List of practice Questions

Which of the following was the main source of initial information about Hampi’s ruins for Colonel Colin Mackenzie?

"It takes longer to build a school," I say, embarrassed at having made a promise that was not meant. But promises like mine abound in every corner of his bleak world.

After months of knowing him, I ask him his name. "Saheb-e-Alam," he announces. He does not know what it means. If he knew its meaning – lord of the universe – he would have a hard time believing it. Unaware of what his name represents, he roams the streets with his friends, an army of bare feet boys who appear like the morning birds and disappear at noon. Over the months, I have come to recognise each of them.

"Why aren't you wearing chappals?" I ask one.
"My mother did not bring them down from the shelf," he answers simply.
"Even if she did, he will throw them off," adds another who is wearing shoes that do not match.
(The Last Spring)

The next day both men got up in good season. The crofter was in a hurry to milk his cow, and the other man probably thought he should not stay in bed when the head of the house had gotten up. They left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. The man with the rattraps said good bye and thank you, and thereupon each went his own way.
But half an hour later the rattrap peddler stood again before the door. He did not try to get in, however. He only went up to the window, smashed a pane, stuck in his hand, and got hold of the pouch with the thirty Kronor. He took the money and thrust it into his own pocket. Then he hung the leather pouch very carefully back in its place and went away. (The Rattrap)

The rapid increase of human populations has left us battling with other species for limited resources, and the unmitigated burning of the fossil fuels has now created a blanket of carbon dioxide around the world, which is slowly but surely increasing the average global temperature. Climate change is one of the most hotly contested environmental debates of our time. Will the west Antarctic ice sheet melt entirely ? Will the Gulf stream ocean current be disrupted? Will be the end of the world as we know it? (Journey to the End of the Earth)

At midnight when the town slept in peace, the Dewan and his aged wife dragged the tiger to the car and shoved it into the seat. The Dewan himself drove the car straight to the forest where the Maharaja was hunting. When they reached the forest, the tiger launched its Satyagraha and refused to get out of the car. The Dewan was thoroughly exhausted in his efforts to haul the beast out of the car and push it down to the ground.

On the following day, the same old tiger wandered into the Maharaja's presence and stood as if in humble supplication, "Master, what do you command of me?" It was with boundless joy that the Maharaja took careful aim at the beast. The tiger fell in a crumpled heap. (The Tiger King)

A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing,
Therefore, on every morrow are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth.
(A Thing of Beauty)

From “Keeping Quiet”:
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines.
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look back at his hurt hands.

Case Study: Tourism in India

(1) Introduction: India, with its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and historical sites, attracts millions of tourists each year. Tourism significantly contributes to India's GDP, generating employment and boosting infrastructure. This case study explores factors impacting tourism in India, examines seasonal patterns, and assesses tourist satisfaction through a survey.

(2) Methodology: The study involved primary data collection through a structured survey targeting 500 tourists across major destinations like Delhi, Jaipur, Goa and Kerala. Additionally, secondary data from government reports and tourism boards were used. The survey included questions about preferences, challenges and satisfaction levels, focusing on various demographics, including international and domestic tourists.

(3) Survey Examination: Tourists were surveyed on travel preferences, challenges encountered, accommodation satisfaction and cultural experiences. Feedback highlighted India's appeal due to its history and cultural diversity, but also noted issues like infrastructure gaps and pollution.

(4) Results: The study found that most tourists preferred historical sites and beaches. International tourists were drawn to heritage sites, while domestic tourists preferred nature destinations. Satisfaction was high among tourists who experienced local culture, but infrastructure issues and overcrowding at key locations were common complaints. Overall, 85% of tourists expressed a desire to revisit.

Answer the following questions, based on the given passage:

Read the following passage carefully:

(1) Marketing is all about creativity and expression, so it must be an art, right? Not necessarily. While marketers once relied purely on instinct, they now rely on data-driven insights. On top of that, cutting-edge technologies and analytics have shifted the focus of marketing farther toward the science side of the spectrum. Armed with so much data, marketers can now track the impact of money spent on their bottom line.

(2) In today's world, the best approach to marketing combines both disciplines. And there's a distinct balance to the craft - a strategic mix of interpersonal empathy and tactical analysis. Neither side of the mix can be isolated or ignored, or the results will not be encouraging. Psychologists believe the brain is separated into two distinct functions: the left-brain and the right-brain. The right side of the brain is responsible for creative thinking and artistic intuition.

(3) As an art, marketing is all about understanding the nuances of human behaviour and determining how to make an emotional connection with the customer. More importantly, some level of art is needed to create brand standards for your company, including the logo, messaging, and overall visual identity for a brand.

(4) Right-brained marketers focus on the creative - the copy, graphics and emotions tied to the message. The science side of marketing tells us to let the data guide what strategies will be most effective. Marketers are now reporting the need for digital-first expertise including digital proficiency, data analysis, and data science. With science, marketers adopt an outcome-centric mindset that helps them curate smarter campaigns. Over the past few years, there has been an evolving prioritization on data-savvy talent. In 2020 and beyond, brands will need to focus on recruiting talent that can understand the complexities of AI and machine technologies.

(5) But when we reflect on earlier times, marketing was defined as the predominance of traditional advertising, like television, newspaper, and direct mail. Today, it ropes in digital channels, social media, mobile devices, and integrated, complex campaigns. And just as consumers today are more tech-savvy, employees should be able to match and exceed their expertise. It's important that brands continue to prioritize creative, engaging campaign messages while also focusing on key insights and performance metrics for optimal results.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above:

“If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Analyse the theme of The Tiger King in the light of the above quote. (The Tiger King)

‘Students on Ice Programme’ proves Geoff Green’s farsightedness. Explain with reference to the text of ‘The Journey to the End of the Earth’. (The Journey to the End of the Earth)

‘And such too is the grandeur of dooms’. How can ‘grandeur of dooms’ be impressive and inspiring according to Keats?(A Thing of Beauty)

“Christ, Sophie, you’re still at school.”
What image do you form of Geoff as a brother from the above context? (Going Places)

Charlie’s desperate attempt to find the third level reflects his frustration with the modern world. Substantiate the above statement with evidence from the story. (The Third Level)

“You speak peculiar things.” Why does Derry find Mr. Lamb’s conversation peculiar? (On the Face of It)

Why did Dr. Sadao treat the American soldier, even though it was an unpatriotic act? Describe the difficulties faced by Dr. Sadao when he decided to help the enemy soldier. (The Enemy)

What valid reason does Rudyard Kipling have to call an interview immoral? (The Interview)

How can Earth play the role of a teacher according to Pablo Neruda? (Keeping Quiet)