Reading Comprehension Select in Passage Practice Test 2

Passage for Questions from 1 to 3

Children whose parents indulge in reading also happen to pick up this quality systematically, parents in this case acting as model readers. Reading aloud to the children or perhaps making room for your child's favorite books, can bring out a feeling of ownership for his books. Parents and guardians can work together with the children in discussing books they are currently reading or maybe even attend a sale at library, book exhibition or bookstalls. Have a generous selection of books at your home, by displaying them in a location important at your home, let your children know the importance of books and knowledge. One should not limit the selection of the books at their home; instead have a collection of reading material that covers various subjects and topics. Last but not the least, with changing current scenario and the competitive environment around us, it is required that your children develop more and more curiosity for reading, surely the same with time will be mastered into a future hobby.

Question 1

In which sentence does the author mean to lay a foundation?

Correct Answer: E. The sixth sentence. (Last but not...hobby.)

Explanation:

The author gives us various suggestions about how to develop reading habits in children. He gives the most important suggestion in the end of the paragraph. He says that the world is changing rapidly and becoming more competitive by the day. Accordingly, we need to develop a sense of curiosity in children for reading and gaining knowledge. This habit shall show benefits as they grow. This is the sentence where the author means to lay the foundation for a future hobby in children. The correct answer option is (e).

Question 2

Which sentence encourages attachment?

Correct Answer: B. The second sentence. (Reading aloud to...books.)

Explanation:

In the given paragraph, there are various aspects of developing reading habits that the author brings to our notice. Not only is reading aloud and acting as role models for the children but also other activities like purchasing books and arranging them in your house are given significance in the paragraph. The author says that making place for your child's books in your home can develop in them a feeling of ownership for their books. This is synonymous with encouraging attachment and the suggestion is given in the second sentence.

Question 3

The author gives two suggestions related with your collection of books. The first is about being liberal. In which sentence is the other mentioned?

Correct Answer: D. The fifth sentence. (One should not...topics.)

Explanation:

The author gives two main suggestions about your collection of books. He says that the collection should firstly be generous and secondly have variety. He puts forward the point of generosity in selection of books in the fourth sentence and the point of variety in the collection is given in the fifth sentence. The author recommends 'a collection of reading material that covers various subjects and topics'. The fifth sentence is thus the correct sentence.

Passage for Questions from 4 to 6

If my wife asks for a specific birthday present that costs thousands of dollars, it has a high monetary value, its probably useful, there has been zero thought put into by myself and its all rather emotionally detached. Conversely if my young daughter spends all her money on a cheap screwdriver set that will last a month after Fathers Day, it has low monetary value, its pretty useless but the fact she really thought about it means it has a very high emotional value to me; and Id probably cherish it for years (but never use it). Usefulness isnt just about practical things like tools, car accessories etc.. Ugly jewelry isnt very useful, but a beautiful necklace is. Gift cards are the most useful but are viewed by the majority as being a 'cop out'. A good idea when giving a gift card is to suggest something to buy with it. Perhaps something you like at that store or something youd like to try. The recipient can take that into account and (probably) buy what they want, but at least you have demonstrated that you have put some thought into it.

Question 4

In which sentence does the author give the best alternative?

Correct Answer: C. The fifth sentence. (Gift cards are...out.')

Explanation:

In the given paragraph, the author discusses the monetary value of gifts and the emotional value attached to them. He says that while some gifts are cheap they are emotionally priceless. There are other gifts that you might not select yourself but you are indirectly emotionally connected with them. He then says that the best alternative is to give a gift card with a suggestion of what should be bought. The correct sentence is the fifth sentence.

Question 5

From which sentence do we understand the value of being vocal about our ideas?

Correct Answer: E. The eighth sentence. (The recipient can...it.)

Explanation:

The author suggests that one should give a gift card when one is not sure of what to buy for the recipient. He then says that you should also give a suggestion of what should be purchased with the gift card. The recipient might not listen to your suggestion but being vocal helps them understand that you have put some thought into the gift. The correct option is the option (e).

Question 6

From which sentence is it clear that emotions outweigh utility?

Correct Answer: B. The second sentence. (Conversely if my...it).)

Explanation:

The author gives us an example to explain this. He says that if his daughter gave him a gift that was not as useful for him, it would still be priceless because of the sentiments attached with it. When it comes to his relations, emotions outweigh utility. This is clear from the second sentence.

Passage for Questions from 7 to 9

Nerves can make our eyes glue to the lectern or up on the ceiling as if looking for divine inspiration. The result is that your audience feels left out, unimportant to you and within a short time span will lose interest. Make sure you keep eye contact with the room looking slowly from side to side actually stopping to look into the eyes of some people in the audience. For better understanding, give them key points that they can digest easily and eliminate conflicting messages and jargon. Use vocabulary everyone can understand and repeat your main message during your presentation several times.

Question 7

In which sentence does the author use pun?

Correct Answer: A. The first sentence. (Nerves can make...inspiration.)

Explanation:

The author explains how we should not avoid the audience and look at them directly. He uses pun to explain this. He says that we generally look at the lectern or the ceiling while delivering a lecture. He uses pun to explain this. He says we look at the ceiling as if looking for divine inspiration. The sentence in question is the first sentence.

Question 8

Which sentence explains a repercussion of evasion?

Correct Answer: B. The second sentence. (The result is...interest.)

Explanation:

We often avoid looking at the people we are addressing while delivering the lecture. This is the evasion mentioned in the question. The repercussion of this evasion is mentioned in the second sentence. The author says that if you do not look at your audience it will feel left out, unimportant and hence lose interest. This is the repercussion of evasion and he mentions it in the second sentence.

Question 9

Which sentence hints at the purpose of the speech?

Correct Answer: E. The fifth sentence. (Use vocabulary everyone...times.)

Explanation:

Throughout the paragraph the concentration is on how the speech should be delivered. The author says that we should look at the audience, use simple language and repeat the main message several times. It is this last aspect that hints at the purpose of the speech. The purpose is to get your point across such that the audience remembers it. This is the reason why the author suggests that our main idea be repeated. The correct sentence is the last sentence.

Passage for Questions from 10 to 12

Bad things do happen to good people. Each of us experiences situations where we feel robbed, slandered, misunderstood, cheated, or simply jerked around in life. The end result may be the loss of a job, a friend, a love interest, a business deal, or the creation of a rift between family members. The pain we feel is very real, very deep, and very private. Often its impossible for people around us to understand the scope, or the depth of the pain we carry as a result of the emotional wounding we've experienced. What then, do we do when life really hurts?

Question 10

Which sentence brings out the loneliness of the sufferer?

Correct Answer: E. The fifth sentence. (Often it's impossible...experienced.)

Explanation:

The given text is about the pain that one feels during tough times. The author says that we all go through such a low phase in life where we feel emotionally wounded. He shows the loneliness of the sufferer in the fifth sentence. He says that it is often impossible for people around us to understand the scope of our pain. This shows how lonely the sufferer becomes.

Question 11

In which sentence does the author mention that there are no exceptions to tragedies?

Correct Answer: B. The second sentence. (Each of us...life.)

Explanation:

It is in the second sentence that the author clearly mentions that 'each of us' experiences such situations. The use of these words shows that there are no exceptions to tragedies and we all suffer alike. The correct sentence is the second sentence.

Question 12

From which sentence can we understand why an emotionally wounded person does not share his tragedy?

Passage for Questions from 13 to 15

Over the past several years there has been a drive for us all to become healthier, eat better more natural food, exercise more and even improve the way we rest. Consumers have been demanding more natural goods, and we are witnessing a swing of “back to nature” in many retail fields. It is with no surprise then that we are seeing companies supplying healthier goods to meet with customers' demands. The world of bedding and linens has not been exempt from this trend and one can now find many natural fibers replacing the more conventional synthetic beddings. Coverings such as polyester and other synthetically made linens are not as sympathetic to our bodies needs as natural products are. Down, wool, cotton and silk are all examples of natural products seeing resurgence in the bedding market. As manufacturing techniques become increasingly sophisticated the prices of production decreases, making once prohibitively expensive bedding products more accessible to a mass market.

Correct Answer: D. The fourth sentence. (The pain we...private.)

Explanation:

The author says that an emotionally wounded person feels very lonely. He says that it is often impossible for anyone else to understand the depth of his pain. The reason for his not sharing his tragedy is that his pain is very real, very deep and very 'private'. Since his tragedy is private, he does not share it with others, who he knows shall not understand it. The correct sentence is the fourth sentence.

Question 13

Which sentence implies that we were earlier closer to nature than we are now?

Correct Answer: B. The second sentence. (Consumers have been...fields.)

Explanation:

In the first sentence, the author says that there has been a drive to lead a healthier life over the past several years. In the second sentence, he says that consumers have been demanding more natural goods and a swing of 'back to nature' is seen in many fields. The use of these words 'back to nature' makes it clear that we were earlier closer to nature than we are now. Thus, the second sentence contains the answer.

Question 14

People moved to artificial fibers because they were cheaper. Which sentence conveys this?

Correct Answer: E. The seventh sentence. (As manufacturing techniques...market.)

Explanation:

Throughout the text, the author explains how people are moving towards natural products for their beddings and linens. Towards the end of the text, he says that with manufacturing techniques becoming more sophisticated, expensive bedding products are more accessible. He says they were once prohibitively expensive. This is mentioned in the last sentence.

Question 15

In which sentence is the reason for the changeover from synthetics to naturals mentioned?

Correct Answer: E. The fifth sentence. (Coverings such as...are.)

Explanation:

The author says that people are moving towards natural things in almost every sphere of life. This changeover from synthetics to naturals is happening in linens and beddings also. The author says that natural fibers are better since they are more sympathetic towards our bodies as compared with polyesters and other synthetics. This is the reason and it is mentioned in the fifth sentence.