Reading Compreh...

[passage-header]Read the following passage and answer the question.[/passage-header]Patholes Keep Luxury Cars Indoors
        (Newspaper Reporter)
Three years after the city roomed to global fame when it picked up 150  luxury cars in a record bulk deal, the cars have largely gone missing from roads, parked as they are in the safety of their owners' garages. Fearing damage and dents to their dream drives, the owners said they cannot risk them on the city potholed roads. Many owners said they regretted their decision to buy these premium buys as the pitiable condition of roads has ensured they cannot take their cars out for their commute to work or simply a spin around town. A few owners have switched to their other not-so-so premium cars in their fleet for their daily commute, while a couple of them have already sold their high-end luxury cruisers. Some owners are negotiating an extended warranty period with the auto giant. As per the star agreement, the cars get a free service once a year or 15,000 kms, for three years. They also get the standard warranty of a company that covers most of the car's maintenance, but pats like tyres are not covered, like is the case with most auto brands. A car owner said that he carefully picks the road he would drive his car on, even if it means taking a longer route to reach the destination.

[passage-header]Read the following extract and complete the activities given below :[/passage-header]Gerrard : Well, tell him to phone up directly. I must know. Yes, I expect I'll still be here but for about ten minutes. Right-ho. Good bye.
[He puts down the phone and goes to the divan on the left, where there
is a travelling bag and starts packing. Whilst he is thus engaged, another
man, similar in build to Gerrard enters from the right silently - revolver in
hand. He is flashily dressed in an overcoat and soft hat. He bumps accidentally against the table and at the sound Gerrard turns quickly]
Gerrard : (Pleasantly). Why, this is a surprise,
                Mr. - er -
Intruder : I'm glad you're pleased for long. Put those paws up !
Gerrard : This is all very melodramatic; not very original, perhaps, but -
Intruder : Trying to be calm and -er-
Gerrard : "Nonchalant" is your word, I think.
Intruder : Thanks a lot. You'll soon stop being smart. I'll make you crawl.
                I want to know a few things, see.
Gerrard : Anything you like. I know, all the answers. But before we
                begin I should like to change my position : you may be
                comfortable, but I am not.
Intruder : Sit down, there, and no funny business. (Motions to chair and seats himself on the divan by the bag.)
                 Now then, we'll have a nice little talk about yourself!

[passage-header]Read the following passage carefully and answer the question:[/passage-header] Education is the sacred instrument for building the nation. Teacher's job is the most crucial job of moulding the character of individuals and thereby of shaping the society itself. Education is a medium, through which he will direct human energies and human capacities to the advancement of human zeal. Upon the nature and character of education imparted by him depends the future of the nation. It need not be emphasized that there is a casual relationship between education on the one hand and economic growth and social progress on the other. As teachers have to administer this education, one can imagine the colossal responsibility they have of performing this stupendous task. While they perform this task, they should keep in mind that education is not learning what to do but becoming the kind of person who knows what to do. Child is not just a learner of history or science. His interests, his aptitudes, his habits and every thing else which goes towards the development of his personality, comes within the teacher's preview. Teachers have to produce mentally healthy individuals who have well integrated personalities. Teachers represent the ideals and aspirations of the nations and owe to it the moral and mental accountability of equipping the youth for active participation in the high enterprise of creating a social order which shall dispense "equal justice to all". As ideal teachers, they have to strive, along with their wards, to build up the nation in conformity with the lofty ideals laid down in our "Constitution". This great aim can be realized by effective, brilliant teachers, teacher's who are equipped with the training that has a direct bearing on the quality of life in the community and that will serve as the chief means for the transformation of society. Such teachers can make their contribution to the building up of a new India-an India that holds fast to the traditional culture of the past and is both forward looking and future oriented. It is these teachers alone who can provide through rich dynamic education, all that the country needs for its prosperity.

[passage-header]Read the passage given and answer the question that follows.[/passage-header]The Cricket and the Ants:
It was summer and the cricket sat on an ear of wheat happily singing and enjoying the sun. He felt extremely sorry for the ants, who worked ceaselessly looking for grains of wheat to take back to their store.
Poor things, they really did not know-how to enjoy life.
But soon the winter came and the thoughtless cricket had no food at all to eat.
He would surely have died of hunger if it had not been for the generous ants who had given him some of their grain.
"Think of keeping something for the rainy days."

[passage-header]Read the passage and answer the question that follows. [/passage-header]Once upon a time, a miller and his young son were going along a road. They had their ass with them. Hardly had they covered a few metres when they came across a person who laughed and said, "How foolish both of you are! Can't one of you ride on the ass?" Hearing this, the son rode on the animal, and the father walked along. About two hundred metres away, they met an old man who said, "Look at this shameless youngster!" He is merrily riding on the ass, while the father is trudging his way. This was enough for the boy to get off the animal. Now, the miller himself rode on it. After five minutes, they met another man who made fun of the old man, saying, "Look at the old man! He's too selfish to think of the young boy." These singing words made the poor miller get off the ass. Now, the father and the son tied the ass to two poles with the help of ropes. They carried the animal on their shoulders, to the great amusement of the passers-by. As they were crossing a bridge over a river, the ass got impatient. It kicked itself free but was drowned in the deep water.

[passage-header]Read the passage and answer the question that follows:[/passage-header]Daffodils, the trumpet-shaped flowers bloom during the spring. In fact, daffodils are the first sign of spring and they symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, and friendship. It is the flower of those born in March. Daffodils are native to the Mediterranean region but are cultivated all over the world. The flower is called Nargis in Hindi, perhaps because of its association with the egotistical Greek God Narcissus. Legend has it that Narcissus fell in love with his own image in a pool of water. He was so enamoured by his own image that he fell into the water and drowned. The flower, also called Narcissus, grew where he died. This led to it becoming a symbol of unrequited love. A gift of daffodil flowers is believed to ensure happiness. It is a common decoration flower during the Chinese New Year. Feng Shui experts believe that if a daffodil bulb blooms during the New Year it will bring good luck to your home. The flowers have been viewed as symbols of Christ's resurrection and the promise of eternal life. In Wales, it is a symbol of the patron saint, David. Daffodil bulbs, because of their astringent properties, are pounded and made into a paste to be applied to wounds. Pharma companies use daffodil extracts to make drugs that are used to treat Alzheimer's and Polio.

Read the poem carefully and answer the question that follows:

[passage-header]Read the passage and answer the question that follows:
'Tools and Weapons in Neolithic age'
[/passage-header]One of the remarkable achievements of the Neolithic Period was the invention of the wheel. It brought a rapid progress in man's life. The wheel was used in horse-carts and bullock-carts that helped man a lot to carry heavy loads. Therefore, in this period transport became quite easy and quick. The wheel was also used for spinning and weaving. It also helped in pottery. Man made beautiful pots to keep food grains and to store water. The tools and weapons of the Neolithic Age are better and sharper than the Palaeolithic Age. Now a polished stone called 'celt' was used to make tools. Some newly developed tools like sickles, bows and arrows and improved axes were made in the Neolithic Age. These tools were used for various purposes like the axe was used for cutting down trees, sickles to harvest the crops and arrows to kill animals.

[passage-header]Read the passage and answer the question that follows:
'Tools and Weapons in Neolithic age'
[/passage-header]One of the remarkable achievements of the Neolithic Period was the invention of the wheel. It brought a rapid progress in man's life. The wheel was used in horse-carts and bullock-carts that helped man a lot to carry heavy loads. Therefore, in this period transport became quite easy and quick. The wheel was also used for spinning and weaving. It also helped in pottery. Man made beautiful pots to keep food grains and to store water. The tools and weapons of the Neolithic Age are better and sharper than the Palaeolithic Age. Now a polished stone called 'celt' was used to make tools. Some newly developed tools like sickles, bows and arrows and improved axes were made in the Neolithic Age. These tools were used for various purposes like the axe was used for cutting down trees, sickles to harvest the crops and arrows to kill animals.