English Olympiad Class 9 - Sample question paper 18
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Read the passages and answer the questions
Passage 1 - Whenever man ventures out in the sea, there is always a possibility of encountering a beautiful, perfect yet deadly, shark. Every species of shark, even small ones, can be extremely dangerous and deadly. The shark is known as a ‘killing machine’ as it can easily snap a human into pieces with its awesome jaws. Its jaw is far back beneath its long snout, still it can bite directly into the flesh. When a shark opens its mouth, one can see it is equipped with numerous sharp teeth. The shark sinks its teeth in its victim’s body and then rotates it under its body weight. This mechanism transforms the teeth of the jawbone into a kind of saw which instantly tears off the flesh. It is a terrifying spectacle to see a shark attacking its victim.
Sharks are good at following scents across thousands of miles in the ocean. This helps them to track down their prey and arrive at the precise location. They seem to follow a scent like hunting dogs do and this has earned them the name, ‘hounds of the sea’. One myth that is popular about the sharks is that they have poor eyesight. On the contrary, they can see at quite a distance and distinguish among various forms. Their hearing, too, is perfect as they react to sounds of a bell or the noise made by a diver underwater. Sometimes people suggest that when one sees a shark approaching they should beat the water with their hands or cry out loud. But such behaviors produce almost opposite effects and should not be heeded.
Experts are not sure whether sharks migrate from one region to another or not but they are sure that sharks swim unceasingly, night and day. This is because they do not have a ‘swimming bladder’ which would help them stabilize at different depths. Therefore, if they stopped swimming they would sink. Even though, they swim non-stop, some shark species are territorial and swim around the same area every day. They are only content to be in possession of a part of water but not interested in the movement of other sharks. While large sharks allow other sharks to enter their territory, they are not friendly and only share the remains of their food. Sharks also have incredible ability to digest only parts of their food while the rest of the stomach content is kept intact for later use.
Even though, this mighty creature of the sea evokes feelings of fear, Polynesians’ attitude is different. They provide a complete understanding of the threat to their children so that they may avoid or overcome it, they do not teach them blind fear of the shark or the unknown. People who have studied shark behavior for years say that a diver’s best protection lies in swimming quietly and slowly away from the sharks. They should avoid any abrupt movements in position and above all, they should not panic.
Q) Why do sharks swim non-stop?
The sharks swim non-stop because they
A. do not follow other sharks
B. are restless creatures
C. would drown if they don’t swim
D. mark their territories
Answer: C. would drown if they don’t swim
Q) Polynesians teach their children to
A. be aware of the dangers
B. fight the sharks
C. be afraid of the sharks
D. be afraid of the unknown
Answer: A. be aware of the dangers
Q) The sharks’ ____________ give(s) them the nickname of killing machines.
A. experience of hunting in the sea
B. ability to shred flesh into pieces
C. good smelling powers
D. image of being deadly creatures
Answer: B. ability to shred flesh into pieces
Q) What quality of the sharks does the name ‘hounds of the sea’ refer to?
A. They bother others in the sea.
B. They are good hunters.
C. They are pursued by others.
D. They can smell their prey.
Answer: D. They can smell their prey.
Q) Why is making noise around a shark not a good idea?
A. It can disturb their swim.
B. It attracts them to people.
C. It drives them away.
D. It affects their hearing.
Answer: B. It attracts them to people.
Q) Why do some sharks spend their time in the same area?
Some sharks are restricted to one area because
A. share their food with others
B. keep swimming all the time
C. allow others to enter their territory
D. are territorial
Answer: D. are territorial
Passage 2 - Dog owners have always believed that their best friends act more like humans than animals. Now increasingly, research studies are also arriving at the same conclusion. Studies show that dogs can read facial expressions, understand tonal variation and express feelings of jealousy, happiness and empathy. They have picked up these human traits during their evolution from wild wolves to domesticated animals. While it is well-known that dogs are able to understand many of the words we use, they are better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language and gestures. If they have spent some time with you, dogs like our human friends, can gauge our emotional state. They have been known to sit quietly while a child sulks or is sick or unhappy. Most people who have had dogs as pets vouch for the joy they bring them. Moreover, dogs provide many physical and mental benefits with their loyal companionship. In recent years, studies have scientifically proven that the loving bond between humans and their pet dogs reduces the risk of heart diseases and increases life span. Some studies also report a reduction in pain, early recovery and rehabilitation for patients. Both adults and children can benefit from spending time with dogs which is a source of calmness and relaxation. Moreover, playing with a dog can stimulate a child’s imagination and curiosity; while taking care of them makes children feel responsible and confident.
Even if one loves animals, especially dogs, it may not be easy to have one as a pet. There are a lot of things to keep in mind before bringing a pet home. Dogs love human company and feel bored, even depressed when they have to stay away from their human friends. In order to keep them happy and healthy, regular health checks are required, along with wholesome food and exercise. This is a very important point that dog lovers should consider before committing to getting a dog. Dogs require plenty of outdoor exercise to remain active and alert. This may not always be possible if one lives in a crowded place such as in the center of the city or a high-rise building or if one keeps a busy lifestyle. Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment that lasts the life span of the animal. Depending on the dog’s breed, a dog can live up to 10 to 15 years. A dog’s company can bring you immeasurable joy and satisfaction and enrich your life tremendously, but it requires a great sense of loyalty from your end too. Since a dog loves you unconditionally, it is important to return the favor.
Q) What is a relatively less known fact about dogs?
A. are the best companions to humans
B. are good at following commands
C. understand non-verbal cues such as tone
D. follow human vocabulary quite well
Answer: C. understand non-verbal cues such as tone
Q) The writer argues dogs are emotional creatures because they
A. brood and sit unhappily on their own
B. bring happiness and joy to others
C. act like wild wolves sometimes
D. mimic their owners’ mood
Answer: D. mimic their owners’ mood
Q) What are the advantages of spending time with dogs?
A. get depressed when they are away from others
B. help children become alert and responsible
C. need lots of physical exercise to stay fit
D. don’t like living in crammed places
Answer: B. help children become alert and responsible
Q) The writer wants people to think before getting dogs as pets because
A. they require plenty of time and effort
B. humans live for long periods of time
C. humans are difficult to live with
D. they are extremely loyal pets
Answer: A. they require plenty of time and effort
Q) Dogs expect their human friends to
A. maintain a busy life
B. love them unconditionally
C. live with them in cities
D. keep them busy in play
Answer: B. love them unconditionally
Q) What does research prove?
A. humans and dogs live together happily
B. dogs are equally fond of human beings
C. owners know dogs to be their best friends
D. dogs’ behavior is similar to humans’
Answer: D. dogs’ behavior is similar to humans’
Q) Dogs exhibit human qualities as they
A. picked them up through evolution
B. are trained to imitate human beings
C. pretend to express their feelings
D. used to belong to the wolf family
Answer: A. picked them up through evolution
Passage 3 - People have always talked about human qualities that they admire because they all want to possess them. Though, often they differ on which one is more important than the other. Sometimes we are born with it and sometimes we learn to be courageous over a period of time. Some say the absence of fear is courage. Others think it is facing fear, yet continuing on unfailingly. It is both a physical and moral quality which makes people persevere, and withstand danger or fear. It is also the steadiness of mind and will to stand firmly in the face of danger or extreme difficulty. Physical courage allows one to depend on physical strength to overcome challenges. It is needed in dangerous situations for bringing relief or protection, may be to save someone from drowning or an accident. But sometimes even those who possess physical strength do not have the nerve to jump into difficult situations to rescue others. That’s why some people claim that moral courage is superior to physical as someone who may not be physically strong may exhibit great daring. Both are important for our survival and can be acquired over time, though one may be born with these qualities.
Courage is also considered a measure of our self-esteem and will. It makes us different from each other as it shows what we believe in and how much we are willing to sacrifice for them. It doesn’t refer to the easy path; it is always about making difficult choices. It is not always acts of deliberate thought but also unconscious acts of boldness. The common thread between these conscious and unconscious acts is that they are related to beliefs, self-will and danger. Any mention of courage is incomplete without risks and danger. It is only when we face these that our strength is brought to surface. It is also impossible to talk of it without thinking of losses, failure and gains. It has been invoked by leaders through the centuries to call people to rise to the occasion. Literature is filled with stories of the valor and courage of heroic personalities that were not afraid to face their adversity. These have been inspiring people over generations to overcome their anxieties and fears. The theme of courage is often discussed by philosophers too. Plato, one of the greatest philosophers of all times, described courage as not only the ability to resist fear and pain, but to keep one’s desires and ambitions in check. It has been an indispensable part of human existence and will continue to define who we are and how we behave.
Q) What does the phrase 'rise to the occasion' mean?
A. People should stand up at important events
B. Deal with a difficult situation successfully
C. Be assertive about what you feel and think
D. Wake up early for important occasions
Answer: B. Deal with a difficult situation successfully
Q) Plato defines courage as the ability to
A. inspire others
B. resist temptations
C. defend ourselves
D. face challenges
Answer: B. resist temptations
Q) The writer believes we can all be courageous as we
A. hope to find it
B. read about it
C. admire this quality
D. want to possess them
Answer:C. admire this quality
Q) The writer describes moral strength as
A. an important quality that we can read about
B. the ability to learn from fears and problems
C. strong will power needed to face difficulties
D. similar to physical strength which is not enough
Answer: C. strong will power needed to face difficulties
Q) Courage is indicative of the strength of our convictions as it
A. dictates how much we are ready to sacrifice for our beliefs
B. destroys everything that stands in our way
C. is destructive when we are forced to choose
D. makes hard choices that are impossible to make
Answer: A. dictates how much we are ready to sacrifice for our beliefs
Q) Why is physical strength considered inferior to moral courage? Because
A. men sometimes value moral courage more than physical
B. bodily strength is not enough in all situations
C. mind is more important than material resources
D. we can improve our physique but not our morals
Answer: B. bodily strength is not enough in all situations
Q) Any discussion of courage must include
A. examples of all situations alike
B. struggles that people face every day
C. conscious and unconscious decisions
D. sacrifices and losses that may occur
Answer: D. sacrifices and losses that may occur