Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following best explains why IGF is a ‘multi-stakeholder model'?

Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the following question.

Netheads build, run and protect the internet. They often profit from it too. More than 2,000 of them from more than 100 countries descended on Nairobi this week for the latest Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a conference organised under United Nations auspices. The ponderous official theme was the internet “as a catalyst for change”, with a lot of nodding to WikiLeaks and the Arab spring. The reality outside the conference hall, the UN headquarters in the Kenyan capital, was more striking. Kenyans nowadays often go online on their mobile phones. Surfing the web is getting faster and cheaper by the day. The internet is no longer a geeks' affair in the rich world, but woven into the fabric of business and life even in the poor one.
The IGF is not a typical UN meeting with a carefully staged agenda and much diplomatic protocol. All participants had the same right to take the floor. Government suits had to listen patiently to the complaints of internet activists. And the end of the shindig was not marked by a finely tuned communiqué, but by a workshop dedicated to what the organisers should do better.
All this makes the IGF an unusual grouping. It is in effect a poster child for what insiders like to call the “multi-stakeholder” model. All involved have a say and decisions are taken by “rough consensus”. This approach has worked for the internet so far, but it is increasingly under attack. Governments now want to be given the last word on contentious issues rather than being merely treated as just another stakeholder.

  1. Everyone had a chance to put their points of view across.

  2. The organisers were a mixed group of all interested parties.

  3. Netheads from more than 100 countries participated.

  4. The decisions were taken by a rough consensus as everyone had an equal say.

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

This is the correct answer. The passage indicates in the last paragraph that everyone has an equal say and the decisions are taken by a rough consensus.

Multiple choice
  1. Broadcaster

  2. Watchdog

  3. Mediator

  4. Both (1) and (2)

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

This is the correct answer. The line 'The media, in its role, not only as a broadcaster, but also as a watchdog' suggests the answer.

Multiple choice

The passage refers to ‘government suits’. Who are these 'suits'?

Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the following question.

NETHEADS build, run and protect the internet. They often profit from it too. More than 2,000 of them from more than 100 countries descended on Nairobi this week for the latest Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a conference organised under United Nations auspices. The ponderous official theme was the internet “as a catalyst for change”, with a lot of nodding to WikiLeaks and the Arab spring. The reality outside the conference hall, the UN headquarters in the Kenyan capital, was more striking. Kenyans nowadays often go online on their mobile phones. Surfing the web is getting faster and cheaper by the day. The internet is no longer a geeks' affair in the rich world, but woven into the fabric of business and life even in the poor one.
The IGF is not a typical UN meeting with a carefully staged agenda and much diplomatic protocol. All participants had the same right to take the floor. Government suits had to listen patiently to the complaints of internet activists. And the end of the shindig was not marked by a finely tuned communiqué, but by a workshop dedicated to what the organisers should do better.
All this makes the IGF an unusual grouping. It is in effect a poster child for what insiders like to call the “multi-stakeholder” model. All involved have a say and decisions are taken by “rough consensus”. This approach has worked for the internet so far, but it is increasingly under attack. Governments now want to be given the last word on contentious issues rather than being merely treated as just another stakeholder.

  1. The Kenyan Government officials

  2. The United Nation officials

  3. The officials of United States of America

  4. The representatives of all the governments participating

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

As the last paragraph indicates that ‘Governments now want to be given the last word on contentious issues’ and the second paragraph indicates that ‘Government suits had to listen patiently to the complaints of internet activists'. We can conclude that the representatives of all the governments that were participating are referred as ‘government suits’.

Multiple choice

Why do you think the passage says that "The internet is no longer a geeks' affair in the rich world"?

Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the following question.

NETHEADS build, run and protect the internet. They often profit from it too. More than 2,000 of them from more than 100 countries descended on Nairobi this week for the latest Internet Governance Forum (IGF), a conference organised under United Nations auspices. The ponderous official theme was the internet “as a catalyst for change”, with a lot of nodding to WikiLeaks and the Arab spring. The reality outside the conference hall, the UN headquarters in the Kenyan capital, was more striking. Kenyans nowadays often go online on their mobile phones. Surfing the web is getting faster and cheaper by the day. The internet is no longer a geeks' affair in the rich world, but woven into the fabric of business and life even in the poor one.
The IGF is not a typical UN meeting with a carefully staged agenda and much diplomatic protocol. All participants had the same right to take the floor. Government suits had to listen patiently to the complaints of internet activists. And the end of the shindig was not marked by a finely tuned communiqué, but by a workshop dedicated to what the organisers should do better.
All this makes the IGF an unusual grouping. It is in effect a poster child for what insiders like to call the “multi-stakeholder” model. All involved have a say and decisions are taken by “rough consensus”. This approach has worked for the internet so far, but it is increasingly under attack. Governments now want to be given the last word on contentious issues rather than being merely treated as just another stakeholder.

  1. Because surfing the web is getting faster and cheaper for everyone

  2. Because net access is available from mobile phones also

  3. Because everyday business and life are tied up with the internet

  4. All of the above

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

This is correct as the first para itself mentions that people nowadays often go online on their mobile phones. Surfing the web is getting faster and cheaper by the day and so, the passage correctly says that "The internet is no longer a geeks' affair in the rich world".

Multiple choice
  1. difficult

  2. important

  3. foremost

  4. neglected

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

The word 'key' in this context means essential, critical, or of major importance. 'Important' is the closest synonym among the options. 'Difficult' and 'neglected' contradict the context of progress, while 'foremost' implies ranking rather than necessity.

Multiple choice
  1. root

  2. stem

  3. division

  4. office

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

The word 'branch' here refers to a distinct part or sector of a larger system. 'Division' is the best fit as it means a separate part of something larger. 'Root' and 'stem' are botanical terms, and 'office' refers to a workplace rather than a sector.

Multiple choice
  1. for each year

  2. for each person

  3. for each day

  4. for each unit

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

'Per capita' is a Latin phrase meaning 'by heads' or 'for each person' in English. It's used to express averages per individual. Options A, C, and D refer to time periods or units, not people.

Multiple choice
  1. timely

  2. hugely

  3. surely

  4. mainly

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

'Largely' means to a great extent or mainly. 'Mainly' is the closest synonym with the same meaning. 'Timely' refers to timing, 'hugely' is informal, and 'surely' means certainly - none capture the sense of degree.

Multiple choice
  1. satesfide

  2. satisfyied

  3. satisfied

  4. satisfyed

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

The correct spelling is 'satisfied' with an '-ied' ending. Options A, B, and D contain spelling errors. The word follows the pattern of changing 'y' to 'i' before adding '-ed'.

Multiple choice
  1. operate

  2. utilise

  3. provide

  4. survive

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

The phrase 'can do without' means to manage without something or survive. 'Survive' captures this meaning of existing without energy. 'Operate' and 'utilise' don't convey necessity, and 'provide' is incorrect contextually.

Multiple choice
  1. obstacles

  2. markers

  3. needles

  4. reasons

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

'Indicators' in this context refer to signs or measures that show progress. 'Markers' is the best synonym as it means things that indicate or show. 'Obstacles' means barriers, 'needles' is irrelevant, and 'reasons' refers to causes rather than signs.

Multiple choice
  1. unusual

  2. major

  3. fundamental

  4. original

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

The word 'crucial' means extremely important or essential. In the context of fuel and power being essential for scientific and technological progress, 'fundamental' is the closest synonym among the options. 'Major' is close but less precise, while 'unusual' and 'original' do not convey the intended meaning.

Multiple choice
  1. pashient

  2. patient

  3. patent

  4. pachient

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

The passage discusses listening as 'being pashent' which is clearly a misspelling of 'patient'. The correct spelling is 'patient' meaning able to accept delays or remain calm. 'Patent' refers to intellectual property rights, while 'pashient' and 'pachient' are misspellings.

Multiple choice
  1. depositing

  2. maintaining

  3. buying

  4. giving

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

In the phrase 'paying proper attention', 'paying' is used metaphorically to mean 'giving' or 'offering'. While 'paying' typically refers to money, in this context about listening and attention, 'giving' is the most appropriate replacement as both mean directing focus toward something.

Multiple choice
  1. common

  2. public

  3. working

  4. private

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

The passage discusses how communication affects relationships and community life. 'Social life' refers to public or communal life and interactions. 'Public' is the closest synonym as it refers to community and shared existence. 'Common' is vague, 'working' is too specific, and 'private' is the opposite.