Read the following passages and respond to the questions that follow each passage. Your responses should be based on the passages. Hyderabad sits nestled amongst one of the oldest rock systems of the world. These granite rocks are 2500 million years old. Rain, sun and wind have for aeons, through their collective and continuous physical and chemical actions, worked them into weird shapes. Some appear perched upon each other so precariously that you feel some giant-children playing at house making must have kept them there. From times immemorial they have stayed like that without tumbling down. They will remain like that long after we are gone. Golconda Fort was once a mere hillock, a hump of a giant camel, a mass of scattered misshapen granite. It was sheer wilderness. There cow and goatherds used to graze cattle and sheep belonging to the nearby villages. It was so popular with graziers that it took the name of 'hillock of the graziers' - Golla Konda in Telugu, the local language. Golla Konda later on became 'Golconda'. Hyderabad is the daughter of Golconda Fort which stands in ruins now, eight kilometres away from the centre of the city. The fort was built about a thousand years ago, during the Kakatiya rule (AD 1000 - 1321) which had its capital at Warangal - a city about 150 kilometres to the north of Hyderabad. Rudramba Devi, queen of the Kakatiya dynasty, ruled for 34 years from AD 1262 to 1296. She withstood the combined attacks of the Pandyas, the Yadavas and the Hoysalas with the help of her grandson, Prataparudradeva who succeeded her (AD 1296 - 1323). He too was an illustrious ruler but was subjected to repeated attacks by the Sultans of Delhi: there were five during the two decades after AD 1303. Finally, he was defeated by Ulugh Khan, imprisoned and taken prisoner to Delhi. On the way he committed suicide. Ulugh Khan later became the Sultan of Hindustan, and is known as Mohammad Tughlaq. Since his empire had extended to the south, Delhi was no longer the centre of political gravity. He, therefore, ordered that the capital of India be shifted from Delhi to Daulatabad. For two decades this city remained the capital of India.
What is the word used in the passage that means 'strange and ugly'?
weird
Understanding Vocabulary from the Hyderabad Passage
This question asks us to identify a word from the provided passage that conveys the meaning of 'strange and ugly'. We need to carefully read the passage and examine the words mentioned in the options in their context.
Analysing the Options and Passage Context
Let's look at how each word from the options is used in the passage:
- aeons: The passage states, "Rain, sun and wind have for aeons... worked them into weird shapes." Here, 'aeons' refers to an extremely long period of time. It does not mean 'strange' or 'ugly'.
- weird: The passage uses this word when describing the rocks: "Rain, sun and wind have for aeons... worked them into weird shapes." 'Weird' means strange, unusual, or odd in appearance or character. In this context, it describes the strange or unusual shapes of the rocks.
- precarious: The passage mentions, "Some appear perched upon each other so precariously that you feel some giant-children playing at house making must have kept them there." 'Precariously' means in a way that is not securely in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse. It describes the unstable position of the rocks, not their appearance as strange or ugly.
- misshapen: The passage says, "Golconda Fort was once... a mass of scattered misshapen granite." 'Misshapen' means not having the normal or natural shape. This word describes the granite rocks that have an abnormal or distorted shape, which can be considered 'ugly' in form.
Determining the Word for 'Strange and Ugly'
The question asks for a word meaning 'strange and ugly'. Based on the analysis:
- 'aeons' means a long time.
- 'weird' means strange or unusual.
- 'precarious' means unstable or insecure.
- 'misshapen' means having an abnormal shape, often implying an unpleasing appearance (ugly form).
While 'misshapen' clearly aligns with 'ugly' in form, the word 'weird' is used to describe the strange nature of the shapes formed by the rocks. 'Weird' directly means strange.
Considering the common usage and the options provided, the word 'weird' from the passage best fits the description of something that is strange or unusual in appearance.
Important Questions from Passage Based Questions
Read the following passage and answer the questions based on it.
As climate change affects seasonal patterns, water management and distribution become important. Rainwater harvesting has become particularly important in urban areas these days. This process involves collecting and storing rainwater for later use. It recovers groundwater levels, prevents water wastage during the monsoon, reduces soil erosion and helps in the availability of drinking water. Above all, it promotes the method of water conservation.
This paragraph supports which of the following statements the most?
A. Climate change has adversely affected humanity.
B. Forests help maintain groundwater levels.
C. Rainwater harvesting is the need of the hour.
D. There are not enough water reserves for urban areas.
Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above excerpt?
Which of the following statement is FALSE?
According to the excerpt what led to the diversity of flight techniques?
Which of the following statements is WRONG in the context of the above excerpt?
