Comprehension
Why are examinations such a terror? Perhaps because chance plays such a great part in them. The examination paper is like a lottery—uncertain, undependable. The element of uncertainty and surprise is bound to shake the most confident examinee. Sometimes our nervousness is so great that we seem to forget our best-prepared lessons. Before the examination, we feel sure of doing well, but once the question paper is before us, our mind becomes perfectly blank. We fail to recall our most memorised lessons. Some candidates even faint in the examination hall. The question paper springs a complete surprise. None of the 'sure hints', over which we have spent days and nights, appear in the examination. On the contrary, just those very topics, which we left out as unimportant and unexpected, stare us in the face. In Geography, we prepared the map of Europe, but we are required to draw a free-hand map of Asia and the question is compulsory. Surely the fates and their friend, the examiner, have played a cruel joke upon us.
Question: 1
Why are examinations considered to be a terror?
Why are examinations considered to be a terror?
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Focus on the elements of uncertainty and surprise as described in the passage.
Updated On: Nov 7, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The passage explains that exams are unpredictable, and despite preparation, students often face unexpected questions. This uncertainty creates fear and anxiety among students.
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Question: 2
How does chance play an important role in the examinations?
How does chance play an important role in the examinations?
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Discuss how chance impacts student performance by referencing examples from the passage.
Updated On: Nov 7, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The passage states that exams sometimes include topics considered unimportant by students, highlighting the unpredictable nature of exams and the role of chance.
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Question: 3
How do the fates and the examiner play a cruel joke upon the students?
How do the fates and the examiner play a cruel joke upon the students?
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Refer to the specific example of Geography mentioned in the passage to support your answer.
Updated On: Nov 7, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The passage humorously describes how examiners include questions on neglected topics, making students feel tricked by fate and the examiner.
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Question: 4
Why do some students get nervous in the examinations?
Why do some students get nervous in the examinations?
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Mention the psychological effects of surprise and uncertainty in exams.
Updated On: Nov 7, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The passage highlights that the element of surprise and uncertainty can lead to extreme nervousness, making students forget even their most memorised lessons.
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Question: 5
Find a word from the passage that means 'empty'.
Find a word from the passage that means 'empty'.
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Look for synonyms and contextual hints to identify similar meanings.
Updated On: Nov 7, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The passage uses the word 'vacant', which means empty or unoccupied.
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Question: 6
Find out the synonym of 'totally' from the passage.
Find out the synonym of 'totally' from the passage.
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Identify words with similar meanings by analyzing context.
Updated On: Nov 7, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The passage includes the word 'completely', which conveys the same meaning as 'totally', implying full extent.
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Question: 7
Which word in the above passage is the antonym of 'optional'?
Which word in the above passage is the antonym of 'optional'?
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Focus on context to determine antonyms effectively.
Updated On: Nov 7, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
The word 'compulsory' appears in the passage as the opposite of 'optional', indicating something that must be done.
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