Reading Comprehension

Directions: Answer the following questions with the appropriate information from the passage. Write your answer:

Yes: If the statement admits what the writer says No: If the statement contradicts what the writer says Not Given: If nothing has been mentioned by the writer.

Recharging of water underneath should be made compulsory.

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

PRECIOUS RESOURCE

While India is aspiring to become a global power, most of its citizens do not even have the basic amenity of adequate water supply. During the Last seven years, nearly 1.5 lakh villages have lost access to water supply. According to the Comptroller and Auditor –General’s report, while 85 percent of rural India is dependent on ground water, the environmental degradation and reduced recharges have made most underground sources ineffectual. Water scarcity ails most Indian states and is a pressing problem facing both the rural and urban areas.
One of the major causes of water shortage has been the diminishing water-table, which has been consistently falling due to indiscriminate water exploitation. In grain-surplus states of  Punjab and Haryana, with over 20-lakh tube wells and pumps, water-tables have gone 1600 feet deeper. The ground water levels plummeting, Punjab, the food bowl of India, can turn into a desert. The Punjab government’s curb on the early sowing of water-intensive rice is appreciable, but it has to be regulated further-more. The state government, instead of following appeasement policies like free electricity to farmers, should find suitable steps to augment water resources. To arrest the water –table, Haryana is planning a joint project with the Centre. In Sirsa district, a pilot project involving recharge and storage tanks has already been initiated

Indeed, water is too precious a resource and India and its states cannot afford to fritter it away. The Central government has been spending crores of rupees on water conservation, yet little attention is being paid to harvesting rainwater, even though it is estimated that if 5 percent of the rainwater is harvested annually, it could produce 900 million liters of water, The Centre’s initiative to make it mandatory for people to recharge underground water needs to be implemented with greater earnestness. Concerted government efforts must seek community participation, and the revival of the traditional water sources has to be encouraged

Directions: Answer the following questions with the appropriate information from the passage. Write your answer:

Yes: If the statement admits what the writer says No: If the statement contradicts what the writer says Not Given: If nothing has been mentioned by the writer.

Water resources should be encouraged worldwide.

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

PRECIOUS RESOURCE

While India is aspiring to become a global power, most of its citizens do not even have the basic amenity of adequate water supply. During the Last seven years, nearly 1.5 lakh villages have lost access to water supply. According to the Comptroller and Auditor –General’s report, while 85 percent of rural India is dependent on ground water, the environmental degradation and reduced recharges have made most underground sources ineffectual. Water scarcity ails most Indian states and is a pressing problem facing both the rural and urban areas.
One of the major causes of water shortage has been the diminishing water-table, which has been consistently falling due to indiscriminate water exploitation. In grain-surplus states of  Punjab and Haryana, with over 20-lakh tube wells and pumps, water-tables have gone 1600 feet deeper. The ground water levels plummeting, Punjab, the food bowl of India, can turn into a desert. The Punjab government’s curb on the early sowing of water-intensive rice is appreciable, but it has to be regulated further-more. The state government, instead of following appeasement policies like free electricity to farmers, should find suitable steps to augment water resources. To arrest the water –table, Haryana is planning a joint project with the Centre. In Sirsa district, a pilot project involving recharge and storage tanks has already been initiated

Indeed, water is too precious a resource and India and its states cannot afford to fritter it away. The Central government has been spending crores of rupees on water conservation, yet little attention is being paid to harvesting rainwater, even though it is estimated that if 5 percent of the rainwater is harvested annually, it could produce 900 million liters of water, The Centre’s initiative to make it mandatory for people to recharge underground water needs to be implemented with greater earnestness. Concerted government efforts must seek community participation, and the revival of the traditional water sources has to be encouraged

What is the title for the given passage?

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

CHECKING E-MAILS IN A MEETING NO-NO

Sure, checking the Black Berry and mobile phone every five seconds makes us feel productive. May be even uber-important And we all have been in meetings that drag on so long it feels like there aren’t enough tooth-picks on earth to keep the eyelids pried open. But when the boss is talking, don’t fiddle with your gadgets – even if it’s to conduct important business. And even if it’s to stay awake. It’s just rude and might cost you some career points.
Tom Borghesi whose firm recently queried executives on the growing practice of checking e-mail during business meetings. It might be becoming commonplace, but must be frowned. Common doesn’t add up to acceptable resources. The specialized staffing firm recently received 150responses from senior executives about their take on the trend. Eighty six percent said people they work with often check and respond to the e-mail during meetings, and 31 percent said that the practice is” never o.k.”

“It’s all about proper etiquette” Borghesi said. There are times it might be critical to respond to someone right away. But as a rule, when it comes to e-mail during meetings, less is better, if at all. If you know closing a deal or responding to a client can’t wait, then the meeting organizer know in advance that you might have to step out for a moment or two. Twenty three percent of senior executives agreed to briefly leave the meeting to respond to a pressing communiqué.

“The Black Berry and 24/7 e-mails have gotten us to the point where we think everything is so critical., “Borghesi said, “and it’s not.” Executives understand e-mail increasingly consumes “such a large volume of our day.”. Borghesi said, They might, however, be less tuned in to how they contribute to the problem by running meetings that stray off topic. Make sure the meeting is pertinent to the people attending, Make sure it should be to the point and start and stop on time so the perception is you are not wasting anyone’s time.

Fiddle also refers to musical instrument named

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

CHECKING E-MAILS IN A MEETING NO-NO

Sure, checking the Black Berry and mobile phone every five seconds makes us feel productive. May be even uber-important And we all have been in meetings that drag on so long it feels like there aren’t enough tooth-picks on earth to keep the eyelids pried open. But when the boss is talking, don’t fiddle with your gadgets – even if it’s to conduct important business. And even if it’s to stay awake. It’s just rude and might cost you some career points.
Tom Borghesi whose firm recently queried executives on the growing practice of checking e-mail during business meetings. It might be becoming commonplace, but must be frowned. Common doesn’t add up to acceptable resources. The specialized staffing firm recently received 150responses from senior executives about their take on the trend. Eighty six percent said people they work with often check and respond to the e-mail during meetings, and 31 percent said that the practice is” never o.k.”

“It’s all about proper etiquette” Borghesi said. There are times it might be critical to respond to someone right away. But as a rule, when it comes to e-mail during meetings, less is better, if at all. If you know closing a deal or responding to a client can’t wait, then the meeting organizer know in advance that you might have to step out for a moment or two. Twenty three percent of senior executives agreed to briefly leave the meeting to respond to a pressing communiqué.

“The Black Berry and 24/7 e-mails have gotten us to the point where we think everything is so critical., “Borghesi said, “and it’s not.” Executives understand e-mail increasingly consumes “such a large volume of our day.”. Borghesi said, They might, however, be less tuned in to how they contribute to the problem by running meetings that stray off topic. Make sure the meeting is pertinent to the people attending, Make sure it should be to the point and start and stop on time so the perception is you are not wasting anyone’s time.

What is the meaning of wrong?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What is the meaning of pocketful?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What did they hear from outside?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What is the meaning of too hard?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What is the meaning of tough?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What is the meaning of proud?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What is the meaning of interrupted?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What is the meaning of trumpets?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What is the meaning of twinkled?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

What did the dragons wear?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.

As per the Mandarin, how did the dragons look like?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

“Now, look here,” said the Mandarin. “Every-body knows what dragons look like. They are proud lords of the sky. They were gold and purple silk. They look like Mandarins.”
“How do you know?” asked the little man. “Have you ever seen one?”
“Certainly not,” said the Mandarin. “But everyone knows what they look like. Isn’t that true, Captain?”
The Captain of the Army say up straight, brushing grains of rice from his uniform.
“Not at all,” said he. “Everyone knows that the dragon are fierce and brave, like warriors. The sight of them is like the sound of trumpets. They look like Captains of the Army.”
“Nonsense!” interrupted the Leader of the Merchants. “Dragons are rich and splendid .They are as comfortable as a pocketful of money. They look like merchants. Everybody knows that.”
The chief of the Workmen put in, “You are wrong. Everyone knows that dragon are strong and tough. Nothing is too hard for them to do. They look like workmen.”
The wisest of the Wise Men pushed his glasses up on his forehead. “The one thing that is known – and indeed I can show it to you in forty-seven books – is that dragon are the wisest of all creatures,” he said. “Therefore, they must look like wise men.”
At that moment, they heard screams and yells from outside. A messenger came running into the palace.
“My lords,” he shouted, “the enemy is coming! The Wild Horsemen are riding across the plain towards the city gates. What shall we do?”
Everyone rushed out to the gate to look. Far away, but coming closer every second, was the dark mass of horseman. Dust rose high from their horse’s hooves and their swords and spears twinkled in the sunlight.