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Reading Comprehension Questions and Answers

Direction for [ Question No: 131 To 134 ] :

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.

131.

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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133.

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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134.

"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: 135 To 136 ] :

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.

135.

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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136.

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: 137 To 137 ] :

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.

137.

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: 138 To 139 ] :

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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139.

With reference to the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1. Governments worldwide have successfully enforced privacy protection through legal frameworks.
2. Technological safeguards are fully in place to prevent all abuses and to balance security and freedoms of individuals.
3. Digital footprints have multiplied the risk of unethical data handling.
4. Strong legal frameworks are required for maintaining human dignity, autonomy, and personal security.

Which of the above assumptions are invalid?

Exam Year(s)

Haryana Civil Services - 2026, HPSC - 2026,

Answer: B

Assumptions 1 and 2 are invalid.

Nothing in the passage says governments worldwide have successfully enforced privacy through legal frameworks (assumption 1), or that technological safeguards are fully in place and prevent all abuses (assumption 2); it says such measures are required, which suggests they are not yet complete.

Assumptions 3 and 4 are supported: expanding digital footprints raise the risk of misuse of data, and the passage says robust legal frameworks are needed to protect human dignity, autonomy and personal security. So '3 and 4', '2 only' and '1 and 4' are wrong.

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Direction for [ Question No: 140 To 140 ] :

Island nations of Indian Ocean, rich in biodiversity and natural resources, stand to significantly benefit from geological studies due to their complex history of tectonic activity, mineral wealth, and vulnerability to natural disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes. With the help of advancing geological research, these island nations can better understand the distribution and sustainability of its minerals like graphite, rare earth elements, and gemstones, while also improving earthquake and tsunami prediction models. This knowledge will not only bolster their economies through responsible mining practices but also enhance public safety and environmental conservation efforts, ensuring a resilient and prosperous future for their people. Geological research can also aid in addressing challenges related to groundwater management, soil erosion, and landslide prevention, thereby supporting sustainable development across the countries' diverse ecosystems.

140.

The following inferences have been made from the above passage:

1. Geological research has successfully decoded the entire distribution and sustainability of mineral wealth of the island nations of Indian Ocean.
2. Advancing geological studies can boost sustainable growth by addressing the critical issues related to land and groundwater.
3. Mining is the only industry that supports the economies of these island nations.
4. Environmental conservation efforts can be postponed while the geological research aims to optimize the extraction of minerals.

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

Exam Year(s)

Haryana Civil Services - 2026, HPSC - 2026,

Answer: C

Only inference 2 is valid.

The passage says geological research can aid in addressing groundwater management, soil erosion and landslide prevention, thereby supporting sustainable development, which is inference 2.

Inference 1 overstates: the passage says research can help them better understand the distribution of minerals, not that it has decoded everything. Inference 3 is unsupported: nothing says mining is the only industry. Inference 4 contradicts the passage, which says the knowledge will enhance environmental conservation efforts alongside responsible mining.

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