CBSE Class 10/9/8 - English - Comprehension

Comprehension

In this section there are two short passages. Each passage is followed by questions based on the passage. Read each passage and answer the questions that follow:

PASSAGE-1

The shy Mr. Smith was regarded as a kind of luck-bringer among the miners. who took care of him. did all he gently asked of them. built his house and spent hours of their free time assisting him. When in a sentimental mood he first wrote about miners, Smith described them as large, muscular men; when he met them working underground and unclothed, he was struck by the slightness of their build. They were slim and tough, of the stuff from which swift footballers were made. On big holidays they dressed smartly, but the comradeship among them was such that a dressy young man did not mind being seen with one who neither wore nor owned a collar.


1. The miners regarded Smith:

(a) with awe, as someone very powerful
(b) with admiration. as an expert in mining
(c) impatiently, as a bore
(d) with superstition and affection, as a source of good fortune


2. Smith's attitude towards miners was one of:

(a) detachment
(b) suspicion
(c) affection
(d) inquisitiveness

3. Smith had formed false impression of miners' :

(a) bodily structure
(b) mental ability
(c) capacity for work
(d) generosity


4. We learn that a miner, when well dressed:

(a) was like a new man
(b) was unchanged in his friendship with poor co-workers
(c) wanted to change his employment
(d) looked uncomfortable



Answers:
1: (d) with superstition and affection, as a source of good fortune
2: (c) affection
3: (a) bodily structure
4: (b) was unchanged in his friendship with poor co-workers

PASSAGE-2

But I did not want to shoot the elephant. I watched him beating his bunch of grass against his knees, with that preoccupied grandmotherly air thai elephants have. It seemed to me that it would be murder to shoot him. I had never shot an elephant and never wanted to. (Somehow it always seems worse to kill a large animal.) Besides, there was the beast's owner to be considered. But I had got to act quickly. I turned to some experienced-looking Burmans who had been there when we arrived, and asked them how the elephant had been behaving. They all said the same thing: he took no notice of you if you left him alone, but he might charge if you went too close to him.


1. The author did not want to shoot the elephant because he:

(a) was afraid of it
(b) did not have the experience of shooting big animals
(c) did not wish to kill an animal which was not doing anybody any harm
(d) did not find the elephant to be ferocious


2. The phrase 'preoccupied grandmotherly air' signifies:

(a) being totally unconcerned
(b) pretending to be very busy
(c) a very superior attitude
(d) calm. dignified and affectionate disposition


3. From the passage it appears that the author was:
(a) kind and considerate
(b) a cruel hunter
(c) a confused and worried man
(d) possessed with fear






Answers:
1: (c) did not wish to kill an animal which was not doing anybody any harm
2: (d) calm. dignified and affectionate disposition
3: (a) kind and considerate