Textual Exercises
- What is the significance of the title “Strong Roots” in this extract?
- a) It refers to the author’s family tree
- b) It symbolizes the important values instilled in the author during his childhood
- c) It describes the strong trees near his childhood home
- d) It foreshadows the author’s future achievements
Answer: b) It symbolizes the important values instilled in the author during his childhood
Explanation: The title “Strong Roots” means the strong lessons and values Kalam learned from his parents when he was young. The story talks about his father’s wisdom and teachings, like how to pray and face problems, which helped him grow up strong and good. These are like “roots” that supported him his whole life.
- Who is Jainulabdeen in the extract?
- a) A close friend of the author’s father
- b) The author’s grandfather
- c) The author’s father
- d) A teacher of the author
Answer: c) The author’s father
Explanation: Jainulabdeen is Kalam’s father. The story says Kalam was born to a simple family, and it tells about Jainulabdeen taking him to the mosque and teaching him good things, showing he is Kalam’s dad.
- What lesson does the author learn from his father’s words about troubles and sufferings?
- a) To avoid difficulties at all costs
- b) To view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery
- c) To rely on others for help during difficult times
- d) To blame God for misfortune
- Answer: b) To view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery
- Explanation: Kalam’s father taught him to see problems as a chance to learn and grow. He said, “When troubles come, think about what they mean and learn from them.” This means facing difficulties with a positive mind instead of running away, asking others for help, or blaming God.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for “Strong Roots” by APJ Abdul Kalam
In which town was APJ Abdul Kalam born?
a) Chennai
b) Rameswaram
c) Madurai
d) Coimbatore
Answer: b) RameswaramWhat type of family was APJ Abdul Kalam born into?
a) Wealthy Tamil family
b) Middle-class Tamil family
c) Poor Telugu family
d) Upper-class Hindi family
Answer: b) Middle-class Tamil familyWhat was the name of APJ Abdul Kalam’s father?
a) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry
b) Jainulabdeen
c) Ashiamma
d) Bahadur
Answer: b) JainulabdeenWhich of the following best describes Jainulabdeen’s qualities?
a) Highly educated and wealthy
b) Innately wise and generous of spirit
c) Strict and materialistic
d) Uneducated and selfish
Answer: b) Innately wise and generous of spiritWho was APJ Abdul Kalam’s mother?
a) Ashiamma
b) Lakshmana
c) Bahadur
d) None of the above
Answer: a) AshiammaHow did APJ Abdul Kalam describe his mother’s daily routine?
a) She worked as a teacher
b) She fed many people, including outsiders, every day
c) She ran a small business
d) She avoided household chores
Answer: b) She fed many people, including outsiders, every dayWhat was the title bestowed upon one of APJ Abdul Kalam’s mother’s forebears by the British?
a) Nawab
b) Bahadur
c) Raja
d) Sultan
Answer: b) BahadurHow did APJ Abdul Kalam describe his own appearance as a child?
a) Tall and handsome
b) Short with undistinguished looks
c) Athletic and charming
d) Fair and striking
Answer: b) Short with undistinguished looksWhat was the material used to build the ancestral house where Kalam lived?
a) Wood and straw
b) Limestone and brick
c) Mud and bamboo
d) Concrete and steel
Answer: b) Limestone and brickWhere was APJ Abdul Kalam’s ancestral house located?
a) Temple Street
b) Mosque Street
c) Church Street
d) Market Street
Answer: b) Mosque StreetHow did Jainulabdeen approach comforts and luxuries?
a) He indulged in them frequently
b) He avoided all inessential comforts and luxuries
c) He spent most of his wealth on luxuries
d) He prioritized luxury over necessities
Answer: b) He avoided all inessential comforts and luxuriesWhat kind of childhood did APJ Abdul Kalam describe having?
a) Insecure and lonely
b) Materially and emotionally secure
c) Wealthy but emotionally unstable
d) Poor and challenging
Answer: b) Materially and emotionally secureWhere did APJ Abdul Kalam usually eat as a child?
a) At a dining table with his father
b) On the floor of the kitchen with his mother
c) In the temple with his family
d) At a neighbor’s house
Answer: b) On the floor of the kitchen with his motherWhat was served on a banana leaf during meals with Kalam’s mother?
a) Bread and cheese
b) Rice, pickle, and coconut chutney
c) Fish and curry
d) Pasta and sauce
Answer: b) Rice, pickle, and coconut chutneyHow far was the Shiva temple from Kalam’s house?
a) A five-minute walk
b) A ten-minute walk
c) A twenty-minute walk
d) A thirty-minute walk
Answer: b) A ten-minute walkWhat was the predominant religion in Kalam’s locality?
a) Hindu
b) Muslim
c) Christian
d) Sikh
Answer: b) MuslimHow did the Hindu and Muslim families in Kalam’s locality coexist?
a) With frequent conflicts
b) Amicably
c) With indifference
d) Separately with no interaction
Answer: b) AmicablyWhere did Kalam’s father take him for evening prayers?
a) Shiva temple
b) Old mosque in the locality
c) Church nearby
d) Community hall
Answer: b) Old mosque in the localityHow did young Kalam perceive the Arabic prayers he chanted?
a) He understood their meaning fully
b) He was convinced they reached God
c) He found them confusing and irrelevant
d) He refused to chant them
Answer: b) He was convinced they reached GodWhat did people of different religions do outside the mosque after prayers?
a) They argued with Kalam’s father
b) They offered bowls of water for him to pray over
c) They sold goods to him
d) They ignored him
Answer: b) They offered bowls of water for him to pray overWhat was the purpose of the water blessed by Kalam’s father?
a) For drinking during meals
b) For invalids to be cured
c) For temple rituals
d) For agricultural use
Answer: b) For invalids to be curedWho was Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
a) Kalam’s teacher
b) The high priest of Rameswaram temple
c) Kalam’s grandfather
d) A local merchant
Answer: b) The high priest of Rameswaram templeWhat was a vivid memory of Kalam’s early childhood?
a) Playing with his siblings
b) His father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry discussing spiritual matters
c) Visiting the coconut grove
d) Attending school
Answer: b) His father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry discussing spiritual mattersWhat did Kalam’s father say about the nature of prayer?
a) It is mysterious and complex
b) It creates a communion of the spirit between people
c) It is only for religious leaders
d) It has no real significance
Answer: b) It creates a communion of the spirit between peopleAccording to Kalam’s father, what happens when you pray?
a) You gain material wealth
b) You transcend your body and become part of the cosmos
c) You solve all your problems instantly
d) You isolate yourself from others
Answer: b) You transcend your body and become part of the cosmosHow did Kalam’s father explain complex spiritual concepts?
a) In complex philosophical terms
b) In simple, down-to-earth Tamil
c) Through written texts
d) Using Arabic prayers
Answer: b) In simple, down-to-earth TamilWhat did Kalam’s father say about every human being’s role in the cosmos?
a) They are insignificant compared to divine power
b) They are a specific element within the manifest divine Being
c) They must avoid spiritual matters
d) They should focus on material success
Answer: b) They are a specific element within the manifest divine BeingWhat did Kalam’s father suggest about facing difficulties?
a) Avoid them at all costs
b) Understand their relevance and see them as opportunities for introspection
c) Blame others for causing them
d) Ignore them completely
Answer: b) Understand their relevance and see them as opportunities for introspectionWhat did Kalam ask his father about his advice to people in distress?
a) Why he charged them for help
b) Why he didn’t share his views on prayer and suffering with them
c) Why he only helped Muslims
d) Why he refused to help anyone
Answer: b) Why he didn’t share his views on prayer and suffering with themHow did Kalam describe his father’s truthfulness?
a) He was often dishonest
b) He was the most truthful person Kalam had ever known
c) He was truthful only in religious matters
d) He was truthful but secretive
Answer: b) He was the most truthful person Kalam had ever knownWhat effect did his father’s answer have on young Kalam?
a) It confused him
b) It filled him with energy and enthusiasm
c) It made him doubt his father
d) It had no impact
Answer: b) It filled him with energy and enthusiasmWhat do people naturally seek when they are alone, according to Kalam’s father?
a) Wealth
b) Company
c) Isolation
d) Fame
Answer: b) CompanyWhat do people look for when they are in trouble, as per Kalam’s father?
a) Someone to blame
b) Someone to help them
c) A way to escape
d) Material solutions
Answer: b) Someone to help themWhat term did Kalam’s father use to describe a situation where no progress is possible?
a) Adversity
b) Impasse
c) Communion
d) Introspection
Answer: b) ImpasseWhat does Kalam’s father say every recurrent anguish finds?
a) A permanent solution
b) Its own special helper
c) No resolution
d) A divine punishment
Answer: b) Its own special helperWhat is the meaning of “propitiate” as used in the text?
a) To understand
b) To appease
c) To ignore
d) To challenge
Answer: b) To appeaseWhat did Kalam’s father believe about seeking demonic forces in distress?
a) It is the correct approach
b) It should never be followed
c) It is a last resort
d) It is a personal choice
Answer: b) It should never be followedWhat time did Kalam’s father start his day?
a) 6 am
b) 5 am
c) 4 am
d) 7 am
Answer: c) 4 amWhat was the first thing Kalam’s father did after reading the namaz?
a) He ate breakfast
b) He walked to a coconut grove
c) He prayed at the temple
d) He met with friends
Answer: b) He walked to a coconut groveHow far was the coconut grove from Kalam’s home?
a) Two miles
b) Three miles
c) Four miles
d) Five miles
Answer: c) Four milesWhat did Kalam’s father carry back from the coconut grove?
a) Bananas
b) About a dozen coconuts
c) Vegetables
d) Water
Answer: b) About a dozen coconutsUntil what age did Kalam’s father maintain his routine of walking to the coconut grove?
a) His late fifties
b) His early sixties
c) His late sixties
d) His early seventies
Answer: c) His late sixtiesWhat did Kalam try to emulate in his own life?
a) His mother’s generosity
b) His father’s fundamental truths
c) His teacher’s wisdom
d) His friend’s spirituality
Answer: b) His father’s fundamental truthsWhat did Kalam believe about a divine power?
a) It does not exist
b) It can lift one from confusion and misery
c) It causes suffering
d) It is irrelevant to science
Answer: b) It can lift one from confusion and miseryWhat does severing emotional and physical bonds lead to, according to Kalam?
a) Confusion and misery
b) Freedom, happiness, and peace of mind
c) Isolation and sadness
d) Material success
Answer: b) Freedom, happiness, and peace of mindWhat does the title “Strong Roots” symbolize in the extract?
a) The author’s family tree
b) The important values instilled in the author during his childhood
c) The strong trees near his childhood home
d) The author’s future achievements
Answer: b) The important values instilled in the author during his childhoodWhat lesson did Kalam learn from his father about troubles and sufferings?
a) To avoid difficulties at all costs
b) To view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery
c) To rely on others for help during difficult times
d) To blame God for misfortune
Answer: b) To view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discoveryWhat is the meaning of “introspection” as used in the text?
a) Seeking external help
b) Thinking deeply about oneself
c) Avoiding problems
d) Praying for solutions
Answer: b) Thinking deeply about oneselfWhat is the meaning of “namaz” in the context of the text?
a) A type of food
b) A prayer
c) A festival
d) A ritual dance
Answer: b) A prayerWhat was the relationship between Kalam’s father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
a) They were brothers
b) They were close friends
c) They were teacher and student
d) They were rivals
Answer: b) They were close friends
What was the primary occupation of APJ Abdul Kalam’s father, as implied in the text?
a) Teacher
b) Merchant
c) Not explicitly stated
d) Priest
Answer: c) Not explicitly statedHow did Kalam’s mother contribute to the household?
a) She was a school principal
b) She fed many people daily, including outsiders
c) She managed a coconut grove
d) She worked as a healer
Answer: b) She fed many people daily, including outsidersWhat distinguished Kalam’s mother’s lineage?
a) It was known for its wealth
b) One of her forebears was titled ‘Bahadur’ by the British
c) It was famous for its scholars
d) It was connected to royalty
Answer: b) One of her forebears was titled ‘Bahadur’ by the BritishHow did Kalam describe his parents’ physical appearance?
a) Short and plain
b) Tall and handsome
c) Average and unremarkable
d) Strong and athletic
Answer: b) Tall and handsomeWhat type of house did Kalam’s family live in?
a) A small wooden hut
b) A large pucca house made of limestone and brick
c) A temporary rented house
d) A modern concrete building
Answer: b) A large pucca house made of limestone and brickWhen was Kalam’s ancestral house built?
a) Early 18th century
b) Middle of the 19th century
c) Early 20th century
d) Late 18th century
Answer: b) Middle of the 19th centuryHow did Kalam’s father ensure the family’s needs were met?
a) By focusing on luxuries
b) By providing necessities like food, medicine, and clothing
c) By relying on charity
d) By accumulating wealth
Answer: b) By providing necessities like food, medicine, and clothingWhat was the emotional tone of Kalam’s childhood, as described in the text?
a) Stressful and uncertain
b) Joyful and secure
c) Lonely and isolated
d) Chaotic and unstable
Answer: b) Joyful and secureWhat was a key feature of the meals Kalam ate with his mother?
a) They were served on silver plates
b) They were eaten on a banana leaf
c) They included imported foods
d) They were eaten in silence
Answer: b) They were eaten on a banana leafWhich dish was NOT mentioned as part of Kalam’s meals with his mother?
a) Rice
b) Pickle
c) Coconut chutney
d) Fish curry
Answer: d) Fish curryWhat made Rameswaram famous, according to the text?
a) Its markets
b) The Shiva temple
c) Its beaches
d) Its schools
Answer: b) The Shiva templeWhat was the religious composition of Kalam’s locality?
a) Exclusively Muslim
b) Predominantly Muslim with some Hindu families
c) Equal numbers of Hindus and Muslims
d) Predominantly Hindu with some Muslim families
Answer: b) Predominantly Muslim with some Hindu familiesWhat does the word “amicably” mean in the context of the text?
a) Competitively
b) In a friendly manner
c) With suspicion
d) Formally
Answer: b) In a friendly mannerWhere did Kalam’s father take him for evening prayers?
a) A local church
b) The Shiva temple
c) A very old mosque
d) A community center
Answer: c) A very old mosqueHow did young Kalam feel about the Arabic prayers he chanted?
a) He found them boring
b) He believed they reached God
c) He memorized their meanings
d) He disliked them
Answer: b) He believed they reached GodWhat did people of different religions offer to Kalam’s father after prayers?
a) Food items
b) Bowls of water
c) Money
d) Clothing
Answer: b) Bowls of waterWhat did Kalam’s father do with the bowls of water offered to him?
a) He drank them
b) He dipped his fingertips in them and said a prayer
c) He distributed them to the poor
d) He used them for cooking
Answer: b) He dipped his fingertips in them and said a prayerWho visited Kalam’s home to offer thanks?
a) Local merchants
b) People who were cured
c) Temple priests
d) School teachers
Answer: b) People who were curedHow did Kalam’s father respond to people thanking him for cures?
a) He accepted their gratitude
b) He asked them to thank Allah
c) He ignored them
d) He charged them a fee
Answer: b) He asked them to thank AllahWhat was the profession of Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
a) Mosque imam
b) High priest of Rameswaram temple
c) School teacher
d) Local healer
Answer: b) High priest of Rameswaram templeWhat attire did Kalam’s father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry wear during their discussions?
a) Western clothing
b) Traditional attire
c) Formal suits
d) Casual clothing
Answer: b) Traditional attireWhat did Kalam’s father say about the mystery of prayer?
a) It is inherently mysterious
b) There is nothing mysterious about it
c) It is only for the educated
d) It requires special training
Answer: b) There is nothing mysterious about itAccording to Kalam’s father, what does prayer enable between people?
a) Competition
b) Communion of the spirit
c) Division based on wealth
d) Conflict resolution
Answer: b) Communion of the spiritWhat does the term “cosmos” refer to in Kalam’s father’s explanation of prayer?
a) The physical universe
b) A religious text
c) A local community
d) A spiritual ritual
Answer: a) The physical universeWhat divisions does the cosmos know no boundaries of, according to Kalam’s father?
a) Wealth, age, caste, or creed
b) Education, skills, or talents
c) Language, culture, or tradition
d) Time, space, or location
Answer: a) Wealth, age, caste, or creedHow did Kalam’s father convey spiritual concepts to his son?
a) In complex philosophical terms
b) In simple, down-to-earth Tamil
c) Through written letters
d) Using Arabic verses
Answer: b) In simple, down-to-earth TamilWhat did Kalam’s father say about difficulties and sufferings?
a) They should be feared
b) They present opportunities for introspection
c) They are punishments from God
d) They are unavoidable
Answer: b) They present opportunities for introspectionWhat does the term “adversity” mean in the context of the text?
a) Happiness
b) Hardship
c) Success
d) Confusion
Answer: b) HardshipWhat did Kalam’s father suggest about troubles?
a) They should be ignored
b) They should be understood for their relevance
c) They are meaningless
d) They require external solutions
Answer: b) They should be understood for their relevanceWhy did Kalam ask his father about not sharing his views with others?
a) He thought his father was hiding his wisdom
b) He wanted his father to teach more people
c) He was curious about his father’s approach to helping people
d) He disagreed with his father’s philosophy
Answer: c) He was curious about his father’s approach to helping peopleHow did Kalam’s father look at him when answering his question about helping others?
a) With frustration
b) Straight into his eyes
c) With amusement
d) Without making eye contact
Answer: b) Straight into his eyesWhat emotion did Kalam feel after his father’s response about helping others?
a) Confusion
b) Strange energy and enthusiasm
c) Disappointment
d) Fear
Answer: b) Strange energy and enthusiasmAccording to Kalam’s father, what do people seek when they reach an impasse?
a) Wealth
b) Someone to show them the way out
c) Isolation
d) Divine punishment
Answer: b) Someone to show them the way outWhat does the term “impasse” mean in the text?
a) A situation allowing no progress
b) A moment of success
c) A spiritual awakening
d) A physical barrier
Answer: a) A situation allowing no progressWhat did Kalam’s father consider a wrong approach to dealing with distress?
a) Seeking divine guidance
b) Propitiating demonic forces with prayers
c) Reflecting on one’s own actions
d) Asking for help from others
Answer: b) Propitiating demonic forces with prayersWhat time did Kalam’s father begin his daily routine?
a) 3 am
b) 4 am
c) 5 am
d) 6 am
Answer: b) 4 amWhat was the first activity Kalam’s father performed after the namaz?
a) Eating breakfast
b) Visiting the temple
c) Walking to the coconut grove
d) Meeting with friends
Answer: c) Walking to the coconut groveHow many coconuts did Kalam’s father typically bring back from the grove?
a) About six
b) About a dozen
c) About twenty
d) About three
Answer: b) About a dozenWhat was notable about Kalam’s father’s routine in his late sixties?
a) He stopped going to the coconut grove
b) He continued his physically demanding routine
c) He delegated tasks to others
d) He changed his prayer schedule
Answer: b) He continued his physically demanding routineWhat field did Kalam apply his father’s teachings to?
a) Politics
b) Science and technology
c) Literature
d) Medicine
Answer: b) Science and technologyWhat did Kalam believe about the existence of a divine power?
a) It was a myth
b) It could lift one from misery and failure
c) It was irrelevant to his life
d) It caused confusion
Answer: b) It could lift one from misery and failureWhat did Kalam aim to understand throughout his life?
a) Scientific theories
b) The fundamental truths revealed by his father
c) Religious texts
d) Historical events
Answer: b) The fundamental truths revealed by his fatherWhat does severing emotional and physical bonds lead to, according to Kalam?
a) Loneliness
b) Freedom, happiness, and peace of mind
c) Material wealth
d) Spiritual confusion
Answer: b) Freedom, happiness, and peace of mindWhat is the meaning of “invalids” as used in the text?
a) People with wealth
b) People with incapacities
c) Religious leaders
d) Young children
Answer: b) People with incapacitiesWhat does the term “communion” refer to in the context of prayer?
a) A physical gathering
b) A special communication
c) A ritual sacrifice
d) A financial transaction
Answer: b) A special communicationWhat was the significance of Kalam’s father’s friendship with Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
a) It showed interfaith harmony
b) It was purely professional
c) It caused community tension
d) It was based on business
Answer: a) It showed interfaith harmonyHow did Kalam’s father view human beings in relation to the divine?
a) As insignificant beings
b) As specific elements within the manifest divine Being
c) As separate from the divine
d) As controllers of the divine
Answer: b) As specific elements within the manifest divine BeingWhat did Kalam’s father encourage in the face of adversity?
a) Fear and avoidance
b) Introspection and understanding
c) Dependence on others
d) Denial of problems
Answer: b) Introspection and understandingWhat was the effect of Kalam’s father’s words on him when discussing helping others?
a) They made him skeptical
b) They filled him with energy and enthusiasm
c) They confused him
d) They made him angry
Answer: b) They filled him with energy and enthusiasmWhat does the term “distress” mean in the context of the text?
a) Happiness
b) Sadness
c) Success
d) Confusion
Answer: b) Sadness
What was the name of the state where Rameswaram was located during Kalam’s childhood?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Erstwhile Madras
c) Kerala
d) Andhra Pradesh
Answer: b) Erstwhile MadrasHow did Kalam describe his father’s level of formal education?
a) Highly educated
b) Neither much formal education nor wealth
c) Self-taught scholar
d) College professor
Answer: b) Neither much formal education nor wealthWhat quality did Kalam’s father possess despite his lack of formal education?
a) Great innate wisdom
b) Financial expertise
c) Political influence
d) Artistic talent
Answer: a) Great innate wisdomHow did Kalam’s mother support her husband?
a) By managing a business
b) As an ideal helpmate
c) By teaching at a school
d) By leading religious ceremonies
Answer: b) As an ideal helpmateHow were Kalam’s parents regarded by the community?
a) As an ideal couple
b) As strict disciplinarians
c) As wealthy landowners
d) As distant figures
Answer: a) As an ideal coupleWhat was unique about Kalam’s mother’s forebears?
a) They were all priests
b) One was bestowed the title ‘Bahadur’ by the British
c) They were famous scientists
d) They were local rulers
Answer: b) One was bestowed the title ‘Bahadur’ by the BritishHow did Kalam describe his own physical stature compared to his parents?
a) Taller than both
b) Short with undistinguished looks
c) Similar to his parents
d) More athletic than his parents
Answer: b) Short with undistinguished looksWhat was the architectural style of Kalam’s ancestral house?
a) Modern concrete structure
b) Pucca house made of limestone and brick
c) Wooden cottage
d) Thatched roof house
Answer: b) Pucca house made of limestone and brickWhat was provided for in Kalam’s household despite avoiding luxuries?
a) Expensive clothing
b) Necessities like food, medicine, and clothing
c) Extravagant furniture
d) Frequent vacations
Answer: b) Necessities like food, medicine, and clothingHow did Kalam describe his childhood in terms of security?
a) Emotionally unstable
b) Materially and emotionally secure
c) Financially insecure
d) Socially isolated
Answer: b) Materially and emotionally secureWhat was the setting for Kalam’s meals with his mother?
a) A dining room with a table
b) The kitchen floor with a banana leaf
c) A community hall
d) A temple courtyard
Answer: b) The kitchen floor with a banana leafWhat condiment accompanied the rice during Kalam’s meals?
a) Tomato sauce
b) Fresh coconut chutney
c) Butter
d) Yogurt
Answer: b) Fresh coconut chutneyWhat was the significance of the Shiva temple in Rameswaram?
a) It was a local market hub
b) It attracted pilgrims, making the town famous
c) It was a school for children
d) It was a community meeting place
Answer: b) It attracted pilgrims, making the town famousWhat does the term “predominantly” mean in the context of Kalam’s locality?
a) Rarely
b) Mostly
c) Equally
d) Never
Answer: b) MostlyHow did the Hindu and Muslim families interact in Kalam’s locality?
a) With hostility
b) Amicably, in a friendly manner
c) With indifference
d) With competition
Answer: b) Amicably, in a friendly mannerWhat was young Kalam’s understanding of the Arabic prayers he chanted?
a) He knew their meanings completely
b) He had no idea of their meaning but believed they reached God
c) He found them irrelevant
d) He memorized them reluctantly
Answer: b) He had no idea of their meaning but believed they reached GodWhat did people do after Kalam’s father’s prayers at the mosque?
a) They offered him food
b) They sat outside and offered bowls of water
c) They debated religious matters
d) They left immediately
Answer: b) They sat outside and offered bowls of waterWhat was the purpose of the water blessed by Kalam’s father?
a) To use in cooking
b) To carry home for invalids
c) To offer at the temple
d) To sell in the market
Answer: b) To carry home for invalidsWhat did Kalam’s father encourage people to do after being cured?
a) Thank him personally
b) Thank Allah, the merciful
c) Pay for his services
d) Visit the temple
Answer: b) Thank Allah, the mercifulWhat was the nature of the discussions between Kalam’s father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
a) Political debates
b) Spiritual matters
c) Business strategies
d) Educational reforms
Answer: b) Spiritual mattersWhat question did young Kalam ask his father about prayer?
a) Why it was necessary
b) Its relevance
c) Its complexity
d) Its duration
Answer: b) Its relevanceHow did Kalam’s father describe the effect of prayer?
a) It solves material problems
b) It transcends the body, connecting one to the cosmos
c) It isolates the individual
d) It requires formal training
Answer: b) It transcends the body, connecting one to the cosmosWhat divisions does prayer overcome, according to Kalam’s father?
a) Knowledge and skill
b) Wealth, age, caste, or creed
c) Time and space
d) Education and profession
Answer: b) Wealth, age, caste, or creedIn what language did Kalam’s father explain spiritual concepts?
a) English
b) Simple, down-to-earth Tamil
c) Arabic
d) Hindi
Answer: b) Simple, down-to-earth TamilWhat did Kalam’s father say about the human being’s place in the cosmos?
a) They are separate from the divine
b) They are a specific element within the manifest divine Being
c) They are insignificant
d) They control their destiny entirely
Answer: b) They are a specific element within the manifest divine BeingWhat did Kalam’s father encourage in response to difficulties?
a) Avoidance
b) Introspection
c) Complaints
d) Dependence on others
Answer: b) IntrospectionWhat does the term “introspection” mean in the text?
a) Seeking external advice
b) Thinking deeply about oneself
c) Ignoring problems
d) Praying for guidance
Answer: b) Thinking deeply about oneselfWhy did Kalam question his father about not sharing his views with others?
a) He thought his father was secretive
b) He wanted to understand his father’s approach
c) He disagreed with his father’s philosophy
d) He wanted his father to teach publicly
Answer: b) He wanted to understand his father’s approachHow did Kalam describe his father’s demeanor when answering his question?
a) Hesitant and unsure
b) Low, deep voice with direct eye contact
c) Angry and dismissive
d) Casual and humorous
Answer: b) Low, deep voice with direct eye contactWhat impact did his father’s words have on Kalam?
a) They left him confused
b) They filled him with strange energy and enthusiasm
c) They made him skeptical
d) They had no effect
Answer: b) They filled him with strange energy and enthusiasmWhat do people seek when they feel alone, according to Kalam’s father?
a) Solitude
b) Company
c) Wealth
d) Power
Answer: b) CompanyWhat do people look for when they face an impasse?
a) Someone to blame
b) Someone to show them the way out
c) A way to avoid the issue
d) Material rewards
Answer: b) Someone to show them the way outWhat does “propitiate” mean in the context of the text?
a) To challenge
b) To appease
c) To ignore
d) To create
Answer: b) To appeaseWhat did Kalam’s father consider an incorrect approach to distress?
a) Seeking divine guidance
b) Propitiating demonic forces with prayers
c) Reflecting on one’s actions
d) Asking for community support
Answer: b) Propitiating demonic forces with prayersWhat was the first activity in Kalam’s father’s daily routine?
a) Visiting the temple
b) Reading the namaz before dawn
c) Eating breakfast
d) Meeting with neighbors
Answer: b) Reading the namaz before dawnHow far was the coconut grove from Kalam’s home?
a) Two miles
b) Four miles
c) Six miles
d) Eight miles
Answer: b) Four milesHow did Kalam’s father transport the coconuts from the grove?
a) In a cart
b) Tied together and thrown over his shoulder
c) In a basket
d) With help from others
Answer: b) Tied together and thrown over his shoulderWhat was remarkable about Kalam’s father’s routine in his late sixties?
a) He stopped praying
b) He maintained a physically demanding routine
c) He relied on others for tasks
d) He changed his daily schedule
Answer: b) He maintained a physically demanding routineWhat field did Kalam work in, as mentioned in the text?
a) Medicine
b) Science and technology
c) Education
d) Politics
Answer: b) Science and technologyWhat did Kalam try to emulate from his father in his own life?
a) His business skills
b) His fundamental truths
c) His physical strength
d) His teaching methods
Answer: b) His fundamental truthsWhat did Kalam believe a divine power could do?
a) Cause confusion
b) Lift one from misery and failure
c) Punish wrongdoers
d) Provide material wealth
Answer: b) Lift one from misery and failureWhat leads to freedom, happiness, and peace of mind, according to Kalam?
a) Accumulating wealth
b) Severing emotional and physical bonds
c) Following strict rituals
d) Avoiding challenges
Answer: b) Severing emotional and physical bondsWhat does the term “invalids” refer to in the text?
a) Religious leaders
b) People with incapacities
c) Wealthy individuals
d) Young children
Answer: b) People with incapacitiesWhat does “communion” mean in the context of prayer in the text?
a) A physical meeting
b) A special communication
c) A financial exchange
d) A public event
Answer: b) A special communicationWhat was the significance of the title “Strong Roots” in the context of the extract?
a) It refers to the physical trees in Rameswaram
b) It symbolizes the values instilled in Kalam during childhood
c) It describes the author’s family lineage
d) It foreshadows Kalam’s scientific achievements
Answer: b) It symbolizes the values instilled in Kalam during childhoodWhat lesson did Kalam learn about troubles from his father?
a) They should be avoided
b) They are opportunities for growth and self-discovery
c) They require divine intervention
d) They are caused by others
Answer: b) They are opportunities for growth and self-discoveryWhat does “namaz” mean in the text?
a) A type of food
b) A prayer
c) A festival
d) A dance
Answer: b) A prayerWhat was the relationship between Kalam’s father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
a) Rivals
b) Close friends
c) Teacher and student
d) Distant relatives
Answer: b) Close friendsWhat was the cultural significance of the water blessed by Kalam’s father?
a) It was used in cooking
b) It was believed to have healing properties
c) It was sold for profit
d) It was used in temple rituals
Answer: b) It was believed to have healing propertiesHow did Kalam’s father view adversity?
a) As a punishment
b) As an opportunity for introspection
c) As a reason to seek wealth
d) As a barrier to happiness
Answer: b) As an opportunity for introspection
