English Language

Reading Comprehension

7,656 Questions
All Explicit Fact Retrieval 2427 Inference and Logical Deduction 1147 Contextual Vocabulary Meaning 845 Main Idea and Title Selection 781 Cause and Effect Extraction 699 Synonym and Antonym Identification 692 Sentence Structure and Discourse Function 336 Author Tone and Perspective 194 Interpretation of Figurative Language 190 Passage Style and Organization 173 Pronoun Referent Identification 49

Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

It can be inferred from the passage that the _________________.

Read the passage and answer the following question:

The Fiscal Year 2003–04 promises to be a good one for the Indian economy ending five years of deceleration. However, is it going to be a recovery facilitated by the excellent monsoon of 2003 or by a substantial jump in private and public investment? The answer will not be found in the first Quarterly Statement on the Economy and Budget, which the Union Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, has tabled in Parliament. It is perhaps unfair to expect the Finance Ministry report, the first quarterly review mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility and Management Act, to forecast the shape of the economic recovery in 2003–04. It is, however, important to look more closely at the broad picture of optimism painted in the review of the economy in April–June 2003.
The Center’s gross tax revenue grew by 14 per cent in the first quarter. This was slower than the growth in the corresponding period of 2002–03, but better than the 13.3 per cent increase budgeted for all of 2003–04. Direct tax collections have been better than expected and customs duty receipts are on target. What should be cause for worry is the decline by 16.6 per cent in collections from excise duty, which is still the single largest source of tax revenue. This trend is not consistent with the 5 per cent growth in industrial production in the first two months of the year. The Government's explanation for the fall in excise revenue, that this is a temporary phenomenon resulting from a change in tax procedures and a brief uncertainty in the textile industry, is not entirely convincing. If the Government's fiscal deficit has stayed under control in the first quarter, it is because a decline in interest payments following a dip in interest rates has brought spending down. The subsidy bill, always a problem, could however rise disconcertingly as the Government will be buying more grain and at higher prices. In a good agricultural year, farmers always tend to sell more grain to the state agencies, and procurement prices were raised recently.
There is no doubt that agricultural production will increase significantly this year in both the kharif and rabi seasons. Since the net output of the agriculture sector registered a negative growth of over 3 per cent in 2002–03, the present recovery will push up the growth rate of the economy in 2003–04. Higher incomes in agriculture will boost the demand for industrial products and services, contributing in the process to an all–round acceleration in growth. Revenue from direct and indirect taxes too should increase. All these developments provide the Government the opportunity to take initiatives that will help the economy move to a higher growth path. There are, however, no signs of such action by the Government. For instance, the Centre has done little about its proposed public–private partnership for boosting public investment in infrastructure, the main growth initiative announced in the Union budget. The Government has introduced cash management measures in some Ministries and retired a part of the expensive debt with banks, as promised in the budget. But these are only housekeeping measures. They will do nothing to provide a new impetus to growth.

  1. financial management measures initiated by the government played a major role in strengthening the economy in the fiscal year 2003-04

  2. government initiatives had no major role to play in the economic growth in fiscal year 2003-04

  3. government initiatives gave a boost to the economy in the fiscal year 2003-2004

  4. fiscal year 2003-04 has continued the spurt in the economic growth, going on since the last five years

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Correct answer is (2).  This is a specific detail question to be obtained from the middle of the last paragraph when the author speaks of the need of government initiatives. The immediate next sentence says, \'There are, however, no signs of such action by the government\', thereby justifying choice (2).

Multiple choice

Who deal(s) with the pictures?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

As every moron knows, an ad comprises words and pictures. The word component is the domain of the copywriter and the visuals, the Art person. Interestingly, although their combined creativity, skills and crafts went into the making/creation of this ad, they functioned separately. This meant that the copywriter wrote his stuff and handed it over to the art person - usually with some guidelines - who then proceeded to visualize it in an appropriate meaningful manner. But you also came from different social stratospheres. The copywriter, usually, came from a convent/public school background, was fluent in English and totally comfortable with both the command and nuances of the language.

  1. Copywriter

  2. Moron

  3. Both (1) and (2)

  4. Art person
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Second line

Multiple choice

How many components does an advertisement comprise?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

As every moron knows, an ad comprises words and pictures. The word component is the domain of the copywriter and the visuals, the Art person. Interestingly, although their combined creativity, skills and crafts went into the making/creation of this ad, they functioned separately. This meant that the copywriter wrote his stuff and handed it over to the art person - usually with some guidelines - who then proceeded to visualize it in an appropriate meaningful manner. But you also came from different social stratospheres. The copywriter, usually, came from a convent/public school background, was fluent in English and totally comfortable with both the command and nuances of the language.

  1. One

  2. Two

  3. Three

  4. Four
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

First line

Multiple choice

Who deal(s) with the words?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

As every moron knows, an ad comprises words and pictures. The word component is the domain of the copywriter and the visuals, the Art person. Interestingly, although their combined creativity, skills and crafts went into the making/creation of this ad, they functioned separately. This meant that the copywriter wrote his stuff and handed it over to the art person - usually with some guidelines - who then proceeded to visualize it in an appropriate meaningful manner. But you also came from different social stratospheres. The copywriter, usually, came from a convent/public school background, was fluent in English and totally comfortable with both the command and nuances of the language.

  1. Copywriter

  2. Art person

  3. Moron

  4. Both (1) and (2)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Second line

Multiple choice

Who was/were better educated?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

As every moron knows, an ad comprises words and pictures. The word component is the domain of the copywriter and the visuals, the Art person. Interestingly, although their combined creativity, skills and crafts went into the making/creation of this ad, they functioned separately. This meant that the copywriter wrote his stuff and handed it over to the art person - usually with some guidelines - who then proceeded to visualize it in an appropriate meaningful manner. But you also came from different social stratospheres. The copywriter, usually, came from a convent/public school background, was fluent in English and totally comfortable with both the command and nuances of the language.

  1. Copywriter

  2. Art person

  3. Both (1) and (2)

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The last line of the passage suggests the answer.

Multiple choice

What was the reaction of the market to the stepping down of the CEO?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

With Yang stepping down as CEO, analysts believe that it has paved the way for Yahoo to knock at Microsoft’s door with an aim to achieve the desired change as Yang was the only roadblock in Microsoft-Yahoo! Deal because he repeatedly demanded for a correct price to be paid for Yahoo. Even Kagan confirms, “As Yahoo! really wants Microsoft, therefore Microsoft will now have an easy acquisition that too on better terms than originally offered." Notably, Yahoo's shares went up by 4% the day the announcement of Yang stepping down hit the markets, which surely shows that stakeholders have welcomed the move.

  1. Negative

  2. Positive

  3. Neutral

  4. Cannot say
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Last line

Multiple choice

What does the passage discuss about?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

Chuck Feeney donated secretly, but today a whole lot of rich and powerful people are realizing the power of giving. Capitalism is metamorphosing into a new form. It’s now hip to be a philanthrocapitalist. If capitalism meant only the fittest could survive, then philanthrocapitalism makes the system work in favor of the weak and the less advantaged. From the richest man in the world, to the second richest, everybody’s giving. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Scott, Bill Clinton are doing their bit to change the world and make it a happy place.

  1. The power of taking

  2. The power of giving

  3. The power of believing

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The first line of the passage suggests the answer.

Multiple choice

In capitalism,

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

Chuck Feeney donated secretly, but today a whole lot of rich and powerful people are realizing the power of giving. Capitalism is metamorphosing into a new form. It’s now hip to be a philanthrocapitalist. If capitalism meant only the fittest could survive, then philanthrocapitalism makes the system work in favor of the weak and the less advantaged. From the richest man in the world, to the second richest, everybody’s giving. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Scott, Bill Clinton are doing their bit to change the world and make it a happy place.

  1. only the poor survive

  2. nobody survives

  3. the strongest survives

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Fourth line of the passage suggests the answer.

Multiple choice

Yahoo will now initiate for a merger and acquisition deal.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

With Yang stepping down as CEO, analysts believe that it has paved the way for Yahoo to knock at Microsoft’s door with an aim to achieve the desired change as Yang was the only roadblock in Microsoft-Yahoo! Deal because he repeatedly demanded for a correct price to be paid for Yahoo. Even Kagan confirms, “As Yahoo! really wants Microsoft, therefore Microsoft will now have an easy acquisition that too on better terms than originally offered." Notably, Yahoo's shares went up by 4% the day the announcement of Yang stepping down hit the markets, which surely shows that stakeholders have welcomed the move.

  1. True

  2. False

  3. Cannot say
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Last 2nd line

Multiple choice

According to the passage

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

Wanna look cool with friends while partying, yet don’t want to touch alcohol, because dad’s going to be hopping mad and you get back home. Well, this apple drink with a fizz promise’s to fool your friends, make your dad happy, while allowing you to still seem coolest guy in the party. A winner from the stable of Parle Agro, Appy Fizz, normally looks like bubbly alcohol, but also doesn’t punch your pocket. Quite a deal! Recently, Appy Fizz underwent a change in Avtaar.

  1. drinking alcohol is prevailing in parties

  2. Appy Fizz is a cold drink

  3. it's important to care for the sentiments of parents

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage discusses alcohol at parties, Appy Fizz as a drink alternative, and parental sentiments - all three statements (A, B, C) are supported by the text, making D correct.

Multiple choice

Chuck Feeney donated

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

Chuck Feeney donated secretly, but today a whole lot of rich and powerful people are realizing the power of giving. Capitalism is metamorphosing into a new form. It’s now hip to be a philanthrocapitalist. If capitalism meant only the fittest could survive, then philanthrocapitalism makes the system work in favor of the weak and the less advantaged. From the richest man in the world, to the second richest, everybody’s giving. Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jeff Scott, Bill Clinton are doing their bit to change the world and make it a happy place.

  1. publicly

  2. secretly

  3. Both (1) and (2)

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

First line of the passage suggests the answer.

Multiple choice

Appy Fizz belongs to

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

Wanna look cool with friends while partying, yet don’t want to touch alcohol, because dad’s going to be hopping mad and you get back home. Well, this apple drink with a fizz promise’s to fool your friends, make your dad happy, while allowing you to still seem coolest guy in the party. A winner from the stable of Parle Agro, Appy Fizz, normally looks like bubbly alcohol, but also doesn’t punch your pocket. Quite a deal! Recently, Appy Fizz underwent a change in Avtaar.

  1. Alcohal

  2. Parle Agro

  3. Nestle

  4. HUL
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly states 'A winner from the stable of Parle Agro, Appy Fizz', confirming Parle Agro as the company.

Multiple choice

According to the passage, Appy Fizz as compared to alcohol

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

Wanna look cool with friends while partying, yet don’t want to touch alcohol, because dad’s going to be hopping mad and you get back home. Well, this apple drink with a fizz promise’s to fool your friends, make your dad happy, while allowing you to still seem coolest guy in the party. A winner from the stable of Parle Agro, Appy Fizz, normally looks like bubbly alcohol, but also doesn’t punch your pocket. Quite a deal! Recently, Appy Fizz underwent a change in Avtaar.

  1. is cheaper

  2. is costly

  3. has the same price

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The passage says Appy Fizz 'doesn't punch your pocket' and calls it 'Quite a deal', meaning it is cheaper compared to alcohol.

Multiple choice

The U.S. auto market is badly affected.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

So is the worst happening in India? Well, not really. The situation for auto players in India looks far better than in other global markets. As in the United States, the bailout package from the fed and survival strategies for the auto majors has been the hottest topic of debate from the past many days. The good news is that there are still some players in the Indian market which are insulated from the global heat stroke. Surprised? Sample is: Yamaha with the launch of its R15 and FZ16 made the most of the rather cold summer for its competitors and successfully captured significant market share in the premium category.

  1. True

  2. False

  3. Cannot say

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

"As in the United States, the bailout package from the fed and survival strategies for the auto majors has been the hottest topic of debate from the past many days."

Multiple choice

According to the passage which Indian company is performing better than others?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question:

So is the worst happening in India? Well, not really. The situation for auto players in India looks far better than in other global markets. As in the United States, the bailout package from the fed and survival strategies for the auto majors has been the hottest topic of debate from the past many days. The good news is that there are still some players in the Indian market which are insulated from the global heat stroke. Surprised? Sample is: Yamaha with the launch of its R15 and FZ16 made the most of the rather cold summer for its competitors and successfully captured significant market share in the premium category.

  1. TVS

  2. Yamaha

  3. Cannot say

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

"Yamaha with the launch of its R15 and FZ16 made the most of the rather cold summer for its competitors and successfully captured significant market share."