Directions (Q. 1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
The Emperor had inherited a peaceful and prosperous kingdom at a young age after the untimely death of his father. A few months later a man arrived at court. He stated that he was from a far off land and had the gift of foresight. He impressed the Emperor with his witty remarks and was appointed a courtier. The Emperor and those at court all enjoyed hearing accounts of his travels. One day the newly appointed minister said, “Your Majesty, you are destined for great things. It is written in the stars. I have learnt the art of fortune telling. Do not be content with your kingdom alone. Travel, see the world and conquer.
There are many who are oppressed. They will bless you for rescuing them from the tyranny of their rulers.” The Emperor was stunned to hear this but he refused to discuss the matter at the time. The courtiers too were astonished to hear this and began debating among themselves. “It is true,” they said, “Our Eimperor’s father was a great warrior and he ruled wisely. Perhaps there is truth in this.” So the newly appointed courtier shrewdly planted the idea of waging war against other kingdoms at court. After hearing several repeated arguments in favour of this idea the Emperor finally agreed. He was a young man and a battle seemed to be exciting and an adventure. So the newly appointed minister planned the first campaign against a smaller neighbouring kingdom.
The Emperor knew the ruler was cruel and felt justified in waging war against him. Having the superior army he easily defeated the king. Everyone celebrated. But the campaign did not stop there. With every victory the new minister would urge the Emperor on to the next battle. The soldiers grew tired after over two years at war but did not complain out of respect and loyalty to their ruler. Meanwhile the situation in his kingdom began to deteriorate. With no one to look after the daily administration and to resolve disputes, signs of neglect began to be seen. The Emperor was no longer bothered if he was freeing the oppressed when he attacked a kingdom. He would plunder their riches to fund his wars. The new minister who was in charge of these funds kept a large part for himself and grew richer.
An old man who had been a minister in the Emperor’s father’s court grew worried and decided to do something about this situation. A few days later when the Emperor was out riding in the forest he suddenly saw the old man. He greeted him like an old friend and inquired what he was doing there. The man pointed to two owls in the trees. “I am listening to their conversation”. “What are they saying?” the Emperor asked unbelievingly. “They are negotiating the marriage of their children. The first owl wants to know whether the other will be gifting his daughter fifty villages on her wedding day. To which the second one replied that he would have to gift her one hundred and fifty as the villages were in ruins and as such were worthless but with the Emperor as ruler there would be many such villages.” When the Emperor heard this he realised the error of his ways. He returned home immediately, rewarded the old minister putting him in charge of reconstructing the ruined villages and dismissed the fortune teller from his court.
1. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage?
1) The Emperor’s father inherited his kingdom at a very young age.
2) The soldiers followed the Emperor only because they were afraid of him.
3) It took time at first to convince the Emperor to conquer other kingdoms.
4) The Emperor was afraid to wage war against the neighbouring kingdom because its ruler was cruel.
5) After his father’s death the Emperor had to wage many wars to ensure his kingdom remained peaceful.
2. What was the Emperor’s reaction when he saw the old minister?
1) He was ashamed to see him because he had replaced him with a new minister.
2) He was relieved to see him because he wanted his advice.
3) He felt sorry for the old man because he was talking to birds.
4) He was pleased to see him.
5) None of these
3. What justification did the courtier give for attacking the neighbouring kingdom?
1) The Emperor needed the money to maintain his army.
2) The money was needed for the benefit of the Emperor’s subjects and to ensure the kingdom did not fall into debt.
3) To better the condition of its people who were being unjustly treated by their ruler.
4) It was his father’s last wish.
5) Its ruler had attacked the Emperor’s kingdom during his father’s reign.
4. Why did the Emperor reward the old man?
1) For his talent of talking to birds
2) He was successful at reconstructing the destroyed villages.
3) He felt sorry for his plight in his old age and wanted to do something to help.
4) For narrating an imaginative story to the Emperor
5) For showing the Emperor where his duty lay
5. Under what circumstances did the Emperor inherit his kingdom?
1) His father was suddenly killed in battle.
2) His courtiers requested him to become the king.
3) He inherited the kingdom on reaching a particular age.
4) His father had died after an illness.
5) None of these
Directions: Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage.
6. urge
1) advice
2) need
3) prey
4) encourage
5) praise
7. untimely
1) early
2) rapid
3) punctual
4) late
5) gradual
8. stunned
1) fainted
2) surprised
3) pleased
4) unconscious
5) injured
Directions: Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word given in bold as used in the passage.
9. favour
1) mistake
2) bias
3) appeal
4) punishment
5) against
10. bothered
1) calm
2) uninterested
3) focused
4) distracted
5) sure
Answers
1. 3
2. 4
3. 3
4. 5
5. 5
6. 4
7. 1
8. 2
9. 5
10. 2
