Reading Comprehension (Part-3) (CDS-Solved Paper)

Total Questions: 50

21. The achievements of generals, politicians and statesmen have been compared to milestones by the author because [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (b) they have contemporary relevance
Solution:

According to the passage, the achievements of these people had importance only in their own time. Like milestones, people just passes through them to something else. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

22. How is a work of art different from the work of a scientist? [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (b) The influence of a work of art increases from age to age unlike the work of a scientist which diminishes in course of time
Solution:

The last few lines of the passage clearly suggests that the power of art increase with time and is better understood by people. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

23. Directions (Q.Nos. 23-26) Read a passage carefully and answer the items based on it. [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Passage 28

Most disputes about whether or not men are stronger than women are meaningless because the word ‘strong’ may mean many things. Most men can surpass most women in lifting heavy weights, in striking an object, in running, jumping or doing heavy physical labour.

But most women live longer than most men, they have a better chance of resisting disease, they can beat men at operations requiring finger dexterity and the ability to work accurately under monotonous conditions.

So, it would be legitimate to argue that women are stronger than men. The truth is that each gender can surpass the other in certain kinds of activities. To say that one is stronger than the other is to indulge in futile arguments.

Which one of the following statements best reflects the main contention of the author?

Correct Answer: (c) In some activities, men are stronger than women and in some others women are stronger than men
Solution:

The passage talks about how each gender can surpass the other in certain kinds of activities. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

24. The author says that any dispute about whether or not men are stronger than women is meaningless, because [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (b) the word ‘stronger’ can be interpreted in various ways
Solution:

The author very clearly mentions that the word ‘strong’ may mean many things. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

25. The author says, it would be legitimate to argue that women are stronger than men, because [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (c) in some of the activities women do give an impression that they are stronger than men
Solution:

The author, in the passage, talks about how in certain activities women are stronger than men. They live longer than most men, can beat them at operations requiring finger dexterity, work accurately under monotonous conditions, etc. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

26. From the passage, which of the following statements is most likely to be correct? [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (d) Statistically speaking, most women live longer than most men
Solution:

The author give many instances where women are stronger than men. These instances are based on statistics. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

27. Directions (Q.Nos. 27-30) Read a passage carefully and answer the items based on it. [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Passage 29

In national no less than in individual life there are no watertight compartments. No sharp lines can be drawn to mark off the political from the moral, the social from the economic regions of life.

Politicians often talk as though one has only to introduce certain political and economic changes for paradise to descend on Earth, forgetful of the fact that the efficiency of an institution depends on the way it is worked, which itself is determined by the character and wisdom of the men who work it.

Which one of the following statements most clearly suggests the central theme of the passage?

Correct Answer: (c) It is not the institutions that are important but the character and wisdom of the people who manage them
Solution:

The passage clearly suggests that the efficiency of the institution depends on the way it is worked and the character and wisdom of the men who work it. Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.

28. Which one of the following phrases best helps to bring out the precise contextual meaning of ‘watertight compartments’? [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (a) Activities of life unaffected by public opinion
Solution:

The contextual meaning of the phrase ‘watertight compartments’ is the ‘activities of life unaffected by public opinion’.

29. Which one of the following statements most correctly reflects the attitude of the author towards politicians’ opinions? [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (d) The author thinks that the opinions of the politicians are contradictory
Solution:

The author says that the politicians often talk about introducing certain political and economic changes. However, the author contradicts their view as the efficiency of an institution depends upon other factors as well. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

30. Which one of the following statements most correctly indicates the implication of the phrase ‘paradise to descend on Earth’? [Evening Shift-2016 (II)]

Correct Answer: (a) A world of perfect economic, political and social well-being
Solution:

In order to make Earth a paradise to live in, everything from political, moral, social and economic well being should be in perfect sync with one another. Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.