MODULE 9 – READING COMPREHENSION

DIRECTIONS for question 1-5 : Read the passage and answer the question based on it.

Political education has many connotations. It may be defined as the preparation of a citizen to take well
informed, responsible and sustained action for participation in the national struggle in order to achieve the
socio-economic objectives of the country. The predominant socio- economic objectives in India are the
abolition of poverty and the creation of a modern democratic, secular and socialist society in place of the
present traditional, feudal, hierarchical and in egalitarian one.
Under colonial rule, the Congress leaders argued that political education was an important part of
education and refused to accept the official view that education and politics should not be mixed with one
another. But when they came to power in 1947 they almost adopted the British policy and began to talk of
education being defiled by politics. ‘Hands off education’ was the call to political parties. But in spite of
it, political infiltration into the educational system has greatly increased in the sense that different
political parties vie with each other to capture the minds of teachers and students. The wise academicians
wanted political support, without political interference. What we have actually received is infinite
political interference with little genuine political support. This interference with the educational system
by political parties for their own ulterior motives is no political education at all and with the all round
growth of elitism, it is hardly a matter for surprise that real political education within the school system
(which really means the creation of a commitment to social transformation) has been even weaker than in
the pre-independence period.
During that time only, the struggle for freedom came to an end and the major non- formal agency of
political education disappeared. The press played a major role by providing some political education. But
it did not utilize the opportunity to the full and the stranglehold of vested interests continued to dominate
it. The same can be said of political parties as well as of other institutions and agencies outside the school
system which can be expected to provide political education. After analyzing all these things , it appears
that we have made no progress in genuine political education in the post-education period and have even
slided back in some respects. For instance, the education system has become even more elite-oriented.
Patriotism has become the first casualty. The father of the nation gave us the courage to oppose the
government when it was wrong, in a disciplined fashion and on basic principles. Today, we have even
lost the courage to fight on basic issues in a disciplined manner because agitational and anarchic politics
for individual, group or party aggrandizement has become common. In recent times the education system
continues to support domination of the privileged groups and domestication of the under- privileged ones.

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The situation will not change unless we take vigorous steps to provide genuine political education on an
adequate scale. This is one of the major educational reforms we need, and if it is not carried out, mere
linear expansion of the existing system of formal education will only support the status quo and hamper
radical social transformation.

Questions :

1. Which word is nearly opposite in meaning as “defile” as used in the passage?

a. Disparage
b. forgery
c. degenerate
d. sanctify

2. According to the passage, what should be the main purpose of political education?
a. To champion the cause of elitism
b. To bring qualitative change in the entire education system
c. To create an egalitarian society
d. To prepare the young generation with high intellectual acumen.

3. How has politics been related to educational institutions after independence?

a. Although they got political support, there was no interference in politics.
b. It is clear that they got almost no political support as well as political interference.
c. They got political support at the cost of political interference.
d. There was substantial interference without political support.

4. Based on the passage, which is the major drawback of the present education system?
a. The education system mainly represents the oppressed sections of the society.
b. The present education system promotes the domination of the privileged few.
c. It is based on the British model of education.
d. It is highly hierarchical and egalitarian in nature.

5. Which is the most opposite in meaning to the word ‘hamper’ as used in the passage?
a. Accelerate
b. envision
c. foster
d. initiate

DIRECTIONS for questions 6-10 : Read the passage and answer the question based on it.

A fact that draws our attention is that, according to his position in life, an extravagant man is either
admired or loathed. A successful business man does nothing to increase his popularity by being prudent
with his money. A person who is wealthy is expected to lead a luxurious life and to be lavish with his
hospitality. If he is not so, he is considered mean, and his reputation in business may even suffer in
consequence. The paradox remains that he had not been careful with his money in the first place; he
would never have achieved his present wealth.
Among the low income group, a different set of values exists. The young clerk, who makes his wife a
present of a new dress when he has not paid his house rent, is condemned as extravagant. Carefulness
with money to the point of meanness is applauded as a virtue. Nothing in his life is considered more
worthy than paying his bills. The ideal wife for such a man separates her housekeeping money into
joyless little piles – so much for rent, for food, for the children’s shoes, she is able to face the milkman
with equanimity every, month satisfied with her economising ways , and never knows the guilt of buying
something she can’t really afford .
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As for myself, I fall into neither of these categories. If I have money to spare I can be extravagant, but
when, as is usually the case, I am hard up and then I am the meanest man imaginable.

Questions:

6. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage:
a. Being extravagant is always condemnable.
b. The cause of poverty is extravagance.
c. Extravagance is a part of the rich as well as of the poor.
d. Stingy habits of the poor.

7. According to the passage the person, who is a successful businessman and wealthy
a. Is expected to have a lavish lifestyle.
b. Should not bother about popularity.
c. Is more popular if he appears to be wasting his time.
d. Must be extravagant before achieving success.

[Link] phrase ‘lavish with his hospitality’ in the third sentence of the first paragraph means
a. Thoughtful in spending only on guests and strangers.
b. Unconcerned in treating his friends and relatives.
c. Stinginess in dealing with his relatives.
d. Extravagance in entertaining guests.

9. The word ‘paradox’ in the last sentence of the first paragraph means
a. Statement based on the popular opinion
b. a statement that seems self-contradictory but in reality expresses a possible truth.
c. Statement based on facts
d. A word that brings out the hidden meaning

10. What is the meaning of the word “equanimity”?

a. Calmness
b. Discomposure
c. Equivocal
d. Dubious

DIRECTIONS for the question 11-15 : Read the passage and answer the question based on it.

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, acts 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 most timid 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

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certain death ‘gather resolution from despair’ but there can really be no trace of such 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. What is the meaning of the word debilitating ?

a. enfeeble
b. strengthen
c. debase
d. thriving

14. 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.

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15. The author feels happy in the recollection of dangers faced and overcome because
a. They brought him a new experience.
b. They added a new perspective and lifted him above himself for a time.
c. These experiences boosted his confidence.
d. He felt elated as he was alive.

16. In cities throughout the country, there is a new direction in local campaign [Link] in
local elections, journalists are not giving voters enough information to understand the issues and evaluate
the candidates. The local news media devotes too much time to scandal and not enough time to policy.
QA. This paragraph best supports the statement that the local news media
a. is not doing an adequate job when it comes to covering local campaigns.
b. does not understand either campaign issues or politics.
c. should learn how to cover politics by watching the national news media.
d. has no interest in covering stories about local political events.

17. The use of desktop computer equipment and software to create highquality documents such as
newsletters, business cards, letterhead, and brochures is called Desktop Publishing, or DTP. The most
important part of any DTP project is planning. Before you begin, you should know your intended
audience, the message you want to communicate, and what form your message will take.
QA: The paragraph best supports the statement that
a. Desktop Publishing is one way to become acquainted with a new business audience.
b. Computer software is continually being refined to produce highquality printing.
c. The first stage of any proposed DTP project should be organization and design.
d. The planning stage of any DTP project should include talking with the intended audience.

18. More and more office workers telecommute from offices in their own homes. The upside of
telecommuting is both greater productivity and greater flexibility. Telecommuters produce, on average,
20% more than if they were to work in an office, and their flexible schedule allows them to balance both
their family and work responsibilities.

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QA: The paragraph best supports the statement that telecommuters
a. get more work done in a given time period than workers who travel to the office.
b. produce a better quality work product than workers who travel to the office.
c. are more flexible in their ideas than workers who travel to the office.
d. would do 20% more work if they were to work in an office.

19. Sushi, the thousand-year-old Japanese delicacy, started small in the United States, in a handful of
restaurants in big cities. Today, sushi consumption in America is 50% greater than it was ten years ago
and not just in restaurants. Sushi is also sold at concession stands in sports stadiums, university dining
halls, and in supermarkets throughout the country
QA: This paragraph best supports the statement that
a. sushi is now a fast food as popular as hot dogs, burgers,and fries
b. more sushi is sold in restaurants than in supermarkets.
c. Americans are more adventurous eaters than they were in the past
d. sushi wasn’t always widely available in the United States.

20. Many animals hibernate during parts of the year, entering a state that is similar to a very deep sleep.
But hibernation is more than simply a deep sleep. The animal’s body temperature drops well below its
normal range, the animal does not wake up for a long period of time, and its metabolism slows to the
point that the animal does not need to eat or relieve itself during that period. In order to prepare for
hibernation, the animal must build up its body weight and increase its body fat. This is important, since
the animal will be living off its own body fat during the months of hibernation. Of course, once the period
of hibernation is over, the animal “wakes up” to find itself slim and trim once again!
QA: How does an animal prepare for hibernation?
a. It exercises for two months.
b. It gradually increases its sleeping habits.
c. It grows extra fur
d. It eats more food than usual.

DIRECTIONS for question 21-25 : Read the passage and answer the question based on it.

The walnut tree produces wood that is used for countless purposes, and is considered the finest wood in
the world. The wood is easy to work with, yet it is very hard and durable—and when it is polished, it
produces a rich, dark luster. It also shrinks and swells less than any other wood, which makes it especially
desirable for fine furniture, flooring, and even gun stocks. In fact, just about every part of the walnut is

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unusually hard and strong. The nut of the tree is encased inside a very hard shell, which itself is enclosed
in a leathery outer covering called a husk. It requires real effort to break through those layers to get at the
tasty meat inside. Yet every part of the walnut is useful to people. The outer husk produces a dark reddish
stain that is hard to remove from the hands of the person who opens the nut, and this pigment is widely
used in dyes and wood stains. The inner shell is used as an abrasive to clean jet engines. And the meat of
the nut is extensively used in cooking, ice cream, flavorings—and just eaten raw. Walnut trees exude a
chemical into the soil near their roots which can be poisonous to some trees and shrubs. Fruit trees, for
example, will not survive if planted too close to a walnut. Many other plants, such as maple trees or ivy,
are not affected by the walnut’s presence, and are well-suited to grow in its vicinity.

Questions:

21. What is the topic of this passage?

a. the use of walnut wood in furniture
b. walnut trees
c. where to plant wal
d. trees of North America

22. What is the main idea of the passage?

a. Trees are used for many things.
b. Maple trees grow well with walnuts.
c. Walnuts can kill other trees.
d. Walnut trees are valuable when planted correctly

23. As used in the passage, the underlined word abrasive most nearly means
a. rough.
b. disagreeable.
c. soft.
d. fragrant.

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24. The author of the passage probably believes that
a. walnut trees are endangered.
b. people should recycle more
c. people should grow walnut trees if possible.
d. maple trees are not good for furniture making.

25. As used in the passage, the word exude most nearly means
a. give off.
b. naked.
c. smell bad.
d. leave the area.

DIRECTIONS for question 26-30: Read the passage and answer the question based on it.

Today, bicycles are elegantly simple machines that are common around the world. Many people ride
bicycles for recreation, whereas others use them as a means of transportation. The first bicycle, called a
draisienne, was invented in Germany in 1818 by Baron Karl de Drais de Sauerbrun. Because it was made
of wood, the draisienne wasn’t very durable nor did it have pedals. Riders moved it by pushing their feet
against the ground.
In 1839, Kirkpatrick Macmillan, a Scottish blacksmith, invented a much better bicycle. Macmillan’s
machine had tires with iron rims to keep them from getting worn down. He also used foot-operated
cranks, similar to pedals, so his bicycle could be ridden at a quick pace. It didn’t look much like the
modern bicycle, though, because its back wheel was substantially larger than its front wheel. Although
Macmillan’s bicycles could be ridden easily, they were never produced in large numbers.
In 1861, Frenchman Pierre Michaux and his brother Ernest invented a bicycle with an improved crank
mechanism. They called their bicycle a vélocipède, but most people called it a “bone shaker” because of
the jarring effect of the wood and iron frame. Despite the unflattering nickname, the vélocipède was a hit.
After a few years, the Michaux family was making hundreds of the machines annually, mostly for fun-
seeking young people.
Ten years later, James Starley, an English inventor, made several innovations that revolutionised bicycle
design. He made the front wheel many times larger than the back wheel, put a gear on the pedals to make
the bicycle more efficient, and lightened the wheels by using wire spokes. Although this bicycle was
much lighter and less tiring to ride, it was still clumsy, extremely top-heavy, and ridden mostly for
entertainment.
It wasn’t until 1874 that the first truly modern bicycle appeared on the scene. Invented by another
Englishman, H. J. Lawson, the safety bicycle would look familiar to today’s cyclists. The safety bicycle
had equal-sized wheels, which made it much less prone to toppling over. Lawson also attached a chain to
the pedals to drive the rear wheel. By 1893, the safety bicycle had been further improved with air-filled
rubber tires, a diamond-shaped frame, and easy braking. With the improvements provided by Lawson,

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bicycles became extremely popular and useful for transportation. Today, they are built, used, and enjoyed
all over the world.

Questions:

26. There is enough information in this passage to show that

a. several people contributed to the development of the modern bicycle.
b. only a few vélocipèdes built by the Michaux family are still in existence.
c. for most of the nineteenth century, few people rode bicycles just for fun.
d. bicycles with wheels of different sizes cannot be ridden easily

27. The first person to use a gear system on bicycles was

a. H. J. Lawson.
b. Kirkpatrick Macmillan.
c. Pierre Michaux.
d. James Starley

28. This passage was most likely written in order to

a. persuade readers to use bicycles for transportation.
b. describe the problems that bicycle manufacturers encounter.
c. compare bicycles used for fun with bicycles used for transportation.
d. tell readers a little about the history of the bicycle

29. Macmillan added iron rims to the tires of his bicycle to

a. add weight to the bicycle.
b. make the tires last longer.
c. make the ride less bumpy.
d. make the ride less tiring.

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30. Which of the following statements from the passage represents the writer’s opinion?
a. The safety bicycle would look familiar to today’s cyclists.
b. Two hundred years ago, bicycles didn’t even exist.
c. The Michaux brothers called their bicycle a vélocipède.
d. Macmillan’s machine had tires with iron rims.

DIRECTIONS for question 31 - 34: Read the passage and answer the question based on it.
One of the most hazardous conditions a firefighter will ever encounter is a backdraft (also known as a
smoke explosion). A backdraft can occur in the hot-smoldering phase of a fire when burning is
incomplete and there is not enough oxygen to sustain the fire. Unburned Carbon particles and other
flammable products, combined with the intense heat, may cause instantaneous combustion if more
oxygen reaches the fire. Firefighters should be aware of the conditions that indicate the possibility for a
backdraft to occur. When there is a lack of oxygen during a fire, the smoke becomes filled with carbon
dioxide or carbon monoxide and turns dense grey or black. Other warning signs of a potential backdraft
are little or no visible flame, excessive heat, smoke leaving the building in puffs, muffled sounds, and
smoke-stained windows. Proper ventilation will make a backdraft less likely. Opening a room or building
at the highest point allows heated gases and smoke to be released gradually. However, suddenly breaking
a window or Opening a door is a mistake, because it allows oxygen to rush in, causing an explosion.

Questions:

31. A backdraft is a dangerous condition for firefighters mainly because

a. there is not enough oxygen for breathing.
b. the heat is extremely intense.
c. the smoke is dangerously thick.
d. an explosion occurs

32. Which of the following is not mentioned as a potential backdraft warning sign?
a. windows stained with smoke
b. flames shooting up from the building
c. puffs of smoke leaving the building
d. more intense heat than usual

33. To prevent the possibility of a backdraft, a firefighter should

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a. carry an oxygen tank.
b. open a door to allow gases to escape.
c. make an opening at the top of the building.
d. break a window to release carbon particles

34. When compared with a hot, smoldering fire, a fire with visible, high-reaching flames
a. has more oxygen available for combustion.
b. has more carbon dioxide available for consumption.
c. produces more dense grey smoke.
d. is more likely to cause a backdraft.

DIRECTIONS for question 35 - 39 : Read the passage and answer the question based on it.
The human body can tolerate only a small range of temperature, especially when the person is engaged in
vigorous activity. Heat reactions usually occur when large amounts of water and/or salt are lost through
excessive sweating following strenuous exercise. When the body becomes overheated and cannot
eliminate this excess heat, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are possible. Heat exhaustion is generally
characterised by clammy skin, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, profuse perspiration, and sometimes fainting,
resulting from an inadequate intake of water and the loss of fluids. First aid treatment for this condition
includes having the victim lie down, raising the feet 8 to 12 inches, applying cool, wet cloths to
the skin, and giving the victim sips of salt water (1 teaspoon per glass, half a glass every 15 minutes) over
a 1-hour period. Heat stroke is much more serious; it is an immediate life-threatening situation. The
characteristics of heat stroke are a high body temperature (which may reach 106° F or more); a rapid
pulse; hot, dry skin; and a blocked sweating mechanism. Victims of this condition may be unconscious,
and first-aid measures should be directed at quickly cooling the body. The victim should be placed in a
tub of cold water or repeatedly sponged with cool water until his or her temperature is sufficiently
lowered. Fans or air conditioners will also help with the cooling process. Care should be taken, however,
not to over-chill the victim once the temperature is below 102° F.

Questions:

35. The most immediate concern of a person tending to a victim of heat stroke should be to
a. get salt into the victim’s body.
b. raise the victim’s feet.
c. lower the victim’s pulse.
d. lower the victim’s temperature.

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36. Which of the following is not mentioned as a potential backdraft warning sign?
a. windows stained with smoke
b. flames shooting up from the building
c. puffs of smoke leaving the building
d. more intense heat than usual

37. To prevent the possibility of a backdraft, a firefighter should

a. carry an oxygen tank.
b. open a door to allow gases to escape.
c. make an opening at the top of the building.
d. break a window to release carbon particles.

38. When compared with a hot, smoldering fire, a fire with visible, high-reaching flames
a. has more oxygen available for combustion.
b. has more carbon dioxide available for consumption.
c. produces more dense gray smoke.
d. is more likely to cause a backdraft.

39. Which of the following is a symptom of heat exhaustion?

(a) Unconsciousness (b) Profuse sweating (c) Hot, dry skin (d) A weak pulse

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