Question

Read the passage given below:

(1)	When we think of the game of cricket, we come to the conclusion that it is primarily a game that depends on outstanding physical activities, good hand-eye coordination, speed, skill and strength. It provides entertainment and generates strong feelings of excitement. A good match of cricket or of any other game neither adds to the existing stock of human knowledge nor reveals any secret of existence. It does not carry any deep meaning but most people, particularly the lover of sports attach deep emotions and numerous meanings to it. Games are thought of as a metaphor for life. They are supposed to teach many lessons. In fact, more is said and written about a cricket match than about scientific findings or great philosophy.
(2)	This is because games, like a morality play, in which settings and rules are made by us, can easily make people test their fair and foul conduct, principles of reward and punishment, and emotions of joy and disappointment. They can make us experience the thrill of war without exposing us to its dangers. A man watching a cricket match on T.V. and munching popcorn is like a surrogate warrior. In fact, games provide us with a safe outlet for our aggressiveness. If games become aggressive, they lose the very purpose of providing entertainment and purging us of our aggressiveness. They can calm our impatience without creating any conflict.
(3)	Commentators, journalists, politicians and analysts can do a great favour to the competing teams by keeping the excitement within limits. The teams should play without being dominated by feelings of national honour and shame. Excellent performance of the players of both teams should be enjoyed and appreciated. Winning or losing in a game should not be taken seriously. A game is fun if it is played with true spirit of sportsmanship.

Based on your understanding of the passage, answer the questions given below:

1. Complete the sentence by choosing an appropriate option: (1)
   Most people conclude that cricket is primarily a game because ______.
   1. it is played as a match
   2. it requires two teams
   3. it includes physical activity
   4. it depends only on skill and strength.
2. Comment on the writer's reference to 'that cricket does not reveal any secret of existence. (1)
3. List two responses to which watching a game of cricket gives rise to. (1)
4. Select the option that conveys the opposite of 'destroy' from words used in the passage. (1)
   1. reveals
   2. experience
   3. generate
   4. purging
5. The writer would not agree with the given statements based on paragraph 2, EXCEPT (1)
   1. Rules of any game are made by people.
   2. Watching a cricket match makes the viewer believe that he is fighting a battle.
   3. It is necessary for a game to be aggressive in order to build excitement.
   4. A game can test people's sense of fair judgement.
6. With reference to the passage, a spectator is compared to a 'surrogate warrior'. (1)
   Choose the option that best describes this phrase:
   1. a spectator who is paid to watch.
   2. a spectator who is in pain while watching the match.
   3. a spectator who enjoys the match as an armchair soldier.
   4. a spectator who makes judgments about reward and punishment.
7. Why does the writer compare games to a morality play? (1)
8. Complete the given sentence with an appropriate inference with respect to the following: (1)
   The writer says that games can calm our impatience without creating any conflict by ______.
9. The writer advises the players that games should not become aggressive because ______. (1)
10. Select the most suitable title for the above passage. (1)
    1. Excellent Performance by Cricketers
    2. The Benefits of Playing Cricket
    3. Cricket - The King of Games
    4. The True Spirit of Playing Games

Answer 1

1. Most people conclude that cricket is primarily a game because it includes physical activity.
2. Cricket is a game that just serves as amusement and causes intense feelings of excitement. It neither advances human knowledge nor reveals the meaning of life.
3. Watching a cricket match provides us with a rush of adrenaline and makes us feel like warriors.
4. generate
5. Watching a cricket match makes the viewer believe that he is fighting a battle.
6. a spectator who enjoys the match as an armchair soldier.
7. The games are compared to morality plays since they can put people's behaviour, values, and emotions to the test.
8. The writer says that games can calm our impatience without creating any conflict by providing us with a safe outlet for our aggressiveness.
9. The writer advises the players that games should not become aggressive because they will lose the purpose of entertaining us and eradicating our aggressiveness.
10. The True Spirit of Playing Games