UPSSSC PET English Passage PYQ MCQ

Sample questions

The first questions of Set 1. Open the set to answer them and see the explanations.

1. Q1.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. A volcano is a perfect example of nature's duality. When it erupts, it is a terrifying force of destruction, spewing hot ash and rivers of melted rock that can wipe out entire cities. Yet, over time, this same violent mountain becomes a source of life. In a volcano, the fierce destroyer and the gentle creator exist together. While the lava burns everything in its path, it eventually cools and breaks down into some of the richest, most fertile soil on Earth. Unlike a quiet hill that never changes, a volcano constantly reshapes the land. It is a dangerous neighbour that farmers still choose to live near because of the incredible crops it helps them grow. Question: According to the passage, why do farmers choose to live near volcanoes?

   • A) Volcanic eruptions clear surrounding forest lands for cultivation
   • B) Volcanic landforms remain stable and unchanging
   • C) Molten rock formations act as natural boundaries against adverse weather
   • D) Lava deposits form extraordinarily fertile agricultural soil

2. Q2.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. A volcano is a perfect example of nature's duality. When it erupts, it is a terrifying force of destruction, spewing hot ash and rivers of melted rock that can wipe out entire cities. Yet, over time, this same violent mountain becomes a source of life. In a volcano, the fierce destroyer and the gentle creator exist together. While the lava burns everything in its path, it eventually cools and breaks down into some of the richest, most fertile soil on Earth. Unlike a quiet hill that never changes, a volcano constantly reshapes the land. It is a dangerous neighbour that farmers still choose to live near because of the incredible crops it helps them grow. Question: In the passage, the phrase "fierce destroyer" refers to:

   • A) Its dynamic ability to alter and reshape topography
   • B) Its destructive capacity to wipe out cities during an eruption
   • C) Its status as an unpredictable and dangerous neighbour
   • D) Its thermal property of radiating intense heat across the terrain

3. Q3.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Social media offers a strange contradiction in modern life. On one hand, it is a brilliant tool for connection, allowing friends across the globe to share moments instantly. On the other hand, it can create a deep sense of isolation. In this digital world, the feeling of being surrounded by people and the feeling of being completely alone exist side by side. While platforms help us find communities that share our rare interests, they also trap us in endless scrolling, comparing our real lives to the filtered, perfect pictures of others. Unlike traditional friendships built on face-to-face trust, online connections can sometimes feel shallow. It is a powerful invention that brings the world closer, yet often pushes people in the same room further apart. Question: What does the phrase "strange contradiction" refer to in the passage?

   • A) The preference for virtual communities over real-world interests
   • B) The coexistence of global connectivity alongside personal isolation
   • C) The requirement of face-to-face trust to build online social networks
   • D) The technical difficulty of maintaining long-distance relationships online

4. Q4.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Social media offers a strange contradiction in modern life. On one hand, it is a brilliant tool for connection, allowing friends across the globe to share moments instantly. On the other hand, it can create a deep sense of isolation. In this digital world, the feeling of being surrounded by people and the feeling of being completely alone exist side by side. While platforms help us find communities that share our rare interests, they also trap us in endless scrolling, comparing our real lives to the filtered, perfect pictures of others. Unlike traditional friendships built on face-to-face trust, online connections can sometimes feel shallow. It is a powerful invention that brings the world closer, yet often pushes people in the same room further apart. Question: How do online connections sometimes differ from traditional friendships, according to the passage?

   • A) They require more face-to-face time.
   • B) They are consistently more genuine and long-lasting.
   • C) They can feel superficial or lacking in depth.
   • D) They are restricted to interaction between people in physical proximity.

5. Q5.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. The ocean presents a fascinating duality to those who study it. On a clear summer day, its surface is a picture of perfect peace, gently lapping against the sandy shore. Yet, beneath this calm exterior lies a world of immense, untamed power. In the ocean, the gentle provider of life and the fierce, destructive force exist in perfect balance. While it provides food for billions of people and regulates the Earth's climate, it can also unleash terrifying hurricanes and massive waves that wipe out coastal towns. Unlike a quiet pond that remains mostly unchanged, the ocean is constantly moving and shifting. It is a beautiful mystery that demands both our deep admiration and our careful respect. Question: In the passage, the phrase "fascinating duality" refers to the ocean being:

   • A) a calm surface on summer days yet cold and dark in its depth.
   • B) a popular place for summer vacations and water sports.
   • C) a source of food for humans while supporting marine biodiversity.
   • D) both a peaceful provider and a powerful, destructive force.

6. Q6.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. The ocean presents a fascinating duality to those who study it. On a clear summer day, its surface is a picture of perfect peace, gently lapping against the sandy shore. Yet, beneath this calm exterior lies a world of immense, untamed power. In the ocean, the gentle provider of life and the fierce, destructive force exist in perfect balance. While it provides food for billions of people and regulates the Earth's climate, it can also unleash terrifying hurricanes and massive waves that wipe out coastal towns. Unlike a quiet pond that remains mostly unchanged, the ocean is constantly moving and shifting. It is a beautiful mystery that demands both our deep admiration and our careful respect. Question: According to the passage, how is the ocean different from a quiet pond?

   • A) The ocean cannot affect the Earth's climate.
   • B) The ocean does not provide food for people.
   • C) The ocean has a completely calm exterior all year round.
   • D) The ocean is constantly moving and shifting.

7. Q7.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Mount Everest stands as a monument of beautiful duality. From a distance, its snow-capped peak looks majestic and peaceful, touching the clouds like a sleeping giant. Up close, however, it is a brutal and unforgiving environment where hurricane-force winds and freezing temperatures test the limits of human endurance. On this mountain, breathtaking majesty and deadly danger are perfectly combined. While it inspires thousands of climbers to achieve their greatest dreams, it also claims the lives of those who make even the smallest mistake. Unlike smaller mountains that offer a fun, relaxing weekend hike, Everest requires months of gruelling preparation and a willingness to face extreme hardship. Question: The phrase "sleeping giant" is used in the passage to describe Everest's:

   • A) inspiring nature that motivates climbers to fulfil their dreams
   • B) sudden, unpredictable and deadly mountain hazards
   • C) brutal and unforgiving conditions up close
   • D) peaceful, calm and towering appearance

8. Q8.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Mount Everest stands as a monument of beautiful duality. From a distance, its snow-capped peak looks majestic and peaceful, touching the clouds like a sleeping giant. Up close, however, it is a brutal and unforgiving environment where hurricane-force winds and freezing temperatures test the limits of human endurance. On this mountain, breathtaking majesty and deadly danger are perfectly combined. While it inspires thousands of climbers to achieve their greatest dreams, it also claims the lives of those who make even the smallest mistake. Unlike smaller mountains that offer a fun, relaxing weekend hike, Everest requires months of gruelling preparation and a willingness to face extreme hardship. Question: According to the passage, unlike climbing smaller mountains, climbing Everest requires:

   • A) a team of experienced local guides
   • B) a few weekends of practice
   • C) basic trekking experience
   • D) months of gruelling preparation

9. Q9.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Antarctica is a continent of stunning contradictions. To look at photographs of its towering blue icebergs and playful penguins, one might think it is a peaceful winter wonderland. However, to actually stand on its surface is to face the most hostile climate on the planet. In this frozen land, breathtaking beauty and deadly cold exist in perfect balance. While it holds most of the world's fresh water in its beautiful glaciers, its freezing winds and blinding snowstorms can kill an unprotected human in minutes. Unlike the Arctic, which has native populations who have adapted to the cold, Antarctica has no permanent human residents. It is a pristine wilderness that tolerates visitors but refuses to be conquered. Question: What is a major difference between Antarctica and the Arctic mentioned in the passage?

   • A) Antarctica has no permanent human residents, whereas the Arctic has native populations.
   • B) Antarctica has no icebergs, whereas the Arctic has icebergs.
   • C) Antarctica does not have any fresh water, whereas the Arctic has abundant fresh water.
   • D) Antarctica has no snowstorms, unlike the Arctic.

10. Q10.Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Antarctica is a continent of stunning contradictions. To look at photographs of its towering blue icebergs and playful penguins, one might think it is a peaceful winter wonderland. However, to actually stand on its surface is to face the most hostile climate on the planet. In this frozen land, breathtaking beauty and deadly cold exist in perfect balance. While it holds most of the world's fresh water in its beautiful glaciers, its freezing winds and blinding snowstorms can kill an unprotected human in minutes. Unlike the Arctic, which has native populations who have adapted to the cold, Antarctica has no permanent human residents. It is a pristine wilderness that tolerates visitors but refuses to be conquered. Question: The word "hostile" as used in the passage most nearly means:

    • A) Extremely harsh and dangerous
    • B) Remote and sparsely inhabited
    • C) Unstable and unpredictable
    • D) Unfamiliar and remote

More English Passage

• UPPSC CSAT 29