20. Reading Skills Comprehension: A TRUE FRIEND

A TRUE FRIEND

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.

The presence of certain qualities makes friendship a special relationship. A true friend is not afraid to give an honest opinion and does not say things for the sake of getting appreciation. A friend provides companionship and continuous support. There is no room for pride, jealousy or rivalry in friendship. When one enjoys a period of prosperity, many people become friends. This is not friendship because these so-called friends pull away in difficult times. True friends stand by each other both in good and difficult times. A friend in need is a friend indeed is a truism which holds true always. Sugriva, the king of the monkey clan, was a famous character in the great Indian epic Ramayana. The role of Sugriva starts after Sita’s kidnapping. Sugriva also has a similar sad tale to narrate to Ram and with his help challenges Bali. During the war, Bali is killed by Lord Ram, and Sugriva returns as the king of Kishkindha. In the Ramayana, Sugriva and Rama honour their pact of friendship throughout the entire epic. With the help of Ram, Sugriva kills his brother Bali and regains the kingdom. In return, Sugriva provides his army to assist Rama in his search for Sita and does not rest until she is found and returned to Rama. In the Mahabharata, Karna, at the cost of his own life, remains a true friend to Duryodhana. He honours his friendship with Duryodhana even after knowing that he, in reality, is the son of Kunti and that the Pandavas are his brothers. He does not break his commitment to Duryodhana.

1. The quality of the true friend is to:

a.be afraid

b.provide companionship and support

c.get full appreciation

d.give an opinion

2. To maintain stability in friendship it should have a healthy dose of:

a.pride

b.rivalry

c.jealousy

d.criticism

3. The expression “A friend in need is a friend indeed” means a friend:

a.pulls away during hard times