English Reading Comprehension Set 104

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.

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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.”

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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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