Directions (1-5): Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.
Marie was born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, where her father was a Professor of Physics. At an early age, she displayed a brilliant mind and a blithe personality. Her great exuberance for learning prompted her to continue with her studies after high school. She became disgruntled, however, when she learned that the university in Warsaw was closed to women. Determined to receive a higher education, she defiantly left Poland and in 1891 entered the Sorbonne, a French university, where she earned her master’s degree and doctorate in physics.
Marie was fortunate to have studied at the Sorbonne with some of the greatest scientists of her day, one of whom was Pierre Curie. Marie and Pierre were married in 1895 and spent many productive years working together in the physics laboratory. A short time after they discovered radium, Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn wagon in 1906. Marie was stunned by this horrible misfortune and endured heart-breaking anguish. Despondently, she recalled their close relationship and the joy that they had shared in scientific research. The fact that she had two young daughters to raise by herself greatly increased her distress.
Curie’s feeling of desolation finally began to fade when she was asked to succeed her husband as a physics professor at the Sorbonne. She was the first woman to be given a professorship at the world-famous university. In 1911, she received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for isolating radium. Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal illness from her long exposure to radium, she never became disillusioned about her work. Regardless of the consequences, she had dedicated herself to science and to revealing the mysteries of the physical world.
1. According to the passage why did Marie’s distress increase?
(a) Because she learned that the university in Warsaw was closed to women.
(b) Because she had two daughters to look after all by herself.
(c) Because she suffered from a fatal disease.
(d) Because her husband was killed.
2. Which of the following options can replace the highlighted word in the given sentence?
Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal illness from her long exposure to radium, she never became disillusioned about her work.
(a) Enchanted
(b) Satisfied
(c) Disenchanted
(d) Contended
3. Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the given word. DISGRUNTLED
(a) contented
(b) vexed
(c) annoyed
(d) irritated
4. Select the most appropriate synonym the given word.
EXUBERANCE
(a) lethargy
(b) exhilaration
(c) apathy
(d) coolness
5. Which among the following options is NOT true about Marie according to the passage?
(a) She was the first woman to be appointed as a professor at a world-famous university.
(b) She received the Nobel Prize.
(c) She was born in Poland
(d) She was killed by a horse-drawn wagon.
