English Reading Comprehension

Lorimer’s reply was

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

During his early days as editor of the popular magazine, Saturday Evening Post. George Lorimer did much of the reading of unsolicited stories. This meant endless hours of sitting at the desk, pouring over big stacks of manuscripts, trying to decide which were worthy of publication and which were not. Lorimer became an expert at making these decisions.

One day he received a huffy letter from a would-be writer who had a complaint. “Last week you rejected my story,” she wrote, “I am positive you did not read it, because, as a test, I pasted together pages 14, 15 and 16. The manuscript came back with the pages still pasted. There is no question in my mind but that you are a sham and a disgrace to your profession.”

Larimer did much reading of the stories

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

During his early days as editor of the popular magazine, Saturday Evening Post. George Lorimer did much of the reading of unsolicited stories. This meant endless hours of sitting at the desk, pouring over big stacks of manuscripts, trying to decide which were worthy of publication and which were not. Lorimer became an expert at making these decisions.

One day he received a huffy letter from a would-be writer who had a complaint. “Last week you rejected my story,” she wrote, “I am positive you did not read it, because, as a test, I pasted together pages 14, 15 and 16. The manuscript came back with the pages still pasted. There is no question in my mind but that you are a sham and a disgrace to your profession.”

The lady wrote a huffy letter because

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given questions.

During his early days as editor of the popular magazine, Saturday Evening Post. George Lorimer did much of the reading of unsolicited stories. This meant endless hours of sitting at the desk, pouring over big stacks of manuscripts, trying to decide which were worthy of publication and which were not. Lorimer became an expert at making these decisions.

One day he received a huffy letter from a would-be writer who had a complaint. “Last week you rejected my story,” she wrote, “I am positive you did not read it, because, as a test, I pasted together pages 14, 15 and 16. The manuscript came back with the pages still pasted. There is no question in my mind but that you are a sham and a disgrace to your profession.”

Fill blank (vii).

Directions: Read the following passage.

When we think of a ____(i)_____, we are likely to think of a _____(ii)____ place covered with sand. Well this is a good _____(iii)_____ of many deserts. However, the world's ___(iv)____ desert Antarctica is cold and chilly and covered with ____(v)____ all year round. The continent of Antarctica ____(vi)____ very little rainfall and the ___(vii)_____ does not hold much moisture. Being the most benumbed place on earth, it has an average temperature ___(viii)_____ usually falls below the stiffening point. It is considered a desert ___(xi)_____ it gets very little precipitation every year. Blizzards or snow storms are very common in this area. Thus, Antarctica is ____(x)_____ a cold desert.

Fill blank (x).

Directions: Read the following passage.

When we think of a ____(i)_____, we are likely to think of a _____(ii)____ place covered with sand. Well this is a good _____(iii)_____ of many deserts. However, the world's ___(iv)____ desert Antarctica is cold and chilly and covered with ____(v)____ all year round. The continent of Antarctica ____(vi)____ very little rainfall and the ___(vii)_____ does not hold much moisture. Being the most benumbed place on earth, it has an average temperature ___(viii)_____ usually falls below the stiffening point. It is considered a desert ___(xi)_____ it gets very little precipitation every year. Blizzards or snow storms are very common in this area. Thus, Antarctica is ____(x)_____ a cold desert.

Fill blank (iii).

Directions: Read the following passage.

When we think of a ____(i)_____, we are likely to think of a _____(ii)____ place covered with sand. Well this is a good _____(iii)_____ of many deserts. However, the world's ___(iv)____ desert Antarctica is cold and chilly and covered with ____(v)____ all year round. The continent of Antarctica ____(vi)____ very little rainfall and the ___(vii)_____ does not hold much moisture. Being the most benumbed place on earth, it has an average temperature ___(viii)_____ usually falls below the stiffening point. It is considered a desert ___(xi)_____ it gets very little precipitation every year. Blizzards or snow storms are very common in this area. Thus, Antarctica is ____(x)_____ a cold desert.

Fill blank (ix).

Directions: Read the following passage.

When we think of a ____(i)_____, we are likely to think of a _____(ii)____ place covered with sand. Well this is a good _____(iii)_____ of many deserts. However, the world's ___(iv)____ desert Antarctica is cold and chilly and covered with ____(v)____ all year round. The continent of Antarctica ____(vi)____ very little rainfall and the ___(vii)_____ does not hold much moisture. Being the most benumbed place on earth, it has an average temperature ___(viii)_____ usually falls below the stiffening point. It is considered a desert ___(xi)_____ it gets very little precipitation every year. Blizzards or snow storms are very common in this area. Thus, Antarctica is ____(x)_____ a cold desert.

Fill blank (ii).

Directions: Read the following passage.

When we think of a ____(i)_____, we are likely to think of a _____(ii)____ place covered with sand. Well this is a good _____(iii)_____ of many deserts. However, the world's ___(iv)____ desert Antarctica is cold and chilly and covered with ____(v)____ all year round. The continent of Antarctica ____(vi)____ very little rainfall and the ___(vii)_____ does not hold much moisture. Being the most benumbed place on earth, it has an average temperature ___(viii)_____ usually falls below the stiffening point. It is considered a desert ___(xi)_____ it gets very little precipitation every year. Blizzards or snow storms are very common in this area. Thus, Antarctica is ____(x)_____ a cold desert.

Fill blank (v).

Directions: Read the following passage.

When we think of a ____(i)_____, we are likely to think of a _____(ii)____ place covered with sand. Well this is a good _____(iii)_____ of many deserts. However, the world's ___(iv)____ desert Antarctica is cold and chilly and covered with ____(v)____ all year round. The continent of Antarctica ____(vi)____ very little rainfall and the ___(vii)_____ does not hold much moisture. Being the most benumbed place on earth, it has an average temperature ___(viii)_____ usually falls below the stiffening point. It is considered a desert ___(xi)_____ it gets very little precipitation every year. Blizzards or snow storms are very common in this area. Thus, Antarctica is ____(x)_____ a cold desert.

The main nourishment for the male mosquito is

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

We learn throughout that tigers and sharks are dangerous animals. We are also scared of them because they are big and powerful. However, as we get older we learn that sometimes the most dangerous animals are also the tiniest animals. In fact, the mosquito is the animal that kills many people every year and is probably the most dangerous. It may seem that all mosquitoes are biters, but this is not actually the case. Male mosquitoes eat plant nectar. On the other hand, female mosquitoes feed on animal blood. They need this blood to live and produce eggs. When a female mosquito bites a human being, it transmits a small amount of saliva into the blood. This saliva may or may not contain a deadly disease. The result of the bite can be as minor as an itchy bump or as serious as death by a disease like malaria and yellow fever. Although mosquitoes may not seem as scary as larger, more powerful animals, they are far more dangerous to human beings.

According to the passage, what is the most basic part of the saree making process that lends the saree its splendour?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

The silk industry in Kancheepuram is one of the fastest growing industries in India. The industry currently employs more than 30,000 weavers in the art of saree making. This was not the scenario in the past. The industry had to compete with the synthetic fiber industry in many aspects. One of the major drawbacks of the silk industry in Kancheepuram was the lack of support from technology. The industry was on the brink of extinction due to the obsolescence of the designs and design making procedures. This is because, design adds splendor to a saree and forms an integral part of its exquisiteness. The recent developments in the designing field show the introduction of computerized Jacquard borders in Kancheepuram silk saree. The use of new technologies has not only helped in creating new and complex designs but also reduced the time involved in the process. There has been an increase in the exports.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question. How did Sarah, the flannel and the spider come down?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question. Where did Sarah ask Tom to put the flannel?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question. What is the meaning of set off?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question. What was dragon’s reaction when the spider was near him?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“This is how you do it,” she said. “First you put the flannel over your hand, like this.Then, very carefully, so you don’t scare him, you put the flannel over the spider and – eeeghh.”
The directions ended suddenly as the spider made a rapid dash for the wall, closely pursued by the face flannel, with the result that Sarah and the flannel and the spider all came down in a tangle on the floor.
The spider set off briskly for the shelter of the shadow under Tom’s bed, but Sarah was too quick for it.
“Ah,” She pounced, and picked it up by one black leg. “It’s really easier without the flannel if you don’t mind how they feel. There it goes.” The spider went out through the bedroom window.
Sarah turned back to Tom. “Spiders can’t hurt you. You know, so it’s silly to be a baby about them. That strange noise you made when it tried to run under the bed almost put me off.”
“I didn’t – “Tom began, but he thought better of it.
When Sarah had gone, he told the dragon it was safe to come out again. It was quite a while before he emerged, and when he did so, Tom looked at him with surprise.
“Are you all right?” If he hadn’t known that dragons are green, he would have described his friend at this point as definitely yellow. The voice matched the colouring, weak and shaky.
“Just give me a few minutes .Did you see that spider coming for me? My whole life passed before my eyes in an instant. I almost cried out – “
“You did cry out.”
“And then everything went dark. Did she – ugh, I can scarcely bear to ask – pick it up?”
“She did.” Tom and the dragon looked at each other silently.
“With her bare hands?”
Tom nodded and shuddered at that time.
“And it’s really gone?”
“She dropped it out of the window.”
The dragon thought for a while and finally shook his head. “I feel a little weak still, so, if you don’t mind, I shall retire early.” He looked hard into the gloom of the area beneath the bed. There didn’t seem to be anything small and leggy lurking there. He disappeared.
As Tom was falling asleep, the dragon spoke again.
“Is the window tightly shut?”
“Yes,” Tom answered without opening his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve checked it twice.”
“That’s all right then,” said the dragon. “You can’t be too careful with spiders.”