Comprehension MCQs

Question 1

When a luxury liner or a cargo ship nudges into her slip after an ocean crossing, her first physical contact with land is a heaving line. These streamers with a weight at the end called a "monkey fist," arch gracefully from deck to pier. On board the ship, the heaving lines are tied to heavy, golden yellow manila mooring lines. Longshoremen quickly pull in the heaving lines until they can fasten the mooring lines to iron bollards (posts). Soon the ship is strung to her pier by four, eight, or as many as twenty-one 9- inch or 10-inch manila lines with perhaps a few wire ropes to stay motion fore and aft. The ship is secure against even the wrath of the storm or hurricane. A ship could dock without the aid of tugboats-and might have in New York in maritime strikes-but not without the lines to moor her to her berth. The maritime and the related fishing industry find perhaps 250 applications for rope and cordage. There are hundreds of different sizes, constructions, tensile strengths, and weights in rope and twine. Rope is sold by the pound but ordered by length and is measured by circumference rather than by diameter. The maritime variety is made chiefly from fibre of the abaca, or manila plant, which is imported from the Philippines and Central America. Henequen from Mexico and Cuba and sisal from Africa, the Netherlands East Indies, and other areas are also used, but chiefly for twine. Nylon is coming into increasing use, particularly by towing companies. But it is six times more expensive than manila. However, nylon is much stronger, lighter in weight, and longer-wearing than manila. It is also more elastic and particularly adaptable for ocean towing.The passage belongs to which of the following categories?

Accepted Answer

Technical information

Answer

Research article

Answer

Scientific analysis

Answer

A writing by an ocean enthusiast

Question 2

Use of electronic mail (e-mail) has been widespread for more than a decade. E-mail simplifies the flow of ideas, connects people from distant offices, eliminates the need for meetings, and often boosts productivity. However, e-mail should be carefully managed to avoid unclear and inappropriate communication. E-mail messages should be concise and limited to one topic. When complex issues need to be addressed, phone calls are still best.Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage?

Accepted Answer

Appropriate Use of E-Mail

Answer

E-Mail's Popularity

Answer

E-Mail: The Ideal Form of Communication

Answer

Why Phone Calls Are Better Than E-Mail

Question 3

Patrick Henry is considered one of the great patriots of America's early history. He was a leader in every protest against British tyranny and in every movement for colonial rights, openly speaking against the unfair taxation and overly burdensome regulations imposed upon the American colonists by the British Parliament. In March 1775, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm themselves in self-defense. He spoke boldly in Richmond, Virginia, during the meeting of the state legislature. He closed that famous speech with the immortal words, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death."Q.1 Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for this passage?

Accepted Answer

Patrick Henry, American Patriot

Answer

The Speeches of Patrick Henry

Answer

Early American Patriots

Answer

History of the Virginia Legislature

Question 4

When winding an old clock, it is important not to over wind it. Over winding occurs when the mainspring is almost fully wound, but the operator continues to turn the winding key. This causes the main spring to coil too tightly, and might even break it.Q.1 This paragraph best supports the statement that

Accepted Answer

Old-fashioned clocks were operated by an internal spring.

Answer

Clocks have changed over the years.

Answer

Old-fashioned clocks become fragile with age.

Answer

Over winding clocks used to be a common mistake

Question 5

Critical reading is a demanding process. To read critically, you must slow down your reading and, with a pencil in hand, perform specific operations on the text. Mark up the text with your reactions, conclusions, and questions. When you read, become an active participant.Q.1 This paragraph best supports the statement that

Accepted Answer

Critical reading requires thoughtful and careful attention

Answer

Critical reading is a slow, dull, but essential process.

Answer

The best critical reading happens at critical times in a person's life.

Answer

Readers should get in the habit of questioning the truth of what they read

Question 6

To prepare for a career in engineering, a student must begin planning in high school. Mathematics and science should form the core curriculum. For example, in a school where sixteen credit hours are required for high school graduation, four should be in mathematics, one each in chemistry, biology or physics. The remaining credits should include four in English and at least three in the humanities and social sciences.The average entering freshman in engineering should have achieved at least a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale in his or her high school. Although deficiencies can be corrected during the first year, the students who need additional work should expect to spend five instead of four years to complete a degree. What is the average grade point for an entering freshman in engineering?

Accepted Answer

2.5

Answer

4

Answer

3

Answer

3.5

Question 7

The Alaska pipeline starts at the frozen edge of the Arctic Ocean. It stretchessouthward across the largest and northernmost state in the United States, ending at a remote ice-free seaport village nearly 800 miles from where it begins. It is massive in size and extremely complicated to operate. The pipe is 4 feet in diameter, and up to 2 million barrels (or 84 million gallons) of crude oil can be pumped through it daily. The pipeline cost approximately $8 billion and is by far the biggest and most expensive construction project ever undertaken by private industry. In fact, no single business could raise that much money, so 8 major oil companies formed a consortium in order to share the costs. Each company controlled oil rights to particular shares of land in the oil fields and paid into the pipeline-construction fund according to the size of its holdings. How many companies shared the costs of constructing the pipeline?

Accepted Answer

Eight

Answer

Three

Answer

Four

Answer

Twelve

Question 8

Fear drains color from our faces, makes our teeth chatter, our hearts pound, our breath quickens, and our knees knock. Fear chums our stomachs, raises goosebumps, and causes jitters. Fear also raises feelings of anxiety and distrust, and may even cause us to change our behaviors. Obsessive fear can become a phobia that keeps us from enjoying life. What idea does the writer suggest?

Accepted Answer

Phobias keep us from enjoying life

Answer

Fear affects us in several ways

Answer

Fear is the result of distrust and anxiety

Answer

Fear affects many people

Question 9

There are two kinds of jewelry that I make. There is commercial jewelry class rings,necklaces, the kinds of things most people wear. I sell these items to meet my expenses for raw materials, supplies, and to make my living. The other, more creative work I do makes me feel that I am developing as a craftsperson.The author of this passage implies that:

Accepted Answer

Commercial and creative work fulfills different needs for the artist

Answer

Artists are poor

Answer

There is no market for creative work

Answer

Rings and necklaces cannot be creative

Question 10

An increase in the median income of the middle class does not cause average levels of education for the middle class to go up. If they did, then countries with the highest median income of the middle class would also have the highest levels of education for this class. In fact, when the median income of the middle class is made suitably comparable for different countries (accounting for inflation, currency fluctuations and purchasing power parity), there is no such co-relation.Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the statements above?

Accepted Answer

Countries with the highest median income of the middle class do not have the highest levels of education for the middle class

Answer

It is difficult to reliably compare the education and income levels of one country with another

Answer

A reduction in the median income of the middle class of the country will not necessarily lower the average level of education for the said class

Answer

Countries with low levels of education for the middle class have comparatively higher levels of median income for the middle class

Question 11

An increase in the level of serotonin levels in the human body is known to significantly enhance the mood of the person and in some cases, help people overcome depression. Serotonin taken orally does not pass into the pathways of the central nervous system, because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. However, tryptophan and its metabolite 5-hydroxytryptophan (5- HTP), from which serotonin is synthesized, does cross the blood-brain barrier. These agents are available as dietary supplements, and may be effective serotonergic agents.Which of the following can be correctly inferred from the statements above?

Accepted Answer

Tryptophan is an effective agent that can help cure depression in some cases

Answer

Individuals who do not consume enough tryptophan can develop depressive tendencies

Answer

Individuals who consume tryptophan can metabolize enough serotonin and do not run the risk of depression

Answer

Consumption of serotonin-laced foods can help cure depression in some cases

Question 12

In so much as there is a new cinema worth talking about, it is because several directors are very consciously thinking is terms of how screen language can be made to work for them. They are more interested in the way things look and feel and sound than in what they signify in general terms more interested in mood than in narrative more concerned with how people behave and give themselves away in action than with how they might choose to sec themselves.Q.1 The word 'they' in line 03 refers to:

Accepted Answer

directors

Answer

cinemas

Answer

things

Answer

movies

Question 13

The thunder did not break. Instead, the drops increased in number and suddenlybecame a flood. The trees, the hedges and the fields, the sky itself and all itsgesticulating silent mobs wavered the reactions in a stream, and then dissolved into an air which was largely water.The word 'it' in line 02 refers to:

Accepted Answer

Flood

Answer

the sky

Answer

Weather

Answer

Thunder

Question 14

Reality TV shows will have an adverse effect on traditional dramas and comedies. As Reality TV increases in popularity, network executives will begin canceling more traditional programs and replacing them with the latest in Reality TV. All the given statements are true regarding adverse effect of Reality TV except:

Accepted Answer

Traditional dramas have tame scripts and stories

Answer

Canceling traditional programs

Answer

Broadcasting of latest programs of current interest

Answer

Increasing popularity of Reality TV

Question 15

When writing business letters or memos, it is not practical to be personal. Though the first-person point of view may make the reader feel close to the writer, it also implies a certain subjectivity. That is, the writer is expressing a personal view from a personal perspective. All are not practical approaches towards writing business letters and memos except:

Accepted Answer

to be impersonal

Answer

Avoid expressing personal perspective

Answer

Using first-person

Answer

None of these

Question 16

What if you vote for me? I ensure you that your taxes will be very low, the government will provide free education, and there will be equality and justice for all citizens. Cast your vote for me today.The tone of the sentence is:

Accepted Answer

Persuasive

Answer

Descriptive

Answer

Narrative

Answer

Expository

Question 17

If only there were some decent jobs out there, I wouldn't be reduced to living in this miserable dump.Q.1 The tone of the sentence is:

Accepted Answer

Bitter

Answer

Ironic

Answer

Humorous

Answer

Optimistic

Question 18

One of the missions of the Peace Corps is to help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained men and women. People who work for the Peace Corps do so because they want to, but to keep the agency dynamic with fresh ideas, no staff member can work for the agency for more than five years.Q.1 One of the chief missions of the Peace Corps can best be described with the help of correct combinations of the given statements: I - helping the war-stricken people of a country. Il - providing the trained human resource taken from the country Ill - creating a socio-political influence on the masses

Accepted Answer

II and III

Answer

I and Il

Answer

II only

Answer

I only

Question 19

Today's shopping mall has as its antecedents of historical significance: marketplaces, such as Greek agoras, European piazzas, and Asian bazaars. The purpose of these sites, as with the shopping mall, are both economic and social. People not only go to buy and sell wares, but also to be seen, catch up on news, and be part of the human drama.Q.1 The purposes of presenting these social sites in such a manner are given in which of the combinations of the given statements?I - Such presentations give an economic boost and social popularityII - People also want popularityIII - Such places care their ethnic groups more as per their names:

Accepted Answer

I and II

Answer

I only

Answer

I & I

Answer

Ill only

Question 20

Yet though we look alike, we have very different dispositions. You could say thatwe're opposites. While I'm often quiet and pensive, Andy is loud and doesn't seem to stop to think about anything.Q.1 We can therefore conclude that pensive means

Accepted Answer

Deep in thought

Answer

intelligent, wise

Answer

Considerate of others

Answer

Quarrelsome

Free Comprehension MCQs with Answers