TISS-NET Mock Test - 8 (New Pattern) - CAT MCQ

Find the most appropriate word to be fit in the blank.
At a place where two roads ________, they saw a tall gentleman coming to meet them.

The following sentences when properly sequences form a coherent paragraph. Select the option that places the sentences in the correct order.
A. Each also seemed to possess, as far as the difference betwixt the animal and rational species admitted, the confidence and affection of the horse which was the constant companion of his travels and his warfare.
B. Each seemed familiar with an employment which at that time was a part of necessary and, indeed, of indispensable duty.
C. The warriors arose from their place of brief rest and simple refreshment, and courteously aided each other while they carefully replaced and adjusted the harness from which they had relieved for the time their trusty steeds.
D. And with the European warrior, circumstances, and indeed necessity, rendered his war-horse scarcely less than his brother in arms.
E. With the Saracen this familiar intimacy was a part of his early habits; for, in the tents of the Eastern military tribes, the horse of the soldier ranks next to, and almost equal in importance with, his wife and his family.

Find the most appropriate word to be fit in the blank.
Fishes are not animals, and they are as cold and moist ________ the vegetables themselves.

Below, one sentence is given in which one part is in bold. Improve that bold part with the most appropriate option.
Do you know how much edible foods grow naturally in our own front yards?

Find the most appropriate word to be fit in the blank.
In fact, the government had given strict orders not to _________ anything.

Read the following passage and answer the questions based on it.
Climate change has made us aware of the absorptive capacity of our atmosphere. There is a limit to the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that the atmosphere can absorb. Scientists described this under the concept of per capita entitlement, referring to the amount of GHGs that each country should be entitled to emit in the atmosphere. Though there are many approaches to it, an emission budget is prepared that shows the total environmental space, which states the maximum amount of GHG that can be safely emitted in the atmosphere while meeting the ultimate objective of keeping the temperature below 2°C by 2050. The emissions budget is then distributed equally among the global population, thereby implying equal rights to the atmosphere. Though there are various approaches, all schemes aim at achieving an egalitarian society where even the poorest countries will have equal claim to world resources, in this case, atmosphere. Per capita entitlement aims to achieve swaraj at a global level.
Why according to the passage, per capita entitlement of the GHGs is necessary for every country?

Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
To a true woman with a son or husband at the Front, life becomes a nightmare. To her distorted imagination the most important man in the country is not the Prime Minister but the postman. She cannot get on with her breakfast for listening for his footsteps. There is no need for him to knock at the door, she has heard him open the gate and walk up the gravel path. Her heart is tossed like a bubble on the winds of hope and fear. She finds herself behind the door without knowing how she got there, and her hand trembles as she picks up the letter to see if the address is in "his" handwriting or an official’s. The words, "On His Majesty’s Service," she dreads like a witch’s incantation. They may be innocent enough, and cover nothing more than belated Commission Papers, but she trembles lest they should be but the fair face of a dark-hearted messenger, who is to blot out the light of her life forever. If she goes out shopping and sees a telegraph-boy go in the direction of her home she forgets her purchases and hurries back to see if he is going to knock at her door. The rosy-faced messenger has become a sinister figure, an imp from the nether world. He may be bringing news of her loved one’s arrival "on leave," but so many evil faces of fear and doubt peer through the windows of her heart that she cannot believe in the innocence and good-will of the whistling boy. Her whole world is wrapped up in his little orange-colored envelope.
The boys at the Front know of the anxiety and suspense that darken their homes, and they do all they can to lighten them. There were times on the Somme when the men were utterly exhausted with fighting and long vigils in the trenches. Water was scarce, and a mild dysentery came into evidence. No fire could be lighted to cook food or make hot tea. The ranks had been thinned, and only two officers were left to each company. The weather was bad and the captured trench uncomfortable. Any moment word might come for another attack. The campaign was near its close, and the work must be completed despite the prevalent exhaustion. The officers were too tired, depressed and preoccupied to censor hundreds of letters. In front of him each could see a gaping grave. The sun was rapidly "going west" and leaving them to the cold and dark. Nothing seemed to matter in comparison with that. To hold services were impossible and I felt that the best I could do was to walk through the trench, chat with the officers and men, gather up the men’s letters and take them back and censor in my tent. This gave the officers times to write their own, and an opportunity to post them.
But note, I pray you, the nobility of these gallant fellows. All of them were exhausted and depressed. The shadows of death were thick about them, yet when I opened their letters, I found myself--with two exceptions out of three or four hundred--in an entirely different atmosphere. It was a sunny atmosphere in which birds were singing. The men said nothing of their suffering, their depression, their fears for the future. The black wings of death cast no shadow over their pages. They said they were "all right," "merry and bright" and "soon going back for a long rest." They told their mothers what kind of cigarettes to send, and gave them details how to make up the next parcel. They talked as if death were out of sight--a sinister fellow with whom they had nothing to do. Their homes were dark enough with anxiety, yet not by any word of theirs would the shadows be deepened. They could not shield themselves from war’s horrors but they would do their best to shield their white swans at home. They could not keep their women folk out of the war, but they would deliver them from its worst horrors.
Q. To whom does the phrase ‘white swans’, as used by the author refer to?

Read the given passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
To a true woman with a son or husband at the Front, life becomes a nightmare. To her distorted imagination the most important man in the country is not the Prime Minister but the postman. She cannot get on with her breakfast for listening for his footsteps. There is no need for him to knock at the door, she has heard him open the gate and walk up the gravel path. Her heart is tossed like a bubble on the winds of hope and fear. She finds herself behind the door without knowing how she got there, and her hand trembles as she picks up the letter to see if the address is in "his" handwriting or an official’s. The words, "On His Majesty’s Service," she dreads like a witch’s incantation. They may be innocent enough, and cover nothing more than belated Commission Papers, but she trembles lest they should be but the fair face of a dark-hearted messenger, who is to blot out the light of her life forever. If she goes out shopping and sees a telegraph-boy go in the direction of her home she forgets her purchases and hurries back to see if he is going to knock at her door. The rosy-faced messenger has become a sinister figure, an imp from the nether world. He may be bringing news of her loved one’s arrival "on leave," but so many evil faces of fear and doubt peer through the windows of her heart that she cannot believe in the innocence and good-will of the whistling boy. Her whole world is wrapped up in his little orange-colored envelope.
The boys at the Front know of the anxiety and suspense that darken their homes, and they do all they can to lighten them. There were times on the Somme when the men were utterly exhausted with fighting and long vigils in the trenches. Water was scarce, and a mild dysentery came into evidence. No fire could be lighted to cook food or make hot tea. The ranks had been thinned, and only two officers were left to each company. The weather was bad and the captured trench uncomfortable. Any moment word might come for another attack. The campaign was near its close, and the work must be completed despite the prevalent exhaustion. The officers were too tired, depressed and preoccupied to censor hundreds of letters. In front of him each could see a gaping grave. The sun was rapidly "going west" and leaving them to the cold and dark. Nothing seemed to matter in comparison with that. To hold services were impossible and I felt that the best I could do was to walk through the trench, chat with the officers and men, gather up the men’s letters and take them back and censor in my tent. This gave the officers times to write their own, and an opportunity to post them.
But note, I pray you, the nobility of these gallant fellows. All of them were exhausted and depressed. The shadows of death were thick about them, yet when I opened their letters, I found myself--with two exceptions out of three or four hundred--in an entirely different atmosphere. It was a sunny atmosphere in which birds were singing. The men said nothing of their suffering, their depression, their fears for the future. The black wings of death cast no shadow over their pages. They said they were "all right," "merry and bright" and "soon going back for a long rest." They told their mothers what kind of cigarettes to send, and gave them details how to make up the next parcel. They talked as if death were out of sight--a sinister fellow with whom they had nothing to do. Their homes were dark enough with anxiety, yet not by any word of theirs would the shadows be deepened. They could not shield themselves from war’s horrors but they would do their best to shield their white swans at home. They could not keep their women folk out of the war, but they would deliver them from its worst horrors.
Q. Which of the following words is synonymous with the word ‘GALLANT’ as used in the paragraph?

Sentences given with the blanks are to be filled in with appropriate words. Four alternatives are suggested for each question. Choose the correct alternative out of the four:
He did not want to ______ the match and so kept fighting till the end.

Find the most appropriate word to be fit in the blank.
Sometimes we have to _________ change if we want to move forward.

Pick the correct choice for each of the following sentences
I) We have gathered here all together [A] / altogether [B] to celebrate Ashish’s birthday
II) The office is on the fifth story [A] / storey [B]
III) She needs to practice [A] / practise [B] playing the piano before her recital   

Pick the correct choice for each of the following sentences
I) Are you implying [A] / inferring [B] that I am not good enough for this job?
II) Stop fawning [A] / flattering [B] all over the chief guest!
III) He was kicked to the curb[A] / kerb [B] for being late to work

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given question:
The Great Recession has not been great for free trade. As unemployment has risen throughout the world, governments have become more focused on protecting their own industries than on promoting international commerce. The US, though typically an enthusiastic supporter of open markets, has included "buy American" clause in its stimulus package and propped up its flailing auto industry with handouts. But according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the part of the world that was hit hardest by the trade crash - Asia, the number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by Asian countries has grown from just three in 2000 to fifty-six by the end of August 2009. Nineteen of those FTAs are among 16 Asian economies, a trend that could help the region become a powerful trading block. The drive to lower trade barriers has taken on fresh urgency amid the recession. As Asian manufacturing networks become more intertwined, and as Asian consumers become wealthier, regional commerce is becoming critical to future economic expansion. Intraregional trade last year made up 57% of total Asian trade, up from 37% in 1980. In the past, Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia.
Of course, Asia is still dependent for sales on the West. But FTAs could reduce the region's exposure to the US by giving Asian companies preferential treatment in selling to Asian companies and consumers. However, these benefits could come with downsides. According to the experts, FTAs create a non-level playing field with advantages for Asian countries. If, the most dynamically growing part of the global economy gives the US restricted access, it will impact global balance. Companies in countries like the US which left out of the trade pacts could face disadvantages, when they will try to tap fastgrowing Asian markets. This, in turn, could have a negative impact on efforts to rebalance excessive debt in the US and excessive savings in Asia. Still, the benefits of greater regional integration could prove powerful enough to overcome the roadblocks. If they do, the world economy may never be the same.
Q. Which of the following is/are NOT TRUE in context of the passage?
A. Political and economic rivalries between Asian countries are non-existent today.
B. Asian countries hold America responsible for the recession and have imposed economic sanctions against the US.
C. America has adopted a protectionist strategy because of the recession.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given question:
The Great Recession has not been great for free trade. As unemployment has risen throughout the world, governments have become more focused on protecting their own industries than on promoting international commerce. The US, though typically an enthusiastic supporter of open markets, has included "buy American" clause in its stimulus package and propped up its flailing auto industry with handouts. But according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the part of the world that was hit hardest by the trade crash - Asia, the number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by Asian countries has grown from just three in 2000 to fifty-six by the end of August 2009. Nineteen of those FTAs are among 16 Asian economies, a trend that could help the region become a powerful trading block. The drive to lower trade barriers has taken on fresh urgency amid the recession. As Asian manufacturing networks become more intertwined, and as Asian consumers become wealthier, regional commerce is becoming critical to future economic expansion. Intraregional trade last year made up 57% of total Asian trade, up from 37% in 1980. In the past, Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia.
Of course, Asia is still dependent for sales on the West. But FTAs could reduce the region's exposure to the US by giving Asian companies preferential treatment in selling to Asian companies and consumers. However, these benefits could come with downsides. According to the experts, FTAs create a non-level playing field with advantages for Asian countries. If, the most dynamically growing part of the global economy gives the US restricted access, it will impact global balance. Companies in countries like the US which left out of the trade pacts could face disadvantages, when they will try to tap fastgrowing Asian markets. This, in turn, could have a negative impact on efforts to rebalance excessive debt in the US and excessive savings in Asia. Still, the benefits of greater regional integration could prove powerful enough to overcome the roadblocks. If they do, the world economy may never be the same.
Q. Which of the following describes the experts' predictions about trade pacts between Asian countries?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given question:
The Great Recession has not been great for free trade. As unemployment has risen throughout the world, governments have become more focused on protecting their own industries than on promoting international commerce. The US, though typically an enthusiastic supporter of open markets, has included "buy American" clause in its stimulus package and propped up its flailing auto industry with handouts. But according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the part of the world that was hit hardest by the trade crash - Asia, the number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by Asian countries has grown from just three in 2000 to fifty-six by the end of August 2009. Nineteen of those FTAs are among 16 Asian economies, a trend that could help the region become a powerful trading block. The drive to lower trade barriers has taken on fresh urgency amid the recession. As Asian manufacturing networks become more intertwined, and as Asian consumers become wealthier, regional commerce is becoming critical to future economic expansion. Intraregional trade last year made up 57% of total Asian trade, up from 37% in 1980. In the past, Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia.
Of course, Asia is still dependent for sales on the West. But FTAs could reduce the region's exposure to the US by giving Asian companies preferential treatment in selling to Asian companies and consumers. However, these benefits could come with downsides. According to the experts, FTAs create a non-level playing field with advantages for Asian countries. If, the most dynamically growing part of the global economy gives the US restricted access, it will impact global balance. Companies in countries like the US which left out of the trade pacts could face disadvantages, when they will try to tap fastgrowing Asian markets. This, in turn, could have a negative impact on efforts to rebalance excessive debt in the US and excessive savings in Asia. Still, the benefits of greater regional integration could prove powerful enough to overcome the roadblocks. If they do, the world economy may never be the same.
Q. According to the passage, which of the following is/are not impact(s) of the recession?
A. Various trade agreements signed between developed and Asian countries have not been honoured.
B. The US government has restructured the automobile Industry.
C. Regional conflicts in Asia have substantially reduced.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given question:
The Great Recession has not been great for free trade. As unemployment has risen throughout the world, governments have become more focused on protecting their own industries than on promoting international commerce. The US, though typically an enthusiastic supporter of open markets, has included "buy American" clause in its stimulus package and propped up its flailing auto industry with handouts. But according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the part of the world that was hit hardest by the trade crash - Asia, the number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by Asian countries has grown from just three in 2000 to fifty-six by the end of August 2009. Nineteen of those FTAs are among 16 Asian economies, a trend that could help the region become a powerful trading block. The drive to lower trade barriers has taken on fresh urgency amid the recession. As Asian manufacturing networks become more intertwined, and as Asian consumers become wealthier, regional commerce is becoming critical to future economic expansion. Intraregional trade last year made up 57% of total Asian trade, up from 37% in 1980. In the past, Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia.
Of course, Asia is still dependent for sales on the West. But FTAs could reduce the region's exposure to the US by giving Asian companies preferential treatment in selling to Asian companies and consumers. However, these benefits could come with downsides. According to the experts, FTAs create a non-level playing field with advantages for Asian countries. If, the most dynamically growing part of the global economy gives the US restricted access, it will impact global balance. Companies in countries like the US which left out of the trade pacts could face disadvantages, when they will try to tap fastgrowing Asian markets. This, in turn, could have a negative impact on efforts to rebalance excessive debt in the US and excessive savings in Asia. Still, the benefits of greater regional integration could prove powerful enough to overcome the roadblocks. If they do, the world economy may never be the same.
Q. What is the author trying to convey through the phrase 'In the past Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia'?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the given question:
The Great Recession has not been great for free trade. As unemployment has risen throughout the world, governments have become more focused on protecting their own industries than on promoting international commerce. The US, though typically an enthusiastic supporter of open markets, has included "buy American" clause in its stimulus package and propped up its flailing auto industry with handouts. But according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in the part of the world that was hit hardest by the trade crash - Asia, the number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by Asian countries has grown from just three in 2000 to fifty-six by the end of August 2009. Nineteen of those FTAs are among 16 Asian economies, a trend that could help the region become a powerful trading block. The drive to lower trade barriers has taken on fresh urgency amid the recession. As Asian manufacturing networks become more intertwined, and as Asian consumers become wealthier, regional commerce is becoming critical to future economic expansion. Intraregional trade last year made up 57% of total Asian trade, up from 37% in 1980. In the past, Asia produced for America and Europe, now Asia is producing for Asia.
Of course, Asia is still dependent for sales on the West. But FTAs could reduce the region's exposure to the US by giving Asian companies preferential treatment in selling to Asian companies and consumers. However, these benefits could come with downsides. According to the experts, FTAs create a non-level playing field with advantages for Asian countries. If, the most dynamically growing part of the global economy gives the US restricted access, it will impact global balance. Companies in countries like the US which left out of the trade pacts could face disadvantages, when they will try to tap fastgrowing Asian markets. This, in turn, could have a negative impact on efforts to rebalance excessive debt in the US and excessive savings in Asia. Still, the benefits of greater regional integration could prove powerful enough to overcome the roadblocks. If they do, the world economy may never be the same.
Q. Which of the following can be said about the American economy in context of the passage?
(A) Most American companies have opted to withdraw from Asia.
(B) America's stand on free trade has altered because of the recession.
(C) The American economy is far too dependent on Asia for trade.

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
Progressing in life is something which is imperative for a person to grow and achieve one level after another. Now, each level should be more difficult than the previous one. This would help a person to stretch one's abilities & know one's capabilities to their maximum limits. Progress, for quite a good deal of it, means to be able to manage pressure for a good deal of it.
Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little son trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.
Some middle–aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of a mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.
Each grand dream will help you to in turn achieve more than you could ever expect from your own self. This would in turn lead to self–revelation & once one understands one's own self, attaining anything in life would be actually like a dream.
Q. What does progress in life depend upon?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
Progressing in life is something which is imperative for a person to grow and achieve one level after another. Now, each level should be more difficult than the previous one. This would help a person to stretch one's abilities & know one's capabilities to their maximum limits. Progress, for quite a good deal of it, means to be able to manage pressure for a good deal of it.
Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little son trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.
Some middle–aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of a mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.
Each grand dream will help you to in turn achieve more than you could ever expect from your own self. This would in turn lead to self–revelation & once one understands one's own self, attaining anything in life would be actually like a dream.
Q. What does 'he died climbing' signify?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
Progressing in life is something which is imperative for a person to grow and achieve one level after another. Now, each level should be more difficult than the previous one. This would help a person to stretch one's abilities & know one's capabilities to their maximum limits. Progress, for quite a good deal of it, means to be able to manage pressure for a good deal of it.
Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little son trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.
Some middle–aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of a mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.
Each grand dream will help you to in turn achieve more than you could ever expect from your own self. This would in turn lead to self–revelation & once one understands one's own self, attaining anything in life would be actually like a dream.
Q. What does 'to pass from dream to grander dream' mean?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
Progressing in life is something which is imperative for a person to grow and achieve one level after another. Now, each level should be more difficult than the previous one. This would help a person to stretch one's abilities & know one's capabilities to their maximum limits. Progress, for quite a good deal of it, means to be able to manage pressure for a good deal of it.
Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little son trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.
Some middle–aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of a mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.
Each grand dream will help you to in turn achieve more than you could ever expect from your own self. This would in turn lead to self–revelation & once one understands one's own self, attaining anything in life would be actually like a dream.
Q. How can you accomplish the most difficult of tasks?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
Progressing in life is something which is imperative for a person to grow and achieve one level after another. Now, each level should be more difficult than the previous one. This would help a person to stretch one's abilities & know one's capabilities to their maximum limits. Progress, for quite a good deal of it, means to be able to manage pressure for a good deal of it.
Progress in the life depends a good deal on crossing one threshold after another. Some time ago a man watched his little son trying to write his name. It was hard work, very hard work. The little boy had arrived at an effort threshold. Today, he writes his name with comparative ease. No new threshold confronts him. This is the way with all of us. As soon as we cross one threshold, as soon as we conquer one difficulty, a new difficulty appears, or should appear. Some people make the mistake of steering clear of threshold. Anything that requires genuine thinking and use of energy, they avoid. They prefer to stay in a rut where thresholds are not met. Probably, they have been at their job a number of years. Things are easy for them. They make no effort to seek out new obstacles to overcome. Real progress stops under such circumstances.
Some middle–aged and elderly people greatly enrich their lives by continuing to cross thresholds. Psychologists have discovered that man can continue to learn throughout the life. And it is undoubtedly better to try, and fail than not to try at all. Here, one can be placed in the category of a mountaineer of whom it was said, He died climbing. When a new difficulty rises to obstruct your path, do not complain. Accept the challenge. Resolve to cross this threshold as you have crossed numerous other thresholds in your past life. In the words of the poet, do not rest but strive to pass 'from dream to grander dream'.
Each grand dream will help you to in turn achieve more than you could ever expect from your own self. This would in turn lead to self–revelation & once one understands one's own self, attaining anything in life would be actually like a dream.
Q. What obstructs real progress in life?

Directions: A number of sentences are given in the question, which when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the four given choices so as to construct a coherent paragraph.
A. This has been going on now for nearly 200 years.
B. They haven't even been noticed much by central, state, or local governments, no matter how insolent or blasphemous or treasonous those writers may be.
C. But writers of novels, plays, short stories or poems have never been hurt or hampered much.
D. Journalists and teachers are often bullied or fired in my country for saying this or that.

Directions: The question given below has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read the sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your answer against the corresponding letter i.e. (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your answer should be indicated as (d).
(a) The Foreign Minister said (b) there was no use to criticize the policy of non-alignment (c) which had stood the test of time. (d) No error.

Directions: Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The company gave in to the demands of the employees as it found them ______.

Directions: A number of sentences are given in the question, which when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the four given choices so as to construct a coherent paragraph.
A. They found that the surface water may be as much as 20°C warmer than the deep water.
B. The cheapest collector of the sun's heat is a body of water.
C. For a number of years, French engineers have been trying to harness the temperature difference produced in the oceans by sunshine.
D. But 20 degrees is a very small temperature difference for operating a turbine.

Directions: In the following question, select the word or group of words that is most opposite in meaning to the underlined word or group of words in the given sentence.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the hilarious drama.