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Theme, main idea and purpose of a passage - class-IX

Description: theme, main idea and purpose of a passage
Number of Questions: 22
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Tags: reading comprehension english
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The purpose of the proposed law requiring a doctor's prescription for obtaining hypodermic needles is to lower the incidence of drug related deaths, both accidental and intentional, involving hypodermic needles. But even knitting needles can be lethal if they fall into the wrong hands; yet everyone would agree that imposing legal restrictions on obtaining knitting needles would be preposterous. Hence, the proposed law involving hypodermic makes no sense and should not be enacted. Which of the following, it true, would provide most support for the argument above ?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Knitting needles have been known to cause injury and death.

  2. The benefits of hypodermic needles outweigh those of knitting needles.

  3. The proposed law would not deter the sort of activity known to result in drug-related deaths.

  4. Knitting needles are not readily available to anybody who wants to obtain them

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The argument is essentially that the proposed law makes no sense because knitting needles are dangerous as well. The argument relies explicitly on an analogy between hypodermic and knitting needles. Thus, the two must be similar in all respects relevant to the argument. Otherwise, the argument is unconvincing. (1) affirms that knitting needles are in fact dangerous, thereby affirming the analogy between the two types of needles.
(2) and (3) each in its own way supports the bare assertion that the proposed law might not be effective. However, none of these answer choices affirms the argument's essential reasoning.
(4) actually weakens the argument, by providing a reason why hypodermic needles and knitting needles are not relevantly similar.

Read the passage and answer the following question:


It must be realized to make compulsory education a success, it is absolutely necessary to make it entirely free. India is a poor country and we cannot expect our people to pay directly for the education of their children. Even in rich countries like England and U.S.A. mass education is not only free but there are many additional facilities like mid-day meal for children, free medical service, and scholarship on a generous scale. Since education is a fundamental civil and human right and basic to the health of the body politics, funds must be found for the purpose whatever the cost of the scheme. If we consider educational and cultural activities to be important, funds will be forthcoming. What we have to do is to rearrange our priority. With this in view, we have to adopt a many-sided programme of national planning and economic and industrial reconstruction. If not there will always be arguments and statistics to prove that it is impossible to introduce free, compulsory and universal education in India.

Which is the central argument of the passage?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Compulsory education should be introduced.

  2. For making compulsory education a success, it should be free.

  3. Mass education is not possible in India.

  4. Priority should be given to education.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option B: It's mentioned in the topic sentence: "It must be realized to make compulsory education a success, it is absolutely necessary to make it entirely free."
A topic sentence usually presents the main idea of the passage.
The central argument of this passage is "For making compulsory education a success, it should be free."
It is supported by other instances in the passage as well:
Free education is necessary because education is a basic and fundamental right.
"Since education is a fundamental civil and human right and basic to the health of the body politics, funds must be found for the purpose whatever the cost of the scheme."
Also, we need to give priority to education and adopt measures that will help raise funds for free education."If we consider educational and cultural activities to be important, funds will be forthcoming. What we have to do is to rearrange our priority."
Hence OPTION B is correct.
Options A, C and D are incorrect because the passage is not about these aspects of education: education should be made compulsory (it should be, but the passage is about free education), mass education is not possible in India (some people will always say this, but the passage here is about free education), and priority should be given to education (this is a tool to achieve funds for education).

Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Once upon a time, I went for a week's holiday to the Continent with an Indian friend. We both enjoyed ourselves and were sorry when the week was over, but on parting our behaviour was absolutely different. He was plunged in despair. He felt that because the holiday was overall happiness was over until the world ended. He could not express his sorrow too much. But in me, the Englishman came out strong. I could not see what there was to make a fuss about. It wasn't as if we were parting forever or dying. 'Buck up', I said, 'do buck up'. He refused to buck up and I left him plunged in gloom. 


What is the author's intention in the passage?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. To contact the Indian character with the English character

  2. To show that an Indian is sorrowful

  3. To ridicule the Indian traditions

  4. To praise the Englishman

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The given passage shows the Indian as sorrowful and gloomy. Thus option B is the correct answer. Options B,C and D are incorrect.

Why people agreed to accept change in family trend?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. High expectations

  2. High income

  3. High education

  4. All of above

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In old family trend people had less expectations. They were happy with all they have. But increase in expectations forced people to accept the change in family trend. Now days people have their own desire for which they do any thing. In old family trend things were different.

Who is responsible for change in behavior of children?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Old family trend

  2. Current family trend

  3. Education

  4. All of above

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In current family trend parents has no time for children, due to which there is no guardian who help them to differentiate between good or bad. They do not know how to interact  with elders. These all are the main reason for change in behavior in children.

Read the following dialogue between the poet and the rain, and fill in the blank [1] with the most appropriate option:
Poet: "Who art thou?"
Rain: "I am the poem of the earth."
Poet: "Why have you come here?"
Rain: "To beautify my origin. I also want to give life to unborn seeds."
A poet asked the rain _______[1][21]. The rain answered that __[2][22]. The poet again asked it ____[3][23]. The rain replied that __[4][24]. It further told that ______[5][25].

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Who it was

  2. Who is it

  3. Who you are

  4. Who are you

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A poet asked the rain who he was (1). The rain answered that he was the "poem of the earth"(2). The poet again asked the rain why has the rain come to earth (here)(3). The rain replied that it has come to beautify "its origins" (the earth)(4). It further told that it (rain) had come to give life to "unborn seeds" (5).

Poet: "Who art thou?"
Rain: "I am the poem of the earth."
Poet: "Why have you come here?"
Rain: "To beautify my origin. I also want to give life to unborn seeds."
A poet asked the rain _______[1][21]. The rain answered that __[2][22]. The poet again asked it ____[3][23]. The rain replied that __[4][24]. It further told that ______[5][25].


Read the dialogue between the poet and the rain, and fill in the blank [4] with the most appropriate option.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. To beautify its origin

  2. To beautify my origin

  3. It had come to beautify its origin

  4. None of these

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Rain: "To beautify my origin."

As the given sentence in the direct speech is an incomplete answer, we will give a complete answer in the indirect speech. 
For example:
Mom: "What are you doing?" - Mom asked what he was doing. 
Raj: "Studying." - Raj answered that he was studying.
Option A - 'To beautify its origin' can't be used as it is similar to the direct speech. We have to write the complete answer in the indirect speech. Thus option A is incorrect. 
Option B - 'To beautify my origin' can't be used as it is used in the direct speech. Thus option B is incorrect. 
Option C - 'It had come to beautify its origin' can be used here as it answers the question completely in the past perfect tense. The question was in the present perfect tense, hence the answer should be in the past perfect tense. Thus option C is the correct answer. 
Option D is incorrect as option C is the correct answer. 
'The rain replied that it had come to beautify its origin.'

Poet: "Who art thou?"
Rain: "I am the poem of the earth."
Poet: "Why have you come here?"
Rain: "To beautify my origin. I also want to give life to unborn seeds."
A poet asked the rain _______[1][21]. The rain answered that __[2][22]. The poet again asked it ____[3][23]. The rain replied that __[4][24]. It further told that ______[5][25].


Read the following dialogue between the poet and the rain, and fill in the blank [5] with the most appropriate option.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. It also wanted to give life to unborn seeds

  2. It also wants to give life to unborn seeds

  3. I also want to give life to unborn seeds

  4. None of these

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Rain: "I also want to give life to unborn seeds."

As the given sentence in the direct speech is in the simple present tense, we will change it to simple past tense in the indirect speech.
Option B - 'It also wants to give life to unborn seeds' is in the simple present tense. Thus option B is incorrect.
Option C - 'I also want to give life to unborn seeds' is the direct speech and can't be used in the indirect speech. Thus option C is incorrect.
Option A - 'It also wanted to give life unborn seeds' can be used here as 'I' is changed to 'it' according to the subject 'rain'. And, the sentence is formed in the simple past tense in the indirect speech. Thus option A is the correct answer.
Option D - Option D is incorrect as option A is the correct answer.
'It further told that it also wanted to give life unborn seeds.'

Poet: "Who art thou?"
Rain: "I am the poem of the earth."
Poet: "Why have you come here?"
Rain: "To beautify my origin. I also want to give life to unborn seeds."
A poet asked the rain _______[1][21]. The rain answered that __[2][22]. The poet again asked it ____[3][23]. The rain replied that __[4][24]. It further told that ______[5][25].


Read the following dialogue between the poet and the rain, and fill in the blank [2] with the most appropriate option.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. It has been the poem of the earth

  2. It was the poem of the earth

  3. I was the poem of the earth

  4. I am the poem of the earth

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Rain: "I am the poem of the earth."

As the given sentence is in the simple present tense, we will change it to simple past tense in the indirect speech. 
Option A - 'It has been the poem of the earth' is in present perfect tense. Thus option A is incorrect. 
Oprion C - 'I was the poem of the earth' is incorrect as 'I' can't be used in the indirect speech. We need another pronoun according to the subject 'rain'. Thus option C is incorrect. 
Option D - 'I am the poem of the earth' can't be used here as it is the direct speech. We can only use the same tense when the speech is a universal truth. Thus option D is incorrect. 
Option B - 'It was the poem of the earth' can be used here as 'I' is changed to 'it' and the sentence is in the simple past tense. Thus option B is the correct answer. 
'The rain answered that it was the poem of the earth.'

Ram scored overall 99% marks. No other students of his class could do this. On the basis of his performance we may say:

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Ram is an intelligent student of his class.

  2. Ram is more intelligent student in his class

  3. Ram is the most intelligent student of his class

  4. Ram is one of the more intelligent boys of his class.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

From the given data we may say that Ram scored the highest among all the students in he class. So, it can be said that Ram is the most intelligent student of his class. Thus option C is the correct answer. Options A,B,D are incorrect.

Read the following short passage and choose the best answer to the question that fallow each passage.Columnist: Senators who are not firmly committed to a core set of beliefs will formulate new campaign strategies and moot points before each upcoming election. Senators are elected to serve multiple terms in office only i f they formulate new campaign strategies and moot points before each upcoming election. Therefore, senators who are not firmly committed to a core set of beliefs are elected to serve multiple terms in office. 
Which one of the following displays a flawed pattern of reasoning most closely parallel to that in the columnist's argument?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Nuclear proliferation will accelerate only if there is widespread access to fissile material. Widespread access to fissile material goes hand in glove with increased regional instability. Therefore, nuclear proliferation will not accelerate unless there is an increase in regional instability

  2. If health care costs continue to rise, foreign currency markets will devalue the Euro. But health care costs will not continue to rise. Therefore, foreign currency markets will not devalue the Euro.

  3. A loyal person is a likeable person, for a loyal person always stands by her friends and a likeable person also always stands by her friends.

  4. A well-constructed house includes code-compliant framing, wiring, and insulation. A house is marketable only if it is well-constructed. Therefore, a marketable house includes code-compliant framing, wiring, and insulation.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
A loyal person is a likeable person, for a loyal person always stands by her friends and a likeable person also always :stands by her friends.

Experts musicologists believe that Beethoven wrote his last piano sonata in 1824, three years before his death. However, the manuscript of a piano sonata was recently discovered that bears Beethoven's name and dates from 1825. Clearly, the experts are mistaken because, not every piece that Beethoven wrote was catalogued in his lifetime, and it is known that Beethoven continued to compose until just weeks before his death.

The reasoning in the argument is most vulnerable to which of the following criticisms ?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. That either of two things could have occurred independently is taken to show that those two things could not have occurred simultaneously.

  2. An inconsistency that, as presented, has more than one possible resolution is treated as though only one resolution is possible.

  3. Establishing that a certain event occurred is confused with having established the cause of that event.

  4. A claim that has a very general application is based entirely on evidence form a narrowly restricted range of cases.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

An inconsistency that ,as presented has more than one possible resolution is treated as trough only one resolution is possible.

A passage is given below followed by several inference . You have to examine each interference separately in the context of the passage and decide upon its degree of truth or falsity , Mark your answer as:

Investors today have more investment options than were available just a few years ago. Choice in any decision-making is good in so far it provides variety, differentiation and bench-marking. It could also, however, at times lead to clutter and "noise" if the options are mostly similar and undifferentiated. To make sense of this choice conundrum, it is imperative for an investor to define objective - both returns and digestible risk and then identify the possible options. The investor also needs to select the mix and regularly monitor that objectives and investment outcomes remain aligned. Sounds simple, but can present the most confounding situation which multiplies with the quantum of wealth. 
Multiple investment options of similar types helps in making better investment decisions.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. If the inference is 'definitely true'

  2. If the inference is 'probably true'

  3. if the 'data provide in inadequate'

  4. If the inference is 'probably false'

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Refer to the second and the third sentences of the passage. They say that choice is good, but they lead to clutter and noise if the products are similar. So, the inference is probably false.

A passage is given below followed by several inference . You have to examine each interference separately in the context of the passage and decide upon its degree of truth or falsity , Mark your answer as:

Investors today have more investment options than were available just a few years ago. Choice in any decision-making is good in so far it provides variety, differentiation and bench-marking. It could also, however, at times lead to clutter and "noise" if the options are mostly similar and undifferentiated. To make sense of this choice conundrum, it is imperative for an investor to define objective - both returns and digestible risk and then identify the possible options. The investor also needs to select the mix and regularly monitor that objectives and investment outcomes remain aligned. Sounds simple, but can present the most confounding situation which multiplies with the quantum of wealth. 
Present day investors need to use their judgement more critically before investing.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. If the inference is 'definitely true'

  2. If the inference is 'probably true'

  3. if the 'data provide in inadequate'

  4. If the inference is 'probably false'

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
According to the first sentence, it says that investors `today have more investment options' and then later in the paragraph says that investors need to evaluate risk. This means that investors today need to use their judgement mat critically. So, the inference is definitely true.

'Friendship was indeed a value for the villagers, more for men than for women. Two good friends were said to be 'like brothers' (literally, 'like elder brother-younger brother', annatamman-dirahage). I heard this expression several times and I could not help recalling the statement of an elderly English colleague who had told me that he and his brother were very close and had written to each other every week. He had added, 'We are very good friends.' That is, friendship connoted intimacy in England while in Rampura (as in rural India everywhere), brotherhood conveyed intimacy'.

Which of the following best summarizes the conclusion of the argument of this paragraph? 

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Friendship has greater value for men than for women.

  2. People in England have different attitudes to brotherhood and friendship than people in rural India.

  3. Brother has greater value in rural India than in England.

  4. Friendship has greater value in England than in India.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The conclusion of the argument is mentioned in its last lines " That is, friendship connoted intimacy in England while in Rural India, brotherhood conveyed intimacy." Therefore, the attitude of people of England towards brotherhood and friendship is different from that of rural India. So ,option (b) is correct.

Yoga has become a very popular type of exercise, but it may not be for everyone. Before you sign yourself up for a yoga class, you need to examine what is it you want from your fitness routine. If you're looking for a high - energy . fast paced aerobic workout , a yoga class might not be your best choice.
This paragraph best supports the statement that _________________.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Yoga is more popular than high - impact aerobics

  2. Before embarking on a new exercise regimen, you should think about your needs and desires

  3. Yoga is changing the world of fitness in major ways

  4. Most people think that yoga isn't a rigorous form of exercise

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The argument states that one needs to choose one's exercise regime ( yoga or aerobics) on the basis of one's requirements and expectations. So,option (b) is best supported by the argument.

At birth we have no self-image. We cannot distinguish anything from the confusion of light and sound around us. From this beginning of no-dimension, we gradually begin to differentiate our body from our environment and develop a sense of id entity, with the realisation that we are a separate and independent human being. We then begin to develop a conscience, the sense of right and wrong. Further, we develop social consciousness, where we become aware that we live with other people. Finally, we develop a sense of values, which is our overall estimation of our worth in the world. Which one of the following would be the best completion of this passage ?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. The sum total of all these developments we call the self-image or the self-concept.

  2. This estimation of worth is only relative to our value system.

  3. Therefore, our social consciousness is dependent on our sense of values.

  4. The sum total of living with other people and developing a sense of values makes us a total population.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

According to the given question , the sum total of all these development we call the self image of the self concept is the best completion of the passage.

Mr. Samay was severely hurt while working in his factory and fell unconscious. He was rushed to a hospital by his fellow workers. In the hospital (at emergency/casualty ward) the doctors opined that he should be operated immediately. While conducting preliminary examinations, he was found to be HIV positive. The doctors are in a dilemma regarding what should they do first ___________.

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Doctors should operate first

  2. Doctors should inform his family members

  3. Doctors should inform his employers

  4. Doctors should not inform anyone because it would violate patient's right of privacy.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

" Good faith".- Nothing is said to be done or believed in "good faith" which is done or believed without due care and attention.

Read the passage and answer the question given below. 


It must be realized to make compulsory education a success, it is absolutely necessary to make it entirely free. India is a poor country and we cannot expect our people to pay directly for the education of their children. Even in rich countries like England and U.S.A. mas education is not only free but there are many additional facilities like mid-day meal for children, free medical service, and scholarship on a generous scale. Since education is a fundamental civil and human right and basic to the health of the body politics, funds must be found for the purpose whatever the cost of the scheme. If we consider educational and cultural activities to be important, funds will be forthcoming. What we have to do is to rearrange our priority. With this in view, we have to adopt a many-sided programme of national planning and economic and industrial reconstruction. If not there will always be arguments and statistics to prove that it is impossible to introduce free, compulsory and universal education in India.

Which of the following titles is the most suitable for the passage?

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Compulsory education in India.

  2. Mass education and people.

  3. Need for making compulsory education free.

  4. Education for national reconstruction.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Most often then not, the first sentence of a paragraph introduces the central issue that is discussed therein. Going by this logic, the central idea of the paragraph is compulsory education and how it needs to be free in order to be a complete success. So, we can conclude that the best title for the given passage would be option C as it encapsulates the main idea of the passage.

Read the passage and answer the question that follows.

What is to be the limit of forgiveness? It would probably have been allowed by many of the ancients that an unforgiving temper was not to be commended. They would have said, we are not to exact a penalty for every nice offence; we are to overlook somethings; we are to be blind sometimes. But they would have said at the same time, we must be careful to keep our self-respect, and to be on a level with the world. On the whole, they would have said, it is the part of a man fully to requite to his friends their benefits and to his enemies their injuries.


What is the underlying tone of the passage? 

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. We must be forgiving in general.

  2. We must forgive our friends.

  3. There is no limit whatsoever to on duty to forgive.

  4. We must always punish the wrong doer.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The author is highlighting about the goodness and forgiving nature throughout the passage. Everybody commits mistake at some point of lives and the author is trying to say that we should not take every other action seriously because it will do more harm than good. Thus option A is the correct answer. Options  B,C and D are incorrect.

Poet: "Who art thou?"
Rain: "I am the poem of the earth."
Poet: "Why have you come here?"
Rain: "To beautify my origin. I also want to give life to unborn seeds."
A poet asked the rain _____(1)_____. The rain answered that ____(2)____. The poet again asked it _____(3)_____. The rain replied that ____(4)____. It further told that ____(5)_____.

Read the following dialogue between the poet and the rain, and fill in the blank (4) with the most appropriate option.
theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Why has it come here

  2. Why had it come here

  3. Why it had come there

  4. Why have you come there

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A poet asked the rain who he was (1). The rain answered that he was the "poem of the earth"(2). The poet again asked the rain why has the rain come to earth (here)(3). The rain replied that it has come to beautify "its origins" (the earth)(4). It further told that it (rain) had come to give life to "unborn seeds" (5).

Directions for questions 96 to 100: The passage given below is followed by a set of five questions. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.
in 776 BC the First Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honour the Greeks chief God Zeus. The Greeks emphasized, physical fitness and strength in their education of youth. Therefore contests in running, jumping, discus and javelin throwing, boxing and horse and chariot racing were held in individual cities, and the winners competed every four years at Mount Olympus.Winners were greatly honoured by having poems sung about their deeds.Originally these were held as games of friendship. and any wars in progress were halted to allow the games to take place. The Greeks attached so much importance to these games that they calculated time in four-year cycles called Olympiads dating from 776 BC.
Which of the following contests was not held? 

theme, main idea and purpose of a passage reading comprehension english

  1. Discus throwing

  2. Skating

  3. Boxing

  4. Running

Show answer
Correct Option: B
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