InterviewSolution
This section includes InterviewSolutions, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.
| 1. |
The science teacher’s wife’s behaviour during Kalam’s second visit to their home showed that (a) she had understood and adopted her husband’s outlook on the oneness of mankind (b) she wanted to repent for her earlier mistake (c) she had purified her kitchen ritually |
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Answer» (a) she had understood and adopted her husband’s outlook on the oneness of mankind |
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| 2. |
The small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups. a) strict b) firm c) strong |
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Answer» Answer is (a) strict |
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| 3. |
Sastry hluntlv asked the teacher to either apologise or quit the school, a) immediately b) angrily c) plainly |
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Answer» Answer is (b) angrily |
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| 4. |
Father gave Kalam the example of the seagull to (a) encourage him to be adventurous and fearless (b) encourage him to study the science of flying (c) encourage him to be creative and imaginative |
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Answer» (a) encourage him to be adventurous and fearless |
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| 5. |
Kalam owes his honesty and self-discipline to his (a) brothers (b) father (c) mother |
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Answer» Kalam owes his honesty and self-discipline to his father. |
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| 6. |
Why did Abdul Kalam want to leave Rameswaram ? |
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Answer» Kalam wanted to leave Rameswaram for further studies. He wanted to study at the district headquarters in Ramanathapuram. |
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| 7. |
How does the author describe : (i) his father, (ii) his mother, (iii) himself ? |
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Answer» (i) Kalam’s father, Jainulabdeen was not a wealthy or educated person. However, he was an honest and generous man, who possessed great innate wisdom. He was self-disciplined and avoided all inessential luxuries. (ii) Kalam’s mother, Ashiamma was an ideal helpmate to her husband. She believed in goodness and profound kindness, and fed many people everyday. (iii) The author describes himself as a short boy with undistinguished looks, who had a secure childhood. He is an honest and self- disciplined person, who believes in goodness and deep kindness. |
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| 8. |
What incident took place at the Rameswaram Elementary School when a new teacher came to the class ? |
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Answer» Kalam used to wear a cap which marked him as a Muslim and Ramanadha Sastry wore a sacred thread which marked him to be a Brahmin. When the new teacher came he could not tolerate a Hindu priest’s son sitting with a Muslim boy. He ordered Kalam to go and sit on the back bench. This made Ramanadha sad. Abdul started to sit in the last row but it left a bad impression on Abdul. Both the kids narrated the incident to their parents. As a result the teacher was rebuked and reprimanded for spreading communalism and hatred among children. |
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| 9. |
How was the science teacher Siva- subramania Iyer, though an orthodox Brahmin with a very conservative wife, a benefactor of Abdul Kalam ? Give incidents to support your answer. |
| Answer» The science teacher, Sivasubramania Iyer, wanted to break the social barriers between the Hindus and the Muslims. He wanted Kalam to be very highly educated as he recognized his intelligence. One day, he invited him over to a meal to his house. His orthodox wife was totally horrified at the idea of a Muslim boy dining in her ritually pure kitchen. He did not mind anything said by his very conservative wife. He rather served the food to Abdul by his own hands. He also sat with him and dined together as well as invited him over again for another meal the coming weekend. Thus, this shows that he was a benefactor of Abdul Kalam even though Kalam was a Muslim and he himself was an orthodox Brahmin. | |
| 10. |
“Once you decide to change the system, such problems have to be confronted.” What system is being refer in the sentence from the chapter ‘My Childhood’ ? What are such problems ? |
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Answer» System means system of discrimination on the basis of religion. The system includes the narrow-mindedness and poison of social inequality and communal intolerance. The Brahmins did not allow Muslims to enter their kitchen. The science teacher – a rebel by nature, invited Kalam to his home and proved that if one is determined to face problems and change the system, he will definitely succeed. Though, such indifferences come in everybody’s life but a person should have a broader outlook and overcome the obstacles. |
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| 11. |
What did his father say to this ? |
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Answer» Kalam’s father said that he knew that one day Kalam had to go away to grow. He gave him the analogy of a seagull that flies across the sun alone and without a nest. He then quoted Khalil Gibran to Kalam’s mother |
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| 12. |
What are the meanings of the word trace and which of the meanings is closest to the word in the text ? |
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Answer» The following are the meanings of the word trace:
The closest meaning of the word ‘trace’ in the text is ‘to find or discover through investigation’. |
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| 13. |
How did Abdul Kalam earn his ‘first wages’ ? How did he feel at that time ? |
| Answer» Kalam was only 8 years old when the Second World War broke out in 1939. Then there was a great demand for tamarind seeds. Abdul used to collect those seeds and sell them to a provision shop in the market. His cousin Samsuddin distributed newspapers. The train would not stop at Rameswaram and the bundles of newspapers were thrown from the running train. Abdul was employed by his cousin to collect them. This way he earned his first wages. He felt very proud on earning his first wage. | |
| 14. |
How did Abdul Kalam earn his first wages ? |
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Answer» During the Second World War, the newspapers were bundled and thrown out of a moving train. He earned his first wages by helping his cousin, who distributed newspapers in Rameswaram, to catch these bundles. |
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| 15. |
What are the things that can erupt ? Use examples to explain the various meanings of erupt. Now do the same for the word surge. What things can surge? |
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Answer» A few things that can erupt are : anger, volcano, tooth, rash, riots, unrest, etc. Erupt has several meanings. Their explanation, with examples, is given as follows: (1) Start unexpectedly (2) Start to burn or burst into flames Example : The spark soon erupted into flames. (3) Become active and spew forth lava and rocks (4) Forceful and violent release of something pent up (5) Sudden appearance on the skin Example : On the day of the party, a pimple erupted on her face.(6) Break out Things that can surge are : pride, anxiety, waves, boats, army, etc. The several meanings it has can be explained with the following (1) Sudden forceful flow |
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| 16. |
Where was Abdul Kalam’s house ? |
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Answer» Abdul Kalam’s house was on the Mosque Street in Rameswaram. |
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| 17. |
What dreams did Kalam talk about? |
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Answer» Kalam talked about free India, its development. He also talked about India that it must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economic power. |
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| 18. |
Then the Second World War was over and India’s freedom was imminent. (a) at hand (b) well-known (c) distant |
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Answer» (a) at hand. |
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| 19. |
Who were the three great minds with whom the speaker worked? |
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Answer» The three great minds with whom the speaker worked were Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Prof. Satish Dhawan and Dr. Brahm Prakash. |
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| 20. |
Here is a letter that Moses wrote to his friend Ravi from the United States of America. Imagine yourself as Ravi and give a reply.St. John’s Enclave,5-7/9, St. Pauls Avenue, Washington D.C. June 27, 2013Dear Ravi,I am really excited to write to you after a long time. Hope this letter finds you in a cheerful mood.Here is some good news for you. That means, I would like to visit India sometime between October and November and stay there at least for a month and would like to visit your place.Since I am coming to India for the first time, I would like to know about the people, their way of dressing, the food they take, the festivals they celebrate, the music and dance they like, etc. In fact, I have read about Indian culture through books and internet. But I would like to have some authentic information from you.Hope I can hear from you soon. Convey my greetings to your family. Your lovingly, Moses BridgeTo Ravi.K,S/o Bose,10-92, Church Road, Nidamanuru, Krishna District, A.R, India – 521 104. |
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Answer» Reply Letter: Road No. 12, 10-92, Ashok Enclaves, Flat No. 201, Church Road, Nidamanuru, Krishna District, A.R, India – 521 104. July 1, 2013. Dear Moses, Very happy to receive a letter from you after a long time. I am longing to see you in person. To visit India in October and November is the right time because the weather would be pleasant and quite comfortable to go around. I am proud to tell you that India is a country with many historical places and varied cultural heritage. This secular state is well known to follow ‘Unity in Diversity’. In and around Hyderabad there are many places that represent Indian culture and tradition. Places like the Charminar, the Golkonda fort and Sultan bazar exhibit their historical significance and culture. The N.T.R. Marg. Buddha Statue depict the nationalism and heritage of love and peace. I hope you will enjoy the trip to India. Places like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai in the north are sophisticated and places like Kerala, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari and Karnataka in the south are pleasant and known for scenic beauty. I eagerly wait for your arrival and I promise to make your trip a memorable one. Bye. See you soon ! Yours lovingly, Ravi To Moses Bridge St. John’s Enclave. 5-7/9, St. Paul’s Avenue, Washington D.C. USA. |
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| 21. |
Samsuddin was forced to seek a helping hand because (a) the Second World War had begun (b) the train now halted at Rameshwaram station (c) newspapers thrown from the moving train had to be collected |
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Answer» (c) newspapers thrown from the moving train had to be collected |
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| 22. |
‘That forced my cousin Samsuddin’ ... ‘That’ here refers to (a) World War II (b) increase in the demand of tamarind seeds (c) withdrawal of train halt at Rameshwaram station |
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Answer» (c) withdrawal of train halt at Rameshwaram station |
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| 23. |
As children, none of us ever felt any difference amongst ourselves because of our religious differences and upbringing. Choose the most appropriate meaning for the underlined word from the options given below. a) education b) cared and trained c) food and shelter |
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Answer» (b) cared and trained |
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| 24. |
Kalam’s childhood was (a) secure (b) insecure (c) austere |
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Answer» (a) secure. |
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| 25. |
Read the text and attribute the characteristics given in the box to the following women.conservative, simple, kind, secular , generous, toleran, adamant, orthodox,a) Subramania Iyer’s wife b) Ashiamma |
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Answer» a) Subramania Iyer’s wife – conservative, adamant, and orthodox (i) conservative – She could not invite Kalam to her house. (ii) adamant – She refused to serve meal to Kalam. (iii) orthodox – She remained in the kitchen when Kalam was served meal by Subramania Iyer. b) Ashiamma – sociable, kind, secular, generous, simple, tolerant (i) sociable – She was friendly with all the people who visited her house. (ii) kind – She was kind with all the guests and family members. (iii) secular – Irrespective of the religious differences, Ashiamma fed all the people who came to her house. (iv) generous – She gave a secured emotional and material comforts to her children. (v) simple – Ashiamma was a good partner to her husband and led a simple and happy life with him. (vi) tolerant – She was tolerant towards the visitors and her children. |
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| 26. |
Look at the picture and answer the questions that follow.1. What does the picture signify?2. Do you experience the theme reflected in the picture in your real life? If not, what may be the possible reason for this? |
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Answer» 1. The picture shows two persons of different religions showing zeal to play together. The unified thought for a common purpose represents the country’s integrity and unity. For ages people in India have been living with the feelings of fraternity and integrity. Historically India has been a land with people of many religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity, etc. Still all Indians show brotherhood. India is a land of different races, tribes, castes, languages, customs and traditions. But there is oneness in all these things. Our country is a land of great physical and sociocultural contrasts marked by unity in diversity. 2. Yes. I experience the theme of unity in my real life but sometimes the unity disappears in certain situations. The reason for this can be orthodox feelings of certain people, superstitious and narrow-minded attitude of the people with rigid thoughts. While some people strive continuously to keep up the nation’s strength with verisimilitude, there are others who try to split the nation’s strength with blind beliefs and sunder the foundation. |
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| 27. |
Identify the features of the text “ My Childhood”. a) What type of text is it? b) Reflections on the text c) Anecdotes in the text |
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Answer» a) The text is an autobiographical narrative. b) The whole text focuses on the secular, national, and emotional feelings that were experienced by Kalam in his childhood. The feeling of Unity in Diversity was best inculcated in the minds of young Kalam and his friends. The image of brotherhood irrespective of caste, creed or religion is highlighted to indulge the joy of unity. c) i) The situation in which Kalam earned money by selling tamarind seeds and catching paper bundles from the running train ii) Kalam’s friendship with Brahmin boys iii) The ill-treatment of the new teacher towards Kalam and the warning given by Lakshmana Sastry to the new teacher not to show any discrimination that would spoil the minds of innocent children iv) The hospitality of Sivasubramania Iyer |
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| 28. |
Why did A.P.J. Abdul Kalam call his childhood a secure childhood ? OR“Kalam’s childhood was a secure one, both materially and emotionally.” Illustrate the fact. |
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Answer» A.P.J. Abdul Kalam called his childhood a secure one because he had loving and caring parents. He had all necessary things which included food, clothes, medicines, etc. |
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| 29. |
What were the disadvantages faced by Kalam in his childhood? |
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Answer» Kalam was born in a middle-class Tamil family in the island town of Rameswaram. His parents were poor and had no much formal education. |
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| 30. |
Complete the following sentences. (a) An example of the generosity and kindness of Kalam’s parents is ...... (b) Kalam feels he had a very secure childhood because ...... (c) The suspension of train halt at Rameshwaram station proved to be a blessing in disguise for Kalam because ...... (d) Kalam continues to feel proud about the money he had earned in childhood by picking up bundles of newspaper because ...... (e) Some traits and values Kalam and his siblings inherited from their parents were ...... (f ) The salient feature of Kalam’s relationship with his three childhood friends was that ...... (g) Two unique examples of communal harmony and brotherhood of mankind are ...... (h) The nation should be wary of people like the grade V teacher of the narrator because ...... (i) However, the country needs more and more people like Kalam’s Science teacher Sivasubramania and Kalam’s mother and grandmother because ...... (j) Kalam’s second visit to his science teacher’s house surprised him because ...... |
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Answer» (a) that they used to feed more outsiders than all the members of the family put together. (b) all his material and emotional needs were fulfilled. (c) he was able to earn his first wages. (d) it was his own money earned for the first time. (e) honesty, self-discipline, faith in goodness and deep kindness. (f ) none of them felt any difference amongst themselves because of religious differences. (g) Lakshmana Sastry and Sivasubramania Iyer. (h) their narrow mindedness generate religious hatred. (i) they believe in communal harmony and brotherhood of mankind. (j) Sivasubramania Iyer’s wife took him inside her kitchen and served him food with her own hands. |
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| 31. |
Write the Summary of 'My Childhood'. |
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Answer» Abdul Kalam was born in a middle class family at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. His father Jainulabdeen was a common, uneducated but wise and generous man by nature. Kalam’s mother Ashiamma was an ideal partner to her husband and equally generous to maintain hospitality towards guests and family members. Jainulabdeen had a small ancestral pucca house in his town which was simple but comfortable. Kalam enjoyed a safe and secured childhood with all the basic needs satisfied. During the Second World War in 1939, Kalam employed himself to earn an anna by collecting and selling tamarind seeds in the market. The effect of war, however, was not much on his town. Later he distributed newspapers and felt the pride of being self-reliant. Despite being a Muslim, Kalam had three close friends from Brahmin families who equally showed the least concern towards religious differences. The stories of the Ramayana and life of the Prophet were bedtime stories imbibed in the heart of Abdul Kalam. As a token of secular idealism, Kalam’s family served Lord Rama during Sita Rama Kalyanam ceremony. The feeling of secularism was very strong among every inhabitant of the town. When Kalam was separated from his close friend Ramanadha Sastry by a new teacher, Sastry’s father instructed the teacher to maintain religious tolerance and social equality. Another incident that had a great impact on young Kalam was the change in the behaviour of his science teacher’s wife from rigid orthodoxy to social equality. The science teacher’s firm attitude to confront the problems of inequality and change the social systems impressed Kalam |
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| 32. |
“I filled the slot.” What does the sentence mean? |
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Answer» When Samsuddin, the cousin of Abdul Kalam needed a person to catch the bundles of newspapers thrown from the running train between Rameshwaram and Dhanuskodi, Kalam could do that job successfully. He took up the job willingly and cleared the problem. |
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| 33. |
If one wants to bring a change in the social system, what qualities should one possess? |
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Answer» If one wants to bring a change in the social system, one should have patience, equanimity, perseverance, bravery and determination. |
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| 34. |
For reasons I have never been able to understand, a sudden demand for tamarind seeds erupted in the market. (a) came up (b) blew up (c) ended |
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Answer» (a) came up. |
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| 35. |
A sudden demand for tamarind seeds erupted in the market. a) started b) came up c) appeared suddenly |
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Answer» (c) appeared suddenly |
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| 36. |
Our family arranged boats for carrying idols of the Lord from the temple to the marriage site, situated in the middle of the pond. a) place b) ceremonyc) feast |
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Answer» Answer is (a) place |
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| 37. |
We must be strong not only as ......... but also as .......... |
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Answer» a military power, an economic power |
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| 38. |
India realised its first vision of freedom in 1857. (True / False) |
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Answer» Answer is True. |
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| 39. |
India’s freedom was imminent. a) expected b) necessary c) certain |
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Answer» Answer is (c) certain |
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| 40. |
Fill in the blanks with suitable words often confused given in brackets. 1. Samsuddin helped me earn my first ........ (wages/income). 2. He received a proportion of his ........... (wages/income) from selling tamarind seeds. 3. He is ........ (innocent/ignorant) about technology. 4. However he was found ......... (innocent/ignorant) of any crime. 5. He lost all the wealth he had .......... (inherited/acquired) from his father because he .......... (acquired/inherited) bad habits. 6. People from different backgrounds could ........ (mix/mingle) easily. ......... (Mixed/Mingled) group of people do not come to an agreement.7. People in Rameshwaram were very ........ (rigid/adamant) in terms of segregation of different social groups. Subramania Iyer .......... (rigidly/adamantly) opposed it. 8. The car collided with a ........ (stationary/stationery) vehicle when we were going to buy some ............. (stationary/stationery) from the book stall. 9. She was .......... (envelop/envelope) in a huge white towel. 10. We sent an airmail .......... (envelop/envelope) abroad. 11. The floor was ........... (laid/lied) with a newspaper. 12. He .......... (laid/lied) many times. |
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Answer» 1. income 2. wages 3. ignorant 4. innocent 5. inherited, acquired 6. mingle, mixed 7. rigid, adamantly 8. stationary, stationery 9. enveloped 10. envelope 11. laid 12. lied 1.income 2.wages 3.ignorant 4.innocent 5.inherited, acquired 6.mingle, mixed 7.rigid, adamantly 8.stationary , stationery 9.envelop 10.envelope 11.laid 12.lied
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| 41. |
The new teacher could not stomach a Hindu priest’s son sitting with a Muslim boy. a) imagine b) permit c) tolerate |
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Answer» (c) tolerate |
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| 42. |
The new teacher could not stomach a Hindu priest’s son sitting with a Muslim boy. (a) tolerate (b) dislike (c) face |
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Answer» (a) tolerate. |
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| 43. |
He looked utterly downcast as I shifted to my seat in the last row. (a) happy (b) angry (c) dejected |
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Answer» (c) dejected. |
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| 44. |
My cousin Samsuddin, was looking for a helping hand to catch the bundles and, as if naturally, I filled the slot. (a) was found suitable for the purpose (b) applied for the job (c) was rejected |
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Answer» (a) was found suitable for the purpose |
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| 45. |
Do you think the new teacher deserved the treatment meted out to him ? Why/Why not? |
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Answer» Yes, he deserved the treatment meted out to him. He was spreading the poison of communal intolerance among the young minds which was a serious crime. If a teacher indulges in such a mean act he deserves no sympathy. |
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| 46. |
‘As the new teacher saw it’. Which of the following best explains the meaning of this expression?(a) as our new teacher understood it(b) as our new teacher wanted it(c) as our new teacher was asked to ensure |
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Answer» (a) as our new teacher understood it |
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| 47. |
Why did the writer use the linkers? |
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Answer» The writer used the linkers in order to bring the unity in the text. The linkers help to keep the ideas together, synchronize them and assiduously arrange them to make the text effective. They are the pivotal words to maintain the logical structure and sequence of the passage. |
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| 48. |
Join the following sentences using the linkers given in brackets. 1. There were freezing temperatures. They trekked for hours, (in spite of) 2. It’s an interesting city. We’re going to visit it again, (such … that) 3. We booked a holiday. We had very little money, (although) 4. The tour guide was informative. We didn’t need to read our guidebook, (so … that) 5. He didn’t like water. He booked a cruise. (In spite of the fact that) 6. Preachers preach many good things. Many of them do not practise what they preach. (however) 7. Jainulabdeen had no formal education and no wealth, (neither….nor) 8. The continental dimensions of the country account for the variations and diversities. There are several religious sects and beliefs, (besides) |
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Answer» 1. In spite of freezing temperatures, they trekked for hours. 2. It’s such an interesting city that we’re going to visit it again. 3. We booked a holiday although we had very little money. 4. The tour guide was so informative that we didn’t need to read our guidebook. 5. In spite of the fact that he didn’t like water, he booked a cruise. 6. Preachers preach many good things, however, many of them do not practise what they preach. 7. Jainulabdeen had neither formal education nor wealth. 8. The continental dimensions of the country account for the variations and diversities, besides there being several religious sects and beliefs. |
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| 49. |
Read the following paragraph.… On the whole, the small society of Rameswaram was very rigid in terms of the segregation of different social groups. However, my science teacher Sivasubramania Iyer, though an orthodox Brahmin with a very conservative wife, was something of a rebel. He did his best to break social barriers so that people from varying backgrounds could mingle easily. Notice the underlined words or phrases in the above paragraph. They are called linkers or discourse markers. Noticing and understanding discourse markers help learners to understand the logical structure of what they read and listen to, the order of events and the attitude of the speaker or writer and what they refer to. Think of the following. 1. What makes the writer use the linker ‘ on the whole’ in the above paragraph? Give reasons.2. What purpose does the linker ‘however’ serve in the paragraph? |
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Answer» 1. Kalam was separated from his close friend and orderd to sit in the last row by the new teacher, Lakshmana Sastry, the priest of the temple told the teacher that he should not spread the poison of social inequality and religious intolerance in the minds of innocent children. He bluntly asked the teacher to either apologize or quit the school and the island. 2. ‘However’ serves as a linker indicating the result of an action. The science teacher was a broadminded Brahmin while his wife was conventional and adamant of the beliefs |
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| 50. |
Complete the following paragraph by choosing the appropriate linking words.Next, For example, However, Secondly, Finally,ThirdlyLinking words help us in many ways in writing. ............(1)........, they help us in presenting our ideas in a meaningful way. ..........(2)........., they help us to introduce and develop the main idea of the paragraph ..........(3).........., they help us to illustrate and add supporting details .........(4)............., they help us in moving from one idea to another by binding one sentence with another. .........(5)........., they help us to understand the ideas presented in the paragraph .....(6)........, using too many linking words ruins the structure and coherence of the paragraph. |
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Answer» 1. For example 2. Secondly 3. Thirdly 4. Next 5. Finally 6. However |
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