Tag: theme, main idea and purpose of a passage

Questions Related to theme, main idea and purpose of a passage

Read the following short passage and choose the best answer to the question that fallow each passage.Columnist: Senators who are not firmly committed to a core set of beliefs will formulate new campaign strategies and moot points before each upcoming election. Senators are elected to serve multiple terms in office only i f they formulate new campaign strategies and moot points before each upcoming election. Therefore, senators who are not firmly committed to a core set of beliefs are elected to serve multiple terms in office. 
Which one of the following displays a flawed pattern of reasoning most closely parallel to that in the columnist's argument?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Nuclear proliferation will accelerate only if there is widespread access to fissile material. Widespread access to fissile material goes hand in glove with increased regional instability. Therefore, nuclear proliferation will not accelerate unless there is an increase in regional instability

  2. If health care costs continue to rise, foreign currency markets will devalue the Euro. But health care costs will not continue to rise. Therefore, foreign currency markets will not devalue the Euro.

  3. A loyal person is a likeable person, for a loyal person always stands by her friends and a likeable person also always stands by her friends.

  4. A well-constructed house includes code-compliant framing, wiring, and insulation. A house is marketable only if it is well-constructed. Therefore, a marketable house includes code-compliant framing, wiring, and insulation.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
A loyal person is a likeable person, for a loyal person always stands by her friends and a likeable person also always :stands by her friends.

Experts musicologists believe that Beethoven wrote his last piano sonata in 1824, three years before his death. However, the manuscript of a piano sonata was recently discovered that bears Beethoven's name and dates from 1825. Clearly, the experts are mistaken because, not every piece that Beethoven wrote was catalogued in his lifetime, and it is known that Beethoven continued to compose until just weeks before his death.

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to which of the following criticisms ?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. That either of two things could have occurred independently is taken to show that those two things could not have occurred simultaneously.

  2. An inconsistency that, as presented, has more than one possible resolution is treated as though only one resolution is possible.

  3. Establishing that a certain event occurred is confused with having established the cause of that event.

  4. A claim that has a very general application is based entirely on evidence form a narrowly restricted range of cases.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

An inconsistency that ,as presented has more than one possible resolution is treated as trough only one resolution is possible.

A passage is given below followed by several inference . You have to examine each interference separately in the context of the passage and decide upon its degree of truth or falsity , Mark your answer as:

Investors today have more investment options than were available just a few years ago. Choice in any decision-making is good in so far it provides variety, differentiation and bench-marking. It could also, however, at times lead to clutter and "noise" if the options are mostly similar and undifferentiated. To make sense of this choice conundrum, it is imperative for an investor to define objective - both returns and digestible risk and then identify the possible options. The investor also needs to select the mix and regularly monitor that objectives and investment outcomes remain aligned. Sounds simple, but can present the most confounding situation which multiplies with the quantum of wealth. 
Multiple investment options of similar types helps in making better investment decisions.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. If the inference is 'definitely true'

  2. If the inference is 'probably true'

  3. if the 'data provide in inadequate'

  4. If the inference is 'probably false'

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Refer to the second and the third sentences of the passage. They say that choice is good, but they lead to clutter and noise if the products are similar. So, the inference is probably false.

A passage is given below followed by several inference . You have to examine each interference separately in the context of the passage and decide upon its degree of truth or falsity , Mark your answer as:

Investors today have more investment options than were available just a few years ago. Choice in any decision-making is good in so far it provides variety, differentiation and bench-marking. It could also, however, at times lead to clutter and "noise" if the options are mostly similar and undifferentiated. To make sense of this choice conundrum, it is imperative for an investor to define objective - both returns and digestible risk and then identify the possible options. The investor also needs to select the mix and regularly monitor that objectives and investment outcomes remain aligned. Sounds simple, but can present the most confounding situation which multiplies with the quantum of wealth. 
Present day investors need to use their judgement more critically before investing.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. If the inference is 'definitely true'

  2. If the inference is 'probably true'

  3. if the 'data provide in inadequate'

  4. If the inference is 'probably false'

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to the first sentence, it says that investors `today have more investment options' and then later in the paragraph says that investors need to evaluate risk. This means that investors today need to use their judgement mat critically. So, the inference is definitely true.

'Friendship was indeed a value for the villagers, more for men than for women. Two good friends were said to be 'like brothers' (literally, 'like elder brother-younger brother', annatamman-dirahage). I heard this expression several times and I could not help recalling the statement of an elderly English colleague who had told me that he and his brother were very close and had written to each other every week. He had added, 'We are very good friends.' That is, friendship connoted intimacy in England while in Rampura (as in rural India everywhere), brotherhood conveyed intimacy'.

Which of the following best summarizes the conclusion of the argument of this paragraph? 

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Friendship has greater value for men than for women.

  2. People in England have different attitudes to brotherhood and friendship than people in rural India.

  3. Brother has greater value in rural India than in England.

  4. Friendship has greater value in England than in India.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The conclusion of the argument is mentioned in its last lines " That is, friendship connoted intimacy in England while in Rural India, brotherhood conveyed intimacy." Therefore, the attitude of people of England towards brotherhood and friendship is different from that of rural India. So ,option (b) is correct.

Yoga has become a very popular type of exercise, but it may not be for everyone. Before you sign yourself up for a yoga class, you need to examine what is it you want from your fitness routine. If you're looking for a high - energy . fast paced aerobic workout , a yoga class might not be your best choice.
This paragraph best supports the statement that _________________.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Yoga is more popular than high - impact aerobics

  2. Before embarking on a new exercise regimen, you should think about your needs and desires

  3. Yoga is changing the world of fitness in major ways

  4. Most people think that yoga isn't a rigorous form of exercise

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The argument states that one needs to choose one's exercise regime ( yoga or aerobics) on the basis of one's requirements and expectations. So,option (b) is best supported by the argument.

At birth we have no self-image. We cannot distinguish anything from the confusion of light and sound around us. From this beginning of no-dimension, we gradually begin to differentiate our body from our environment and develop a sense of id entity, with the realisation that we are a separate and independent human being. We then begin to develop a conscience, the sense of right and wrong. Further, we develop social consciousness, where we become aware that we live with other people. Finally, we develop a sense of values, which is our overall estimation of our worth in the world. Which one of the following would be the best completion of this passage ?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. The sum total of all these developments we call the self-image or the self-concept.

  2. This estimation of worth is only relative to our value system.

  3. Therefore, our social consciousness is dependent on our sense of values.

  4. The sum total of living with other people and developing a sense of values makes us a total population.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

According to the given question , the sum total of all these development we call the self image of the self concept is the best completion of the passage.

Mr. Samay was severely hurt while working in his factory and fell unconscious. He was rushed to a hospital by his fellow workers. In the hospital (at emergency/casualty ward) the doctors opined that he should be operated immediately. While conducting preliminary examinations, he was found to be HIV positive. The doctors are in a dilemma regarding what should they do first ___________.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Doctors should operate first

  2. Doctors should inform his family members

  3. Doctors should inform his employers

  4. Doctors should not inform anyone because it would violate patient's right of privacy.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

" Good faith".- Nothing is said to be done or believed in "good faith" which is done or believed without due care and attention.

Read the passage and answer the question given below. 


It must be realized to make compulsory education a success, it is absolutely necessary to make it entirely free. India is a poor country and we cannot expect our people to pay directly for the education of their children. Even in rich countries like England and U.S.A. mas education is not only free but there are many additional facilities like mid-day meal for children, free medical service, and scholarship on a generous scale. Since education is a fundamental civil and human right and basic to the health of the body politics, funds must be found for the purpose whatever the cost of the scheme. If we consider educational and cultural activities to be important, funds will be forthcoming. What we have to do is to rearrange our priority. With this in view, we have to adopt a many-sided programme of national planning and economic and industrial reconstruction. If not there will always be arguments and statistics to prove that it is impossible to introduce free, compulsory and universal education in India.

Which of the following titles is the most suitable for the passage?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Compulsory education in India.

  2. Mass education and people.

  3. Need for making compulsory education free.

  4. Education for national reconstruction.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Most often then not, the first sentence of a paragraph introduces the central issue that is discussed therein. Going by this logic, the central idea of the paragraph is compulsory education and how it needs to be free in order to be a complete success. So, we can conclude that the best title for the given passage would be option C as it encapsulates the main idea of the passage.

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

What is to be the limit of forgiveness? It would probably have been allowed by many of the ancients that an unforgiving temper was not to be commended. They would have said, we are not to exact a penalty for every nice offence; we are to overlook somethings; we are to be blind sometimes. But they would have said at the same time, we must be careful to keep our self-respect, and to be on a level with the world. On the whole, they would have said, it is the part of a man fully to requite to his friends their benefits and to his enemies their injuries.


What is the underlying tone of the passage? 

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. We must be forgiving in general.

  2. We must forgive our friends.

  3. There is no limit whatsoever to on duty to forgive.

  4. We must always punish the wrong doer.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The author is highlighting about the goodness and forgiving nature throughout the passage. Everybody commits mistake at some point of lives and the author is trying to say that we should not take every other action seriously because it will do more harm than good. Thus option A is the correct answer. Options  B,C and D are incorrect.