QUESTION BANK

BHUBANESWAR CENTRE (Based on Term -1)

SET-2 Subject - ENGLISH CLASS - X
UNSEEN PASSAGES
I. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Read the passage
carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are given in bold to help
you locate them while answering some of the questions.
India’s banking sector may be getting ready for a wave of consolidation as the country tries to build
institutions of world class proportions. Four big state run banks – State Bank of India, Punjab National
Bank, Bank of Baroda and Bank of India – have already begun on exercise to identify takeover targets
to gain access to franchises that would augment their capabilities, said three top bankers familiar with
the move. The top managements of the four banks are in the process of preparing a blueprint that would
explain the rationale for absorbing one or two entities, said the people cited above, none of whom wanted
to be named. Employees at these state run banks are engaged in the exercise after Finance Minister Arun
Jaitley gave the lenders the go-ahead to decide how they would strategiese to remain relevant in the
emerging economic scenario.
“We are hearing from the corridors of finance ministry that there is seriousness on consolidation of banks,”
said an executive from one of the top four banks. “The sense we are getting is that first there could be
merger of at least one SBI associate bank with SBI to kick off the consolidation process.” Although no
names of likely acquisition targets are being discussed at these four banks, the key conditions for a smaller
bank will be regional, technological and cultural advantages. For instance, a bank such as Bank of Baroda,
which does not have a presence in the East, may prefer one from that part of the country. State run banks
have weakened over the years as governments have treated them as an organ of the administration and
used them to push their social agenda. Meanwhile, lenders in neighbouring China have acquired scale
while those in India are puny by comparison, giving them little clout in global markets.
The economic downturn, with growth having almost halved from the peak, has exposed the fault lines
in the system. The parlous financial position of the government has left banks capital starved - the allocation
for this year is tiny compared with the amount needed to meet Basel III standards. And, to access capital
from the market, the state run banks need a strategy to turn more profitable. Currently, they are labouring
under bad debt on account of companies finding it difficult to repay loans because of the slump.
“Government has made it clear that they will not give any capital,” said one of the bankers. “Banks that
have the capital and the capability to raise capital could look at acquisitions,” he said, while adding “Nothing
has reached the drawing board. Banks are only doing all kinds of permutations and combinations.”
To be sure, state run bank consolidation has been discussed for nearly a decade, but little progress has
been made, except for shotgun weddings that were aimed at rescuing ventures in poor shape. Inertia
among banks, cultural issues and fears of trade union unrest held up any such move. That may now change
with the new government.
“There have been some suggestions for consolidation of public sector banks,” Jaitley said in his July
10 Budget speech. “Government, in principle, agress to consider these suggestions.”
A committee set up by the Reserve Bank of India under former Axis Bank Chairman P.J. Nayak had
suggested that the health of state run banks was poor. To strengthen them, the report said it would be
better “either to privatise these banks and allow their future solvency to be subject to market competition,
including through mergers; or to design a radically new governance structure for these banks which would
better ensure their ability to compete successfully, in order that repeated claims for capital support from
the government, unconnected with market returns, are avoided.”

ENGLISH 1
 The market share of the public sector banks is forecast to decline from 80% in 2000 to just over 60%
in 2025, Nayak had said. They stack up poorly in many respects against non-state institutions. For instance,
net profit per employee at the new private sector banks was about four tiems that of the SBI Group in
the year ended March 2013.
101. Why have banks turned capital starved? Answer in the context of the passage?
a) Because of excessive loans santioned to malafide customers
b) Because of bad monetary policy of the RBI
c) Because of the excessive payments towards government sponsored schemes without appropriate
provision for them
d) Because of the dangerous financial position of the government
102. Which of the following is possibly the most appropriate title for the passage?
a) Policy Paralysis of the Central Government
b) The Economic Downturn
c) Union Budget 2014: A Review
d) Consolidation of Banks
103. Which of the following statements regarding the consolidation of state run banks is/are true? Answer
in the context of the passage.
a) Efforts for consolidation of state run banks are on for past one decade but nothing remarkable has
come out as yet.
b) The consolidation of state run banks is a complex task and it will take some more years for its completion.
c) Banks are doing all kinds of permutations and combinations but the result is cipher.
d) Only a) and b)
104. What does the phrase ‘kick off’ mean as used in the passage?
a) Discontinue b) Breakdown
c) Smash d) Begin
105. Under the current scenarioi what do state run banks need to do to access capital from the market?
a) They need to float public shares
b) They need a strategy to earn more profit
c) They should increase lending rate to attract depositors.
d) They should announce handsome returns to depositors.
106. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Acquisition
a) Redemption b) Forfeit
c) Possession d) Dearth
107. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Parlous
a) Harmful b) Strong
c) Critical d) Powerful
108. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Inertia
a) Inactivity b) Liveliness
c) Awakening d) Interest

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109. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Solvency
a) Destitution b) Depriviation
c) Impotency d) Financial competence
110. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Puny
a) Trivial b) Strong
c) Inferior d) Tiny
111. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Augment
a) Reinforce b) Strengthen
c) Magnify d) Multiply

II. Read the passage carefully and answer the given below it. Certain words/phrases are given in bold
to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Sanjaya Baru’s book has been perceived as an attack on PM Manmohan Singh by a disgruntled employee
who was denied a job by the Prime Minister in his second term. This is a completely wrong reading of
the book. It is, in fact, a defence of Manmohan by a member of his fan club. Fortunately, it is not a fawning
hagiography. It is straightforward and gossipy, but not excessively so. It is an important contribution
to contemporary Indian history; it can also be read as a text book for those who wish to understand how
politics and administration actually work in India of our times. Like the Crossman Diaries in Britain in
earlier times and like Duty by Robert Gates in the US in recent times, it throws light on contingencies
and counterfactuals.
Future historians may see inevitable and inexorable patterns in the way things have unfolded in India
in the last decade. Baru’s book will be a source that will help the historian focus with some humility
on issues of choice and chance.
Baru was recruited by Manmohan and worked with him closely as Media Adviser, Baru is a loyal defender
of his boss. Contrary to the popular perception of Manmohan being dour or politically clumsy, Baru makes
the case that the economist turned politician is, in fact, a clever and sophisticated operator. Manmohan’s
excellent relationship with wily and experienced politicians like Sharad Pawar, Karunanidhi, Lalu Prasad,
Harkishen Surjeet, Jyoti Basu and even Vajpayee and Jaswant Singh would not have been possible if
he had been naïve or weak. On issues which mattered to Manmohan like Free Trade Agreements or the
Nuclear Accord, he can be a cool and consummate political operator. But he does have his blind spots.
Whether it is because he has a lifelong commitment to civil service traditions that one department must
not intrude on the turf of another department, or it is out of a conviction that party politics is not his forte,
or for whatever unmentioned reason, Manmohan has kept himself severely and completely away from
the Congress Party. Perhaps, Manmohan felt that his own political guru, Narasimha Rao, paid a price
for intruding into areas where both fools and angels should fear to tread. The net result was that Man
mohan had less support from his own party leaders and, in Baru’s opinion, that proved very costly for
our “accidental Prime Minister”.
There are some self-serving bits in this memoir. Manmohan’s performance in UPA-1 is portrayed as
outstanding. After all, Baru was with him most of that time, was he not? And some of the achievements
of that time seem to have a greater Baru imprint than what other observers might concede. And virtually
all the problems of Manmohan seem to have coincided with UPA-2 when Baru was no longer around!
Neverthless, Baru’s professionalism and better nature does assert itself almost everywhere in the book.
He gives himself far less credit than others who have written similar books tend to do. He is lucid enough

ENGLISH 3
 to concede that in economic matters, effects are preceded by causes with some lags. The good times
of UPA-1 were not merely because the global economy was strong, but because Manmohan inherited
a good legacy from Vajapayee. The roots of many of the problems in UPA-2 were the results of sins
of profligacy committed during UPA-1 when economic growth was not only taken for granted, but treated
with some contempt by the elitist do-gooders of the National Advisory Council, which could have been
a source of anodyne amusement, if so many of its actions had not ended up being dangerous, even
disastrous for the country.
112. Which of the following, according to the author, is true about
Sanjaya Baru’s book?
a) It is a book intended to attack the former PM Manmohan Singh
b) It is a fawning hagiography
c) It is straightforward and excessively gossipy
d) It is a book which throws light on contingencies and counterfactuals of Indian politics
113. Which of the following statements is contrary to the facts mentined in the given passage?
a) Narasimha Rao was the political guru of Manmohan Singh
b) As per civil service traditions, one department must not intrude on the turf of another department
c) Manmohan Singh kept himself severely and completely away from the Congress Party.
d) None of these
114. Which of the following facts supports the view that Manmohan was neither a naïve nor a weak Prime
Minister?
a) During his regime the nuclear deal was signed, which is one of most important achievements
b) He had a very good relationship with wily and experienced politicians
c) Manmohan Singh preferred to keep mum than to indulge into controversy
d) He was aware of the fact that party politics is not his forte and hence he kept himself away from active
politics.
115. Why, according to Baru, was Manmohan’s performance in UPA-1 outstanding?
a) Because Baru was with him most of the time
b) Because the Congress Party had done a lot of good work to alleviate poverty
c) Because the global economy was strong and Manmohan Singh had inherited a good legacy from
Vajpayee.
d) Because UPA-2 was full of scams
116. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Intrude
a) Associate b) Interfere
c) Leave d) Combine
117. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Profligacy
a) Fraglity b) Restraint
c) Lacking d) Recklessness
118. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Anodyne
a) Soother b) Upsetting
c) Excitative d) Agitating
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119. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Inexorable
a) Harsh b) Dogged
c) Flexible d) Relentless
120. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Concede
a) Allow b) Accord
c) Acknowledge d) Reject

III. Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are given
in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Since 1947, Indians have not spoken out so strongly and clearly for a completely new brand of people
running government. Mercifully, there are no ministers educated abroad. Thankfully, none of them has
been brainwashed at Harvard, Stanford, Cambridge, the World bank or the IMF, subtly forcing expensive
Western solutions on typically Indian problems at the cost of the poor. Look what the high powered,
foreign returned degree wallahs have reduced this country to. They wasted opportunities to show the
inner strength of what is essentially Indian because they never really knew their own people living in
Bharat. In the eyes of the World, we have lost our self-respect, dignity and identity.
All the ministers now have gone through average government schools. Some have never been to college.
Many have experienced poverty, exploitation, injustice and discrimination at some point of time in their
lives. It is truly the first barefoot government ever to be voted into power in independent India. Where
else in the World would you have a one time tea seller on a railway station becoming Prime Minister,
shaping the destiny of more than one billion people? The first example the Modi government must set
is by drastically reducing the perks and privileges of MPs. Free power, food, housing, travel to those
whose personal assets run into crores and a Rs.2 Crore annual fund for development for over 500 MPs
is costing the exchequer nearly Rs.2000 Crore. Only the Prime Minister will be able to make it happen
and, at the same time, stifle any dissent from BJP MPs. The time is now.
No other government in the World has a Class 12 pass woman ministers speaking as an equal to almost
120 heavily qualified, on paper, vice chancellors (90 % male). Today, as we judge them, the VCs are
all to intellectually and morally fatigued. There is something dreadfully wrong with an education system
that produces graduates from even private, expensive, snobbish schools and colleges who are still prejudiced
about caste, class, religion, sex and colour. These “graduates”, who roam the streets of small towns and
cities by the thousands, call themselves “educated”, practise the worst forms of cruelty, slavery and crimes
against humanity, against society and in their own families. Indeed, some of them rose to the level of
their incompetence by becoming ministers in previous governments, reinforcing the status quo, wasting
vast public resources by implementing silly Western ideas, listening to foreign returned “experts” and
making a hopeless mess of this country. The tragedy is that they cannot see the colossal damage they
have done to the very fabric of this country.
121. What is/are true about the ministers of the new government formed at the Centre?
a) Some of them are ghighly qualified and foreign degree holders.
b) Only a few of them are t he products of average government schools.
c) There are so me ministers who have never been to college.
d) Our Prime Minister is a postgraduate in Political Science.
122. Which of the following is not one of the characteristics of the ministers of the last government at the
Centre?
a) Some of the ministers of the last government at the Centre were educated abroad.

ENGLISH 5
 b) The ministers of the last government were brainwashed at foreign universities to suggest Western
solutions for Indian problems.
c) The Western degree holder ministers coming from the elite class never knew their own people living
in Bharat.
d) Though the ministers of the last government were Western educated yet they had great concern about
the gripping problems of India
123. Which of the following statements is based on the facts mentioned in the passage?
a) The present government aims at reducing the perks and privileges of MLAs.
b) There is something wrong with those educational institutions that produjce graduates who remain
prejudiced about caste, class and gender
c) The elitist education policy has still managed to make students humble and sensitive towards humanity.
d) None of the present ministers has gone through poverty, injustice, exploitation and discrimination
124. What is the perception about India in the eyes of the World?
a) That India is a developing nation
b) That we don’t have self respect, dignity and identity
c) That India is still a c ountry of snake charmers
d) That India is an educationally backward nation
125. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Destiny
a) Objective b) Prospect
c) Future d) Concept
126. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Perks
a) Benefits b) Candy
c) Loss d) Constraints
127. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Fatigued
a) Fresh b) Lively
c) Exhausted d) Vivacious
128. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Dissent
a) Strife b) Marvellous
c) Objections d) Approval
129. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed
in bold as used in the passage.
Snobbish
a) Haughty b) Pompous
c) Arrogant d) Humble

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IV. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/
expressions are given in bold in the passage to help you locate them while answering some of the
questions.
“My God, it speaks” uttered the Emperor of Brazil and the receivr of the Telephone slipped from his
hand and banged around. At the other end Alexander Graham Bell was still on line.
This incident goes back to 1876 when at an exhibition in Philadelphia, Alexander Graham Bell was giving
a demonstration of his new invention. This strange instrument known as Telephone was to revolutionize
life in the years to come.
Bell was born at Edinborough, Scotland. He was a teacher and, was dedicated to the noble cause of teaching
the deaf and the dumb. Due to a severe illness, Bell was sent to Canada in 1870, where too he got engaged
in helping the dumb deaf to hear and speak. Thereafter, he shifted to the USA but continuted with his
work by opening a school f or deaf to hear and dumb.
Bell was fond of scientific inventions and was ever engaged in making some machines in his spare time.
While at Boston, he tried to communicate through metal wire. His companion in this work was Watson.
One day while experimenting with this instrument, Bell spoke to Watson standing at a distance. Watson
was taken by a pleasant surprise as he had heard Bell clearly through his instrument. The instrument
was a success and Bell patented it.
Graham Bell had some sterling qualities of head and heart. Apart from being as artist, he was a kind
human being, ready to help the needy. He established an institution for the deaf and dumb children. He
died in 1922 in Canada. The entire northern America paid him a tribute by hanging up their telephones
for a while during his funeral.
130. The teaching activity undertaken by Bell was considered ‘noble’ particularly because…
a) He was teaching the physically under privileged persons
b) There was nobody else in the field of education
c) He was not accepting any salary of that job
d) He was a very famous scientist of his times
131. The words uttered by the Emperor of Brazil suggest that it was extremely
a) Angry b) Insulted
c) Surprised d) Agitated
132. What according to the passage was the contribution of invention of telephone?
a) Interaction between two persons at some distance was possible
b) Rich people were able to communicate with others
c) Graham Bell could converse with Watson regarding invention through telephone
d) It revolutionized human life
133. Which of the following made Bell to invent telephone?
a) His activity of teaching
b) His service to the deaf and dumb
c) He kept interest in scientific inventions
d) Encouragement received from Watson
134. Graham Bell made the telephone call of his invention to the Emperor from the city of
a) Edinborough b) Philadelphia
c) Brazil d) Boston
135. Bell had gone to Canada in 1870 for
a) Treating a patient who was seiously ill
b) Helping the deaf and dumb children to hear and speak
c) Undergoing medical treatment for himself
d) Devoting his full time to his invention
ENGLISH 7
136. Choose the word or group of words which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word printed in
bold?
Revolutionize
a) Affect adversely b) Develop gradually
c) Illuminate completely d) Change drastically
137. Choose the word or group of words which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word printed in
bold?
Dedicated
a) Appointed b) Deployed
c) Devoted d) Religious
138. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold.
Continued
a) Irregular b) Destroyed
c) Reckoned d) Suspended
139. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold.
Pleasant
a) Admirable b) Disgusting
c) Nice d) Indecent

VI. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are
printed in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
The yearly festival was close at hand. The store room was packed with silk fabrics, gold ornaments, clay
bowls full of sweet curd and platefuls of sweetmeats. The orders had been placed with shops well in
advance. The mother was sending out gifts to everyone.
The eldest son, a government servant, lived with his wife and children in far off lands. The second son
had left home at an early age. As a merchant he travelled all over the World. The other sons had split
up over petty squabbles and they now lived in homes of their own. The relatives were spread all across
the World. They rarely visited. The youngest son, left in the company of a servant, was soon bored left
her and stood at the door all day long, waiting and watching. His mother, thrilled and excited, loaded
the presents on trays and plates, covered them with colourful kerchiefs, and sent them off with maids
and servants. The neighbours looked on.
The day came to an end. All the presents had been sent off.
The child came back into the house and dejectedly said to his mother, “Maa, you gave present to everyone,
but you d idn’t give me anything!”
His mother laughed, “I have given all the gifts away to everyone, now see what’s left for you.” She kissed
him on the forehead.
The child said in a tearful voice. “Don’t get a gift?”
“You’ll get it when you go far away.” “But when I am close to you, don’t I get something from your
own hands?”
His mother reached out her arms and drew him to her “This is all I have in my own hands. It is the most
precious of all.”
140. Why did the woman’s second son travel?
a) He was restless by nature
b) He did not want to stay at home
c) He was rich and could afford to travel
d) His job was such that he had to travel

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141. Why did the woman’s eldest son not attend the festival?
a) He was not on good terms with his youngest brother who lived at home
b) He had quarrelled with his mother
c) His wife did not allow him to return home
d) None of these
142. Which of the following can be said about the woman?
a) She was a widow who had brought up her children single handedly
b) She was not a good mother since her children had left home at an early age
c) She enjoyed sending her family gifts at festival time
d) She gave expensive presents to show that she was wealthy
143. What did the boy receive from his mother?
a) She taught him the value of patience
b) She encouraged him to grow up and live independently like his brother
c) She showed him the importance of giving expensive gifts
d) She gave him a hug to express her love
144. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
a) The woman usually ignored her youngest son
b) The woman’s eldest son lived abroad
c) The members of the woman’s family did not care about her
d) The woman made all the preparations herself since she did not want to burden the servants
145. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the
passage.
Left
a) Gone b) Quit
c) Remaining d) Disappeared
146. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the
passage.
Packed
a) Filled b) Squeezed
c) Crowd d) Collected
147. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word ‘Dejectedly’ as used in the passage.
a) Calmly b) Happily
c) Willingly d) Fortunately

VII. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases
are given in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
During Emperor Akbar’s reign, there was a poor man in Agra, who was throught to bring bad luck. People
believed that if any one looked at his face in the morning, they would have a bad day.
“Get lost, you ugly fellow!” he would be cursed by one and all. “Hide your face before you kill someone
with your evil eye!”
The emperor soon heard of this man’s reputation and wanted to see him. The poor fellow, who
had not harmed a single person in his life, was brought to Akbar. Akbar took a look at him and asked
him to be brought back in the evening. That particular day was an especially full and tiring day for the
emperor and his courtiers.

ENGLISH 9
 So, many matters had to be attended to that Akbar even forgot to eat. By the end of the day, the emperor
was exhausted. To make matters worse, Akbar was informed that his favourite child, little Prince Salim,
had fallen ill.
Then the emperor suddenly remembered that he had seen the face of the ‘unlucky’ man that morning.
That was it. It was that man’s entire fault, Akbar decided. Akbar called his courtiers and told them that
he was going to have ‘unlucky’ man executed. All of them agreed immediately. That is all except Birbal.
Instead, Birbal let out a short laugh. “What is the matter, Birbal?” asked the emperor “You seem to find
something funny!”
“Nothing, your majesty, “replied Birbal
“You say this man brings bad luck because you had to go without food ever since you saw him this
morn ing. Look at his luck. Yours was the first face he saw today, and has to die because to it.”
Akbar immediately realized his folly and rewarded Birbal for his wisdom.
148. Why had the king not eaten his food?
a) He was very busy that day
b) He had seen the face of the unlucky fellow
c) He was not feeling well
d) None of these
149. Who was not well on that particular day?
a) King Akbar
b) The King's courtiers
c) Birbal
d) Prince Salim
150. Which of the following describes Birbal?
a) He was a famous merchant
b) He had lost his senses
c) He was very poor
d) He possessed good logical thinking
151. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
a) The poor man wanted to see the king
b) The poor man was well educated
c) The courtiers were sympathetic with the poor man
d) King Akbar realized his mistake
152. What was Birbal’s initial reaction when he heard that the poorman would be executed?
a) He was angry because Akbar had not taken his advice
b) He laughed slightly
c) He was silent and wanted to give a change to the poor man
d) None of these
153. Choose the word that is most nearly the same meaning as the word/phrase printed in bold as used in
the passage.
Reputation
a) Character b) Respect
c) Fame d) Report
154. Choose the word that is most nearly the same meaning as the word/phrase printed in bold as used in
the passage.
Folly

10 ENGLISH
 a) Argument b) Mistake
c) Words d) Conflict
155. Choose the word which is the most opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Hide
a) Seek b) Show
c) Go away d) Indicate
156. Choose the word which is the most opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Exhausted
a) Consumed b) Drained
c) Restless d) Energetic

VIII, Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are
printed in bold to help you locate them while, answering some of the questions.
In the town, where Abhiram painted pictures of gods and goddesses, everyone knew him only as a stranger,
who had always painted pictures for a living. No one knew him or his past. He would think, “I was once
wealthy but its all gone now ______ and in a way it is for the better. I meditate on various forms of God
all day long now, my bread and butter comes from that. I also place his image in all the houses. None
can take away the respect and goodwill this earns me.” One day the royal Minister passed away. The
King employed a new Minister from a foreign land. The whole town was abuzz with the news but that
day Abhiram’s fingers stilled to a halt. Abhiram’s father and adopted an orphan boy, whom he raised
and trusted more than his own son, Abhiram. But the boy had turned traitor and had stolen the old man’s
fortune from him. The very same man and now come to the new kingdom as the new Minister. The room
where Abhiram painted was also his puja room. He went in, folded his hands and queried, “Is this why
I have spent so many years meditating on. You through every colour, every line? Is this how you reward
me – with such an insult?”
The chariot pageant was coming up. At the fairgrounds many people from different lands thronged to
buy Abhiram’s pictures. In that throng, there was a little boy watched over by servants. He picked out
one picture. Abhiram turned to the child’s attendant and asked, “who is this boy?” He replied, “The only
son of our royal Minister.” Abhiram covered his paintings with a cloth and said, “I will not sell my pictures.”
Which only made the child want the picture even more? He came home and sulked in the corner and
refused to eat. The Minister sent a bagful of coins for Abhiram, but the bag came back to the Minister
untouched. The Minister said to himself, “what audacity!” The more he was pestered, the more dogged
was Abhiram’s refusal and he thought, “This is my victory.” Every morning the first thing Abhiram did
was to paint a picture of his own beloved deity. This was the only form of worship known to him. One
day, he realized the painting wasn’t to his satisfaction. Something looked different. It wasn’t looking
right. He felt tormented. As the days passed, the subtle difference became more apparent until one day
Abhiram looked up, started by the realization ________ he could see it clearly now - the face oif his
God was beginning to look more and more like the Minister. He hurled his brush to the ground and said,
“So the Ministger wins!” That same day the painting to the Minister and said, “Here is the picture, give
it to your son.” The Minister asked, “How much?” Abhiram said,
“You robbed me of my devotion to God I shall gain it back by gifting you this picture.” The Minister
had no idea what he was talking about.
157. Why did Abhiram paint a picture of one particular deity every morning?
a) His paintings of this particular deity were very popular and he sold many of them
b) He kept trying to paint the picture well but he never succeeded
c) In memory of his father, who had great devotion for the deity
d) It was his way of praying

ENGLISH 11
158. Why did the Minister send a bagful of gold to Abhiram’s house?
a) As penance for taking Abhiram’s rightful share of their father’s property
b) He admired artists and wanted to pay his respects to Abhiram
c) As a bribe to ensure that Abhiram would keep t heir past a secret
d) He wanted to purchase a painting that his son was determined to have
159. Why was Abhiram disappointed with his most recent painting?
a) Despite his best efforts, he could not get the painting to resemble the Minister
b) Attention to details which made his paintings so popular was missing
c) Instead of resembling, a replica of a deity, the painting looked like a portrait of the Minister
d) Since, he was unable to paint the lighting effects properly, the deity did not look lifelike in the portrait
160. What was Abhiram’s first reaction when, he heard about the appointment of the new Royal Minister?
a) He decided not to sell his paintings at the chariot pageant
b) He stopped praying because he believed that God had abandoned him
c) He gave up his carrer as an artist
d) None of these
161. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word given in bold as used in the
passage.
Audacity
a) Courage b) Fear
c) Insult d) Rudeness
162. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word given in bold as used in the
passage.
Idea
a) Image b) Understanding
c) Design d) Plan
163. Choose the word, which is most opposite in meaning of the word given in bold as used in the passage.
Gain
a) Lose b) Decrease
c) Lack d) Fail
164. Choose the word, which is most opposite in meaning of the word given in bold as used in the passage.
Dogged
a) Polite b) Weak
c) Unstable d) Soft

IX. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases
are given in the bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
A goat was struggling violently and injured many people, as it was being led away by a dozen men through
the street. It was being taken away for a sacrificial offering. But it became calm the moment it saw a
saint. The saint bent down and said somethhing in its ear and patted it on its back. He then withdrew
covering his face and muttering “How sad! My poor friend!”.
The animal now tame allowed itself to be led away. The onlookers flocked around the saint and asked
him what he had whispered to the goat?
The Saint explained that the goiat was a reincarnation of his good friend, a wealthy man who instituted
the sacrifice as a ritual in the village and that he had told the goat that the game was started by it in its
previous birth so why was it complaining now when it was its time toi be in the same boat. He continued

12 ENGLISH
 “As one sows, so shall he reap.”
The story spread and even tually brought an end to the ritual of animal slaughter in the name of sacrificial
offering in the village.
165. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
a) Reincarnation is a phenomenon which occurs
b) One receives as one propagates
c) Animal slaughter is now banned by law
d) Saints do have magical powers
166. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
a) The goat was not sacrificed
b) The ritual of sacrifice gradually stopped in the village
c) The Saint did not believe in reincarnation
d) The onlookers were ashamed of themselves and avoided the Saint
167. Why did the goat recognize the Saint?
a) It was the Saint who had asked people to sacrifice it
b) The Saint was wearing a robe unlike the other onlookers
c) The Saint had a peculiar look
d) The Saint had been a good friend of the goat in its previous birth
168. Why did the Saint mutter “How sad! My poor friend”?
a) He was against the lifestyle of his friend
b) The goat had been injured while it was being led away
c) The goat was dying from its wounds
d) He was sad because his friend was going to be killed
169. Why did the animal become docile after the Saint talked to it?
a) It was keen to be sacrificed
b) It had already injured many people and was tired
c) The priest promised that it wouldn’t be sacrificed
d) It had accepted that it deserved its fate
170. Choose the word that is most nearly the same in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Patted
a) Stroked b) Flattened
c) Hit d) Hurt
171. Choose the word that is most nearly the same in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Flocked
a) Herd b) Together
c) Gathered d) Accompanied
172. Choose the word which is most opposite in the meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Tame
a) Spirited b) Disciplined
c) Cruel d) Insane
173. Choose the word which is most opposite in the meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
End
a) Life b) Begin
c) Middle d) Start

ENGLISH 13
X. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have
been printed in bold to help you locate them, while answering some of the questions.
Though the US prides itself on being a leader in the World community, a recent report shows that it lags
far behind other industrialised countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens.
The US has a higher infant mortality rate, a higher proportion of low birth weight babies, a smaller
proportion of babies immunised against childhood diseases and a much higher rate of adolescent
pregnancies. These findings, described as a “quiet crisis” requiring immediate and far reching action,
appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people.
According to the report, a fourth of the nation’s 12 million infants and toddlers live in poverty. As many
as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially.
Child immunisations are too low, more children are born into poverty, more are in substandard care,
while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and
other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to
reverse.
The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parenthood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less
likely to seek pre natal care. In the US 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are
unplanned. The problmes continue after birth, where unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships
often go hand in hand. Since 1950, the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than
25% of all births today are to unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grows and
more women enter the work force, infants and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than
their parents.
Most disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing
their children. In only four years from 1987-1991, the number of children in foster care increased by
over 50%. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care.
This crisis affects children under the age of three most severely, the report says. Yet, it is this period
– from infancy through preschool years – that sets the stage for a child’s future.
174. The main focus of the passage is on the plight of
a) Orphaned children
b) Teenage mothers
c) Low birth weight babies
d) None of these
175. Which of the following does not constitute ‘quiet crisis’ in the US as per the task force report?
a) Lower proportion of new born babies with normal weight
b) Higher incidence of adolescent girls becoming mothers
c) Lower rate of babies surviving childhood diseases
d) Increasing cases of teenage couples getting divorced
176. Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage?
a) The number of single parent families today is approximately three times that four decades ago
b) The number of children in the US entering foster care has decreased after 1991
c) In the US, the number of infants living in poverty is about 3 million
d) Only 20% of all the pregnancies in the US are planned
177. The number of children born to married mothers in the US is approximately, how many times the number
of children born to unwed mothers?
a) 1.5 times b) 2 times
c) 3 times d) 3.5 times

14 ENGLISH
178. The task force report seems to be based on the data pertaining to the period
a) 1987-91 b) 1950 onwards till data
c) 1987 onwards till data d) 1950-91
179. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning to the given word given in bold as used
in the passage.
Confront
a) Face b) Tolerate
c) Succumb d) Eliminate
180. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning to the given word given in bold as used
in the passage.
Vulnerable
a) Insecure b) Indispensable
c) Risky d) Promising
181. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the given word in bold as used in the passage.
Severely
a) Drastically b) Intensely
c) Minutely d) Slightly
182. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the given word in bold as used in the passage.
Substandard
a) Impoverished b) Compassionate
c) Excellent d) Valuable

XI. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases
are given in the bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
One day, the king came to the court and began attending to the routine mattres people had brought to
him. He happened to be in a bad mood that day. Just then, a messenger arrived out of breath, with a
message that the queen wanted to see the king in her palace. The king rose immediately and all the courtiers
respectfully got to their feet. The jester however remained seated unaware that the king was departing.
He belatedly got to his feet but while doing so, he was noticed by the king, who perceived this behavioiur
as an insult. He ordered the jester to leave his kingdom with immediate effect and not set foot on its soil
under penalty of death. The courtiers were upset and protested. The jester was amusing and well liked.
But the jester obeyed the king’s commands and left the palace promptly. Several months passed after
the ing had ordred the jester to leave his court. The king’s anger had subsided. He decided to invite the
jester to return to his court. Messengers were sent to neighbouring kingdoms to search for the jester and
bring him before the king. However the very next day, when the king was standing in one of the palace
balconies, he saw a horse carriage pass outside the palace. He glanced at the carriage out of curiostly
and spied the jester sitting inside. The carriage was stopped. The king asked the jester angrily, “Why
have you come back to the kingdom without my permission?’ “Your Majesty” the jester replied politely,
“I left for China the day you drove me out of your court. I returned only after I had covered the floor
of my carriage with the soil of the neighbouring country. I have thus not set my foot on your soil,” The
king found the jester’s answer pleasing. He smiled and asked him to come to court from the next morning.
183. Why did the king leave the court suddenly one day?
a) He was bored as the word was routine
b) He realised that he had forgotten to meet the queen that day
c) He was upset that day
d) None of these

ENGLISH 15
184. Why did the king himself ask the jester to return to his court?
a) He missed the jester’s wit and humour
b) The jester did not need the request, the king had sent through his messengers
c) The courtiers throught the king was foolish for throwing out the jester
d) The king appreciated the jester’s cleverness in interpreting his orders
185. Why did the jester remain seated, while the king was leaving?
a) To show he was unhappy with king’s decision toi leave early
b) To get the king’s attention
c) To show the king that leaving early was insulting to those, who had come to the court
d) He did not realise that the king was leaving
186. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
a) The king was stubborn and never listened to his courtiers advice
b) The jester was quick witted
c) The king’s messengers did not try very hard to find the jester
d) The jester did not return to the court till the k ing had asked forgiveness
187. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Spied
a) Watched b) Followed
c) Stared d) Noticed
188. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Subsided
a) Lessened b) Failed
c) Collapse d) Calm
189. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Promptly
a) Later b) Behind
c) Relaxed d) Lately
190. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Pleasing
a) Sorrow b) Disliking
c) Worsening d) Hating

XII. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases
are given in the bold to help you to locate them, while answering some of the questions.
It is time, we looked at the latent causes. Where does the strength of India lie? Not in numbers, not
necessarily in our moral stands on international issues. In modern times, the strength of a nation lies in
its achievements in science and technology. This is not to say that other fields do not count. In the five
decades after independence, we have yet to demonstrate our originality in applied science and technology.
Though Japan also started like us, yet by cultivating the technology of the West, the Japanese adapted,
improved and displayed originality in several areas of science and technology. The generation which
is at the helm of affairs in science and in our country after independence mostly consisted of self seekers.
By and large with a few exceptions. The science and technology managers in India concentrated in gaining
power and influence.

16 ENGLISH
 They loved publicity. Most of them stopped doing science while they managed science. Things would
have been better had they been humble enough to acknowledge the difference between doing and
managing science. Instead they claimed they were the foremost in science and technology, simply because
they were at the helm of affairs. As a result, they ceased to inspire the younger lot. India continues to
be a borrowers of science and technology, even though its potential for originality is substantial.
Our achievements in nuclear science and technology may be dazzling to our people. But, in worth and
originality, they are ordinary and routine. While our own people remain ignorant the people of other
countries know all about the pretensions to knowledge of our nuclear science and technology managers.
Our subtle way of sabotaging our nuclear goals is to help hollow persons reach and remain at the helm
of affairs. International bodies come in as handy tools in that subtle process. The veil of secrecy effectively
protects the mismanagement in our nuclear establishments. The talk of national security comes as an
easy weapon to prevent any probe into mismanagement. On nuclear matters the media in our country,
by and large avoid the mismatch between promise and hence performance in the nuclear field does not
get exposed as much as the mismanagement in other fields.
191. What does the author mean by “doing” science?
a) Demonstrating exaggerated performance without achieving the desired level
b) Managing effectively the administrative functions involved in the power game
c) Concentrating on such researches which have very low practical utility
d) Displaying genuine acumen and performance in scientific studies
192. “Doing science” and “managing science” are implied by the author is analogous to
a) Set target and achieving it
b) Fact and fantasy
c) Originality and adaptability
d) Scientific inventions and disc overy of principles
193. The author of the passage has
a) Criticised the power hung Indian technocrats
b) Appreciated the Japanese scientists unduly and exorbitantly
c) Hailed India’s technological advancement in the past five decades
d) Underestimated the Japanese and Chinese scientists and t echnologists
194. Which of the following is the commonality between the Indian and the Japanese scientists?
a) Both have displayed originally in applied sciences
b) Both have displayed and advancement of substandard quality
c) Both have displayed greed f or influence and power
d) Both have displayed remarkable just for publicity
195. Which of the following is the correct assessment of India’s post independence nuclear and scientific
advancements?
a) Originality and adaptability is duly displayed in the field of applied science
b) Our achievement in nuclear science and technology are dazzling
c) Our achievements are of a very ordinary quality and routine nature
d) Our scientists have done full justice to the developmental needs of nuclear science
196. Find out the word from the given options, which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word given
in bold as used in the passage.
Latent
a) Cautions b) Hidden
c) Overt d) Brilliant

ENGLISH 17
197. Find out the word from the given options, which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word given
in bold as used in the passage.
Handy
a) Silent b) Hand-rolled
c) Suitable d) Solemn
198. Find the word which is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage.
Dazzling
a) Tremendous b) Domineering
c) Deafening d) Brilliant
199. Find the word which is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage.
Humble
a) Doctile b) Llethargic
c) Stupid d) Cunning

XIII. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases
are given in the bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
During the reign of King, Veer, there lived a wise magistrate. Haripant’s verdicts were always just and
people from all over the vast kingdom came to him in order to settle their disputes. In the city where
Haripant lived, there was a greedy ghee merchant named Niranjan. He always kept twenty barrels of
ghee. Of these, fifteen would contain good quality ghee and the remaining would be adulterated, he would
mix into and sell it. This went on for a time, till finally the people fed up being cheated and complained
to Haripant.
Haripant had the ghee examined and found it to be adulterated. He gave Niranjan a choice of punishment
drink the five barrels of adulterated ghee from his shop or receive a hundred lashings or pay a thousand
gold coins in the treasury. Niranjan thought for a while. Losing a thousand gold coins was too much
and a hundred lashings are painful. So, he decided to drink the barrels of ghee. Though Niranjan adulterated
goods in his shop, they made sure his own food was of the best quality. So, after drinking one barrel
of ghee, he began to feel sick. By the second barrel, he was vomiting. At this point he decided to opt
for the lashings instead. But he was pampered and his body was unused to any harsh treatment. After
ten lashes, he started trembling and by twenty he was giddy. Stop! He screamed ‘I will pay the thousand
gold coins!’ and he handed them. So, he ended up suffering all three punishments something he did not
forget in a hurry and the people of the city got to use only the best quality ghee in their food from then
on!.
200. Why did the people decide to go to Haripant with their complaint?
a) He was close to the King and would get justice for them
b) Thuey knew Niranjan was afraid of Haripant, who punished people severely
c) They were confident that he would listen to their complaint and give a fair judgement
d) He was the only magistrate in the entire kingdom

18 ENGLISH
 ANSWER KEY

101. D 102. D 103. A 104. D 105. B

106. C 107. A 108. C 109. D 110. B
111. D 112. D 113. D 114. B 115. C
116. B 117. D 118. A 119. C 120. D
121. C 122. D 123. B 124. B 125. C
126. A 127. C 128. D 129. D 130. A
131. C 132. D 133. C 134. B 135. C
136. B 137. C 138. D 139. B 140. D
141. D 142. C 143. D 144. D 145. C
146. A 147. B 148. D 149. D 150. D
151. D 152. D 153. D 154. B 155. B
156. D 157. D 158. D 159. C 160. D
161. A 162. B 163. A 164. B 165. B
166. B 167. D 168. D 169. D 170. A
171. C 172. D 173. D 174. D 175. D
176. B 177. C 178. D 179. A 180. A
181. D 182. C 183. D 184. D 185. D
186. B 187. D 188. A 189. A 190. D
191. B 192. C 193. A 194. D 195. B
196. D 197. B 198. C 199. A 200. C

ENGLISH 19