Read the passage and answer the question based on it.

A fact that draws our attention is that, according to his position in life, an
extravagant man is either admired or loathed. A successful business man
does nothing to increase his popularity by being prudent with his money. A
person who is wealthy is expected to lead a luxurious life and to be lavish
with his hospitality. If he is not so, he is considered mean, and his
reputation in business may even suffer in consequence. The paradox
remains that he had not been careful with his money in the first place; he
would never have achieved his present wealth.
Among the low income group, a different set of values exists. The young
clerk, who makes his wife a present of a new dress when he has not paid
his house rent, is condemned as extravagant. Carefulness with money to
the point of meanness is applauded as a virtue. Nothing in his life is
considered more worthy than paying his bills. The ideal wife for such a man
separates her housekeeping money into joyless little piles – so much for
rent, for food, for the children’s shoes, she is able to face the milkman with
equanimity every, month satisfied with her economizing ways , and never
knows the guilt of buying something she can’t really afford .
As for myself, I fall neither of these categories. If I have money to spare I
can be extravagant, but when, as is usually the case, I am hard up and then
I am the meanest man imaginable.

1. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage:
A. Being extravagant is always condemnable.
B. The cause of poverty is extravagance.
C. Extravagance is a part of the rich as well as of the poor.
D. Stingy habits of the poor.

2. According to the passage the person, who is a successful businessman and wealthy

A. Is expected to have lavish lifestyle.

B. Should not bother about popularity.
C. Is more popular if he appears to be wasting away his time.
D. Must be extravagant before achieving success.
3. The phrase ‘lavish with his hospitality’ in the third sentence of the first paragraph
means

A. Thoughtful in spending only on guests and strangers.

B. Unconcerned in treating his friends and relatives.
C. Stinginess in dealing with his relatives.
D. Extravagance in entertaining guest.

4. The word ‘paradox’ in the last sentence of the first paragraph means

A. Statement based on the popular opinion usually negative

B. A statement that seems self-contradictory but in reality expresses a possible truth
C. Statement based on facts and figures and objective in nature
D. A word that brings out the hidden meaning

5. What is the meaning of the word “equanimity”?

A. Calmness
B. Discomposure
C. Equivocal
D. Dubious
Read the passage and answer the question based on it.

If a person suddenly encounters any terrible danger, the change of nature

one undergoes is equally great. Sometimes fear numbs our senses. Like
animals, one stands still, powerless to move a step in fright or to lift a hand
in defense of our lives, and sometimes one is seized with panic, and again,
act more like the inferior animals than rational beings. On the other hand,
frequently in cases of sudden extreme peril, which cannot be escaped by
flight, and must be instantly faced, even the most timid men at once as if by
miracle, become possessed of the necessary courage, sharp quick
apprehension and swift decision. This is a miracle very common in nature.
Man and the inferior animals alike, when confronted with almost certain
death ‘ gather resolution from despair’ but there can really be no trace of
so debilitating a feeling in the person fighting, or prepared to fight for dear
life. At such times the mind is clearer than it has ever been; the nerves are
steel, there is nothing felt but a wonderful strength and daring. Looking
back at certain perilous moments in my own life, I remember them with a
kind of joy, not that there was any joyful excitement then, but because they
broadened my horizon, lifted me for a time above myself.

6. The title that best suits the passage would be:-

A. The Will to Fight

B. The Miracle of Confronting Danger
C. The Change of Nature
D. Courage and Panic

7. A man may react to sudden danger in three different ways. What are they?

A. He may flee in panic, or fight back or stand still.

B. He may be paralyzed with fear, seized with panic or act like an inferior animal.
C. He may be paralyzed with fear, or seized with panic, or as if by miracle, become
possessed of the necessary courage, and face the danger.
D. He may be paralyzed with fear, run away or fight.
8. What is the meaning of the word debilitating?

A. enfeeble
B. strengthen
C. debase
D. thriving

9. Explain the phrase ‘gather resolution from danger’.

A. Find peace in times of difficulty.

B. A state of utter hopelessness makes one determined to face the difficulty.
C. To remain calm and not to lose hope.
D. To be enthusiastic and brave the odds.

10. The author feels happy in the recollection of dangers faced and overcome because

A. They brought him a new experience.

B. They added a new perspective and lifted him above himself for a time.
C. These experiences boosted his confidence.
D. He felt elated as he was alive.
Read the passage and answer the question based on it.
Political education has many connotations. It may be defined as the
preparation of a citizen to take well informed, responsible and sustained
action for participation in the national struggle in order to achieve the
socio-economic objectives of the country. The predominant socio-
economic objectives in India are the abolition of poverty and the creation
of a modern democratic, secular and socialist society in place of the present
traditional, feudal, hierarchical and in egalitarian one.
Under the colonial rule, the Congress leaders argued that political
education was an important part of education and refused to accept the
official view that education and politics should not be mixed with one
another. But when they came to power in 1947 they almost adopted the
British policy and began to talk of education being defiled by politics.
‘Hands off education’ was the call to political parties. But in spite of it,
political infiltration into the educational system has greatly increased in the
sense that different political parties vie with each other to capture the mind
of teachers and students. The wise academicians wanted political support,
without political interference. What we have actually received is infinite
political interference with little genuine political support. This interference
with the educational system by political parties for their own ulterior
motives is no political education at all and with the all round growth of
elitism, it is hardly a matter for surprise that real political education within
the school system (which really means the creation of a commitment to
social transformation) has been even weaker than in the pre-independence
period.
During that time only, the struggle for freedom came to an end and the
major non- formal agency of political education disappeared. The press
played a major role by providing some political education. But it did not
utilize the opportunity to the full and the strangle hold of vested interests
continued to dominate it. The same can be said of political parties as well
as of other institutions and agencies outside the school system which can
be expected to provide political education. After analyzing all these things ,
it appears that we have made no progress in genuine political education in
the post-education period and have even slided back in some respects. For
instance, the education system has become even more elite-oriented.
Patriotism has become the first casualty. The father of the nation gave us
 the courage to oppose government when it was wrong, in a disciplined
fashion and on basic principles. Today, we have even lost the courage to
fight on basic issues in a disciplined manner because agitational and
anarchic politics for individual, group or party aggrandizement has become
common. In the recent times the education system continues to support
domination of the privileged groups and domestication of the under-
privileged ones. The situation will not change unless we take vigorous steps
to provide genuine political education on an adequate scale. This is one of
the major educational reforms we need, and if it is not carried out, mere
linear expansion of the existing system of formal education will only
support the status quo and hamper radical social transformation.

11. Which word is nearly opposite in meaning as “defile” as used in the passage?
A. Disparage
B. forgery
C. degenerate
D. sanctify

12. According to the passage, what should be the main purpose of political education?

A. To champion the cause of elitism

B. To bring qualitative change in the entire education system
C. To create an egalitarian society
D. To prepare the young generation with high intellectual acumen.

13. How has politics been related to educational institutions after independence?

A. Although they got political support but there was no interference of politics.
B. It is clear that they got almost no political support as well as political interference.
C. They got political support at the cost of political interference.
D. There was substantial interference without political support.
14. Based on the passage, which is the major drawback of the present education system?

A. The education system mainly represents the oppressed sections of the society.
B. The present education system promotes the domination of the privileged few.
C. It is based on the British model of education.
D. It is highly hierarchical and egalitarian in nature.

15. Which is the most opposite in meaning to the word ‘hamper’ as used in the passage?

A. Accelerate
B. envision
C. foster
D. initiate