Comprehension – Unseen Passages Quiz - ICSE Class 8 English

Free practice quiz: Comprehension – Unseen Passages (ICSE Class 8 English). 50 multiple-choice questions with answers and explanations. Play online, no sign-up needed.

This ICSE Class 8 English practice quiz has 50 multiple-choice questions on Comprehension – Unseen Passages, and 50 of them come with an explanation. Try the 5 sample questions below (tap an option to check yourself), then play the full quiz online. No sign-up needed.

Sample questions

1. In the given passage (which is missing), which of the following words is used to describe the protagonist's initial feelings of apprehension before embarking on the journey?

   1. Exhilaration
   2. Trepidation
   3. Serenity
   4. Indifference
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Trepidation

   The question asks for a word describing apprehension. 'Trepidation' means a feeling of fear or anxiety about something that may happen. The other options, 'exhilaration' (excitement), 'serenity' (peacefulness), and 'indifference' (lack of interest), do not convey apprehension.

2. The passage uses the word 'ubiquitous' to describe a certain trend. What does 'ubiquitous' mean in this context?

   1. Rare and uncommon
   2. Found everywhere
   3. Controversial and debated
   4. New and emerging
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Found everywhere

   'Ubiquitous' means present, appearing, or found everywhere. If a trend is ubiquitous, it is very common and widespread.

3. The passage describes the process as ‘tedious’. What does ‘tedious’ imply about the process?

   1. It was exciting and engaging.
   2. It was brief and fast.
   3. It was too long, slow, or dull; tiresome.
   4. It required great skill.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. It was too long, slow, or dull; tiresome.

   'Tedious' means too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous. It implies a lack of interest and a feeling of being worn out by the task.

4. The passage uses the word ‘ambiguous’ to describe the instructions. What does this mean?

   1. The instructions were very clear.
   2. The instructions were easy to follow.
   3. The instructions were open to interpretation or had more than one possible meaning.
   4. The instructions were comprehensive.
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The instructions were open to interpretation or had more than one possible meaning.

   'Ambiguous' means open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning. Ambiguous instructions are unclear and can be understood in different ways.

5. The passage describes the team’s collaborative spirit as ‘synergistic’. What does ‘synergistic’ imply?

   1. The team members worked independently.
   2. The combined effect of the team members was greater than the sum of their individual efforts.
   3. The team members disagreed frequently.
   4. The team's efforts were largely unproductive.
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The combined effect of the team members was greater than the sum of their individual efforts.

   'Synergistic' means involving or characterized by synergy, which is the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate, individual effects.

More questions in this quiz

Answers and explanations are in the full quiz.

1. Based on the context of the passage (which is missing), what can be inferred about the setting of the story, specifically the description of the 'verdant landscape'?
2. If the passage states that the character 'remained stoic' despite the challenges, what is the most likely meaning of 'stoic' in this context?
3. The passage mentions a 'cacophony' of sounds. What is the most appropriate synonym for 'cacophony' in this scenario?
4. If the author describes the protagonist's actions as 'perfunctory', what does this imply about their performance?
5. The passage uses the phrase 'a deluge of information'. What is the figurative meaning of 'deluge' here?
6. The passage states that the agreement was 'tacit'. What does 'tacit' mean in this context?
7. If the author describes a situation as 'precarious', what is the most likely implication?
8. The passage mentions that the journey was 'arduous'. What is the best synonym for 'arduous'?
9. If the passage describes someone as 'gregarious', what does this tell us about their personality?
10. If the passage describes a character's reaction as 'equivocal', what does this suggest about their feelings?
11. The passage states that the news was 'ephemeral'. What does this word imply about the news?
12. If the author mentions a 'paradigm shift' in the industry, what does this signify?
13. The passage describes the atmosphere as 'convivial'. What does this adjective suggest about the atmosphere?
14. The passage states that the team achieved a 'pivotal' victory. What does 'pivotal' mean in this context?
15. If the passage describes the politician's speech as 'eloquent', what quality did it possess?
16. The passage mentions that the artist’s style was ‘idiosyncratic’. What does this imply?
17. The passage describes a ‘conundrum’ that the characters faced. What is a conundrum?
18. If the passage states that the judge’s decision was ‘unanimous’, what does this mean?
19. What can be inferred about the author’s tone if they use the word ‘scathing’ to describe a review?
20. The passage mentions that the detective had an ‘acute’ sense of observation. What does ‘acute’ suggest about this sense?
21. If the passage describes the journey as ‘onerous’, what does this imply?
22. The author describes the child’s behavior as ‘frivolous’. What does this suggest?
23. What can be inferred if the passage uses the word ‘placid’ to describe a lake?
24. The passage mentions a ‘respite’ from the harsh weather. What does ‘respite’ mean here?
25. If the author describes the book as ‘profound’, what does this imply about its content?
26. The passage describes a character’s actions as ‘deleterious’. What does this suggest about the consequences of their actions?
27. What can be inferred if the passage states that the negotiations were ‘fruitless’?
28. What is the most likely implication if the author describes a character as ‘reticent’?
29. The passage states that the discovery was ‘momentous’. What does ‘momentous’ imply about the discovery?
30. If the author describes the task as ‘burdensome’, what does this suggest?
31. The passage uses the phrase ‘a plethora of options’. What does ‘plethora’ mean?
32. What can be inferred if the passage describes a situation as ‘tenuous’?
33. The author uses the word ‘vigilant’ to describe the guards. What does this imply about their behavior?
34. If the passage states that the reforms were ‘pervasive’, what does this suggest about their impact?
35. The passage mentions a ‘tangible’ result. What does ‘tangible’ mean in this context?
36. What can be inferred if the author describes the argument as ‘specious’?
37. If the author describes the artist’s technique as ‘meticulous’, what does this suggest?
38. The passage states that the old house had a ‘quaint’ charm. What does ‘quaint’ imply?
39. What can be inferred if the passage describes the audience’s reaction as ‘apathetic’?
40. The passage describes the scientist’s hypothesis as ‘tentative’. What does ‘tentative’ imply?
41. What is the most likely meaning of ‘impeccable’ if used to describe a performance?
42. The passage uses the word ‘exacerbate’ in relation to the problem. What does this mean?
43. If the author describes the evidence as ‘incontrovertible’, what does this imply?
44. The passage describes the artist's style as 'eclectic'. What does this mean?
45. What is the most likely implication if the passage describes the journey as ‘interminable’?

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