Reading Comprehension

Affect

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Sizeable

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Sporadically

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Sufficient

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Threaten

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Ironically

Directions: Some words in the passage below have been highlighted. Select the best meaning for the corresponding word.

All animal life on planet earth depends on sufficient supply of oxygen for its day-to-day survival. The trees that now just sporadically dot our landscapes, but once heavily blanketed earth’s surface, still are able to provide a large portion of oxygen supply. Through a process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide from surrounding air and in return create a sizeable amount of oxygen. Ironically, human beings, who cut down large number of trees to create land, shelter, and energy, pose the most significant threat to survival of world–wide tree population.
But humans are not the only forces that threaten the survival of these mighty members of plant kingdom. Lighting, fire, volcanoes and earthquakes not only destroy many square miles of old growth forest in a matter of hours but may prevent new trees from going. Disease causing fungi and insect pests can either eradicate certain types of trees or weaken their branches.     
Climate also determines whether particular species of tree will prosper in a given area. Amount of rainfall and range of temperature also affect distribution of tree species.

Paper was first manufactured in

Reading Passage: Paper
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on it.
Did you know that around 270 eucalyptus trees or 460 bamboo plants per tonne of paper produced are saved by the manufacture of handmade paper? Are you aware that handmade paper helps in preventing water, land and air pollution because very small quantities of chemicals are used compared to the large quantity of polluting chemicals used by paper mills? 
Handmade paper is an eco-friendly product and the demand for it is growing rapidly in the world. It is considered the best form of recycled paper. Not only does it have an elegant and exquisite surface for writing but is very strong and almost indestructible. Artists find it has an unmatched texture for drawing.
Paper manufacturing is one of the traditional industries of the world and its invention in China dates back to 105 AD. Indians probably used paper made from cellulose fibres during the third century AD. Before this period the leaves of palm trees were used in India. Papyrus, a kind of paper made from a reed of the same name that grew on the banks of the River Nile, was used in Egypt.
The handmade paper industry, which flourished in India during the Mughal period, declined with the establishment of paper mills in the 18th and 19th centuries. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi it was revived during the freedom movement. Today it is a growing industry producing paper worth millions of rupees.

According to the passage, which of the following is not mentioned as an advantage of handmade paper?

Reading Passage: Paper
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on it.
Did you know that around 270 eucalyptus trees or 460 bamboo plants per tonne of paper produced are saved by the manufacture of handmade paper? Are you aware that handmade paper helps in preventing water, land and air pollution because very small quantities of chemicals are used compared to the large quantity of polluting chemicals used by paper mills? 
Handmade paper is an eco-friendly product and the demand for it is growing rapidly in the world. It is considered the best form of recycled paper. Not only does it have an elegant and exquisite surface for writing but is very strong and almost indestructible. Artists find it has an unmatched texture for drawing.
Paper manufacturing is one of the traditional industries of the world and its invention in China dates back to 105 AD. Indians probably used paper made from cellulose fibres during the third century AD. Before this period the leaves of palm trees were used in India. Papyrus, a kind of paper made from a reed of the same name that grew on the banks of the River Nile, was used in Egypt.
The handmade paper industry, which flourished in India during the Mughal period, declined with the establishment of paper mills in the 18th and 19th centuries. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi it was revived during the freedom movement. Today it is a growing industry producing paper worth millions of rupees.

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

Reading Passage: Paper
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on it.
Did you know that around 270 eucalyptus trees or 460 bamboo plants per tonne of paper produced are saved by the manufacture of handmade paper? Are you aware that handmade paper helps in preventing water, land and air pollution because very small quantities of chemicals are used compared to the large quantity of polluting chemicals used by paper mills? 
Handmade paper is an eco-friendly product and the demand for it is growing rapidly in the world. It is considered the best form of recycled paper. Not only does it have an elegant and exquisite surface for writing but is very strong and almost indestructible. Artists find it has an unmatched texture for drawing.
Paper manufacturing is one of the traditional industries of the world and its invention in China dates back to 105 AD. Indians probably used paper made from cellulose fibres during the third century AD. Before this period the leaves of palm trees were used in India. Papyrus, a kind of paper made from a reed of the same name that grew on the banks of the River Nile, was used in Egypt.
The handmade paper industry, which flourished in India during the Mughal period, declined with the establishment of paper mills in the 18th and 19th centuries. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi it was revived during the freedom movement. Today it is a growing industry producing paper worth millions of rupees.

Mahatma Gandhi ________________________

Reading Passage: Paper
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on it.
Did you know that around 270 eucalyptus trees or 460 bamboo plants per tonne of paper produced are saved by the manufacture of handmade paper? Are you aware that handmade paper helps in preventing water, land and air pollution because very small quantities of chemicals are used compared to the large quantity of polluting chemicals used by paper mills? 
Handmade paper is an eco-friendly product and the demand for it is growing rapidly in the world. It is considered the best form of recycled paper. Not only does it have an elegant and exquisite surface for writing but is very strong and almost indestructible. Artists find it has an unmatched texture for drawing.
Paper manufacturing is one of the traditional industries of the world and its invention in China dates back to 105 AD. Indians probably used paper made from cellulose fibres during the third century AD. Before this period the leaves of palm trees were used in India. Papyrus, a kind of paper made from a reed of the same name that grew on the banks of the River Nile, was used in Egypt.
The handmade paper industry, which flourished in India during the Mughal period, declined with the establishment of paper mills in the 18th and 19th centuries. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi it was revived during the freedom movement. Today it is a growing industry producing paper worth millions of rupees.

Emeka’s first job was _______________

Reading Passage: Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Directions: Read the passage carefully:
Once more, fate dealt him another fatal blow. His spare parts shop in the market had been glutted by fire. Everything he worked for, his sweat, his source of livelihood, all gone. What was he to do now? Who  would he turn to for help?
In his two room apartment, he sat quietly and remem­bered how at the age of sixteen his father died, leaving behind his mother, himself and his five younger brothers. He was at that age, in grade five, a brilliant student with a dream of becoming a successful accountant. But now he had to shoul­der the responsibility of taking care of his younger brothers while going to school.
Life was hard on him. Everyday, he would wake up as early as four o'clock to help his mother in domestic chores and preparing his younger brothers for school. At seven o' clock, he would start off for school. Hoping and praying for the best for his mother in her sales. She sold  food stuff at the local market and from the proceeds she paid her sons’ school fees and provided for their basic needs. But this was hardly enough as sometimes, they would have to go without food and in tattered clothes. Emeka was not discouraged in his efforts to study hard and came out in flying colours. He strove constantly to keep his will strong for he knew that where there is a will there is always a way.
He waded through secondary school and obtained a high grade in his final exams. With this, he hoped to gain admission into the university which he did. This also meant that his mother would have to spend more money on his tuition fees and feeding. He knew that the burden on his mother would be too great. So, he decided to take the burden on himself and look for a part time job out of which he was able to fend for himself. He found a job as a waiter in an eatery in the university premises. He would start work at 4 a.m. and close at 10.00 p.m. This was no easy task but somehow he endured the hardship considering it as a training ground, and hoping that one day fate would be merciful to him.
Emeka studied real hard for his final exams and came out with a second class upper degree. He hoped he would be able to obtain a job with this but was bitterly disappointed as virtually no firm was willing to give him a job. He had become one of the thousands of unemployed youths in the country. Emeka was doggedly determined to make it in life so he out­ rightly refused to allow himself to be pitied. He asked for help from some of his friends in order to rent a shop in which he would sell car spare parts. Out of the sales, he helped his mother take care of his younger brothers. As a matter of fact, he was doing quite well but unfortunately, everything was gone. It seemed that this major incident had sapped all of his strength to carry on. His future seemed to have become bleak. Lamenting his woes, he cried out. "O God! Why me? Why me?
His very good friend Eze tried to console him and encourage him to carry on assuring him that behind every dark cloud there is always a silver lining. Emeka took up the courage and picked up the pieces of his life once again.
One Monday afternoon, about two weeks after the inci­dent, a letter came to him. He wondered who could have sent it. He read the letter and found out that it was a job offer from a renowned bank in the country to become the manager of one of their branches in Lagos. He did not know how he was chosen for the job but he remembered that he had gone there for an interview. He was told to start the job with imme­diate effect. He was also given an official car and an apartment. Now it seemed as if fate was compensating him for all he had lost and he could do nothing but thank God over and over again for blessing him so. Words were not enough to express his joy and he remem­bered Eze's statement that every cloud has a silver lining. And that was exactly what happened to him.

The term 'proceeds' , as used in the passage, means

Reading Passage: Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Directions: Read the passage carefully:
Once more, fate dealt him another fatal blow. His spare parts shop in the market had been glutted by fire. Everything he worked for, his sweat, his source of livelihood, all gone. What was he to do now? Who  would he turn to for help?
In his two room apartment, he sat quietly and remem­bered how at the age of sixteen his father died, leaving behind his mother, himself and his five younger brothers. He was at that age, in grade five, a brilliant student with a dream of becoming a successful accountant. But now he had to shoul­der the responsibility of taking care of his younger brothers while going to school.
Life was hard on him. Everyday, he would wake up as early as four o'clock to help his mother in domestic chores and preparing his younger brothers for school. At seven o' clock, he would start off for school. Hoping and praying for the best for his mother in her sales. She sold  food stuff at the local market and from the proceeds she paid her sons’ school fees and provided for their basic needs. But this was hardly enough as sometimes, they would have to go without food and in tattered clothes. Emeka was not discouraged in his efforts to study hard and came out in flying colours. He strove constantly to keep his will strong for he knew that where there is a will there is always a way.
He waded through secondary school and obtained a high grade in his final exams. With this, he hoped to gain admission into the university which he did. This also meant that his mother would have to spend more money on his tuition fees and feeding. He knew that the burden on his mother would be too great. So, he decided to take the burden on himself and look for a part time job out of which he was able to fend for himself. He found a job as a waiter in an eatery in the university premises. He would start work at 4 a.m. and close at 10.00 p.m. This was no easy task but somehow he endured the hardship considering it as a training ground, and hoping that one day fate would be merciful to him.
Emeka studied real hard for his final exams and came out with a second class upper degree. He hoped he would be able to obtain a job with this but was bitterly disappointed as virtually no firm was willing to give him a job. He had become one of the thousands of unemployed youths in the country. Emeka was doggedly determined to make it in life so he out­ rightly refused to allow himself to be pitied. He asked for help from some of his friends in order to rent a shop in which he would sell car spare parts. Out of the sales, he helped his mother take care of his younger brothers. As a matter of fact, he was doing quite well but unfortunately, everything was gone. It seemed that this major incident had sapped all of his strength to carry on. His future seemed to have become bleak. Lamenting his woes, he cried out. "O God! Why me? Why me?
His very good friend Eze tried to console him and encourage him to carry on assuring him that behind every dark cloud there is always a silver lining. Emeka took up the courage and picked up the pieces of his life once again.
One Monday afternoon, about two weeks after the inci­dent, a letter came to him. He wondered who could have sent it. He read the letter and found out that it was a job offer from a renowned bank in the country to become the manager of one of their branches in Lagos. He did not know how he was chosen for the job but he remembered that he had gone there for an interview. He was told to start the job with imme­diate effect. He was also given an official car and an apartment. Now it seemed as if fate was compensating him for all he had lost and he could do nothing but thank God over and over again for blessing him so. Words were not enough to express his joy and he remem­bered Eze's statement that every cloud has a silver lining. And that was exactly what happened to him.

Which of the following statements is true about the inhabitants of developing countries?

Reading Passage: Environment
Directions: Read the passage carefully:

Our planet is at risk. Our environment is under threat. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the seas we fish in, the soils we farm, the forests, animals and plants which surround us are in danger. New terms and words describe these problems - acid rain, the greenhouse effect, global warming, holes in the ozone layer, desertification and industrial pollution. We are changing our environment. More and more gases and wastes escape from. our factories. Rubbish, oil spillages and detergents damage our rivers and seas. Forests give us timber and paper, but their loss results in soil erosion and also endangers wildlife.
The richer countries of the world are mainly responsible for industrial pollution. This is where most of all the commercial energy is produced. In developing countries, poverty causes people to change their environment - to overgraze grasslands, to cut down trees for new land and firewood, to farm poor soil for food.
The United Nations Environment Protection Agency says that an area of the forest, the size of Sierra Leone disappears every year. Trees are cut down for timber which is used for building, furniture, paper and fuel. They are also, destroyed to provide land to graze animals and build new villages and towns. But trees have many other important uses. Trees protect the land from heavy downpour of rain and their roots help to hold the soil together. Forests are also the home of many living things. The Amazon forest contains one fifth of all the species of birds in the world. In our forest, there may be plants and animals which could help in the discovery of new medicines of crops.
To rescue and conserve our beautiful world, we must act cooperatively. Individuals, communities, nations and international associations, all have a responsibility. By learning to protect the natural environment, we can manage the earth's resources for generations to come.

Which of the following proves that life was very hard on Emeka?

Reading Passage: Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining
Directions: Read the passage carefully:
Once more, fate dealt him another fatal blow. His spare parts shop in the market had been glutted by fire. Everything he worked for, his sweat, his source of livelihood, all gone. What was he to do now? Who  would he turn to for help?
In his two room apartment, he sat quietly and remem­bered how at the age of sixteen his father died, leaving behind his mother, himself and his five younger brothers. He was at that age, in grade five, a brilliant student with a dream of becoming a successful accountant. But now he had to shoul­der the responsibility of taking care of his younger brothers while going to school.
Life was hard on him. Everyday, he would wake up as early as four o'clock to help his mother in domestic chores and preparing his younger brothers for school. At seven o' clock, he would start off for school. Hoping and praying for the best for his mother in her sales. She sold  food stuff at the local market and from the proceeds she paid her sons’ school fees and provided for their basic needs. But this was hardly enough as sometimes, they would have to go without food and in tattered clothes. Emeka was not discouraged in his efforts to study hard and came out in flying colours. He strove constantly to keep his will strong for he knew that where there is a will there is always a way.
He waded through secondary school and obtained a high grade in his final exams. With this, he hoped to gain admission into the university which he did. This also meant that his mother would have to spend more money on his tuition fees and feeding. He knew that the burden on his mother would be too great. So, he decided to take the burden on himself and look for a part time job out of which he was able to fend for himself. He found a job as a waiter in an eatery in the university premises. He would start work at 4 a.m. and close at 10.00 p.m. This was no easy task but somehow he endured the hardship considering it as a training ground, and hoping that one day fate would be merciful to him.
Emeka studied real hard for his final exams and came out with a second class upper degree. He hoped he would be able to obtain a job with this but was bitterly disappointed as virtually no firm was willing to give him a job. He had become one of the thousands of unemployed youths in the country. Emeka was doggedly determined to make it in life so he out­ rightly refused to allow himself to be pitied. He asked for help from some of his friends in order to rent a shop in which he would sell car spare parts. Out of the sales, he helped his mother take care of his younger brothers. As a matter of fact, he was doing quite well but unfortunately, everything was gone. It seemed that this major incident had sapped all of his strength to carry on. His future seemed to have become bleak. Lamenting his woes, he cried out. "O God! Why me? Why me?
His very good friend Eze tried to console him and encourage him to carry on assuring him that behind every dark cloud there is always a silver lining. Emeka took up the courage and picked up the pieces of his life once again.
One Monday afternoon, about two weeks after the inci­dent, a letter came to him. He wondered who could have sent it. He read the letter and found out that it was a job offer from a renowned bank in the country to become the manager of one of their branches in Lagos. He did not know how he was chosen for the job but he remembered that he had gone there for an interview. He was told to start the job with imme­diate effect. He was also given an official car and an apartment. Now it seemed as if fate was compensating him for all he had lost and he could do nothing but thank God over and over again for blessing him so. Words were not enough to express his joy and he remem­bered Eze's statement that every cloud has a silver lining. And that was exactly what happened to him.

Handmade paper is an eco-friendly product because

Reading Passage: Paper
Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions based on it.
Did you know that around 270 eucalyptus trees or 460 bamboo plants per tonne of paper produced are saved by the manufacture of handmade paper? Are you aware that handmade paper helps in preventing water, land and air pollution because very small quantities of chemicals are used compared to the large quantity of polluting chemicals used by paper mills? 
Handmade paper is an eco-friendly product and the demand for it is growing rapidly in the world. It is considered the best form of recycled paper. Not only does it have an elegant and exquisite surface for writing but is very strong and almost indestructible. Artists find it has an unmatched texture for drawing.
Paper manufacturing is one of the traditional industries of the world and its invention in China dates back to 105 AD. Indians probably used paper made from cellulose fibres during the third century AD. Before this period the leaves of palm trees were used in India. Papyrus, a kind of paper made from a reed of the same name that grew on the banks of the River Nile, was used in Egypt.
The handmade paper industry, which flourished in India during the Mughal period, declined with the establishment of paper mills in the 18th and 19th centuries. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi it was revived during the freedom movement. Today it is a growing industry producing paper worth millions of rupees.