English comprehension Passage

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PASSAGE- 12 –

Why don’t I have a telephone? No because I pretend to be wise or pose as unusual. There are two chief reasons: because I don’t really like the telephone, and because I find I can still work and play, eat, breathe, and sleep without it. Why don’t I like the telephone? because I think it is a pest and time waster. It may create unnecessary suspense and anxiety, as when you wait for an expected call, that doesn’t come; or irritating delay, as when you keep ringing a number that is always engaged. As for speaking in a public telephone booth, it seems to me really horrible. you
would not use it unless you were in a hurry, and because you are in a hurry, you will find other people waiting before you. When you do get into the booth, you are half suffocated by the stale, unventilated air, flavored with cheap face powder and chain smoking; and by the time you have began your conversation your back is chilled by the cold looks of somebody who is moving about restlessly to make your place. Ifyou have a telephone in your house, you will admit that ittends to ring when you least want it to ring; when you are asleep, or in the middle of a meal or a conversation, or when you are just going out, or when you are in your bath. Are you strong minded enough to ignore it, to say to yourself.” Ah well, it will be all the same in hundred years time”. You are not. You think there may be some important news or message for you. Have you never rushed dropping from the bath, of chewing from the table, or dazed from bed, only to be told that you are a wrong number? You were told the truth. In my opinion all telephone numbers are wrong numbers. If] of course, your telephone rings and you decide not to answer it, then you will have to listen to an idiotic bell ringing and ringing in what is supposed to be the privacy of your own home. You might as well buy a bicycle bell and ring it yourself.

56. The author does not have a telephone because :

(a) he pretends to be wise

(b) he poses as unusual

(d) he thinks that it can create unnecessary suspense and anxiety.

57. He hates speaking in a public telephone booth because :
(a) itis costlier
(b) he is suffocated by the stale, unventilated air, flavoured
(c)with cheap face power and chain-smoking
others look at him angrily
(d)the other side may not know your number
58. your back is chilled by the cold look of somebody means:
(a) other look at you angrily
(b) you feel cold at the back
(c) you feel uneasy because the person next in the queue looks at you restlessly
(d) people are very cold.
59. ‘Ah well, it will be all the same in hundred years time’. This sentence means:
(a) Nothing is going to change even if you don’t answer the telephone bell.
(b) Things have not changed for the past
100 years.
(¢) Things will remain the same for 100 years to come.
(d) One should be strong minded. Reading Comprehension

60. ‘All telephone numbers are wrong numbers’, because :

(a) the author always gets wrong calls

(b) whenever he tries it always goes wrong.

(d) None of the statements given above.

PASSAGE-13
(Question Nos. 61-65)
Pidgins are languages that are not, acquired as mother tongues and that are used for a restricted set of communicative functions.
They are formed from a mixture of languages and have a limited vocabulary and a simplified grammar. Pidgins serve as a means of communication between speakers of mutually unintelligible languages and may become essential, in multilingual areas. A creole develops from a pidgin when the pidgin becomes the mother tongue of the community. To cope with the consequent expansion of communicative functions, the vocabulary is
increased and the grammar becomes more complex. Where a creole and the standard variety of English coexist, as in the Carribbean,
there is a continuum from the most extreme form of creole to the form that is closest to the standard language. Linguists mark off the relative positions on the creole continuum as the “basilect’ (the furthest from the standard language), the ‘mesolect’ and the ‘acrolet’. In such situations, most creole speakers can vary their speech along the continuum and many are also competent in the standard English of their country. (SSC CGL 2m Sit. 2013)

61. A pidgin develops in a situation when

(a) Different and mutually unintelligible languages exist side by side
(b) A creole becomes the mother tongue of a linguistic community

(c) A language with restricted vocabulary undergoes an expansion in grammar and vocabulary
(d) Two similar languages are mixed to create a new language.
62. According to the given passage, a pidgin becomes a creole when.

(a)It ceases to be a means of communication
(b)It becomes the mother tongue for a new generation of speakers
(c)Its vocabulary undergoes some kind of change
(d) Two or more languages are mixed with an existing pidgin

63. According to the passage, a creole continuum is
(a) A linguistic term for the mixture of more than two languages
(b) A scale which measures the linguistic competence of the speaker.
(¢) A scale in which the proximity of the creole to the standard language is measured
(d) A record of the continuous history of a creole

64. According to the passage ‘basilect’ means
(a) An impure form of a creole

(b) A form of creole which is furthest from the standard language
(c) A form ofcreole which has an extended vocabulary
(d) A form of creole which is very close to the standard language
65. Find out a word in the passage which is opposite in meaning to the word – “Simplified”
(a) Complex
(b) Expansion
(c) Restricted
(d) Consequent

PASSAGE-14
(Question Nos. 66-70)
There were four of us – George and William Samuel Harris, and myself, and Montmorency. We were sitting in my room, smoking and talking about “how bad were – bad from a medical point of view | mean, of course.

We were all feeling seedy and we were getting quite nervous about it. Harris said he felt such extraordinary fits of giddiness come over him at times, that he hardly knew what he was doing and then George said that he had fits of giddiness too, and hardly knew what he was doing. With me, it was my liver that was out of order. I knew it was my liver that was out of order, because I had just been reading a patent liver-pill circular, in which were detailed the various symptoms by which a man could tell when his liver was out of order. I had them all.

It is a most extraordinary thing, but I never read a patent medicine advertisement without being impelled to the conclusion that I am suffering from the particular disease therein dealth with in its most virulent form. The diagnosis seems in every case to correspond exactly with all the sensations that I have ever felt.
66. The four felt down and out because

(a) the room was too smoky

(b) they could never read a patent medicine advertisement

(d) they had experienced a most extraordinary thing

67. Whenever the speaker read a liver pill circular

(a) he suffered from an extraordinary surge of giddiness

(b) he felt sure that he had a liver disorder

(d) All of the above

68. The author of the above passage seems to be suffering

(a) fits of morbid depression without real cause

(b) an abnormal anxiety about his health
(b) melancholia

69. Harris was troubled by
(a) a symptom of vertigo
(b) garrulity
(c) tribulation
(d) frailty

70. The word which is closest in meaning to virulent is

(a) fantastic

(b) vital
(c) viral

(d) hostile

PASSAGE-15

DIRECTIONS (Qs. 71-80) : In these questions, vou have a passage with 10 questions. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four. The postmaster first took up his duties in the village of Ulapur. Though the village was a small one, there was an indigo factory nearby and the proprietor, an Englishman, had managed to get a post office established.

Our postmaster belonged to Calcutta. He felt like a fish out of water in this remote village. His office and living-room were in a dark thatched shed, not far from a green, silmy pond, surrounded on all sides by a dense growth.

The men employed in the indigo factory had no leisure,
moreover they were hardly desirable companions for decent folk. Nor is a Calcutta boy an adept in the art of associating with others. Among strangers, he appears either proud or ill at ease. At any rate the postmaster had but little company, nor had he much to do.

At times he tried his hand at writing a verse or two. That the movement of the leaves and clouds of the sky were enough to fill life with joy – such were the sentiments to which he sought to give expression. But God knows that the poor fellow would have
felt it as the gift of a new life, if some genie ofthe Arabian Nights had in one night swept away the trees, leaves and all, and replaced them with a macadamised road, hiding the clouds from view with rows of tall houses. (SSC CGL 1% Sit. 2013)

71. The adjective used to describe the postmaster’s living-room is
(a) bright

(b) dark

(d) deep

72. What does the phrase ill at ease’ in the passage mean?

(a) Forward

(b) Disease

(d) Uneasy

73. What does the phrase ‘little company’ in the passage mean?

(a) Bad friendship

(b) Hardly any friends
(c) Small business

(d) Business-like

74. At times, the postmaster wrote

(a) poems

(b) novels
(c) short stories

(d) dramas

75. The postmaster wrote on the

(a) beauty of nature
(b) beauty of himself
(c) beauty of the weather
(d) beauty of the village

76. The word ‘genie’ means

(a) monster (b) spirit
(c) ghost (d) soul

77. Which factory was situated near the village Ulapur?

(a) Chemical (b) Rubber
(c) Clothes (d) Dyes

78. What does the idiom ‘fish out of water’ suggest?

(a) Inunfamiliar surroundings
(b) can die any moment

79. Find a word in the passage which is the opposite of near’.

(a) Convenient (b) Unknown
(c) Close (d) Remote

80. Find a word in the passage which means ‘the owner of a business’.

(a) Constructor
(b) Entrepreneur

(b) Businessman
(d) Proprietor

PASSAGE-16

The stunning Baltimore Oriole is a common summer visitor to eastern and mid western deciduous woodlands, neighbour hoods, and gardens. Baltimore Orioles winter in the tropics. About 7 inches in length, the male Baltimore Oriole has a black head, throat, back and wings. [ts breast, stomach, and rump are bright orange. It also has an orange patch on the top of each wing and white wing bars. The tail is mostly black with orange fringes. The female is dull orange throughout.

Baltimore Orioles range throughout the eastern and mid western United States, and can be found as far west as the Dakotas. At the western edge of their range, Baltimore Orioles may breed with the Bullock’s Oriole (They were once considered the same species under the name Northern Oriole).

Baltimore Orioles build unusual pouch like nests that hang down from branches. They usually nest high in the trees, but often come down to lower heights, flashing bright orange and black feathers to delighted observers Active and acrobatic by nature, Baltimore Orioles may even feed upside down at time.

Baltimore Orioles eat insects and berries. They can easily be attracted to gardens by nailing orange wedges to tree branches. Baltirmore Orioles are also known to feed at hummingbird feeders and sapsucker wells.

(SSC CGL 1% Sit. 2013)

81. The other name of Baltimore Oriole was .

(a) Bullock’s Oriole

(b) Baltimore’s Oriole

(d) Southern Oriole

82. The nest ofthe Baltimore Oriole .

(a) isin a tree cavity

(b) stands upon a branch of a tree

(d) is usually low in the branches

83. Which of the following is the closest in size to a Baltimore Oriole ?

(a) The size ofa half-scale
(b) A little more than a half-scale
(c) Alittle less than a half-scale
(d) A foot ruler

84.The Baltimore Oriole spend the winters in the

(a) Dakotas

(b) Carolinas

(d) Deserts

85. What is the colour of the female Baltimore Oriole ?
(a) Bright Orange

(b) LightOrange

(d) White

86.Which of the following does not attract the Baltimore Oriole?

(a) Oranges
(b) Hummingbird feeders
(c) Sapsueker wells
(d) Sunflower seeds

87.The Baltimore Oriole can be found as far west as

(a) North and South Dakota
(b) The Carolinas

88. Which ofthe following is not true about the Baltimore Oriole?

(a) They feed upside down sometimes.
(b) They may breed with the Bullock’s Oriole.
(c) The Baltimore Oriole is uncommon in the U.S.
(d) The Baltimore Oriole has a black throat.

89.Where would I probably not find a Baltimore Oriole ?

(a) High in the trees
(b) In gardens and neighbourhoods
(¢) Deciduous woodlands
(d) The Sahara desert

90.Which of these colours is not found on a Baltimore Oriole?

(a) Purple

(b) Orange
(c) White

(d) Black

DIRECTIONS (Qs. 91-100): You have a passage with 10
questions. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer
to each question out of the four alternatives.

PASSAGE 17

(CYBERBOGEYS)

The cyber—world is ultimately ungovernable. This is alarming as well as convenient; sometimes, convenient because alarming. Some Indian politicians use this to great advantage. When there is an obvious failure in governance during a crisis they deflect attention from their own incompetence towards the ungovernable. So, having failed to prevent nervous citizens from fleeing their cities of work by assuring them of proper protection, some national leaders are now busy trying to prove to one another, and to panic-prone Indians, that a mischievous neighbor has been using the internet and social networking sites to spread dangerous rumor’s. And the Centre’s automatic reaction is to start blocking these sites and begin elaborate and potentially endless negotiations with Google, Twitter and Facebook about access to information. this is the official idea of prompt action at a time of crisis among communities, then Indians have more reason to fear their protectors than the nebulous mischief-makers of the cyber world. Wasting time gathering proof, blocking vaguely suspicious websites, hurling accusations across the border and worrying about bilateral relations are ways of keeping busy with inessentials because one does not quite know what to do about the essentials of a difficult situation. Besides, only a fifth of the 245 websites blocked by the Centre mention the people of the Northeast or the violence in Assam. And if a few morphed images and spurious texts can unsettle an entire nation, then there is something deeply wrong with the nation and with how it is being
governed. This is what its leaders should be addressing immediately, rather than making a wrongheaded display of their powers of censorship.

It is just as absurd, and part of the same syndrome, to try to ban Twitter accounts that parody dispatches from the Prime Minister’s Office. To describe such forms of humor and dissent as “misrepresenting” the PMO-as if Twitter would take these parodies for genuine dispatches from the PMO — makes the PMO look more ridiculous than its parodists manage to. With the precedent for such action set recently by the chief minister of West Bengal, this is yet another proof that what Bengal thinks today India will think tomorrow. Using the cyber—world for flexing the wrong muscles is essentially not funny. It might even prove to be quite dangerously distracting.

(SSC CGL 1* Sit. 2013)

91. According to the passage, the cyber-world is

(a) beyond the imagination of people
(b) outside the purview of common people
(c) not to be governed
(d) ungovernable

92. The author is of the opinion that

(a) thecentre should start negotiations with Google, Twitter and Facebook
(b) the centre should help the citizens evacuate their city
(c) the centre should not block the sites
(d) the centre should arrest the guilty

93. Which of the following is closest to the meaning of ‘nebulous’?

(a) confused

(b) vague

(d) glowing

94. The author’s seriousness regarding the situation can best be described in the following sentences. Pick the odd one out.

(a) Our leaders should display their powers of censorship when needed.

(b) If this is the official idea of prompt action at a time of crisis among communities, then Indians have more
reason to fear their protectors than the nebulous
mischief maker of the cyber-world.

(d) If a few morphed images and spurious texts can unsettle an entire nation, then there is something deeply wrong with the nation.

95. The word ‘spurious’ means

(a) genuine

(b) authentic
(c) substantial

(d) fake

96. The author warns us against.

(a) not playing false with the citizens
(b) dangers inherent in the cyber-world
(c) not using the cyber-world judiciously
(d) not protecting the citizens from dangerous politicians

97. ‘Parody’ means

(a) twist

(b) jeopardize

(d) imitate

98. What is the opposite of ‘wrong headed?

(a) silly

(b) sane

(d) insensible

99. The passage suggests different ways of keeping the public busy with ‘inessentials’. Pick the odd one out.

(a) By blocking websites which are vaguely suspicious
(b) By blaming neighboring countries across the border
(c) By turning the attention of the people to violence in
Assam
(d) By getting involved in a discourse on bilateral relations.

100. The following is a list of statements made by the author of the above passage. Pick the odd one out.

(a) It is absurd to ban Twitter accounts that parody dispatches from the Prime Minister’s Office

(b) Twitter take these parodies for genuine dispatches from the PMO

(d) The precedent for such action was set recently by the chief minister of West Bengal

PASSAGE-18

(Question Nos. 101-105)
As I stepped out of the train, I felt unusually solitary since I was the only passenger to alight. was accustomed to arriving in the summer, when holiday-makers throng coastal resorts and this was my first visit when the season was over. My destination was a little village which was eight miles by road. It took only a few
minutes for me to come to the foot of the cliff path. When I reached the top | had left all signs of habitation behind me. I was surprised to notice that the sky was already a flame with the sunset. It seemed to be getting dark amazingly quickly. I was at a loss to account for the exceptionally early end of daylight since I did not
think I had walked unduly slowly. Then I recollected that on previous visits I had walked in high summer and how it was October.

All at once it was night. The track was grassy and even in daylight showed up hardly at all. I was terrified of hurtling over the edge of the cliff to the rocks below. I felt my feet squelching and sticking in something soggy. Then I bumped into a little clump of trees that loomed up in front of me. I climbed up the nearest trunk and managed to find a tolerabley comfortable fork to sit on. The waiting was spent by my attempts to identify the little stirrings and noises of animal life that I could hear. I grew colder and colder and managed to sleep only in uneasy fitful starts. At last when the moon came up [ was on my way again.

(SSC CGL 1% Sit. 2014)

101. The writer felt unusually solitary because

(a) hewas feeling very lonely without his family.
(b) he was missing the company of other holiday-makers.
(c) his destination was a little village eight miles away.

(d) there was no one to meet him.

102. “1left all signs of habitation behind me.” This means that he

(a) came to a place where there were very few houses.
(b) was in front of a large collection of cottages.
(c) had come very far from places where people lived.
(d) had just passed a remote village.

103. It became darker than the writer expected because

(a) the nights are shorter in autumn than in summer.
(b) the nights are longer in October than mid summer.(c) the train arrived later than usual.
(d) he had walked unduly slowly.

104.The writer found it difficult to keep to the path because of

(a) the darkness and narrowness of the path.

(b) poor visibility and grassy track.

(d) poor visibility and dew on grass.

105. When he settled himself on the fork of the tree, the writer

(a) had a sound sleep.
(b) was disturbed by noises of animals.
(c) was too afraid to sleep.
(d) tried to sleep but without much success.

PASSAGE-I9

(Question Nos. 106-110)

It is sad that in country after country, progress should become synonymous with an assault on nature. We who are a part of nature and dependent on her for every need, speak constantly about ‘exploiting’ nature. When the highest mountain in the world was climbed in 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru objected to the phrase ‘conquest of Everest’ which he thought was arrogant. Is it surprising that this lack of consideration and the constant need
to prove one’s superiority should be projected on to our treatment of our fellowmen? | remember Edward Thompson, a British writer and a good friend of India, once telling Mr. Gandhi that wildlife was fast disappearing. Remarked Mr. Gandhi: ‘It is decreasing in the jungles but it is increasing in the towns’

On the one hand, the rich look askance at our continuing poverty; on the other they warn us against their own methods. We do not wish to impoverish the environment any further and yet we cannot forget the grim poverty of large numbers of people. Are not poverty and need the great polluters? For instance, unless we are in a position to provide employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities of the tribal people and those who live in and around our jungles, we cannot prevent them from combing the forest for food and livelihood, from poaching and from despoiling the vegetation.

106. At the beginning of the passage, the writer expresses her opinion that in many countries progress is synonymous with.

(a) development.

(b) utmost care for nature.
(c) a balanced treatment of nature.
(d) utmost cruelty to nature.

107. In the passage, the term exploiting’ nature suggests

(a) regretfulness.
(b) sarcasm.
(¢) destructive urge of man.
(d) greed of man.

108. Nehru objected to the phrase “conquest of Everest’ since

(a) itcarriesa war-like connotation.
(b) it sounds pompous and boastful.
(c) itdepicts Everest as a victim.
(d) Everest is unconquerable.

109. Gandhi’s statement ‘It is decreasing in the jungles but it is increasing in the towns.!’

(a) Refers to wild animals’ decrease in the jungle.
(b) Refers to flora and fauna.
(¢) Refers to man’s selfishness.
(d) Isa satirical comparison of man’s callousness to the
animals.

110. The writer is of opinion that tribal people can be prevented from combing forest for food

(a) to provide employment

(b) to increase purchasing power

(d) to provide employment and purchasing power for daily necessities.

PASSAGE-20

(Question Nos. 111-115)

The instinctive, natural way to express anger is to respond aggressively. Anger is a natural, adaptive response to threats; It inspires powerful, often aggressive, feelings and behaviours, which allow us to fight and to defend ourselves when we are attacked. On the other hand, we can’t physically lash out at every person or object that irritates or annoys us; laws, social norms and common sense place limits on how far our anger can take us. People use a variety of both conscious and unconscious processes to deal with their angry feelings. The three main approaches are expressing, suppressing and calming. Expressing your angry feelings in an assertive — not aggressive manner is the healthiest way to express anger. Being assertive doesn’t ‘ mean being ‘pushy or demanding; it means being respectful of yourself and others. Anger can be suppressed and then converted or redirected. This
happens when you hold in your anger, stop thinking about it and focus on something positive.

(SSC CGL 1+ Sit. 2015)

111. How does a person naturally express anger?

(a) By inspiring powerful feelings
(b) By responding aggressively
(c) By defending oneself
(d) By adapting strong behaviour.

112.Which one of the following places limits on how far we can take our anger?

(a) Behaviour

(b) Feelings
(c) Instinct

(d) Law

113.According to the author, how should people deal with their anger?

(a) Express it assertively
(b) Express it aggressively
(c) Expressing consciously
(d) Expressing unconsciously

114.What does the author mean by being assertive?

(a) Being pushy

(b) Being demanding
(c) Being respectful

(d) Being calm

115.How, according to the author, can one suppress anger ?

(a) By holding one’s anger.
(b) By thinking about one’s anger
(c) By converting anger.
(d) Byredirecting anger.

PASSAGE-21

(Question Nos. 116-120)

The crowd surged forward through the narrow streets of Paris There was a clatter of shutters being closed hastily by trembling hands the citizens of Paris knew that once the fury of the people was excited there was no telling what they might do. They came to an old house which had a workshop on the ground floor. A head popped out of the door to see what it was all about “Get him! Get Thimonier! Smash his devilish machines!” yelled the crowd.

They found the workshop without its owner. M. Thimonier had escaped by the back door. Now the fury of the demonstrators turned against the machines that were standing in the shop, ready to be delivered to buyers. They were systematically broken up and destroyed — dozens of them. Only when the last wheel and spindle had “been trampled under foot did the infuriated crowd recover their senses.

“That is the end of M’Sieur Thimonier and his sewing
machines,” they said to one another and went home satisfied. Perhaps now they would find work, for they were all unemployed tailors and seamstresses who believed that their livelihood was threatened by that new invention.

116. The passage throws light on

(a) why inventions should be avoided.

(b) how a well meant invention can be misunderstood
(c) what mischief’an inventor can do to ordinary people.
(d) how dangerous an invention can be.

117.The crowd was protesting against

(a) the closings of workshops.

(b) the misdoings of Thimonier.

(d) Thimonier for keeping the invention a secret

118.The aim of the crowd was to

(a) kill Thimonier

(b) drive Thimonier away

(d) destroy the sewing machines

119.The people thought that

(a) their lives were in danger.

(b) Thimonier was mad.

(d) they would be deprived of their livelihood.

120.Shutters were being closed because the shopkeepers

(a) wanted to attack the crowd.

(b) wanted to protect Thimonier.

PASSAGE 22

True, it is the function of the army to maintain law and order in abnormal times. But in normal times, there is another force that compels citizens to obey laws and to act with due regard to the rights of others. The force also protects the lives and properties of law abiding men. Laws are made to secure the personal safety
of its subjects and to prevent murder and crimes of violence. They are made to secure the property of the citizens against theft and damage and to protect the rights of communities and castes to carry out their customs and ceremonies, so long as they do not conflict with the rights of others. Now the good citizen, of his own free will obey these laws and he takes care that everything he does is done with due regard to the rights and well being of others.

But the bad citizen is only restrained from breaking these laws by fear of the consequence of his actions. And the necessary steps to compel the bad citizen to act as a good citizen are taken by this force. The supreme control of law and order in a State is in the hands of a Minister, who is responsible to the State Assembly and
acts through the Inspector General of Police.

(SSC CGL 14 Sit. 2015)

121. The expression “customs and ceremonies” means :

(a) habits and traditions

(b) fairs and festivals

(d) usual practices and religious rites

122.”They are made to secure the property of citizens against theft and damage” means that the law :

(a) Safeguards people’s possessions against being stolen or lost

(b) Initiates process against offenders of law

(d) Assists the citizens whose property has been stolen or destroyed.

123.Which one of the following statement is implied in the passage ?

(a) The police hardly succeed in converting bad citizens into good ones.

(b) Criminals, who flout the law; are seldom brought to book

(d) The police check the citizens, whether they are good or bad, from violating the law.

124.According to the writer, which one of the following is not the responsibility of the police ?

(a) To check violent activities of citizens.

(b) To maintain peace during extraordinary circumstances.

(d) To ensure peace among citizens by safeguarding individual rights

125.Which of the following statements is not implied in the passage ?

(a) Law protects those who respect it.

(b) A criminal is deterred from committing crimes only for fear of the law.

(d) Law ensures people’s religious and social rights absolutely ad unconditionally.

PASSAGE 23

Journalists argue over functions of a newspaper. | feel that a provincial paper’s purpose is not only to present and project the news objectively and imaginatively, but to help its readers to express themselves more effectively, canalizing their aspirations, making more articulate their demands. A newspaper should reflect
the community it serves— warts and all. When the mirror is held to society it reveals neglect, injustice, ignorance or complacency. It should help to eradicate them. It would be pretentious to think that a newspaper can change the course of world affairs but at the local limit it can exert influence, it can probe, it can help get things done. The individual’s voice must not be stifled. Instead, the readers should be encouraged to express their opinions, fears, hopes, and or their grievances on this platform.
(SSC CGL 1% Sit. 2015)

126. How can the readers air their grievances ?

(a) By being complacent.

(b) By supporting the local newspaper

(d) By writing to their local newspaper

127. What is the main purpose of a newspaper?

(a) Project news objectively and imaginatively
(b) To present facts in a blunt way
(¢) Exertinfluence on the individuals
(d) Encourage the readers to be pretentious

128. The expression “warts and all” in the passage means :
(a) hopes and fears
(b) the reader’s grievances
(c) with no attempt to conceal blemishes and inadequacies
(d) the community’s problems

129. How can a newspaper influence local affairs ?

(a) By probing in the ills of society and rallying support for change
(b) By encouraging the readers to accept their grievances
(c) By focusing on world affairs
(d) By influencing public opinion through half truths.

130. In this passage the writer highlights the fact that :

(a) A newspaper should reflect the community it serves
(b) A newspaper should only concentrate on local affairs
(c) Journalists differ in their opinion on the function of a newspaper
(d) Newspaper can eradicate injustice

PASSAGE 24

The first working steam powered vehicle was designed and most likely built by Ferdinand Verbies, a Flemish member ofa Jesuit mission in China around 1672. It was a 65 cm long scale-model toy for the Chinese Emperor, that was unable to carry a driver or a passenger. It is not known if Verbiest’s model was ever built. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot is widely credited with building the first full-scale, self propelled mechanical vehicle or automobile in about 1769, he also created a steam-powered tricycle. He constructed two steam tractors for the French Army, one of which is preserved in the French National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. His inventions were however handicapped by problems of water supply and maintaining steam pressure. In 1801, Richard Trevithick built and demonstrated his
Puffing Devil road locomotive, believed by many to be the first demonstration of a steam-powered road vehicle. It was unable to maintain sufficient steam pressure for long periods. Sentiment against steam-powered road vehicles led to the Locomotive Acts of 1865. In 1807 Nicephore Niepce and his brother Claude probably created the world’s first internal combustion engine which they called Pyreolophore.

(SSC CGL 1* Sit. 2016)

131. The first full-scale, working steam powered tricycle was built by:

(a) Verbiest

(b) Cugnot

(d) Niepce

132. Cugnot built steam tractors for:

(a) The Chinese Emperor
(b) The French Army
(c) The Jesuit mission
(d) The French Conservatory

133. The problem with Trevithick’s Puffing Devil was:

(a) Its incapability to carry a driver or a passenger
(b) With the water supply
(c) Its inability to maintain steam pressure
(d) Its combustion engine

134. What is meant by “Sentiment” in the context of the given paragraph?

(a) Depression

(b) Fascination

(c) Celebration

(d) Resentment

135. The Pyreolophore was

(a) A self-propelled mechanical vehicle
(b) A steam-powered tricycle
(c) A steam tractor
(d) The name of the world’s first internal combustion engine

DIRECTIONS (Qs. 136-140) : 4 passage is given with 5 questions

PASSAGE 25

Dyslexia is a perceptual disorder often occurring in persons of normal, or even above average intelligence. The reader is unable to perceive correctly what is on a page. Letters and numbers often appear reversed: “b” seems to be “d”, “quite” is “quiet” and “from” is “form. The reader tends to leave out letters or words or
insert words or letters that are not there. Vowel and consonant sounds may be confused. Many dyslexics are left-handed or able to write with either hand. They often confuse left and right. Learning to speak may also be delayed beyond infancy. The condition seems to be inherited. It may persist into adulthood. However, with early recognition and specialized approaches to teaching reading, most dyslexics can learn to read.

Some researchers believe that latent dyslexia may be aggravated by the way reading is taught. The modern whole- word, or look-and-say, method seems to be more of a hindrance to learning for dyslexics than it is for ordinary pupils. The phonetic method of teaching students to learn letters and sound them out appears to achieve better reading results. The problem of words that cannot be sounded out such as rough, laugh or through-is not solved by phonetics. These words must simply be memorized. However, for children with dyslexia the problem can be compounded by the failure of parents or teachers to recognize the condition. This can easily lead to emotional problems for dyslexic children, who cannot understand their failure to keep up with their classmates.

(SSC CGL 1# Sit. 2016)

136. Dyslexia, often occurring in persons of normal, or even above average intelligence, is a

(a) Conceptual disorder

(b) Pathological disease

(d) Perceptual disorder

137. In Dyslexia, letters and figures often appear

(a) Inverted

(b) Blurred

(d) Clustered

138. People suffering from dyslexia are often

(a) righthanded

(b) far sighted

(d) only left handed

139. Dyslexia may ______

(a) be noticed during infancy

(b) last till childhood

(d) end when one goes to school

140. The problem of perception can be compounded by the failure of parents and teachers to.

(a) provide treatment
(b) recognize the condition
(c) correct the child at infancy
(d) understand the child

PASSAGE 26

To know language is to be able to speak it; even a child who does not yet attend school can speak his or her language. In order to speak a language, it is important to listen to it and to read a few pages in it everyday. A child picks up language and learns to talk just as (s) he learns to walk. Walking and talking comes naturally
to a child as it grows. In our country, a child may grow up speaking more than one language, if these languages are spoken in the home and in the neighbourhood . we call this multilingualism. A child speaks a language or languages much before (s)he starts going to school. To know a language then is first of all to be able to speak it as easily and naturally as a three year old child does. Later on, the child will learn to read and write in that language. In order to read and write in a language, one has to speak it. But it is possible to speak a language but not able to read or write in it. A baby does not speak until it is nine months old but it understands a few words at six months of age. It has been listening ever since it was born, and even a little before that. So, the first strategy in speaking a language is to listen.

(SSC CGL 1% Sit. 2016)

141. One of the activities of a child before it is even born is

(a) seeing
(b) listening

142. It is necessary for one to the language before (s)he writes in that language.

(a) sing

(b) spell
(c) speak

(d) none of the above

143. Multi-lingualism means

(a) speaking more than one language
(b) speaking only one language
(c) speaking any language
(d) speech

144. A child has been_______ ever since it was born.

(a) speaking

(b) reading

(d) listening

145.To know a language one must be able to

(a) Speak it as easily and naturally as a three year old child.

(b) Read it well all the time.

(d) Singin the language

PASSAGE 27

Research is a detailed study of a subject undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications. It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems or develop new theories. To test the validity of instruments, procedures or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects, or the project as a whole. The primary purposes of basic research are documentation, discovery, interpretation or the research and development of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. There are several forms of research : scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, etc.

Academic publishing describes a system that is necessary in order for academic scholars to review the work and make it available for a wider audience. Most academic work is published in book form. There is also a large body of research that exists in either a thesis or dissertation form. Many researchers spend their ime applying for grants for research funds. These grants are necessary not only for researchers to carry out their research, but also as a source of merit.

(SSC SI 2015)

146. How many kinds of research are there ?

(a) There are seven different kinds of research.

(b) There are different kinds of research.

(¢) There is only one kind of research.

(d) There are two different kinds of research.

147. Select the answer which best reflects the view expressed in the passage.

(a) Grants are not based on merit.

(b) Researchers never apply for grants.

(d) Documentation is important in research.

148. Why is research conducted ?

(a) Research is conducted in order to minimize the result of previous works.

(b) Research is conducted in order to destroy facts.

(d) Research is conducted in order to verify information.

149. What is research ?

(a) Research is the destruction of previous works.

(b) Research is the creation of new forms of knowledge.

(d) Research is the attempt to limit the growth of knowledge.

150.Choose the most appropriate answer from this passage.

(a) Academic publishing is meant only for academicians.

(b) Academic publishing is meant only for professionals.

(d) Academic publishing is meant only for experts.

PASSAGE 28
(Question Nos. 151-155)
Street theatre in India is a well established ancient art form. Despite the proliferation of modern means of entertainment and communication, street theatre continues to flourish in India.

Street theatre as a channel of communication has for centuries been propagating reforms by highlighting social, economic and political issues present in the society. Unlike in the olden days, its performance is no longer restricted to villages or small localities of the city. Today small groups of performers including students, would stage performances to mobilize public opinion or to help create or raise awareness over a particular issue of public importance. Themes on substance abuse, AIDS awareness, and domestic violence are some of the areas highlighted by contemporary street theatre troupe. Unlike in regular drama street drama employ very little props and images. The human body becomes the main tool in which choreography, mime, dialogues, songs and slogans are extensively used.

Street theatre is one of the most intimate media. Its appeal is to the emotions leading to quick psychological impact on audiences. By being local and live they also are able to establish not only direct contact with the audience but by being cost- effective and flexible they are popular among all age groups.

(SSC SI 2014)
151. Modern means of entertainment and communication ______street theatre.

(a) does affect

(b) does not affect

(d) helps establish

152. In the olden days, street theatre to villages or small localities of the city.

(a) was restricted

(b) was not restricted

(d) was entertained

153. Street theatre usually with issues of public importance.

(a) is distanced

(b) is performed

(d) does not deal

154. Street theatre is to stage.

(a) nothing

(b) costly

(d) affordable

155. Street theatre creates an/a impact on audiences.

(a) intimate

(b) emotional

(d) physical

PASSAGE 29

(Question Nos. 156-160)

Self directed learning, in its broadest meaning, describes a process in which individuals take the initiative with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs formulating learning goals, identifying resources for learning, choosing and implementing learning strategies and evaluating learning outcomes. Thus, it is important to attain new knowledge easily and skillfully for the rest of his or her life.

What is the need for self directed learning? One reason is that there is convincing evidence that people, who take the initiative in learning, learn more things and learn better than people who sit at the feet of teachers passively waiting to be taught. The second reason is that self-directed learning is more in tune with our natural processes of psychological development; an essential aspect of maturing is developing the ability to take increasing responsibility of our own lives to become increasingly self-directed. The third reason is that many of the new developments in education put a heavy responsibility on the learners to take a good deal of initiative in their own learning. To meet the challenges in today’s instructive environment, self-directed learning is most essential.

156. In self-directed learning, an individual.

(a) Takes initiative with or without the help of others

(b) Is passive and waits for directions

(d) Takes initiative, without an objective

157. There is need for self-directed learning because

(a) it is less challenging
(b) it helps people to learn more things and learn better
(c) it is a more cost-effective method
(d) it is a modern method of learning

158. Which word best describes self-directed learning ?

(a) Active learning

(b) Passive learning

(d) Repulsive learning

159. The modern environment according to the author is

(a) Restrictive

(b) Instructive
(c) Less developed

(d) Impracticable

160. The synonym of the word “diagnosing” is

(a) Searching

(b) Examining

(d) Complying

PASSAGE 30

(Question Nos. 161-165)

It is not luck but labour that makes good luck, says an American author, is ever waiting for something to turn up; labour with keen eyes and strong will power turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the postman would bring him news of a legacy, labour turns out at six and with busy pen and ringing hammer lays the foundation of competence. Luck whines, labour watches, luck relies upon chance, labour upon character. Luck slips downwards to self-indul-gence ; labour strides upwards and aspires to independence. The conviction, therefore, is extending that diligence is the mother of good luck. In other words, a man’s success in life will be proportionate to his efforts, to his industry, to his attention to small things.

(SSC SI12013)

161. Which one of the following words in the passage indicates that the writer does not ultimately reject the element of luck?

(a) ‘Luck whines’

(b) ‘Diligence is the mother of good luck’

(¢) Luck ….. wishes the postman would bring him news”.
(d) Luck….. .is ever waiting.’

162. Which pair of words means the same thing?

(a) Labour and industry

(b) Industry and legacy

(¢) Diligence and legacy

(d) Legacy and labour

163. Which one of the following statements sums up the meaning of the passage?

a. Luck waits and complains without working while labour achieves success although it complains.

b. Luck is self indulgent, but labour is selfless.

c. Luck often ends in defeat but labour produces luck.
d. Luck waits without exertion, but labour exerts without waiting.

164. Labour turns out at six and with busy pen and ringing hammer lays the foundation of competence. What does this statement mean?

(a) Labour lays the foundation of the building.

(b) The writer and the labourer are the true eyes of the
society.

(d) Hardwork of all kinds makes people different.

165. Which one of the statements is true about the passage?

(a) Success depends only on hardluck.

(b) Expectation of good luck always meets with
disappoinment.

(d) Luck is neccessary for success.

PASSAGE 31
(Question Nos. 166-170)

Violence has played a great part in the world’s history. It is today playing an equally important part and probably it will continue to do so for a considerable time. It is impossibe to ignore the importance of violence in the past and present. To do so is to ignore life. Yet violence is undoubtedly bad and brings an
unending trail of evil consequences with it. And worse even than violence are the motives of hatred, cruelty, revenge and punishment which very often accompany violence. Indeed, violence is bad, not intrinsically, but because of these motives that go with it. There can be violence without these motives; there can be violence for a good object as well as for an evil object. But it is extremely difficult to separate violence from these motives, and therefore, it is desirable to avoid as far as possible.

In avoiding it, however, someone can not accept a negative attitude of submitting to bad and far greater evils. Submission to violence or the acceptance of an unjust regime based on violence is against the spirit of non-violence. The non-violent method, in order to justify itself, must be dynamic and capable of changing such a regime of social order.

166. The word ‘dynamic’ in the concluding line of the passage means:

(a) active

(b) energetic

(d) all of the above

167. Which of the following statements is incorrect?

(a) Only violence can be used against violence.

(b) Violence is not inherenty ill

(d) Violence can not be ignored.

168. “Violence without these motives’ is possible only in :

(a) practice (b) reality

169.”Indeed, violence is bad, not intrinsically, but because of these motives that go with it”. This suggests:

(a) Violence is basically good.

(b) Violence is bad only when it is associated with certain motives.

(d) Violence is basically bad.

170. Non-violence, according to the writer, means:

(a) violence without the evil motives.
(b) giving in to the tyranny of the powerful
(c) accepting violence as a fact of life.
(d) None of the above.

PASSAGE 32

Freedom has assuredly given us a new status and new
opportunities. But it also implies that we should discard
selfishness, laziness and all narrowness of outlook. Our freedom suggests toil and creation of new values for old ones. We should so discipline ourselves as to be able to discharge our new responsibilities satisfactorily. If there is any one thing that needs to be stressed more, than any other in the new set-up, it is that we should put into action our full, capacity, each one of us in productive effort – each one of us in his own sphere, however
humble. Work, unceasing work, should now be our watch-word.
Work is wealth, and service is happiness. Nothing else is. The greatest crime in India today is idleness. If we root out idleness, all our difficulties, including even conflicts, will gradually disappear.

(SSC CHSL 2013)

171. Anyone can free himself from the clutches of difficulties, if he
(a) eliminates narrow outlook
(b) fulfils his responsibilities
(c) discards idleness
(d) discharges his obligations
172.What has freedom undeniably offered to the citizens of India ?

(a) New opportunities
(b) New outlook
(c) New responsibilities
(d) New values

173.One thing needs to be stressed more than anything else in this new set-up. It is that people should

(a) discard narrowness of outlook
(b) discipline themselves suitably
(c) work to their full capacity
(d) substitute old values with new ones

174.Work should be the motto of our citizens.

(a) Resourceful (b) Incessant
(¢) Productive (d) Ingenious

175.Nothing else can give us joy except

(a) service (b) idleness
(c) wealth (d) freedom

PASSAGE 33

Long ago in Mongolia there lived an emperor who feared growing old. One day, he saw an old man in the street. Upset at being reminded that someday, he too, would age, he ordered all the old people to leave his land.

One day, a violent storm swept the kingdom. Nothing was safe from its fury. It roared into the palace and blew away the emperor’s belongings, including his priceless golden pitcher. When the storm ended, the emperor ordered that the pitcher be found and brought back to him.

People went in search of the pitcher. They saw it in a lake nearby. But no matter who tried, no one could get a grip on the pitcher. All they got was a handful of water. Yet it could be plainly seen, glittering and just below the water’s surface.

(SSC CHSL 2013)

176. The people saw the golden pitcher
(a) in a river nearby
(b) in a lake nearby
(c) in a pit nearby
(d) inside the palace

177.The emperor’s orders were that all the

(a) children should leave his land
(b) old men should leave his land
(c) old men should live in his land
(d) young men should stay in his land
178.What did the people who went to bring the pitcher get?

(a) Nothing at all
(b) A handful of water
(c) A handful of air
(d) The pitcher’s handle

179.The emperor feared

(a) getting old (b) getting young
(c) getting weak (d) gettingill

180.The emperor was upset to see the old man because

(a) it reminded him of his grandfather

(b) it reminded him that he might fall ill

DIRECTIONS (Qs. 181-185) : In question, you have a brief passage with 5 questions. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each questions out of the four alternatives and mark it by blackening the appropriate oval.

“Something is very wrong. “says the detective. “I know!” says Ms. Gervis. “It is wrong that someone has stolen from me!” The detective looks around Ms. Gervis’ apartment. “That is not what lam talking about, ma’am. What is wrong is that [ do not understand how the robber got in and out.” Ms. Gervis and the detective stand in silence. Ms. Gervis’ eyes are full of tears. Her hands are shaking. “The robber did not come through the window,” says the detective. “These windows have not been opened or shut in months.” The detective looks at the fireplace. “The robber did not squeeze down here.”
The detective walks to the front door. He examines the latch. “And since there are no marks or scratches, the robber definitely did not try to or scratches, the robber definitely did not try to break the lock.” ” I have no idea how he did it.” says a bothered Ms. Gervis. “It is a big mystery.” “And you say the robber stole nothing else?” asks the detective. “No money, no jewellery, no crystal?” That’s right, detective. He took only what was important tome,” Ms. Gervis says with a sigh. “There is only one thing I can do now.” And what is that?” the detective asks with surprise. “I will stop baking cakes,” Ms. Gervis says. “They are mine to give away. They are not for someone to steal.” “You can’t do that!” says the detective with alarm. “Who will bake those delicious cakes?” “I am sorry. 1 do not know,” says Ms. Gervis, “I must solve this case immediately!” says the detective.
(SSC CHSL 2014)

181. What does Ms. Gervis say is a big mystery?
(a) How the robber got in
(b) How the robber got in and out
(¢) How the robber got out
(d) How the robber stole

182. What was stolen?
(a) Crystal (b) Money
(¢) Cakes (d) Jewellery
183. Why does the detective say, “I must solve this case immediately?”
(a) Because Ms. Gervis is scared
(b) Because Ms. Gervis is crying
(c) Because Ms. Gervis is worried about who stole from
her house
(d) Because Ms. Gervis says she won’t bake cakes again
184. What does the expression ‘her hands are shaking’ mean here?
(a) Ms. Gervis is shivering with fever
(b) Ms. Gervis is shivering with wonder
(c) Ms. Gervis is shivering with cold
(d) Ms. Gervis is shivering with fear
185. Why does the detective say that the robber did not come through the front door?

(a) The latch was not opened
(b) There was no doorbell

(d) There were no scratches

DIRECTIONS (Qs. 186-190) : Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and mark it by blackening the appropriate circle ).

(SSC Stenographer 2016)

Like watering a plant, we grow our friendships [and all our relationships by running them. Friendships need the same attention as other relationships. If they are to continue. These relationships can be delightfully non-judgemental, supportive, understanding and fun.
Sometimes a friendship can bring out the positive side that you never show in any other relationship. This may be because the pressure of playing a ‘role’ daughter, partner or child is removed. With a friend you are to be your self and free to change. Of course, you are free to do this in all other relationships as well, but in friendships you get to have lats of rehearsals and discussion about changes as you experience them. It is an unconditional experience where you receive as much as you give. You can explain yourself to a friend openly without the fear of hurting a family member. How do friendships grow ? The answer is simple. By revealing yourself; being attentive: remembering what is most showing empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend, you will understand the value of friendship. All this means learning to accept a person from a completely different family to your own or perhaps someone from a completely different cultural background. This is the way we learn tolerance. In turn we gain tolerance and acceptance for our own differences.

186. In good friendships, we

(a) give and receive.

(b) neither give nor receive.

(d) only receive.

187. Empathy means

(a) someone else’s misfortunes
(b) the ability to share and understand another feelings.
(¢) skill and efficiency
(d) ability to do something

188. Through strong friendships, we gain
(a) only acceptance.

(b) only attention.
(c) acceptance and tolerance.
(d) only tolerance.

189. Friendships and relationships grow when they are
(a) compared (by divided
(¢) favoured (d) nurtured

190.When we are with a good friend, we tend
(a) to be ourselves. (b) not to be ourselves.
(c) to shut ourselves. (d) to be someone else.

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