Reading Practice Test - 10 | Reading for TOEFL PDF Download

The Mauryan Empire

Passage 1:
The Mauryan Empire, founded by Chandragupta Maurya in 321 BCE, stands as one of ancient India’s most significant political and cultural milestones. It marked a transformative era, unifying a vast territory that encompassed much of the Indian subcontinent. Chandragupta, with guidance from his advisor Chanakya (also known as Kautilya), established a centralized administration that was remarkably advanced for its time. The empire’s governance relied on an efficient bureaucracy, a structured taxation system, and a standing army to maintain order and security.

Passage 2:
The empire reached its zenith under Emperor Ashoka, Chandragupta’s grandson, who reigned from 268 to 232 BCE. Initially renowned for his military conquests, Ashoka’s legacy is most closely tied to his transformation following the Kalinga War. The brutal conflict, which caused widespread devastation, profoundly impacted Ashoka. Overwhelmed by the suffering, he embraced Buddhism and vowed to govern with compassion and non-violence. Ashoka’s edicts, inscribed on rocks and pillars across his empire, articulated his commitment to ethical governance, religious tolerance, and social welfare. Written in Prakrit and Brahmi script, these edicts were accessible to a broad audience, ensuring that his message resonated with his subjects.

Passage 3:
Economically, the Mauryan Empire flourished due to its control over agriculture, trade, and industries. The state managed vast agricultural lands and collected revenue to support the empire’s infrastructure. Pataliputra, the empire’s capital, became a bustling hub of commerce and culture, attracting traders, artisans, and scholars from across Asia. The empire also maintained diplomatic relations with Hellenistic kingdoms, as evidenced by the presence of Greek envoys at Chandragupta’s court.

Passage 4:
Despite its achievements, the Mauryan Empire’s decline began soon after Ashoka’s death. Successive rulers lacked the vision and administrative skill to maintain the centralized structure. By 185 BCE, the empire had fragmented into smaller kingdoms, signaling the end of an era. However, the Mauryan legacy endures through its contributions to governance, architecture, and the promotion of Buddhism, which spread far beyond India’s borders.

Q1. What is one way Chandragupta Maurya established a centralized administration?
(a) By abolishing taxation
(b) By introducing a structured taxation system
(c) By creating a democratic government
(d) By relying solely on military conquests

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Ans: (b)
Solution: The Chandragupta’s governance relied on an efficient bureaucracy and a structured taxation system.

Q2. What does the word “resonated” most likely mean in the sentence, “Ashoka’s edicts...ensuring that his message resonated with his subjects"?
(a) Created confusion
(b) Had a lasting impact
(c) Was forgotten
(d) Contradicted their beliefs

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Ans: (b) Had a lasting impact
Solution: In this context, “resonated” means that Ashoka’s message was impactful and understood by his subjects.

Q3. Based on the passage, what can be inferred about the impact of the Kalinga War on Ashoka?
(a) It strengthened his military ambitions.
(b) It led to his downfall as a ruler.
(c) It caused him to embrace ethical governance and Buddhism.
(d) It encouraged him to abandon his empire.

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Ans: (c) It caused him to embrace ethical governance and Buddhism.
Solution: The passage describes how the devastation of the Kalinga War deeply affected Ashoka, leading him to adopt Buddhism and focus
 on non-violence.

Q4. Why does the author mention the presence of Greek envoys at Chandragupta’s court?
(a) To highlight the empire’s military alliances
(b) To demonstrate the Mauryan Empire’s cultural connections with other regions
(c) To show that Greek culture heavily influenced the Mauryan Empire
(d) To criticize Chandragupta’s diplomatic policies

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Ans: (b) To demonstrate the Mauryan Empire’s cultural connections with other regions
Solution: The presence of Greek envoys illustrates the Mauryan Empire’s diplomatic relations and its interaction with Hellenistic kingdoms.

Q5. Which of the following best summarizes the passage?
(a) The Mauryan Empire was an economically successful but politically unstable empire.
(b) The Mauryan Empire unified India, flourished under Ashoka’s rule, and left a lasting cultural legacy.
(c) The Mauryan Empire declined due to invasions and lack of resources.
(d) The Mauryan Empire’s main focus was on military conquests and alliances.

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Ans: (b) The Mauryan Empire unified India, flourished under Ashoka’s rule, and left a lasting cultural legacy.
Solution: This option captures the key points of the passage, including unification, Ashoka’s influence, and the empire’s enduring contributions.

Q6. What role did Chanakya (Kautilya) play in the establishment of the Mauryan Empire?
(a) He served as the commander of Chandragupta’s army. 
(b) He acted as Chandragupta’s chief advisor and strategist. 
(c) He led the Mauryan Empire’s trade relations. 
(d) He built Pataliputra as the empire’s capital.

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Ans: (b) He acted as Chandragupta’s chief advisor and strategist.
Solution: The passage mentions that Chanakya guided Chandragupta and played a key role in establishing the empire’s centralized administration.

Q7. What does the word “flourished” most likely mean in the sentence, “Economically, the Mauryan Empire flourished due to its control over agriculture, trade, and industries”?
(a) Declined
(b) Struggled
(c) Prospered
(d) Collapsed

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Ans: (c) Prospered
Solution: The word “flourished” here means that the Mauryan Empire experienced economic success and growth.

Q8. What can be inferred about the accessibility of Ashoka’s edicts?
(a) They were written in a language only the elite could understand.
(b) They were designed to reach and be understood by a wide audience.
(c) They were primarily aimed at foreign diplomats.
(d) They contained only religious teachings.

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Ans: (b) They were designed to reach and be understood by a wide audience.
Solution: The passage states that the edicts were written in Prakrit and Brahmi, making them accessible to common people.

Q9. What was one consequence of the Kalinga War mentioned in the passage?
(a) Ashoka expanded his military campaigns further.
(b) Ashoka adopted policies promoting ethical governance.
(c) The empire’s economy collapsed.
(d) The Mauryan Empire’s decline began immediately after the war.

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Ans: (b) Ashoka adopted policies promoting ethical governance.
Solution: The passage highlights how the suffering caused by the Kalinga War led Ashoka to embrace non-violence and focus on ethical governance.

Q10. If a historian were studying the spread of Buddhism during Ashoka’s reign, which of the following sources would be most useful?
(a) The accounts of Greek envoys at Chandragupta’s court.
(b) The inscriptions on Ashoka’s edicts.
(c) Records of trade relations with Hellenistic kingdoms.
(d) Descriptions of Pataliputra’s infrastructure.

View Answer  

Ans: (b) The inscriptions on Ashoka’s edicts.
Solution: Ashoka’s edicts provide direct evidence of his promotion of Buddhism and ethical governance during his reign.