Directions
(Q. 1-10) : Read the following passage carefully and answer the
questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold
to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
The
King of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in
batttle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold and
precious stones taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They
would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way
back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess
and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet
hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed
with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his
only companions. At one spot, in a mango grove by the wayside,
they spied some children play. The King said, “Let me go
and see what they are playing.”
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing
warriors and battles. The King asked, “Who is fighting whom ?”
They said, “Karnat is at battle with Kanchi.” The King asked,
“Who is winning and who is the loser ?” The children puffed their
chests up and said, “Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose.” The
Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the
jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon
joined by his troops and the children were still immersed
in their game. The King commanded, “Cane them hard.” The
children’s parents came running from the nearby village and said,
“They are naive, it was just a game, please grant them pardon.”
The King called his commander and ordered, “Teach these children
and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of
Kanchi.” He went back to his camp.
That evening the
Commander stood before the King. He bowed low in shame and said,
“Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie
silent in the village.” The Minister said, “His Majesty’s
honour has been saved.” The priest said, “The goddess has blessed
our King.” The jester said, “Your Highness, please grant
me leave to go now.” The King asked, “But why ?” The
jester said, “I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at
God’s gift of life.” Trembling in the face of the king’s anger
he bravely continued, “If I stay in your Majesty’s court, I shall
become like you and I shall forget how to laugh.”
1. Which of the
following is true in the context of the passage ?
1) The king stopped
at the temple to see what else could be plundered.
2) The people of the
village to which the children belonged developed great respect for
the king.
3) The Commander was
ashamed at having obeyed the king’s orders to cane the children.
4) The jester was
unhappy that the king had defeated the army of Karnat.
5) The children had
shown disrespect to the goddess by playing so close to the temple.
2. Why did the
jester resign from his post ?
1) He felt that the
king was too influenced by the Minister.
2) To show that he
disapproved of the king’s action of punishing the children.
3) He did not want
to accompany the king on his war campaign.
4) He was no longer
able to make the king laugh.
5) None of these
3. Which of the
following describes the Minister ?
(A) He was jealous
of the jester.
(B) He was the
king’s most valuable advisor.
(C) He did not have
a good sense of humour.
1) Only (A)
2) Only (C)
3) Both (A) and (C)
4) Both (A) and (B)
5) None of these
4. Which of the
following was/were the outcome(s) of the soldiers beating the
children ?
(A) The animals
began to howl and wanted to attack the soldiers.
(B) The children’s
parents went to the king to beg for mercy.
(C) The priest
offered prayers to the goddess of the temple.
1) Only (A)
2) All (A), (B) and
(C)
3) Both (A) and (B)
4) Only (B)
5) None of these
5. Why was the king
angry with the children ?
1) Because the game
they were playing was dangerous.
2) They had lied to
him.
3) They did not
recognise him.
4) They had
unknowingly insulted him.
5) They were rude to
him.
Directions (Q. 6-10)
: Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning to the
word printed in bold as used in the passage.
6. froze
1) nip
2) fixed
3) shivered
4) loose
5) chill
7. leave
1) holiday
2) transfer
3) exit
4) permission
5) farewell
8. spied
1) ignored
2) kept watch
3) presumed
4) denied
5) overlooked
Directions (Q.
9-10): Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word
printed in bold as used in the passage.
9. immersed
1) safe
2) distracted
3) bored
4) drowned
5) entertained
10. pardon
1) punish
2) excuse
3) relief
4) intolerance
5) award
Answers:
1.
3
2. 5
3. 2
4. 4
5. 4
6.
2
7. 4
8. 2
9. 2
10. 1
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