Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and The correct answer is the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you to locate them while The correct answering some of the questions.
Passage
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 tire 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 fourtune 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 Emperor'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 a 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. Li 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 where, o attacked a kingdom. He would plunder their riches to Lund 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 unbelieving. "They are negotiating the marriage of their children. The first owl wants to know whether the other will be gifting his daugher 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 realized 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.How did the minister convince the Emperor to attack the neighbouring kingdom?
(A). He bribed the courtiers to convince the Emperor that he could be a great ruler.
(B). He told the Emperor that his father was a great warrior and would want his son to follow in his footsteps.
(C). He convinced the Emperor that there was no risk involved since the army was inferior to that of the Emperor.
(1) All (A), (B) & (C).
(2).Both (A) & (C).
(3).Only (B).
(4).Only (C).
(5).None of these
2.Why was the man appointed as a courtier ?
(1).He claimed that he was a relative of the Emperor's from a distant country.
(2).He pleased the Emperor with the gifts he bought and stories about his adventures.
(3).He told the Emperor that he would become extremely rich one day.
(4). flattered the Emperor more than the other courtieres did.
(5).The Emperor enjoyed his company.
3.Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage X.
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.
4.Which of the following can be said about the old man X.
A. The Emperor had removed him from his post on his father's death.
B. The Emperor respected his judgement.
C. He saw how prosperous the new minister had become and he too wanted to become rich.
(1).Only (A).
(2).Only (B).
(3).Only (C).
(4).Both (A) & (C).
(5).None of these
5.What effect did the Emperor's victories have on his people ?.
1. Their respect for him grew with every victory.
2. They prospered as the Emperor spent all the money he plundered on his people.
3. They experienced many daily administrative difficulties.
4. They grew discontented as they had not seen their family members who were in the army for several months.
5. None of the above.
6.What was the Emperor's reaction when he saw the old minister X.
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 the above.
7.Which of the following best describes the newly appointed minister X.
A. He was cunning and manipulated the Emperor into going to war.
B. He was dishonest and stole from the Emperor.
C. He was jealous of the old minister.
(1).Both (A) & (B).
(2).Only (B).
(3).Both (A) & (C).
(4).Only (A).
(5).None of these
8.Why did the Emperor reward the old man X.
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.
9.What justification did the courtier give for attacking the neighbouring kingdom X.
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.
10. Under what circumstances did the Emperor inherit his kingdom ?.
1. His father was suddenly killed in battle.
2. His courtiers requested him to become king.
3. He inherited the kingdom on reaching a particular age.
4. His father had died after an illness.
5. None of the above.
