Factual Passage – Test Paper 01

Section A
1. Read the passages given below and answer any 10 questions that follow them:

In the 16th century, when Golconda was the capital of the Qutb Shahi Kingdom, it is believed that a shepherd boy came across an idol on the hill. It was then that the Kakatiya dynasty’s ruler built this fort. The fort is 120 m high. After it was captured by Aurangazeb, the Mughal emperor, the fort fell into ruins. The beautiful ruins of the fort have a story to tell. They make you wonder how the fort may have looked in its days of glory and grandeur. The fort also hosts a sound and light show every day, and the history of this fort is narrated in such an interesting manner that even a child can understand and enjoy it.

The next place to visit is the Charminar. The literal meaning of this monument is ‘four minaret’ is a mosque on the second floor. It is said that when the state was engulfed by the plague, Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, prayed to end the plague and promised to build a mosque in the very place where he was praying. Thus, Charminar came into being. The walk from the bottom to the top of the monument is a little spooky, owing to the narrowness of the pathway and the steepness of the steps. Make sure you visit the nearby Laad Bazaar, where there are rows of shops selling the famous Hyderabadi glass bangles and lac bangles.

The Salar Jung Museum is the third largest museum in the country and boasts of owning the biggest one-man collection of antiques in the world. A visit to the Salar Jung Museum is a must, even if you are not a fan of antique stuff. You can view the Nizam’s collection of textiles, arms, metalware, ivory carvings, Indian bronzes and carpets. The main attraction is definitely the Musical Clock, made by Cook and Kelvy of England. Inside the clock is a timekeeper. Every hour, he comes out and beats a gong as many times as the time indicates. Another attraction at the museum is the Veiled Rebecca, an amazing sculpture made by the Italian sculptor, Giovanni Maria Benzoni.

Questions

1. Golconda was the capital of the Qutab Shahi kingdom in the …
2. The main attraction in the Salar Jung Museum is …
3. ________ ruler decided to build a fort on the hill.
4. The Mughal ruler ________ attacked and captured the fort which led to its ruin.
5. Laad Bazaar is in ________.
6. Height of Golconda fort is: …
7. The ________ is the third largest museum in the country.
8. The main attraction is definitely the Musical Clock, made by ________.
9. Antonym of the word “ruins” is …
10. Synonym of the word “glory” is …
11. Antonym of the word “attraction” is …
12. The literal meaning of Charminar is …

Solutions

• (b) 16th century
• (c) Musical Clock
• (a) Kakatiya
• (b) Aurangzeb
• (c) Charminar
• (b) 120 m
• (a) Salar Jung Museum
• (c) Kelvy of England
• (d) Rebuild
• (b) Grandeur
• (a) Repulsion
• (c) Four minaret