Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

Why was India not overrun by the Japanese during the pacific war?

Directions: Read the following passage & answer the question that follows:
           
The strength of Indian democracy lies in its tradition in its tradition in the fusion of the ideas of democracy and national the Indian nationalist movement long before independence, although the British retained supreme authority in India until 1947, the provincial elections of 1937 provided real exercise in democratic practice before national independence during the pacific war India was not overrun or seriously invaded by the Japanese and after the war was over the transfer of power to a government of the Indian congress party was a peaceful one as far as Britain was concerned . by 1947 Indianization had already gone far in the Indian civil service and army , so that the new government could start with effective instrument of central control .
After independence however, India was faced with two vast problem; the first that of economic growth from a very low level of production and the second that of ethnic diversity and the aspirations of sub nationalities. the congress leadership was more aware of the former problem than of the second as a new political elite which had rebelled not only against the British Raj but also against India’s old social order they were conscious of the need to initiate economic development and undertake social reforms, but as nationalists who had led a struggle against alien rule on behalf of all parts of India, they took the cohesion of the Indian nation too much for granted and underestimated the centrifugal forces of ethnic division which were bound to be accentuated rather than diminished as the popular masses were more and a more drawn. Into politics . the congress party was originally opposed to the idea of recognizing any divisions of India on a linguistic basis and preferred to retain the old provinces of British India which often cut across linguistic boundaries; it was only in response to strong pressures from below that the principle of linguistic states was conceded as the basic for a federal Indian union the right granted to the states created new problems for the central government. the idea of making Hindi the national language of a united India was thwarted by the recalcitrance of the speakers of other important Indian languages, and the autonomy of the states rendered central economic planning extremely difficult. land reforms remained under the control of the states and many large-scale economic projects required a degree of co-operation between the central government and one or more of the states which it was found impossible to achieve.

Co-ordination of policies was difficult even when the congress party was in power both in the states and at the centre; when a congress government in Delhi was confronted with non-congress parties in office in the states, it became much harder.
  1. Japan was skeptical about its success in the war.

  2. Japan had friendly relations with Britain.

  3. Japan was interested in India's freedom from the British rule.

  4. It was not an advantageous proposition for Japan from the military perspective.

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

 It is not sstated in the passage.

Multiple choice
  1. feeble

  2. flexible

  3. durable

  4. bold

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'Feeble' means weak. Hence, this is correct.

Multiple choice
  1. By using his intellect

  2. By using his knowledge

  3. By adopting new techniques

  4. By working hard

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The line, "He learned to turn things in his favour by using his brain." in the passage, contains the answer.

Multiple choice
  1. akin to the animals.

  2. below par to animals.

  3. more advanced than animals.

  4. None of the above.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for option 1: This is not given in the given passage. Explanation for option 2: This is invalid. Explanation for option 3: This is correct as it is given in the passage that "He realised he was superior to all in the animal kingdom due to his ability to think."

Multiple choice
  1. his oratorical skills

  2. his intellectual ability

  3. his physical strength

  4. None of above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The line, "Gradually, man became aware of his intellectual ability." in the passage, contains the answer. 

Multiple choice
  1. Oratorical skills

  2. Intellectual ability

  3. Physical strength

  4. Through bribery

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The line, "Before the dawn of civilisation, man overpowered the weak with his physical strength." in the passage, answers the question. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following describes the Minister?

  1. He was jealous of the jester.
  2. He was the king's most valuable advisor.
  3. He did not have a good sense of humor.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 3

  3. Both 1 and 3

  4. Both 1 and 2

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The passage does not state the Minister was jealous or the king's most valuable advisor. It does show the Minister was sycophantic and lacked the jester's ability to see the humanity in the children, implying he lacked a sense of humor or empathy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following was/were the outcome(s) of the soldiers beating the children?

  1. The animals began to howl and wanted to attack the soldiers.
  2. The children's parents went to the king to beg for mercy.
  3. The priest offered prayers to the goddess of the temple.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. Only 1

  2. All 1, 2 and 3

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Only 2

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage explicitly mentions that the parents came running to beg for pardon. It does not mention animals howling or the priest praying as a direct result of the beating.

Multiple choice

Why did the jester laugh at the children’s reply to the king?

  1. They correctly predicted the outcome of the battle.
  2. Their reply was cheeky because they knew he was the king.
  3. He wanted to show that their reply was a joke to save them from being punished by the king.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. Only 1

  2. Both 1 and 2

  3. Only 3

  4. Both 2 and 3

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The passage does not explicitly state why the jester laughed. It simply says he 'burst into laughter' at the children's innocent and bold claim, which contrasts with the Minister's fear and the King's anger.

Multiple choice

Why did the jester resign from his post?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. He felt that the king was too influenced by the Minister

  2. To show that he disapproved of the king's action of punishing the children

  3. He did not want to accompany the king on his war campaign

  4. He was no longer able to make the king laugh

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The jester resigns because he fears becoming like the King, who is cruel and lacks the ability to appreciate life, and he wants to preserve his own humanity/ability to laugh.

Multiple choice

Which of the following cannot be said about the jester?

  1. He was not a loyal subject of the king.
  2. He was afraid of the king’s temper.
  3. He did not support the king’s war against Karnat.

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. Both 1 and 3

  2. Only 1

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. All 1, 2 and 3

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

 Jester was loyal to the king.

Multiple choice

Why were the elephants carrying loads of gold and other valuables?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. This was what the king had looted from Karnat to distribute among his soldiers as a reward

  2. This was the king's offering to the deity out of gratitude for making him victorious

  3. It was what the king had plundered from Karnat to display to the people of his kingdom as a sign of victory

  4. So that the people of the kingdom of Karnat acknowledged him as their new ruler

  5. None of these

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states the elephants were laden with items 'taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat' and would be 'a part of the victory parade'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

spied

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. noticed

  2. keep watch

  3. followed

  4. spot

  5. caught

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In the context of the passage, the King, Minister, and jester observed or caught sight of some children playing. The word spied means to catch sight of or notice unexpectedly. Therefore, noticed is the closest synonym among the choices.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

froze

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?” They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked, “Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said, “They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.” The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said, “Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why?” The jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”

  1. cold

  2. numb

  3. shivered

  4. stood still

  5. chill

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Minister 'froze' in disbelief, meaning he became motionless or stunned. 'Numb' is a close synonym for this emotional state.