or snowy, can be found in an arctic tundra. There is very little greenery. Lichens and mosses, shrubs and grasses mark the landscape there. The alpine tundra lies on and near the snow covered tops of high mountains. Dwarf trees and small shrubs can be found in the alpine tundra. Mountain animals, like mountain goats and sheep may also be found there.

The passage is an introduction to the

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

The word “continent” actually meant mainland in the past when the Greeks and Romans ruled the western world. The common view is that a big mass of land that is bigger than a single country and separated from other big masses of land either by sea, or by mountains, or by deserts should be a continent. However, a continent is defined upon the needs of a person. Historians divide the world into continents in a different manner, Geography teachers see it differently, Geologists see it from their own viewpoint, and people of different countries divide the world into continents to suit their own purposes. There is quite a bit of confusion in the world over the number of continents, their names, and their areas. For example in Europe, they still believe the world to be divided into five continents as represented in the five rings of the Olympic Games flag. The Olympic Games attract top athletes from all over the world.  However, Americans divide the earth’s land mass into the seven continents of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, for such division is the most reasonable, and easiest for studying the world.

Which of the following is true?

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

The word "tundra" is the English form of a Finnish word "tunturia" that means treeless land. Tundra are regions of the Earth where frost covers the land through the year. Tundra has its own typical plant and animal life. Its greenery is poor and meager. Its animals are built for the lashing cold. It's a land of freezing winds. If you spend a whole day in tundra, you can thank your stars if you manage to come back without frostbite. That is tundra.

There are two types of tundra in the world: the arctic and the alpine. The arctic tundra spreads from the cold polar regions of the north into places like Alaska and Siberia. Arctic fox, arctic hare, snowy owl, and in general most animals whose names start with arctic, polar, or snowy, can be found in an arctic tundra. There is very little greenery. Lichens and mosses, shrubs and grasses mark the landscape there. The alpine tundra lies on and near the snow covered tops of high mountains. Dwarf trees and small shrubs can be found in the alpine tundra. Mountain animals, like mountain goats and sheep may also be found there.

Which of the following statements is accepted by all?

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

The word “continent” actually meant mainland in the past when the Greeks and Romans ruled the western world. The common view is that a big mass of land that is bigger than a single country and separated from other big masses of land either by sea, or by mountains, or by deserts should be a continent. However, a continent is defined upon the needs of a person. Historians divide the world into continents in a different manner, Geography teachers see it differently, Geologists see it from their own viewpoint, and people of different countries divide the world into continents to suit their own purposes. There is quite a bit of confusion in the world over the number of continents, their names, and their areas. For example in Europe, they still believe the world to be divided into five continents as represented in the five rings of the Olympic Games flag. The Olympic Games attract top athletes from all over the world.  However, Americans divide the earth’s land mass into the seven continents of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, for such division is the most reasonable, and easiest for studying the world.

What is the main purpose of the passage?

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

The word "tundra" is the English form of a Finnish word "tunturia" that means treeless land. Tundra are regions of the Earth where frost covers the land through the year. Tundra has its own typical plant and animal life. Its greenery is poor and meager. Its animals are built for the lashing cold. It's a land of freezing winds. If you spend a whole day in tundra, you can thank your stars if you manage to come back without frostbite. That is tundra.

There are two types of tundra in the world: the arctic and the alpine. The arctic tundra spreads from the cold polar regions of the north into places like Alaska and Siberia. Arctic fox, arctic hare, snowy owl, and in general most animals whose names start with arctic, polar, or snowy, can be found in an arctic tundra. There is very little greenery. Lichens and mosses, shrubs and grasses mark the landscape there. The alpine tundra lies on and near the snow covered tops of high mountains. Dwarf trees and small shrubs can be found in the alpine tundra. Mountain animals, like mountain goats and sheep may also be found there.

The European concept of continental division has led to

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

The word “continent” actually meant mainland in the past when the Greeks and Romans ruled the western world. The common view is that a big mass of land that is bigger than a single country and separated from other big masses of land either by sea, or by mountains, or by deserts should be a continent. However, a continent is defined upon the needs of a person. Historians divide the world into continents in a different manner, Geography teachers see it differently, Geologists see it from their own viewpoint, and people of different countries divide the world into continents to suit their own purposes. There is quite a bit of confusion in the world over the number of continents, their names, and their areas. For example in Europe, they still believe the world to be divided into five continents as represented in the five rings of the Olympic Games flag. The Olympic Games attract top athletes from all over the world.  However, Americans divide the earth’s land mass into the seven continents of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, for such division is the most reasonable, and easiest for studying the world.

According to the passage, ducking stool

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

Gossip! Yes, gossip is universal. In some languages, it may have an outright negative connotation but in English, it basically means 'idle talk', chat about trivial things or matters. When moderate and kind, 'casual talk' may serve to facilitate exchange of useful information as a means of updating one's knowledge. The whole neighbourhood may grow gossipy with who got married, pregnant, died, or it may just be a humorous chitchat devoid of malicious intent.

However, idle talk more often than not, goes beyond the bounds of propriety and good taste . Facts get embellished, exaggerated or deliberately distorted. Humiliation is made the source of humour, privacy is violated, confidences betrayed and reputations injured or ruined. Condemnation takes the place of commendation, murmuring and fault finding are extolled. The end result is like the mud thrown on a clean piece of white cloth. It does not stick but it leaves a dirty and sometimes permanent stain behind.
Gossip has been blamed for sleepless nights, heartache and indigestion. Certainly, it must have caused you some personal anguish at one time or the other, that is, someone at some time must have tried sticking a knife between your shoulder blades. Negative gossip is almost universally frowned upon. Among the Red Indians in the United States, gossiping about someone is classified with lying and stealing. Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, the tale bearer is detested and often avoided. Indeed, throughout history, measures have been taken to curb this 'deadly' disease. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the ducking stool was popularly used in England and Germany and later in the United States. The gossip monger was tied to a chair and repeatedly ducked in water. In modern times, the war against gossiping has also been fought. Rumour control centres have been established to respond to rumours that were potentially harmful to government activities. Laws have even been passed to curb gossip. Nicknames have been given to those who peddle the tale. Ever heard of 'Amebo"?

Such efforts not withstanding, gossip survives. It is alive and flourishing. Gossip is everywhere. There is neighbourhood gossip, office gossip, party gossip, family gossip and funnily enough, religious gossip. Gossip transcends all cultures, races and civilizations, and it has flourished and is still flourishing at every level of society. Gossip is deeply a part of human nature. Yet gossip is not inherently evil. There is a positive side to casual talk. Knowing where to draw the line between harmless and harmful gossip is the key to avoiding victimising others and being a victim yourself.

The term 'aftermath' as used in the passage means

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

The evidence given so far demonstrates that a nuclear exchange in the Northern Hemisphere would have an unavoidable global aftermath making the continued existence of mankind impossible anywhere. It is also very improbable that a nuclear exchange would be confined exclusively to the vicinity of the industrialized states. Current developments indicate that a nuclear disaster would be carried into the territories of the developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. These developments include the preparations being made by aggressive forces for the armed seizure of the Middle East oilfields, the nuclear missile deployment in the south of Western Europe, the establishment of military bases for the Rapid Deployment Forces in North Africa and the Indian Ocean, and the tensions in the South Atlantic and the Caribbean.

Which word in the passage is a synonym of 'deadly'?

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

We are today faced with a great ecological problem for which we ourselves are largely responsible. Our planet, the Earth, the only home of man is bathed in a steady rain of the sun's rays. Most of these rays supply us heat and light, but a small percentage is deadly. These are the ultraviolet - B rays (or UV - B). If these were to get to the surface of the Earth directly, they would kill us off. Luckily, the Earth’s surface is shielded from these rays by the ozone layer; but sadly enough this ozone layer is being destroyed by man.

The ozone layer is formed from a kind of oxygen with three atoms (O₃) instead of the normal two (O₂). Ozone oc­curs naturally in the stratosphere, several kilometres above the Earth's surface. It absorbs the dangerous UV -B rays but allows the much needed and safe light to pass through. There, in the stratosphere, it is constantly being created by the sun's rays; thus it is a self-repairing shield. But man is now gradu­ally destroying this vital shield with his industrial gases. The most lethal of these gases are the chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which are used in making all kinds of foamed plastic products, propellants in spray cans, coolants in air condi­tioners and refrigerators and solvents to clean electronic equip­ment.

Down here, they are not lethal. But after they have leaked from air conditioners, plastic foam, cups, etc; they slowly drift up to the stratosphere where, bombarded by ultraviolet rays, they break up at last, releasing chlorine, the real ozone killer. Sadly, one chlorine molecule may remain active for a century, destroying thousands of ozone molecules.

Which word in the passage can replace the word 'certainly'?

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

The black ant is indisputably one of the smallest visible insects on the earth. Except with the aid of a very powerful microscope, it is difficult, if not impossible, to locate the eyes, the mouth, the nostrils (if it ever has any) or any other part of its body. An air of mystery surrounds the existence of this little creature.

Have you ever taken time off your programme to watch these ants move in a row? What gives them the sense of direction, we do not know. Indeed, whoever sends them on an errand and how they even know the destination and the type of errand to run after are stories yet to be told. But they are an extremely well-organised lot.

Certainly, there are no defined routes for them on walls or trees, yet they move in an orderly manner, almost in a straight line. The beautiful thing about these insects is that, even when their line of movement is disorganized, they soon regroup and connect themselves again end to end. If in the process, one of them is killed, they quickly recognize that fact from their various positions. Then, one sees them run­ning helter-skelter with a seeming insistence on getting at the comrade to confirm its death.

When this has been done, some of them run zigzag at a tremendous speed to alert the others on the route. Soon, they disappear completely. Later, as if everything were over and forgotten, they reappear and .form a new route and continue their movement transporting food or going on one errand or the other as before. Bring your ears close to them and you hear nothing and you wonder what their means of communi­cation could be.
Perhaps, most surprising is their high sense of under­standing the weather and the climate. They are just like men in this area. They know when it is the rainy season and when the dry season comes. In fact, it is true to say that they prepare better for the future than man.

During the dry season, they file out to different places ­gathering food which they store underground. At the slightest sign of the approach of the rainy season, they all get into the hole and seal it up. Surprisingly, they re-emerge when the dry season sets in. Who tells them that the dry season has come, we do not know. You can now see the sense in the injunction, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard, learn her ways and be wise."

According to the author “An air of mystery surrounds the existence of this little creature”. Which of the following supports this view expressed by the author?

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

The black ant is indisputably one of the smallest visible insects on the earth. Except with the aid of a very powerful microscope, it is difficult, if not impossible, to locate the eyes, the mouth, the nostrils (if it ever has any) or any other part of its body. An air of mystery surrounds the existence of this little creature.

Have you ever taken time off your programme to watch these ants move in a row? What gives them the sense of direction, we do not know. Indeed, whoever sends them on an errand and how they even know the destination and the type of errand to run after are stories yet to be told. But they are an extremely well-organised lot.

Certainly, there are no defined routes for them on walls or trees, yet they move in an orderly manner, almost in a straight line. The beautiful thing about these insects is that, even when their line of movement is disorganized, they soon regroup and connect themselves again end to end. If in the process, one of them is killed, they quickly recognize that fact from their various positions. Then, one sees them run­ning helter-skelter with a seeming insistence on getting at the comrade to confirm its death.

When this has been done, some of them run zigzag at a tremendous speed to alert the others on the route. Soon, they disappear completely. Later, as if everything were over and forgotten, they reappear and .form a new route and continue their movement transporting food or going on one errand or the other as before. Bring your ears close to them and you hear nothing and you wonder what their means of communi­cation could be.
Perhaps, most surprising is their high sense of under­standing the weather and the climate. They are just like men in this area. They know when it is the rainy season and when the dry season comes. In fact, it is true to say that they prepare better for the future than man.

During the dry season, they file out to different places ­gathering food which they store underground. At the slightest sign of the approach of the rainy season, they all get into the hole and seal it up. Surprisingly, they re-emerge when the dry season sets in. Who tells them that the dry season has come, we do not know. You can now see the sense in the injunction, "Go to the ant, thou sluggard, learn her ways and be wise."

Directions: Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

STERN

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering the question.

Once upon a time there lived a vicious king, Raja Shankara - short-tempered and temperamental. "God I am'", he said to his image as he stared into the mirror everyday, many times a day. He was obsessed with himself. He loved noone but himself. He was blinded towards the injustice in his kingdom because he had little time for his subjects. He wasted most of his time in pouring milk and honey over himself.

Interruption in his possessed life was dealt with stern reprimanding and sometimes on petty issues he would behead his servants. Provoked by his evil advisor Twishar, he went on with his self-indulged life, unaware of the plot his very devoted advisor was planning. A plot to dethrone the king, rule the kingdom with his wicked ways only to harness wealth and the reputation of a King.

 One morning the king was on his usual morning horseback rounds but returned to the palace with an intense look on his face. He locked himself inside his palatial room only to unlock it at sundown. Just as the doors cracked open and Raja Shankara emerged from it, his wife rushed to embrace him. She feared a damaging incident had occurred.

The king spoke seldom that day and awoke the next day to make a proclamation to his servants and subjects. The whole kingdom feared what was in store for them from their angry king. But to their surprise he said to all gathered, "From now on I will be a different king. A softer and a patient king.”

True to his words from that day onwards, the king had truly turned on a new leaf; he cleaned out the corruption and injustice in a tender manner with punishments aimed to renew the person from within.

One fine day his evil advisor gathered courage to ask the reason for his paradigm shift. And the king answered, "When I went on horseback that morning a month ago, I noticed a dog brutally chasing a cat. The cat managed to sneak into a hole only after the dog bit her leg, maiming her for life. Not far, the dog barked at a farmer who picked up a sharp stone and hit it straight in the dog's eye. Bleeding profusely, the dog yelped in pain. As the farmer walked on, he slipped on the edge of the road and broke his head.

All this happened in a matter of minutes before me and then I realized that evil begets evil. I thought about it deeply and was ready to give up my worldly life for the betterment of my subjects. I wanted to give up evil in me as I did not want evil to encounter me."

Directions: Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

BRUTALLY

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering the question.

Once upon a time there lived a vicious king, Raja Shankara - short-tempered and temperamental. "God I am'", he said to his image as he stared into the mirror everyday, many times a day. He was obsessed with himself. He loved noone but himself. He was blinded towards the injustice in his kingdom because he had little time for his subjects. He wasted most of his time in pouring milk and honey over himself.

Interruption in his possessed life was dealt with stern reprimanding and sometimes on petty issues he would behead his servants. Provoked by his evil advisor Twishar, he went on with his self-indulged life, unaware of the plot his very devoted advisor was planning. A plot to dethrone the king, rule the kingdom with his wicked ways only to harness wealth and the reputation of a King.

 One morning the king was on his usual morning horseback rounds but returned to the palace with an intense look on his face. He locked himself inside his palatial room only to unlock it at sundown. Just as the doors cracked open and Raja Shankara emerged from it, his wife rushed to embrace him. She feared a damaging incident had occurred.

The king spoke seldom that day and awoke the next day to make a proclamation to his servants and subjects. The whole kingdom feared what was in store for them from their angry king. But to their surprise he said to all gathered, "From now on I will be a different king. A softer and a patient king.”

True to his words from that day onwards, the king had truly turned on a new leaf; he cleaned out the corruption and injustice in a tender manner with punishments aimed to renew the person from within.

One fine day his evil advisor gathered courage to ask the reason for his paradigm shift. And the king answered, "When I went on horseback that morning a month ago, I noticed a dog brutally chasing a cat. The cat managed to sneak into a hole only after the dog bit her leg, maiming her for life. Not far, the dog barked at a farmer who picked up a sharp stone and hit it straight in the dog's eye. Bleeding profusely, the dog yelped in pain. As the farmer walked on, he slipped on the edge of the road and broke his head.

All this happened in a matter of minutes before me and then I realized that evil begets evil. I thought about it deeply and was ready to give up my worldly life for the betterment of my subjects. I wanted to give up evil in me as I did not want evil to encounter me."

Directions: Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

GATHERED

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering the question.

Once upon a time there lived a vicious king, Raja Shankara - short-tempered and temperamental. "God I am'", he said to his image as he stared into the mirror everyday, many times a day. He was obsessed with himself. He loved noone but himself. He was blinded towards the injustice in his kingdom because he had little time for his subjects. He wasted most of his time in pouring milk and honey over himself.

Interruption in his possessed life was dealt with stern reprimanding and sometimes on petty issues he would behead his servants. Provoked by his evil advisor Twishar, he went on with his self-indulged life, unaware of the plot his very devoted advisor was planning. A plot to dethrone the king, rule the kingdom with his wicked ways only to harness wealth and the reputation of a King.

 One morning the king was on his usual morning horseback rounds but returned to the palace with an intense look on his face. He locked himself inside his palatial room only to unlock it at sundown. Just as the doors cracked open and Raja Shankara emerged from it, his wife rushed to embrace him. She feared a damaging incident had occurred.

The king spoke seldom that day and awoke the next day to make a proclamation to his servants and subjects. The whole kingdom feared what was in store for them from their angry king. But to their surprise he said to all gathered, "From now on I will be a different king. A softer and a patient king.”

True to his words from that day onwards, the king had truly turned on a new leaf; he cleaned out the corruption and injustice in a tender manner with punishments aimed to renew the person from within.

One fine day his evil advisor gathered courage to ask the reason for his paradigm shift. And the king answered, "When I went on horseback that morning a month ago, I noticed a dog brutally chasing a cat. The cat managed to sneak into a hole only after the dog bit her leg, maiming her for life. Not far, the dog barked at a farmer who picked up a sharp stone and hit it straight in the dog's eye. Bleeding profusely, the dog yelped in pain. As the farmer walked on, he slipped on the edge of the road and broke his head.

All this happened in a matter of minutes before me and then I realized that evil begets evil. I thought about it deeply and was ready to give up my worldly life for the betterment of my subjects. I wanted to give up evil in me as I did not want evil to encounter me."

Fill blank (viii).

Directions: Read the following passage and fill the numbered blanks using correct option.

Asteroids are rocks and debris which are the leftovers of the construction of our solar system. Most are in a belt, which ___(i)___ between Mars and Jupiter. However, the gravitational influence of the giant planets, like Jupiter, or an impact by a comet can knock these large rocks out of their orbit, thus hurling them ___(ii)___ the Earth. Many bodies have struck Earth in the ___(iii)___, and a widely accepted theory blames the impact of an asteroid for the extinction of dinosaurs about 65 million years ago. The scale of such a disaster can be understood by the example of a relatively small-size asteroid strike in Siberia in early 20th century which ___(iv)___ more than half a million acres of forest.
However, what relieves the common, man of the ___(v)___ regarding asteroid impact is the fact that many scientific groups are dedicated towards tracking the asteroid paths and orbit all around the year. With advanced equipments and technology, they can predict any upcoming danger much in ___(vi)___.
According to them the chances of finding such an asteroid crossing Earth in this or the next five generation’s lifetime is only one in thousands. Even if such an asteroid is found out, there will be ___(vii)___ of time to track it, measure its orbit precisely, and plan a system for ___(viii)___ it from its orbit away from that of the Earth’s. There will be no great hurry, and no great panic. It would be a project for all the world’s nations to take part in. It could be a globally unifying event. Because it will be ___(ix)___ long before it actually hits the Earth. It probably would take only a small measure such as chemical rockets, or perhaps an atomic explosion to divert it from a threatening path. Thus, in short, it can be said that though the impact would pose enormous risk to all living forms on Earth, the odds of it occurring within our lifetimes is very ___(x)___ and it is unnecessary to run around believing that the sky is falling.