English Reading Comprehension

What did one of the men call the tree?

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

Two men were treading along one summer day. Soon it was too hot to go any further and seeing a large plane tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade. Gazing up into the branches, one man said to the other, “What a useless tree this is! It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything.” “Don’t be so ungrateful”, rustled the tree in reply. “I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun and you call me a good-for-nothing! All of God’s creations have a good purpose. We should never belittle God's blessings."

What advertisement was published by the manager of the firm?

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

The manager of a firm published an advertisement for a night watchman. He called many people for the interview. All the applicants were present. He interviewed almost everybody. But, the manager was not satisfied. He found something dubious with each man. There was Raju, an applicant. He was sitting in a corner waiting for his turn of interview. Manager found nothing wrong in his appearance. He questioned about his health. He got the reply that he was suffering from sleeplessness. Manager was happy and appointed him. Be real in life.

Which word in the passage is the synonym of “speechless”?

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

A milkman became very rich and prosperous through dishonest means. Every day, he had to cross a river to reach the city where his customers lived. He mixed the water of the river generously with the milk that he sold for a good profit. One day, he went around collecting the dues in order to celebrate the wedding of his son. With the large amount thus collected, he bought many rich clothes and sparkling gold ornaments. But, while crossing the river, the boat got inverted and all his costly purchases were swallowed by the river. The milk vendor was dumb with grief. At that time, he heard a voice that came from the river, “Do not weep. What you have lost is only the illicit gains you earned through cheating your customers."

How did the milkman become rich?

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

A milkman became very rich and prosperous through dishonest means. Every day, he had to cross a river to reach the city where his customers lived. He mixed the water of the river generously with the milk that he sold for a good profit. One day, he went around collecting the dues in order to celebrate the wedding of his son. With the large amount thus collected, he bought many rich clothes and sparkling gold ornaments. But, while crossing the river, the boat got inverted and all his costly purchases were swallowed by the river. The milk vendor was dumb with grief. At that time, he heard a voice that came from the river, “Do not weep. What you have lost is only the illicit gains you earned through cheating your customers."

The milkman was collecting the dues because he wanted to

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

A milkman became very rich and prosperous through dishonest means. Every day, he had to cross a river to reach the city where his customers lived. He mixed the water of the river generously with the milk that he sold for a good profit. One day, he went around collecting the dues in order to celebrate the wedding of his son. With the large amount thus collected, he bought many rich clothes and sparkling gold ornaments. But, while crossing the river, the boat got inverted and all his costly purchases were swallowed by the river. The milk vendor was dumb with grief. At that time, he heard a voice that came from the river, “Do not weep. What you have lost is only the illicit gains you earned through cheating your customers."

What happened to the boat while crossing the river?

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

A milkman became very rich and prosperous through dishonest means. Every day, he had to cross a river to reach the city where his customers lived. He mixed the water of the river generously with the milk that he sold for a good profit. One day, he went around collecting the dues in order to celebrate the wedding of his son. With the large amount thus collected, he bought many rich clothes and sparkling gold ornaments. But, while crossing the river, the boat got inverted and all his costly purchases were swallowed by the river. The milk vendor was dumb with grief. At that time, he heard a voice that came from the river, “Do not weep. What you have lost is only the illicit gains you earned through cheating your customers."

How was the tree helpful to the men?

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

Two men were treading along one summer day. Soon it was too hot to go any further and seeing a large plane tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade. Gazing up into the branches, one man said to the other, “What a useless tree this is! It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything.” “Don’t be so ungrateful”, rustled the tree in reply. “I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun and you call me a good-for-nothing! All of God’s creations have a good purpose. We should never belittle God's blessings."

Why had he not selected anybody before Raju?

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

The manager of a firm published an advertisement for a night watchman. He called many people for the interview. All the applicants were present. He interviewed almost everybody. But, the manager was not satisfied. He found something dubious with each man. There was Raju, an applicant. He was sitting in a corner waiting for his turn of interview. Manager found nothing wrong in his appearance. He questioned about his health. He got the reply that he was suffering from sleeplessness. Manager was happy and appointed him. Be real in life.

How many men were walking along?

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

Two men were treading along one summer day. Soon it was too hot to go any further and seeing a large plane tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade. Gazing up into the branches, one man said to the other, “What a useless tree this is! It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything.” “Don’t be so ungrateful”, rustled the tree in reply. “I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun and you call me a good-for-nothing! All of God’s creations have a good purpose. We should never belittle God's blessings."

Which word in the passage is the synonym of “doubtful”?

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

The manager of a firm published an advertisement for a night watchman. He called many people for the interview. All the applicants were present. He interviewed almost everybody. But, the manager was not satisfied. He found something dubious with each man. There was Raju, an applicant. He was sitting in a corner waiting for his turn of interview. Manager found nothing wrong in his appearance. He questioned about his health. He got the reply that he was suffering from sleeplessness. Manager was happy and appointed him. Be real in life.

Which word in the passage is the synonym of “unthankful”?

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

Two men were treading along one summer day. Soon it was too hot to go any further and seeing a large plane tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade. Gazing up into the branches, one man said to the other, “What a useless tree this is! It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything.” “Don’t be so ungrateful”, rustled the tree in reply. “I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun and you call me a good-for-nothing! All of God’s creations have a good purpose. We should never belittle God's blessings."

Why could they not go any further?

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

Two men were treading along one summer day. Soon it was too hot to go any further and seeing a large plane tree nearby, they threw themselves on the ground to rest in its shade. Gazing up into the branches, one man said to the other, “What a useless tree this is! It does not have fruit or nuts that we can eat and we cannot even use its wood for anything.” “Don’t be so ungrateful”, rustled the tree in reply. “I am being extremely useful to you at this very moment, shielding you from the hot sun and you call me a good-for-nothing! All of God’s creations have a good purpose. We should never belittle God's blessings."

Why does the author say ‘We are a nation of the hypocrites’? How is it demonstrated, if at all?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.

The article leads to the conclusion that the author is

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.

What is the central theme of this passage?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.