SECTION: A

COMPREHENSION

PASSAGE 1

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow by choosing the most
appropriate of the options lettered A-E.

There was once a terrible famine in the land of the animals. Food and money were scarce. Hunger made
all the creatures very weak.

The mother of Dino, the tortoise, fell ill and was at the point of death.

Dinso became very worried because he had no money for her funeral ceremonies. He thought and
thought but did not know what to do.

At last, he discovered a trick. He assembled all the animals and said to them, ‘I am going to a distant land
in search of food for all of us who are hungry, do not send for me unless something unusual happens.’
The animals agreed.

Three days later, Dinso’s mother died. Death is not unusual and Dinso could not be sent for.
Discovering the trick, the elephant advised, ‘Let’s tell Dinso that the plam tree bears fruits at the end of
its leaves. This unusual and should make him return quickly.’
 The other animals welcomed the idea, thanked the elephant for the good advice and sent for
Dinso. On hearing of palm trees bearing fruits at the end of the leaves, he hastened back. When he
arrived, the animals said to him, ‘Your mother is dead; now arrange for her funeral according to our
custom. You can’t deceive all the people all the time.’

Questions

1 By giving the advice he gave, there is no doubt that the elephant was a …… animal. a.cunning
b. great c. smart d. thoughtful e. wise

2. The passage is mainly ….. in form. a. argumentative b. descriptive c. expository

d. narrative e. persuasive

3. A word that can replace ‘assembled’ as it is used in the passage is …..

a. arranged b. combined c. gathered d. grouped e. invited

4. Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?

a. Dinso knew his mother would not die soon b. Dinso was never confused about what to do

c. Hunger made Dinso’s mothe fall ill d. The famine did not affect some animals

e. The passage is a riddle

5. The most suitable title for the passage could be ….. a. Dinso the Elephant
 b. Dinso’s Mother’s Death c. Dinso’s Trick

PASSAGE II

Until the later half of the nineteenth century, the Europeans knew little about the interior of Africa. By
then, much had been learnt about America, Asia and Australia. Because the Europeans knew little about
Africa then, this was the chief reason why Stanley, the British explorer, called Africa ‘The Dark
Continent’.

Stanley explored the Congo Basin. The Stanley Falls on this river is called after his name. most of
the inhabitants of Africa are black in complexion and perhaps this was the second reason the words
Dark-Continent were applied to Africa.

One may ask why the inland part of Africa was unknown until about one hundred years ago.
Many are of the opinion that this was because the natives of Africa were not friendly towards
Europeans. Until then, Arab slave raiders had been enslaving Africans. This made many negroes look
upon all whit people as slave dealers.

But we must not forget the difficulties in exploring Africa. The Sahara Desert, the rapids on rivers
and the thick forest made travelling very difficult. The damp, heat, mosquitoes and tse-tse flies caused
illness to European explorers.

Questions

6. What fo many people think was the reason why Africa was unknown for a long

time? a. The Arab slave raiders were wicked b. The Arabs enslaved many Africans.

c. Explorers were too busy in other continents d. The natives were unfriendly to the Europeans
 e. The Sahara Desert was too big to cross

7. The … was explored by Stanley a. African coast b. Congo Basin

c. Forested part of Africa d. Interior of Africa e. Stanley Falls

8. What caused ill-health to European explorers? a. Snake bites and malaria

b. The climate and insects c. The dangerous rivers and deserts

d. The rapids on African rivers. e. The slave raiders’ unfriendliness

9. Who called Africa the Dark Continent? a. Europeans b. Explorers

c. Stanley d. The Americans e. The British

10. A word that can replace ‘natives’ as it is used in the passage is ……

a. indigenes b. leaders c. traders d. visitors e. warriors

SECTION B

Complete each of the following questions with the most appropriate of the options lettered A-E
11. Don’t argue with your mother, it is a sign of …… a. disrespect

b. irrespect c. misrespect d. nonrespesct e. unrespect

12. Crude oil is sold to other countries in containers called …….. a. barrels

b. bottles c. drums d. jars e. tanks

13. The warder denied seeing the …. of the prison before they escaped.

a. contingents b. inmates c. partners d. people e. prisoners

14. The meeting had to be …… because of lack of quorum a. adjourned

b. convened c. organized d. postponed e. suspended

15. He could not make a withdrawal because his cheque …….. a. bounced

b. had expired c. was authorized d. was cleared e. was open

16. Cholera is the most dreadful …… I know. a. attack b. danger c. disease d. disturbances e.
sickness

17. Avian influenza (Bird Flu) is a/an disease. a. dangerous b. infected c. infectious d. relapsing
e. water-borne
18. A 10% ….. was given to my friend when he bought a radio set a. balance

b. bonanza c. change c. cost d. discount

19. My cousin is the son of my …….a. brother b. nephew c. sister d. step brother e. uncle

20. The doctor admitted that the patient’s condition was so ……. That he might not

survive. a. critical b. disturbing c. feverish d. pathetic e. pitiable

Section C.