READING COMPREHENSION

READING COMPREHENSION

- For Competitive Exams.

1. Read the passage given below and on the basis of your understanding, answer the questions given below.

"I Have a Dream" is a public speech delivered by American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963, in which he calls for an end to racism in the United States and called for civil and economic rights. Delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the speech was a defining moment of the civil rights movement. Beginning with a reference to the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed millions of slaves in 1863, King observes that: "one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free". Toward the end of the speech, King departed from his prepared text for a partly improvised peroration on the theme "I have a dream", prompted by Mahalia Jackson's cry: "Tell them about the dream, Martin!" In this part of the speech, which most excited the listeners and has now become its most famous, King described his dreams of freedom and equality arising from a land of slavery and hatred. Jon Meacham writes that, "With a single phrase, Martin Luther King Jr. joined Jefferson and Lincoln in the ranks of men who've shaped modern America". The speech was ranked the top American speech of the 20th century in a 1999 poll of scholars of public address.

i) What issues does Martin Luther King's speech address?

a) Continuation of racism

b) End to racism and civil and economic rights

c) Civil rights

d) Civil War

ii) What pushes King to speak: "I have a dream"?

a) He reads out the Emancipation Proclamation

b) he is prompted by Mahalia Jackson

c) he is overwhelmed by the crowd

d) Licoln had asked him to give the speech

iii) From the last paragraph, give one word for "to leave".

a) Departed

b) Proclamation

c) Improvised

d) Address

iv) What is the name of martin Luther King's famed speech?

a) The Emancipation Proclamation

b) An Improvisation

c) A Peroration

d) I Have a Dream

2. Read the passage given below and on the basis of your understanding, answer the questions given below.

Today I Rabindranath Tagore complete eighty years of my life As I look back on the vast stretch of years that lie behind me and see in clear perspective the history of my early development, I am struck by the change that has taken place both in my own attitude and in the psychology of my countrymen - a change that carries within it a cause of profound tragedy.

Our direct contact with the larger world of men was linked up with the contemporary history of the English people whom we came to know in those earlier days. It was mainly through their mighty literature that we formed our ideas with regard to these newcomers to our Indian shores.

In those days the type of learning that was served out to us was neither plentiful nor diverse, nor was the spirit of scientific enquiry very much in evidence. Thus, their scope being strictly limited, the educated of those days had recourse to English language and literature. Their days and nights were eloquent with the stately declamations of Burke, with Macaulay's longrolling sentences; discussions centered upon Shakespeare's drama and Byron's poetry and above all upon the large-hearted liberalism of the nineteenth-century English politics.

At the time though tentative attempts were being made to gain our national independence, at heart we had not lost faith in the generosity of the English race. This belief was so firmly rooted in the sentiments of our leaders as to lead them to hope that the victor would of his own grace pave the path of freedom for the vanquished. This belief was based upon the fact that England at the time provided a shelter to all those who had to flee from persecution in their own country. Political martyrs who had suffered for the honour of their people were accorded unreserved welcome at the hands of the English. I was impressed by this evidence of liberal humanity in the character of the English and thus I was led to set them on the pedestal of my highest respect. This generosity in their national character had not yet been vitiated by imperialist pride. About this time, as a boy in England, I had the opportunity of listening to the speeches of John Bright, both in and outside Parliament. The large-hearted, radical liberalism of those speeches, overflowing all narrow national bounds, had made so deep an impression on my overflowing all narrow national bounds, had made so deep an impression on my mind that something of it lingers even today, even in these days of graceless disillusionment.

i) From the first paragraph, give a synonym for 'deep':

a) Perspective

b) Profound

c) tragedy

d) Psychology

ii) What helped the Indians to conceive of a notion of the Englishmen?

a) Their advanced weaponry

b) Their literature

c) Their orders

d) Their administration

iii) Who could read and gain from English literature?

a) The educated Indians

b) All the Indians

c) Only writers such as Rabindranath Tagore

d) None of the above

iv) From the third paragraph, give an antonym for 'victorious'.

a) Victory

b) vanquished

c) Belief

d) Persecution

v) Whose speeches did Tagore listen to, as a boy?

a) Shakespeare

b) Byron

c) John Bright

d) Macaulay

3. Read the passage given below and on the basis of your understanding, answer the questions given below.

Sportsmanship can be conceptualized as an enduring and relatively stable characteristic or disposition such that individuals differ in the way they are generally expected to behave in sports situations. In general, sportsmanship refers to virtues such as fairness, self- control, courage, and persistence, and has been associated with interpersonal concepts of treating others and being treated fairly, maintaining self-control if dealing with others, and respect for both authority and opponents. Sportsmanship is also looked at as being the way one reacts to a sport/game/player.

The four elements of sportsmanship are often shown being good form, the will to win, equity and fairness. All four elements are critical and a balance must be found among all four for true sportsmanship to be illustrated. These elements may also cause conflict, as a person may desire to win more than play in equity and fairness and thus resulting in a clash within the aspects of sportsmanship. This will cause problems as the person believes they are being a good sportsman, but they are defeating the purpose of this idea as they are ignoring two key components of being sportsman like. When athletes become too selfcentred, the idea of sportsmanship is dismissed.

Today's sporting culture, in particular the base of elite sport, places great importance on the idea of competition and winning and thus sportsmanship takes a back seat as a result. In most, if not all sports, sportsmen at the elite level make the standards on sportsmanship and no matter whether they like it or not, they are seen as leaders and role models in society.

Since every sport is rule driven, the most common offence of bad sportsmanship is the act of cheating or breaking the rules to gain an unfair advantage. A competitor who exhibits poor sportsmanship after losing a game or contest is often called a "sore loser", while a competitor who exhibits poor sportsmanship after winning is typically called a "bad winner". Sore loser behavior includes blaming others for the loss, not accepting responsibility for personal actions that contributed to the defeat, reacting to the loss in an immature or improper fashion, making excuses for the defeat, and citing unfavourable conditions or other petty issues as reasons for the defeat. A bad winner acts in a shallow fashion after his or her victory, such as by gloating about his or her win, rubbing the win in the face(s) of the opponent(s), and lowering the opponent(s)'s selfesteem by constantly reminding the opponent(s) of "poor" performance in comparison (even if the opponent(s) competed well). Not showing respect to the other team is considered to being a bad sportsman and could lead to demoralizing effects; as Leslie Howe describes: "If a pitcher in baseball decides to pitch not to his maximum ability suggest that the batter is not at an adequate level, [it] could lead to the batter to have low selfconfidence or worth.

i) Is it necessary to strike a balance between all the four elements of sportsmanship?

a) No

b) Yes

c) Any 2 can be balanced

d) Only 1 is sufficient

ii) Why has sportsmanship taken a backseat today?

a) Due to lack of balance between the elements

b) Due to the emphasis on winning

c) Due to drug abuse

d) None of the above

iii) If one does not accept responsibility for one's defeat, one is called a:

a) Sore loser

b) Bad winner

c) Good sportsman

d) Prudent sportsman

iv) From the last paragraph, give the opposite of the word 'deep':

a) Competitor

b) Pitch

c) Immature

d) Shallow

v) When does the spirit of sportsmanship die?

a) When the sportsman becomes too self-centered

b) When the player loses the will to play

c) When the sportsman behaves badly

d) None of the above

4. Read the passage given below and on the basis of your understanding, answer the questions given below.

Born on Jan 12, 1863, in an affluent Bengali family, Narendra Natha Datta was a precocious child who was what we call nowadays, an allrounder, excelling in music, studies and athletics. His father Vishwanatha Datta was a well-known attorney. However, he took the spiritual route instead and introduced Hinduism to the world in 1893 when he spoke at the World's Parliament of Religion (probably one of the most epic things any Indian has done abroad!).

The historic speech was given on September 11, 1893 by Swami Vivekananda. Here's the full text of his opening and closing address: Sisters and Brothers of America, It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions, and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: "As the different streams having their sources in different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee." The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: "Whosoever comes to me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me." Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth.

i) What was Vishwanatha Datta's profession?

a) Attorney

b) Spiritual leader

c) Teacher

d) None of the above

ii) Who spoke at the World's Parliament of Religion?

a) Narendra Nath Datta

b) Swami Vivekananda

c) Both

d) None

iii) Give the opposite of the word "Occident" from the second passage of the speech.

a) Delegate

b) Universal

c) Orient

d) Toleration

iv) In the phrase: "all lead to Thee", to whom does the word 'Thee' refer?

a) All religions

b) The delegates present

c) Universal brotherhood and peace

d) God

5. Read the passage given below and on the basis of your understanding, answer the questions given below.

If a person suddenly encounters any terrible danger, the change of nature one undergoes is equally great. Sometimes fear numbs our senses. Like animals, one stands still, powerless to move a step in fright or to lift a hand in defense of our lives, and sometimes one is seized with panic, and again, act more like the inferior animals than rational beings. On the other hand, frequently in cases of sudden extreme peril, which cannot be escaped by flight, and must be instantly faced, even the timidness men at once as if by miracle, become possessed of the necessary courage, sharp quick apprehension and swift decision. This is a miracle very common in nature. Man, and the inferior animals alike, when confronted with almost certain death' gather resolution from despair' but there can really be no trace of so debilitating a feeling in the person fighting or prepared to fight for dear life. At such times the mind is clearer than it has ever been the nerves are steel, there is nothing felt but a wonderful strength and daring. Looking back at certain perilous moments in my own life, I remember them with a kind of joy, not that there was any joyful excitement then, but because they broadened my horizon, lifted me for a time above myself.

i) The title that best suits the passage would be: -

a) The Will to Fight

b) The Miracle of confronting Danger

c) The Change of Nature

d) Courage and Panic

ii) A man may react to sudden danger in three different ways. What are they?

a) He may flee in panic, or fight back or stand still.

b) He may be paralyzed with fear, seized with panic or act like an inferior animal.

c) He may be paralyzed with fear, or seized with panic, or as if by miracle, become possessed of the necessary courage, and face the danger.

d) He may be paralyzed with fear, run away or fight.

iii) What is the meaning of the word debilitating?

a) enfeeble

b) strengthen

c) debase

d) thriving

iv) Explain the phrase 'gather resolution from danger'.

a) Find peace in times of difficulty.

b) A state of utter hopelessness makes one determined to face the difficulty.

c) To remain calm and not to lose hope.

d) To be enthusiastic and brave the odds.

6. Read the passage given below and on the basis of your understanding, answer the questions given below.

Today's kids can identify with none of the traditional toys. If it's a girl, she's busy adding to her Barbie collection, if it's a boy there's Tartan or Superman or even Sony's Play station for him.

Toy carts have made way for black and gold Ferraris and Lamborghinis. As for the cartwheels and windmills, few kids would know what you are talking of.

Many parents feel that children cannot even differentiate between toys that are Indian and foreign. All that matters is that they should be familiar figures or trendy playthings, as seen on television. In a market-driven economy, toy manufacturers arc only cashing on this trend.

The fallout from this is two-fold: one, the death of India's toy-making tradition, and two, the influences of an alien culture on a child's mind.

That is why some social activists have begun campaigning for a ban on what they describe as 'western toys'. "Indian toys are not only part of an art tradition but also contribute to the well- rounded growth of an individual's personality; explains Vaidchi Thakkar, a child specialist. "Besides, they are environment-friendly since we have a custom of making toys from biodegradable material." Makers of toys from wood, paper and cloth are also complaining about diminishing clientele and the gradual extinction of an an form, but they find themselves completely powerless in countering the popularity of machine- made toys.

"They are backed by big companies with big money. Whereas we are artists struggling to make ends meet." says Udham Singh, who sells trinkets and balloons on Bombeys powerments. "What can we do it people are determined corrupt their children's tastes'?"

i) The author's main argument in the passage is:

a) western toys are better than traditional Indian toys

b) Indian toys are superior to western toys

c) traditional Indian toys are no longer popular

d) so called "western toys' should be banned

ii) Indian toys help:

a) keep children occupied

b) develop children's all round personality

c) children become sensitive to environment degradation

d) children learn to respect their traditions

iii) The phrase 'this trend' refers to:

a) the declining popularity of Indian toys

b) craze for familiar figures and trendy playthings

c) the increasing popularity of western toys

d)advertisements of toys on television

iv) Which of the following is a feature of traditional toys?

a) Indian toys have observed diminishing clientele than western toys

b) Western toys have corrupted children's tastes

c) Indian toys are environment friendly

d) Western toys have led to gradual extinction of our art form

v) Which of the following words is a synonym of 'trendy'?

a) Fashionable

b) Obsolete

c) Neglected

d) Abortive

vi) Which of the following words is an antonym of' withdraw'?

a) Complaining

b) Extinction

c) Gradual

d)Contribute

vii) ___ have corrupted the tastes of Indian buyers.

a) Balloon sellers

b) Trendy toys

c)Diminishing traditional toys

d)Western toys

Answers Key

1. (i) - B

(ii) - B

(iii) - A

(iv) - A

(i) - B

(ii) - B

(iii) - A

(iv) - B

(v) - C

(i) - B

(ii) - B

(iii) - A

(iv) - D

(v) - A

(i) - A

(ii) - B

(iii) - C

(iv) - D

(i) - B

(ii) - C

(iii) - A

(iv) - B

(i) - B

(ii) - B

(iii) - C

(iv) - C

(v) - A

(vi) - D

(vii) - D

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