Comprehension
Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. The general recognition of this fact is shown in the proverbial phrase, ``It is the busiest man who has time to spare.'' Thus, an elderly lady at leisure can spend the entire day writing a postcard to her niece. An hour will be spent in finding the postcard, another hunting for spectacles, half an hour to search for the address, an hour and a quarter in composition and twenty minutes in deciding whether or not to take an umbrella when going to the pillar box in the next street. The total effort that would occupy a busy man for three minutes, all told, may in this fashion leave another person completely exhausted after a day of doubt, anxiety and toil.
Question: 1
Who is the person likely to take more time to do work?
Who is the person likely to take more time to do work?
Show Hint
In comprehension questions, focus on the "general rule" mentioned in the passage — here, it is clearly stated that leisure leads to spending more time on tasks.
Updated On: Oct 13, 2025
- A busy man
- A man of leisure
- An elderly person
- An exhausted person
Hide Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the passage.
The passage explains the idea that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." It mentions how an elderly lady at leisure may spend the entire day doing something very small, such as writing a postcard. This shows that a person with too much free time takes longer to finish tasks.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) A busy man: Incorrect, because the passage says a busy man finishes work quickly (e.g., three minutes).
(B) A man of leisure: Correct — the passage emphasizes that people with leisure take much longer to do small tasks.
(C) An elderly person: Partially true (since the example was an elderly lady), but the general statement applies to any person with leisure, not just elderly.
(D) An exhausted person: Incorrect, exhaustion is not the main idea of the passage.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) A man of leisure.
The passage explains the idea that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." It mentions how an elderly lady at leisure may spend the entire day doing something very small, such as writing a postcard. This shows that a person with too much free time takes longer to finish tasks.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) A busy man: Incorrect, because the passage says a busy man finishes work quickly (e.g., three minutes).
(B) A man of leisure: Correct — the passage emphasizes that people with leisure take much longer to do small tasks.
(C) An elderly person: Partially true (since the example was an elderly lady), but the general statement applies to any person with leisure, not just elderly.
(D) An exhausted person: Incorrect, exhaustion is not the main idea of the passage.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (B) A man of leisure.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 2
What does the expression ‘pillar box’ stand for?
What does the expression ‘pillar box’ stand for?
Show Hint
When tackling vocabulary-in-context questions, always connect the expression to its common cultural or practical usage.
Updated On: Oct 13, 2025
- A box attached to the pillar
- A box in the pillar
- Box office
- A pillar-type postbox
Hide Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is D
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the expression.
The term "pillar box" refers to the traditional red cylindrical postbox used in Britain, where letters are posted. It is pillar-shaped and used specifically for mailing.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) A box attached to the pillar: Incorrect, this is not the meaning.
(B) A box in the pillar: Incorrect, it is not placed inside a pillar.
(C) Box office: Incorrect, unrelated to the context.
(D) A pillar-type postbox: Correct, because a "pillar box" is exactly that.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) A pillar-type postbox.
The term "pillar box" refers to the traditional red cylindrical postbox used in Britain, where letters are posted. It is pillar-shaped and used specifically for mailing.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) A box attached to the pillar: Incorrect, this is not the meaning.
(B) A box in the pillar: Incorrect, it is not placed inside a pillar.
(C) Box office: Incorrect, unrelated to the context.
(D) A pillar-type postbox: Correct, because a "pillar box" is exactly that.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) A pillar-type postbox.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Question: 3
Which word in the passage is opposite to the word ‘idle’?
Which word in the passage is opposite to the word ‘idle’?
Show Hint
When asked for opposites, focus on the exact word used in the passage. The passage contrasts "idle" with "busy," making it the correct antonym here.
Updated On: Oct 13, 2025
- busy
- elderly
- laborious
- naughty
Hide Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Identifying the word.
The word "idle" means inactive or not engaged in work. Its opposite would mean active or engaged. In the passage, the contrast is drawn between people at leisure (idle) and busy men.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) busy: Correct, as it directly contrasts with idle.
(B) elderly: Incorrect, elderly is not the opposite of idle.
(C) laborious: Incorrect, laborious means hard-working, but the word used in the passage as a contrast is "busy."
(D) naughty: Incorrect, unrelated meaning.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) busy.
The word "idle" means inactive or not engaged in work. Its opposite would mean active or engaged. In the passage, the contrast is drawn between people at leisure (idle) and busy men.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) busy: Correct, as it directly contrasts with idle.
(B) elderly: Incorrect, elderly is not the opposite of idle.
(C) laborious: Incorrect, laborious means hard-working, but the word used in the passage as a contrast is "busy."
(D) naughty: Incorrect, unrelated meaning.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A) busy.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
- Complete the following sentence suitably with reference to paragraph 3.
One significant advantage of humour is that it helps one ....... .- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Reading Comprehension
- How does the author prove in paragraph 1 that a sense of humour is a double-edged sword?
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Reading Comprehension
- Cite two evidences from the text to show that gender bias is still a hindrance in the progress of women in society.
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Reading Comprehension
- With reference to the table, state one reason for entrepreneurship being the last preference among Indian youth.
- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Reading Comprehension
- Complete the analogy with one word from paragraph 6:
Advantage: benefit :: ________: anger- CBSE CLASS XII - 2025
- English Core
- Reading Comprehension
View More Questions
Questions Asked in UP Board X exam
- The altitude of a right-angled triangle is 7 cm less than its base. If the hypotenuse is 13 cm, find the other two sides.
- UP Board X - 2025
- Right-Angled Triangles And Pythagoras Property
- If the sum of first 7 terms of an A.P. is 49 and the sum of first 17 terms is 289, find the sum of first $n$ terms.
- UP Board X - 2025
- Sum of First n Terms of an AP
Find the unknown frequency if 24 is the median of the following frequency distribution:
\[\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline \text{Class-interval} & 0-10 & 10-20 & 20-30 & 30-40 & 40-50 \\ \hline \text{Frequency} & 5 & 25 & 25 & \text{$p$} & 7 \\ \hline \end{array}\]- UP Board X - 2025
- Median of Grouped Data
- If the roots of the equation $x^2+2(m-1)x+(m+5)=0$ are real and equal, find the value of $m$.
- UP Board X - 2025
- Quadratic Equations
Two concentric circles are of radii $8\ \text{cm}$ and $5\ \text{cm}$. Find the length of the chord of the larger circle which touches (is tangent to) the smaller circle.
- UP Board X - 2025
- Circles, Chords and Tangents
View More Questions