If you are a cricket lover you must have watched many cricket matches, either at the stadium or on TV. You must have also read all the articles on recent events that have plagued the game such as spot fixing and match fixing, which are both bad for the game. In reading these articles you were practising reading comprehension.
Put on your thinking cap and remember your reading comprehension lessons. You know that a lot of information is factual and it is fairly easy to understand. However, a lot of other information is to be taken out from the text based on your understanding of what the writer is trying to say. In short you can draw inference from the text and you can also evaluate based on your understanding of the subject and what the writer is trying to say.
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Most times, the writer does not go into minute detail about what he wants to say. He leaves a lot of things unsaid. By this method he keeps the interest of the reader in suspense so that the reader is made to read and search for answers. Often, the reader is able to put himself in the shoes of the writer and think like him. When he does that he will be able to understand what the writer wants to convey.
Some subjects are such that they cannot be articulated clearly. When some difficult situations arise, such as spot fixing or match fixing, it becomes difficult for the writer to be forthright. So, he leaves a lot of information out and allows the reader to make his own inference. One such passage is the text that follows, which is about spot fixing and match fixing in the game of cricket. Read the text then answer the questions in the quiz which will test whether or not you have understood what the text tried to say.
1.
|
What is the theme of the article? |
|
[ ] |
About spot fixing in cricket matches and the reluctance of top cricketers to speak up. |
[ ] |
A press conference about a cricket match. |
[ ] |
A press conference held by BCCI. |
[ ] |
A press conference by cricketers. |
|
|
2.
|
What case has the reporter made out? |
|
[ ] |
He wants congressmen to address a press conference. |
[ ] |
He wants top cricketers to distance themselves from the game of cricket. |
[ ] |
He wants BCCI to address a press conference to allay the fears of the public that the game is rotten. |
[ ] |
He wants cricketers to address a press conference to allay the fears of the public that the game is rotten. |
|
|
3.
|
What scenario is the article talking about? |
|
[ ] |
A scenario where cricketers will argue with BCCI. |
[ ] |
A scenario where cricketers address a press conference to allay cricket lovers' fear about spot fixing in cricket. |
[ ] |
A scenario where cricketers will speak on the president and vice president. |
[ ] |
A scenario where BCCI addresses a press conference to allay cricket lovers' fear about spot fixing in cricket. |
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|
4.
|
In the article the word 'platitude' is used. What does it mean? |
|
[ ] |
A flattering remark. |
[ ] |
A glowing remark. |
[ ] |
An insipid, commonplace remark. |
[ ] |
A stinging remark. |
|
|
5.
|
What does the article try to convey? |
|
[ ] |
Congressmen will speak openly against their president and vice-president. |
[ ] |
The BCCI is a democratic body. |
[ ] |
That the players are brave men. |
[ ] |
Even if the players address a press conference, it would be futile as the players will not speak openly and if they speak they would speak with fear. |
|
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6.
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Why are the cricketers afraid to speak? |
|
[ ] |
Because cricketers don't know English. |
[ ] |
Because cricketers are deaf and dumb. |
[ ] |
Because cricketers are haughty. |
[ ] |
Because others control the game and their families' and their lives will be in danger if they speak the truth. |
|
|
7.
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The article says there are certain conditions under which the cricketers can speak. What are the conditions? |
|
[ ] |
If the congressman allowed them to speak. |
[ ] |
If the BCCI pays the players to speak. |
[ ] |
If the players show strength of character and put aside their selfish interests. |
[ ] |
If the reporter withdraws his report. |
|
|
8.
|
What are the fears of the cricketers? |
|
[ ] |
Fear for their families' and their lives. |
[ ] |
Fear of being out of the system if they speak openly. |
[ ] |
Fear of being punished by BCCI if they speak to the media without permission. |
[ ] |
All the above. |
|
|
9.
|
Why is the reporter suggesting a joint press conference by the cricketers? |
|
[ ] |
He wants the cricketers to explain to the public that the entire system isn't rotten. |
[ ] |
He likes the cricketers. |
[ ] |
He likes the BCCI. |
[ ] |
He is afraid of the cricketers. |
|
|
10.
|
The article talks about 'their joint press conference will be as hollow as from the administrators of cricket.' What does this mean? |
|
[ ] |
The cricketers' brains are hollow. |
[ ] |
The administrators' brains are hollow. |
[ ] |
The president and vice president are hollow. |
[ ] |
The critic feels that the cricketers lack the strength of character. |
|
|
1.
|
What is the theme of the article? |
|
[x] |
About spot fixing in cricket matches and the reluctance of top cricketers to speak up. |
[ ] |
A press conference about a cricket match. |
[ ] |
A press conference held by BCCI. |
[ ] |
A press conference by cricketers. |
|
|
2.
|
What case has the reporter made out? |
|
[ ] |
He wants congressmen to address a press conference. |
[ ] |
He wants top cricketers to distance themselves from the game of cricket. |
[ ] |
He wants BCCI to address a press conference to allay the fears of the public that the game is rotten. |
[x] |
He wants cricketers to address a press conference to allay the fears of the public that the game is rotten. |
|
|
3.
|
What scenario is the article talking about? |
|
[ ] |
A scenario where cricketers will argue with BCCI. |
[x] |
A scenario where cricketers address a press conference to allay cricket lovers' fear about spot fixing in cricket. |
[ ] |
A scenario where cricketers will speak on the president and vice president. |
[ ] |
A scenario where BCCI addresses a press conference to allay cricket lovers' fear about spot fixing in cricket. |
|
|
4.
|
In the article the word 'platitude' is used. What does it mean? |
|
[ ] |
A flattering remark. |
[ ] |
A glowing remark. |
[x] |
An insipid, commonplace remark. |
[ ] |
A stinging remark. |
|
|
5.
|
What does the article try to convey? |
|
[ ] |
Congressmen will speak openly against their president and vice-president. |
[ ] |
The BCCI is a democratic body. |
[ ] |
That the players are brave men. |
[x] |
Even if the players address a press conference, it would be futile as the players will not speak openly and if they speak they would speak with fear. |
|
|
6.
|
Why are the cricketers afraid to speak? |
|
[ ] |
Because cricketers don't know English. |
[ ] |
Because cricketers are deaf and dumb. |
[ ] |
Because cricketers are haughty. |
[x] |
Because others control the game and their families' and their lives will be in danger if they speak the truth. |
|
|
7.
|
The article says there are certain conditions under which the cricketers can speak. What are the conditions? |
|
[ ] |
If the congressman allowed them to speak. |
[ ] |
If the BCCI pays the players to speak. |
[x] |
If the players show strength of character and put aside their selfish interests. |
[ ] |
If the reporter withdraws his report. |
|
|
8.
|
What are the fears of the cricketers? |
|
[ ] |
Fear for their families' and their lives. |
[ ] |
Fear of being out of the system if they speak openly. |
[ ] |
Fear of being punished by BCCI if they speak to the media without permission. |
[x] |
All the above. |
|
|
9.
|
Why is the reporter suggesting a joint press conference by the cricketers? |
|
[x] |
He wants the cricketers to explain to the public that the entire system isn't rotten. |
[ ] |
He likes the cricketers. |
[ ] |
He likes the BCCI. |
[ ] |
He is afraid of the cricketers. |
|
|
10.
|
The article talks about 'their joint press conference will be as hollow as from the administrators of cricket.' What does this mean? |
|
[ ] |
The cricketers' brains are hollow. |
[ ] |
The administrators' brains are hollow. |
[ ] |
The president and vice president are hollow. |
[x] |
The critic feels that the cricketers lack the strength of character. |
|
|