BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 — Previous Year Paper
All 120 questions of BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 — Previous Year Paper with the correct answer from the official answer key and a solution, in English and Hindi. Read them free on UTpaper, or attempt the paper as a timed online test.
Q1BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
10 years ago the ratio of ages of Ramesh and Rajeev was 1 : 3. 5 years hence this ratio will become 2 : 3. What is the ratio of their ages at present?10 वर्ष पूर्व रमेश एवं राजीव की आयु का अनुपात 1 : 3 था। अब से 5 वर्ष पश्चात् यह अनुपात 2 : 3 हो जायेगा। वर्तमान में उनकी आयु का अनुपात क्या है?
A2 : 52 : 5
B3 : 53 : 5
C1 : 21 : 2
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)3 : 53 : 5
Explanation
Let the present ages be R and J. (R − 10) : (J − 10) = 1 : 3 gives J = 3R − 20; (R + 5) : (J + 5) = 2 : 3 gives 3R + 15 = 6R − 30, so R = 15 and J = 25. The ratio is 15 : 25 = 3 : 5.माना रमेश और राजीव की वर्तमान आयु R और J है। पहली शर्त से J = 3R − 20 और दूसरी से 3R + 15 = 6R − 30, अतः R = 15 और J = 25। अनुपात 15 : 25 = 3 : 5 है।
Q2BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
If I walk with a speed of 5 km per hour from my house to the station, my train would have left the station 7 minutes before my arrival. But, if I walk with a speed of 6 km per hour, I will reach the station 5 minutes before the departure of my train. Accordingly, what is the distance between my house and the station?यदि मैं अपने घर से 5 कि.मी. प्रति घंटा की गति से स्टेशन के लिए चलता हूँ, तो मेरी गाड़ी मेरे स्टेशन पहुँचने से 7 मिनट पहले छूट चुकी होती है। किन्तु यदि मैं 6 कि.मी. प्रति घंटा की गति से चलता हूँ, तो मैं स्टेशन पर गाड़ी के छूटने से 5 मिनट पहले पहुँच जाता हूँ। तदनुसार, मेरे घर और स्टेशन के बीच की दूरी क्या है?
A7 km7 कि.मी.
B6.5 km6.5 कि.मी.
C6 km6 कि.मी.
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (C)6 km6 कि.मी.
Explanation
The extra time between the two walks is 7 + 5 = 12 minutes = 1/5 hour. So d/5 − d/6 = 1/5, i.e. d/30 = 1/5 and d = 6 km.दोनों स्थितियों में समय का अन्तर 7 + 5 = 12 मिनट = 1/5 घंटा है। अतः d/5 − d/6 = 1/5, यानी d/30 = 1/5 और d = 6 कि.मी.।
Q3BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
The average monthly income of P and Q is ₹5,050. The average monthly income of Q and R is ₹6,250 and the average monthly income of P and R is ₹5,200. The monthly income of P isP और Q की औसत मासिक आय ₹5,050 है। Q और R की औसत मासिक आय ₹6,250 है तथा P और R की औसत मासिक आय ₹5,200 है। P की मासिक आय है
A₹3,500₹3,500
B₹4,050₹4,050
C₹4,000₹4,000
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (C)₹4,000₹4,000
Explanation
P + Q = 10,100, Q + R = 12,500 and P + R = 10,400. Adding gives P + Q + R = 16,500, so P = 16,500 − 12,500 = ₹4,000.P + Q = 10,100, Q + R = 12,500 और P + R = 10,400। जोड़ने पर P + Q + R = 16,500, अतः P = 16,500 − 12,500 = ₹4,000।
Q4BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
If 30% of P is added to 40% of Q, it becomes 80% of Q. Accordingly, what is the percentage of Q with respect to P ?यदि P का 30%, Q के 40% में जोड़ दिया जाय, तो वह Q का 80% हो जाता है। तदनुसार Q, P का कितना प्रतिशत है?
A40%40%
B50%50%
C75%75%
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
Q5BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
A sum of money is to be distributed among A, B, C, D in the proportion of 5 : 2 : 4 : 3. If C gets ₹1,000 more than D, what is B’s share?A, B, C, D के बीच 5 : 2 : 4 : 3 के अनुपात में धन का वितरण किया जाना है। यदि C को D से ₹1,000 अधिक मिलते हैं, तो B का हिस्सा क्या है?
A₹500₹500
B₹1,500₹1,500
C₹2,000₹2,000
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (C)₹2,000₹2,000
Explanation
C − D = (4 − 3) parts = ₹1,000, so one part is ₹1,000 and B's share is 2 parts = ₹2,000.C − D = (4 − 3) भाग = ₹1,000, इसलिए एक भाग ₹1,000 का है और B का हिस्सा 2 भाग = ₹2,000 है।
Q6BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
A shopkeeper gives a discount of 5% on the selling price of a watch. If he gives a discount of 6%, he will earn a profit which is ₹15 less than before. Accordingly, what is the marked selling price of that watch?एक दुकानदार एक घड़ी बेचते समय बिक्री मूल्य पर 5% छूट देता है। यदि वह उस पर 6% छूट दे देता है, तो उसे पहले से ₹15 कम का लाभ मिलेगा। तदनुसार, उस घड़ी का अंकित बिक्री मूल्य क्या है?
A₹1,400₹1,400
B₹1,500₹1,500
C₹1,800₹1,800
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)₹1,500₹1,500
Explanation
The extra 1% discount reduces the profit by ₹15, so 1% of the marked price is ₹15 and the marked price is ₹1,500.अतिरिक्त 1% छूट से लाभ ₹15 घटता है, अतः अंकित मूल्य का 1% = ₹15 और अंकित मूल्य ₹1,500 है।
Q7BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Three numbers are in the ratio 3 : 4 : 5. The total of the largest and the smallest numbers is equal to the other number plus 52. Accordingly, which is the smallest number?तीन संख्याएँ 3 : 4 : 5 के अनुपात में हैं। उनमें सबसे बड़ी एवं सबसे छोटी संख्याओं का योग, दूसरी संख्या तथा 52 के योग के बराबर है। तदनुसार, सबसे छोटी संख्या कौन-सी है?
A2727
B3939
C5252
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)3939
Explanation
Let the numbers be 3k, 4k, 5k. Then 3k + 5k = 4k + 52, so k = 13 and the smallest number is 39.संख्याएँ 3k, 4k, 5k मानें। 3k + 5k = 4k + 52 से k = 13, अतः सबसे छोटी संख्या 39 है।
Q8BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
If 2²ⁿ⁻¹ = 1/8ⁿ⁻³, then the value of n isयदि 2²ⁿ⁻¹ = 1/8ⁿ⁻³, तो n का मान है
A33
B22
C–2–2
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)22
Explanation
2²ⁿ⁻¹ = 1/8ⁿ⁻³ = 2⁻³⁽ⁿ⁻³⁾, so 2n − 1 = −3n + 9, giving n = 2.2²ⁿ⁻¹ = 1/8ⁿ⁻³ = 2⁻³⁽ⁿ⁻³⁾, अतः 2n − 1 = −3n + 9, जिससे n = 2।
Q9BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which of the following photo- electric devices is the most suitable for digital applications?निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा फोटो-इलेक्ट्रिक उपकरण डिजिटल अनुप्रयोगों के लिए सबसे उपयुक्त है?
APhoto-voltaic cellफोटो-वोल्टिक सेल
BPhoto-emissive cellफोटो-उत्सर्जक सेल
CPhoto-diodeफोटो-डायोड
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
Note: the official key gives (A) photo-voltaic cell; photodiodes are usually preferred for digital (switching) uses because of their very fast response, so this key is doubtful. Key kept as published.टिप्पणी: आधिकारिक कुंजी (A) फोटो-वोल्टिक सेल देती है; डिजिटल (स्विचिंग) उपयोग के लिए सामान्यतः तीव्र अनुक्रिया के कारण फोटो-डायोड को वरीयता दी जाती है, इसलिए यह कुंजी संदिग्ध है। कुंजी जस की तस रखी गई है।
Q10BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
The critical mass of a fissionable material isकिसी विखण्डनीय द्रव्य का क्रान्तिक द्रव्यमान होगा
Aone kilogram equivalentएक किलोग्राम समतुल्य
Bthe minimum mass needed for chain reactionशृंखला अभिक्रिया हेतु आवश्यक न्यूनतम द्रव्यमान
Cthe rest mass equivalent to 10¹⁰ joules10¹⁰ जूल के समतुल्य विराम द्रव्यमान
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)the minimum mass needed for chain reactionशृंखला अभिक्रिया हेतु आवश्यक न्यूनतम द्रव्यमान
Explanation
The critical mass is the minimum mass of fissionable material needed to sustain a chain reaction.क्रान्तिक द्रव्यमान विखण्डनीय पदार्थ का वह न्यूनतम द्रव्यमान है जो शृंखला अभिक्रिया बनाए रखने के लिए आवश्यक है।
Q11BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which of the following gases is used to force the ripening of fruits?फलों को जबरदस्ती पकाने के लिए निम्नलिखित में से किस गैस का उपयोग किया जाता है?
AEthaneईथेन
BEthyleneएथिलीन
CMethyleneमेथिलीन
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)Ethyleneएथिलीन
Explanation
Ethylene is the plant hormone/gas used to ripen fruits artificially.फलों को कृत्रिम रूप से पकाने के लिए एथिलीन गैस का उपयोग किया जाता है।
Q12BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which one of the following has zero octane number?निम्नलिखित में से किसकी ऑक्टेन संख्या शून्य है?
AIso-octaneआइसो-ऑक्टेन
BNeo-octaneनिओ-ऑक्टेन
Cn-octanen-ऑक्टेन
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (E)None of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Explanation
Zero octane number is assigned to n-heptane (iso-octane is 100); none of the given options is n-heptane, so the answer is None of the above.शून्य ऑक्टेन संख्या n-हेप्टेन की मानी जाती है (आइसो-ऑक्टेन की 100); दिए गए विकल्पों में यह नहीं है, इसलिए उत्तर 'उपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं' है।
Q13BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
The edible part of Litchis isलीची का खाद्य भाग है
Aarilएरिल
Bthalamusथैलेमस
Cseed coatबीज कोट
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (A)arilएरिल
Explanation
The edible part of the litchi is the fleshy aril around the seed.लीची का खाने योग्य भाग बीज के चारों ओर का गूदेदार एरिल है।
Q14BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
The physical process involved in the release of molecular oxygen from leaves isआणविक ऑक्सीजन का पत्तियों से निकलना कौन-सी भौतिक क्रिया है?
Adiffusionविसरण
Btranspirationवाष्पोत्सर्जन
Cosmosisपरासरण
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (A)diffusionविसरण
Explanation
Oxygen leaves the leaf through the stomata by simple diffusion along its concentration gradient.ऑक्सीजन रन्ध्रों के माध्यम से सान्द्रता प्रवणता के अनुदिश विसरण द्वारा पत्तियों से बाहर निकलती है।
Q15BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
The process of finding the relative location of genes on a chromosome is calledकिसी गुणसूत्र पर जीनों की आपेक्षिक स्थिति ज्ञात करने की प्रक्रिया कहलाती है
Agenome walkingजीनोम का चलना
Bchromosome walkingगुणसूत्र का चलना
Cgene mappingजीन मानचित्रण
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C)gene mappingजीन मानचित्रण
Explanation
Determining the relative positions of genes on a chromosome is called gene mapping.गुणसूत्र पर जीनों की आपेक्षिक स्थिति ज्ञात करने की प्रक्रिया जीन मानचित्रण कहलाती है।
Q16BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Spore mother cell in bryophytes isब्रायोफाइट में बीजाणु मातृ कोशिका होती है
Ahaploidअगुणित
Bdiploidद्विगुणित
Ctriploidत्रिगुणित
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)diploidद्विगुणित
Explanation
The spore mother cell is a diploid (2n) cell of the sporophyte which divides by meiosis to form haploid spores.बीजाणु मातृ कोशिका बीजाणुउद्भिद की द्विगुणित (2n) कोशिका होती है, जो अर्धसूत्री विभाजन से अगुणित बीजाणु बनाती है।
Q17BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
In which year was NGT (National Green Tribunal) for protection of environment and forest established by the Government of India?भारत सरकार द्वारा पर्यावरण और वन की सुरक्षा के लिए किस वर्ष NGT (नैशनल ग्रीन ट्रिब्यूनल) की स्थापना की गई थी?
A20102010
B20112011
C20122012
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)20102010
Explanation
The National Green Tribunal was established in 2010 under the NGT Act, 2010.राष्ट्रीय हरित अधिकरण (NGT) की स्थापना 2010 में NGT अधिनियम, 2010 के अन्तर्गत की गई थी।
Q18BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which city of India started first under-water metro?भारत के किस शहर ने सबसे पहले पानी के नीचे मेट्रो की शुरुआत की?
AKochiकोच्चि
BVisakhapatnamविशाखापत्तनम
CBengaluruबेंगलुरु
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (E)None of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Explanation
India's first under-water metro section is in Kolkata (Hooghly river), which is not among options A-C, so the answer is None of the above.भारत की पहली जल-नीचे मेट्रो कोलकाता (हुगली नदी के नीचे) में है, जो विकल्प A-C में नहीं है, इसलिए उत्तर 'उपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं' है।
Q19BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Under India’s G20 Presidency, where was the Tourism Working Group Meeting held?भारत की G20 अध्यक्षता में पर्यटन कार्यसमूह की बैठक कहाँ हुई थी?
APatna (Bihar)पटना (बिहार)
BSrinagar (Jammu and Kashmir)श्रीनगर (जम्मू और कश्मीर)
CRamnagar (Uttarakhand)रामनगर (उत्तराखंड)
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir)श्रीनगर (जम्मू और कश्मीर)
Explanation
The Tourism Working Group meeting of India's G20 Presidency was held in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.भारत की G20 अध्यक्षता में पर्यटन कार्यसमूह की बैठक श्रीनगर (जम्मू और कश्मीर) में हुई थी।
Q20BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Who among the following got the Silver Medal in the National Under-17 Girls Wrestling Championship?इनमें से किसने राष्ट्रीय अंडर-17 बालिका कुश्ती चैम्पीयनशिप में रजत पदक प्राप्त किया?
ALiza Tomarलीज़ा तोमर
BNirjalaनिर्जला
CPushpa Yadavपुष्पा यादव
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
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Correct answer: (B)Nirjalaनिर्जला
Explanation
As per the official key, Nirjala won the silver medal in the National Under-17 Girls Wrestling Championship.आधिकारिक कुंजी के अनुसार राष्ट्रीय अंडर-17 बालिका कुश्ती चैम्पीयनशिप में रजत पदक निर्जला ने जीता।
Q21BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Who won the International Booker Prize, 2022 for the novel, Tomb of Sand ?उपन्यास टॉम्ब ऑफ सैंड के लिए अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय बुकर पुरस्कार, 2022 किसने जीता?
AGeetanjali Shree and Daisy Rockwellगीतांजलि श्री और डेज़ी रॉकवेल
BDavid Diop and Anna Moschovakisडेविड डिओप और अन्ना मोस्कोवाकिस
CMarilyn Booth and Jokha Alharthiमैरीलिन बूथ और जोखा अल्हार्थी
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)Geetanjali Shree and Daisy Rockwellगीतांजलि श्री और डेज़ी रॉकवेल
Explanation
The International Booker Prize 2022 for 'Tomb of Sand' went to author Geetanjali Shree and translator Daisy Rockwell.‘टॉम्ब ऑफ सैंड’ के लिए अन्तर्राष्ट्रीय बुकर पुरस्कार 2022 गीतांजलि श्री और अनुवादक डेज़ी रॉकवेल को मिला।
Q22BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Who was the Chief Guest on India’s 74th Republic Day?भारत के 74वें गणतंत्र दिवस पर कौन मुख्य अतिथि थे?
AMohammed bin Salmanमोहम्मद बिन सलमान
BAbdel Fattah El-Sisiअब्देल फतह अल-सिसी
CSheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoumशेख मोहम्मद बिन राशिद अल मकतूम
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the Chief Guest at India's 74th Republic Day (2023).भारत के 74वें गणतंत्र दिवस (2023) पर मिस्र के राष्ट्रपति अब्देल फतह अल-सिसी मुख्य अतिथि थे।
Q23BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
In which district of Bihar, the first floating solar power plant has been built?बिहार के किस ज़िले में प्रथम तैरता हुआ सोलर ऊर्जा संयंत्र बनाया गया है?
ADarbhangaदरभंगा
BWest Champaranपश्चिम चम्पारण
CMadhubaniमधुबनी
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)Darbhangaदरभंगा
Explanation
Bihar's first floating solar power plant was built in Darbhanga.बिहार का पहला तैरता सोलर ऊर्जा संयंत्र दरभंगा में बनाया गया।
Q24BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which of the following has got GI Tag in Bihar?बिहार में निम्नलिखित में से किसे GI टैग मिला है?
AMaghai Paanमगही पान
BBasmati Riceबासमती चावल
CChanderi Sareeचंदेरी साड़ी
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)Maghai Paanमगही पान
Explanation
Maghai Paan (Magahi betel leaf) has the GI tag in Bihar; Basmati rice and Chanderi saree belong to other regions.बिहार में मगही पान को GI टैग मिला है; बासमती चावल और चंदेरी साड़ी अन्य क्षेत्रों से जुड़े हैं।
Q25BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Match List–I with List–II :
List–I
a. Char
b. Kankar
c. Kayal
d. Mand
List–II
1. Punjab plain
2. Delta
3. Bangar
4. Coastal plain
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.सूची-I को सूची-II से सुमेलित कीजिए :
सूची–I
a. चार
b. कंकर
c. कायल
d. मांड
सूची–II
1. पंजाब का मैदान
2. डेल्टा
3. बांगर
4. तटीय मैदान
नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए।
Aa-1, b-4, c-2, d-3a-1, b-4, c-2, d-3
Ba-2, b-3, c-4, d-1a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1
Ca-3, b-1, c-4, d-2a-3, b-1, c-4, d-2
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
As per the official key the correct matching is a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1 (Char - Delta, Kankar - Bangar, Kayal - Coastal plain, Mand - Punjab plain).आधिकारिक कुंजी के अनुसार सही सुमेल a-2, b-3, c-4, d-1 है (चार - डेल्टा, कंकर - बांगर, कायल - तटीय मैदान, मांड - पंजाब का मैदान)।
Q26BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which of the following tributaries does not join Brahmaputra river from north?निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सी सहायक नदी ब्रह्मपुत्र से उत्तर दिशा से नहीं मिलती है?
ASubansiriसुबनसिरी
BBelsiriबेलसिरी
CManasमानस
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E)None of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Explanation
Subansiri, Belsiri and Manas all join the Brahmaputra from the north, so none of the options is a tributary that does not join from the north.सुबनसिरी, बेलसिरी और मानस तीनों ब्रह्मपुत्र से उत्तर दिशा से मिलती हैं, इसलिए कोई भी विकल्प ऐसी सहायक नदी नहीं है जो उत्तर से न मिलती हो।
Q27BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Likhapani glacier is located in which State of India?लिखापानी हिमनद भारत के निम्नलिखित में से किस राज्य में स्थित है?
AArunachal Pradeshअरुणाचल प्रदेश
BHimachal Pradeshहिमाचल प्रदेश
CSikkimसिक्किम
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)Arunachal Pradeshअरुणाचल प्रदेश
Explanation
As per the official key, the Likhapani glacier is located in Arunachal Pradesh.आधिकारिक कुंजी के अनुसार लिखापानी हिमनद अरुणाचल प्रदेश में स्थित है।
Q28BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Magadha and Anga plains are parts ofमगध एवं अंग का मैदान किसके हिस्से हैं?
Aupper Ganga plainऊपरी गंगा का मैदान
Bmiddle Ganga plainमध्य गंगा का मैदान
Clower Ganga plainनिम्न गंगा का मैदान
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B)middle Ganga plainमध्य गंगा का मैदान
Explanation
The Magadha and Anga plains of Bihar are part of the middle Ganga plain.बिहार के मगध और अंग के मैदान मध्य गंगा मैदान के भाग हैं।
Q29BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which of the following pairs of waterfalls and rivers is not correctly matched?जलप्रपात और नदी के निम्नलिखित जोड़ों में से कौन-सा जोड़ा सही सुमेलित नहीं है?
AJog—Sharavatiजोग—शरावती
BKapildhara—Kaveriकपिलधारा—कावेरी
CDhuandhar—Godavariधुआँधार—गोदावरी
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D)More than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
Explanation
Kapildhara and Dhuandhar are both waterfalls on the Narmada, so both pairs B and C are wrongly matched; hence more than one option is correct.कपिलधारा और धुआँधार दोनों नर्मदा नदी पर हैं, इसलिए जोड़े B और C दोनों गलत हैं; अतः एक से अधिक विकल्प सही हैं।
Q30BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Arrange the following seaports of India from north to south :
1. Kakinada
2. Machilipatnam
3. Nagapattinam
4. Visakhapatnam
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.भारत के निम्नलिखित बंदरगाहों को उत्तर से दक्षिण दिशा में व्यवस्थित कीजिए :
1. काकीनाड़ा
2. मछलीपट्टनम
3. नागपट्टिनम
4. विशाखापत्तनम
नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर सही उत्तर चुनिए।
A1, 2, 3, 41, 2, 3, 4
B4, 1, 2, 34, 1, 2, 3
C1, 3, 2, 41, 3, 2, 4
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B)4, 1, 2, 34, 1, 2, 3
Explanation
From north to south the ports are Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Machilipatnam and Nagapattinam: 4, 1, 2, 3.उत्तर से दक्षिण क्रम: विशाखापत्तनम, काकीनाड़ा, मछलीपट्टनम और नागपट्टिनम, यानी 4, 1, 2, 3।
Q31BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
The Agreement of Kosi Irrigation and Hydroelectricity Plan in 1954 was signed between which two countries?1954 में किन दो देशों के बीच कोसी सिंचाई एवं जलविद्युत् परियोजना समझौता हस्ताक्षरित हुआ था?
AIndia and Bangladeshभारतवर्ष और बांग्लादेश
BIndia and Chinaभारतवर्ष और चीन
CIndia and Nepalभारतवर्ष और नेपाल
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C)India and Nepalभारतवर्ष और नेपाल
Explanation
The Kosi Agreement of 1954 was signed between India and Nepal.1954 का कोसी समझौता भारत और नेपाल के बीच हुआ था।
Q32BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
In which climatic division does Bihar fall as per R. L. Singh’s classification scheme?आर.एल. सिंह के वर्गीकरण स्कीम के अनुसार, बिहार किस प्रकार के जलवायु प्रदेश में आता है?
AHumid south-eastआर्द्र दक्षिण-पूर्व
BSubhumid transitionalउपार्द्र संक्रमणकालीन
CSubhumid continentalउपार्द्र महाद्वीपीय
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
As per R. L. Singh's classification the Bihar plain falls in the sub-humid transitional climatic region.आर. एल. सिंह के वर्गीकरण के अनुसार बिहार का मैदान उपार्द्र संक्रमणकालीन जलवायु प्रदेश में आता है।
Q33BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
In which Session of the Indian National Congress was the resolution of ‘Purna Swaraj’ adopted?भारतीय राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस के किस अधिवेशन में ‘पूर्ण स्वराज’ का सिद्धान्त गृहीत हुआ था?
AKanpur Session, 1925कानपुर अधिवेशन, 1925
BLahore Session, 1929लाहौर अधिवेशन, 1929
CKarachi Session, 1931कराची अधिवेशन, 1931
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
The 'Purna Swaraj' resolution was adopted at the Lahore Session of 1929 (Jawaharlal Nehru presiding).‘पूर्ण स्वराज’ का प्रस्ताव 1929 के लाहौर अधिवेशन (अध्यक्ष जवाहरलाल नेहरू) में पारित हुआ।
Q34BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
What was an initial objective of ‘Kuka Movement’ in Punjab?पंजाब में ‘कूका आन्दोलन’ का प्रारम्भिक उद्देश्य क्या था?
ATo purify the Sikh religionसिक्ख धर्म को परिष्कृत करना
BTo gain political power in Punjabपंजाब में राजनीतिक शक्ति प्राप्त करना
COrganization of peasant movementकृषक आन्दोलन का संगठन
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)To purify the Sikh religionसिक्ख धर्म को परिष्कृत करना
Explanation
The Kuka (Namdhari) Movement began as a Sikh reform movement aiming to purify the Sikh religion.कूका (नामधारी) आन्दोलन आरम्भ में सिक्ख धर्म को शुद्ध करने का सुधार आन्दोलन था।
Q35BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Who described the Revolt of 1857 as the ‘First Indian War of Independence’?1857 के विद्रोह को किसके द्वारा ‘प्रथम भारतीय स्वतंत्रता संग्राम’ के रूप में वर्णित किया गया था?
AV. D. Savarkarवी.डी. सावरकर
BBal Gangadhar Tilakबाल गंगाधर तिलक
CBipin Chandra Palबिपिन चन्द्र पाल
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)V. D. Savarkarवी.डी. सावरकर
Explanation
V. D. Savarkar called the Revolt of 1857 the 'First War of Indian Independence' in his book.वी. डी. सावरकर ने अपनी पुस्तक में 1857 के विद्रोह को ‘प्रथम भारतीय स्वतंत्रता संग्राम’ कहा।
Q36BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Where was the first instance of organized non-cooperation in the history of Indian peasantry held?भारतीय किसानों के इतिहास में संगठित असहयोग का प्रथम उदाहरण कहाँ घटित हुआ था?
ABihar and Bengalबिहार और बंगाल
BMadras Presidencyमद्रास प्रेसीडेंसी
CPunjab Provinceपंजाब प्रॉविन्स
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A)Bihar and Bengalबिहार और बंगाल
Explanation
The first organized non-cooperation by peasants was the indigo (Neel) revolt of Bihar and Bengal.किसानों का संगठित असहयोग का पहला उदाहरण बिहार और बंगाल का नील विद्रोह था।
Q37BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Which portfolio did Dr. Rajendra Prasad hold during the Interim Government of 1946?वर्ष 1946 में बनी अन्तरिम सरकार में डॉ. राजेन्द्र प्रसाद के पास कौन-सा विभाग था?
ADefenceरक्षा
BHomeगृह
CFood and Agricultureखाद्य एवं कृषि
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C)Food and Agricultureखाद्य एवं कृषि
Explanation
Dr. Rajendra Prasad held the Food and Agriculture portfolio in the 1946 Interim Government.1946 की अन्तरिम सरकार में डॉ. राजेन्द्र प्रसाद के पास खाद्य एवं कृषि विभाग था।
Q38BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Who among the following particularly urged Gandhiji to visit Champaran to witness the miseries of the Ryots?गाँधीजी को विशेष रूप से चम्पारण आने और वहाँ के कृषकों की दयनीय स्थिति को देखने हेतु किसने अनुग्रह किया था?
ABrijkishore Prasadबृजकिशोर प्रसाद
BRajkumar Shuklaराजकुमार शुक्ल
CSukhram Ganeshसुखराम गणेश
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B)Rajkumar Shuklaराजकुमार शुक्ल
Explanation
Rajkumar Shukla, a Champaran indigo farmer, persuaded Gandhiji to visit Champaran.चम्पारण के नील कृषक राजकुमार शुक्ल ने गाँधीजी से चम्पारण आने का अनुरोध किया।
Q39BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
The ‘Day of Deliverance’ was observed by the Muslim League on which date?मुस्लिम लीग द्वारा किस तिथि को ‘मुक्ति दिवस’ मनाया गया था?
A22nd December, 193922 दिसम्बर, 1939
B17th October, 193917 अक्तूबर, 1939
C22nd December, 194022 दिसम्बर, 1940
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
The Muslim League observed the 'Day of Deliverance' on 22 December 1939 after the Congress ministries resigned.कांग्रेस मंत्रिमंडलों के त्यागपत्र के बाद मुस्लिम लीग ने 22 दिसम्बर 1939 को ‘मुक्ति दिवस’ मनाया।
Q40BPSC TRE 1.0 (2023) English Class 9-10 · General Studies
Who laid the foundation stone of National College and Bihar Vidyapeeth?नैशनल कॉलेज और बिहार विद्यापीठ का शिलान्यास किसने किया था?
ADr. Rajendra Prasadडॉ. राजेन्द्र प्रसाद
BMaulana Abdul Bariमौलाना अब्दुल बारी
CMahatma Gandhiमहात्मा गाँधी
DMore than one of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से एक से अधिक
ENone of the aboveउपर्युक्त में से कोई नहीं
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C)Mahatma Gandhiमहात्मा गाँधी
Explanation
Mahatma Gandhi laid the foundation stone of the National College and Bihar Vidyapeeth in Patna (1921).महात्मा गाँधी ने पटना में नैशनल कॉलेज और बिहार विद्यापीठ (1921) का शिलान्यास किया था।
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Why was the grandmother listless that night?
AShe was unwell
BShe was too old
CShe was anxious
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) She was anxious
Explanation
The passage says Granny was not her usual chirpy self and seemed agitated over something, i.e. anxious, so (C) is right.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
How best can one describe the character of the storyteller?
AGarrulous and cantankerous old woman
BCheerful and lively old lady
CIndolent and grumpy old lady
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) Cheerful and lively old lady
Explanation
She is shown as normally cheerful and lively (chirpy) and loves telling stories, so (B) best describes her.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
What does the term ‘hearth-fire’ indicate?
AFireplace
BStove
CGrate
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The hearth is the floor of a fireplace, so 'hearth-fire' means the fire in a fireplace; more than one of the listed words (fireplace, grate) can express this, which is why the key is (D).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
What was so special about ‘that night’?
AIt was a stormy night with incessant thunder and rain
BIt was that fateful night when a peculiar wind blew
CIt was a silent night when the moon had a lurid glow
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) It was that fateful night when a peculiar wind blew
Explanation
The old woman says that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows from the graveyard, and tonight was that night, so (B) is correct.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
What is the trajectory that the song takes in the story?
AThe song arises from the graveyard filling the whole village and disappears beyond human habitation
BThe song arises from the graveyard filling the whole village with good cheer and dissipates into nothingness
CThe song arises from the graveyard filling the whole village with sadness and fades away gradually
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) The song arises from the graveyard filling the whole village and disappears beyond human habitation
Explanation
The song arises from the graveyard, fills the village and then whirls away beyond human habitation; only (A) says this.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Why do listeners gather to hear stories at night in remote villages upon the hills of North-East India?
AThey are engaged in factories and offices during the day
BThey are engaged in their farms, collection of fire-wood and water, and other mundane affairs
CThey are engaged in the textile and mining industry
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
None of the offered reasons is stated in the passage (it only mentions students visiting in the winter holidays), so (E) None of the above.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Pick out a synonym for the word ‘rebuke’ from the extract.
AChastised
BAgitated
CRavaged
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Chastised
Explanation
To 'rebuke' is to scold; the passage says the old woman rebukes them and they 'feel chastised', so 'chastised' (A) is the synonym.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Which word in the story indicates supernatural elements?
AEerie
BUncanny
CUneasy
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
'Eerie' and 'uncanny' both suggest the supernatural, so more than one option fits, i.e. (D).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Describe the look on the storyteller’s face when they all clearly hear the tune of the song.
AStunned
BAlive and animated
CPuzzled
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) Alive and animated
Explanation
After the tune is heard the storyteller has a peculiar glow on her face and seems 'more alive and animated', so (B) is right.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
How would you describe the listeners?
AAs casual and irresponsible
BAs carefree and light-hearted
CAs polite and considerate
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) As polite and considerate
Explanation
The listeners are young people who come willingly to hear the stories and listen respectfully, so the key picks (C) polite and considerate.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
What is the role of the storyteller in Naga society?
AA bearer of traditional lore
BA bearer of history
CA bearer of truth
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The storyteller passes on traditional lore, history and truth to the young, so more than one option is correct: (D).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Which colloquial word is an equivalent of the term ‘grandmother’ that has been used in the extract?
AGrandma
BGranny
CMatriarch
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) Granny
Explanation
'Granny' is the colloquial word for grandmother used in the extract, so (B).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Why does the storyteller feel that the ‘youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind’?
AAs they are skeptical
BAs they are inattentive
CAs they are disbelievers
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
She says they have forgotten how to listen because they do not pay attention; more than one option (skeptical, inattentive, disbelievers) can fit, so (D).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
What is the initial note of the song compared to in the extract of the story?
AA hymn
BBlowing of a peculiar wind
CA low hum
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) A hymn
Explanation
The wind is said to sound like a hymn, and the song's beginning is first compared to that hymn-like sound, so the key gives (A).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Pick up an equivalent of the word ‘cadence’ or ‘rhythm’ from the extract of the story.
AHum
BLilt
CTune
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
'Cadence' or 'rhythm' can be matched by hum, lilt or tune in the extract; more than one fits, so (D).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Which phrase in the extract of the story describes the feeling of surprise or astonishment with reference to the storyteller?
APeculiar glow on her face
BMore alive and animated
CAs though seeing them for the first time
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) As though seeing them for the first time
Explanation
'As though seeing them for the first time' shows her surprise at their ignorance of Apenyo, so (C).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
The narrator seemed out of joint because
Ashe was unwell
Bshe was listless
Cshe was trapped in dark thoughts
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) she was trapped in dark thoughts
Explanation
The old woman was unusually listless and agitated, brooding over the dark memory of the Black Sunday, so (C) trapped in dark thoughts.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Which phrase in the extract is a close equivalent of ‘pin-drop silence’?
ADeath-like silence
BHaunted silence
CIcy silence
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Death-like silence
Explanation
'Pin-drop silence' corresponds to 'death-like silence' used in the extract, so (A).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
What made the listeners ‘skeptical’?
AThey were educated
BThey were rational
CThey could hear nothing
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The youngsters are skeptical because they think such things are not possible and cannot hear anything; the key accepts (D) (more than one reading fits).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Which elemental feeling is most prominent in the story?
ATragic
BElegiac
CGhostly
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) Elegiac
Explanation
A story of army atrocities and a doomed singer is dominated by sorrow and lament; the key gives (B) Elegiac.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Which word in the extract is closest in meaning to the phrase ‘whips around’?
AWhirling
BHover
CBlows
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
None of the listed words (whirling, hover, blows) means 'turns around sharply', so (E) None of the above.
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Why is the narrator described as ‘chirpy’?
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
What memories did the song bring back to the narrator and the listeners?
AAnniversary of that dreadful Sunday
BDeath anniversary of Apenyo
CAn incidence of violence
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Anniversary of that dreadful Sunday
Explanation
The song brought back the anniversary of the dreadful Sunday of army atrocities, so (A).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Why is that particular day referred to as ‘Black Sunday’?
ADeath of Apenyo and atrocities suffered by the villagers on a certain Sunday
BReligious associations with the crucifixion of Lord Jesus Christ
CAtrocities suffered by the villagers on a certain Sunday
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Death of Apenyo and atrocities suffered by the villagers on a certain Sunday
Explanation
It is called 'Black Sunday' for Apenyo's death and the atrocities the villagers suffered that Sunday, so (A).
questions that follow. It is a cold night in December and in a remote village, an old storyteller is sitting by
the hearth-fire with a group of students who have come home for the winter holidays. They love visiting her to listen to her stories, but tonight Granny is not her usual chirpy self; she looks much older and seems to be agitated over something. One of the boys asks her whether she is not feeling well and tells her that if so, they can come back another night. But instead of answering the question, the old woman starts talking and tells them that on a certain night a peculiar wind blows through the village, which seems to start from the region of the graveyard and which sounds like a hymn. She also tells them that tonight is that kind of a night. At first the youngsters are skeptical and tell her that they cannot hear anything and that such things are not possible, but the old woman rebukes them by saying that they are not paying attention to what is happening around them. She tells them that youngsters of today have forgotten how to listen to the voice of the earth and the wind. They feel chastised and make a show of straining their ears to listen more attentively and to their utter surprise, they hear the beginning of a low hum in the distance. They listen for some time and tell her, almost in triumph, that they can hear only an eerie sound. ‘No’, the storyteller almost shouts, ‘Listen carefully. Tonight is the anniversary of that dreadful Sunday.’ There is a death-like silence in the room and some of them begin to look uneasy because they too had heard vague rumours of army atrocities that took place in the village on a Sunday long before they were born. Storyteller and audience strain to listen more attentively and suddenly a strange thing happens : as the wind whirls past the house, it increases in volume and for the briefest of moments, seems to hover above the house. Then it resumes its whirling as though hurrying away to other regions beyond human habitation. The young people are stunned because they hear the new element in the volume and a certain uncanny lilt lingers on in the wake of its departure. The old woman jumps up from her seat and looking at each one in turn asks, ‘You heard it, didn’t you? Didn’t I tell you? It was Apenyo’s last song’ and she hums a tune softly, almost to herself. The youngsters cannot deny that they heard the note but are puzzled because they do not know what she is talking about. As the old woman stands apart humming the tune, they look at her with wonder. There is a peculiar glow on her face and she seems to have changed into a new self, more alive and animated than earlier. After a while a young girl timidly approaches her and asks, ‘Grandmother, what are you talking about? Whose last song?’
The old storyteller whips around and surveys the group as though seeing them for the first time. She then heaves a deep sigh and with infinite sadness in her voice, spreads her arms wide and whispers, ‘You have not heard about that song? You do not know about Apenyo? Then come and listen carefully ...’
Thus, on a cold December night in a remote village, an old storyteller gathers the young of the land around the leaping flames of a hearth and squats on the bare earth among them to pass on the story of that Black Sunday when a young and beautiful singer sang her last song even as one more Naga village began weeping for her ravaged and ruined children.
[An extract from ‘The Last Song’ in These Hills Called Home, by Temsula Ao, Penguin Books, New Delhi : 2006, p.31–33]
Why do you think the narrator ‘squats on the bare earth’?
AShe was too poor to have furniture
BShe didn’t like sitting on stools and chairs
CIt was a common way of sitting by the village folk of Nagaland
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) It was a common way of sitting by the village folk of Nagaland
Explanation
Squatting on the bare earth among the young is a common way of sitting among village folk in Nagaland, so (C).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) Distribute these (B) mangoes between all (C) the fifty students.
ADistribute these
Bmangoes between all
Cthe fifty students.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) mangoes between all
Explanation
'Between' is used for two; for more than two persons or things we say 'among', so the error is in (B).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) Unless you don’t (B) work hard, (C) you can’t get success.
AUnless you don’t
Bwork hard,
Cyou can’t get success.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Unless you don’t
Explanation
'Unless' already carries a negative sense, so 'Unless you don't work hard' is wrong; the error is in (A).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) Start early, (B) lest you should (C) miss the train.
AStart early,
Blest you should
Cmiss the train.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
'Lest you should miss the train' is correct usage (lest + should), so there is no error: (E).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) He talked (B) as if he (C) was a mad.
AHe talked
Bas if he
Cwas a mad.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) was a mad.
Explanation
'as if he was a mad' wrongly uses the article 'a' before the adjective 'mad'; the error is in (C).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) My watch, (B) which was damaged (C) is now useless.
AMy watch,
Bwhich was damaged
Cis now useless.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
The sentence is grammatically correct, so (E) None of the above (no error).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) She ought (B) to have obey (C) her parents.
AShe ought
Bto have obey
Cher parents.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) to have obey
Explanation
After 'ought to have' the past participle is needed: 'to have obeyed', so the error is in (B).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) You will get wet (B) if you will (C) go out in the rain.
AYou will get wet
Bif you will
Cgo out in the rain.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) if you will
Explanation
In a conditional clause the future 'will' is not used: 'if you go out', so the error is in (B).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) He is one (B) of greatest (C) leader of my country.
AHe is one
Bof greatest
Cleader of my country.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The correct form is 'one of the greatest leaders'; both (B) 'of greatest' and (C) 'leader' are wrong, so (D).
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) Neither you (B) nor he (C) are guilty.
ANeither you
Bnor he
Care guilty.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) are guilty.
Explanation
With 'neither ... nor' the verb agrees with the nearer subject 'he': 'is guilty', so the error is in (C) 'are guilty'.
Directions (Q. Nos. 66 to 75) : Read each of the following sentences to find out whether there is an error or errors in any underlined part(s). If you feel that there is no error in a sentence, write (E) to signify ‘None of the above’.
(A) Neither of the (B) three pens (C) will do.
ANeither of the
Bthree pens
Cwill do.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
'Neither' refers to two; for three items we say 'none of the three pens', so the error lies in more than one part: (D).
Directions (Q. Nos. 86 to 95) : Choose the correct option of the following questions.
Which one of the following options is correct about the sentence, ‘‘That which cannot be read.’’?
AIllegible
BIneligible
CInvisible
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Illegible
Explanation
The single word for 'that which cannot be read' is 'illegible': (A).
Directions (Q. Nos. 86 to 95) : Choose the correct option of the following questions.
‘‘I left that house.’’ What is the underlined word ‘that’, according to the English grammar?
ADemonstrative pronoun
BAdverb
CNoun
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
In 'I left that house' 'that' modifies the noun, so it is a demonstrative adjective, which is not among the options: (E).
The Prince said, ‘‘It gives me great pleasure to be here this evening.’’ (Change into reported speech)
AThe Prince said, it gives me great pleasure to be here this evening.
BThe Prince said, it gave me great pleasure to be here this evening.
CThe Prince said, it had given him great pleasure to be here this evening.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
In reported speech the tense moves back, 'this evening' becomes 'that evening' and 'me' becomes 'him'; none of the options does all this correctly, so (E).
‘‘Yesterday I saw the film Macbeth. I found the story interesting. The film’s hero, Macbeth, assassinates King Duncan and ascends the throne of Scotland. But he is dissatisfied. He finds himself in a dangerous situation. He executes those he suspects of plotting against him. Eventually, some of the lords revolted and dethroned him and killed him. The message it conveys is that excessive ambition destroys a man. The actor and actress who played Macbeth and Lady Macbeth had exceptional performances, which significantly increased the film’s impact.’’
The extract is an example of a
Afilm review
Bsummary
Cparaphrase
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The extract describes a film, gives its story and an opinion about it, so it is a film review; the official key gives (D) because it also summarises the film.
Read the extract given below :
Student : Good morning Sir, how are you?
Teacher : I am completely fine. What about you?
Student : I was wondering which course to learn in my vacation.
Teacher : It can be confusing with so many options online. You should make a list and narrow it down as per your interest.
Student : I have tried that but still I am left with three options— Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or Data Science.
Teacher : Well ! All of them are very interesting courses, but as far as I remember you have always been interested in Artificial Intelligence.
Student : Yes ! I do because I feel it is our future.
Teacher : Well then its no harm in pursuing it and later if you find it less interesting you can always switch.
Student : Yes it sounds like a great idea. Thanks !
The above extract is an example of
Aa conversation
Ba dialogue
Ca monologue
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The extract is a talk between two speakers, so it is both a conversation and a dialogue: (D).
Read the extract given below :
Student : Good morning Sir, how are you?
Teacher : I am completely fine. What about you?
Student : I was wondering which course to learn in my vacation.
Teacher : It can be confusing with so many options online. You should make a list and narrow it down as per your interest.
Student : I have tried that but still I am left with three options— Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or Data Science.
Teacher : Well ! All of them are very interesting courses, but as far as I remember you have always been interested in Artificial Intelligence.
Student : Yes ! I do because I feel it is our future.
Teacher : Well then its no harm in pursuing it and later if you find it less interesting you can always switch.
Student : Yes it sounds like a great idea. Thanks !
Point out the error in the extract given in Q. No. 118.
AUse of tenses
BUse of adverbial clauses
CUse of prepositions
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
The extract has no clear error in tenses, adverbial clauses or prepositions, so (E) None of the above.
bought / few / several / like / medicines / items / vegetables / kinds / many / of / a / and / he / avocados. (Arrange the words to make a meaningful sentence)
AHe bought a few items like medicines, several vegetables and many kinds of avocados.
BHe bought several items like medicines, a few vegetables and many kinds of avocados.
CHe bought several items like medicines, many kinds of vegetables and a few avocados.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) He bought several items like medicines, many kinds of vegetables and a few avocados.
Explanation
Arranging the words gives 'He bought several items like medicines, many kinds of vegetables and a few avocados': (C).