Reading Comprehension - Practice Questions 

A fact that draws our attention is that, according to his position in life, an extravagant man is either admired or loathed. A successful business man does nothing to increase his popularity by being prudent with his money. A person who is wealthy is expected to lead a luxurious life and to be lavish with his hospitality. If he is not so, he is considered mean, and his reputation in business may even suffer in consequence. The paradox remains that he had not been careful with his money in the first place; he would never have achieved his present wealth.

Among the low income group, a different set of values exists. The young clerk, who makes his wife a present of a new dress when he has not paid his house rent, is condemned as extravagant. Carefulness with money to the point of meanness is applauded as a virtue. Nothing in his life is considered more worthy than paying his bills. The ideal wife for such a man separates her housekeeping money into joyless little piles – so much for rent, for food, for the children’s shoes, she is able to face the milkman with equanimity every, month satisfied with her economizing ways , and never knows the guilt of buying something she can’t really afford .

As for myself, I fall neither of these categories. If I have money to spare I can be extravagant, but when, as is usually the case, I am hard up and then I am the meanest man imaginable.


Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage:

Being extravagant is always condemnable.

The cause of poverty is extravagance.

Extravagance is a part of the rich as well as of the poor.

Stingy habits of the poor.



Answer: Option C

This is the most appropriate title as the author sheds light on the life of a rich person in the first paragraph and discusses the life of a person who belongs to lower strata of the society in the second paragraph.



According to the passage the person, who is a successful businessman and wealthy

Is expected to have lavish lifestyle.

Should not bother about popularity.

Is more popular if he appears to be wasting away his time.

Must be extravagant before achieving success.

Answer: Option A

It is given in the fourth line of the 1st paragraph.:“If he .........consequence.”




The phrase ‘lavish with his hospitality’ in the third sentence of the first paragraph means

Thoughtful in spending only on guests and strangers.

Unconcerned in treating his friends and relatives.

Stinginess in dealing with his relatives.

Extravagance in entertaining guest.



Answer: Option D

The meaning of the word “hospitality” is the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way which justifies that option d is the correct answer choice.




The word ‘paradox’ in the last sentence of the first paragraph means

Statement based on the popular opinion

a statement that seems self-contradictory but in reality expresses a possible truth.

Statement based on facts

A word that brings out the hidden meaning


Answer: Option B

The meaning of the word “paradox” is given in option B and it is also explained in the last sentence of the first paragraph.



What is the meaning of the word “equanimity”?

Calmness

Discomposure

Equivocal

Dubious



Answer: Option A

The word “equanimity” means mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain as can further be understood as in this example “Raj was a man of great equanimity, even when talking about his own death.”