Comprehension
I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived. At Solapur, I had not seen any building which was more than three storeyed. Mumbai however was full of skyscrapers. At IIT, most of the students and professors used to converse in English whereas my English was very poor. I had my entire education in Marathi. My spoken English was quite pathetic. Not only did I have a very weak vocabulary, but my pronunciation also was terrible and my construction of English sentences very awkward to say the least. Due to all this, I was feeling quite lonely and terrified in Mumbai in general and IIT in particular. I had developed an inferiority complex and wanted to run away from IIT and even Mumbai.
One day, I was sitting at my mess table in the hostel sipping tea when a senior guy came and sat on the chair adjacent to me. He was a convent educated guy with fairly sophisticated English – at least spoken or colloquial English. He was a bit arrogant and wanted to pull my leg. He tried to engage in some conversation with me and started pointing out errors in just about every sentence or everything that I said. After about 5 minutes he walked away after insulting me.
I felt extremely humiliated and upset. As it is, I was feeling quite depressed and diffident and this incident was the last straw. I was almost broken. I felt out of place there and literally wanted to run away to Solapur that very moment. However, it was only my self-esteem which stopped me. Suddenly, a feeling of determination and strength came over me and gripped me.
One day, I was sitting at my mess table in the hostel sipping tea when a senior guy came and sat on the chair adjacent to me. He was a convent educated guy with fairly sophisticated English – at least spoken or colloquial English. He was a bit arrogant and wanted to pull my leg. He tried to engage in some conversation with me and started pointing out errors in just about every sentence or everything that I said. After about 5 minutes he walked away after insulting me.
I felt extremely humiliated and upset. As it is, I was feeling quite depressed and diffident and this incident was the last straw. I was almost broken. I felt out of place there and literally wanted to run away to Solapur that very moment. However, it was only my self-esteem which stopped me. Suddenly, a feeling of determination and strength came over me and gripped me.
Question: 1
Choose and rewrite the two correct statements from the following:
Choose and rewrite the two correct statements from the following:
Show Hint
In reading comprehension, focus on the emotional journey of the character. The writer's feelings of humiliation and later self-determination are key to understanding the passage.
Updated On: Oct 27, 2025
- The writer had his entire education in English
- The writer wished to run away from IIT and even Mumbai
- The senior guy was co-operative and he encouraged the writer.
- The writer could overcome his feeling of depression with his own efforts.
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the passage.
In the passage, the writer describes how he struggled with English and felt out of place in IIT and Mumbai. The incident with the senior guy further aggravated his sense of humiliation and depression. However, in the end, the writer's self-esteem and a feeling of determination helped him overcome his depression.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) The writer had his entire education in English: This is incorrect. The writer mentions that his education was in Marathi, not English.
(2) The writer wished to run away from IIT and even Mumbai: Correct — The writer felt out of place and wanted to run away from IIT and Mumbai, as stated in the passage.
(3) The senior guy was co-operative and he encouraged the writer: This is incorrect. The senior was arrogant and insulted the writer, which contributed to his humiliation.
(4) The writer could overcome his feeling of depression with his own efforts: Correct — Despite feeling depressed, the writer’s self-esteem and determination helped him overcome his feelings of depression.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answers are (2) The writer wished to run away from IIT and even Mumbai and (4) The writer could overcome his feeling of depression with his own efforts, as these are explicitly supported by the passage.
In the passage, the writer describes how he struggled with English and felt out of place in IIT and Mumbai. The incident with the senior guy further aggravated his sense of humiliation and depression. However, in the end, the writer's self-esteem and a feeling of determination helped him overcome his depression.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) The writer had his entire education in English: This is incorrect. The writer mentions that his education was in Marathi, not English.
(2) The writer wished to run away from IIT and even Mumbai: Correct — The writer felt out of place and wanted to run away from IIT and Mumbai, as stated in the passage.
(3) The senior guy was co-operative and he encouraged the writer: This is incorrect. The senior was arrogant and insulted the writer, which contributed to his humiliation.
(4) The writer could overcome his feeling of depression with his own efforts: Correct — Despite feeling depressed, the writer’s self-esteem and determination helped him overcome his feelings of depression.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answers are (2) The writer wished to run away from IIT and even Mumbai and (4) The writer could overcome his feeling of depression with his own efforts, as these are explicitly supported by the passage.
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Question: 2
The writer developed an inferiority complex during his stay in Mumbai. Enlist the causes:
The writer developed an inferiority complex during his stay in Mumbai. Enlist the causes:
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An inferiority complex can stem from feeling out of place or being criticized for personal weaknesses. In this case, the writer's struggles with English and being insulted by others played a significant role.
Updated On: Oct 27, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the causes.
In the passage, the writer describes how he felt out of place in Mumbai and IIT due to his struggles with English. The following are the causes of his inferiority complex:
The writer's English was poor, as he had his education in Marathi and struggled with vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence construction.
Most students and professors at IIT conversed in English, which made the writer feel even more isolated and insecure.
The writer felt lonely and terrified in Mumbai and IIT, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
A senior student insulted the writer by pointing out his errors in English, making him feel humiliated and further exacerbating his inferiority complex.
In the passage, the writer describes how he felt out of place in Mumbai and IIT due to his struggles with English. The following are the causes of his inferiority complex:
The writer's English was poor, as he had his education in Marathi and struggled with vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence construction.
Most students and professors at IIT conversed in English, which made the writer feel even more isolated and insecure.
The writer felt lonely and terrified in Mumbai and IIT, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
A senior student insulted the writer by pointing out his errors in English, making him feel humiliated and further exacerbating his inferiority complex.
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Question: 3
Point out the qualities of the writer that you have come across while reading the extract.
Point out the qualities of the writer that you have come across while reading the extract.
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In reading comprehension, look for both the strengths and weaknesses in a character’s emotional and mental state. The writer's ability to overcome his insecurities demonstrates resilience.
Updated On: Oct 27, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the writer’s qualities.
Based on the passage, we can identify both negative and positive qualities in the writer: % Negative qualities Negative qualities:
The writer feels inferior and insecure due to his poor command of English and the social situation in IIT and Mumbai.
The writer lacks confidence, which is evident from his desire to run away from IIT and Mumbai.
% Positive qualities Positive qualities:
The writer has strong self-esteem that helps him overcome feelings of depression and humiliation.
The writer is resilient and eventually finds strength and determination to cope with his challenges.
Based on the passage, we can identify both negative and positive qualities in the writer: % Negative qualities Negative qualities:
The writer feels inferior and insecure due to his poor command of English and the social situation in IIT and Mumbai.
The writer lacks confidence, which is evident from his desire to run away from IIT and Mumbai.
% Positive qualities Positive qualities:
The writer has strong self-esteem that helps him overcome feelings of depression and humiliation.
The writer is resilient and eventually finds strength and determination to cope with his challenges.
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Question: 4
Give any four suggestions to improve English communication skills.
Give any four suggestions to improve English communication skills.
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Consistency is key in improving communication skills. Regular practice, listening, reading, and expanding vocabulary will greatly enhance fluency and confidence.
Updated On: Oct 27, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Suggestions for improving English communication skills.
Here are four practical suggestions that can help improve English communication skills: 1. Practice speaking regularly: The more you speak, the more confident and fluent you will become. Engage in conversations with friends or peers in English to improve speaking skills.
2. Listen to English media: Listening to English songs, podcasts, news, or movies will help you improve pronunciation, vocabulary, and understanding of sentence structure.
3. Expand your vocabulary: Learning new words daily and using them in your conversations will increase your vocabulary and improve communication.
4. Read English texts: Reading newspapers, books, and articles in English will improve your grammar and sentence construction, enhancing your overall communication skills.
Here are four practical suggestions that can help improve English communication skills: 1. Practice speaking regularly: The more you speak, the more confident and fluent you will become. Engage in conversations with friends or peers in English to improve speaking skills.
2. Listen to English media: Listening to English songs, podcasts, news, or movies will help you improve pronunciation, vocabulary, and understanding of sentence structure.
3. Expand your vocabulary: Learning new words daily and using them in your conversations will increase your vocabulary and improve communication.
4. Read English texts: Reading newspapers, books, and articles in English will improve your grammar and sentence construction, enhancing your overall communication skills.
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Question: 5
Language study:
(i) ‘I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived’....
(Choose the correct alternative showing proper use of ‘though’)
Language study:
(i) ‘I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived’....
(Choose the correct alternative showing proper use of ‘though’)
Show Hint
When using "though" to introduce contrast, avoid using "but" in the same clause. Also, ensure that the tenses are consistent throughout the sentence.
Updated On: Oct 27, 2025
- Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived.
- I was quite happy getting into IIT, though my joy is short-lived.
- Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived.
- I was quite happy though getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived.
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the sentence structure.
The sentence provided has a contrast between the writer's happiness at getting into IIT and the fact that his joy was short-lived. The word “though” is used to introduce a contrast, but it should not be followed by “but” in the same sentence.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived: Incorrect — The conjunction "though" already introduces the contrast, so the word "but" is redundant.
(2) I was quite happy getting into IIT, though my joy is short-lived: Incorrect — The tense of "is" is not consistent with the past tense of "was."
(3) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived: Correct — This option properly uses "though" to introduce the contrast and maintains consistent tense.
(4) I was quite happy though getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived: Incorrect — The word "though" is incorrectly placed, as it should follow the entire phrase of happiness, not be in the middle.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (3) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived, as it maintains proper sentence structure and tense agreement.
The sentence provided has a contrast between the writer's happiness at getting into IIT and the fact that his joy was short-lived. The word “though” is used to introduce a contrast, but it should not be followed by “but” in the same sentence.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, but my joy was short-lived: Incorrect — The conjunction "though" already introduces the contrast, so the word "but" is redundant.
(2) I was quite happy getting into IIT, though my joy is short-lived: Incorrect — The tense of "is" is not consistent with the past tense of "was."
(3) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived: Correct — This option properly uses "though" to introduce the contrast and maintains consistent tense.
(4) I was quite happy though getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived: Incorrect — The word "though" is incorrectly placed, as it should follow the entire phrase of happiness, not be in the middle.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (3) Though I was quite happy getting into IIT, my joy was short-lived, as it maintains proper sentence structure and tense agreement.
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Question: 6
‘I felt extremely humiliated and upset.’
(Identify the correct exclamatory form of the above sentence.)
‘I felt extremely humiliated and upset.’
(Identify the correct exclamatory form of the above sentence.)
Show Hint
When forming exclamatory sentences, use "How" or "What" appropriately, and make sure the structure fits the intended expression of strong feelings.
Updated On: Oct 27, 2025
- What humiliated and upset I felt!
- How humiliated and upset I felt!
- How extremely humiliated do I feel!
- What a humiliated and upset I felt!
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the transformation.
To change a statement into an exclamatory sentence, we need to express the strong emotion or feeling conveyed in the original sentence. In the case of "I felt extremely humiliated and upset," the exclamatory form should express the intensity of these feelings.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) What humiliated and upset I felt! This is incorrect. The structure "What + adjective + I felt" does not form a grammatically correct exclamatory sentence.
(2) How humiliated and upset I felt! Correct — This is the proper exclamatory form, as it effectively emphasizes the intensity of the feelings. The structure "How + adjective + I felt" is correct.
(3) How extremely humiliated do I feel! This is incorrect. The use of "do I feel" is not appropriate for the exclamatory form here.
(4) What a humiliated and upset I felt! This is incorrect. The phrase "What a + adjective + I felt" is grammatically wrong in exclamatory sentences.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (2) How humiliated and upset I felt!, as it maintains the proper structure for exclamatory sentences.
To change a statement into an exclamatory sentence, we need to express the strong emotion or feeling conveyed in the original sentence. In the case of "I felt extremely humiliated and upset," the exclamatory form should express the intensity of these feelings.
Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(1) What humiliated and upset I felt! This is incorrect. The structure "What + adjective + I felt" does not form a grammatically correct exclamatory sentence.
(2) How humiliated and upset I felt! Correct — This is the proper exclamatory form, as it effectively emphasizes the intensity of the feelings. The structure "How + adjective + I felt" is correct.
(3) How extremely humiliated do I feel! This is incorrect. The use of "do I feel" is not appropriate for the exclamatory form here.
(4) What a humiliated and upset I felt! This is incorrect. The phrase "What a + adjective + I felt" is grammatically wrong in exclamatory sentences.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (2) How humiliated and upset I felt!, as it maintains the proper structure for exclamatory sentences.
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Question: 7
Match the following words in column 'A' with their antonyms in column 'B'.
Column 'A' Column 'B' (a) diffident (i) humble (b) humiliated (ii) superiority (c) arrogant (iii) confident (d) inferiority (iv) exhilarated
Match the following words in column 'A' with their antonyms in column 'B'.
| Column 'A' | Column 'B' |
|---|---|
| (a) diffident | (i) humble |
| (b) humiliated | (ii) superiority |
| (c) arrogant | (iii) confident |
| (d) inferiority | (iv) exhilarated |
Show Hint
When matching words with their antonyms, consider their meanings and the contrast in emotional or intellectual states.
Updated On: Oct 27, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the words and their meanings.
- Diffident means lacking confidence, so its opposite is humble, which means modest or not arrogant.
- Humiliated refers to feeling embarrassed or ashamed, so the opposite is exhilarated, which means feeling very happy or excited.
- Arrogant means having an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance, so its opposite is confident, which refers to a sense of self-assurance without being boastful.
- Inferiority refers to feeling of being less than others, so the opposite is superiority, which refers to the state of being better than others.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct matching is as follows:
(a) diffident - (i) humble
(b) humiliated - (iv) exhilarated
(c) arrogant - (iii) confident
(d) inferiority - (ii) superiority
- Diffident means lacking confidence, so its opposite is humble, which means modest or not arrogant.
- Humiliated refers to feeling embarrassed or ashamed, so the opposite is exhilarated, which means feeling very happy or excited.
- Arrogant means having an exaggerated sense of one’s own importance, so its opposite is confident, which refers to a sense of self-assurance without being boastful.
- Inferiority refers to feeling of being less than others, so the opposite is superiority, which refers to the state of being better than others.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct matching is as follows:
(a) diffident - (i) humble
(b) humiliated - (iv) exhilarated
(c) arrogant - (iii) confident
(d) inferiority - (ii) superiority
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