Comprehension
An old man was distressed because his sons always quarreled with one another. One day he called them to him and showed them a bundle of sticks tied together. He asked if anyone of them was strong enough to break them. First one and then another tried, but they all failed. He then untied the bundle, and told them to break each stick separately. This they did easily and all the sticks were soon broken into pieces. Thus he taught them that untied they would be strong, but disunited they would always be weak.
Question: 1

An old man was distressed because

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In reading comprehension, always look for key phrases in the passage that directly answer the question. In this case, "always quarrelled with one another" directly explains the reason for the old man’s distress.
Updated On: Oct 10, 2025
  • his sons quarrelled sometimes with him
  • his sons quarrelled with their friends
  • his sons always quarrelled with one another
  • his sons did not quarrel
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the passage.
The passage describes a situation where an old man is distressed because his sons always quarrel with each other. He uses a metaphor involving sticks to teach them the importance of unity.
Step 2: Analyzing the question.
The question asks why the old man was distressed, and from the passage, it is clear that the cause of his distress was the constant quarreling among his sons. The passage highlights this by stating that the sons "always quarrelled with one another."
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) his sons always quarrelled with one another, as this aligns with the information provided in the passage.
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Question: 2

An old man was distressed. It means he was

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"Distressed" is typically associated with sadness, worry, or grief, rather than anger or happiness.
Updated On: Oct 10, 2025
  • happy
  • helpful
  • angry
  • sad
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the word "distressed."
The word "distressed" refers to a state of being upset or troubled. It often conveys sadness or worry. From the context of the passage, we know that the old man was troubled due to his sons quarreling.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) happy: This is the opposite of distressed, so it cannot be the answer. ❌
(B) helpful: Being helpful is unrelated to the emotional state described in the passage. ❌
(C) angry: While anger might be related, "distressed" typically refers to a deeper emotional state, like sadness. ❌
(D) sad: Correct — Distressed means the old man was feeling sad or upset. ✔️
Step 3: Conclusion.
The old man was sad due to the quarrels among his sons.
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Question: 3

Which word in the passage is opposite of 'weak'?

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"Strong" is the direct opposite of "weak" in terms of physical and emotional resilience.
Updated On: Oct 10, 2025
  • Distressed
  • Quarrelled
  • Strong
  • Disunited
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identifying the opposite of "weak."
The opposite of "weak" is "strong," as it refers to the ability to resist force or pressure, while "weak" refers to a lack of strength. The passage teaches that unity makes them strong, whereas disunity makes them weak.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Distressed: "Distressed" refers to a state of emotional turmoil, not strength or weakness. ❌
(B) Quarrelled: Quarrelling is an action that does not imply strength or weakness. ❌
(C) Strong: Correct — "Strong" is the opposite of "weak." ✔️
(D) Disunited: Disunity refers to a lack of unity, but it doesn't directly mean the opposite of "weak." ❌
Step 3: Conclusion.
The opposite of "weak" in the passage is strong.
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