Reading Comprehension MCQs for SSC CGL Exam

DIRECTIONS: Violence has played a great part in the world's history. It is today playing an equally important part and probably it will continue to do so for a considerable time. It is impossibe to ignore the importance of violence in the past and present. To do so is to ignore life. Yet violence is undoubtedly bad and brings an unending trail of evil consequences with it. And worse even than violence are the motives of hatred, cruelty, revenge and punishment which very often accompany violence. Indeed, violence is bad, not intrinsically, but because of these motives that go with it. There can be violence without these motives; there can be violence for a good object as well as for an evil object. But it is extremely difficult to separate violence from these motives, and therefore, it is desirable to avoid as far as possible.
In avoiding it, however, someone can not accept a negative attitude of submitting to bad and far greater evils. Submission to violence or the acceptance of an unjust regime based on violence is against the spirit of non-violence. The non-violent method, in order to justify itself, must be dynamic and capable of changing such a regime of social order.

Q. 'Violence without these motives' is possible only in : 

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and mark it by blackening the appropriate circle [•].
In the history of Britain, the period from 1837 to 1901 is known as the Victorian Age.
The period saw the long and prosperous reign of Queen Victoria in England. Charles Dickens was the most popular novelist of this period. He became famous for his depiction of the life of the working class, intricate plots and sense of humour. However, it was the vast galaxy of unusual characters created by him that made him more popular than any of his contemporaries. Drawn from everyday life and the world around him, these characters were such that readers could relate to them. Beginning with The Pickwick Papers in 1836, Dickens wrote numerous novels, each uniquely filled with believable personalities and vivid physical descriptions. According to Dickens' friend and biographer, John Forster. Dickens made "characters real existences, not by describing them but letting them describe themselves."        (SSC Stenographer 2016)

Q. The period between 1837-1901 is known as the

Direction: It is sad that in country after country, progress should become synonymous with an assault on nature. We who are a part of nature and dependent on her for every need, speak constantly about 'exploiting' nature. When the highest mountain in the world was climbed in 1953, Jawaharlal  Nehru objected to the phrase 'conquest of Everest' which he thought was arrogant. Is it surprising that this lack of consideration and the constant need to prove one's superiority should be projected on to our treatment of our fellowmen? I remember Edward Thompson, a British writer and a good friend of India, once telling Mr. Gandhi that wildlife was fast disappearing. Remarked Mr. Gandhi: ‘It is decreasing in the jungles but it is increasing in the towns’ On the one hand, the rich look askance at our continuing poverty; on the other they warn us against their own methods. We do not wish to impoverish the environment any further and yet we cannot forget the grim poverty of large numbers of people.
Are not poverty and need the great polluters? For instance, unless we are in a position to provide employment and purchasing power for the daily necessities of the tribal people and those who live in and around our jungles, we cannot prevent them from combing the forest for food and livelihood, from poaching and from despoiling the vegetation.

Q. At the beginning of the passage, the writer expresses her opinion that in many countries progress is synonymous with 

DIRECTIONS: Self directed learning, in its broadest meaning, describes a process in which individuals take the initiative with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs formulating learning goals, identifying resources for learning, choosing and implementing learning strategies and evaluating learning outcomes. Thus, it is important to attain new  knowledge easily and skillfully for the rest of his or her life.
What is the need for self directed learning? One reason is that there is convincing evidence that people, who take the initiative in learning, learn more things and learn better than people who sit at the feet of teachers passively waiting to be taught. The second reason is that self-directed learning is more in tune with our natural processes of psychological development; an essential aspect of maturing is developing the ability to take increasing responsibility of our own lives to become increasingly self-directed. The third reason is that many of the new developments in education put a heavy responsibility on the learners to take a good deal of initiative in their own learning. To meet the challenges in today's instructive environment, self-directed learning is most essential.

Q. In  self-directed learning, an individual

Direction: Street theatre in India is a well established ancient art form. Despite the proliferation of modern means of entertainment and communication, street theatre continues to flourish in India.
Street theatre as a channel of communication has for centuries been propagating reforms by highlighting social, economic and political issues present in the society. Unlike in the olden days, its performance is no longer restricted to villages or small localities of the city. Today small groups of performers including students, would stage performances to mobilize public opinion or to help create or raise awareness over a particular issue of public importance. Themes on substance abuse, AIDS awareness, and domestic violence are some of the areas highlighted by contemporary street theatre troupe. Unlike in regular drama street drama employ very little  props and images. The human body becomes the main tool in which choreography, mime, dialogues, songs and slogans are extensively used.
Street theatre is one of the most intimate media. Its appeal is to the emotions leading to quick psychological impact on audiences. By being local and live they also are able to establish not only direct contact with the audience but by being costeffective and flexible they are popular among all age  groups.       (SSC SI 2014)

Q. Street theatre creates an/a _______ impact on audiences. 

Direction: Street theatre in India is a well established ancient art form. Despite the proliferation of modern means of entertainment and communication, street theatre continues to flourish in India.
Street theatre as a channel of communication has for centuries been propagating reforms by highlighting social, economic and political issues present in the society. Unlike in the olden days, its performance is no longer restricted to villages or small localities of the city. Today small groups of performers including students, would stage performances to mobilize public opinion or to help create or raise awareness over a particular issue of public importance. Themes on substance abuse, AIDS awareness, and domestic violence are some of the areas highlighted by contemporary street theatre troupe. Unlike in regular drama street drama employ very little  props and images. The human body becomes the main tool in which choreography, mime, dialogues, songs and slogans are extensively used.
Street theatre is one of the most intimate media. Its appeal is to the emotions leading to quick psychological impact on audiences. By being local and live they also are able to establish not only direct contact with the audience but by being costeffective and flexible they are popular among all age  groups.       (SSC SI 2014)

Q. Street theatre usually _______ with issues of public importance.

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question, out of the four alternatives.
Long ago in Mongolia there lived an emperor who feared growing old. One day, he saw an old man in the street. Upset at being reminded that someday, he too, would age, he ordered all the old people to leave his land.
One day, a violent storm swept the kingdom. Nothing was safe from its fury. It roared into the palace and blew away the emperor’s belongings, including his priceless golden pitcher. When the storm ended, the emperor ordered that the pitcher be found and brought back to him.
People went in search of the pitcher. They saw it in a lake nearby. But no matter who tried, no one could get a grip on the pitcher. All they got was a handful of water. Yet it could be plainly seen, glittering and just below the water’s surface.       (SSC CHSL 2013)

Q. The emperor was upset to see the old man because 

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and mark it by blackening the appropriate circle [•].
Chameleons can make their skin colour change, but not because they decide to. The colour changes to help the chameleon avoid its enemies. It is a forth of camouflage, a disguise that lets it blend in with its surroundings. The determined by environmental factors, such as light and change is actually temperature.
Bright sunlight causes the skin to darken. On cool nights, the colour fades to a creamy changes chameleons are excited, angry or afraid. The colour, The colour change is rapid and increases when the chameleon is handled, injured, or approached by another chameleon.  There are many types of chameleons.
Almost half of them are found on the African island of Madagascar. The others mostly occur in the Sahara Desert, with few in Western Asia and Southern Europe. Chameleons live in trees, where they usually eat insects. Very large chameleons may even use their sticky tongues to catch birds.       (SSC Stenographer 2016)

Q. The colour changing ability of a chameleon is a form of camouflage which is a

DIRECTIONS: In these questions, you have a passage with 10 questions. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four.
The postmaster first took up his duties in the village of Ulapur. Though the village was a small one, there was an indigo factory nearby and the proprietor, an Englishman, had managed to get a post office established.
Our postmaster belonged to Calcutta. He felt like a fish out of water in this remote village. His office and living-room were in a dark thatched shed, not far from a green, silmy pond, surrounded on all sides by a dense growth.
The men employed in the indigo factory had no leisure, moreover they were hardly desirable companions for decent folk. Nor is a Calcutta boy an adept in the art of associating with others. Among strangers, he appears either proud or ill at ease. At any rate the postmaster had but little company, nor had he much to do.
At times he tried his hand at writing a verse or two. That the movement of the leaves and clouds of the sky were enough to fill life with joy - such were the sentiments to which he sought to give expression. But God knows that the poor fellow would have felt it as the gift of a new life, if some genie of the Arabian Nights had in one night swept away the trees, leaves and all, and replaced them with a macadamised road, hiding the clouds from view with rows of tall houses.        (SSC CGL 1st Sit. 2013)

Q. What does the idiom 'fish out of water' suggest? 

Why don't I have a telephone? No because I pretend to be wise or pose as unusual. There are two chief reasons: because I don't really like the telephone, and because I find I can still work and play, eat, breathe, and sleep without it. Why don't I like the telephone? because I think it is a pest and time waster. It may create unnecessary suspense and anxiety, as when you wait for an expected call, that doesn't come; or irritating delay, as when you keep ringing a number that is always engaged. As for speaking in a public telephone booth, it seems to me really horrible. you would not use it unless you were in a hurry, and because you are in a hurry, you will find other people waiting before you. When you do get into the booth, you are half suffocated by the stale, unventilated air, flavored with cheap face powder and chain smoking; and by the time you have began your conversation your back is chilled by the cold looks of somebody who is moving about restlessly to make your place.
If you have a telephone in your house, you will admit that it tends to ring when you least want it to ring; when you are asleep, or in the middle of a meal or a conversation, or when you are just going out, or when you are in your bath. Are you strong minded enough to ignore it, to say to yourself." Ah well, it will be all the same in hundred years time". You are not. You think there may be some important news or message for you. Have you never rushed dropping from the bath, of chewing from the table, or dazed from bed, only to be told that you are a wrong number? You were told the truth. In my opinion all telephone numbers are wrong numbers. If, of course, your telephone rings and you decide not to answer it, then you will have to listen to an idiotic bell ringing and ringing in what is supposed to be the privacy of your own home. You might as well buy a bicycle bell and ring it yourself.

Q. The author does not have a telephone because :

Direction: Street theatre in India is a well established ancient art form. Despite the proliferation of modern means of entertainment and communication, street theatre continues to flourish in India.
Street theatre as a channel of communication has for centuries been propagating reforms by highlighting social, economic and political issues present in the society. Unlike in the olden days, its performance is no longer restricted to villages or small localities of the city. Today small groups of performers including students, would stage performances to mobilize public opinion or to help create or raise awareness over a particular issue of public importance. Themes on substance abuse, AIDS awareness, and domestic violence are some of the areas highlighted by contemporary street theatre troupe. Unlike in regular drama street drama employ very little  props and images. The human body becomes the main tool in which choreography, mime, dialogues, songs and slogans are extensively used.
Street theatre is one of the most intimate media. Its appeal is to the emotions leading to quick psychological impact on audiences. By being local and live they also are able to establish not only direct contact with the audience but by being costeffective and flexible they are popular among all age  groups.       (SSC SI 2014)

Q. Street theatre is _______ to stage.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the questions. [SSC Steno-2018]
The general reader enjoys cartoons for two reasons. First, these cartoons make him smile because they draw his attention to something that is unusual and unexpected. The cartoonist highlights some aspects of a well-known personality in the field of politics, social work, cinema, sports, business etc. and criticises the person involved. Here, the purpose is not to offend but to make him understand that there is something funny about his actions or behaviour. Secondly, the cartoonist may target some wrong practices or situations from different walks of life. Here, his aim is to use humour to not only criticize but also correct the wrong practices. In other words, correction through entertainment. The cartoonist can never beat around the bush because he needs to make his point with just a few strokes of his pen.
Political cartoons, that is, cartoons making humorous comments on current political situations and events are a regular feature of both English newspapers and regional language newspapers. They can be found in the editorial pages of a daily newspaper, in news magazines and on political websites. Political cartoons can be very funny, especially if people can understand the message in the cartoon. Their main purpose, though, is not only to amuse him but also make him think about current events
and influence his opinion about the events. The best political cartoonist uses humour so skilfully that the reader’s own opinions on various political issues are formed even without him even realizing how it happened.

Q. What does the passage talk about?

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and mark it by blackening the appropriate circle [•].
Like watering a plant, we grow our friendships [and all our relationships) by running them. Friendships need the same attention as other relationships. If they are to continue. These relationships can be delightfully non-judgemental, supportive, understanding and fun.
Sometimes a friendship can  bring out the positive side that you never show in any other relationship. This may be because the pressure of playing a 'role' (daughter, partner or child) is removed. With a friend you are to be yourself and free to change. Of course, you are free  to do this in all other relationships as well, but in friendships you get to have lats of rehearsals and discussion about changes as you experience them. It is an unconditional experience where you receive as much as you give. You can explain yourself to a friend openly without the fear of hurting a family member. How do friendships grow ? The answer is simple. By revealing yourself; being attentive: remembering what is most showing empathy; seeing the world through the eyes of your friend, you will understand the value of friendship. All this means learning to accept a person from a completely different family to your own or perhaps someone from a completely different cultural background. This is the way we learn tolerance. In turn we gain tolerance and acceptance for our own differences.         (SSC Stenographer 2016)

Q. In good friendships, we

DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
A passage is given with five questions following it. Read the passage carefully and select the best answer to each question out of the given four alternatives.
Antarctica is a mostly unpopulated continent. It is the coldest, driest and most remote place in the world. And it is the world's only continent that does not have a native population. No single country owns the Antarctic. However a number of countries, including Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, France and the United Kingdom, have already laid claim to the Antartic and others will probably follow. In some areas of the continent, two countries claim the same land.
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 and creates the rules for the exploration of the Antarctic. The treaty forbids military activity in the Antarctic, as well as mining. Many countries, however, think that there are valuable materials and minerals locked up under the frozen Antarctic ice, In addition, the treaty bans nuclear testing as well as dumping nuclear waste. The Antarctic. Treaty was made to protect the continent and avoid further disputes.
By 2048, the treaty must be renewed. New rules and regulations could be imposed by then.
Currently, almost all of the 70 bases in the Antarctic are used for research and scientific activity. The snow–covered continent is perfect for tracking satellites and space research because it offers clear blue, cloudless skies. Climatologists are studying the development of the ozone layer with growing concern. It was here that a hole in the layer was discovered for the first time.
More than 4000 scientists operate the research stations in the Antarctic summer, while only about a thousand populate the continent during the harsh and severe winters.
Environmentalists fear that exploiting Antarctica for military and economic reasons will damage the environment. At present, there is no economic activity in Antarctica, except for cruise ships that travel around the continent. This could change, if a new treaty allows mining in the Antarctic. As mineral resources are dwindling in other areas, nations could turn to Antarctica to find and exploit valuable raw materials.
Some geologists say that there are over 200 billion barrels of oil under the Antarctic ice. At the moment getting at these reserves would be very expensive. In addition, economic experts claim that there are large amounts of coal, nickel and copper under the Antarctic ice.      (SSC Sub. Ins. 2017)

Q. According to the passage, the reserves of which mineral is not found under the Antarctic ice?

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and mark it by blackening the appropriate circle [•].
Chameleons can make their skin colour change, but not because they decide to. The colour changes to help the chameleon avoid its enemies. It is a forth of camouflage, a disguise that lets it blend in with its surroundings. The determined by environmental factors, such as light and change is actually temperature.
Bright sunlight causes the skin to darken. On cool nights, the colour fades to a creamy changes chameleons are excited, angry or afraid. The colour, The colour change is rapid and increases when the chameleon is handled, injured, or approached by another chameleon.  There are many types of chameleons.
Almost half of them are found on the African island of Madagascar. The others mostly occur in the Sahara Desert, with few in Western Asia and Southern Europe. Chameleons live in trees, where they usually eat insects. Very large chameleons may even use their sticky tongues to catch birds.       (SSC Stenographer 2016)

Q. The colour change is determined by 

DIRECTIONS: Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow :
A passage is given with five questions following it. Read the passage carefully and select the best answer to each question out of the given four alternatives.
Antarctica is a mostly unpopulated continent. It is the coldest, driest and most remote place in the world. And it is the world's only continent that does not have a native population. No single country owns the Antarctic. However a number of countries, including Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, France and the United Kingdom, have already laid claim to the Antartic and others will probably follow. In some areas of the continent, two countries claim the same land.
The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959 and creates the rules for the exploration of the Antarctic. The treaty forbids military activity in the Antarctic, as well as mining. Many countries, however, think that there are valuable materials and minerals locked up under the frozen Antarctic ice, In addition, the treaty bans nuclear testing as well as dumping nuclear waste. The Antarctic. Treaty was made to protect the continent and avoid further disputes.
By 2048, the treaty must be renewed. New rules and regulations could be imposed by then.
Currently, almost all of the 70 bases in the Antarctic are used for research and scientific activity. The snow–covered continent is perfect for tracking satellites and space research because it offers clear blue, cloudless skies. Climatologists are studying the development of the ozone layer with growing concern. It was here that a hole in the layer was discovered for the first time.
More than 4000 scientists operate the research stations in the Antarctic summer, while only about a thousand populate the continent during the harsh and severe winters.
Environmentalists fear that exploiting Antarctica for military and economic reasons will damage the environment. At present, there is no economic activity in Antarctica, except for cruise ships that travel around the continent. This could change, if a new treaty allows mining in the Antarctic. As mineral resources are dwindling in other areas, nations could turn to Antarctica to find and exploit valuable raw materials.
Some geologists say that there are over 200 billion barrels of oil under the Antarctic ice. At the moment getting at these reserves would be very expensive. In addition, economic experts claim that there are large amounts of coal, nickel and copper under the Antarctic ice.      (SSC Sub. Ins. 2017)

Q. Why did environmentalists have fear of exploiting Antarctica for military and economic reasons?

Why don't I have a telephone? No because I pretend to be wise or pose as unusual. There are two chief reasons: because I don't really like the telephone, and because I find I can still work and play, eat, breathe, and sleep without it. Why don't I like the telephone? because I think it is a pest and time waster. It may create unnecessary suspense and anxiety, as when you wait for an expected call, that doesn't come; or irritating delay, as when you keep ringing a number that is always engaged. As for speaking in a public telephone booth, it seems to me really horrible. you would not use it unless you were in a hurry, and because you are in a hurry, you will find other people waiting before you. When you do get into the booth, you are half suffocated by the stale, unventilated air, flavored with cheap face powder and chain smoking; and by the time you have began your conversation your back is chilled by the cold looks of somebody who is moving about restlessly to make your place.
If you have a telephone in your house, you will admit that it tends to ring when you least want it to ring; when you are asleep, or in the middle of a meal or a conversation, or when you are just going out, or when you are in your bath. Are you strong minded enough to ignore it, to say to yourself." Ah well, it will be all the same in hundred years time". You are not. You think there may be some important news or message for you. Have you never rushed dropping from the bath, of chewing from the table, or dazed from bed, only to be told that you are a wrong number? You were told the truth. In my opinion all telephone numbers are wrong numbers. If, of course, your telephone rings and you decide not to answer it, then you will have to listen to an idiotic bell ringing and ringing in what is supposed to be the privacy of your own home. You might as well buy a bicycle bell and ring it yourself.

Q. 'All telephone numbers are wrong numbers', because :

DIRECTIONS: In questions, you have two brief passages with questions following each passage. Read the passages carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.
Two years later, in November 1895, he signed his final will. He left the bulk of his fortune, amounting to about £1,75,000 to a trust fund administered by Swedish and Norwegian trustees. The annual interest shall be awarded as prizes to those persons who during the previous year have rendered the greatest services to mankind.
The interest shall be divided into five equal parts– now amounting to about £8,000 each– one of which shall be awarded to the person who has made the most important discovery or invention in the realm of physics, one to the person who has made the most important chemical discovery or improvement, one to the person who has made the most important physiological or medical discovery, one to the person who has produced the most outstanding work of literature, idealistic in character, and one to the person who has done the best work for the brotherhood of nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, as well as for the formation or popularization of peace congress.        (SSC CGL 1st Sit. 2012)

Q. Which is the prize that is referred to in the passage? 

DIRECTIONS : In question number you have two passages with questions in each passage. Read the passages carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.
The World health Organisation is briefly called W.H.O. It is a specialised agency of the United Nations and was established in 1948.
International health workers can be seen working in all kinds of surroundings in deserts, jungles, mountains, coconut groves, and rice fields. They help the sick to attain health and the healthy to maintain their health.
This global health team assists the local health workers in stopping the spread of what are called communicable diseases, like cholera. These diseases can spread from one country to another and so can be a threat to world health.
W.H.O. assists different national health authorities not only in controlling diseases but also in preventing them altogether. Total prevention of diseases is possible in a number of ways.
Everyone knows how people, particularly children, are vaccinated against one disease or another. Similarly, most people are familiar with the spraying of houses with poisonous substances which kill disease-carrying insects.              (SSC CGL 1st Sit. 2013)

Q. "International health workers can be seen working in all kinds of surroundings: in deserts, jungles, mountains, coconout groves, and rice fields". Here International means: 

DIRECTIONS: Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and mark it by blackening the appropriate circle [•].
In the history of Britain, the period from 1837 to 1901 is known as the Victorian Age.
The period saw the long and prosperous reign of Queen Victoria in England. Charles Dickens was the most popular novelist of this period. He became famous for his depiction of the life of the working class, intricate plots and sense of humour. However, it was the vast galaxy of unusual characters created by him that made him more popular than any of his contemporaries. Drawn from everyday life and the world around him, these characters were such that readers could relate to them. Beginning with The Pickwick Papers in 1836, Dickens wrote numerous novels, each uniquely filled with believable personalities and vivid physical descriptions. According to Dickens' friend and biographer, John Forster. Dickens made "characters real existences, not by describing them but letting them describe themselves."        (SSC Stenographer 2016)

Q. Dickens became famous for depicting the life of