Infosys – Verbal Ability - 3
Directions for Questions 1-5:
Read the passage and answer the questions that follow on the basis of the
information provided in the passage
A snow leopard roars in the high mountains of Asia. A black rhinoceros gallops across the plains of Africa. A grizzly bear hunts for fish in a North American river. A mother blue whale and her calf glide through the deep waters of the ocean. All of these animals share the Earth with us. They fascinate us with their beauty, their grace, and their speed. We love observing their behaviour, and learning more about their habits. But just loving them is not enough. All of these animals are endangered. Many of them have died, and without special care, they may someday disappear from the Earth. Why is it important to care for animals like these? One reason is to protect the balance of life on Earth. Another reason is the beauty of the animals themselves. Each species of animal is special. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Africa was once filled with an abundance of wild animals. But that is changing fast. One of these animals, the black rhinoceros, lives on the plains of Africa. It has very poor eyesight and a very bad temper! Even though the black rhino is powerful, and can be dangerous, its strength can’t always help it to escape hunters. Some people think that the rhino’s horn has magical powers, and many hunters kill rhinos for their valuable horns. This has caused the black rhino to be placed on the endangered species list. The elephant seems to represent all that is strong and wild in Africa. It once had no natural enemies, but is now endangered—killed for its ivory tusks. The fastest land animal, the cheetah, also lives in Africa. It, too, is becoming extinct as people take over more and more of the land that is the cheetah's natural habitat. Imagine Africa without the powerful rhino, the gentle, intelligent elephant, or the lightning quick cheetah. Once they are gone, they are gone forever. Wherever people are careless about the land, there are endangered species. Grizzly bears like to wander great distances. Each bear needs up to 1,500 square miles of territory to call its homeland. Today, because forests have been cleared to make room for people, the grizzly’s habitat is shrinking and the grizzly is disappearing. It joins other endangered North American animals, such as the red wolf and the American crocodile. In South America, destruction of the rain forest threatens many animals. Unusual mammals, such as the howler monkey and the three-toed sloth, are endangered. Beautiful birds like the great green macaw and the golden parakeet are also becoming extinct. They’re losing their homes in the rain forest, and thousands die when they are caught and shipped off to be sold as exotic pets. The giant panda of Asia is a fascinating and unique animal. Yet there are only about 1,000 still living in the wild. The giant panda’s diet consists mainly of the bamboo plant, so when the bamboo forests die, so does the panda. China is now making an effort to protect these special creatures from becoming extinct. Asia’s big cats are also in trouble. The exotic snow leopard lives high in the mountains. Even there, it faces the loss of its natural habitat, and hunters who kill it for its fur. The tiger, the largest of all the big cats, is hunted merely for sport. Ocean-dwelling animals are in danger of extinction as well. The blue whale is the largest animal in the world. It weighs up to 390,000 pounds. Whale hunting and pollution are this species’ greatest enemies. Unfortunately, it is people who cause many of the problems that animals face. We alter and pollute their habitats. We hunt them for skins, tusks, furs, and horns. We destroy animals that get in the way of farming or building. And we remove them from their natural habitats and take them home as pets. What can you do to help endangered animals? Learn as much as you can about them. The more you know, the more you can help. Make an effort to support zoos and wildlife groups. Many zoos breed endangered animals, helping to ensure that they will continue to live on. Contribute to groups, such as the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club, that work hard to protect animals. You can also be a smart shopper and never buy a pet that has been raised in the wilderness. The world is made up of many living things, and each thing is dependent on the others to survive. If we allow even one species on Earth to become extinct, it has an impact on other living things and changes our world. When we mention any endangered wild animals, let’s hope that we never again have to say, "Gone forever."
1. Which of the following is NOT an opinion?
A) It is important for us to take care of endangered animals.
B) The black rhinoceros is the most frightening animal in Africa.
C) The fastest land animal, the cheetah, also lives in Africa.
D) If we don’t protect endangered animals now, we will regret it in the future.
Ans: B
2. Read this sentence from the article. Today, because forests have been cleared to make room for people, the grizzly’s habitat is shrinking and the grizzly is disappearing. What does habitat mean?
A) an animal’s natural environment
B) a bear’s thick wool coat
C) a bear’s den
D) an animal’s vision
Ans: A
3. Which of the following does NOT support the main idea of the article?
A) Ocean-dwelling animals are in danger of extinction as well.
B) Beautiful birds like the great green macaw are also becoming extinct.
C) Wherever people are careless about the land, there are endangered species.
D) The elephant seems to represent all that is strong and wild in Africa.
Ans: D
4. Read this sentence from the article. They fascinate us with their beauty, their grace, and their speed. What is an antonym for the word fascinate ?
A) thrill
B) bore
C) scare
D) humour
Ans: B
5. What will happen to some animal species if current trends continue?
A) Their numbers will increase.
B) There will be no significant change.
C) They will become extinct.
D) They will move to other habitats
Ans: C
Directions for Questions 6-10 : Read the passage and answer the questions that follow on the basis of the information provided in the passage
The last half of my life has been lived in one of those painful epochs of human history during which the world is getting worse, and past victories which had seemed to be definitive have turned out to be only temporary. When I was young, Victorian optimism was taken for granted. It was thought that freedom and prosperity would speed gradually throughout the world by an orderly process, and it was hoped that cruelty, tyranny, and injustice would continually diminish. Hardly anyone was haunted by the fear of great wars. Hardly anyone thought of the nineteenth century as a brief interlude between past and future barbarism.
6. The author feels and about the later part of his life because
A) The world had not become prosperous
B) he was nostalgic about his childhood.
C) the world was painfully disturbed during that period of time.
D) the author had not won any further victories.
Ans: C
7. The victories of the past
A) filled men with a sense of pessimism
B) proved to be temporary events
C) ended, cruelty, tyranny, and injustice
D) brought permanent peace and security
Ans: B
8. The word 'definitive' as used in the passage means
A) incomplete
B) defined
C) temporary
D) final
Ans: D
9. During the Victorian age people believed that
A) there would be unlimited freedom
B) strife would increase
C) peace would prevail and happiness would engulf the whole world.
D) wars would be fought on a bigger scale
Ans: C
10.A brief interlude between past and future barbarism' can be interpreted as
A) a dramatic performance during wars
B) an interval between cruel wars
C) a short space of time between two great events
D) a short period of time between past and future acts of savagery.
Ans: D
Directions 11-18 : Pick out the most effective word from the given words to fill in the blank to make the sentence meaningfully complete.
11. The petition before the Court prayed for .....................the appointment orders issued by the management
A) removing
B) granting
C) posting
D) quashing
E) dismissing
Ans: D
12. I have a profound respect for his political..................
A) personality
B) ambition
C) temperament
D) sagacity
E) involvement
Ans: D
13. The truck was.............. the traffic and the policemen asked the driver to move off.
A) failing
B) obstructing
C) obviating
D) hiding
E) disturbing
Ans: B
14. The paternalistic attitude is so ingrained in the managements that they have to.....................try to change it
A) casually
B) slowly
C) subtly
D) inadvertently
E) conscientiously
Ans: C
15. For a few seconds, Madan was.............blinded by the powerful lights of the oncoming car
A) heavily
B) largely
C) greatly
D) powerfully
E) totally
Ans: E
16. sachin was to reach that afternoon but was ...... up at Delhi for some personal work.
A) delayed
B) kept
C) held
D) stayed
E) detained
Ans: A
17. He ..... his shoes till they shone.
A) brushed
B) scrubbed
C) wiped
D) polished
E. shined.
Ans: C
18. Let us take him upon his word. I see no room for any ....... in the matter
A) deviation
B) duplicity
C) difference
D) cynicism
Ans: B
A snow leopard roars in the high mountains of Asia. A black rhinoceros gallops across the plains of Africa. A grizzly bear hunts for fish in a North American river. A mother blue whale and her calf glide through the deep waters of the ocean. All of these animals share the Earth with us. They fascinate us with their beauty, their grace, and their speed. We love observing their behaviour, and learning more about their habits. But just loving them is not enough. All of these animals are endangered. Many of them have died, and without special care, they may someday disappear from the Earth. Why is it important to care for animals like these? One reason is to protect the balance of life on Earth. Another reason is the beauty of the animals themselves. Each species of animal is special. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Africa was once filled with an abundance of wild animals. But that is changing fast. One of these animals, the black rhinoceros, lives on the plains of Africa. It has very poor eyesight and a very bad temper! Even though the black rhino is powerful, and can be dangerous, its strength can’t always help it to escape hunters. Some people think that the rhino’s horn has magical powers, and many hunters kill rhinos for their valuable horns. This has caused the black rhino to be placed on the endangered species list. The elephant seems to represent all that is strong and wild in Africa. It once had no natural enemies, but is now endangered—killed for its ivory tusks. The fastest land animal, the cheetah, also lives in Africa. It, too, is becoming extinct as people take over more and more of the land that is the cheetah's natural habitat. Imagine Africa without the powerful rhino, the gentle, intelligent elephant, or the lightning quick cheetah. Once they are gone, they are gone forever. Wherever people are careless about the land, there are endangered species. Grizzly bears like to wander great distances. Each bear needs up to 1,500 square miles of territory to call its homeland. Today, because forests have been cleared to make room for people, the grizzly’s habitat is shrinking and the grizzly is disappearing. It joins other endangered North American animals, such as the red wolf and the American crocodile. In South America, destruction of the rain forest threatens many animals. Unusual mammals, such as the howler monkey and the three-toed sloth, are endangered. Beautiful birds like the great green macaw and the golden parakeet are also becoming extinct. They’re losing their homes in the rain forest, and thousands die when they are caught and shipped off to be sold as exotic pets. The giant panda of Asia is a fascinating and unique animal. Yet there are only about 1,000 still living in the wild. The giant panda’s diet consists mainly of the bamboo plant, so when the bamboo forests die, so does the panda. China is now making an effort to protect these special creatures from becoming extinct. Asia’s big cats are also in trouble. The exotic snow leopard lives high in the mountains. Even there, it faces the loss of its natural habitat, and hunters who kill it for its fur. The tiger, the largest of all the big cats, is hunted merely for sport. Ocean-dwelling animals are in danger of extinction as well. The blue whale is the largest animal in the world. It weighs up to 390,000 pounds. Whale hunting and pollution are this species’ greatest enemies. Unfortunately, it is people who cause many of the problems that animals face. We alter and pollute their habitats. We hunt them for skins, tusks, furs, and horns. We destroy animals that get in the way of farming or building. And we remove them from their natural habitats and take them home as pets. What can you do to help endangered animals? Learn as much as you can about them. The more you know, the more you can help. Make an effort to support zoos and wildlife groups. Many zoos breed endangered animals, helping to ensure that they will continue to live on. Contribute to groups, such as the National Wildlife Federation and the Sierra Club, that work hard to protect animals. You can also be a smart shopper and never buy a pet that has been raised in the wilderness. The world is made up of many living things, and each thing is dependent on the others to survive. If we allow even one species on Earth to become extinct, it has an impact on other living things and changes our world. When we mention any endangered wild animals, let’s hope that we never again have to say, "Gone forever."
1. Which of the following is NOT an opinion?
A) It is important for us to take care of endangered animals.
B) The black rhinoceros is the most frightening animal in Africa.
C) The fastest land animal, the cheetah, also lives in Africa.
D) If we don’t protect endangered animals now, we will regret it in the future.
Ans: B
2. Read this sentence from the article. Today, because forests have been cleared to make room for people, the grizzly’s habitat is shrinking and the grizzly is disappearing. What does habitat mean?
A) an animal’s natural environment
B) a bear’s thick wool coat
C) a bear’s den
D) an animal’s vision
Ans: A
3. Which of the following does NOT support the main idea of the article?
A) Ocean-dwelling animals are in danger of extinction as well.
B) Beautiful birds like the great green macaw are also becoming extinct.
C) Wherever people are careless about the land, there are endangered species.
D) The elephant seems to represent all that is strong and wild in Africa.
Ans: D
4. Read this sentence from the article. They fascinate us with their beauty, their grace, and their speed. What is an antonym for the word fascinate ?
A) thrill
B) bore
C) scare
D) humour
Ans: B
5. What will happen to some animal species if current trends continue?
A) Their numbers will increase.
B) There will be no significant change.
C) They will become extinct.
D) They will move to other habitats
Ans: C
Directions for Questions 6-10 : Read the passage and answer the questions that follow on the basis of the information provided in the passage
The last half of my life has been lived in one of those painful epochs of human history during which the world is getting worse, and past victories which had seemed to be definitive have turned out to be only temporary. When I was young, Victorian optimism was taken for granted. It was thought that freedom and prosperity would speed gradually throughout the world by an orderly process, and it was hoped that cruelty, tyranny, and injustice would continually diminish. Hardly anyone was haunted by the fear of great wars. Hardly anyone thought of the nineteenth century as a brief interlude between past and future barbarism.
6. The author feels and about the later part of his life because
A) The world had not become prosperous
B) he was nostalgic about his childhood.
C) the world was painfully disturbed during that period of time.
D) the author had not won any further victories.
Ans: C
7. The victories of the past
A) filled men with a sense of pessimism
B) proved to be temporary events
C) ended, cruelty, tyranny, and injustice
D) brought permanent peace and security
Ans: B
8. The word 'definitive' as used in the passage means
A) incomplete
B) defined
C) temporary
D) final
Ans: D
9. During the Victorian age people believed that
A) there would be unlimited freedom
B) strife would increase
C) peace would prevail and happiness would engulf the whole world.
D) wars would be fought on a bigger scale
Ans: C
10.A brief interlude between past and future barbarism' can be interpreted as
A) a dramatic performance during wars
B) an interval between cruel wars
C) a short space of time between two great events
D) a short period of time between past and future acts of savagery.
Ans: D
Directions 11-18 : Pick out the most effective word from the given words to fill in the blank to make the sentence meaningfully complete.
11. The petition before the Court prayed for .....................the appointment orders issued by the management
A) removing
B) granting
C) posting
D) quashing
E) dismissing
Ans: D
12. I have a profound respect for his political..................
A) personality
B) ambition
C) temperament
D) sagacity
E) involvement
Ans: D
13. The truck was.............. the traffic and the policemen asked the driver to move off.
A) failing
B) obstructing
C) obviating
D) hiding
E) disturbing
Ans: B
14. The paternalistic attitude is so ingrained in the managements that they have to.....................try to change it
A) casually
B) slowly
C) subtly
D) inadvertently
E) conscientiously
Ans: C
15. For a few seconds, Madan was.............blinded by the powerful lights of the oncoming car
A) heavily
B) largely
C) greatly
D) powerfully
E) totally
Ans: E
16. sachin was to reach that afternoon but was ...... up at Delhi for some personal work.
A) delayed
B) kept
C) held
D) stayed
E) detained
Ans: A
17. He ..... his shoes till they shone.
A) brushed
B) scrubbed
C) wiped
D) polished
E. shined.
Ans: C
18. Let us take him upon his word. I see no room for any ....... in the matter
A) deviation
B) duplicity
C) difference
D) cynicism
Ans: B
