English: Reading Comprehension Set 11

Direction(1-5): Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows.

Paragraph1:Let us consider whether women as a group have unique, politically  relevant characteristics, whether they have special interests to which a  representative could or should respond. Can we argue that women as a  group share particular social, economic, or political problems that do not  closely match those of other groups, or that they share a particular  viewpoint on the solution to political problems? Framing the working definition of ―representable interests  in this fashion does not mean that  the problems or issues are exclusively those of the specified interest group, any more than we can make the same argument about other types of groups more widely accepted as interest groups.

Paragraph 2: The fact that there is a labour interest group, for example, reflects the existence of other groups such as the business establishment, consumers, and government, which in a larger sense share labour‘s concerns, but often have viewpoints on the nature of, or solutions to, the problems which conflict with those of labour.

Paragraph 3: Nor does our working definition of an interest group mean that all of the potential members of that group are consciously allied, or that there is a clear and obvious answer to any given problem articulated by the entire group that differs substantially from answers articulated by others. Research in various fields of social science provides evidence that women do have a distinct position and a shared set of problems that characterize  a special interest.

Paragraph 4 : Many of these distinctions are located in the institution in which women and men are probably most often assumed to have common interests, the family. Much has been made of the ―sharing or ―democratic  model of the modern family, but whatever democratization has taken place, it has not come close to erasing the division of labour and, indeed, stratification, by sex. Time-use studies show that women spend about the same amount of time on and do the same proportion of housework and child care now as women did at the turn of the century. To say that women are in a different social position from that of men and therefore  have unique interests to be represented is not, however, the same as saying that women are conscious of these differences, that they define  themselves as having special interests requiring representation, or that  men and women as groups now disagree on policy issues in which women might have a special interest.

Paragraph 5 :Studies of public opinion on the status and roles of women show relatively few significant differences between the sexes, and do not reveal women to be consistently more feminist than men. On the other hand, law and public policy continue to create and reinforce differences between women and men in property and contract matters, economic opportunity, protection from violence, control over fertility and child care, educational opportunities, and civic rights and obligations. The indicators generally  used to describe differences in socioeconomic position also show that the politically relevant situations of women and men are different. Women in almost all countries have less education than men, and where they achieve equivalent levels of education, segregation by field and therefore skills and market value remains.

  1. According to the passage, which of the following experiences do modern women have most nearly in common with women who lived in 1900?
    A) They are represented only as individuals and not as a group.
    B) They spend about the same amount of time on housework.
    C) They experience significant discrimination in employment.
    D) The proportion of women among those designated as representatives is lower than among the represented.
    E) They are still not considered the equal of men.
    View Answer
       Option B
    Explanation : Option A distorts the point made in the first sentence. There‘s no point of comparison on this point with the turn of the century.
    Option C-  Out of Scope. This is never mentioned in the context of the turn of the century.
    Option D – Another choice that has no relation to the turn of the century.
    Option E -The passage never states this.
  1. What is the main function of Paragraphs 1 -3?
    A) to assert that women should be treated as the equal of men
    B) to discuss the legitimate definition of a political interest group
    C) to state that women qualify as a political interest group
    D) to debate whether women have any unique, politically relevant characteristics.
    E) to applaud the proponents of the feminist movement
    View Answer
    Option B
    Explanation : These three paragraphs are primarily concerned with describing the characteristics of a political interest group.  ̳B‘ captures this very well.
  1. Which of the following is an important problem confronting women today according to the passage?
    A) Women are in a different socioeconomic position from that of men.
    B) men differ greatly from women in the answers they propose for women‘s problems.
    C) Women do not qualify as an interest group, because they have not all banded together to pursue common goals.
    D) a lack of educational opportunities has inhibited women from voicing their concerns
    E) Sexual harassment at the workplace
    View Answer
    Option A
    Explanation : The author suggests that the socioeconomic status of women and men is different, and provides a list of evidence supporting this at the beginning of the paragraph 5.
  1. The author is most concerned about the problem of which of the following issue ?
    A) The history of women‘s demands for representation as a group.
    B) recent changes in the status of women in society.
    C) opposing views concerning women‘s awareness of their own special interests.
    D) the criteria that would justify group representation for women.
    E) uplifting the status of women in modern society
    View Answer
       Option D
    Explanation : The author wants to discuss whether women constitute a politically representative group; so D is correct.
  1. Women in almost all countries have less education than men, and where they achieve equivalent levels of education, segregation by field and therefore skills and market value remains. What does the author want to say in this statement?
    A) whether women achieve equal qualification or not ; there market value will be same.
    B) In countries where women achieve equal education to men ; There is still segregation in jobs and value based on gender.
    C) In countries where women achieve equal education to men ; market value of women will be same as men.
    D) Women can never be at same level of men ; whether they are equally qualified or not.
    E) None of these.
    View Answer
       Option B
    Explanation : The author want to say that in countries where women achieve equal qualification are still demarcated on the basis of jobs and skill and there market value still remains lesser.

Direction(6-10): Read the following passage and answer the questions that follows.

Paragraph 1 :Five times as many workers may be needed to construct a power plant as to operate it. The numbers may be even more disproportionate for a major pipeline or dam. When the construction ends, a substantial reduction in population is virtually guaranteed. Hence, there may be no justification for providing an infrastructure necessary to maintain adequate levels of service during the construction period.

Paragraph  2 : Money necessary to build water systems, schools and roads and to fund salaries and maintenance costs is mismatched by traditional taxing programs. The construction project is usually not subject to local property tax until it nears completion, which may be five years after the impact  has occurred. Alternative sources of tax revenue cannot begin to cover the cost of providing the necessary services. Even if some governments  have money, they may not be the right governments. Some entities may suffer the impact of development without being able to tax it. For example, a development may be located in the county just outside the  limits of an incorporated city. The county will be entitled to tax the property while the city may receive most of the project population and demand for services.

Paragraph 3 :The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a new boomtown era in the West. The typical contemporary boomtown is fuelled by a quest for energy in the form of a fossil-fuelled electric generating plant, a hydroelectric dam or a new mine. The energy project is typically located near   a small community or is forced to start a community from scratch. Often, the boomtown is poorly planned and under-financed. Long-time residents find their community changed for the worse and newcomers find the town an undesirable place to live.

Paragraph  4: The boomtown is characterized by inadequate public services, undesirable labour conditions, confusion in community structure, and deterioration of the quality of life arising from rapid population growth due to a major economic stimulus. Accelerated growth is the most distinguishing characteristic of a boomtown.

Paragraph  5 : Studies have shown that large-scale development in sparsely populated areas causes major social problems. Housing, street and water systems construction, school development and police and fire protection lag far behind population growth. Rent and property tax increases join with a rise in the general cost of living to harm persons on fixed incomes. Education in the community may suffer. One result of boomtown living is higher incidence of divorce, depression, alcoholism and attempted suicide. Until recently, planners have ignored or understated such  problems. While the boomtown promotes an “us against them mentality “ the old timers versus persons brought to the community by the boom — the fact remains that all parties suffer. Newcomers may blame old- timers for a lack of support just as old-timers may blame them for deterioration of community life. Consequences of the boomtown also harm the project developer. The undesirable community results in poor worker productivity and frequent worker turnover, factors that delay construction and push projects over budget. Problems of rapid growth in some boomtowns are compounded by the fact that most of the population disappears with the completion of project construction.

  1. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following are possible ways in which a boomtown is affected by poor planning and under-financing?
    I. Unsatisfactory labour conditions
    II. Inadequate police protection
    III. Poor community relations
    A) II only
    B) I and III only
    C) II and III only
    D) I, II, and III
    E) I only
    View Answer
       Option D
  1. The tone of the author‘s discussion of traditional taxing programs in regard to boomtowns can best be described as:
    A) outraged
    B) concerned
    C) disbelieving
    D) complacent
    E) mocking
    View Answer
       Option B
    Explanation : Outraged – there is nothing like outraged and it is too extreme.
    disbelieving – author doesn’t seem to be astonished by any programs.
    complacent – it is just the opposite.
    Mocking – author does not mock anything in the passage.  
  1. The passage suggests that there is often a lack of services associated with boomtowns. The author claims that all of the following are possible causal factors for the lack of services associated with a boomtown EXCEPT:
    A) the expected loss of a substantial number of residents after the completion of a project.
    B) lack of support from long-time residents.
    C) the location of an energy project just outside the limits of an incorporated city.
    D) the time lag between the beginning of project construction and the onset of tax payments for it.
    E) the mismatch between funds needed and traditional taxing programs.
    View Answer
       Option B
    Explanation : All other options except B are discussed throughout the para 2.
  1. According to the passage; what can be inferred about the boomtowns ?
    A) Boomtowns are temporary human establishments .
    B) Boomtowns arise on the sites of economic activity and disappear as long as the reason of activity lasts.
    C) Both A) and B)
    D) Boomtown is a combination of growth and disruptions.
    E) All of the above.
    View Answer
       Option E
    Explanation : Boomtowns are typically extremely dependent on the single activity or resource that is causing the boom and when the resource depletes ; it also migrates .
  1. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the boomtown as stated in the passage ?
    A) confusion in community structure
    B) inadequate public services
    C) deterioration of the quality of life arising from diminishing population growth.
    D) undesirable labour conditions
    E) None of these.
    View Answer
       Option C
    Explanation : Refer to para 5

 

 

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86 Thoughts to “English: Reading Comprehension Set 11”

  1. Gusto

    thank u ambi mam!!!

      1. Agent 47

        hello mam :))……….. quiz timing kya hai ??

        1. Ambika

          Its 8pm daily – english quiz

      2. Sachin Shukla

        subhra mamji kidhar h dikhti nahi h?

        1. Ambika

          mam is on holiday :))

          1. Sachin Shukla

            yaa yaa but she told me that on holiday only till friday…

          2. Ambika

            friday- monday 🙂

          3. Sachin Shukla

            yaa

          4. Sachin Shukla

            it means after mon. she will present here…

  2. Sachin Shukla

    thankuu:)) mamji

  3. Vikash

    Any quiz here??

    1. Sachin Shukla

      As computers are able of handling(a)/ large amounts of data in a (b)/very short time, they(c)/ are well suited for word processing.(d)/No Error(e)

      1. Vikash

        Handle
        Aaa

        1. Sachin Shukla

          A )but capable

        2. Sachin Shukla

          2). The calm ocean becomes(a)/ increasingly violent with(b)/ ferocious waves drive their(c)/ boat far off course.(d)/ No Error(e)

          1. Sachin Shukla

            naa

          2. Sachin Shukla

            Ccc

          3. Sachin Shukla

            c)The verb ‘drive’ used in this part of sentence is incorrect tense, it should be in present continuous form ‘driving’

    2. Ambika

      no not here
      daily on discussion page 8pm

      1. Vikash

        Ok Ty mam.

  4. Vikash

    If possible start quiz here also @9:30pm
    English quiz

  5. Sachin Shukla

    3). People scream in overwhelming happiness,(a)/ and children rush towards the(b)/ deck hoping for filling their(c)/ stomachs after days without food.(d)/ No Error(e)

      1. Sachin Shukla

        noo

          1. Sachin Shukla

            CC)the verb used should be ‘to fill’ because it is in simple present tense, so the verb will be ‘fill’ and preposition ‘to’.

  6. Sachin Shukla

    4). To some, it is knowing that for all(a)/ of their hard work, their children and(b)/ grandchildren will have been(c)/ a much better life than they had.(d)/No Error(e)
    a) To some, it is knowing that for all
    b) of their hard work, their children and
    c) grandchildren will have been
    d) a much better life than they had
    e) No Error

    1. Vikash

      Answer to bta do??

      1. Sachin Shukla

        ccc

        1. Vikash

          Mera jyada galat Ho rha?

          1. Sachin Shukla

            next karo ye sahi jayega

          2. Alice

            error in part c it shud be “wil have”
            but i think there is error in part a also it shud be “known” not knowing

  7. Sachin Shukla

    With the passage of time (a)/ there has been a (b)/ continue technological advancement(c)/ in Indian cinema.(d)/No Error(e)
    a) With the passage of time
    b) there has been a
    c) continue technological advancement
    d) in Indian cinema
    e) No Error

      1. Vikash

        Sorry. Ccc

        1. Sachin Shukla

          ryt

  8. Sachin Shukla

    When money becomes scarce,(a)/ the addict just has to(b)/ steal an amount to fulfill(c)/ his body’s demand.(d)/No Error(e)
    a) When money becomes scarce
    b) the addict just has to
    c) steal an amount to fulfill
    d) his body’s demand
    e) No Error

      1. Sachin Shukla

        naaa

        1. Vikash

          Going bye
          Saara galat?

    1. Sachin Shukla

      correct ans C

      1. ****

        kya mistk h C me?

        1. Sachin Shukla

          the amount hoga

  9. Sachin Shukla

    7). This effect of attitude on the individual(a)/ is a continuous process and(b)/ keeps molding the individual(c)/ for the best or the worse.(d)/No Error(e)
    a) This effect of attitude on the individual
    b) is a continuous process and
    c) keeps molding the individual
    d) for the best or the worse
    e) No Error

      1. Sachin Shukla

        hehehe….naaa

        1. naruto

          ddd the best o rthe worst

      1. Sachin Shukla

        naaa

  10. Player

    @@disqus_sqmL5JaJJZ:disqus
    would or will me diffence kya hoga …HOw we identify in this sentence what comes from both..will or would

    These extensive forest reserves must be defended from the acquisitive hands of those whose ruthless axes would destroy the trees and expose the land to the revages of sun and rain.
    (a) would destroy the trees and
    (b) will destroy the trees and
    (c) would destroy the trees to
    (d) would destroy the trees which would
    (e) would destroy the trees that could

    1. Gusto


      1.Would and will are both auxiliary modal verbs.
      2.Will is used to talk about definite future actions.
      3.Will is used to talk about: quick decisions, promises, offers and a likely prediction
      4.Would is used to talk about: invitations, requests, asking permission, talking about preferences and making arrangements.
      Both will and would can be used in conditional statements

    2. AVI™ (Sinchen loveR)

      DD??

  11. AVI™ (Sinchen loveR)

    7/10
    TY,,,TY

  12. Oliver Queen

    que 1 is it right?

    1. Oliver Queen

      and que 6 too
      i thnk it should be I and IIIrd only

      1. Ambika

        Housing, street and water systems construction, school development and police and fire protection lag far behind population growth.

        It is given here – the police protection
        I hope u get your doubts cleared by now 🙂

        1. Oliver Queen

          Yes. Only one thing has been given the police protection
          but in the place of police protection it should be public services (in my opinion)

          1. Ambika

            yes thats also correct.

    2. Ambika

      Time-use studies show that women spend about the same amount of time on and do the same proportion of housework and child care now as women did at the turn of the century.

      it is absolutely right

      1. Army.

        good noon mam.

        1. Ambika

          good noon 🙂

      2. Oliver Queen

        magar question mein actual time mention hai 1900 per passage mein aisa kuch nahi fir?

        1. Ambika

          it is obvious that we r talking about the present time and the contrast is made with the previous centuries so it should not be a big issue of argument . it is clearly obvious + u can’t infer any of the options but B

          1. Oliver Queen

            I think that option 5 may also be because in paragraph this indicates that women are not equal to men

            i’m just clearing my doubt so don’t mad on me

          2. Ambika

            see the option B is clearly stated in the passage
            E can be true and a general fact but not specifically stated anywhere in the passage ..so it can’t be our answer.

          3. Oliver Queen

            Accha,.,.,.,.and thanks for the help

  13. Army.

    hmm..thanx mam..bt mam 10 ka ans ee hona chahiye n? becoz population to mentioned h hi para 5 me?

    1. Ambika

      yes that is mentioned but not diminishing it is mentioned increasing

  14. Ambika

    question 1

    Where does the author mention the year 1900? Though it‘s not specifically stated, author mentions the turn of the century in para 4
    Review the context: evidence shows that women spend about the same amount of time working around the house as they did around 1900. (B) matches up.

  15. Himanshu singla

    nyc pls provide more

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