PASSAGE 20

It is possible to give wedding presents, birthday and Christmas presents, without any thought of affection at all, they can be ordered by postcard; but the unbirthday present demands the nicest care. It is therefore the best of all, and it is the only kind to which the golden rule of present-giving imperatively applies – the golden rule which insists that you must never give to another person anything that you would not rather keep: nothing that does not cost you a pang to part from. It would be better if this rule governed the choice also of those other three varieties of gifts, but they can be less exacting.

1. The author says that wedding, birthday and Christmas presents
A) are always indicators of the giver’s affection
B) may not always be given with any thought of affection
C) are given only to flatter the recipient
D) are given only to fulfill an obligation

2. ‘They can be ordered by postcard’ means that
A) the present may only be a postcard
B) the present would be an expensive one
C) the choice does not involve much care
D) the present would not be worth giving

3. The ‘unbirthday’ present is the best of all because
A) it cannot be ordered by postcard
B) it means giving expensive presents
C) its choice needs the utmost care
D) other occasions are better than birthdays for giving presents

4. A ‘golden rule’ is a rule which
A) brings profit B) is very important
C) is very difficult D) is very easy

5. The writer is of the view that one should give a present that
A) one would like to possess oneself
B) one would like to get rid of
C) cannot be ordered by mail
D) is highly expensive and attractive

Answer Key

Solution with explanation

2. Option ‘C’ (the choice does not involve much care). The answer lies in the first sentence. Anything that we buy giving order by a postcard means it’s like online shopping. So obviously we have no choice to check them personally – the quality and other things associated to them.

3. Option ‘C’ (its choice needs the utmost care). UNBIRTHDAY = An unbirthday (originally written un-birthday) is an event that is typically celebrated on any or all of the 364 (365 on leap years) days in which it is not the person’s birthday.

4. Option ‘B’ (is very important). GOLDEN RULE = an important rule or principle, especially in a particular situation; e.g.

The golden rule for working in any factory is to observe its safety regulations.

For more English Practice Sets on various topics read the following book authored by me.

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For chapters/topics on English Grammar read the following book authored by me.

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