Reading Comprehension Practice Test 4
This is you Reading comprehension practice test 4
Directions (Q. 1-9): Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow by selecting the correct/most appropriate options.
What we call Old Delhi is actually only about 350 years old, which is not terribly ancient, considering that the city was inhabited around 1000 to 800 BCE. But it is a good place to look at because Old Delhi has retained its character from the Mughal era. Most of what we call Old Delhi was built by the emperor Shah Jahan who, with characteristic modesty, called it Shahjahanabad. The city was built around 1640-1650 CE (so, by Delhi standards, it is actually quite young!) and remained the capital of the Mughal empire till the end. India was one of the world’s richest countries in that age, so the capital’s commercial quarter was one of the most important trading and business centres of the East. The original Chandni Chowk was built around a canal of the Yamuna, which passed down the street, forming a pool that reflected the moonlight and gave the area its name. The business of Chandni Chowk was business-as-usual only. Some people say that it were the ruthless reprisals from the British after the 1857 Mutiny/War of Independence that destroyed the peaceful character of Chandni Chowk as did the looting that was the hallmark of the East India Company’s soldiers. Others say that the rot set in after New Delhi was created in the 20th century. Either way, Chandni Chowk is in a mess now. It is overcrowded, parts of it are dirty and its wonderful historical mansions are now in disrepair. In an era, when the world’s great squares have become landmarks, why should Chandni Chowk become a slum?
1. Study the following statements:
A. A canal used to run through Chandni Chowk.
B. Business and trading was done on the banks of the canal.
C. People visited Chandni Chowk to view the moonlight reflected in the canal.
Which of the above statements are true?
(1) B and C
(2) A and C
(3) A, B and C
(4) A and B
Ans. 4
2. Shah Jahan named the new city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad. It shows his ___
(1) modesty
(3) love of art
(2) character
(4) pride
Ans. 1
3. By Delhi standards, Old Delhi is called young because:
(1) it was visited by young tourists.
(2) it was inhabited around 1000-800 BCE.
(3) it was built around 1640-1650 CE.
(4) it was an active business centre.
Ans. 3
4. During the Mughal period, Delhi was very prosperous because:
(1) a lot of trade and commerce took place here.
(2) it was ruled by the rich Mughals.
(3) it was built by Shah Jahan.
(4) it was looted by East India Company’s soldiers.
Ans. 1
5. East India company’s soldiers were:
(1) cruel and greedy.
(3) greedy but not cruel.
(2) cruel but not greedy.
(4) noble and brave.
Ans. 1
6. “a pool that reflected the moonlight”
Determine the part of speech of the underlined word.
(1) Adjective
(2) Determiner
(4) Pronoun
(3) Interjection
Ans. 4
7. “…not terribly ancient, considering that…”
Determine the part of speech of the bold word.
(1) Participle
(2) Verb
(3) Adverb
(4) Noun
Ans. 1
8. “Either way, Chandni Chowk is in a mess now.” What is the meaning of the word ‘mess’?
(1) Snare
(2) Confusion
(3) Upset
(4) Canteen
Ans. 2
9. ” ______ a pool that reflected the moonlight Which word means the opposite of ‘reflected’?
(1) Claimed
(3) Discredit
(2) Absorbed
(4) Imitated
Ans. 2
