Direction: In the following questions, there are six passages. Read each passage carefully and choose the best answer to the given questions out of the four alternatives.
Passage
Akbar had quarrelled with Birbal over something important and had asked him not to come to the palace again. Akbar started missing Birbal and wanted him back but could not find out where he was. Akbar hit upon a plan. He sent a message to all the villages that wells had been selected to wed the royal well and so they had to bring the bride to the capital immediately. The headmen of the various villages were alarmed at the impossible task and came rushing to the capital to apologise for their inability to move their wells. One man, Khaji, however, came to discuss the details of the wedding. Khaji wanted to know whether the marriage ceremony would be conducted in the traditional manner. Akbar assured him that all the formalities would be observed. Khaji was happy and assured Akbar that he would bring the bride to the gates of the city. Khaji added that according to the tradition, the bridegroom was to meet the bride at the village gates and take her into the city. He also asked Akbar when was the commitment date from the bridegroom so that they could set out with the bridal party. Akbar was happy to hear all this. He realized that such an intelligent idea could be thought out only by the fertile brain of Birbal and told Khaji that he did not want the well but the man who gave him the idea.

Direction: In the following questions, there are six passages. Read each passage carefully and choose the best answer to the given questions out of the four alternatives.
Passage
In the past, man’s worst enemy was Nature. He lived under the continual threat of famine and pestilence, a wet summer could bring death to the whole Nation and every winter was a menace. Mountains stood like a barrier between people and sea was less a highway than an impassable division. Today Nature, though still an enemy, is an enemy almost completely conquered. Modern agriculture assures us of an ample food supply. Modern transportation has made the resources of the entire planet accessible to all its inhabitants. Modern medicine and sanitation allow dense populations to cover the ground without risk of pretence. True, we are still at the mercy of the more violent natural convulsions. Against earthquake, flood and hurricane man has, as yet, devised no adequate protection. At most times, Nature is no longer formidable, she has been subdued.
MEANINGS OF WORDS/PHRASES
(1) pestilence (N.) : any infectious disease that spreads quickly and kills a lot of people
(2) menace (N.) : a threat
(3) accessible (Adj.) : capable of being reached
(4) convulsions (N.) : disturbances
(5) formidable (Adj.) : inspiring fear
(6) subdued (Adj.) : brought under control