Passage 1
1. Music is perhaps one of the most popular and widely practised forms of Fine Arts, transcending all kinds of cultural and linguistic barriers. Any form of fine art is difficult to master and almost impossible to perfect and music is no exception.
2. Nature, it is learnt, has blessed almost two thirds of the human race with musical ability of some sort. Music has the power to bring out the deepest emotions. It can make one cry or bring a smile on one's face. In fact it is a magic medicine and many seek refuge in it when they are depressed or stressed. It is this intimacy that makes us listen to music or even hum or sing sometimes. This singing, or realistically speaking, expressing one's emotion musically, sometimes takes a serious turn. This desire to showcase musical expression in public domain then transforms into serious business profession. And from here the musical journey begins.
3. This desire to sing before an audience is innocent and beautiful and indeed it is perfectly alright to have such a genuine desire. But it is also important to understand that singing is an intricate art — a highly refined one at that, which requires systematic, prolonged and rigorous training, even to pass muster. This is an aspect we forget in our keen desire to reach the stage and perform. It is almost like preparing a formal meal for some specially invited guests, without even having learnt and experienced the basic aspects of cooking. This is why we have more noise and less music in the present.
4. These days almost everyone sings and it does not stop here. Most of us want to become professional singers. Result, a complete disregard for and ignorance of the training part, as the need is never felt to go through one and the urge to get to the stage and perform overpowers the slight inclination to learn, if any. If at all, somewhere along the way one feels the need to gain some knowledge and training, it leads to hurried shortcuts and half-hearted attempts, best described as 'Crash Courses.'
5. It is observed that those who have attained the so-called partial success, suddenly feel that they lack the required knowledge and are not learned enough. But it is too late by then. It should be understood here that the stage or a performance brings in a different mindset within the artist. It is always recommended and rightly so, that while on stage, cover the mistakes and weaknesses if any, and get along. But the contrary is true when it comes to acquiring knowledge and during the learning process. While under training, the student is expected to make mistakes but then rectify those mistakes under the supervision and guidance of the teacher. Therefore it is good to make mistakes and then be corrected during the process of learning as this subsequently makes one flawless and educated. This is a different mindset. And these two mindsets discussed above (those of a performer and that of a student) cannot co-exist.
Questions and Answers
(a). Which of these statements does the writer make about Fine Arts in general?
(a) They are popular.
(b) They transcend cultural barriers.
(c) They are difficult to master and almost impossible to perfect.
(d) They are widely practised.
Answer: (c) They are difficult to master and almost impossible to perfect.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says any form of fine art is difficult to master and almost impossible to perfect; popularity and transcending barriers are said of music.
(b). What is the objective of the writer in comparing the current music with noise? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
Answer: The author reinforces the belief that music is an intricate art, a highly refined one at that. But in our rush to reach the stage and perform, we forget that learning music requires systematic, prolonged, and rigorous training, resulting in more noise than music.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 says skipping rigorous training is why 'we have more noise and less music'.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
When the author says that 'It is observed that those who have attained the so-called partial success, suddenly feel that they lack the required knowledge and are not learned enough' his intention is to project ______.
Answer: the lackadaisical attitude and over-confidence of the learner.
Explanation: Paragraphs 4 and 5 show singers skipping training out of over-eagerness and realising it too late.
(d). The passage includes some words that are similar in meaning to each other. From the sets 1–5 below, identify two sets of synonyms.
1. intricate or refined
2. shortcuts and half-hearted attempts
3. hum or sing
4. cry or smile
5. depressed or stressed
(a) 2 and 4
(b) 3 and 5
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 4 and 5
Answer: (c) 1 and 2
Explanation: 'Intricate' and 'refined' (paragraph 3) and 'shortcuts' and 'half-hearted attempts' (paragraph 4) mean nearly the same; 'cry or smile' are opposites.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
There are two mindsets amongst musicians: of a performer and a student, and both cannot co-exist because ______.
Answer: a performer should cover his mistakes on stage and get along whereas a student must learn from his mistakes to perfect his art.
Explanation: Paragraph 5 contrasts covering mistakes on stage with making and correcting mistakes while learning.
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words, what connection the writer draws out between half-baked 'professional singers' and a sudden realisation about their lack of training.
Answer: When the sudden realisation dawns upon a half-baked singer about their lack of training, they resort to hurried shortcuts and half-hearted attempts, best described as 'Crash Courses'.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says a late felt need for training leads to hurried shortcuts called 'Crash Courses'.
(g). The writer says, 'These days almost everyone sings and it does not stop here. Most of us want to become professional singers.' Which pitfalls are not avoided by many singers according to the author?
1. Crash Courses
2. the mindset of a student
3. prolonged and rigorous training
4. half-hearted training attempts
5. the desire to shine on stage
6. the mindset of a performer
(a) 2 and 3
(b) 1, 4 and 6
(c) 2 and 5
(d) 2, 3 and 5
Answer: (b) 1, 4 and 6
Explanation: Paragraphs 4 and 5 criticise crash courses, half-hearted attempts and a performer's mindset while learning; a student's mindset and rigorous training are recommended.
(h). Evaluate the most INAPPROPRIATE option that does not substantiate the power of music.
(a) Two-thirds of human race has musical abilities of some kind.
(b) Music can help lift a person out of depression.
(c) Music can help distress us.
(d) It can stir our deepest emotions.
Answer: (c) Music can help distress us.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says people turn to music when depressed or stressed, so music relieves distress rather than causing it.
Passage 2
1. Crash dieting may help you lose weight in the short term, but ultimately it can hinder weight loss in the long term, as most of the weight that you have lost with crash dieting will bounce back, meaning you will gain all the weight that you have lost and more. Crash dieting not only removes fat but also lean muscle and tissue. Contrary to the belief of many who start this diet, this form of dieting is neither healthy nor successful in achieving long term weight loss as it induces the slowing down of the body's basal metabolic rate — the body seeks to conserve every calorie and so weight loss becomes increasingly difficult. Basal metabolic rate is the amount of calories your body needs on a daily basis to maintain its regular activities. This means your body will need fewer calories than it did previously, making weight gain more likely once you stop dieting.
2. Most crash diets involve eating low-calorie foods for several weeks or eating the same food or food groups for several weeks. Even if you're only trying the diet for a week or two, eating such a strict diet of the same foods can cause nutritional deficiencies. Eliminating one or more food groups will not provide you with adequate, long-term nutrition. Nutritional deficiencies such as this can have multiple immediate side effects such as haggard look, dark under eyes, dull skin, sloppy posture and less stamina.
3. This is also why exercise is recommended in any weight-loss plan to build muscle and maintain your metabolic rate. Again common mistakes that are observed with exercise are joining the gym only till the New Year, so that you can lose weight and once the party is over, the party for not exercising continues. On the other hand, we have some who make New Year resolutions and with the gym memberships which are so tempting during the New Year, take up annual memberships, which is not bad. What is bad is to break the resolution. It is good to take up an exercise programme during the new year and to make a resolution about exercise, provided you do not break your resolution, and continue exercising year long. What is important is consistency.
4. It's strongly recommended not to go on a Crash Diet, even if you are motivated to lose weight to fit into clothes a couple of sizes smaller. What is good is to make a conscious effort to lead a healthy lifestyle. This in the long run will help you achieve normal weight and help you be energetic and cheerful. Safe weight loss is considered to be no more than half a kilogram to one kilogram per week. No single food can be considered good or bad. A single meal does not make or break a healthy diet, as all foods can fit into a good diet when consumed in moderation.
Questions and Answers
(a). Below are given a few statements about crash diets, which the writer regards as unscientific fads entertained by people ready to do anything to lose a few inches. Which of these is the odd one out, as it is NOT a fact stated by the writer?
(a) Crash diets remove fat, lean muscle, and tissue.
(b) Crash diets will remove fat permanently like magic.
(c) Those dieting want to fit into clothes a couple of sizes smaller.
(d) People eliminate one or more food groups altogether from their diet.
Answer: (b) Crash diets will remove fat permanently like magic.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says the lost weight bounces back, so the idea that crash diets remove fat permanently is not stated; it is the very belief the writer rejects.
(b). What does the writer recommend instead of crash diets and why? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
Answer: The author recommends a conscious effort to lead a healthy lifestyle which in the long run will help one achieve a normal weight and also remain energetic. Instead of eliminating some foods from the diet, he recommends eating a nutritious diet.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 recommends a healthy lifestyle and moderation in all foods instead of a crash diet.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author's reiteration that most of us wait for the New Year to take up an exercise programme is because ______.
Answer: the new year is a time for new beginnings and changes; therefore, it is also a time to make resolutions about weight loss.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 links New Year resolutions with tempting gym memberships and fresh starts.
(d). The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets 1–5 below, identify two sets of antonyms.
1. hinder and stop
2. make or break
3. energetic and cheerful
4. build and maintain
5. long and short-term
(a) 1 and 5
(b) 2 and 5
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 5
Explanation: 'Make' and 'break' (paragraph 4) and 'long' and 'short-term' (paragraph 1) are opposites; the rest are similar in meaning.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The changes that a human body undergoes when one begins to follow a crash diet do not include ______.
Answer: the body shooting up the demand for calories.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says the body needs fewer calories as the basal metabolic rate slows down.
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words, why the writer says that the body's basal metabolic rate slows down due to crash dieting.
Answer: The body's basal metabolic rate slows down due to crash dieting because the body seeks to conserve every calorie and will now need fewer calories than it did previously. This makes weight gain more likely once a person stops dieting.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 explains that the body conserves calories, needs fewer of them, and so regains weight later.
(g). The writer says that eating low-calorie foods, or the same food or food groups, even for short durations can be harmful.
Which of the following have a deep co-relation with this statement?
1. dull skin
2. long-term weight loss
3. cheerfulness
4. less stamina
5. more energy
6. short-term weight loss
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2, 3 and 5
(c) 1, 4 and 6
(d) 3, 5 and 6
Answer: (c) 1, 4 and 6
Explanation: Paragraph 2 lists dull skin and less stamina as side effects, and paragraph 1 says crash diets give only short-term weight loss.
(h). The writer says this about the failure of exercise regimens: 'Again common mistakes that are observed with exercise are joining the gym only till the New Year so that you can lose weight and once the party is over, the party for not exercising continues.' (Paragraph 3)
State what the author recommends as a solution.
Answer: The author recommends sticking to the exercise regimen once started and being consistent.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 ends with 'What is important is consistency.'
Passage 3
1. A youngster quit Facebook in December after spending over three years on the social networking site. With that one act, he bid a silent adieu to more than 300 contacts that he had added to his account during the period. Like almost everyone from his 'friends' circle', the 20-year-old was a regular on the service, visiting it every day to post photos and status updates. But last week, a new feature on Facebook called Timeline forced him to reconsider the pros and cons of being on the networking site.
2. 'Everyone has some skeletons in their closet and I am just not comfortable with Facebook digging up and displaying all the facets of my life on a bulletin board,' says this youngster who joined the network in July 2007 while he was in Class 11.
3. Facebook, you see, had compressed the time he spent on the site and arranged it in chronological order. And while he initially liked the new, neatly organised scrapbook-like feature, he wasn't happy to reveal posts from the past, those that, until recently, were hidden under layers and layers of recent updates. Just clicking on a date on the timeline could transport his friends back in time and enable them to view every embarrassing comment, link or photo he had posted on his profile.
4. 'I think it's a recipe for disaster,' he says. 'In 2007, I had some wall posts, which seemed appropriate at the time, but now after a lapse of four years, I have moved on and don't want them to be openly displayed for all to see.'
5. And he is not alone. Many users, worried about how Facebook activity could possibly affect their offline lives, are choosing to commit 'Facebook suicide'. While some have privacy concerns, others feel that the site that was meant to bring them closer to their friends actually does the opposite — it reduces their friendship to something superficial.
6. 'Poking and liking are not enough to keep a friendship going,' says a business analyst. Having quit Facebook three years ago, she prefers meeting her 'real' friends face-to-face, instead of reading their trite posts online.
7. 'On Facebook, people hype everyday issues including what they ate and where they went on a daily basis,' says this analyst who continues to use Twitter.
8. Similarly, an engineering student quit Facebook last December four years after joining it. One fine day, he exported all the data from his account into a little zip file and hit the delete button.
9. 'I realised that when it came to my friends who really mattered, I could actually keep in touch with them over the phone or by meeting them in real life,' he wrote on his blog.
Questions and Answers
(a). Why does the youngster say that the Timeline feature introduced by Facebook for its users is a recipe for disaster?
(a) Because everything is now compressed in a chronology.
(b) Because everything is neatly organised and arranged like in a scrapbook.
(c) Because he didn't want embarrassing posts to be visible on his profile on a click.
(d) Because past posts were hidden under layers and layers of recent updates.
Answer: (c) Because he didn't want embarrassing posts to be visible on his profile on a click.
Explanation: Paragraphs 3 and 4 show his worry that a click on a date would reveal every embarrassing old post.
(b). How does the writer justify the given line from paragraph 1? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
'But last week, a new feature on Facebook called Timeline forced him to reconsider the pros and cons of being on the networking site.'
Answer: By just clicking on a date on the Timeline of a user, Facebook could transport one's friends back in time and enable them to view every embarrassing comment, link or photo one had posted in the past. This forced some users to reconsider being on Facebook.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 explains how Timeline exposed old, embarrassing posts with a single click.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author's advice to active Facebook users on friendships is that ______.
Answer: real friendships thrive in real life settings.
Explanation: Paragraphs 6 and 9 show people preferring to meet or phone friends who really matter.
(d). The passage includes some words that are opposites of each other. From the sets 1–5 below, identify two sets of antonyms.
1. pros and cons
2. superficial and real
3. link or photo
4. digging up and displaying
5. Facebook life and Facebook suicide
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1 and 5
(d) 1 and 2
Answer: (d) 1 and 2
Explanation: 'Pros' and 'cons' (paragraph 1) and 'superficial' and 'real' (paragraphs 5 and 6) are opposites.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The author uses the example of a business analyst who says that she prefers meeting her 'real' friends face-to-face to show that ______.
Answer: neither poking and liking nor reading the trite and superficial posts of one's friends is enough to keep a friendship going.
Explanation: Paragraph 6 quotes her: 'Poking and liking are not enough to keep a friendship going.'
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words, the phenomenon called 'Facebook suicide'.
Answer: Some users feel that the site that was meant to bring them closer to their friends is actually turning their relationships superficial. So, they are deleting their digital account on Facebook, which is considered akin to committing suicide, or 'Facebook suicide'.
Explanation: Paragraph 5 describes users quitting Facebook over privacy and superficial friendships.
(g). Evaluate the reasons given below that make some users edgy due to the unravelling of layers and layers of updates to reveal the posted content of yesteryears. Choose the appropriate one.
The earlier posts could ______.
1. become an embarrassment for them.
2. create welcome hype for them.
3. be scandalous and cause harm to them.
4. get them many more likes.
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) Only 2
(d) Only 4
Answer: (a) 1 and 3
Explanation: Paragraphs 2 to 4 speak of 'skeletons in their closet' and embarrassing posts, which can embarrass or harm users.
(h). Complete the central idea of the passage by supplying a missing word.
Social media sites create an ______ of connectivity and make a person delusional.
Answer: illusion
Explanation: Paragraph 5 says the site meant to bring friends closer actually makes friendship superficial, so the connectivity is only an illusion.
Passage 4
1. I came to California during spring; that alone was stressful. Then I discovered that academics here were much harder than back home. Add to this that I didn't know anyone and had trouble making friends. I was getting more anxious by the day, and I didn't know what to do. However, as time went by my shyness changed to excitement, and that excitement generated an adventurous spirit in me. I wanted to go out and explore Berkeley, and I was building up the courage to talk to more people.
2. I stayed in the dorms when I first arrived. Although most people on the floor had already formed their cliques, I'm still grateful to have lived there. I met people who introduced me to many clubs, classes, and activities that I might otherwise have missed out on.
3. Still, all the changes and challenges were really getting to me. I used to overeat when I was anxious, which didn't benefit my body at all — my stomach would hurt, and then I'd be even more stressed that I didn't feel well! 'Talking' to someone wasn't an idea that occurred to me until much later, when I learned that expressing my feelings might be a healthier (and less stomach-ache-inducing) way to relieve stress.
4. One of my first friends happened to be in the Health Worker Programme (HWP). She was so amazing! I felt like I finally found someone to talk to, someone who would listen to me. Eventually, by the end of my first semester at California, things started to look up. I made more friends, I adjusted to the academics at Berkeley, and I learned how to live in a city completely different from my hometown. I don't think I would have managed, though, if it had not been for my friend's empathetic nature and peer counselling training. My experience with her led me to become a health worker as well. When one thinks of health, many images come to mind: the flu, a cough, medicine. With my major being Linguistics (read: a social science!), I was very apprehensive about applying to such a programme. I quickly discovered, however, that being a health worker wasn't about playing doctor — it's about learning life skills (which I continue to use in my daily life, on and off campus) and becoming an advocate of health for your peers.
Questions and Answers
(a). Why does the writer say 'I came to California during spring; that alone was stressful'? Pick out the incorrect reason from the list.
(a) Academics had not been as tough back at home.
(b) He was an introvert by nature.
(c) He was hesitant to step out and explore the city.
(d) He was already having panic attacks.
Answer: (d) He was already having panic attacks.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 mentions harder academics, shyness and trouble making friends, but nothing about panic attacks.
(b). How did the attitude of the writer change after a long spell of anxiety and nervousness? Rationalise your response in about 40 words.
Answer: His shyness changed to excitement, and that in turn generated an adventurous spirit in him. He explored Berkeley and built up the courage to talk to more people. This transformed his attitude and he became more confident and positive in his outlook.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 describes his shyness turning into excitement and an adventurous spirit.
(c). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The writer expresses his gratitude to his mates in the dormitory despite the fact that they already had their own closed groups because ______.
Answer: they introduced him to many clubs, classes, and activities that he might otherwise have missed out on.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 explains why he is grateful to have lived in the dorms.
(d). The passage includes some words that are similar in meaning to each other. From the sets 1–5 below, identify two sets of synonyms.
1. talking and expressing
2. friends and health workers
3. clubs and Health Worker Programme
4. anxiety and stress
5. shyness and excitement
(a) 1 and 5
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 1 and 4
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (c) 1 and 4
Explanation: Paragraph 3 uses 'talking' and 'expressing my feelings' interchangeably, and 'anxious' and 'stressed' are near-synonyms.
(e). Complete the sentence appropriately.
The writer realises that instead of overeating during his anxiety-ridden spells, he should have ______.
Answer: talked to someone or expressed his feelings to relieve his stress.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 says expressing feelings is a healthier way to relieve stress.
(f). Based on the reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words, how life came a full circle for the author when he decided to become a health worker.
Answer: Meeting a health worker gave him confidence, helped him adapt to his new surroundings, and pick up life skills. He became an advocate of health for his peers and began helping them just the way he had been supported by his friend.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 shows that the friend who helped him inspired him to help his peers as a health worker.
(g). The writer talks about the benefits of learning life skills which helped him in his daily life at Berkeley. Which of the following did the author 'pick up by chance' that ended up benefitting him?
1. Becoming an advocate of health for his peers.
2. Becoming empathetic.
3. Adjusting to the academics at Berkeley.
4. Learning how to live in a new city so different from his hometown.
5. Training to become a counsellor.
6. Becoming a health worker despite his major being Linguistics.
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 4 and 5
(c) 1 and 6
(d) 3 and 5
Answer: (c) 1 and 6
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says that, though apprehensive as a Linguistics major, he became a health worker and an advocate of health for his peers.
(h). According to the passage, which of these may a new student in a foreign country not necessarily do? Eliminate the most inappropriate option.
(a) Becoming a health worker.
(b) Interacting more with people.
(c) Cultivating an adventurous spirit.
(d) Expressing their feelings.
Answer: (a) Becoming a health worker.
Explanation: Interacting, being adventurous and expressing feelings helped him settle (paragraphs 1 and 3); becoming a health worker was a personal choice.