Reading Comprehension: Set-01

Instructions: Read the passage and answer the following questions.

The first and decisive step in the expansion of Europe Overseal was the conquest of the Atlantic Ocean. That
the nation to achieve this should be Portugal was the logical outcome of her geographical position and her
history. Placed on the extreme margin of old, classical Mediterranean world and facing the untraversed ocean,
Portugal could adapt and develop the knowledge and experience of the past to meet the challenge of the
unknown. From the seamen of Genoa and Venice, they had learned the organization and conduct of a
mercantile marine and from Jewish astronomers and mapmakers the rudiments of navigation Largely excluded
from the share in Mediterranean commerce, at a time when her population was making heavy demands on her
resources, Portugal turned southwards and westwards for opportunities of trade and commerce. but ocean
navigation was not the same as navigating the land-locked Mediterranean. The earliest of the band had neither
the benefit of sailing directions not traditional lore. Even the familiar heavenly constellations had been left
behind. The challenge was formidable.
Q1. According to the passage, the most important step in the expansion of European Power was:
(a) The emergence of Portugal as a power.
(b) the growth of Mediterranean commerce
(c) the contact of Europeans with Jewish astronomers
(d) the conquest of the Atlantic Ocean
Q2. The earliest group of Portuguese navigators going across the Atlantic did not find the venture.
(a) different from land-locked navigation
(b) more difficult than coastal navigation
(c) easy and comfortable
(d) challenging and demanding
Q3. The Portuguese sailors were ready to explore the world by sea because they:
(a) knew about many countries
(b) had rich patrons to finance them
(c) were prepared for the hazards of sea voyage
(d) were in touch with seaman from Genoa and Venice
Q4. The most important advantage that Portugal had, was its:
(a) geographical location
(b) contact with the Arabs
(c) contact with Genoa and Venice
(d) cultural history
Q5. Portugal was motivated to pioneer ocean navigation because:
(a) it was encouraged by other European powers
(b) it faced strong rivals in land-based trade
(c) it collaborated with Venetian merchants
(d) its limited resources could not support its growing population

English by Gopal Verma Sir

 Reading Comprehension: Set-02
Instructions: Read the passage and answer the following questions.
At low tide he walked over the sands to the headland and round the corner to the little bay facing the open sea.
It was inaccessible by boat because seams of rock jutted out and currents swirled round them treacherously.
But you could walk there if you chose one of the lowest ebb tides that receded a very long way. You could not
linger on the expedition, for once the tide was on the turn, it came in rapidly. For this reason, very few people
cared to explore the little bay and the cave at the back of it. But the unknown always drew this man like a
magnet. He found the bay fresh and unlettered, as it was completely covered by the sea at high tide. The cave
looked mysteriously dark, cool and inviting, and he penetrated to the farthest corner where he discovered a
wide crack, rather like a chimney, He peered up and through it he could see a patch of daylight.
Q1. According to the writer the bay could not be reached by boat, because:
(a) it had numerous layers of rock
(b) there were too many eddies
(c) it was facing the open sea.
(d) there were seams of rock and treacherously swirling currents
Q2. One could visit the bay:
(a) at any time, one chose
(b) one certain specified occasion
(c) when there was a low tide
(d) during the evening walk
Q3. It was not possible to “linger on the expedition” because:
(a) the water rose rapidly
(c) the tide turned sprightly
(b) the tide turned quickly
(d) the water rushed in with a great force
Q4. He found the bay “fresh and unlettered” because:
(a) the sea water had receded
(b) he was the first visitor there
(c) the high tide had just washed the litter away
(d) it was not frequented by people who would pollute it
Q5. While passing through the cave, the writer discovered a:
(a) cold and secluded corner
(b) large opening
(c) chimney-shaped rock
(d) big crack through which light came in

Cloze Test: Set-01

Comprehension: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and
select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Corruption is one of the (1) _______ problems of our country. It is an act done with (2) _____ to gain some
undue advantages, inconsistent with official duty. Government has (3) _______ many schemes for the welfare
of the people but corruption seems impossible to be (4) ______ India can become a corruption-free nation only
when all the citizens (5)_______ rules and regulations with a strong will power and cooperate whole heartedly.
Q1. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
(a) minor (b) major
(c) strong (d) powerful
Q2. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
(a) compulsion (b) intension

English by Gopal Verma Sir

 (c) passion (d) intuition
Q3. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
(a) concealed (b) written
(c) denounced (d) announced
Q4. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
(a) initiated (b) created
(c) permitted (d) eliminated
Q5. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
(a) reject (b) break
(c) follow (d) disobey

Cloze Test: Set-02

Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most
appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Advertising is the promotion of goods and services. It provides an (1) _____ to the manufacturing companies to
sell their (2) _____ better than their competitors. Every time we switch (3) _____ the television we find some
product or the other (4) _____ pushed towards us. It cannot be denied that the (5) _____ behind commercial
advertising is to increase sales and earn more profit.
Q1. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
(a) occasion (b) opportunity
(c) event (d) excuse
Q2. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
(a) compounds (b) outcome
(c) products (d) creation
Q3. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
(a) at (b) off
(c) on (d) in
Q4. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
(a) being (b) be
(c) been (d) to be
Q5. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
(a) influence (b) feeling
(c) emotion (d) motive
Para-Jumble
Instructions: Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order, Arrange the sentences in the correct
order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
1. Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order, Arrange the sentences in the correct order to
form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A) Such was his devotion that Kaali Ma appeared before him with a thousand heads and a thousand
pairs of arms.
B) Once, Tenali Raman wanted to visit the Kaali temple on the outskirts of the city and pray.
C) It was quite dark by the time Tenali reached the temple, prostrated before the goddess, and with
eyes closed started praying to Mother Kaali.
D) Raman who was dazzled to see Mother Kaali in all her glory, looked at her from left to right and
right to left and could not control his happiness.
(A) BCAD (B) BACD
(C) DCBA (D) CDAB

English by Gopal Verma Sir

2. Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order, Arrange the sentences in the correct order to
form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A) Now that the real estate sector has got its own regulator, RERA, from May 1, 2017,things are
expected to improve.
B) For many of the homebuyers, across locations the delay has extended to almost six years or more.
C) In the absence of a regulator and with no rules in place, the builder-buyer battle appeared one-
sided.
D) For the buyers of real estate properties, the delay in possession of their homes has been the biggest
concern.
(A) DBCA (B) ABDC
(C) DABC (D) BACD
3. Given below are six sentences A-F, of which A and F are static and B-E have been
jumbled. Pick the option that gives the correct order of the jumbled sentences.
A) Timothy, the tiger cub was discovered by Grandfather in the Terai jungle near Dehra.
B) Grandfather picked him and brought him home.
C) One day when Grandfather was strolling in the jungle, he spotted a little tiger about 18 inches long.
D) The tiger cub was named Timothy by Grandfather and initially brought up entirely on milk.
E) The frightened animal was hiding among the intricate roots of a banyan tree.
F) Later, he was put on a diet of raw mutton and cod liver oil.
A) ABEDCF B) AEBCDF
C) ADCEBF D) ACEBDF
Q4. Given below are six sentences A-F, of which A and F are static and B-E have
been jumbled. Pick the option that gives the correct order of the jumbled sentences.
A) A singer called Mukandan Misra and his wife lived in Behat near Gwalior.
B) Tired, the group settled down to rest in a shady grove.
C) Once Swami Haridas was travelling through the forest with his disciples.
D) Tansen, their only child was very naughty.
E) Often, he would run away to the woods and soon learnt to imitate the calls of birds and animals.
F) Tansen thought it would be fun to frighten the resting men with the roar of a tiger.
A) ABDECF B) ACEBDF
C) AEBCDF D) ADECBF

English by Gopal Verma Sir

English by Gopal Verma Sir