Reading Comprehension · NDA previous year questions

The author calls the tiny bat an “interesting visitor”. This means

1. A.the bat visits him at night
2. B.the bat is interested in the moths
3. C.this bat has peculiar qualities
4. D.this bat surprises him by zooming in and out like a dive-bomber

What, according to you, can be the most suitable title for the passage?

1. A.Someone visits me
2. B.Night of Mysteries
3. C.My Nocturnal Visitor
4. D.A Funny Visitor

The author had roused himself as he wanted to

1. A.get off
2. B.meet someone
3. C.know the name of the station
4. D.keep himself awake

The engine stopped because

1. A.the driver had stopped it
2. B.one of the wheels was broken
3. C.there was a halting place
4. D.there was no fuel

The engine is compared to a fallen horse because

1. A.it was groaning like a horse
2. B.it was lying across the track
3. C.it could make no effort to stand upright
4. D.it had a broken wheel

Passage – 2 I was beginning to tire a little now. I had been cutting steps continuously for two hours, and Tenzing, too, was moving very slowly. As I chipped steps around still another corner, I wondered rather dully just how long we could keep it up. Our original zest had now quite gone and it was turning more into a grim struggle. I then realised that the ridge ahead, instead of still monotonously rising, now dropped sharply away, and far below I could see the North Col and Rongbuk glacier. I looked upwards to see a narrow ridge running up to a snowy summit. A few more whacks of the ice-axe in the firm snow and we stood on top. Which of the following is the most appropriate description of the area in which the narrator had been moving?

1. A.A steep rocky slope
2. B.A peak with a flight of steps
3. C.A high peak covered with snow
4. D.A long ridge

‘I had been cutting steps continuously for two hours’ suggests that

1. A.the climber was unskilled in the art of making steps
2. B.he had to cut the steps out of snow before climbing up which was necessarily a slow process
3. C.the slowness was caused by the fact that as soon as he cut the steps they were again covered with snow
4. D.he had to work suspended from a ledge

‘It was turning more into a grim struggle’ would mean

1. A.that after the long exertion he was feeling so weak that any further climbing meant a hard struggle with the forces of nature
2. B.that Tenzing was making the task more difficult
3. C.that strong cold wind was pushing him down from above and that he had to struggle with the forces of nature
4. D.that he was in a mood to give up ultimately

The author's main argument is

1. A.description of natural phenomena of India
2. B.unpredictability of Indian monsoon
3. C.correlation between the climate and the character of the inhabitants of a region
4. D.hardships caused by natural calamities

Which one of the following civilizations did not have to face hardships due to bad winter ?

1. A.Indian
2. B.Greek
3. C.Chinese
4. D.Roman

The expression “India, on the other hand, was blessed by a bounteous nature ................ ” means

1. A.Indian soil is fertile
2. B.India is a land of flora and fauna
3. C.Indian people have been rewarded more generously by nature in proportion to their efforts
4. D.Indian soil is suited for growing a variety of crops

Which trait of Indian character has been formed by the monsoon ?

1. A.Fatalism
2. B.Sturdiness
3. C.Asceticism
4. D.Epicureanism

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 31

1. A.find
2. B.learn
3. C.hear
4. D.understand

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 32

1. A.showing
2. B.giving
3. C.revealing
4. D.conveying

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 33

1. A.arrival
2. B.entry
3. C.approach
4. D.alight

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 34

1. A.in
2. B.at
3. C.from
4. D.on

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 35

1. A.off
2. B.of
3. C.from
4. D.on

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 36

1. A.opened
2. B.turned
3. C.closed
4. D.showed

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 37

1. A.with
2. B.out of
3. C.in
4. D.on

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 38

1. A.lived
2. B.existed
3. C.was
4. D.persisted

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 39

1. A.commenced
2. B.began
3. C.continued
4. D.stalked

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 40

1. A.carried
2. B.bore
3. C.took
4. D.thought

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 41

1. A.would
2. B.could
3. C.should
4. D.won't

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 42

1. A.interposed
2. B.ran
3. C.arrived
4. D.jumped

Directions for the Close Comprehension Passage (For the 20 items which follow) : Supply suitable word in the blank of each item which is followed by four words or groups of words. In a few seconds we ran the boat into a little bay, where we made her fast to a piece of coral, and running up the beach, entered the ranks of the penguins armed with our sticks and spears. We were greatly surprised to $\underline{\text{31}}$ that instead of attacking us or $\underline{\text{32}}$ signs of fear at our $\underline{\text{33}}$ these strange birds do not move $\underline{\text{34}}$ their places until we took hold $\underline{\text{35}}$ them, merely $\underline{\text{36}}$ their eyes on us $\underline{\text{37}}$ wonder as we passed. There $\underline{\text{38}}$ one old penguin, however that $\underline{\text{39}}$ to walk slowly towards the sea, and Peterkin $\underline{\text{40}}$ it into his head that he $\underline{\text{41}}$ try to stop it, so he $\underline{\text{42}}$ between it and the sea and $\underline{\text{43}}$ his stick in its face. But this $\underline{\text{44}}$ to be a determined old $\underline{\text{45}}$. It would not go back; in fact, it $\underline{\text{46}}$ not cease to advance, but $\underline{\text{47}}$ with Peterkin bravely, and $\underline{\text{48}}$ him before it until it $\underline{\text{49}}$ the sea. Had Peterkin used his $\underline{\text{50}}$ he would have easily killed it. 43

1. A.moved
2. B.pointed
3. C.waved
4. D.watched