Comprehension
Read the following extracts and answer the questions
Those were the days of mainly indoor shooting, and only five percent of the film was shot outdoors. I suppose the sets and studio lights needed the girls and boys to be made to look ugly in order to look presentable in the movie. A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department. The chief make-up man made the chief actors and actresses ugly, his senior assistant the 'second' hero and heroine, the junior assistant the main comedian and so forth. The players who played the crowd were the responsibility of the office boy. (Even the make-up department of the Gemini Studio had an 'office boy')

On the days when there was crowd-shooting, you could see him mixing his paint in a giant vessel and slapping it on the crowd players. The idea was to close every pore on the surface of the face in the process of applying make-up.
Question: 1

What does the writer mean by the phrase ‘indoor shooting’ in the first line of the extract?

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In descriptive texts, focus on contextual clues to interpret specific phrases and expressions.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Within this scope, 'indoor shooting' designates filming within a studio, as opposed to external locales. Lighting and effects were often managed using studio equipment in a controlled setting.
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Question: 2

Pick up one sentence from the extract that reflects the sarcastic tone of the writer.

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When identifying sarcasm, look for irony, exaggeration, or contradictory statements within the text.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

The sentence satirizes the illogical notion that actors needed to be "ugly" to seem presentable on screen. The humor stems from this amplified viewpoint.
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Question: 3

The hierarchy in the make-up department puts the ‘office boy’ in the __________ (lowest / top) rung of the ladder.

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Hierarchy-based questions often require identifying the structure of roles from most important to least important.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Within the make-up department, the office boy's role was of minimal importance, involving only small duties such as helping background actors. Consequently, his position was at the bottom of the departmental structure.
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Question: 4

Complete the following suitably: On the days when there was a ‘crowd-shooting’. By the phrase ‘crowd-shooting’, the author refers to __________.

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In literature, special phrases like 'crowd-shooting' often symbolize broader practices or trends.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

The term "crowd-shooting" describes scenes needing many extras or background actors. These performers typically underwent quick, simple makeup and were prepared rapidly to accommodate filming schedules.
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Question: 5

Choose the correct option: The choice of words like ‘paint’ and ‘slapping’ by the author reflects:

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In humor-based questions, look for exaggerated language, unexpected word choices, or ironic descriptions.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
  • Author’s intention to degrade the office boy’s role in the make-up department.
  • The office boy’s lack of seriousness.
  • Author’s sarcastic and humorous writing style.
  • Author’s dislike of the office boy.
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The words "paint" and "slapping" humorously overstate the office boy's job. The author uses sarcasm to show how the office boy's seemingly unimportant role was presented as crucial.
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Question: 6

Choose the correct option: What does the following line from the extract showcase? “A strict hierarchy was maintained in the make-up department.”

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When analyzing hierarchy-related questions, focus on the structure of responsibilities and power dynamics.
Updated On: Jan 14, 2026
  • The office boy took all the decisions in the make-up department.
  • A system of ranks according to the importance of work was followed.
  • Everyone was given an equal share of work in the department.
  • Nepotism was prevalent in the make-up department.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The text describes the hierarchical organization of the make-up department, differentiating responsibilities by rank. The lead make-up artist worked with leading actors, and less experienced staff, including the office boy, were assigned to less significant roles, such as crowd make-up.
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