Reading Comprehension MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Reading Comprehension - Download Free PDF
Last updated on Jun 11, 2025
Latest Reading Comprehension MCQ Objective Questions
Reading Comprehension Question 1:
Comprehension:
Have you ever wondered if it's better to try many new things or to become really good at just one thing? Imagine you want to learn something new, like playing the guitar or kicking a football. There's a simple idea that can help you learn faster and better: practicing one thing 1000 times is often much better than trying 1000 different things just once.
When you practice something repeatedly, like playing the same song on the guitar every day, your fingers remember exactly where to go. Your brain understands the small details. This is called "deep practice." You learn from your mistakes each time, and your body builds "muscle memory." This means your movements become smooth and easy without you even having to think too hard. If you practice a single football kick many times, you'll learn how to make it stronger, more accurate, and with the right spin. You become a master of that one kick.
Now, imagine trying 1000 different things, but only doing each one once. You might touch a guitar, then a drum, then try drawing, then juggling, then coding, all for just a minute each. What happens? You get a tiny idea of many things, but you don't become good at any of them. Your brain doesn't have enough time to remember or correct mistakes. You won't build any deep understanding or skill. This is like trying to learn many languages by just saying "hello" in each one – you can't have a real conversation!
Focusing your practice means you build a strong foundation in one area. When you truly master one skill, you gain confidence. This deep understanding can then help you learn related things more easily in the future. For example, if you become a brilliant guitar player, learning the piano might feel a bit simpler because you understand music better.
So, the next time you want to learn something, think about trying to practice that one thing over and over. It's the best way to move from just knowing a little to becoming truly amazing at something. Quality practice beats quantity of different tries every time.
What is the overall message about practice that the passage wants to share?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 1 Detailed Solution
- The question asks for the overall message about practice that the passage conveys.
- The entire passage emphasizes the benefit of repeated practice of one thing over trying many things briefly.
- The concluding paragraph explicitly states: "Quality practice beats quantity of different tries every time."
- Option 3: "That quality practice, focusing on repetition and mastery, is more effective than trying many different things superficially." perfectly summarizes this main message.
- Let's look at why other options are incorrect:
- Option 1: "That all practice is equally good." This contradicts the passage, which argues for a specific type of effective practice (deep practice).
- Option 2: "That learning should always be fun and easy." While learning can be fun, the passage focuses on the method of practice, not solely on fun or ease.
- Option 4: "That you should only ever learn one thing in your life." The passage advocates for mastering one thing at a time or deep practice, not limiting oneself to a single skill for life. It even says mastering one skill can help learn related things later.
- Option 5: "That quantity of different tries is more important than quality." This is the opposite of the passage's central argument.
Reading Comprehension Question 2:
Comprehension:
Have you ever wondered if it's better to try many new things or to become really good at just one thing? Imagine you want to learn something new, like playing the guitar or kicking a football. There's a simple idea that can help you learn faster and better: practicing one thing 1000 times is often much better than trying 1000 different things just once.
When you practice something repeatedly, like playing the same song on the guitar every day, your fingers remember exactly where to go. Your brain understands the small details. This is called "deep practice." You learn from your mistakes each time, and your body builds "muscle memory." This means your movements become smooth and easy without you even having to think too hard. If you practice a single football kick many times, you'll learn how to make it stronger, more accurate, and with the right spin. You become a master of that one kick.
Now, imagine trying 1000 different things, but only doing each one once. You might touch a guitar, then a drum, then try drawing, then juggling, then coding, all for just a minute each. What happens? You get a tiny idea of many things, but you don't become good at any of them. Your brain doesn't have enough time to remember or correct mistakes. You won't build any deep understanding or skill. This is like trying to learn many languages by just saying "hello" in each one – you can't have a real conversation!
Focusing your practice means you build a strong foundation in one area. When you truly master one skill, you gain confidence. This deep understanding can then help you learn related things more easily in the future. For example, if you become a brilliant guitar player, learning the piano might feel a bit simpler because you understand music better.
So, the next time you want to learn something, think about trying to practice that one thing over and over. It's the best way to move from just knowing a little to becoming truly amazing at something. Quality practice beats quantity of different tries every time.
How can becoming really good at one skill help you learn other things later on?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 2 Detailed Solution
- The question asks how mastering one skill can help in learning other things later.
- The fourth paragraph of the passage directly addresses this: "Focusing your practice means you build a strong foundation in one area. When you truly master one skill, you gain confidence. This deep understanding can then help you learn related things more easily in the future."
- Option 2: "You gain confidence and a deep understanding that can make related learning simpler." directly reflects this explanation from the passage.
- Let's look at why other options are incorrect:
- Option 1: "It makes other things seem boring." The passage does not suggest this; in fact, it implies that mastery can open doors to more learning.
- Option 3: "You will never need to learn anything else once you master one skill." This contradicts the idea that mastering one skill helps you learn *related things* in the future.
- Option 4: "It allows you to become a teacher for others." While a possible outcome of mastery, the passage focuses on the *learner's* benefit in acquiring new skills, not on teaching.
- Option 5: "It means you don't need to try new things anymore." This is incorrect as the passage implies continuous learning, especially of related skills.
Reading Comprehension Question 3:
Comprehension:
Have you ever wondered if it's better to try many new things or to become really good at just one thing? Imagine you want to learn something new, like playing the guitar or kicking a football. There's a simple idea that can help you learn faster and better: practicing one thing 1000 times is often much better than trying 1000 different things just once.
When you practice something repeatedly, like playing the same song on the guitar every day, your fingers remember exactly where to go. Your brain understands the small details. This is called "deep practice." You learn from your mistakes each time, and your body builds "muscle memory." This means your movements become smooth and easy without you even having to think too hard. If you practice a single football kick many times, you'll learn how to make it stronger, more accurate, and with the right spin. You become a master of that one kick.
Now, imagine trying 1000 different things, but only doing each one once. You might touch a guitar, then a drum, then try drawing, then juggling, then coding, all for just a minute each. What happens? You get a tiny idea of many things, but you don't become good at any of them. Your brain doesn't have enough time to remember or correct mistakes. You won't build any deep understanding or skill. This is like trying to learn many languages by just saying "hello" in each one – you can't have a real conversation!
Focusing your practice means you build a strong foundation in one area. When you truly master one skill, you gain confidence. This deep understanding can then help you learn related things more easily in the future. For example, if you become a brilliant guitar player, learning the piano might feel a bit simpler because you understand music better.
So, the next time you want to learn something, think about trying to practice that one thing over and over. It's the best way to move from just knowing a little to becoming truly amazing at something. Quality practice beats quantity of different tries every time.
The passage gives an example of trying to learn many languages by just saying "hello" in each one. What is this an example of, and what does it suggest about learning?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 3 Detailed Solution
- The question refers to the example in the third paragraph of the passage: "This is like trying to learn many languages by just saying "hello" in each one – you can't have a real conversation!"
- This example is given immediately after discussing the outcome of trying "1000 different things, but only doing each one once." The passage states that in such a scenario, "you get a tiny idea of many things, but you don't become good at any of them. Your brain doesn't have enough time to remember or correct mistakes. You won't build any deep understanding or skill."
- Option 3: "It's an example of trying many things superficially, suggesting you won't become good at any." accurately captures both what the example represents (superficial trying) and what it suggests (lack of mastery).
- Let's analyze why other options are incorrect:
- Option 1: "It's an example of effective language learning, suggesting speed is key." This directly contradicts the passage, which shows this as an *ineffective* way to learn.
- Option 2: "It's an example of 'deep practice,' showing how to master many skills." This is the opposite of what the passage describes. Deep practice involves repetition and mastery of one thing.
- Option 4: "It's an example of how easy languages are to learn." The example highlights the *difficulty* of achieving real competence without proper practice, not the ease.
- Option 5: "It suggests that saying "hello" in many languages is the first step to fluency." The passage explicitly states "you can't have a real conversation!", indicating it's not a path to fluency.
Reading Comprehension Question 4:
Comprehension:
Have you ever wondered if it's better to try many new things or to become really good at just one thing? Imagine you want to learn something new, like playing the guitar or kicking a football. There's a simple idea that can help you learn faster and better: practicing one thing 1000 times is often much better than trying 1000 different things just once.
When you practice something repeatedly, like playing the same song on the guitar every day, your fingers remember exactly where to go. Your brain understands the small details. This is called "deep practice." You learn from your mistakes each time, and your body builds "muscle memory." This means your movements become smooth and easy without you even having to think too hard. If you practice a single football kick many times, you'll learn how to make it stronger, more accurate, and with the right spin. You become a master of that one kick.
Now, imagine trying 1000 different things, but only doing each one once. You might touch a guitar, then a drum, then try drawing, then juggling, then coding, all for just a minute each. What happens? You get a tiny idea of many things, but you don't become good at any of them. Your brain doesn't have enough time to remember or correct mistakes. You won't build any deep understanding or skill. This is like trying to learn many languages by just saying "hello" in each one – you can't have a real conversation!
Focusing your practice means you build a strong foundation in one area. When you truly master one skill, you gain confidence. This deep understanding can then help you learn related things more easily in the future. For example, if you become a brilliant guitar player, learning the piano might feel a bit simpler because you understand music better.
So, the next time you want to learn something, think about trying to practice that one thing over and over. It's the best way to move from just knowing a little to becoming truly amazing at something. Quality practice beats quantity of different tries every time.
According to the passage, what is "deep practice" and what does your body build when you do it?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 4 Detailed Solution
- The question asks for the definition of "deep practice" and what the body builds during it, as stated in the passage.
- The second paragraph of the passage explains: "When you practice something repeatedly... This is called 'deep practice.' You learn from your mistakes each time, and your body builds 'muscle memory.'"
- Option 3: "Deep practice is practicing something repeatedly, and your body builds muscle memory." directly and accurately reflects this information from the passage.
- Let's look at why other options are incorrect:
- Option 1: "Deep practice is meditating, and your body builds calmness." The passage describes deep practice in terms of physical or mental skill repetition, not meditation.
- Option 2: "Deep practice is trying many new things, and your body builds strength." The passage contrasts deep practice (repeatedly practicing one thing) with trying many things. While strength might be a byproduct, "muscle memory" is specifically mentioned.
- Option 4: "Deep practice is thinking hard, and your body builds new ideas." While thinking is involved, the primary focus is on repetition and skill development, leading to muscle memory.
- Option 5: "Deep practice is only for musicians, and it builds good rhythm." The passage gives examples like guitar and football, indicating it's not only for musicians, and "muscle memory" is the general benefit mentioned, not just rhythm.
Reading Comprehension Question 5:
Comprehension:
Have you ever wondered if it's better to try many new things or to become really good at just one thing? Imagine you want to learn something new, like playing the guitar or kicking a football. There's a simple idea that can help you learn faster and better: practicing one thing 1000 times is often much better than trying 1000 different things just once.
When you practice something repeatedly, like playing the same song on the guitar every day, your fingers remember exactly where to go. Your brain understands the small details. This is called "deep practice." You learn from your mistakes each time, and your body builds "muscle memory." This means your movements become smooth and easy without you even having to think too hard. If you practice a single football kick many times, you'll learn how to make it stronger, more accurate, and with the right spin. You become a master of that one kick.
Now, imagine trying 1000 different things, but only doing each one once. You might touch a guitar, then a drum, then try drawing, then juggling, then coding, all for just a minute each. What happens? You get a tiny idea of many things, but you don't become good at any of them. Your brain doesn't have enough time to remember or correct mistakes. You won't build any deep understanding or skill. This is like trying to learn many languages by just saying "hello" in each one – you can't have a real conversation!
Focusing your practice means you build a strong foundation in one area. When you truly master one skill, you gain confidence. This deep understanding can then help you learn related things more easily in the future. For example, if you become a brilliant guitar player, learning the piano might feel a bit simpler because you understand music better.
So, the next time you want to learn something, think about trying to practice that one thing over and over. It's the best way to move from just knowing a little to becoming truly amazing at something. Quality practice beats quantity of different tries every time.
What is the main idea the passage wants you to think about when learning something new?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 5 Detailed Solution
- The question asks for the main idea or the central point the passage wants to convey about learning.
- The very first paragraph introduces this core idea: "There's a simple idea that can help you learn faster and better: practicing one thing 1000 times is often much better than trying 1000 different things just once."
- This idea is then elaborated upon and reinforced throughout the entire passage, comparing "deep practice" with superficial attempts at many things.
- Option 2: "It's better to practice one thing many times than many things once." directly and accurately states the main idea presented in the passage.
- Let's analyze why other options are incorrect:
- Option 1: "Learning many things quickly is best." This contradicts the passage's emphasis on deep, repeated practice for mastery, which takes time for one skill.
- Option 3: "Trying new things is more exciting than repeating old ones." The passage focuses on effectiveness and skill acquisition, not the excitement factor of different approaches.
- Option 4: "You should always learn to play a musical instrument." Learning guitar is used as an *example* to illustrate the main idea, not the main idea itself.
- Option 5: "Only smart people can learn many things." The passage does not discuss the role of intelligence in learning, but rather the effectiveness of different practice methods.
Top Reading Comprehension MCQ Objective Questions
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
When we believe that our mind is thinking ______ thoughts at the same time, what actually is happening is that __________ thoughts are __________ in such quick ___________ so as to seem simultaneous.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 6 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is 'multiple, myriad, alternating, succession'.
Key Points
- Here, 'multiple' should be used in the first blank because after that a 'plural object' has been used.
- In the second blank, 'myriad' should be used because it means- A very large number of something.
- In the third blank, 'alternating' should be used.
- In the fourth blank, 'succession' should be used.
Hence, the correct answer is 'multiple, myriad, alternating, succession'.
Comprehension:
Read the given passage and answer the following questions:
At the turn of the 20th century, it is estimated that India probably had many thousands of tigers in the wild.
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Government of India, have been conducting tiger estimation surveys in partnership with NGOs. WWF-India was the key NGO partner of the WII and NTCA in conducting the comprehensive country-wide tiger estimation exercise in 2010-11, which revealed a mean tiger population estimate of 1,706.
Based on a census using the pug mark technique, the number of tigers in 2002 stood at 3,642. As per the 2014 tiger estimation exercise conducted by WII in association with the NTCA using camera traps, there were only 2,226 tigers left in the wild in India.
The tiger is not just a charismatic species or just another wild animal living in some far away forest. The tiger is a unique animal which plays a massive role in the health and diversity of an ecosystem. It is a top _______ which is at the apex of the food chain and keeps the population of wild hoofed mammals in check, thereby maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and the vegetation upon which they feed. Therefore, the presence of tigers in the forest is an indicator of the well being of the ecosystem. The extinction of this top predator is an indication that its ecosystem is vulnerable, and would not exist for long thereafter. If the tigers go extinct, it would bring down the entire system. For e.g. when the Dodos went extinct in Mauritius, one species of Acacia tree stopped regenerating completely. So when a species goes extinct, it leaves behind a scar, which affects the entire ecosystem. Another reason why we need to save the tiger is that our forests are water catchment areas.
Therefore, it’s not just about saving a beautiful animal. It is about making sure that we live a little longer as the forests are known to provide ecological services like clean air, water, pollination, temperature regulation etc.
Which of the following words is opposite in meaning to the word 'massive' ?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 7 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is option 5)
- Massive is about being heavy.
- Hefty, lumpish, ponderous, and substantial all give the same sense as massive so these are synonyms of massive.
- Flimsy means lacking in physical strength which gives the opposite sense.
The word India came from the Indus, called ______ in Sanskrit.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 8 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Sindhu.
Key Points
- The word Hindu is derived from the Sanskrit word Sindhu which is the local name for the Indus River. Hence option 3 is correct.
- Indus flows through the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent.
- Sindhu also means sea.
Additional Information
- The Indus River is historically famous in Asia.
- It is originated from the Tibetan Plateau and then flows through the Ladakh then entered into Pakistan and finally merge into the Arabian Sea after travelling a distance of 3180 km.
Important Points
|
Ancient Names |
Modern Names |
|
Kubhu |
Kurram |
|
Kubha |
Kabul |
|
Vitastata |
Jhelum |
|
Askini |
Chenab |
|
Purushni |
Ravi |
|
Shatudri |
Satluj |
|
Vipasha |
Beas |
|
Sadanira |
Gandak |
|
Drishdvati |
Ghaghara |
|
Gomti |
Gomal |
|
Suwastu |
Swat |
|
Indus |
Indus |
|
Saraswati / Drishtwarti |
Ghaghar/ Rakshi/Chittag |
|
Sushoma |
Sohan |
|
Marudvridha |
Maruvarman |
Comprehension:
Read the passage carefully and select the best answer to each question out of the given five alternatives.
The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Wednesday left policy rates unchanged at record low levels as it was still unsure about the sustainability of economic recovery due to the second wave of Covid-19 infections.
The central bank, however, announced a bond-buying calendar that will ensure that borrowers reap the benefits of a low-interest rate regime.
The repo rate, the main policy rate (it is the rate at which the RBI lends money to commercial banks), has been retained at 4 percent because the MPC wants to ensure that “the prospects of sustained recovery are well secured”. “The renewed jump in Covid-19 infections in certain parts of the country and the associated localized lockdowns could dampen the demand for contact-intensive services, restrain growth impulses, and prolong the return to normalcy. In such an environment, continued policy support remains necessary,” the MPC stated. India recently became the second country after the US to report daily fresh infections of over 100,000.
In Wednesday’s statement, the MPC retained its assessment of FY22 GDP growth of 10.5 percent. It also raised its projection for consumer price inflation a bit to 5.2 percent for the first half of the current fiscal year.
The RBI announced a government securities acquisition programme (GSAP), essentially a calendar of its bond-buying programme, starting with Rs 1 lakh crore of securities purchases in the first quarter of the current fiscal year.
This new GSAP programme will run along with the RBI’s regular open market operations and other liquidity management facilities, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das reiterated in a post-policy announcement interaction. Earlier, the central bank had committed that it would purchase not less than Rs 3 lakh crore of bond purchases in FY22.
Meanwhile, the rupee lost 1.5 percent Wednesday, its biggest single-day fall in 20 months, as the RBI laid out plans for the government bond-buying programme.
Government bond yields have been rising sharply since the Centre announced a big borrowing programme for the current fiscal. That, along with the rise in sovereign bond yields in the rest of the world, and inflation fears, meant that the yield on the 10-year benchmark government bond, an average of 5.93 percent between April 2020 and January 2021, had risen to a high of 6.25 percent in March.
Bond yields and prices move in opposite directions — when there is demand for bonds such as due to extra buying from RBI, bond prices go up while yields come down.
Government security yields represent the risk-free rate in the economy and act as a base for all other interest rates. Thus, between February and March-end, yields on AAA corporate bonds (the highest rated) increased by as much as 31 basis points, despite the RBI not increasing rates or withdrawing liquidity.
Corporate bond issuance in February at Rs 45,685 crore moderated from its peak of Rs 88,130 crore recorded in December 2020. In effect, the rising bond yields weakened the central bank’s easy monetary stance and it had to do something about it.
The RBI’s bond purchase calendar will give confidence to bond market participants that a huge supply of government borrowings will not drive up yields too much. It also supports the easy monetary policy stance at a time when the second wave adds to uncertainty about economic growth and inflation.
“The evolving CPI inflation trajectory is likely to be subjected to both upside and downside pressures,” said the MPC. It said that the bumper food grain production and imports should keep a lid on food prices but warned about high international commodity prices, increased logistics costs, and heightened inflation expectations of households as risk factors.
The central bank also extended measures to improve credit flow to the economy, some of which were introduced last year to fight the pandemic. It extended its long-term repo operations (lending money to banks), extended refinance facilities for NABARD and SIDBI to help MSMEs, and made it easier for banks to continue lending to sectors such as agriculture and MSMEs via NBFCs.
Choose the synonym of the word 'Restrain'.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 9 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Impede.
Key Points
- The meaning of 'Restrain' is 'prevent or stop'.
- The meaning of the word 'Impede' is 'prevent or delay'.
- Hence, the word 'Impede' is a synonym of the word 'Restrain'.
- Therefore, option 4) is the answer.
Additional Information
The meaning of the other given words:
| Words | Meaning |
| Compel | To force |
| Utter | To put into words |
| Constant | Persistent |
| Encourage | To inspire |
Comprehension:
A piano teacher described an interesting encounter she had had with a young lady who came to inquire about music lessons. The young lady asked her, “How long will this course take? My father tells me that it is in fashion now to be able to play musical instruments and that I should learn one quickly. I want something that will be quick, fast and easy like, like….” When the amused teacher explained that it would take a lifetime of meticulous practice to learn music, her face fell and, needless to say, she never came back.
The single most important factor that distinguishes those of us who succeed in any venture and those of us who don’t is this ‘instant coffee’ attitude. Most of us want results quickly. We want to reach the top immediately and get worked up when things go wrong. Perseverance and patience are forgotten words. We get upset, frustrated, and angry when a skill or activity requires us to put in a lot of effort and time. We get dejected and want to give it up.
But such thinking serves no good. For, it doesn’t solve the problem. Life is tough for those with an ‘instant coffee’ attitude.
Success, real success and happiness come to those who have a ‘bread-making’ attitude-those who are willing to knead the dough, wait for hours for it to rise, only to punch it down and knead some more, wait for another couple of hours for it to rise again, and then bake it before it is ready to be eaten. Nothing is instantaneous. For every endeavour – whether in the area of career, academics, music, sports, relationships, physical fitness or even in spirituality– it is a long, arduous journey.
Only if we are willing to put in the time, painstaking effort and have faith, can we get results. If we don’t accept this difficult-but-true fact of life, our lives will be far from being happy and fulfilling. For we may not make that extra effort which can change the course of life dramatically, for the good.
The major problems with these ‘instant coffee’ solutions are that they are invariably short-lived. If we stubbornly refuse to give up this search for quick solutions, all we do is end up on the wrong track.
Why did the young lady approach the piano teacher for music lessons?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 10 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is "It was considered fashionable to be able to play musical instruments".
Key Points
- The theme of the comprehension is that one needs perseverance and a patient attitude to learn piano and there are no instant lessons or shortcuts.
- In the given paragraph, if we look at the third line of the first paragraph.
- it states "My father tells me that it is in fashion now to be able to play musical instruments and that I should learn one quickly. I want something that will be quick, fast and easy like, like….”
Thus, the correct answer is option 1
Comprehension:
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
It is well accorded that COVID-19 extracts a huge toll on the mental health of patients and leaves behind a slew of neurological sequelae in its wake. However, what is alarming is the wide gamut of mental and neurological disorders seen even in those with milder symptoms. Such patients frequently reported being anxious, depressed and having difficulty in sleeping. A higher incidence of frank psychosis manifesting as disorganization of thought processes and personality disorders was also reported. Many survivors of COVID-19 had to battle substance abuse in its immediate aftermath. There was a steep increase in the amount of alcohol consumed by regular drinkers. Persons who had stopped smoking and consuming alcohol resumed their habit in disconcerting numbers.
The occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinsonism is concerning as this would bring long-term disability in the form of impaired mobility and memory decline. It has been hypothesized that the causative mechanism for many of the neurological conditions due to COVID-19 may be the direct invasion of the nervous system by the virus, an increased tendency to blood clotting or an exaggerated immune response by the body. Various other factors like pre-existing psychiatric illness, prolonged quarantine, perceived lack of organizational support, and social stigma are risk factors. Anxiety, Nervousness, and Post-traumatic stress disorder are often fuelled by fear of infecting other family members, physical distancing, loneliness, and ________ at home in cramped quarters.
The pandemic has radically transformed the way businesses function and services delivered. Remote working disrupts a healthy-work life balance. Face to face contact and human interactions which were considered so essential for emotional well-being has taken a backseat. Lack of comforting physical contact like shaking hands and hugging friends is stressful and disconcerting. Online classes and home-schooling have placed a gargantuan burden both on students and parents. Lack of access to reliable computer hardware and spotty internet connections, particularly in rural areas and in the economically backward have created a new class divide. Children have been deprived of co-curricular activities, participation in group events and sports which is essential for their holistic development. Mental stress and fatigue have increased manyfold due to the rigours imposed by virtual learning.
What is the synonym of the word gargantuan mentioned in the passage?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 11 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is: Enormous
Key Points
Let's look at the meaning of the given word.
- Gargantuan: Enormous.
Thus from the above meaning, it is clear that the correct answer is Enormous.
Additional Information
- Puny: small and weak.
- Miniscule: extremely small, tiny.
- Tepid: slightly warm; lukewarm.
- Opulent: costly and luxurious.
Comprehension:
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow:
Mosquitoes can transmit pathogens that cause many human diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika fever. Many of these diseases can be physically devastating and even fatal. For example, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are over 200 million new cases of malaria per year worldwide, resulting in over 400,000 deaths, most of them children under the age of 5. Zika fever is caused by a virus transmitted to humans primarily by the bite of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Symptoms in infected human adults are typically mild, but if the virus infects a pregnant woman it can be transmitted to the developing fetus and affect brain development, causing a condition called microcephaly. To reduce the number of A. aegypti mosquitoes that may carry Zika virus, researchers at a biotechnology company called Oxitec have produced genetically modified (GM) A. aegypti mosquitoes that when released into the wild, mate with wild mosquitoes, and any offspring produced die before becoming adults.
The fluorescence gene is used to_________ GM mosquitoes. The lethality gene, which is more accurately called tetracycline transcriptional activator variant (or tTAV), encodes a protein that blocks transcription of several other genes that are essential to mosquito development. GM mosquito larvae that produce the tTAV protein die before reaching maturity. However, the tTAV protein cannot prevent the transcription of other genes when it is bound to the antibiotic tetracycline. Therefore, tetracycline acts as a repressor of the lethality gene, or, in other words, its antidote. In the lab, the GM mosquito larvae are reared in water containing tetracycline and develop normally into adult mosquitoes. When adult GM mosquitoes are released into the wild and breed with wild, non-GM mosquitoes, their offspring inherit the lethality gene. Without tetracycline in the environment to protect them, the offspring die.
In one study, Oxitec scientists released GM mosquitoes into a neighborhood in Brazil. Sustained release over the course of a year led to a reduction of the local Aedes aegypti population by 80% to 95% according to different measures (Carvalho et al., 2015). The scientists chose densely populated neighborhoods for their study because mosquito-borne diseases can spread most easily in areas where lots of humans and mosquitoes are present. They hypothesized that if they could reduce both the population size of the A. aegypti mosquitoes and the mosquito population density, they would reduce the probability that a person becomes infected with a pathogen spread by these mosquitoes. (An activity that shows how scientists measure mosquito density, based on data from Oxitec scientists, is available on the BioInteractive website as “Tracking Genetically Modified Mosquitoes.”)
Which of these is antonym to the the word 'sustained' given in the passage?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 12 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFSporadic - this is the most appropriate option.
Sustained means maintained at length without interruption or weakening: LASTING, PROLONGED, meaning of the rest of the words are given below.
nourished: to promote the growth of.
Sporadic: occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances.
relieved: experiencing or showing relief especially from anxiety or pent-up emotions.
Sporadic is the most appropriate option.
Comprehension:
Direction: Read the following passage and answer the following questions:
This is a story that explains how adversity is met differently by different people. There was a girl named Asha who lived with her mother and father in a village. One day, her father assigned her a simple task. He took three vessels filled with boiling water. He placed an egg in one vessel, a potato in the second vessel, and some tea leaves in the third vessel. He asked Asha to keep an eye on the vessels for about ten to fifteen minutes while the three ingredients in three separate vessels boiled. After some time, he asked Asha to peel the potato and egg and strain the tea leaves. Asha was left puzzled – she understood her father was trying to explain something, but she didn’t know what it was.
Her father explained, “All three items were put in the same circumstances. See how they’ve responded differently.” He said that the potato turned soft, the egg turned hard, and the tea leaves changed the colour and taste of the water. He further said, “We are all like one of these items. When adversity calls, we respond exactly the way they do. Now, are you a potato, an egg, or tea leaves? You have to decide that” Her father was a wise man and he tried to explain a lesson of life to his daughter with live demonstrations.
What is the synonym of the word "Demonstrations"?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 13 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is Presentations.
Key Points
- Let us the meaning of the word 'Demonstrations'.
- Demonstrations: acts of showing that something exists or is true by giving proof or evidence.
- Let us look at a sentence with the word 'Demonstrations'.
- His demonstrations of the need for computer corpora in language study are convincing.
- Thus, 'Presentations' is the synonym of 'Demonstrations'.
Additional Information
- Let us see the meanings of other words in the options.
Word
Meaning
Confusions
uncertainties about what is happening, intended, or required.
Dramas plays for theatre, radio, or television.
Lessons periods of learning or teaching.
Comprehension:
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow.
It is well accorded that COVID-19 extracts a huge toll on the mental health of patients and leaves behind a slew of neurological sequelae in its wake. However, what is alarming is the wide gamut of mental and neurological disorders seen even in those with milder symptoms. Such patients frequently reported being anxious, depressed and having difficulty in sleeping. A higher incidence of frank psychosis manifesting as disorganization of thought processes and personality disorders was also reported. Many survivors of COVID-19 had to battle substance abuse in its immediate aftermath. There was a steep increase in the amount of alcohol consumed by regular drinkers. Persons who had stopped smoking and consuming alcohol resumed their habit in disconcerting numbers.
The occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinsonism is concerning as this would bring long-term disability in the form of impaired mobility and memory decline. It has been hypothesized that the causative mechanism for many of the neurological conditions due to COVID-19 may be the direct invasion of the nervous system by the virus, an increased tendency to blood clotting or an exaggerated immune response by the body. Various other factors like pre-existing psychiatric illness, prolonged quarantine, perceived lack of organizational support, and social stigma are risk factors. Anxiety, Nervousness, and Post-traumatic stress disorder are often fuelled by fear of infecting other family members, physical distancing, loneliness, and ________ at home in cramped quarters.
The pandemic has radically transformed the way businesses function and services delivered. Remote working disrupts a healthy-work life balance. Face to face contact and human interactions which were considered so essential for emotional well-being has taken a backseat. Lack of comforting physical contact like shaking hands and hugging friends is stressful and disconcerting. Online classes and home-schooling have placed a gargantuan burden both on students and parents. Lack of access to reliable computer hardware and spotty internet connections, particularly in rural areas and in the economically backward have created a new class divide. Children have been deprived of co-curricular activities, participation in group events and sports which is essential for their holistic development. Mental stress and fatigue have increased manyfold due to the rigours imposed by virtual learning.
Choose the most appropriate option to fill in the blank for the sentence given below.
Anxiety, Nervousness, and Post-traumatic stress disorder are often fuelled by fear of infecting other family members, physical distancing, loneliness, and ________ at home in cramped quarters.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 14 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is: Confinement.
Key Points
Let's look at the meaning of the correct answer.
- Confinement: The action of confining or the state of being confined.
- The given sentence talks about state of confinement people experience while staying home.
Therefore the correct answer is Confinement.
Comprehension:
Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the questions by selecting the correct/most appropriate options:
Increased time constraints and the need for convenience in raising children appear to offset parents' concerns about the future when it comes to their carbon footprints, according to new research by University of Wyoming economists and a colleague in Sweden.
UW's Jason Shogren and Linda Thunstrom, along with Jonas Nordstrom of the Lund University School of Economics and Management, have documented that two-adult households with children emit over 25 percent more carbon dioxide than two-adult households without children. Their research appears April 15 in PLOS One, a journal published by the Public Library of Science.
"While having children makes people focus more on the future and, presumably, care more about the environment, our study suggests that parenthood does not cause people to become 'greener,'" Shogren and Thunstrom say. "In fact, the difference in CO2 emissions between parents and non-parents is substantial, and that's primarily because of increased transportation and food consumption changes." The study involved an analysis of expenditures on goods and services by households in Sweden. The researchers found that parents with children at home consume goods and services that emit CO2 in the areas of food, such as meat, and transportation, such as gasoline, at higher rates than childless households.
The economists note that time constraints become more binding, and convenience may become more important when people have children." Parents may need to be in more places in one day," resulting in people driving themselves instead of using public transportation or bicycling, the researchers wrote. "They also need to feed more people. Eating more pre-prepared, red meat carbon-intensive meals may add convenience and save time."The disparity in the carbon footprints of Swedish households with and without children is particularly striking, as concerns about climate change are more pronounced in Sweden than most other developed countries. Most Swedes believe climate change is real and have accepted sizable CO2 taxes, and households with children are subsidized, which helps to alleviate some of the time crunches for parents. Sweden has generous parental leave and subsidized daycare, and parents have a legal right to reduced work hours.
"If we're finding these results in Sweden, it's pretty safe to assume that the disparity in carbon footprints between parents and nonparents is even bigger in most other Western countries," Thunstrom says -- though she notes that Sweden also has one of the world's highest female labour participation rates, which may add to the time constraints of household with children. "Becoming a parent can transform a person -- he or she thinks more about the future and worries about future risks imposed on their children and progeny," Shogren says. "But, while having children might be transformational, our results suggest that parents' concerns about climate change do not cause them to be 'greener' than non-parent adults."
Choose the word which is most nearly the SIMILAR in meaning to the word 'Striking' as highlighted in the passage.
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Reading Comprehension Question 15 Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is 'Catchy'
Key Points
Let's see the meanings of the given words-
- Striking (adjective.)→ Noticeable or very unusual or easily noticed, and therefore attracting a lot of attention
- For e.g.- The contrast is striking, and it is not difficult to understand.
- Catchy (adjective)-> likely to attract interest or attention: a catchy title for a movie.
- For e.g.- The songs were both catchy and original.
- Thus according to the above-mentioend meaning of both words, the option is correct and therefore the answer.
Additional Information
- Dull→ It is an adjective that means 'lacking interest or excitement
- Punishment→ It is a noun that means 'the action of punishing someone.'
- Shining→ excel at something it is a present participle
- Spanking→ A slap or a series of slap.
Hence, according to the meaning of the given words, the correct answer is 'Catchy'