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Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers

Direction for [ Question No: 1 To 2 ] :

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

A man is known by the book he reads as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men and one should always live in the best company, whether it be of books or of men.

A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of companions. It does not turn its back upon in times of adversity or distress. It always receives us with the same kindness; amusing and interesting us in youth, comforting and consoling us in age.

Answer: C

The statement means that a good book can be included among the best of friends of mankind.

'May be among the best of friends' says a good book belongs in the group of the best friends. The passage goes on to say that a book is patient and cheerful, and does not desert us in adversity, so it is a friend of that kind.

Option A claims no friend can be better, which is stronger than 'among the best'. Option B compares books with good men, which the passage does not do. Option D is about what friends read, which is not what the sentence says.

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Answer: D

The passage says a man's choice of books generally reveals his temperament and character.

The opening line says a man is known by the book he reads as well as by the company he keeps, and that there is a companionship of books as well as of men. As a man is judged by his companions, he is judged by the books he keeps company with: the books he chooses show what kind of person he is.

Being a scholar, being influenced in thinking and gaining knowledge may all be true of readers, but the passage does not give them as the reason for knowing a man by his books.

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Direction for [ Question No: 3 To 6 ] :

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below by choosing the correct option.

In this world of human affairs there is no worse nuisance than a boy at the age of fourteen. He is neither ornamental nor useful. It is impossible to shower affection on him as on a little boy, and he is always getting in the way. If he talks with a childish lisp he is called a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called impertinent. In fact, any talk at all from him is resented. Then he is at the unattractive, growing age. He grows out of his clothes with indecent haste, his voice grows hoarse and breaks, and quavers, his face grows suddenly angular and unsightly. It is easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen. The lad himself becomes painfully self-conscious. When he talks with elderly people he is either unduly forward, or else so unduly shy that he appears ashamed of his very existence.

Yet it is at this age when in his heart of hearts, a young lad most craves for recognition and love; and he becomes the devoted slave of anyone who shows him consideration. But none dare openly love him, for that would be regarded as undue indulgence and therefore bad for the boy. So, what with scolding and chiding, he becomes very much like a stray dog that has lost his master.

For a boy of fourteen his own home is the only Paradise. To live in a strange house with strange people is little short of torture, while the height of bliss is to receive the kind looks of women and never to be slighted by them.

3.

How do grown-ups react to a boy of fourteen whenever he speaks?

Exam Year(s)

ISRO Assistant - 2023,

Answer: D

The answer is that they call him either a baby or an impertinent fellow, and resent any talk at all from him.

The passage says that if the boy talks with a childish lisp he is called a baby, and if he answers in a grown-up way he is called impertinent. It then adds: 'In fact, any talk at all from him is resented.' So the full reaction has all three parts.

Options A, B and C each give only one part of it, so each is incomplete; only D combines the two names with the resentment the passage reports.

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Answer: C

The two lapses named are the changes in voice and face: the voice grows hoarse, breaks and quavers, and the face grows suddenly angular and unsightly.

The passage says it is easy to excuse the shortcomings of early childhood 'but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable lapses in a boy of fourteen', and the lines just before list the bodily changes of that age: he outgrows his clothes, his voice breaks and his face turns angular. These are the unavoidable ones, since the boy cannot help them.

Option A is wrong because the lisp belongs to the childish talk that earns him the name baby, not to the lapses of fourteen. Option B describes his emotional state, craving love and feeling like a stray dog, which the passage does not call a lapse. Option D, 'neither ornamental nor useful', is the writer's general verdict on the age.

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5.

What does a boy of fourteen crave for?

Exam Year(s)

ISRO Assistant - 2023,

Answer: D

A boy of fourteen craves recognition and love.

The second paragraph says that at this age, in his heart of hearts, a young lad 'most craves for recognition and love', and becomes the devoted slave of anyone who shows him consideration.

Option A names only recognition. Option C, love and indulgence, is not what he craves: the passage says nobody dares love him openly because that would be regarded as undue indulgence. Option B, the height of bliss, is what he feels on receiving kind looks, not what he craves.

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6.

"The height of bliss" indicates

Exam Year(s)

ISRO Assistant - 2023,

Answer: B

'The height of bliss' indicates the greatest joy and happiness.

In the last paragraph, living in a strange house is little short of torture, while 'the height of bliss is to receive the kind looks of women and never to be slighted by them'. Set against torture, the phrase means the highest degree of happiness.

Excitement is a passing state and is not the sense of bliss. The greatest fear and the feeling of shyness are the opposite of what the sentence describes, which is being treated kindly and not being slighted.

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Direction for [ Question No: 7 To 8 ] :

Modern advances have profoundly influenced sociology by transforming data collection and analysis methodologies, thereby expanding our understanding of social phenomena. With the advent of big data, advanced statistical software, and computational algorithms, sociologists can now analyze vast datasets with unprecedented speed and accuracy, uncovering complex patterns of behaviour and interaction across diverse populations. The proliferation of digital communication platforms has also provided new avenues for studying social dynamics in realtime, enabling researchers to observe and interpret the nuances of virtual communities and networks. Furthermore, the integration of technology in everyday life has reshaped traditional family structures, work environments, and societal norms, prompting sociologists to explore these changes and their implications for human relationships and social institutions. These technological leaps have not only enriched sociological research but have also led to a renaissance in how we conceptualize and address societal challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.

7.

Following assumption have been made on the basis of the above passage

1. The advent of modern advances in data collection and analysis have rendered the sociologists insignificant.
2. Technological integration into day-to-day life has recalibrated traditional family structures, work environments, and societal norms.
3. Rapid and accurate analysis of large datasets has been facilitated using modern technological advancements.
4. Technology has enriched the ability of humans to conceptualize and deal with societal challenges.

Which of the above assumption/s is/are valid?

Exam Year(s)

Haryana Civil Services - 2026, HPSC - 2026,

Answer: C

Assumptions 2, 3 and 4 are valid.

Assumption 2 is stated: technology in everyday life has reshaped family structures, work environments and societal norms. Assumption 3 is stated: sociologists can analyse vast datasets with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Assumption 4 is stated in the closing sentence: the technological leaps have enriched sociology and changed how societal challenges are conceptualized and addressed.

Assumption 1 contradicts the passage, which says the advances have enriched sociological research and not made sociologists insignificant. So the options containing 1 are wrong, and '2 only' and '2 and 3' omit valid assumptions.

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8.

Following are a few statements made on the basis of the above passage:

1. Our understanding of social phenomena has been enriched by new methods of data collection and analysis.
2. Large datasets can now be analyzed with exceptional speed and accuracy.
3. Expanding digital communication platforms have enabled researchers to observe and interpret the nuances of virtual communities.
4. The sociologists are prompted by technological advancements to abandon the studies related to human relationships and social institutions.

Which of the above statement/s is/are incorrect?

Exam Year(s)

Haryana Civil Services - 2026, HPSC - 2026,

Answer: A

Only statement 4 is incorrect.

Statements 1, 2 and 3 are all in the passage: new methods have expanded our understanding of social phenomena, large datasets can be analysed with great speed and accuracy, and digital platforms let researchers observe virtual communities.

Statement 4 reverses the passage, which says technology prompted sociologists to explore changes in human relationships and social institutions, not to abandon those studies.

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Direction for [ Question No: 9 To 9 ] :

The field of Diversity and Inclusion (D & I) strives to create equitable workplaces that value diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. However, it faces significant ethical issues, such as tokenism - where individuals from under-represented groups are included merely to enhance the appearance of inclusivity without genuine commitment to their integration and advancement. Another issue is the potential for well-meaning D & I initiatives to inadvertently impose a 'one size fits all' approach that may not adequately address the unique needs and cultures of different groups. Moreover, there's the risk of privacy violations when collecting and handling demographic data without proper consent or safeguards. Ethical dilemmas also arise when balancing the need for affirmative action with the principle of meritocracy, and in assessing the true impact of D & I programmes, which must go beyond mere representation to ensure that all individuals have equal opportunities for growth and leadership within organizations.

9.

Following are a few assumptions based on the above passage:

1. The only way to ensure true diversity is by imposing strict quotas on under-represented groups while implementing D & I programmes.
2. D & I programmes should focus on representation without considering the needs of diverse individuals.
3. D & I initiatives are inherently unethical because they prioritize inclusivity over performance.
4. Balancing the need for positive action with a merit-based system can contribute towards implementation of D & I in true spirit.

Which of the above assumption/s is/are valid?

Exam Year(s)

Haryana Civil Services - 2026, HPSC - 2026,

Answer: D

Only assumption 4 is valid.

The passage says ethical dilemmas arise when balancing affirmative action with the principle of meritocracy, so balancing positive action with a merit-based system is the way to implement D & I in true spirit.

Assumption 1 is too absolute: the passage never says strict quotas are the only way. Assumption 2 contradicts the passage, which warns that programmes must go beyond representation and address the unique needs of groups. Assumption 3 is too strong: the passage names ethical issues, not that D & I is inherently unethical.

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Direction for [ Question No: 10 To 10 ] :

The right to privacy in the digital age is a critical concept within human rights that has gained prominence with the advent of pervasive digital technologies. This right encompasses the protection of individuals' personal data against unauthorized collection, use, and dissemination by entities such as governments, corporations, and hackers. In landmark declarations like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, privacy is recognized as a fundamental right, essential for the protection of human dignity, autonomy, and personal security. As digital footprints expand, ensuring this right requires robust legal frameworks, ethical standards, and technological safeguards to prevent abuses and maintain the balance between security and individual freedoms in an increasingly interconnected world.

Answer: D

The most logical statement is that maintaining autonomy, dignity and personal security in an increasingly digitalized world necessitates multi-pronged measures.

The passage ends by saying that ensuring the right to privacy requires legal frameworks, ethical standards and technological safeguards together, which is a multi-pronged approach to protect dignity, autonomy and personal security.

Option A contradicts the passage, which treats digital footprints as expanding. Option B says ethical standards alone are 'the best' safeguard, though the passage lists three. Option C reverses the passage, which says governments, corporations and hackers are entities against which data must be protected, not suppliers of data to corporations.

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