Questions

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

The man who is perpetually hesitating which of the two things he will do first, will do neither. The man who resolves, but suffers his resolution to be changed by the first counter-suggestion of a friend, - who fluctuates from opinion to opinion, from plan to plan, and veers like a weather-cock to every point of the compass, with every breath of caprice that blows-can never accomplish anything great or useful. Instead of being progressive in any thing, he will be at best stationary, and more probably retrograde in all. It is only the man who first consults wisely, then resolves firmly, and then executes his purpose with flexible perseverance, undismayed by those petty difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit that can advance to eminence in any line. Take your course wisely, but firmly; and having taken it, hold upon it with heroic resolution, and the Alps and Pyrenees will sink before you.

What is the meaning of "retrograde" in the passage?

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

The public sector banks are witnessing in india a period of transition and are at crossroads, where they without giving up social responsibility, should also remain healthy. They need to undertake risky experiments yet perform it innovatively in a way it does not fail. They should make forays into new areas which are rarely tread by them and lose no emerging opportunities. It should be understood that absence of any bad advance is no sign of efficient banking system. It only indicates immense conservatism. However this is no guarantee for profit. There should be a balance between liquidity and risk. Past sins should be forgotten. Novel and pragmatic techniques should be adopted without which banks would be in danger.

What according to the author, are the public sector banks witnessing.

In the following passage some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

The preacher challenged hundreds of thousands of young people who gathered in a ___________ Polish meadow to reject being a "____________" who retreats into video games and computer screens and instead engage in social activism and politics to create a more just world. __________ his speech with ______________, the 79- year-old pope, despite a long day of public appearances, addressed his eager audience with enthusiasm yesterday on a warm summer night. Pope Francis spoke of a ______________ that comes from merely seeking convenience, from confusing happiness with a complacent way of life that could end up depriving people of the ability to determine their own fates.

"____________" who retreats into video games and computer screens

In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech.

Ajay said to my sister, "It's wonderful!"

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

The Trikonasana, or triangle pose, stimulates the function of the entire body and _____________ a lateral (side) stretch to the spine. It helps reduce blood pressure, stress, and anxiety. Practise this asana every day and you'll _________ strength in the ankles, thighs, knees, hips, calves and hamstrings. All standing poses __________the cardiovascular system, so the more you do it, the ________ your stamina will become. The aim is never to overdo it, but to engage regularly, __________ that you get stronger and more stable over time.

so the more you do it, the ________ your stamina.

n the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement".

I wondered what one would have thought some 40 years ago if you (had said) you could heat liquid using a plastic container.

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. These sentences, when properly sequenced form a coherent paragraph. Select the most logical order of sentences from among the options.

P: Having low self esteem would mean that you do not respect or value yourself highly.
Q: You may be more likely to believe other people’s negative comments rather than trust your own opinions.
R: If you feel like this about yourself you will not feel in control and negativity may take hold of you.
S: Your confidence may be low also and so you will not believe in your ability to be successful.

In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech.

My sister said to me, "You didn't help me yesterday so I will not help you now."