Reading Comprehension

“The avowed aim of this essay is to examine the growth of cynicism in India in the post-independence period.” It suggests

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

What do we mean when we call someone a cynic? The reference is to a morose person, a snarler, or to the one who takes a pessimistic view of human motives and actions. In today’s context, its number is legion. And the reason for its ever increasing number is too obvious to be stated. But cynicism is not a new concept. A cynic was one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antithenes of Athens born in 444 B.C. It was characterized by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science and amusements—so called from their morose manners. Although not much is known about the cynicism practised then, it was nevertheless a social movement. But the cynic of our own times is a different person. Riches, arts, science and amusements do not bother him, but he has no contempt for these either. Cynicism today is the direct result of continual failings of the governments on practically all fronts and it is further reinforced because of what many call the nauseating political atmosphere prevailing in the country. The avowed aim of this essay is to examine the growth of cynicism in India in the post-independence period. “Half a century of self-rule brought many governments to fore, but no actual governance”. But before growth, I must allude to advent. Advent, consciously or sub-consciously refers to something having definite contours: a thing or things that can be easily identified or even quantified, like we say, ‘advent of spring’ or ‘advent of an era’. Sometimes, we even refer to a person’s arrival as advent. This is because the arrival of such a person happens to be a momentous event. Advent of Gandhi on the Indian political scene, for instance was a momentous event. We call it advent because his arrival is actually a harbinger of something more momentous to follow.
But advent of cynicism! It will be difficult, nay some might even say impossible, to give it any contour or even an indisputable definition. In the face of such a formidable stumbling block, to talk of advent of cynicism is bound to raise many an eye-brow. Nonetheless, the intent of this essay is indeed to talk about the advent of cynicism. I must, however, hasten to inform the reader that he should not expect emergence of any gigantic entity from the Spiritus Mundi. There is no second coming here, even though the environment is no less ripe than it was to Yeats. Only, he had a myth to fall back on, we have no such pretensions here. Instead, we have the stark realities to draw upon for our dissertations and to draw conclusions therefrom. Thus far if we have traversed on the same wavelength for the sake of understanding, if not for anything else, we can now embark upon the journey proper into the world of cynicism and its advent.

Why does the writer say “Only, he had a myth to fall back on, we have no such pretensions here.”

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

What do we mean when we call someone a cynic? The reference is to a morose person, a snarler, or to the one who takes a pessimistic view of human motives and actions. In today’s context, its number is legion. And the reason for its ever increasing number is too obvious to be stated. But cynicism is not a new concept. A cynic was one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antithenes of Athens born in 444 B.C. It was characterized by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science and amusements—so called from their morose manners. Although not much is known about the cynicism practised then, it was nevertheless a social movement. But the cynic of our own times is a different person. Riches, arts, science and amusements do not bother him, but he has no contempt for these either. Cynicism today is the direct result of continual failings of the governments on practically all fronts and it is further reinforced because of what many call the nauseating political atmosphere prevailing in the country. The avowed aim of this essay is to examine the growth of cynicism in India in the post-independence period. “Half a century of self-rule brought many governments to fore, but no actual governance”. But before growth, I must allude to advent. Advent, consciously or sub-consciously refers to something having definite contours: a thing or things that can be easily identified or even quantified, like we say, ‘advent of spring’ or ‘advent of an era’. Sometimes, we even refer to a person’s arrival as advent. This is because the arrival of such a person happens to be a momentous event. Advent of Gandhi on the Indian political scene, for instance was a momentous event. We call it advent because his arrival is actually a harbinger of something more momentous to follow.
But advent of cynicism! It will be difficult, nay some might even say impossible, to give it any contour or even an indisputable definition. In the face of such a formidable stumbling block, to talk of advent of cynicism is bound to raise many an eye-brow. Nonetheless, the intent of this essay is indeed to talk about the advent of cynicism. I must, however, hasten to inform the reader that he should not expect emergence of any gigantic entity from the Spiritus Mundi. There is no second coming here, even though the environment is no less ripe than it was to Yeats. Only, he had a myth to fall back on, we have no such pretensions here. Instead, we have the stark realities to draw upon for our dissertations and to draw conclusions therefrom. Thus far if we have traversed on the same wavelength for the sake of understanding, if not for anything else, we can now embark upon the journey proper into the world of cynicism and its advent.

A cursory glance through the passage leads you to think that the author

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

What do we mean when we call someone a cynic? The reference is to a morose person, a snarler, or to the one who takes a pessimistic view of human motives and actions. In today’s context, its number is legion. And the reason for its ever increasing number is too obvious to be stated. But cynicism is not a new concept. A cynic was one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antithenes of Athens born in 444 B.C. It was characterized by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science and amusements—so called from their morose manners. Although not much is known about the cynicism practised then, it was nevertheless a social movement. But the cynic of our own times is a different person. Riches, arts, science and amusements do not bother him, but he has no contempt for these either. Cynicism today is the direct result of continual failings of the governments on practically all fronts and it is further reinforced because of what many call the nauseating political atmosphere prevailing in the country. The avowed aim of this essay is to examine the growth of cynicism in India in the post-independence period. “Half a century of self-rule brought many governments to fore, but no actual governance”. But before growth, I must allude to advent. Advent, consciously or sub-consciously refers to something having definite contours: a thing or things that can be easily identified or even quantified, like we say, ‘advent of spring’ or ‘advent of an era’. Sometimes, we even refer to a person’s arrival as advent. This is because the arrival of such a person happens to be a momentous event. Advent of Gandhi on the Indian political scene, for instance was a momentous event. We call it advent because his arrival is actually a harbinger of something more momentous to follow.
But advent of cynicism! It will be difficult, nay some might even say impossible, to give it any contour or even an indisputable definition. In the face of such a formidable stumbling block, to talk of advent of cynicism is bound to raise many an eye-brow. Nonetheless, the intent of this essay is indeed to talk about the advent of cynicism. I must, however, hasten to inform the reader that he should not expect emergence of any gigantic entity from the Spiritus Mundi. There is no second coming here, even though the environment is no less ripe than it was to Yeats. Only, he had a myth to fall back on, we have no such pretensions here. Instead, we have the stark realities to draw upon for our dissertations and to draw conclusions therefrom. Thus far if we have traversed on the same wavelength for the sake of understanding, if not for anything else, we can now embark upon the journey proper into the world of cynicism and its advent.

The author says the cynic of our own time is a different person. The chief difference that the author alludes to is because

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

What do we mean when we call someone a cynic? The reference is to a morose person, a snarler, or to the one who takes a pessimistic view of human motives and actions. In today’s context, its number is legion. And the reason for its ever increasing number is too obvious to be stated. But cynicism is not a new concept. A cynic was one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antithenes of Athens born in 444 B.C. It was characterized by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science and amusements—so called from their morose manners. Although not much is known about the cynicism practised then, it was nevertheless a social movement. But the cynic of our own times is a different person. Riches, arts, science and amusements do not bother him, but he has no contempt for these either. Cynicism today is the direct result of continual failings of the governments on practically all fronts and it is further reinforced because of what many call the nauseating political atmosphere prevailing in the country. The avowed aim of this essay is to examine the growth of cynicism in India in the post-independence period. “Half a century of self-rule brought many governments to fore, but no actual governance”. But before growth, I must allude to advent. Advent, consciously or sub-consciously refers to something having definite contours: a thing or things that can be easily identified or even quantified, like we say, ‘advent of spring’ or ‘advent of an era’. Sometimes, we even refer to a person’s arrival as advent. This is because the arrival of such a person happens to be a momentous event. Advent of Gandhi on the Indian political scene, for instance was a momentous event. We call it advent because his arrival is actually a harbinger of something more momentous to follow.
But advent of cynicism! It will be difficult, nay some might even say impossible, to give it any contour or even an indisputable definition. In the face of such a formidable stumbling block, to talk of advent of cynicism is bound to raise many an eye-brow. Nonetheless, the intent of this essay is indeed to talk about the advent of cynicism. I must, however, hasten to inform the reader that he should not expect emergence of any gigantic entity from the Spiritus Mundi. There is no second coming here, even though the environment is no less ripe than it was to Yeats. Only, he had a myth to fall back on, we have no such pretensions here. Instead, we have the stark realities to draw upon for our dissertations and to draw conclusions therefrom. Thus far if we have traversed on the same wavelength for the sake of understanding, if not for anything else, we can now embark upon the journey proper into the world of cynicism and its advent.

“Nonetheless, the intent of this essay is indeed to talk about the advent of cynicism.” This statement of the author shows

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

What do we mean when we call someone a cynic? The reference is to a morose person, a snarler, or to the one who takes a pessimistic view of human motives and actions. In today’s context, its number is legion. And the reason for its ever increasing number is too obvious to be stated. But cynicism is not a new concept. A cynic was one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antithenes of Athens born in 444 B.C. It was characterized by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science and amusements—so called from their morose manners. Although not much is known about the cynicism practised then, it was nevertheless a social movement. But the cynic of our own times is a different person. Riches, arts, science and amusements do not bother him, but he has no contempt for these either. Cynicism today is the direct result of continual failings of the governments on practically all fronts and it is further reinforced because of what many call the nauseating political atmosphere prevailing in the country. The avowed aim of this essay is to examine the growth of cynicism in India in the post-independence period. “Half a century of self-rule brought many governments to fore, but no actual governance”. But before growth, I must allude to advent. Advent, consciously or sub-consciously refers to something having definite contours: a thing or things that can be easily identified or even quantified, like we say, ‘advent of spring’ or ‘advent of an era’. Sometimes, we even refer to a person’s arrival as advent. This is because the arrival of such a person happens to be a momentous event. Advent of Gandhi on the Indian political scene, for instance was a momentous event. We call it advent because his arrival is actually a harbinger of something more momentous to follow.
But advent of cynicism! It will be difficult, nay some might even say impossible, to give it any contour or even an indisputable definition. In the face of such a formidable stumbling block, to talk of advent of cynicism is bound to raise many an eye-brow. Nonetheless, the intent of this essay is indeed to talk about the advent of cynicism. I must, however, hasten to inform the reader that he should not expect emergence of any gigantic entity from the Spiritus Mundi. There is no second coming here, even though the environment is no less ripe than it was to Yeats. Only, he had a myth to fall back on, we have no such pretensions here. Instead, we have the stark realities to draw upon for our dissertations and to draw conclusions therefrom. Thus far if we have traversed on the same wavelength for the sake of understanding, if not for anything else, we can now embark upon the journey proper into the world of cynicism and its advent.

What impression do you get about the writer of this passage?

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

What do we mean when we call someone a cynic? The reference is to a morose person, a snarler, or to the one who takes a pessimistic view of human motives and actions. In today’s context, its number is legion. And the reason for its ever increasing number is too obvious to be stated. But cynicism is not a new concept. A cynic was one of a sect of philosophers founded by Antithenes of Athens born in 444 B.C. It was characterized by an ostentatious contempt for riches, arts, science and amusements—so called from their morose manners. Although not much is known about the cynicism practised then, it was nevertheless a social movement. But the cynic of our own times is a different person. Riches, arts, science and amusements do not bother him, but he has no contempt for these either. Cynicism today is the direct result of continual failings of the governments on practically all fronts and it is further reinforced because of what many call the nauseating political atmosphere prevailing in the country. The avowed aim of this essay is to examine the growth of cynicism in India in the post-independence period. “Half a century of self-rule brought many governments to fore, but no actual governance”. But before growth, I must allude to advent. Advent, consciously or sub-consciously refers to something having definite contours: a thing or things that can be easily identified or even quantified, like we say, ‘advent of spring’ or ‘advent of an era’. Sometimes, we even refer to a person’s arrival as advent. This is because the arrival of such a person happens to be a momentous event. Advent of Gandhi on the Indian political scene, for instance was a momentous event. We call it advent because his arrival is actually a harbinger of something more momentous to follow.
But advent of cynicism! It will be difficult, nay some might even say impossible, to give it any contour or even an indisputable definition. In the face of such a formidable stumbling block, to talk of advent of cynicism is bound to raise many an eye-brow. Nonetheless, the intent of this essay is indeed to talk about the advent of cynicism. I must, however, hasten to inform the reader that he should not expect emergence of any gigantic entity from the Spiritus Mundi. There is no second coming here, even though the environment is no less ripe than it was to Yeats. Only, he had a myth to fall back on, we have no such pretensions here. Instead, we have the stark realities to draw upon for our dissertations and to draw conclusions therefrom. Thus far if we have traversed on the same wavelength for the sake of understanding, if not for anything else, we can now embark upon the journey proper into the world of cynicism and its advent.

The purpose of the passage is

Directions: Choose the most correct option based on the given reading.

Laws lay down the rules by which people in a society should behave with each other and with the state or nation. Many philosophers have tried to explain the reasons for our laws and their beginnings. However, all agree that without laws our society would be lost. If people were free to follow just their own wishes, then there would have been too much pain and confusion. Stronger people would have hurt, robbed, or cheated others without any fear. It would become a miserable animal life with violence ruling the day. The only law then would be the law of the jungle. People would have feared each other and love, respect, and friendship would have taken a back seat. Peace and order in our society can be there only with just laws that are properly followed by everybody. Without peace, our society cannot progress.

Glaciers are formed when

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Water is life. The cycling of water on Earth brings support to all living things. It also brings changes in weather. There are three forms of water. The solid cold form of water is ice. The liquid form is ordinary water. The gaseous form of water is hot steam, or vapour. Water changes its form when it gains or loses heat. Water from the sea, the rivers, the lakes, the glaciers, the ice poles, and from the plants and animals, on gaining heat, is always rising in the form of vapour. Water vapour also is always losing heat and falling down in the form of rain and then turning into glaciers of ice on further losing heat. Water vapour is pure and clean, while natural ice or water is often dirty. The vapour in the air gathers in the sky to make clouds. The clouds return the clean water to Earth in rain or snow. Through the water cycle, Nature makes sure that living things on land can fulfil their need for clean and fresh water.                                                                

According to the passage, nature makes sure

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Water is life. The cycling of water on Earth brings support to all living things. It also brings changes in weather. There are three forms of water. The solid cold form of water is ice. The liquid form is ordinary water. The gaseous form of water is hot steam, or vapour. Water changes its form when it gains or loses heat. Water from the sea, the rivers, the lakes, the glaciers, the ice poles, and from the plants and animals, on gaining heat, is always rising in the form of vapour. Water vapour also is always losing heat and falling down in the form of rain and then turning into glaciers of ice on further losing heat. Water vapour is pure and clean, while natural ice or water is often dirty. The vapour in the air gathers in the sky to make clouds. The clouds return the clean water to Earth in rain or snow. Through the water cycle, Nature makes sure that living things on land can fulfil their need for clean and fresh water.                                                                

Clouds are formed from

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Water is life. The cycling of water on Earth brings support to all living things. It also brings changes in weather. There are three forms of water. The solid cold form of water is ice. The liquid form is ordinary water. The gaseous form of water is hot steam, or vapour. Water changes its form when it gains or loses heat. Water from the sea, the rivers, the lakes, the glaciers, the ice poles, and from the plants and animals, on gaining heat, is always rising in the form of vapour. Water vapour also is always losing heat and falling down in the form of rain and then turning into glaciers of ice on further losing heat. Water vapour is pure and clean, while natural ice or water is often dirty. The vapour in the air gathers in the sky to make clouds. The clouds return the clean water to Earth in rain or snow. Through the water cycle, Nature makes sure that living things on land can fulfil their need for clean and fresh water.                                                                

The passage is an introduction to the

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

The word “continent” actually meant mainland in the past when the Greeks and Romans ruled the western world. The common view is that a big mass of land that is bigger than a single country and separated from other big masses of land either by sea, or by mountains, or by deserts should be a continent. However, a continent is defined upon the needs of a person. Historians divide the world into continents in a different manner, Geography teachers see it differently, Geologists see it from their own viewpoint, and people of different countries divide the world into continents to suit their own purposes. There is quite a bit of confusion in the world over the number of continents, their names, and their areas. For example in Europe, they still believe the world to be divided into five continents as represented in the five rings of the Olympic Games flag. The Olympic Games attract top athletes from all over the world.  However, Americans divide the earth’s land mass into the seven continents of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica, for such division is the most reasonable, and easiest for studying the world.

What is the passage about?

Directions: Choose the most correct answer based on the given reading.

Families formed as an answer to the questions faced by growing tribes in the early times. When the number of people of an early human tribe kept on growing, space became short. It became impossible to keep on sharing common roofs. The grazing, hunting, and farming grounds close to the home of the tribe were no more enough to feed all. People had to cover greater distances in a day to get food. It became more and more difficult to carry back food from where it was found.

When people grew in skills and knowledge, it made life easier and plentiful. There was no more any need to share most of their belongings. So, people started to have personal belongings and attachments. This gave rise to greed and envy. Greater numbers of people meant greater differences among them. Everybody had his or her own tastes. So, it became harder to please everybody by common cooking. To find an answer to these problems, the tribe divided into smaller groups called families that started to live and cook separately. Families built themselves around providers, or the persons who put food on the table, and were made up of blood relations of the main provider. Thus, the tribe grew from a family-less group to a group of families.

What is the passage about?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Water is life. The cycling of water on Earth brings support to all living things. It also brings changes in weather. There are three forms of water. The solid cold form of water is ice. The liquid form is ordinary water. The gaseous form of water is hot steam, or vapour. Water changes its form when it gains or loses heat. Water from the sea, the rivers, the lakes, the glaciers, the ice poles, and from the plants and animals, on gaining heat, is always rising in the form of vapour. Water vapour also is always losing heat and falling down in the form of rain and then turning into glaciers of ice on further losing heat. Water vapour is pure and clean, while natural ice or water is often dirty. The vapour in the air gathers in the sky to make clouds. The clouds return the clean water to Earth in rain or snow. Through the water cycle, Nature makes sure that living things on land can fulfil their need for clean and fresh water.                                                                

Which of the following is the purest form of water on Earth?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

Water is life. The cycling of water on Earth brings support to all living things. It also brings changes in weather. There are three forms of water. The solid cold form of water is ice. The liquid form is ordinary water. The gaseous form of water is hot steam, or vapour. Water changes its form when it gains or loses heat. Water from the sea, the rivers, the lakes, the glaciers, the ice poles, and from the plants and animals, on gaining heat, is always rising in the form of vapour. Water vapour also is always losing heat and falling down in the form of rain and then turning into glaciers of ice on further losing heat. Water vapour is pure and clean, while natural ice or water is often dirty. The vapour in the air gathers in the sky to make clouds. The clouds return the clean water to Earth in rain or snow. Through the water cycle, Nature makes sure that living things on land can fulfil their need for clean and fresh water.