Question

Read the passage given below:

People tend to amass possessions, sometimes being aware of doing so. Indeed they

can have a delightful surprise when they find something useful, which they did not

know they owned. Those who never have to change house become indiscriminate

collectors of what can only be described as clutter. They leave unwanted objects in

drawers, cupboards and attics for years, in the belief that they may one day need

just those very things. As they grow old, people also accumulate belongings for two

other reasons, lack of physical and mental energy, both of which are essential in

turning out and throwing away, and sentiment. Things owned for a long time are

full of associations with the past, perhaps with the relatives who are dead, and so

they gradually acquire a value beyond their true worth.

2. Something is collected deliberately in the home in an attempt to avoid waste.

Among these, I would list string and brown paper, kept by thrifty people when a

parcel has been opened, to save buying these two requisites. Collecting small items

can easily become a mania. I know someone who always cuts out from newspapers

sketches of model clothes that she would like to buy, if she had the money. As she is

not rich, the chances that she will ever be able to afford such purchases are remote.

But she is never sufficiently strong-minded to be able to stop the practice. This is a

harmless habit, but it litters up her desk to such an extent that every time she

opens it, loose bits of paper fall out in every direction.

3. Collecting as a serious hobby is quite different and has many advantages. It

provides relaxation for leisure hours, as just looking at one’s treasures is always a

joy. One does not have to go out for amusement, since collection is housed at home.

Whatever it consists of, stamps, records, first editions of books, china glass,

antique furniture, pictures, model cars, stuffed birds, toy animals, there is always

something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latest

edition to verifying facts in reference books. This hobby educates one not only in

the chosen subject, but also in general matters which have some bearing on it.

•On the basis of your understanding of the passage, answer any ten questions from

the twelve that follows: (1x10=10)

1. Collecting things for year is__________________.

a. a good thing b. unacceptable c. quite common with the elderly, frugal persons d. condemnable

2. Most things that come to possess over the years are___________________.

a. useful b. useless c. precious d. important

3. Things which get collected have some association with_________________.

a. the present b. the past c. the future d. some kind of mania

4. Many people, as they grow old____________

a. discard old things b. assign no importance to old things c. lack time to dispense with the

old things d. lack energy and patience to throw away the unwanted things

5. Some people go on accumulating things in the hope that they will_________________.

a. sell them b. show them to others as relics of the past c. use them in the future

d. be of use to their children

6. Collecting things consciously is useful when it is___________________.

a. mania b. a serious hobby c. a compulsive action d. a habit

7. As a hobby collecting things is___________________.

a. relaxing and informative b. stressful c. time-wasting activity d. expensive

8. The author’s attitude towards collecting things asa serious hobby is____________________.

a. critical b. discouraging c. unfavourable d. supportive

9. Which of the following is the same as ‘clutter’ in para 1?

a. showpieces b. collection c. mess d. museum

10. Which of the following is the opposite to ‘thrifty’ in para 2?

a. extravagant b. frugal c. careful d. alert

11. The noun form of ‘useful’ is_______________________.

a. usefully b. usefulness c. use d. used

12. The verb form of ‘able’ is_________________.

a. inability b. ability c. ably d. enable​

Answer 1

Explanation:

People tend to amass possessions, sometimes being aware of doing so. Indeed they

can have a delightful surprise when they find something useful, which they did not

know they owned. Those who never have to change house become indiscriminate

collectors of what can only be described as clutter. They leave unwanted objects in

drawers, cupboards and attics for years, in the belief that they may one day need

just those very things. As they grow old, people also accumulate belongings for two

other reasons, lack of physical and mental energy, both of which are essential in

turning out and throwing away, and sentiment. Things owned for a long time are

full of associations with the past, perhaps with the relatives who are dead, and so

they gradually acquire a value beyond their true worth.

Answer 2

Answer:

1. Collecting things for year is quite common with the elderly, frugal persons.
2. Most things that come to possess over the years are useless.
3. Things which get collected have some association with the past.
4. Many people as they grow old lack energy and patience to throw away the unwanted things.
5. Some people go on accumulating things in the hope that they will use them in the future.
6. Collecting things consciously is useful when it is a serious hobby.
7. As a hobby collecting things is relaxing and informative.
8. The author's attitude towards collecting things as a serious hobby is supportive.
9. collection
10. extravagant
11. usefulness
12. ability

Explanation: All the facts and figures are mentioned in the tree paragraphs of the given passage. We just have to organize the author's thoughts into phrases and match them with the questions asked.

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