Directions:(1-10) Read the passage and answer the given questions.

Halloween is almost upon us, and you know what that means – it’s the time for candy, trick-or-treaters, and ghosts and goblins! Because Halloween is known for its fear factor, it only seems fit that we take this time to analyze our own fears.
Some people are afraid of the dark, others heights, and the list goes on. But another fear that seems prevalent today is the fear of silence. There is often this sense of urgency in all conversations, where all the thoughts become stringed together and everyone is rushing to keep up. Breaks in these conversations make people feel uncomfortable and as though they must quickly fill the gap. In order to avoid this pause, people sometimes focus more on develop their thoughts and ideas as others are speaking.
But why are you afraid of silence? While it may make us uncomfortable at times, silence is what drives change. Here, we will discuss the idea of silence and why it is important to embrace it.
It is in those times that you think of new ideas, create solutions, have a light-bulb moment and move forward. Imagine yourself in a crowded room or at a party. You are surrounded by noise- and except for rare occasions- you are not able to generate new thoughts. Your mind is preoccupied. So when you are presented with a moment of silence, utilize it. Silence should be thought of as a tool that you could use rather as a hindrance.
When you are having a conversation with people, listen to them while they talk. Take a pause after they finish to process what has been said and develop your response. The same applies for other situations. During a meeting, collect your thoughts with a second of silence and then pose a question/comment that will push the conversation forward. There is no need to rush yourself or others. Silence can allow you to be an active listener, allow you to understand more, and guide conversations in the direction that you want to go.
The fear of silence can initially be scary. However, accepting that pause will allow you to hone in your ideas. There is no need to feel constantly rushed or fill voids with pointless comments. Silence has the ability to be even more powerful than words. Take time this Halloween to face this fear head on and see how it influences your daily interactions!

1. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?

Ans: 5
The second sentence in the penultimate paragraph clearly states “Take a pause after they finish to process what has been said and develop your response”.Hence, the option E is the correct answer.

2. What can we learn from this passage?

Ans: 5
Option A can be directly ruled out as it doesn’t fit to the given passage.second sentence of the last paragraph contradicts with the statement of option B.Option C is not mentioned anywhere in the passage.That makes option E as the correct answer.

3. How should silence be taken?

Ans: 2
Option A is not mentioned anywhere in the passage.fourth paragraph last sentence contradicts with option C.There is no mention of the requirement of Urgency and that eliminates option D.The last sentence of the fourth paragraph clearly states how the silence is to be perceived.That makes option B the correct answer.

4. Why did the author present the example of the crowded room?

Ans: 2
Here, from the fourth paragraph second sentence options A,C,D are clearly wrong. Option B clearly describes the purpose of the Crowded room example.

5. Why is the fear of silence prevalent today?
i) People feel the sense of urgency to fill the Gap.
ii)due to fear of darkness and heights.
iii)Breaks in conversations make people Uncomfortable.

Ans: 3
Second sentence of the second paragraph agrees with (i).ii is out of context.Fourth sentence of the second paragraph agrees with option iii.Therefore, only i &iii; are mentioned in the passage. ii is clearly wrong.That makes C the correct answer.

6. Select the most appropriate synonym for the word given in bold from the given options.
HONE

Ans: 2
Here, In the given context “hone” is to develop. Sharpen is the correct Synonym.blunt,delay,file,grind does not fit with the sentence.

7. Select the most appropriate synonym for the word given in bold from the given options.
PREOCCUPIED

Ans: 4
Here, the word “Preoccupied” is having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something. Here the options A,B,C,E are all antonyms of the given word.Hence Option D is the synonym.

8. Select the most appropriate synonym for the word given in bold from the given options.
VOID

Ans:5
Here, the word “Void” in the context indicates the gaps occurred due to silence. Therefore option E is the correct synonym for “Void”.

9. Select the most appropriate antonym for the word given in bold from the given options.
EMBRACE

Ans:2
From the context of the passage we can infer that the word “embrace” is similar to options A,C,D,E. Only option b has meaning opposite to this and thus, B is the right choice.

10. Select the most appropriate antonym for the word given in bold from the given options.
HINDRANCE

Ans:4
The word “Hindrance” is obstruction to something or someone. Among the given options only option d is the opposite of hindrance.
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13 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

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