Passage - 1
A slumber did my spirit seal;
I had no human fears;
She seem'd a thing that could not feel
The touch of earthly years.
Read the stanza carefully and tick the correct answers:
What is meant by term 'spirit seal' in the stanza?
(a) Sealing of spirit
(b) Finishing of strength
(c) Ceasing of mind and feeling
(d) Ending of hope
(e) None of these
The poet used the word 'slumber' to mean
(a) Sleep
(b) Rest
(c) Siesta
(d) Nap
(e) None of these
In the line 'She seemed a thing that could not feel', 'she' refers to_______.
(a) Spirit
(b) Hope
(c) Fear
(d) Sleep
(e) None of these
The stanza reflects a sense of_______.
(a) Disappointment
(b) Frustration
(c) Discontentment
(d) Exasperation
(e) None of these
Passage - 2
Beauty sat bathing by a spring
Where fairest shades did hide her;
The winds blew calm, the birds did sing,
The cool streams ran beside her.
Read the stanza carefully and tick the correct answers:
In the stanza, the poet describes the beauty of_______.
(a) Spring
(b) Nature
(c) Winds
(d) Streams
(e) None of these
According to the poet,..................... sat bathing by the spring.
(a) Winds
(b) Streams
(c) Shades
(d) Beauty
(e) None of these
The usage of 'her' by the poet indicates________.
(a) Herself
(b) Birds
(c) Spring
(d) Beauty
(e) None of these
From the stanza it could be ascertained that the poet is a_______.
(a) Admirer of nature
(b) Believer of natural beauty
(c) Enthusiast of nature and beautiful attributes
(d) Lover of spring season
(e) None of these
Passage - 3
No nightingale did ever chant More welcome notes to weary bands Of travelers in some shady haunt Among Arabian sands
Read the stanza carefully and tick the correct answers:
The poet hints about the travellers requiring________.
(a) Desert
(b) Sands
(c) Shady haunt
(d) Weary bands
(e) None of these
Nightingale is a________.
(a) Beautiful bird
(b) Wise bird
(c) Talking bird
(d) Singing bird
(e) None of these
In the line 'Among Arabian sands', Arabian sands mean.
(a) Sands of Arab
(b) Hot place
(c) Wasteland
(d) Desert
(e) None of these
The description in the stanza states.
(a) Nightingales were fed up and so are not chanting at all
(b) Travellers were tired walking through the hot desert
(c) Welcome notes could be heard for weary travellers
(d) As exhausted, the travellers were resting in shade
(e) None of these
| Passage - 1 |
| 1. D |
2. C |
3. A |
4. B |
| Passage - 2 |
| 1. B |
2. D |
3. C |
4. A |
| Passage - 3 |
| 1. C |
2. D |
3. D |
4. B |
Passage - 1
- (d) The description is related to various attributes that could be found while on a voyage in the sea. Hence, the correct option will be 'ship'.
- (c) Various descriptions of the poet hint us to ascertain that the poet is describing his experience while he was sailing ship.
- (a) 'Gallant' means brave, courageous, etc. The correct option will be 'intrepid' which means fearless, bold, courageous, etc.
- (b) All the sentences except option (b) are false in context to the stanza.
Passage - 2
- (b) The stanza reflects the natural description as experienced by the poet. Hence, the correct option will be 'Nature'.
- (d) The first line of the stanza hints answer to the question.
- (c) From the stanza, it could be ascertained that the poet describes about a spring. Hence, the poet has indicated the spring with the usage of 'her'.
- (a) The complete description in the stanza states about the poet's admiration for nature. Therefore, the correct option would be (a).
Passage - 3
- (c) From the choice, the correct option will be 'shady haunt' as it is evident form the third sentence of the stanza.
- (d) Nightingale is a singing bird. It is known for its melodious voice.
- (d) In Arab, there are several deserts. It is very hot there. Thus, the term 'Arabian sands' means desert here.
- (b) The chief theme of the stanza is that travelers were exhausted walking through the hot deserts of Arab. They were thus in need of a resting place, full of shade, in the desert. Therefore, the correct option will be (B).
- Much and many : Much denotes quantity, but many denotes number, i.e., things which can be counted. The former is followed by the singular; the latter, by plural; Example: There is much water in the pond; I have much money to buy the house; but the bill needs to be paid in many rupees; I saw many wen outside the hotel.
- Latter and last : Latter and last denote order, and are opposed to former and first, respectively. Example: Virtue and vice have their own consequences; the former brings happiness, the latter, misery. He came the last of all.
- Farther and further : There is practically no difference between the two, further being more popular, except where distance is distinctly in question when farther is used. Example: I have made further progress. He has gone farther than his brother.
- First and foremost : First denotes order or position, while foremost means most conspicuous; Example: He stood first in the examination; but, he is the foremost boy in the class.
- Beside and besides : Beside is a preposition and means (i) near; Example: Sit beside me; (ii) Wide of; Example: Your remark is beside the point. Besides is (i) a preposition meaning 'in addition to'. Example: I have none to help me beside you; (ii) and adverb meaning 'moreover'; Example: It is late; besides, I am tired.
- Less: Used both as an adjective and as an adverb. Example: My age is less than yours; He is less strong than I.
- Lesser: Used only as an adjective. Example: This is of lesser importance.
- At present: Means ?at the present time?; Example: I am very busy at present.
- Presently: Means ?very soon? and refers to future time; Example: He will come presently.
- Among: Used primarily to mean ?surrounded by or associated with more than two separate things?. It is regularly followed by a plural or a collective noun; Example: Among his books are many rare editions.
- Between: Applies to two things only; Example: There is a river between the opposing armies. However, there are exceptions: (i) in expressing mutual relation, between may correctly apply to more than two; Example: A treaty has been singed between seven SAARC countries; (ii) in comparison; Example: There is a great difference between New York, Pairs and London.
- Read the passage carefully to get the general idea.
- Understand the context and the situation of the passage.
- Find out to which subject or discipline is the passage related to.
- Know what the content of the passage is, whether it is an extract of an article, current/general topic, story, or stanza.
- Read again, this time a little slowly, to know the details.
- Study the question thoroughly. Turn and read again the relevant portion in the passage.
- Use complete sentence.
