Comprehension
LAPLOSHKA was one of the meanest men I have ever met, and quite one of the most entertaining. He said horrid things about other people in such a charming way that one forgave him for the equally horrid things he said about oneself behind one's back. hating anything in the way of ill-natured gossip ourselves, we are always grateful to those who do it for us and do it well. And Laploshka did it really well.
Naturally Laploshka had a large circle of acquaintances, and as he exercised some care in their selection it followed that an appreciable proportion were men whose bank balances enabled them to acquiesce indulgently in his rather one-sided views on hospitality. Thus, although possessed of only moderate means. he was able to live comfortably within his income, and still more comfortably within those of various tolerantly disposed associates.
But towards the poor or to those of the same limited resources as himself his attitude was one of watchful anxiety: he seemed to be haunted by a besetting fear lest some fraction of a shilling or franc, or whatever the prevailing coinage might be, should be diverted from his pocket or service into that of a hard-up companion.
A two-franc cigar would be cheerfully offered to a wealthy patron on the principle of doing evil that good may come but I have known him indulge in agonies of perjury rather than admit the incriminating possession of a copper coin when change was needed to tip a waiter. The coin would have been duly returned at the earliest opportunity- he would have taken means to ensure against forgetfulness on the part of the borrower - but accidents might happen, and even the temporary estrangement from his penny or sou was a calamity to be avoided.
The knowledge of this amiable weakness offered a perpetual temptation to play upon Laploshka's fears of involuntary generosity. To offer him a lift in a cab and pretend not to have enough money to pay the fare, to fluster him with a request for a sixpence when his hand was full of silver just received in change,these were a few of the petty torments that ingenuity prompted as occasion afforded. To do justice to Laploshka's resourcefulness it must be admitted that he always emerged somehow or other from the most embarrassing dilemma without in any way compromising his reputation for saying "No". But the gods send opportunities at some time to most men and mine came one evening when Laploshka and I were supping together in a cheap boulevard restaurant. (Except when he was the bidden guest of some one with an irreproachable income. Laploshka was wont to curb his appetite for high living on such fortunate occasions he let it go on an easy snaffle.) At the conclusion of the meal a somewhat urgent messsage called me away and without heeding my companion's agitated protest, I called back cruelly, "Pay my share: I'll settle with you tomorrow." Early on the morrow Laploshka hunted me down by instinct as I walked along a side street that I hardly ever frequented. He had the air of a man who had not slept.
"You owe me two francs from last night," was his breathless greeting.
Naturally Laploshka had a large circle of acquaintances, and as he exercised some care in their selection it followed that an appreciable proportion were men whose bank balances enabled them to acquiesce indulgently in his rather one-sided views on hospitality. Thus, although possessed of only moderate means. he was able to live comfortably within his income, and still more comfortably within those of various tolerantly disposed associates.
But towards the poor or to those of the same limited resources as himself his attitude was one of watchful anxiety: he seemed to be haunted by a besetting fear lest some fraction of a shilling or franc, or whatever the prevailing coinage might be, should be diverted from his pocket or service into that of a hard-up companion.
A two-franc cigar would be cheerfully offered to a wealthy patron on the principle of doing evil that good may come but I have known him indulge in agonies of perjury rather than admit the incriminating possession of a copper coin when change was needed to tip a waiter. The coin would have been duly returned at the earliest opportunity- he would have taken means to ensure against forgetfulness on the part of the borrower - but accidents might happen, and even the temporary estrangement from his penny or sou was a calamity to be avoided.
The knowledge of this amiable weakness offered a perpetual temptation to play upon Laploshka's fears of involuntary generosity. To offer him a lift in a cab and pretend not to have enough money to pay the fare, to fluster him with a request for a sixpence when his hand was full of silver just received in change,these were a few of the petty torments that ingenuity prompted as occasion afforded. To do justice to Laploshka's resourcefulness it must be admitted that he always emerged somehow or other from the most embarrassing dilemma without in any way compromising his reputation for saying "No". But the gods send opportunities at some time to most men and mine came one evening when Laploshka and I were supping together in a cheap boulevard restaurant. (Except when he was the bidden guest of some one with an irreproachable income. Laploshka was wont to curb his appetite for high living on such fortunate occasions he let it go on an easy snaffle.) At the conclusion of the meal a somewhat urgent messsage called me away and without heeding my companion's agitated protest, I called back cruelly, "Pay my share: I'll settle with you tomorrow." Early on the morrow Laploshka hunted me down by instinct as I walked along a side street that I hardly ever frequented. He had the air of a man who had not slept.
"You owe me two francs from last night," was his breathless greeting.
Question: 1
The acquaintances of Laploshka accepted his one-sided views on hospitality because:
The acquaintances of Laploshka accepted his one-sided views on hospitality because:
Updated On: Jun 8, 2024
- They had great admiration for Laploshka, the charm
- They had ample bank-balance to indulge an entertainer like Laploshka
- They had a great sense of sympathy for Laploshka who was not so nice
- They wanted to flaunt their richness in front of Laploshka
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The correct answer is (B) : They had ample bank-balance to indulge an entertainer like Laploshka.
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Question: 2
The knowledge of this amicable weakness offered a perpetual temptation to play upon Laploshka's fears of involuntary generosity:
The underlined phrase refers to:
The knowledge of this amicable weakness offered a perpetual temptation to play upon Laploshka's fears of involuntary generosity:
The underlined phrase refers to:
The underlined phrase refers to:
Updated On: Jun 8, 2024
- Laploshka's inclination to form friendships with affluent men.
- Laploshka's habit of lying when the borrower asked for money.
- Laploshka's inability to part with his money and his obsession to secure it.
- Laploshka's principle of doing evil that good may result.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
The correct answer is (C) : Laploshka's inability to part with his money and his obsession to secure it.
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Question: 3
Which of the following can be inferred from the excerpt.
A. The author wanted to inflict petty torments on Laploshka for fun.
B. Laploshka chose to befriend the affluent and steered clear of the poor.
C. Laploshka curbed his appetite when dining with rich friends.
D. Laploshka was haunted by the fear of losing his two franks of the author.
E. The author was a cruel man who intended to torture Laploshka.
Which of the following can be inferred from the excerpt.
A. The author wanted to inflict petty torments on Laploshka for fun.
B. Laploshka chose to befriend the affluent and steered clear of the poor.
C. Laploshka curbed his appetite when dining with rich friends.
D. Laploshka was haunted by the fear of losing his two franks of the author.
E. The author was a cruel man who intended to torture Laploshka.
A. The author wanted to inflict petty torments on Laploshka for fun.
B. Laploshka chose to befriend the affluent and steered clear of the poor.
C. Laploshka curbed his appetite when dining with rich friends.
D. Laploshka was haunted by the fear of losing his two franks of the author.
E. The author was a cruel man who intended to torture Laploshka.
Updated On: Jun 8, 2024
- B and C
- D and E
- A,C,E only
- A,B and D only
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The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
The correct answer is (D) : A,B and D only.
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Question: 4
Match the expressions in list I with their meaning/extension in list II
Match List I with List II :List I List II A. haunted by a besetting fear I. pursued me till he caught me B. Gods send opportunities to most men II. to trap Laploshka into involuntary generosity C. hunted me down III. estrangement from his penny to the advantage of someone poor D. perpetual temptation IV. the author's chance to sup with IV. Laploshka at a boulevard restaurant
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Match the expressions in list I with their meaning/extension in list II
Match List I with List II :
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Match List I with List II :
| List I | List II | ||
| A. | haunted by a besetting fear | I. | pursued me till he caught me |
| B. | Gods send opportunities to most men | II. | to trap Laploshka into involuntary generosity |
| C. | hunted me down | III. | estrangement from his penny to the advantage of someone poor |
| D. | perpetual temptation | IV. | the author's chance to sup with IV. Laploshka at a boulevard restaurant |
Updated On: Jun 8, 2024
- A-III; B-I; C-II; D-IV
- A-III; B-IV ; C-I; D-II
- A-II; B-III; C-IV; D-I
- A-I; B-II; C-III; D-IV
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The correct answer is (B) : A-III; B-IV ; C-I; D-II.
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Question: 5
The author's tone in the passage is :
The author's tone in the passage is :
Updated On: Jun 8, 2024
- humorous
- serious
- pedautic
- harsh
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
The correct answer is (A) : humorous
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