CUET Reading Comprehension Prep: ‘Debilitating Rage’
“Debilitating Rage” by Sivamani Vasudevan (published in The Hindu on April 06, 2025), I will create 10 MCQs for Reading Comprehension (RC) to test understanding of the passage’s themes, details, and arguments about anger and its consequences. Additionally, I will create 15 MCQs covering other CUET English patterns, including Sentence Rearrangement, Vocabulary – Fill in the Blanks, Vocabulary – Synonyms, Vocabulary – Antonyms, Vocabulary – Word Definitions, Idioms, Phrasal Verbs, Vocabulary – Word Usage in Context, Foreign Words, Grammar – Voice, Grammar – Gerunds, Grammar – Adverbs/Adjectives, and Grammar – Question Tags. Finally, I will provide a table with 15 words from the passage, along with their synonyms and antonyms.
“The article “Debilitating Rage” by Sivamani Vasudevan, published in The Hindu on April 06, 2025, explores the destructive impact of uncontrolled anger on individuals and society. The author argues that while anger is a natural human emotion, frequent and unmanaged rage leads to broken relationships, lost lives, and personal devastation, citing it as the “nemesis of one’s conduct.” Through personal anecdotes, Vasudevan illustrates various manifestations of anger: a boss who lost his job and happiness due to impulsive temper, a short-tempered relative who alienated others by denying his flaws, and a cousin whose tantrums erupted over trivial losses like sports or politics. The article highlights how anger often targets innocent victims—children, spouses, and elderly parents—who suffer silently or react, escalating conflicts to violence.
Vasudevan emphasizes the unhealthy nature of frequent anger, noting that suppressing it can cause emotional choking, while unchecked outbursts ruin lives. He suggests practical strategies to manage anger, such as waiting for emotions to cool, recalling humor, or playing a favorite song, advocating for moving on without regret or apology. The piece underscores the societal and personal toll of anger, using examples like the boss’s isolation and the relative’s isolation to reinforce its debilitating effects.”
Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions (10 MCQs)
- What is the main theme of the article “Debilitating Rage”?
(A) The benefits of expressing anger
(B) The destructive impact of uncontrolled anger
(C) The importance of suppressing emotions
(D) The role of anger in building relationships
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The article discusses how uncontrolled anger leads to broken relationships, lost lives, job loss, and personal unhappiness, emphasizing its destructive nature. - According to the passage, what happened to the boss who lost his cool easily?
(A) He gained respect and a promotion
(B) He lost his job, peace, and happiness
(C) He became more popular with his family
(D) He improved his anger management skills
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage states, “He lost his job, peace and eventually happiness,” highlighting the consequences of his uncontrolled anger. - Why did the short-tempered relative feel misunderstood?
(A) Because he was praised for his behavior
(B) Because he wanted others to see him as a perfect gentleman despite his temper
(C) Because he received no attention
(D) Because he was always calm
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage notes, “He wanted all to believe that he was more than a perfect gentleman,” indicating his self-perception clashed with others’ views due to his temper. - What triggered the cousin’s anger according to the passage?
(A) Personal insults
(B) The loss of his favorite cricket team or political party
(C) Financial problems
(D) Family disagreements
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage mentions, “I had a cousin who used to lose his balance even when his favourite cricket team or political party lost in a contest.” - Who are the most common victims of anger according to the passage?
(A) Friends and colleagues
(B) Children, spouses, and aged parents
(C) Strangers on the street
(D) Employers and bosses
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage states, “Whenever a person is angry, he or she most often takes it out on children… spouses… aged parents,” identifying these as primary victims. - What is the author’s suggestion for managing anger?
(A) To suppress it completely
(B) To wait, cool off, and recall humor or play a favorite song
(C) To express it immediately
(D) To ignore it and move on
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage advises, “One should wait, allow the heat to settle, and cool it off… recall any humour, or witty instance… Even playing one’s favourite song helps.” - What is the consequence of frequent anger as per the article?
(A) It strengthens relationships
(B) It is unhealthy and leads to emotional choking if suppressed
(C) It improves mental health
(D) It has no significant impact
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage states, “Anger is natural, but frequent anger is unhealthy. While suppressing anger may end up in emotional choking…” - What does the phrase “at the drop of a hat” signify in the context of the boss?
(A) With great effort
(B) Instantly or without provocation
(C) After careful consideration
(D) With a planned approach
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage uses “at the drop of a hat” to describe the boss losing his cool suddenly and without much reason, meaning instantly. - How does the author describe the impact of anger on children?
(A) They react aggressively
(B) They suffer mutely without understanding the cause
(C) They ignore the anger
(D) They seek help immediately
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage notes, “Poor souls, they know not the background of the anger. Yet they suffer mutely.” - What is the author’s view on apologizing for angry behavior?
(A) It is necessary to maintain relationships
(B) It is not needed, and one should move on
(C) It should be done only to family
(D) It leads to more anger
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage concludes, “There is no need to apologise or regret one’s intemperate behaviour later,” suggesting moving forward without regret.
Other CUET Pattern MCQs (15 Questions)
Sentence Rearrangement
- Rearrange the sentences to form a coherent paragraph:
(A) This can lead to broken relationships.
(B) Uncontrolled anger affects personal life.
(C) It also causes loss of peace and happiness.
(D) Many people struggle to manage their temper.
(1) D, B, A, C
(2) B, A, C, D
(3) D, C, B, A
(4) A, B, C, D
Answer: (1)
Explanation: The logical flow starts with the general issue (D), followed by its impact (B), specific consequences (A, C).
Vocabulary – Fill in the Blanks
- The boss was ______ by his colleagues due to his frequent outbursts.
(A) admired
(B) dreaded
(C) supported
(D) ignored
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage states he was “dreaded and detested,” making (B) fit the context.
Vocabulary – Synonyms
- Choose the synonym for “devastation” as used in the passage:
(A) Creation
(B) Destruction
(C) Joy
(D) Peace
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Devastation” means severe destruction, aligning with (B).
Vocabulary – Antonyms
- Choose the antonym for “unhealthy” as used in the passage:
(A) Harmful
(B) Healthy
(C) Weak
(D) Sick
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Unhealthy” means not conducive to good health; its opposite is “healthy” (B).
Vocabulary – Word Definitions
- What does “equilibrium” mean in the context of the cousin losing his balance?
(A) Physical strength
(B) Emotional stability
(C) Financial status
(D) Social status
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The passage uses “lose his equilibrium” to mean losing emotional or mental stability.
Idioms
- What does “at the drop of a hat” mean in the boss’s context?
(A) With great effort
(B) Instantly or without provocation
(C) After planning
(D) With reluctance
Answer: (B)
Explanation: It describes the boss’s sudden anger, meaning without hesitation.
Phrasal Verbs
- Choose the correct phrasal verb: “He tried to ______ his anger but failed.”
(A) give up
(B) take off
(C) cool off
(D) turn down
Answer: (C)
Explanation: “Cool off” means to calm down, fitting the context of managing anger.
Vocabulary – Word Usage in Context
- The word “ire” is best replaced with ______ in “They direct their ire towards parents.”
(A) love
(B) anger
(C) joy
(D) peace
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Ire” means anger, as used when describing venting frustration.
Foreign Words
- The email address “pushpasaran@yahoo.co.in” suggests the author might use which language influence?
(A) French
(B) Tamil
(C) Spanish
(D) German
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Pushpa” is a Tamil word meaning flower, suggesting a Tamil influence.
Grammar – Voice
- Change to passive voice: “He lost his job due to his temper.”
(A) His job was lost by him due to his temper.
(B) His temper lost his job.
(C) His job lost him due to his temper.
(D) He was lost his job by his temper.
Answer: (A)
Explanation: In passive voice, “his job” becomes the subject, and “by him” indicates the doer.
Grammar – Gerunds
- Identify the gerund in “Suppressing anger may cause emotional choking.”
(A) may
(B) suppressing
(C) cause
(D) emotional
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Suppressing” is a verb form (-ing) acting as the subject, a gerund.
Grammar – Adverbs/Adjectives
- Choose the correct form: “He reacted ______ to the criticism.”
(A) angry (adjective)
(B) angrily (adverb)
(C) anger (noun)
(D) angrier (comparative)
Answer: (B)
Explanation: An adverb modifies “reacted,” so “angrily” (B) is correct.
Grammar – Question Tags
- Add the correct question tag: “Anger is natural, ______?”
(A) isn’t it
(B) is it
(C) doesn’t it
(D) does it
Answer: (A)
Explanation: The statement is positive with “is,” so the tag is negative “isn’t it” (A).
Vocabulary – Synonyms (Additional)
- Choose the synonym for “tantrums” as used in the cousin’s behavior:
(A) Calmness
(B) Outbursts
(C) Silence
(D) Agreement
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Tantrums” means emotional outbursts, aligning with (B).
Vocabulary – Antonyms (Additional)
- Choose the antonym for “dreaded” as used for the boss:
(A) Feared
(B) Loved
(C) Hated
(D) Avoided
Answer: (B)
Explanation: “Dreaded” means feared or disliked; its opposite is “loved” (B).
Table of 15 Words with Synonyms and Antonyms
| Word | Synonyms | Antonyms |
|---|---|---|
| Debilitating | Weakening, Draining | Strengthening, Energizing |
| Rage | Fury, Anger | Calmness, Peace |
| Uncontrolled | Unrestrained, Wild | Controlled, Restrained |
| Nemesis | Ruin, Downfall | Ally, Support |
| Detested | Hated, Disliked | Loved, Admired |
| Equilibrium | Balance, Stability | Imbalance, Instability |
| Tantrums | Outbursts, Fits | Composure, Restraint |
| Introspect | Self-examine, Reflect | Ignore, Neglect |
| Ire | Wrath, Rage | Forgiveness, Peace |
| Suppress | Restrain, Stifle | Express, Release |
| Impulse | Urge, Instinct | Deliberation, Thought |
| Humor | Wit, Amusement | Seriousness, Gloom |
| Mutely | Silently, Quietly | Vocally, Loudly |
| Disproportionate | Excessive, Unequal | Balanced, Proportional |
| Aloof | Distant, Detached | Friendly, Involved |
