Reading comprehension is the act of understanding what you are reading. In this post, we have added the top 20 Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers.
Important Points:
- Students should read Comprehension Passages thoroughly.
- Read Passages several times, if required.
- For short types of answers try to answer in one or two sentences.
- Be careful about what exactly the questions asked.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #1
Globalization is the process by which economies, cultures, and populations around the world become more integrated and interdependent. It is driven by advances in technology, transportation and communication, which have facilitated the flow of people, goods and ideas across national borders.
Globalization has both positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, it has led to economic growth, the spread of new ideas and technologies, and increased cultural exchange. In many parts of the world, it has also helped reduce poverty and raise living standards.
But globalization has also had negative consequences. This has led to job losses in some sectors, as companies move production to countries with lower labour costs. It has also contributed to income inequality and environmental degradation, as companies prioritize profits over sustainability.
Questions and Answers
Daily Test - Attempt Now
What is globalization and what are the driving forces behind it?
Globalization refers to the increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations. It is driven by advances in technology, transportation and communication.
What are some positive aspects of globalization?
Some of the positive aspects of globalization include economic growth, the spread of new ideas and technologies, and increased cultural exchange. It has also helped reduce poverty and improve living standards in many parts of the world.
What are some negative consequences of globalization?
Some of the negative consequences of globalization include job loss in some sectors, income inequality and environmental degradation.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #2
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Both alligators and crocodiles are members of the reptilian order Crocodylia. But the families they belong to, Alligatoridae and Crocodylidae respectively, differ. Often, when people use the word “crocodile” what they really mean is “crocodilian.” This term encompasses not just the common alligators and crocodiles you might already know, but also the lesser-known Gavialidae family that contains the lone gavial, or gharial. All told, there are 23 species of crocodilians.
As a group, crocodilians are pretty impressive animals: Their lineage goes back 240 million years, meaning they’ve outlived the dinosaurs by a good 65 million years. Ideally suited for life in water and on land, members of the order can swim up to 20 mph (32 kph) and run up to 11 mph (17.6 kph). They’re most at home in the water and can hold their breath for up to an hour. Eyes situated atop their heads enable them to keep a lookout for prey, while their powerful tails swiftly propel them through the water.
Crocodiles and alligators are top-notch hunters and will eat just about anything they can get their teeth on, from fish and turtles to monkeys and buffalo. With teeth specialized just for spearing, neither family even bothers to chew its food — they swallow large chunks or the entire animal whole.
As if that weren’t scary enough, crocodilians have incredibly powerful senses to detect their prey. Their eyesight above water is top-notch, and thanks to vertical pupils that can open up extra wide to let in additional light, they also have keen night vision. And even though you can’t see their ears, don’t be fooled — these small slits are sensitive enough to hear offspring calling from inside their eggs Even their sense of smell is highly developed due to special organs in their snouts.
Questions
Q1) Complete the following sentences.
a. Alligatoridae, Crocodylia, and Gavialidae are subgroups of the main group………………………….
b. The …………………….died 65 million years ago.
Q2) Describe the eating habits of crocodiles.
Q3) How sharp are the tears of crocodiles?
Q 4) Find words in the passage that mean
a. To drive or push something forward
b. The science of classification
c. Descent from the ancestors
d. Outstanding
Answers
A1)
a. Alligatoridae, Crocodylia, and Gavialidae are subgroups of the main group Crocodylidae.
b. The dinosaurs died 65 million years ago.
A2) Crocodiles are great hunters and can prey on just about anything they can get their teeth on. Whether it is fish or turtles, monkeys or buffaloes, crocodiles swallow large chunks or the entire animal whole since they have teeth specialized just for spearing.
A3) One may not be able to see their ears, but crocodile ears are sensitive enough to hear offspring calling from inside their eggs.
A 4)
a. Propel
b. Taxonomy
c. Lineage
d. Top-notch
e. Offspring
Also, Read Top 10 Unseen Passages
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Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #3
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month. The days are long and humid. The river shrinks and black crows gorge on bright mangoes in still, dust-green trees. Red bananas ripen. Jackfruits burst. Dissolute bluebottles hum vacuously in the fruity air.
Then they stun themselves against clear windowpanes and die, fatly baffled in the sun. The nights are clear but suffused with sloth and sullen expectations.
But by early June the southwest monsoon breaks and there are three months of wind and water with short spells of sharp, glittering sunshine that thrilled children snatch to play with.
The countryside turns an immodest green. Boundaries blur as tapioca fences take root and bloom. Brick walls turn moss-green. Pepper vines snake up electric poles. Wild creepers burst through laterite banks and spilt across the flooded roads. Boats ply in the bazaars. And small fish appear in the puddles that fill the PWD potholes on the highways. It was raining when Rahel came
back to Ayemenem.
Slanting silver ropes slammed into loose earth, ploughing it up like gunfire. The old house on the hill wore its steep, gabled roof pulled over its ears like a low hat. The walls, streaked with moss, had grown soft and bulged a little with dampness that seeped up from the ground. The wild, overgrown garden was full of the whisper and scurry of small lives.
In the undergrowth, a rat snake rubbed itself against a glistening stone. Hopeful yellow bullfrogs cruised the scummy pond for mates. A drenched mongoose flashed across the leaf-strewn driveway. The house itself looked empty. The doors and windows were locked. The front verandah bare. Unfurnished.
But the sky blue Plymouth with chrome tail fins was still parked outside, and inside, Baby Kochamma was still alive. She was Rahel’s baby grandaunt, her grandfather’s younger sister. Her name was really Navomi, Navomi Ipe, but everybody called her Baby. She became Baby Kochamma when she was old enough to be an aunt. Rahel hadn’t come to see her, though.
Neither niece nor baby grandaunt laboured under any illusions on that account. Rahel had come to see her brother, Estha. They were two-egg twins. “Dizygotic’ doctors called them. Born from separate but simultaneously fertilized eggs. Estha Esthappen-was the older by 18 minutes. [Source: Arundhuti Ray’s The God of Small Things]
Questions and Answers
What happens to the river in May in Ayemenem?
Ans: The river shrinks and black crows gorge on bright mangoes in still, dust-green trees.
What happens when the southwest monsoon breaks in early June?
Ans: There are three months of wind and water with short spells of sharp, glittering sunshine.
What happens to the countryside when it rains in Ayemenem?
Ans: The countryside turns the immodest green. Boundaries blur as tapioca fences take root and bloom.
Who is Baby Kochamma?
Ans: Baby Kochamma is Rahel’s baby grandaunt, her grandfather’s younger sister.
Who did Rahel come to see in Ayemenem?
Ans: Rahel came to see her brother, Estha.
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Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #4
The Roman Empire was a powerful civilization that ruled much of Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa from the 8th century BC to the 5th century BC. The Romans were known for their military prowess, impressive architecture, and advances in engineering and law. The capital of the Roman Empire was Rome, which was the centre of art, culture and learning.
Questions and Answers
When did the Roman Empire exist?
Answer: The Roman Empire existed from the 8th century BC to the 5th century AD.
What were the Romans known for?
Answer: The Romans were known for their military prowess, impressive architecture, and advances in engineering and law.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #5
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Education is an essential part of our life. It not only helps us acquire knowledge and skills but also helps in building our character and values. Education plays an important role in our personal and professional development and is an investment in our future.
Education is an essential part of our life. It not only helps us acquire knowledge and skills but also helps in building our character and values. Education plays an important role in our personal and professional development and is an investment in our future.
Education has many benefits. It helps us understand the world around us and think critically and creatively. It also gives us the skills we need to succeed in the workforce and contribute to our communities Education can open up new opportunities and give us a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction.
Additionally, education helps promote equality and social mobility. It gives individuals the tools and knowledge they need to rise out of poverty and achieve their full potential. Education is also a key factor in reducing discrimination and promoting understanding and tolerance between different cultures and groups.
In short, education is an important part of our lives and has the power to transform individuals and communities.
Questions and Answers
What is the importance of education in our lives?
Education plays an important role in our personal and professional development and is an investment in our future. It helps us acquire knowledge and skills and shapes our character and values.
Write some benefits of education.
The benefits of education include helping us understand the world around us, think critically and creatively, succeed in the workforce, and contribute to our communities. It can provide us with new opportunities, a sense of accomplishment and self-satisfaction.
How does education promote equality and social mobility?
Education promotes equality and social mobility by giving individuals the tools and knowledge they need to rise out of poverty and achieve their full potential.
How can education change individuals and communities?
Education provides individuals and communities with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed and contribute, and promotes understanding and tolerance between different cultures and groups.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #6
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
About a hundred years ago, whenever an operation was performed, the patient would cry out in agony because he felt the surgeon cut his flesh. But now serious operations are performed without pain, and thousands of lives are saved. James Simpson was the first to discover and use the pain-killing power of chloroform. James was born into a poor family. So in his childhood, he not only helped his father on holidays but also helped the village doctor.
But he was horrified by the dire suffering of the people who came to the hospital for treatment. He now made it his life’s mission to find new inventions that would prevent so much pain. Simpson did many experiments and finally discovered chloroform. Now the patient is not afraid of the operation.
Questions and Answers
(a) Who discovered the pain-killing power of chloroform?
James Simpson.
(b) What was James Simpson’s childhood like?
He was born into a poor family and helped his father and the village doctor.
(c) What motivated James Simpson to find new inventions to prevent the pain?
He was horrified by the suffering of people who came to the hospital for treatment.
(d) What did James Simpson finally discover?
Chloroform.
(e) How did the discovery of chloroform impact surgery?
Serious operations could be performed without pain, saving thousands of lives.
Also, Read Short Unseen Passages with Questions and Answers
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #7
When I walked into the doctor’s office, I was feeling a little nervous. I had never been to the doctor on my own before, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile and asked me to sit down. I waited a few minutes before calling the exam room.
The doctor was very friendly and asked me lots of questions about my health and any symptoms I was experiencing. He examined me and did some tests and then gave me some advice on how to take care of myself. He prescribed some medicine for me to take and told me to come back in a week to check my progress.
I left the doctor’s office feeling relieved and grateful for the care I received. It was a good reminder that it is important to take care of our health and seek medical care when we need it.
Questions and Answers
Why was the speaker feeling nervous when walking into the doctor’s office?
Answer: The speaker was feeling nervous because they had never been to the doctor on their own before and didn’t know what to expect.
How did the receptionist greet the speaker?
Answer: The receptionist greeted the speaker with a warm smile.
What did the doctor do during the visit?
Answer: The doctor asked the speaker about their health and symptoms, examined them, did some tests, and gave them advice on how to take care of themselves.
What did the doctor prescribe for the speaker?
Answer: The doctor prescribed some medicine for the speaker to take.
What was the speaker’s overall feeling after the visit to the doctor?
Answer: The speaker left the doctor’s office feeling relieved and grateful for the care they received.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #8
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
In an attempt to eliminate the anti-export bias. Among existing policies, the government has made steady progress since 1991 in eliminating quantitative restrictions, licensing and discretionary controls on imports. Imports of capital goods, raw materials and components are exempted from licences. Tariffs on such imports have been significantly reduced. Tariff categories have been reclassified.
To incentivize domestic producers of capital goods and improve the power situation, the supply of capital goods to the power sector has been made eligible for a refund of terminal excise duty.
To encourage the elimination of child labour, exports of hard-woven carpets and floor coverings were again subject to the production of registration-cum-membership certificates from the Carpet Export Promotion Council.
Questions and Answers
(a) What is the government attempting to eliminate?
The anti-export bias
(b) What progress has the government made since 1991 in relation to import policies?
The government has made steady progress in eliminating quantitative restrictions, licensing, and discretionary controls on imports.
(c) What imports are exempted from licenses?
Imports of capital goods, raw materials, and components are exempted from licenses.
(d) What has been done to incentivize domestic producers of capital goods and improve the power situation?
The supply of capital goods to the power sector has been made eligible for a refund of terminal excise duty. What export product requires the production of registration-cum-membership certificates from the Carpet Export Promotion Council?
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Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #9
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy. Her interest in nursing was evident from childhood. She would then spend time taking care of her injured dolls and animals as she gradually grew into a beautiful young woman and married a wonderful young man to enjoy life.
But she remained unmarried and devoted her life to serving the poor and sick. When the Crimean War broke out between England and Russia. She went to the field with several nurses. There they ministered to sick and wounded soldiers. Florence Nightingale worked there without rest and many a time with a candle in her hand she ministered all night to the poor sick soldiers. Hence, she was known everywhere as “The Lady with the Lamp”.
Questions and Answers
When was Florence Nightingale born and where?
Florence Nightingale was born on May 12, 1820, in Florence, Italy.
What was Florence Nightingale’s interest from childhood?
Florence Nightingale’s interest in nursing was evident from childhood.
Who did Florence Nightingale marry?
Florence Nightingale remained unmarried and devoted her life to serving the poor and sick.
Where did Florence Nightingale go during the Crimean War?
During the Crimean War, Florence Nightingale went to the field with several nurses to minister to sick and wounded soldiers.
Why was Florence Nightingale known as “The Lady with the Lamp”?
Florence Nightingale was known as “The Lady with the Lamp” because she ministered to the poor sick soldiers with a candle in her hand all night.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #10
Read the following passage and answer the questions below:
After dinner, my friends in the neighbouring rooms in the hostel dropped in as usual for light talk. They were my colleagues. One was Rangappa who taught the boys philosophy, and the other was Gopal of the mathematics section. Gopal was sharp as a knife edge where mathematical matters were concerned, but poor fellow, he was very dumb and stupid in other matters. As a matter of fact, he paid little attention to anything else. We liked him because he was a genius, and in a vague manner, we understood that he was doing brilliant things in mathematics. Some day he hoped to contribute a paper on his subject which was going to revolutionize human thought and conceptions.
But God knew what it was all about. All that I cared for in him was that he was an agreeable friend, who never contradicted and who patiently listened for hours, though without showing any sign of understanding.
The talk was about English spelling and the conference we had with Brown tonight. I was incensed as usual, much to the amazement of Rangappa. “But my dear fellow, what do you think they pay you for unless it is for dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s?” Gopal, who had been listening without putting in a word of his own, suddenly became active.
“I don’t follow you,” he said.
“I said the English department existed solely for dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.”
“Oh!” he said, opening wide his eyes. “I never thought so. Why should you do it?” His precise literal brain refused to move where it had no concrete facts or figures to grip. Symbols, if they entered his brain at all, entered only as mathematical symbols.
Rangappa answered: “Look here, Gopal. You have come across the expression ‘Raining cats and dogs’?”
“Yes.”
“Have you actually seen cats and dogs falling down from the sky?”
“No, no. Why?”
Rangappa would have worried him a little longer, but the college clock struck ten and I said:
“Friends, I must bid you good night.”
“Good night,” Gopal repeated mechanically and rose to go. [Source: R.K. Narayan’s The English Teacher]
Questions and Answers:
А. State whether the following sentences are True or False. Write T for True and ‘F’ for False.
Gopal was a genius in both mathematics and other areas of study.
False. Gopal was only a genius in mathematics and paid little attention to other matters.
The narrator and his friends liked Gopal because he always agreed with them.
True. The narrator says they liked Gopal because “he never contradicted” them.
The group’s discussion after dinner was about English literature.
False. The discussion was about English spelling and a conference with someone named Brown.
Gopal was able to understand figurative language and expressions easily.
False. Gopal had difficulty understanding expressions that were not concrete or mathematical in nature.
The group ended their conversation because it was getting too late.
True. The college clock struck ten, prompting the narrator to bid his friends good night.
Read the following questions and answers them:
Who were the two friends that visited the narrator after dinner?
Rangappa and Gopal.
What was Gopal’s area of expertise?
Mathematics.
How did the narrator and his friends view Gopal?
They liked him because he was a genius in mathematics, but didn’t pay much attention to anything else.
What was the topic of discussion during the visit?
English spelling and a conference with Brown.
Why did Gopal not understand Rangappa’s analogy about “dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s”?
ANSWER: Gopal’s literal brain only processed concrete facts and figures, and he had difficulty understanding symbols that were not mathematical.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #11
Read the following passage and answer the questions which follow:
It works in me like madness to bid me say goodbye,
For the seas call, and the stars call, and oh! the call of the sky!
I know not where the white road runs, nor what the blue hills are,
But a man can have the sun for a friend, and for his guide a star;
Questions and Answers
What is the speaker’s reaction to bidding goodbye?
The speaker feels as if it’s madness to say goodbye because of the strong desire to answer the call of the seas, stars, and sky.
(b) Who is calling the poet to say goodbye?
The seas, the stars, the sky, the white road, and the blue hills call the poet.
What does the speaker mean by having “the sun for a friend” and “for his guide a star”?
The speaker means that although he doesn’t know where the white road runs or what the blue hills are, he can rely on the sun and stars to guide him on his journey.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #12
Read the following stanzas and answer the questions which follow:
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Questions and Answers
What is the speaker’s reason for stopping in the woods?
Answer: The speaker does not state a specific reason for stopping in the woods.
What is the significance of the harness bells being shaken?
Answer: The shaking of the harness bells suggests that the horse is wondering why they have stopped in the middle of the woods.
What is the tone of the poem?
Answer: The tone of the poem is contemplative and introspective.
What is the meaning of the line “And miles to go before I sleep”?
Answer: This line suggests that the speaker has important commitments or promises that they need to fulfil before they can rest or sleep.
What is the theme of the poem?
Answer: The theme of the poem is the tension between the allure of nature and the responsibilities of life. The speaker is drawn to the beauty of the woods, but also feels a sense of duty to fulfil their promises and complete their journey.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #13
Read the paragraphs and answer the questions which follow:
The Roman Empire was one of the greatest and most influential civilizations in world history. At its height, it spanned three continents and included more than 50 million people. The Romans were known for their military prowess, their sophisticated system of government, and their impressive architectural achievements, including the construction of roads, aqueducts, and public buildings.
The Roman Republic, which lasted from the 6th century BC to the 1st century BC, was a model of governance that influenced many later civilizations. It was a federal system of government that divided power between the Roman Senate and the People’s Assembly.
In the 1st century BC, the Roman Republic was replaced by the Roman Empire, which was ruled by a dictator called the Roman Emperor. The Roman Empire saw the construction of many impressive buildings and the expansion of the Roman military. However, it has also seen numerous internal conflicts, including the rise of various factions vying for power.
Despite these challenges, the Roman Empire was able to endure for more than five centuries, until it finally collapsed in the 5th century. Today, the legacy of the Roman Empire can be seen in the many cultural and architectural achievements it left behind.
Questions and Answers
How many continents did the Roman Empire span at its height?
The Roman Empire spanned three continents at its height.
What was the Roman Republic known for?
The Roman Republic was known for its sophisticated system of government and its federal system of government that divided power between the Roman Senate and the Assembly of the People.
What replaced the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC?
The Roman Empire replaced the Roman Republic in the 1st century BC.
Who ruled the Roman Empire?
The Roman Empire was ruled by an autocrat called the Roman Emperor.
When did the Roman Empire fall?
The Roman Empire fell in the 5th century AD.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #14
Read the following text and answer the questions given below:
NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is a United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for conducting research in space science. President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded it in 1958 in reply to the Soviet Union launching the first artificial satellite, Sputnik.
Since its inception, NASA has been at the forefront of space exploration and has achieved many significant milestones, including the first human landing on the Moon in 1969 and the development of the International Space Station. In addition to conducting space exploration, NASA conducts research in a variety of fields, including Earth science, planetary science, and astrophysics.
Questions:
What does NASA stand for?
Answer: NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
What is NASA responsible for?
NASA is responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for conducting research in space science.
What are some notable milestones achieved by NASA?
Answer: Some of the notable milestones achieved by NASA include the first human landing on the Moon in 1969 and the development of the International Space Station.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #15
Beyond the East the Sunrise; beyond the West the Sea;
And East and West the Wander-Thirst that will not let me be;
It works in me like madness to bid me say good-bye,
For the seas call, and the stars call, and oh! the call of the sky!
I know not where the white road runs, nor what the blue hills are,
But a man can have the sun for a friend, and for his guide a star;
And there’s no end of voyaging when once the voice is heard,
For the rivers call, and the road calls, and oh! the call of the bird!
Yonder the long horizon lies, and there by night and day
The old ships draw to home again, the young ships sail away;
And come I may, but go I must, and if men ask you why,
You may put the blame on the stars and the sun, and the white road and the sky.
Questions and Answers
What is the “Wander-Thirst” mentioned in the poem?
The “Wander-Thirst” is a desire to travel and explore beyond the boundaries of East and West.
What does the speaker mean by “the call of the sky”?
The speaker feels a strong urge to travel and explore, which they describe as “the call of the sky”.
What is the role of the sun and star in the speaker’s travels?
The speaker sees the sun as a friend and the star as a guide in their voyages.
Why do the old ships draw to home again?
The old ships are drawing to home again because their journey is complete, and they are returning to their port of origin.
Why does the speaker say that they must go even if asked to stay?
The speaker is driven by their desire to explore and travel, and they feel compelled to follow “the call of the bird” and other natural forces that beckon them to move forward.
Find the words in the poem that mean the following:
(1) longing (2) over there (3) fix responsibility (4) line at which the earth or sea and sky seem to meet
(1) thirst, (2) yonder, (3) blame, (4) horizon.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #16
Read the following passage and answer the questions which follow:
Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, was once the happiest young man in the land, but big trouble came into his life. His father suddenly dies mysteriously so Hamlet becomes very sad and upset. Hamlet was told that the old king, who was wise and good, was bitten by a snake one afternoon while sleeping in the garden. Soon after her death Claudius, the dead king’s brother and Hamlet’s uncle married the queen and was now king. Hamlet did not like his mother remarrying so soon and the more he thought about the relationship, the sadder he became.
He didn’t love his evil uncle as much as he loved his father, and it bothered him that his mother had married such a guy because he loved his mother as a dutiful son should. Hamlet slowly begins to wonder whether Claudius killed his father so that he could become king himself and whether his mother knew all about it – and his last thought drives him almost mad.
Questions and Answers
Who is Hamlet in the story?
Hamlet is the prince of Denmark.
How did Hamlet’s father die?
Hamlet’s father died mysteriously, allegedly bitten by a snake while sleeping in the garden.
Who became the new king after Hamlet’s father died?
Claudius, the dead king’s brother and Hamlet’s uncle, became the new king after Hamlet’s father died.
Why did Hamlet become upset after his mother’s remarriage?
Hamlet didn’t like his mother remarrying so soon and the more he thought about the relationship, the sadder he became.
What did Hamlet begin to suspect about his uncle and mother?
Hamlet began to suspect whether Claudius killed his father so that he could become king himself and whether his mother knew all about it, which drove him almost mad.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #17
Expanding like the petals of young flowers I watch the gentle opening of your minds.
And the sweet loosening of the spell that binds,
Your intellectual energies and powers,
That stretch like young birds in soft summer hours
Their wings, to try their strength, O, how the winds
Of circumstances and freshing April showers
Of early knowledge and unnumbered kinds
Of new perceptions shed their influence;
And how you worship truth’s omnipotence.
What joyance rains upon me, when I see
Fame in the mirror of futurity,
Weaving the chaplets you have yet to gain,
Ah then, I feel I have not lived in vain.
Read the poem above and answer the questions that follow: 1. Answer briefly :
Questions and Answers: Prepare questions and answers and comment
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #18
Read the following stanzas and answer the questions which follow:
Who woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though.
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Questions
- What time of the year does the poet describe?
- What does the poet want to see?
- Why does the horse shake its harness bell?
Answers
(1) The poet describes the time from December to February. (2) The poet wants to see the woods fill up with snow.
(3) The horse shakes his harness bell to ensure that his master had made a miscalculation in coming to the woods.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #19
Read the stanza given below, and answer the questions that follow:
If you can dream and not make dreams your master
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim; you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools.
Questions and Answers
What is the poem about?
The poem is about the qualities needed to maintain composure in the face of success and failure.
What are the qualities mentioned in the poem?
The qualities mentioned in the poem include the ability to not be controlled by one’s dreams or thoughts, treating triumph and disaster equally, being able to handle criticism, and perseverance.
What is meant by “triumph and disaster” in the poem?
Triumph and disaster refer to success and failure, respectively.
What does the phrase “stoop and build’em up with worn-out tools” mean?
It means to use one’s existing resources and abilities to rebuild something, even if they are old or not ideal.
What is the author trying to convey through the poem?
The author is trying to convey that one must maintain composure and remain grounded in the face of success and failure, and that perseverance and resourcefulness are key to overcoming obstacles.
Reading Comprehension Passages with Questions and Answers #20
I met a traveller from an antique land
Who said:—Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shatter’d visage lies, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamp’d on these lifeless things,
The hand that mock’d them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words appear:
“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!”
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Questions and Answers
What does the traveller from an antique land describe in the first stanza?
Answer: The traveller describes “two vast and trunkless legs of stone” standing in the desert, near which lies a shattered visage half-sunk in the sand.
What do the features of the shattered visage suggest about the sculpture’s subject?
Answer: The frown, wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command suggest that the subject of the sculpture was a powerful, proud ruler.
What do the words on the pedestal of the sculpture say?
Answer: The words on the pedestal read, “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!”
What is the speaker’s tone towards the subject of the poem?
Answer: The speaker’s tone is one of irony and scepticism, as the once-mighty ruler’s grandiose claims have been reduced to a mere relic in the desert.
What is the significance of the final image of “the lone and level sands stretch[ing] far away”?
Answer: The final image underscores the fleeting nature of power and the inevitability of decay and oblivion, as even the grandest monuments eventually crumble and fade into the endless expanse of time.