PASSAGE 2

There are some men who seem to be always on the lookout for trouble and, to tell the truth, they are seldom disappointed. Listening to such men one would think that this world is one of the stormiest and most disagreeable places. Yet after all it is not such a bad place and the difficulty is often in the man who is too thin-skinned. On the other hand, the man who goes out expecting people to be like himself, kind and brotherly, will be surprised at the kindness he meets even in the most unlikely quarters. A smile is apt to be met with a responsive smile while the sneer is just as apt to provoke a snarl. Men living in the same neighbourhood may live vastly different lives. But it is not the neighbourhood which is quarrelsome, but the man within us. And we have it in our power to change our neighbourhood into a pleasant one by simply changing our own ways.

1. The passage is about
A) our disagreeable and hostile world
B) a kindly and pleasant world
C) our indifferent and unresponsive world
D) the world and what one makes of it

2. ‘…….they are seldom disappointed’. The statement denotes that such men
A) welcome difficulties as a morale booster
B) do not have to face any trouble
C) manage to keep unruffled in the face of discomforts
D) generally do not fail to come across troubles

3. The author’s own view of the world is that it is
A) one of the loveliest and quietest places
B) an unpleasant and troublesome place
C) one’s own excessive sensitivity that makes it a bad place
D) a sordid place for those who suffer in life

4. Which of the following is opposite in meaning to the excessive ‘thin-skinned’ as used in the passage?
A) insensitive
B) intelligent
C) awkward
D) obstinate

5. ‘On the other hand …….. unlikely quarters’. The statement shows that people’s reaction to our attitude is
A) generally indifferent
B) surprisingly responsive
C) often adverse
D) mainly favourable

SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION

Answer Key

Solution with explanation

4. Option ‘A'(insensitive). THIN-SKINNED = easily hurt by criticism or easily made unhappy; sensitive
5. Option ‘B’ (surprisingly responsive). RESPONSIVE = making a positive and quick reaction to something or someone; e.g. The disease has proved responsive to the new treatment.