Free Reading Comprehension Set II - 01 Practice Test - CAT 

Question 1

The author tries to say that along with time

A. We have become more frightened
B. We have changed too
C. We also walk with it
D. None of the above

SOLUTION

Solution : B

Option (b)

Answer in the first sentence. “Time has really changed and it has changed us too”

Question 2

When the author says that "……. she follows us", it means

A. Destiny can take walks
B. Destiny can play like us
C. Destiny can sleep and awake like us
D. We have conquered destiny

SOLUTION

Solution : D

With the use of a metaphor, the author tries to portray that with time, we have conquered Destiny.

Answer is Option (d)

Question 3

The author throughout the passage sounds

A. sad
B. pessimistic
C. angry
D. optimistic

SOLUTION

Solution : D

Option (d)

Look at the tone of the passage. Everywhere the author sounds optimistic.

…. and then elated us.

But today we have learned to love it ……

But today Destiny has awakened from…..

Question 4

Choose the grammatically correct option corresponding to the underlined portion given. 

Coffee prices rose sharply Monday, posting their biggest one-day gain in almost three years, after a weekend cold snap in Brazil raised concern that there could be damage to the world’s largest crop when at a time with supplies already tight.

A.  that there could be damage to the world’s largest crop when at a time with supplies
B. that the world’s largest crop could be damaged at a time such as when supplies are
C.  that the world’s largest crop could be damaged at a time when supplies are
D. of the world’s largest crop possibly being damaged at a time with supplies

SOLUTION

Solution : C

When is used with time, so eliminate A and D 
such as is used to give examples, so eliminate B.

C is the answer.

Question 5

Which of the following is false

A. The author is alone before meeting the Swiss Tibetan
B. The author has tea at a house
C. The author went for a race
D. None of the above.

SOLUTION

Solution : A

Option (a) refer to the line “With us was a Swiss Tibetan who took us to visit a handsome house of mud, stone and colourful lintels”. This means that Option (a) is definitely false

Question 6

By "Mao’s visage”, the author is referring to

A. A person named Mao
B. Mao’s picture
C. Mao’s age
D. None of the above

SOLUTION

Solution : B

Option (b) "Mao’s visage” refers to his picture

Question 7

Choose the grammatically correct option corresponding to the underlined portion given. 

Doctors generally agree that such factors as cigarette smoking, eating rich foods high in fats, and alcohol consumption not only do damage by themselves but also aggravate genetic predispositions toward certain diseases.

A. not only do damage by themselves but also aggravate
B. do damage by themselves but also are aggravating to
C. are damaging by themselves but also are aggravating
D.  not only do damage by themselves, they are also aggravating to

SOLUTION

Solution : A

This is a question based on idioms. The correct usage is not only...but also. 
Only answer A has it.

Question 8

Which of the following statement is false?

A. Socialism has disappeared
B. Privatization cannot be used in all areas
C. Privatisation and socialism are opposing doctrines
D. All of the above

SOLUTION

Solution : A

 Look out for extreme Options as Option (a). they are usually the correct choice. There is no mention of the “disappearance of socialism”

Question 9

In a good society, decisions are made based on

A. ad-hoc
B. Cash flows
C. Economic and social merits of cases
D. Economic value

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Option (c)The answer can be directly obtained from the line “Decisions must be made on the social and economic merits of the case.”

Question 10

The primary purpose of the passage as a whole is to

A. describe an initiative and propose its continuance
B. chronicle a development and illustrate its inconsistencies
C. identify a trend and suggest its importance
D. summarize a process and question its significance

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Option C… In this passage the author has put light upon the two trends towards regional trading of nations. Moreover after the introduction of the two blocs, the author depicts the role both the blocs play in the change of economy, hence suggesting its importance to the viewers.

Option B incorrect-We don’t have enough facts to support the inconsistencies.

Option D incorrect-This topic in no way points to a discussion worth debating.

Option A incorrect-There are no impressive or strong reasons discussed to support the continuance of the initiative.

Question 11

According to the passage, all of the following are elements of the shifting world economy EXCEPT

A. an alteration in the role played by governments
B. an increase in interaction between national governments and international regulatory institutions
C. an increase in the formation of multinational trading alliances
D. an increase in integration in the two richest markets of the world

SOLUTION

Solution : B

Option B… The passage quotes“As the economic role of multinational, global corporations expands, the international economic environment will be shaped increasingly not by governments or international institutions…” This solution can be taken verbatim from the passage

Question 12

The passage suggests which of the following about global corporations?

A. Their continued growth depends on the existence of a fully integrated international market.
B. Their potential effect on the world market is a matter of ongoing concern to international institutions.
C. They will have to assume quasi-governmental functions if current economic trends continue.
D. Their influence on world economics will continue to increase.

SOLUTION

Solution : D

Option (D).“They will foster integration in the two largest and richest markets of the world, as well as provoke questions about the future direction of the world trading system.” The author in the last line has stated that, regardless of the oppositions and the difficulties faced by the two blocs, they are sure to overcome those and increase their influence and existence in the global markets in the future ahead. When we have so many points to support the answer, it becomes necessary that we rule out the other factors that are not in close context with the discussion. In questions like these, it becomes essential that we quickly come to the best solution directly from the passage and hence save on time.

Question 13

In the beginning of the story, Lily's anger was described as palpable because it was

A. Unusual
B. irrational
C. Difficult to understand
D. easy to feel

SOLUTION

Solution : D

palpable (adjective): easy to feel.

At the beginning of the story, we are told that Lily’s anger was palpable. The story goes on to describe how although Lily and her brother both wanted a bike for Christmas, only Lily’s brother got one. This makes Lily angry. It can be well understood that it is expected of a young girl like Lily to react in this particular manner. Hence nothing unusual, irrational or difficult to understand here.

Question 14

As used in the beginning of the story, which is the best antonym for insurmountable?

A. Sane
B. phony
C. Unjustified
D. surpassable

SOLUTION

Solution : D

Insurmountable (adjective): impossible to exceed. Near the beginning of the story, the author writes, "In the living room sat a magnificent mini bike. It was red with a pearly white gas tank and side panels. For a brief moment, Lily was filled with what seemed like insurmountable excitement. She couldn’t imagine anything better than getting that bike.” Since getting the bike is the best thing Lily can imagine, we can understand that her excitement is the highest it could be. Insurmountable means impossible to exceed. Surpassable means capable of being exceeded. Since this is the opposite of being impossible to exceed, surpassable is an antonym for insurmountable. Therefore (D) is correct.

Question 15

The author most likely repeats the word "doll" to

A. Highlight how extravagant the dolls were
B. Juxtapose the number of dolls with just one mini bike
C. Emphasize how common this gift had become for Lily
D. Make it clear that the doll she got this Christmas was the worst of all

SOLUTION

Solution : C

The author writes, “Lily always got the boring gifts: a doll with a gown, a doll with a tutu, a doll with a puppy. This doll seemed unusually blah. The doll wore a petticoat. The doll had short, straight black hair.” This information tells us that Lily has received a lot of different dolls. Since Lily has received so many dolls, we can understand that a doll is a very common gift for Lily. Therefore (C) is correct. Option A incorrect-Dolls in no way impressed Lily. Option D incorrect-Lily has not compared her other dolls to one she received this Christmas. Option B incorrect – this sort of comparision is irrelevant as it is not the “number” of dolls which is important here, but the fact that her brother got all the cool gifts

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