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PSEB Class 12 General English study materials
PSEB Class 12 General English study resources

PSEB Class 12 General English practice questions

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Question 1Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen PSEB prose passage, a question asks you to identify the 'main idea'. Which statement best describes what you must supply?

  1. The first sentence of the passage, copied exactly as it appears
  2. The writer's opinion about a single character or event only
  3. Any interesting fact mentioned anywhere in the passage
  4. The central point the whole passage is built to convey, not a detail from one paragraph Correct answer.

Explanation

The main idea is the controlling point that unifies the entire passage; supporting details and individual examples serve it rather than replace it. A correct answer must cover the whole text, so a single sentence or isolated fact is too narrow to count as the main idea.

Question 2Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage describes how a village well was repaired, then lists the illnesses that declined afterwards. Which sentence from the passage would best serve as its main idea?

  1. Many villagers worked together on the repair project.
  2. Clean water from the repaired well sharply reduced illness in the village. Correct answer.
  3. The school building had four rooms and a small library.
  4. The well was dug in the year the school was built.

Explanation

The passage links the repaired well to a fall in illness, so the sentence that states this cause-and-effect relationship captures the whole passage. The other sentences are background details that do not express the central point.

Question 3Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen prose passage, the phrase 'inference' refers to a conclusion that the reader

  1. copies from the title of the passage
  2. reaches by combining clues in the text with reasoning Correct answer.
  3. invents freely without any support from the text
  4. finds printed word for word in the passage

Explanation

An inference is drawn from evidence in the passage plus logical reasoning, so it is supported even when not stated directly. It differs from literal recall because the reader must connect clues rather than locate an exact sentence.

Question 4Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'Meera checked the sky, packed an umbrella, and left early for the station.' Which inference is best supported by this sentence?

  1. Meera expected rain and wanted to avoid being late. Correct answer.
  2. Meera was travelling to a foreign country.
  3. Meera had never travelled by train before.
  4. Meera disliked carrying bags of any kind.

Explanation

Packing an umbrella after checking the sky suggests she anticipated rain, and leaving early suggests she wanted to be on time. Both conclusions follow from the clues in the sentence rather than from outside assumptions.

Question 5Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A question on an unseen prose passage asks for the 'tone' of the writer. What is being tested?

  1. The length of the sentences used by the writer
  2. The year in which the passage was written
  3. The number of paragraphs in the passage
  4. The writer's attitude towards the subject, as shown by word choice Correct answer.

Explanation

Tone is the writer's attitude, such as serious, humorous, critical, or sympathetic, and it is revealed through diction and phrasing. Structural features like paragraph count or sentence length do not by themselves express an attitude.

Question 6Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'Once again the committee has promised a new library, and once again the shelves stand empty.' The tone here is best described as

  1. neutrally informative
  2. sceptical and critical Correct answer.
  3. playfully humorous
  4. warmly celebratory

Explanation

The repetition of 'once again' and the image of empty shelves signal doubt about the promise and criticism of the committee. The writer is not celebrating, merely reporting, or joking, so a sceptical and critical tone fits the diction.

Question 7Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen prose passage, a 'fact' differs from an 'opinion' mainly because a fact

  1. can be verified by evidence Correct answer.
  2. is always more interesting to readers
  3. is written in longer sentences
  4. appears only in the first paragraph

Explanation

A fact is a statement that can be checked and verified against evidence, whereas an opinion expresses a judgement or belief. Interest, position in the passage, and sentence length have no bearing on whether a statement is factual.

Question 8Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Which of these sentences from an unseen prose passage states an opinion rather than a fact?

  1. The museum charges no entry fee on Sundays.
  2. The museum opens at ten o'clock each morning.
  3. The museum was founded in 1921.
  4. The museum's sculpture hall is the finest in the country. Correct answer.

Explanation

Calling the sculpture hall 'the finest in the country' is a value judgement that cannot be objectively verified. The opening time, founding year, and fee policy are all checkable facts.

Question 9Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage on river pollution first describes the problem, then gives its causes, and finally proposes solutions. Which organisational pattern does the passage follow?

  1. Chronological order
  2. Cause only, with no outcome
  3. Problem and solution Correct answer.
  4. Comparison and contrast

Explanation

The passage moves from describing a problem to explaining its causes and then offering solutions, which is the problem-and-solution pattern. Recognising this structure helps the reader locate the writer's purpose and predict where key information will appear.

Question 10Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen prose passage, the word 'nevertheless' most often signals that the writer is

  1. contrasting what follows with what came before Correct answer.
  2. adding another example of the same point
  3. introducing a list of numbered items
  4. ending the passage with a summary

Explanation

'Nevertheless' is a contrast connector meaning 'in spite of that', so it introduces an idea that runs against the previous statement. Recognising such signposts helps a reader follow the argument's direction.

Question 11Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The scheme was expensive. Moreover, it failed to reduce traffic.' The word 'moreover' shows that the second sentence

  1. contradicts the first sentence
  2. weakens the writer's overall argument
  3. adds a further point in the same direction Correct answer.
  4. gives the cause of the first sentence

Explanation

'Moreover' is an additive connector, so the second sentence strengthens the same negative judgement with an additional point. The two sentences support each other rather than conflicting or explaining one another causally.

Question 12Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage states: 'The old bridge, weakened by decades of floods, collapsed at dawn.' Which detail is directly stated rather than inferred?

  1. The bridge was the oldest in the district.
  2. The bridge collapsed at dawn. Correct answer.
  3. The villagers had warned the council about the bridge.
  4. Repairs to the bridge had been delayed for years.

Explanation

The text explicitly says the bridge collapsed at dawn, making this a directly stated detail. The other options introduce information the passage never mentions, so they cannot be confirmed from the text.

Question 13Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

When a comprehension question asks what a pronoun such as 'it' refers to in an unseen passage, the best method is to

  1. assume the pronoun refers to the title of the passage
  2. select the longest noun phrase in the paragraph
  3. choose the nearest noun of any kind, regardless of meaning
  4. check which earlier noun or phrase fits the grammar and sense of the sentence Correct answer.

Explanation

A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in both number and sense, so the reader should test the earlier nouns against the grammar and meaning of the sentence. Choosing mechanically by proximity or length often produces the wrong referent.

Question 14Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The teacher handed Ravi the trophy because he had trained the hardest.' The pronoun 'he' refers to

  1. the trophy
  2. the teacher
  3. an unnamed student
  4. Ravi Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause explains why the trophy was handed over, and the person who trained hardest is Ravi, so 'he' refers to him. The teacher did the handing, and the trophy is an object, so neither can be the referent.

Question 15Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage says: 'The scientist's results were surprising, but she refused to draw conclusions until other laboratories repeated the experiment.' What does this reveal about her attitude?

  1. She is eager to publish before anyone else.
  2. She believes experiments need never be repeated.
  3. She distrusts all scientific work, including her own.
  4. She values caution and verification over quick claims. Correct answer.

Explanation

Waiting for other laboratories to repeat the experiment shows a preference for verification before drawing conclusions, which is caution. This is a reasoned attitude, not a blanket distrust of science or a desire for haste.

Question 16Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen prose passage, a phrase used figuratively is one that

  1. contains no nouns or verbs at all
  2. is meant to be taken literally, exactly as written
  3. appears only in the closing sentence
  4. carries a meaning beyond the literal sense of the words Correct answer.

Explanation

Figurative language goes beyond the literal meaning of the words, as in a metaphor or idiom, to convey an idea or image. Recognising figures of speech prevents a reader from misreading a passage as a set of literal statements.

Question 17Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The city's new metro line is a lifeline for daily commuters.' The underlined expression 'a lifeline' is best understood as

  1. something essential that keeps daily life functioning Correct answer.
  2. a medical device found in hospitals
  3. a rope used to rescue people from water
  4. a route that is only used on holidays

Explanation

Here 'lifeline' is used figuratively to mean something vital that supports people's daily routine. The literal senses of a rescue rope or medical device do not fit the context of a metro line used by commuters.

Question 18Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A writer says: 'Of course, every sensible person supports the new tax.' In reading this sentence critically, the reader should notice that the writer is

  1. pressuring the reader by implying that disagreement is foolish Correct answer.
  2. describing the tax's exact rate and scope
  3. quoting an opponent of the tax fairly
  4. presenting statistical evidence for the tax

Explanation

The phrase 'every sensible person' frames support for the tax as a mark of good sense, which pressures readers to agree and dismisses dissent. This is a persuasive tactic rather than evidence, quotation, or factual description.

Question 19Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Which question would best help a reader evaluate the reliability of a claim made in an unseen prose passage?

  1. Is the writer's vocabulary difficult or simple?
  2. Does the passage use long or short sentences?
  3. What evidence does the writer give for the claim, and is the source named? Correct answer.
  4. How many paragraphs does the passage contain?

Explanation

Reliability depends on the quality of evidence and the credibility of sources, so asking what support is offered is the key evaluative question. Paragraph count, sentence length, and vocabulary level are stylistic features that do not establish whether a claim is true.

Question 20Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage opens with a short anecdote about a farmer, then moves to a general discussion of water scarcity. What is the main function of the opening anecdote?

  1. To provide the full statistical evidence for the passage
  2. To summarise the passage's conclusions at the start
  3. To list the solutions the writer will later reject
  4. To engage the reader and introduce the wider topic concretely Correct answer.

Explanation

An opening anecdote typically draws readers in and gives a concrete instance that leads into the broader subject. It is an introduction, not a statistical summary, conclusion, or list of rejected solutions.

Question 21Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen passage, the writer repeats the word 'slowly' three times while describing a journey. The most likely purpose of this repetition is to

  1. suggest the tedious, drawn-out quality of the journey Correct answer.
  2. prove that the journey was longer than any other
  3. change the topic from travel to weather
  4. introduce a new character into the story

Explanation

Repetition of 'slowly' creates a sense of duration and tedium, reinforcing the experience for the reader. It is a stylistic effect, not evidence for a comparison, a new character, or a shift of topic.

Question 22Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage states: 'The report claims the factory is safe; yet independent inspectors found leaking pipes last month.' Which statement best describes the writer's purpose in this sentence?

  1. To list the names of the independent inspectors
  2. To explain how leaking pipes are repaired
  3. To praise the factory's safety record without reservation
  4. To contrast the report's claim with contrary evidence Correct answer.

Explanation

The contrast word 'yet' sets the report's claim against the inspectors' finding, so the writer is highlighting a contradiction. This invites the reader to question the report's reliability rather than accept it uncritically.

Question 23Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The volunteers cleared the drain, but the water still rose.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. The water stopped rising after the volunteers left.
  2. The drain was the only cause of the flooding.
  3. Clearing the drain was not enough to stop the flooding. Correct answer.
  4. The volunteers had cleared the wrong drain.

Explanation

The word 'but' shows that the volunteers' action did not prevent the water from rising, so clearing the drain was insufficient. The passage gives no evidence about other drains or about what happened afterwards.

Question 24Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage describes a character who 'smiled politely while folding the letter back into its envelope without reading it'. What does this action most strongly suggest about the character?

  1. Courteous outward behaviour combined with inward disinterest Correct answer.
  2. Confusion about how to open the envelope
  3. Genuine enthusiasm for the letter's contents
  4. Anger that the letter had arrived late

Explanation

The polite smile shows courtesy, while not reading the letter and putting it away suggests a lack of real interest, so the two details work together to reveal a contrast. Inferring character from action requires weighing both parts of the description.

Question 25Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage contains the sentence: 'Not everyone who plants a tree lives to sit in its shade.' Which reading best captures the writer's point?

  1. Trees grow too slowly to be worth planting.
  2. Shade is more valuable than the tree itself.
  3. People often act for benefits they may not personally enjoy. Correct answer.
  4. Only those who plant trees deserve comfort.

Explanation

The sentence is a general reflection: those who plant may not live long enough to enjoy the shade, so people act for future or collective benefit. It is not a complaint about slow growth, a ranking of shade over trees, or a rule about deserving comfort.

Question 26Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

An unseen prose passage opens: 'The village well had run dry by April, and by May the cattle were thin as sticks.' Which type of opening does the passage use?

  1. A direct statement of the writer's personal opinion about farming
  2. A concrete description that establishes a setting and a problem Correct answer.
  3. A summary of statistics collected by a government department
  4. A definition of an abstract term followed by examples

Explanation

The opening gives specific, observable details (a dry well, thin cattle in a particular month), which build a setting and hint at a difficulty. It offers no statistics, definitions, or explicit opinion, so the descriptive opening is the best description.

Question 27Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage begins: 'Every year the town spends more on its festival than on its schools.' What is the writer most likely trying to do with this opening sentence?

  1. Explain the history of the town's school buildings
  2. Describe the festival's costumes and music in detail
  3. Introduce a named character who will act later in the passage
  4. Draw attention to a contrast the reader should notice Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence sets festival spending against school spending, and that comparison is clearly meant to strike the reader as significant. A comparison placed at the start usually signals the issue the passage will explore.

Question 28Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The museum's new wing opened in June. It houses pottery from the region. Visitors may enter free on Sundays.' Which statement is directly stated in the passage?

  1. The new wing opened in June Correct answer.
  2. The pottery is more valuable than the museum's paintings
  3. The museum director planned the wing for years
  4. Sunday visitors must book tickets in advance

Explanation

The opening sentence states plainly that the new wing opened in June, so this is a directly stated fact. The other options add information, such as comparisons, booking rules, or planning history, that the passage never gives.

Question 29Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage says: 'The old library is dusty, cramped, and badly lit.' Which word from this sentence carries the strongest negative judgement?

  1. library
  2. lit
  3. cramped Correct answer.
  4. old

Explanation

'Cramped' expresses a judgement about inadequate space, which is clearly unfavourable. 'Old' and 'lit' are neutral descriptive words, and 'library' is simply the subject, so 'cramped' carries the strongest negative charge.

Question 30Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen prose passage, the phrase 'the room was an oven' is best understood as

  1. a figurative comparison suggesting the room was very hot Correct answer.
  2. a literal statement that cooking equipment was present
  3. a quotation from an official inspection report
  4. a factual report about the building's construction

Explanation

Calling a room 'an oven' compares it to something intensely hot, so the phrase works figuratively to convey heat. Nothing in the phrase suggests cooking equipment, construction details, or an official source.

Question 31Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage states: 'The new cycle track is popular with students.' Which of these is a fact rather than an opinion in the context of the passage?

  1. Students prefer cycling to walking
  2. The cycle track is the best thing the council has built
  3. The council should build more cycle tracks
  4. The new cycle track exists in the town Correct answer.

Explanation

The mere existence of the cycle track can be checked and verified, which makes it a factual statement. The other options contain evaluations or recommendations ('best', 'prefer', 'should') that reasonable people could dispute.

Question 32Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage contains the sentence: 'The train was late, so the meeting began without her.' The word 'so' shows that the passage is

  1. giving an example
  2. adding a similar point
  3. contrasting two unrelated ideas
  4. showing a result or consequence Correct answer.

Explanation

'So' links a cause (the late train) to its result (the meeting starting without her). It marks consequence, not contrast, addition, or illustration.

Question 33Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

When a comprehension question asks what a writer's main purpose is in an unseen prose passage, the reader should

  1. consider what the writer wants the reader to think or do after reading Correct answer.
  2. list every proper noun that appears in the passage
  3. count the number of paragraphs in the passage
  4. find the longest sentence and treat it as the purpose

Explanation

Main purpose concerns the writer's overall aim, such as informing, persuading, or warning the reader. Judging what the writer hopes the reader will think or do after reading captures that aim, whereas structural counts and names do not.

Question 34Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The bakery opens at six. By seven the shelves are bare. Latecomers must wait until the next morning.' What can the reader reasonably infer?

  1. The bakery's bread sells out quickly each day Correct answer.
  2. The bakery bakes only on weekends
  3. The bakery has recently changed owners
  4. The bakery's bread is poor quality

Explanation

Empty shelves within an hour of opening, and latecomers waiting a whole day, together imply that the bread sells out fast. The passage gives no evidence about weekends, ownership, or quality.

Question 35Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage says: 'The path was steep, the sun was fierce, and the water bottle was light.' Which inference is best supported?

  1. The walker was in danger of running out of water Correct answer.
  2. The walker had brought far too much water
  3. The walker had walked this path many times before
  4. The walker preferred walking in the afternoon

Explanation

Steep ground, strong sun, and a light bottle together suggest that water is being used up with little left. This is the only conclusion the three details jointly support.

Question 36Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The council planted two hundred saplings along the road. Three years later, fewer than forty were alive.' Which statement best describes the writer's implied point?

  1. The road was widened after planting
  2. The council should plant more saplings next year
  3. The planting programme largely failed Correct answer.
  4. The saplings grew faster than expected

Explanation

The passage contrasts two hundred planted saplings with fewer than forty surviving, and that sharp drop implies the programme mostly failed. The writer does not state a recommendation or discuss road widening.

Question 37Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage says: 'She read the letter twice, folded it slowly, and put it in a drawer without a word.' What does the description of her actions mainly suggest?

  1. She was excited and eager to share the news
  2. She was annoyed at having to read at all
  3. She was deeply affected and chose to keep quiet Correct answer.
  4. She had not understood the letter's contents

Explanation

Reading twice and folding slowly convey strong feeling, while putting the letter away without speaking shows a deliberate silence. Together the actions suggest someone moved by the letter who keeps it private.

Question 38Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage states: 'The company says its factory is clean. Last month, inspectors photographed waste flowing into the river.' How does the second sentence function?

  1. It repeats the company's claim in different words
  2. It offers evidence that undercuts the company's claim Correct answer.
  3. It praises the company's honesty
  4. It explains why inspectors were appointed

Explanation

The first sentence reports a claim and the second supplies contrary evidence, so the second sentence weakens the first. This is a common pattern in critical or argumentative prose.

Question 39Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The scheme was cheap. It was also quick. It worked.' What is the effect of the short final sentence?

  1. It weakens the point by adding doubt
  2. It gives a firm, emphatic conclusion Correct answer.
  3. It shows the writer is unsure of the facts
  4. It introduces a new topic for the next paragraph

Explanation

A very short sentence after two longer ones creates emphasis, so the point lands firmly. Here the brevity gives the conclusion a decisive, confident ring.

Question 40Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

In an unseen prose passage, the writer says: 'Anyone who has ever waited for a bus knows the truth of this.' What is the writer mainly doing here?

  1. Presenting statistical survey results
  2. Citing a named expert on transport
  3. Describing a particular bus journey in detail
  4. Appealing to the reader's own experience Correct answer.

Explanation

By referring to what 'anyone who has ever waited for a bus' knows, the writer invites readers to check the point against their own experience. This is an appeal to shared experience rather than to experts or data.

Question 41Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage says: 'The medicine eased the fever, though it left the patient drowsy.' Which statement is best supported by the passage?

  1. The patient refused to take the medicine
  2. The medicine had both a benefit and a side effect Correct answer.
  3. The fever returned after the medicine
  4. The medicine was completely ineffective

Explanation

Easing the fever is a benefit and drowsiness is an unwanted side effect, so the sentence presents a trade-off. The passage gives no sign of ineffectiveness, refusal, or the fever returning.

Question 42Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The village band plays at every wedding. It played at every wedding for fifty years. It will play at my daughter's wedding next spring.' What does the repetition of 'every wedding' mainly emphasise?

  1. The band's poor musical skill
  2. The writer's dislike of weddings
  3. The band's long-standing reliability Correct answer.
  4. The village's lack of other entertainments

Explanation

Repeating the phrase across past and future weddings stresses how consistently the band has been present. The effect is to underline tradition and dependability, not to criticise the band or the village.

Question 43Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage contains the sentence: 'We cannot afford a new roof, and yet the rain comes through every winter.' What does 'and yet' most clearly signal?

  1. A summary of the passage's main idea
  2. A cause followed by its effect
  3. An example supporting an earlier claim
  4. A problem that remains despite a stated obstacle Correct answer.

Explanation

'And yet' marks a tension between being unable to pay and still needing shelter from the rain. It highlights an unresolved problem persisting in spite of the obstacle.

Question 44Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage describes a man who 'always arrived early, always brought his own tools, and always finished the job alone.' Which quality is the writer emphasising?

  1. His independence and diligence Correct answer.
  2. His dislike of his neighbours
  3. His wealth and social standing
  4. His lack of skill

Explanation

Arriving early and bringing tools suggest diligence, while finishing alone suggests independence. The repeated 'always' reinforces the consistency of these habits.

Question 45Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

Read this passage: 'The river once carried boats laden with grain. Now it carries plastic bottles to the sea.' Which device does the writer use to make the point?

  1. A list of statistics about river transport
  2. A quotation from a fisherman
  3. A contrast between past usefulness and present neglect Correct answer.
  4. A definition of the word 'river'

Explanation

The passage sets the river's former role against its current state, and that contrast carries the criticism. No data, quotations, or definitions appear.

Question 46Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage says: 'The new bridge was praised by engineers, admired by architects, and avoided by the people who had to cross it.' What is the writer's tone towards the bridge?

  1. Quietly ironic Correct answer.
  2. Completely neutral
  3. Openly angry
  4. Straightforward admiration

Explanation

Professional praise is set against the public's avoidance, and this gap between expert approval and everyday use produces a dry, ironic tone. The writer is not simply admiring, angry, or neutral.

Question 47Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage states: 'The committee met for four hours. It discussed the budget, the staffing, and the timetable. It then agreed to meet again.' What does the passage most strongly suggest about the committee?

  1. It had too few members present
  2. It had not prepared an agenda
  3. It delayed decisions despite lengthy discussion Correct answer.
  4. It reached firm decisions on all three matters

Explanation

Four hours of discussion followed by a decision only to meet again implies that nothing was settled. The passage shows prolonged talk but no outcome, which points to delay.

Question 48Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage says: 'Not every seed sown in spring ripens into grain.' Which reading best captures the writer's point?

  1. Effort does not always produce the result we hope for Correct answer.
  2. Spring is the wrong season for sowing grain
  3. Farmers should sow more seed than they need
  4. Grain ripens only in the autumn months

Explanation

The sentence uses sowing and ripening figuratively to say that some efforts go unrewarded. It is a general reflection on hope and outcome, not advice about seasons or quantities.

Question 49Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage reports: 'According to the survey, most residents want the market kept open. The survey questioned one hundred people at the market itself.' What weakness in the evidence should a critical reader notice?

  1. The survey asked about too many topics
  2. The survey was conducted by a government office
  3. The people questioned were already at the market Correct answer.
  4. The residents were asked to write long answers

Explanation

People questioned at the market are likely to be those who already use it, so their views may not represent all residents. This is a sampling problem that weakens the claim.

Question 50Reading Comprehension (unseen prose passages)

A passage ends: 'The lights went out one by one, and the hall fell silent.' What is the most likely effect of ending the passage this way?

  1. It explains the cause of the evening's events
  2. It leaves the reader with a sense of quiet closure Correct answer.
  3. It announces a change of subject for the next section
  4. It introduces a sudden new conflict

Explanation

Lights going out and silence falling create a gradual, settling image, which gives the passage a calm sense of ending. Such closing images typically round off rather than open new material.