Practice Reading Comprehension Passages for UPSC CSAT/IAS Preliminary Exam Pract

ice

Patriotism is a very complex feeling, built up out of primitive instincts and hi

ghly intellectual convictions. There is love of home and family and friends, mak
ing us peculiarly anxious to preserve our own country from invasion. There is th
e mild instinctive liking for compatriots against foreigners. There is pride, wh
ich is bound up with the success of the community to which we feel that we belon
g. There is a belief, suggested by pride, but reinforced by history, that one s ow
n nation represents a great tradition and stands for ideals that are important t
o the human race. But besides all these, there is another element, at once noble
r and more open to attack, an element of worship, of willing sacrifice, of joyfu
l merging of the individual life in the life of the nation. This religious eleme
nt in patriotism is essential to the strength of the State, since it enlists the
best that is in most men on the side of national sacrifice.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)
2.
nt of
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Which of the following is the central theme of the given passage?

Component elements of patriotism
Historical Development of patriotism
The Role of Religion and History In Patriotism
Need for patriotism in Nation building
What does the author imply by using the phrase open to attack for the eleme
worship in patriotism?
This element is unnecessary in some instances of patriotic behaviour
This element will call for various acts of national sacrifice
This element has no historical basis yet it is important
This element can cannot be justified on rational grounds
The tone of the passage can best be described as
Critical
Descriptive
Persuasive
Analytical

4.
As per the passage, which one of the following statements is false?
a)
We tend to like our own countrymen better than we like foreigners.
b)
Nations always stand for ideals that are important to the human race.
c)
It is the religious element in patriotism that motivates us for sacrifici
ng ourselves for our nation
d)
Our pride of the community is bound with the community s success.

Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to
find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider. Some books are to be tasted
, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some
books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and so
me few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some books also may
be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others; but that would be only i
n the less important arguments, and the meaner sort of books, else distilled boo
ks are like common distilled waters, flashy things. Reading maketh a full man; c
onference a ready man; and writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write l
ittle, he had need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a

present wit: and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to seem to kn
ow that he doth not. Histories make men wise; poets witty; the mathematics subtl
e; natural philosophy deep; moral grave; logic and rhetoric able to contend.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Which of the following is the central theme of the above passage?

How and why to read books
Value of reading and learning
Role of books in one s life
Purpose of reading and writing

2.
What does the passage convey by the use of the phrase
tasted ?
a)
Read and savoured with some special flavour
b)
To be read with diligence and attention
c)
Simply read, but not with great curiosity
d)
To be read just for fun and in parts
3.
1.
2.

some books are to be

a)
c)

Consider the following statements:

reading is a profound activity, must not be seen superficially
the art of writing lends perfection to a man s character
which of the above statement(s) is/are true?
1 only
b)
Both 1 and 2
2 only
d)
Neither 1 nor 2

4.
1.
2.
3.
a)
c)

Which of the following statement(s) is/are supported by the passage?

the books to be read wholly are meant to be read with dilligence
a man who doesn t write much can make up for it through memorizing.
The meaner sort of books must be read only in bits and pieces.
1 and 2
b)
1 and 3
2 and 3
d)
All the above

5.
Consider the following statements:
1.
The real object of reading should be to understand authors views and thei
r utility
2.
Being wise and witty is a good pretense for a man who isn t well read
a)
1 only
b)
Both 1 and 2
c)
2 only
d)
Neither 1 nor 2
6.
a)
c)

The author s tone seems to be:

Critical
b)
Laudatory
Expository
d)
Thought provoking

At one time, in the history of India, most women knew very well how to bring up
their infants and they lived a perfectly healthy life, free from diseases. The
overall standard of women and children in the country was much better than those
of other civilizations of that period. But ever since India was exposed to inva
sions by foreign nations, life became unsafe and property was unprotected, and p
eople were forced to congregate in towns in such a compact way that it led to aw
ful insanitation and diseases. The traditional knowledge of domestic and persona
l health and hygiene was ignored. Women were confined indoors for fear of insult
s and a train of social and unhealthy dangers followed. It is a problem now, how
we can restore the original conditions of healthy and happy life in India. This
is a socio-economic problem which needs to be given priority to bring back the
original culture and restore welfare of women and children in India.
1.

Consider the following statements:

1.
The passage emphasizes the need to restore the original conditions of hap
py and healthy life in India
2.
The passage consider women s confinement indoors as the main cause for thei
r poor health condition in India
3.
Ignoring traditional knowledge of health was a logical outcome of foreign
invasions in India
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct:
a)
1 only
b)
1 and 2
c)
2 and 3
d)
3 only
2.
Consider the following statements:
1.
Foreign invasions made life unsafe and property unprotected
2.
Unsafe conditions eroded the healthy and sanitized atmosphere
3.
Indoor confinement turned out to be most effective in ensuring good healt
h for women
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a)
1 only
b)
1 and 2
c)
2 and 3
d)
All the above
3.
a)
c)

What is the attitude of the author in the above passage?

Descriptive
b)
Historical
Analytical
d)
Illustrative

The stock-taking at the first national convention on consumer protection served

to highlight the areas that called for special attention to sustain the momentu
m of the movement as genuine for safeguarding the people s interests. Spreading aw
areness about the rights of the consumers and the relief open to them in case th
ey did not get their money s worth of goods and services has highly been identifie
d as the first priority. While this may not be a difficult task in urban areas,
where the movement is concentrated at present, taking it to the vast rural hinte
rland calls for a multi-media approach in which radio and television have a cruc
ial role to play. The involvement of 500 odd consumer organizations in the count
ry in publicizing the concept of fair trade practices and their remedies availab
le against their violation will prove rewarding if the message is conveyed throu
gh village bodies. Government efforts remain confined at best to setting up the
infrastructure after the formal launch of the movement with the enactment of the
Consumer Protection Act. The mounting backlog of cases in consumer courts, poin
ts to the need for toning up the district level redressal machinery. The main ob
jective of the movement is the creation of a culture that denies place in the ma
rket for products that are not consumer friendly. This is possible only if consu
mer bodies take over the watchdog role performed by the government till now and
exercise social control over the market to see that the benefits of liberalizati
on are not reaped by traders alone. But the plea to industry to exercise self re
gulation and maintain minimum standards of quality and devise appropriate pricin
g is bound to go unheeded unless strict measures are taken to ensure compliance.
1.
Consider the following statements:
1.
The first national convention on consumer protection has spread awareness
about consumer rights.
2.
a multimedia approach and official patronage is needed to spread the Cons
umer Protection Movement to the rural areas.
3.
Government has contributed greatly to the Consumer Protection Movement by
toning up the district level redressal machinery
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct:

a)
c)
2.
odies?
1.
2.
3.
a)
b)
c)
d)

1 only
2 and 3

b)
d)

1 and 2
3 only

The passage envisages which of the following as the role(s) of consumer b

to exercise social control over the market
to function as a watchdog
to maintain minimum standards of quality
1 and 3
1 and 2
2 and 3
All the above

3.
Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct with respect to the pr
otection offered to the consumers under Consumer Protection Act?
1.
Protection against cheating by selling substandard good
2.
Protection against denial of relief if the product is not up to the mark
3.
Protection against not getting his money s worth
Codes:
a)
1 and 3
b)
1 and 2
c)
2 and 3
d)
None of the above

India s quest for democracy survives inspite of Nehru s incomplete efforts. Democra
cy is not what our rulers do, or fail to do. It is that relationship between civ
il and political society which produces a participatory and responsive system of
governance. Democracy is not created by Constitutions, though it may be thwarte
d. Many Constitutions are no more than a conspiracy to work out arrangements for
power sharing among the elite. Democracy acquires dimension from the social mov
ements, and associational freedoms that grow from, and within civil society. Fur
ther, if Nehru s democratic legacy is tested, the yardstick is not the extent to w
hich his successors fell from Nehruvian grace as ministers or parliamentarians,
but the extent to which civil society has engendered and found its capacity for
sustained pressure and critique.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Which of the following is the central theme of the above passage:

A critique of Nehruvian Policies
Introspecting Indian democratic credentials
Components of a functional Indian democracy
Meanings of Indian democracy

2.
Which of the following statements may be inferred from the given passage?
1.
Democracy stands for an organic relation between the ruled and the rulers
, not merely a legal dictat
2.
Success of Indian democracy can be gauged fairly well by assessing the de
mocratic practices adopted by post Nehruvian leaders
Codes:
a)
1 only
b)
Both 1 and 2
c)
2 only
d)
Neither 1 nor 2
3.
As per the passage, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct wi
th respect to Indian Democracy?
1.
It s a legacy of the vision of our great leaders
2.
Its true yardstick is the evolution and maturity of the civil society
3.
Social movements and their associational freedoms are a feature of Indian

democracy
Codes:
a)
1 only
b)
3 only
c)
1 and 3
d)
All the above
4.
a)
b)
c)
d)

What is the author s tone in the above passage?

Critical appreciation
Descriptive assessment
Retrospective analysis
Argumentative exposition

Pollution is the degradation of natural environment by external substances intr

oduced directly or indirectly. Human health, ecosystem quality and aquatic and t
errestrial biodiversity may be affected and altered permanently by pollution. Po
llution occurs when ecosystems can not get rid of substances introduced into the
environment. The critical threshold of its ability to naturally eliminate subst
ances is compromised and the balance of the ecosystem is broken.
The sources of pollution are numerous. The identification of these different po
llutants and their effects on ecosystems is complex. They can come from natural
disasters or the result of human activity, such as oil spills, chemical spills,
nuclear accidents. These can have terrible consequences on people and the planet
where they live: destruction of the biodiversity, increased mortality of the hu
man and animal species, destruction of natural habitat, damage caused to the qua
lity of soil, water and air.
Preventing pollution and protecting the environment necessitate the application
of the principles of sustainable development. We have to consider ways to satis
fy the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their needs. This means that we should remedy existing pollution, but also
anticipate and prevent future pollution sources in order to protect the environm
ent and public health. Any environmental damage must be punishable by law, and p
olluters should pay compensation for the damage caused to the environment.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Which of the following is the central theme of the above passage:

Need to redefine development and its associated strategies
Proposing sustainable development in light of uncontrolled pollution
Suggesting need and means to remedy problem of pollution
Highlighting the problem of pollution and its management.

2.
1.
2.
Which
a)
c)

Consider the following statements:

Damages caused by pollution are always irreversible
Ecosystems may not always be able to cope up with pollution
of the above statements is/are correct?
1 only
b)
Both 1 and 2
2 only
d)
Neither 1 nor 2

3.
As per the passage, which of the following statement(s) is/are correct wi
th respect to Pollution and development?
1.
Development models must pollute within Ecosystem s threshold to be sustaina
ble
2.
Identifying pollution source helps in better assessment of its impact on
ecosystem
3.
Pollution prevention calls for formulation and adherence to environmental
laws

Codes:
a)
1 and 2
b)
1 and 3
c)
2 and 3
d)
All the above

On August 15, 1947, India was granted independence from British colonial domina
nce. This was an event of international significance. From this day onwards, the
Indian Union assumed a role in world politics that was appropriate enough to mo
dify the thinking of nations. Concepts like non-alignment tolerance, non-violenc
e and peaceful co existence were introduced by India into the international voca
bulary.
Our dreams concern India , said the first Prime Minister of the country, Pt Jawaharl
al Nehru, on the eve of achieving freedom, but they also concern the whole world,
for the world has become one .
Mahatma Gandhi chose Nehru to become the first PM of independent India. With his
vision of unity of the nation, he became the architect of modern India. It was
to be a federal state based on secularism
the commitment to an Indian identity,
which was above all races, castes, and religions. It was a vision of extraordina
ry dimensions.
Both Nehru as well as his daughter and successor, Smt Indira Gandhi, were well
aware that only a firm anchorage in the Indian identity could unite the nation a
nd enable it to make an impact on the world. In these days of mutual interdepend
ence, the western powers and America cannot afford to ignore what is happening i
n this region. It is possible that the fate of the Asian democracies would one d
ay be decided on the banks of the Ganges. If India fails to remain a democracy,
this would trigger the fall of the whole of South and South-cast Asia. That is w
hy the Indian Prime Minister has to play a role that goes well beyond duties rel
ated to internal affairs only. It is of international political significance.
1.
a)
b)
c)
d)

Which of the following is the central theme of the given passage?

Need for mutual interdependence between India and World.
Post independence Nation building in India.
India s rise as a strong Nation with a global outlook
Global contributions by post independent India..

2.
Consider the following statements:
1.
Nehru s vision to make an impact on the world earned him the title of the ar
chitect of modern India .
2.
Nehru s internationalistic vision was based on the assumption of world as on
e integrated whole.
3.
Nehru became the first prime minister of India as he helped secure indepe
ndence to the country.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

a)
c)

1 only
2 only

b)
d)

1 and 3
2 and 3

3. Consider the following statements:

1.
Concept of Non-alignment tolerance was missing in International Vocabular
y till India contributed in this direction.
2.
The idea of nation building has been anchord on the concept of the Indian
identity
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a)
1 only
b)
Both 1 and 2
c)
2 only
d)
Neither 1 and 2
4.
What does the author infer in context of fate of Asian Democracies ?
a)
Western powers hold sway over the fate of Asian countries
b)
Newly independent Asian countries have an uncertain fate
c)
India will possibly have an instrumental role in Asian affairs
d)
Asian democracies will have a fateful role to play in the Non alignment r
egime.
5.
As per the passage, Indian Prime Minister s role goes beyond the duties rel
ated to internal affairs, because
a)
It creates an impact on foreign countries
b)
Indian happenings influence the Asian affairs and politics
c)
It is needed to avoid interference of Western powers
d)
It helps strengthen the idea of non-alignment and peaceful co-existence.

Computers are making inroads into our society whether India is ready for them o
r not. Also coming with them are potential threats in the form of office automat
ion, factory automation, computer-controlled machine tools, expert systems, arti
ficial intelligence machines, network datacom systems and so on. Each one with t
he potential to theoretically displace entire chunks of the workforce. The state
d response of most economists and sociologists to such a situation is to advise
massive retraining of the workforce. But this is just a short-term solution. In
a computer system which, for instance, automatically manufactures a chemical pro
duct, where previously 100 people used to make it with multiple divisions of lab
our, how many can be retrained and for which functions? The only jobs that would
remain would be those of receiving the raw materials at the plant, site, manual
inspection, handling emergencies in the machinery and inspection of the finishe
d product.
1.
Consider the following statements:
1.
The social under preparedness and possible problems associated with the a
dvent of computers poses a question before the society.
2.
Retraining of workforce is the solution to such problems.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
a)
1 only
b)
Both 1 and 2
c)
2 only
d)
Neither 1 nor 2
2.
1.
ty.
2.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are supported by the passage?

India needs to resist the invasion of computers for the sake of her socie
Computers are a potential threat to the workforce, which stand in danger

of being reduced.
3.
The present responses suggested by Economists and sociologists are at bes
t temporary.
a)
1 and 2
b)
1 and 3
c)
2 and 3
d)
All the above.
3.Which one of the following explanations best helps to bring out the precise m
eaning of office automation ?
a)
Methods and machines to make office work more and more automatic, especial
ly by means of electronic control.
b)
Person in an office, who appears to act involuntarily or without active i
ntelligence.
c)
A machine in office-premises, self-moving, able to work or be worked with
out attention.
d)
Self-governed officials in a group.
4.
f the
a)
b)
.
c)
nner.
d)

Which one of the following statements best reflects the underlying idea o
passage?
The idea of computerization may still be rejected.
Computers will prove a menace to large sections of the workforce in India
Computers are a necessary evil, they must be inducted in a coordinated ma
Computers will go a long way in solving the problem of unemployment.

Literature and history are twin sisters, inseparable. In the days of our own gr
andfathers, and for many generations before them, the basis of education was the
Greek and Roman classics for the educated, and the Bible for all. In the classi
cal authors and in the Bible, history and literature were closely intervolved, a
nd it is that circumstance which made the old form of education so stimulating t
o the thought and imagination of our ancestors. To read the classical authors an
d to read the Bible was to read at once the history and the literature of the th
ree greatest races of the ancient world. No doubt the classics and the Bible wer
e read in a manner we now consider uncritical but they were read according to th
e best tenets of the time and formed a great humanistic education. Today the stu
dy both of the classics and of the Bible has dwindled to small proportions. What
has taken their place? To some extent the vacuum has been filled by a more corr
ect knowledge of history and a wider range of literature. But I fear that the gr
eater part of it has been filled up with rubbish.
1.
Which of the following is the central theme of the given passage?
a)
Study of literature is meaningless without historical knowledge.
b)
Literature and history are insperably linked together in the classics and
Bible.
c)
Literature and History are mutually exclusive as the basis of education
d)
Need for both literature and history as the basis of Humanistic Education
.
2.
Consider the following statements:
1.
In the past, the basis of education varied according to the intellectual
caliber of the people.
2.
The author finds the education of past more stimulating in fostering crea
tivity.
Code:

a)
b)
c)
d)

1 only
Both 1 and 2
2 only
Neither 1 nor 2

3.
Which of the following
cestral study of classics and
1.
They were studied with
2.
They were studied with
3.
They were studied in a
Code:
a)
1 and 2
b)
1 and 3
c)
All the above
d)
None of the above

statement(s) is/are correct with respect to the an

the Bible?
great emphasis on their literary value.
critical discrimination in a methodical manner.
manner that broadened their world view.

4.
As per the author, the old form of education, based on the study of the c
lassics and of the Bible has:
a)
been totally phased out with passage of time
b)
been rejuvenated in the light of modern education
c)
formed the core of great humanistic education.
d)
succeeded in creating interest in history
5.
Consider the following statements:
1.
The reading of classics and Bible had some deficiencies yet it was benefi
cial in a holistic sense.
2.
The reading of classics and Bible here stood the test of time without dwi
ndling.
3.
The vacuum created in terms of reading of classics and Bible has not been
adequately compensated.
Which of the above statements is correct?
a)
1 and 2
b)
1 and 3
c)
2 and 3
d)
All the above

Nationalism, of course, is a curious phenomenon which at a certain stage in a c

ountry s history gives life, growth, strength and unity but, at the same time, it
has tendency, to limit one because one thinks of one s own country as something di
fferent from the rest of the world. The perspective changes and one is continuou
sly thinking of one s own struggles and virtues and failings to the exclusion of o
ther thoughts. The result is that the same nationalism, which is the symbol of g
rowth for people, becomes a symbol of the cessation of that growth in the mind.
Nationalism, when it becomes successful sometimes goes on spreading in an aggres
sive way and becomes a danger internationally. Whatever line of thought you foll
ow, you arrive at the conclusion that some kind of balance must be found. Otherw
ise something that was good can turn into evil. Culture, which is essentially go
od, becomes not only static but aggressive and something that breeds conflict an
d hatred when looked at from a wrong point of view. How you are to find a balanc
e? I do not know. Apart from political and economic problems of the age, perhaps
that is the greatest problem today because behind it there is a tremendous conf
lict in the spirit of man and a tremendous search for something it cannot find.

It is folly to talk of culture or even of God when human being starve and die. B
efore one can talk about anything else one must provide the normal essentials of
life to human beings.
1.

Which of the following is the most appropriate title of the given passage

?
a)
b)
c)
d)

Nationalism breeds unity and growth for a nation

Nationalism
an instrument for prosperity as well as world unity
Nationalism is not enough
Nationalism and national problems

2.

Which of the following statement(s) is/are supported by the above passage

?
1.
2.
3.

Nationalism is at the root of all nation building efforts in a country

There is an apparent dichotomy of ends that Nationalism can achieve
There is a need to strike a reasonable balance with regards to Nationalis

m
Code:
a)
b)
c)
d)
3.
1.
2.
tive
Which
a)
c)

1 and 2
1 and 3
2 and 3
All the above

4.
ssage
a)
b)
c)
d)

Consider the following statements:

Aggressive nationalism breeds threat to international relation
The author is skeptical about achieving a balanced Nationalistic perspec
of the above statements is/are correct?
1 only
b)
Both 1 and 2
2 only
d)
Neither 1 nor 2
As per the author, the greatest problem mentioned in the middle of the pa
refers to the question
how to mitigate hardship to human beings
how to contain the dangers of aggressive nationalism
how to share the economic burden equality
how to curb international hatred