Model Practice Set MCQ - 3 - Teaching MCQ

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. Why was the new queen ill ?

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. What was the king’s immediate reaction upon hearing of his wife’s illness ?

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. What did the young queen really want ?

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. How did the queen celebrate the Harvest festival ?

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. Why was the young prince angry?

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. Why was the old queen living in a hut ?

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. Which of the following describes the young prince ?
(A) He was devoted to his mother because he was very upset when she was ill.
(B) He was physically fit and enjoyed climbing trees 
(C) He was afraid of his father and would obey him immediately.

Directions (11–13) : Choose the word /phrase which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word in underline as used in the passage.

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. removed

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. ambling

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. heavy

Directions (14–15) : Choose the word which is most Opposite in meaning to the word  in underline as used in the passage.

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. heard

The new queen was ailing. Her heart was heavy. The doctor brought along his pills. He stirred them in honey and gave her the mixture in a cup. The king heard the news. He left his court in a hurry and rushed to her side. He sat down beside her and asked, “What ails you ?” Go away, all of you. Just send my companion to me,” she said. When her companion arrived the new queen took her companion’s hand in hers. Her companion asked, “Tell me, what is on your mind ?” The new queen said, “At first, my elder sister-in-law”, the old queen had three blocks beside my seven storeyed mansion; Then she had only two, then one, and finally she was removed from the palace grounds altogether. Gradually I forgot all about the old queen, the vanquished one. Then one day from my chariot, I spotted a mud hut on the riverbank, in the shade of a champak tree. The fence was covered with blue flowers hanging from the creepers. I asked my handmaiden ‘What a pretty hut-who lives there ?’ ‘ The old queen.’ she replied. I came home and sat in the dark. I heard nothing. The king came and asked ‘What’s wrong ? What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘I shall not live here in this room.’ will ‘The King said, ‘I’ II build you a new mansion with marble tiles on the floor which will be white as milk and I shall have them embroider the sides with pearl shells in a lotus pattern.’ I said, ‘My heart really desires to live in mud hut in a corner of the palace gardens.’ He built the mud hut. My desire for it wilted. I went inside to stay and came out feeling ashamed.

Later, one day I went to the temple with a hundred and seven handmaidens in tow. On my way back, I peeped out of the chariot and saw the serene old queen with people respectfully talking to her. I asked, ‘In which temple does she pray ?’ I then came back home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘what does your heart desire?’ I said, ‘My heart desires to have a bath in the river every morning and to walk to the temple carrying the water from the river. I bathed in the river and carried a pot of sacred water back home. At the palace doors, I hurled the pot to the ground in despair. I did not feel serene. I felt ashamed yet again. And then the other day, it was the Harvest Festival. Tents were put up in the woods and I enjoyed singing and dancing all through the night. The next morning the royal seat was mounted on the elephant. I was on my way back home when I saw this young child ambling through the woods. He carried a basket laden with fruits from the trees and wild greens. I asked my handmaiden, ‘Whose child is that ?’ She replied, ‘That’s the old queen’s son. He is taking those flowers, fruits and greens for his mother.’ I retired home and sat in the dark. The king came and asked, ‘What does your heart desire ?’ I said, ‘My heart really desired wild fruits and greens everyday which my son should pick with his own hands.’ The king said, ‘All right, I shall see that he does.’ My son brought me the basket of fruits and flowers. He was dripping with sweat and fury over having to do something he did not want to had made his limbs stiff. The basket lay untouched. I felt ashamed. Although I am the privileged one, I am too ashamed to tell anyone what my heart desires. That is why I sent for you, my friend. My final desire is to have the old queen’s sorrow.”

Q. wilted

Directions (16–20) : Which of the phrases (a), (b), (c), and (d) given below should replace the phrase given in underline in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is and there is no correction required mark (e)  i.e. ‘No correction required’ as the answer.

Q. He did not take up the project because he was fearful to fail.

The following sentences to make the sentence grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is and there is no correction required mark (e)  i.e. ‘No correction

Q. Stocks worthy of rupees one lakh were destroyed in the fire which occurred last night.

The following sentences to make the sentence grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is and there is no correction required mark (e)  i.e. ‘No correction

Q. The government’s focus on achieving growth not to control inflation.

The following sentences to make the sentence grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is and there is no correction required mark (e)  i.e. ‘No correction

Q. The manager produced evidence to bear out his case against Shyam.

The following sentences to make the sentence grammatically correct ? If the sentence is correct as it is and there is no correction required mark (e)  i.e. ‘No correction

Q. Our hotel is near the venue that the conference took place.

Directions (21-25) : in each question below four words have been in underline which are numbered (a), (b), (c) and (d). One of these words may be misspelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the wrongly spelt or inappropriate word. The number of that word is the answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and are appropriate the answer is (e), i.e. ‘All correct’.

Q. Rising (a)/ prices (b)/ of foodgrains will have an adverse (c)/ impac on developing (d)/countries. All correct. (e)

Find out the wrongly spelt or inappropriate word. The number of that word is the answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and are appropriate the answer is (e), i.e. ‘All correct’.

Q. To deal effectively (a)/ with a crisis (b)/ quick decisions (c)/ are requited (d)/. All correct. (e)

Find out the wrongly spelt or inappropriate word. The number of that word is the answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and are appropriate the answer is (e), i.e. ‘All correct’.

Q. The IT Company has succeeded (a)/ in achieving high growth rate despite (b)/ facing (c)/ several (d)/problems. All correct (e).

Find out the wrongly spelt or inappropriate word. The number of that word is the answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and are appropriate the answer is (e), i.e. ‘All correct’.

Q. On an average (a)/ there are very few persons willingly (b)/ to take on (c)/ such  responsibility (d)/All correct. (e) 

Find out the wrongly spelt or inappropriate word. The number of that word is the answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and are appropriate the answer is (e), i.e. ‘All correct’.

Q. More than halve (a)/ of the budget (b)/ has been spent (c)/ on modernising (d)/ the factory. All correct. (e)

Directions (26–30) : Rearrange the following six sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.

(A) Everyone was in despair as they were sure they would be ruined financially.
(B) Over time peanuts became a more profitable crop than cotton.
(C) Years ago in America cotton was the most profitable crop in the South.
(D) Thus every misfortune is a challenge, forcing us to look for new solutions and ways to succeed.
(E) However because of this pest farmers began to plant peanuts instead of cotton.
(F) An insect called the weevil then started destroying the entire crop.

Q. Which of the following will be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?

(A) Everyone was in despair as they were sure they would be ruined financially.
(B) Over time peanuts became a more profitable crop than cotton.
(C) Years ago in America cotton was the most profitable crop in the South.
(D) Thus every misfortune is a challenge, forcing us to look for new solutions and ways to succeed.
(E) However because of this pest farmers began to plant peanuts instead of cotton.
(F) An insect called the weevil then started destroying the entire crop.

Q. Which of the following will be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement?  

(A) Everyone was in despair as they were sure they would be ruined financially.
(B) Over time peanuts became a more profitable crop than cotton.
(C) Years ago in America cotton was the most profitable crop in the South.
(D) Thus every misfortune is a challenge, forcing us to look for new solutions and ways to succeed.
(E) However because of this pest farmers began to plant peanuts instead of cotton.
(F) An insect called the weevil then started destroying the entire crop.

Q. Which of the following will be the SECOND sentences after rearrangement ?

(A) Everyone was in despair as they were sure they would be ruined financially.
(B) Over time peanuts became a more profitable crop than cotton.
(C) Years ago in America cotton was the most profitable crop in the South.
(D) Thus every misfortune is a challenge, forcing us to look for new solutions and ways to succeed.
(E) However because of this pest farmers began to plant peanuts instead of cotton.
(F) An insect called the weevil then started destroying the entire crop.

Q. Which of the following will be the SIXTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement?

(A) Everyone was in despair as they were sure they would be ruined financially.
(B) Over time peanuts became a more profitable crop than cotton.
(C) Years ago in America cotton was the most profitable crop in the South.
(D) Thus every misfortune is a challenge, forcing us to look for new solutions and ways to succeed.
(E) However because of this pest farmers began to plant peanuts instead of cotton.
(F) An insect called the weevil then started destroying the entire crop.

Q. Which of the following will be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?