Directions:(1-10) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

It’s strange that most comic book collectors and dealers have never heard of Pop Hollinger. This 47-year-old retired teacher from Concordia, Kansas was the first dealer who bought and sold old novels, pulp magazines, magazines and comic books. Hollinger ran his shop from 1939 in Concordia, during the deep economic Depression, to 1971. Whether thousands of comic book dealers today have or never heard of Pop Hollinger, they follow in his footsteps: selling, buying and trading them.

Mr. Hollinger started his business selling periodicals in a basement underneath a grocery store. He sold almost anything he owned, including classic paperback novels published by Pocket Books for 25 cents each. Soon, he grew his business, selling used pulps, paperbacks, magazines, and comic books. He specialized in comics which were quickly becoming popular. After a few years, he ran a vibrant business, even expanding his business which included as many as 15 to 20 outlets around Concordia. Hollinger even popularized a mail order service for interested buyers across the country. Selling through mail ordering made Pop realize that there was a demand for back issues. For this purpose, he would store issues for future business. For 20 or 30 cents a week a person could receive five or ten comics, respectively. This was an unbeatable bargain when you could buy one at the local newspaper stand for 10 cents.

1939 was a special year for comic books, which featured, for the first time, superheroes. No doubt he would have owned the most famous, such as: Action Comics #1 (first appearance of Superman), Detective Comics #27 (first appearance of Batman), Superman #1, Batman #1, Wonder Woman #1, All-Star, All-Flash, Timely Comics (future Marvel Comics) and Fawcett Comics. These “Golden Age” comics became “super” sellers. But there were also many other others on the market.

Hollinger used radically unorthodox methods for preserving each of his books, because he knew kids could easily tear them up, and many mothers threw them out in the trash. Pop soon found out comics did not wear well under constant buying, selling, and trading. So, he bound the books with brown or green tape around the spine and on the inside to preserve them from being torn apart. He also knew that comics were made of pulp which attracted insects, so he treated them with special chemicals that repelled them. He even took out the original staples, replacing them with new ones. Finally, he pressed them flat using a press of his own design that exerted several hundred pounds of pressure. Today’s collector or dealer would never use this method of preservation because it would ruin the book’s value. Instead, dealers and collectors carefully put the books in Mylar bags and insert a cardboard backing, so they won’t bend or tear. Even so, Hollinger deserves credit for creating his own method of preserving them.

By 1942, there were roughly 50 comic book publishers. Each publisher produced at least 30 different ones, which totalled to several thousand different issues circulating per month! So, Pop felt the need to publish a comic book catalogue. Comics came in all kinds of genres: science fiction, detective, fantasy, spy, humour, romance and many others. He owned so many of the same issues. So, it’s no wonder he thought that selling comics could be profitable. According to the eBay website, his business ads stated: “Old or used comic books are worth money. We pay from 1c to $1.00 each for certain old comics… Be among the first in your community to collect old comics.” In this same ad, Pop claimed to “carry a large assortment of every comic book published.”

Between 1961 until he closed his business, ten years later, Hollinger began selling brand new superhero comic books created mainly by Marvel Comics. In November of 1961, Marvel published the first issue of the “Fantastic Four”- a group of new superheroes who became very popular. Fantastic Four #1 started the “Marvel Age” of comics. Other “Marvel Age” superheroes were soon introduced: Spiderman, Ironman, Thor, the Hulk, Antman, and Captain America (brought back from World War 2). All comic (not just Marvel) published from 1956 to 1969, became known as the “Silver Age” of comics. Today, many of the early issues published by Marvel are worth almost as much as those printed in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

Pop Hollinger was a rare businessman who had foreseen the value of comic books. Who knew how he thought that comic books were of value to be read and collected, not read and thrown away? Nobody would have thought to start such a dealership, especially in the late 1930’s during the Great Depression. As a matter of fact, it would have been “comical” to have started a comic book dealership. Pop beat the odds by starting a business almost no one would have ever considered. If you ever come across an old comic with either brown or green tape along the spine, you probably would have a classic pulp gem owned by the legendary dealer himself.

1.  What is the author’s main purpose behind writing the passage?

Ans:4
A and C can be straightforwardly eliminated as the passage is not about the history of pre-owned comic book shops nor it is about the origins of pawn shops i.e. shops which loan money/credit to people who bring in valuable items which they leave with the shop owners.
The passage is all about Pop Hollinger who was the first dealer who bought and sold old novels. But, the author isn’t eulogizing the legendary dealer. Eulogizing means to praise, usually a deceased person, formally. The author tries to walk us through his life as a pre-owned comic books dealer. So, B can also be eliminated.
E is also incorrect. From the first line of the passage i.e. “It’s strange that most comic book collectors and dealers have never heard of Pop Hollinger”, it is evident that Pop isn’t very famous.
D resonates with the ideas mentioned in the passage perfectly. Thus, it is the correct answer.

2. Which of the following is/are TRUE as per the passage?

Ans:1
Only A is true as per the passage.
B is incorrect as it is mentioned in the passage that he also dealt in novels and other books. Comics were his speciality.
C is also incorrect. Towards the end of the fourth passage the author mentions that it is the modern way of preserving the comic books.
D is also false as it is mentioned that he started his business in the basement of a grocery store.
Thus, A is the correct answer.

3. What is the author’s take on Pop’s method of preserving comic books?

Ans:2
Refer to the following lines from the fourth para-
“he pressed them flat using a press of his own design that exerted several hundred pounds of pressure. Today’s collector or dealer would never use this method of preservation because it would ruin the book’s value. Instead, dealers and collectors carefully put the books in Mylar bags and insert a cardboard backing, so they won’t bend or tear. Even so, Hollinger deserves credit for creating his own method of preserving them.”
So, the author wouldn’t agree that his methods were best in his times. B correctly reflects the author’s take on his preserving techniques.
Thus, B is the correct answer.

4. According to the passage, what was the ‘Silver Age of Comics’?

Ans:5
In the sixth para, the author says that ‘All comic (not just Marvel) published from 1956 to 1969, became known as the “Silver Age” of comics.’
So, E is the correct answer.

5. Choose an appropriate title for the passage.

Ans:3
We have seen that the passage is all about the first comic book dealer- Pop Hollinger.
So, A and D are not the right fit.
B is incorrect as Pop didn’t revolutionize comic books. He was the first one to realize the value of old comic books.
E is also incorrect. A dabbler is a person who has a shallow interest in some activity. But, we can see that Pop wasn’t a dabbler. He had a full-fledged comic book’s business.
C perfectly sums up the essence of the passage. Thus, C is the correct answer.

6. Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the word ‘vibrant’ as used in the passage?

Ans:4
WordWeb defines ‘Vibrant’ as vigorous and animated or something that is bright and striking.
Among the options only ‘lively’ expresses a similar meaning.

7. Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the word ‘exert’ as used in the passage?

Ans:1
WordWeb defines ‘exert’ as put to use or apply something.
For example: He exerts his power and influence.
Among the options, only ‘apply’ expresses a similar meaning.

8. Which of the following is the closest in meaning to the word ‘assortment’ as used in the passage?

Ans:5
‘Assortment’ means a collection of things of different kind and variety.
Among the options, only E ‘mixture’ expresses a similar meaning.

9. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word ‘unorthodox’ as used in the passage?

Ans:1
Unorthodox is something that is unusual, different, unconventional, etc.
Thus, A is an apt antonym for this word.

10. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word ‘repel’ as used in the passage?

Ans:3
WordWeb defines ‘Repel’ as force or drive back. Thus, its antonym must be similar in meaning to ‘attract’.
Among the options only ‘entice’ is one such word. Thus, C is the correct answer.

 

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

171 thoughts on “Reading Comprehension for Bank Exams, MBA, SSC and other exams”

  2. KSHITIJA Mishra

    Content relevant for rrb po
    Level and structure is same as banking exams ask for.
    Heartily thanks to the hardworking team who provided this content😊 🙏😇

  3. Kshitija Mishra

    Content relevant for rrb po
    Level and structure is same as banking exams ask for.
    Heartily thanks to the hardworking team who provided this content😊 🙏😇
    Thank you

  14. Coquitlam Physio Services

    Hello there, I found your site via Google while
    searching for a related subject, your site came up, it looks great.
    I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.

    Hello there, just was aware of your weblog thru Google, and found that it is really informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I will be grateful for
    those who proceed this in future. Lots of people will
    be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  16. digital marketing

    Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.

    Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.

  17. ai

    This piece of writing provides clear idea designed for the new visitors of blogging,
    that really how to do blogging and site-building.

  18. elafonissi crete

    Hey just wanted to give you a brief heads up
    and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly.

    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both show the same results.

  20. youtube channel eppadi create panrathu tamil

    It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to this
    outstanding blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding
    your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group.
    Chat soon!

  21. architecte d'intérieur Toulouse

    Greate post. Keep posting such kind of information on your page.

    Im really impressed by it.
    Hello there, You’ve done a great job. I will certainly digg it
    and in my opinion suggest to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from
    this website.

  23. BitStarz Casino Bonus Code

    Please let me know if you’re looking for a
    article author for your weblog. You have some really great posts and I feel I
    would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some material for your blog
    in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an email if
    interested. Kudos!

  24. spicy webcam sessions

    A motivating discussion is worth comment. I think that you need to
    write more about this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but generally folks
    don’t discuss such subjects. To the next! Cheers!!

  25. visit the site

    You can definitely see your skills in the article you write.
    The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who
    aren’t afraid to mention how they believe.
    Always follow your heart.

  26. camera tube ip Dahua

    Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.
    I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come back in the foreseeable future.

    I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have a nice weekend!

  51. tinyurl.com

    Unquestionably consider that that you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the simplest factor
    to take into accout of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed
    even as other folks consider concerns that they just do not know about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as smartly as defined out the entire thing without
    having side effect , people could take a signal.
    Will probably be again to get more. Thanks

    Also visit my web-site – nordvpn coupons inspiresensation (tinyurl.com)

  59. https://tinyurl.com

    Howdy, i read your blog from time to time and i own a
    similar one and i was just wondering if you get a lot of
    spam comments? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can recommend?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any support is
    very much appreciated.

    Visit my blog – nordvpn Coupons inspiresensation [https://tinyurl.com]

  75. nordvpn coupons inspiresensation

    I do not know if it’s just me or if everybody else experiencing
    problems with your blog. It seems like some of the written text within your posts
    are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback
    and let me know if this is happening to them too? This may be a issue with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
    Thanks

    Also visit my blog: nordvpn coupons inspiresensation

  77. nordvpn coupons inspiresensation

    Hi there I am so glad I found your site, I really found you by error,
    while I was researching on Bing for something else, Nonetheless I am
    here now and would just like to say thank you for a
    incredible post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to go through it all at the moment but I have saved
    it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read
    a lot more, Please do keep up the awesome job.

    My site: nordvpn coupons inspiresensation

  87. bezimienna.com.pl

    What’s up everyone, it’s my first visit at this website,
    and piece of writing is actually fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting such articles
    or reviews.

  147. Stevenlix

    ¡Hola, maestros del juego !
    casinoonlinefueradeespanol con juegos en vivo – п»їп»їhttps://casinoonlinefueradeespanol.xyz/ casinos fuera de espaГ±a
    ¡Que disfrutes de asombrosas momentos memorables !

  152. MarioWaive

    ¡Saludos, participantes del juego !
    Juegos mГіviles en casinos extranjeros seguros – п»їhttps://casinosextranjero.es/ casino online extranjero
    ¡Que vivas increíbles instantes inolvidables !

  158. vxerxes1993

    Inside the Disco Volante is AP’s ultra-thin caliber 2003 a manual movement measuring just 1.64mm thick. Designed in collaboration with link LeCoultre and Vacheron it was the thinnest caliber when introduced in the ’40s take that F. Piguet 21!.

  162. CalvinGaw

    ¡Bienvenidos, estrategas del entretenimiento !
    Casino online fuera de EspaГ±a sin verificaciГіn por selfie – п»їhttps://casinofueraespanol.xyz/ casinofueraespanol.xyz
    ¡Que vivas increíbles victorias legendarias !

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top