1. The name of APJ Abdul Kalam’s autobiography is –
a) An Autobiography
b) Wings of Fire
c) Malgudi Days
d) The Story of My Experiments with Truth
2. 'Strong Roots’ is taken from APJ Abdul Kalam’s
a) Ignited Minds
b) Wings of Fire
c) My Journey
d) Indomitable Spirit
3. APJ Abdul Kalam was the –
a) Prime Minister of India
b) President of India
c) Chief Minister
d) Judge of Supreme Court
4. APJ Abdul Kalam was born into a ______________ family.
a) middle-class Tamil
b) lower middle-class Tamil
c) upper-class Tamil
d) none of these
5. APJ Abdul Kalam’s birth place was in the island town of –
a) Goa
b) Andaman
c) Rameswaram
d) Puri
6. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father had –
a) much formal education
b) much formal education and wealth
c) neither much formal education nor much wealth
d) none of these
7. Who possessed great innate wisdom and true generosity of spirit –
a) Ashiamma
b) Kalam
c) Jainulabdeen
d) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry
8. Kalam’s father possessed
(a) Great innate wisdom
(b) True generosity of spirit
(c) Divine power
(d) Great innate wisdom and true generosity of spirit
9. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father found an ideal helpmate in –
a) Ashiamma
b) Jalaludeen
c) Abdul Kalam
d) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry
10. Kalam’s parents were widely regarded as –
a) Proud parents
b) An ideal couple
c) Successful parents
d) Fortunate parents
11. Kalam was quite sure that her mother fed –
a) many beggars
b) many outsiders
c) all her family members
d) all of these
12. One of the forebears of Kalam’s mother was awarded by the British the title of –
a) Bahadur
b) Raibahadur
c) Padmashree
d) Bharat Ratna
13. Kalam had –
a) charming looks
b) undistinguished looks
c) ugly looks
d) pretty looks
14. According to APJ Abdul Kalam, his parents were –
a) tall
b) handsome
c) tall and handsome
d) short but handsome
15. Kalam and his brothers and sisters lived in their
a) ancestral house
b) rented house
c) hut
d) Cottage
16. The ancestral house of APJ Abdul Kalam was a fairly large pucca house which was made of –
a) cement and brick
b) limestone and brick
c) clay and brick
d) sand and brick
17. What type of house did Kalam's family live in?
a) Mud hut
b) Brick house
c) Wooden bungalow
d) Thatched house
18. Kalam’s father led a –
a) very simple life
b) very undisciplined life
c) luxurious life
d) moderate life
19. APJ Abdul Kalam’s father used to avoid all _____________ comforts and luxuries. –
a) essential
b) inessential
c) avoidable
d) unavoidable
20. Abdul Kalam’s ancestral house was built in –
a) mid 19th century
b) late 19th century
c) early 20th century
d)early 19th century
21. In his childhood Kalam was provided with all necessary –
a) food, medicine and clothes
b) money
c) support for games and sports
d) all of the above
22. Kalam accepted that he had a very _________ childhood. –
a) insecure
b) uncertain
c) painful
d) secure
23. Kalam usually ate with his –
a) father
b) mother
c) outsiders
d) family members
24. Kalam usually ate with his mother
a) sitting on the floor
b) with the banana leaves
c) aromatic sambar and rice
d) all the three
25. _______________ made Rameswaram famous to pilgrims –
a) the Krishna Temple
b) the Shiva Temple
c) the Tirupati Temple
d) the Kali Temple
26. The Shiva Temple was about _________ minutes walk from Kalam’s house. –
a) a ten
b) a five
c) a twenty
d) a fifteen
27. Kalam’s locality was predominantly –
a) Hindu
b) Buddhist
c) Jain
d) Muslim
28. Kalam’s father would take him to the mosque for –
a) pre-dawn prayer
b) mid-day prayer
c) evening prayer
d) afternoon prayer
29. Kalam’s father went to a very old mosque every evening –
a) alone
b) with his wife
c) with his friends
d) with his son, Kalam
30. Kalam had no idea of the meaning of the prayer because –
a) it was difficult to understand
b) it was chanted in Arabic
c) it was not properly audible
d) none of these
31. What was Kalam convinced about the Arabic prayers?–
a) It reaches all people
b) It is useless
c) It reaches God
d) It has no effect at all
32. When Kalam’s father came out of the mosque after the prayers, people of __________ community would be sitting outside to meet him.
a) Muslim
b) his friends
c) different
d) his relatives
33. People sat outside the mosque and waited for -
a) the narrator
b) Kalam's mother
c) Kalam's father
d) the Imam
34. Many people offered bowls of water to Kalam's father who would-
a) drink the water
b) dip his fingertips in them
c) take those bowls home
d) place them inside the mosque
35. Having dipped his fingertips in the bowl of water and saying a prayer, Kalam's father-
a) polluted the water
b) drank the water
c) sanctified the water
d) purified the water
36. When Kalam’s father came out of the mosque, he saw people –
a) asking him for alms
b) offering him the bowls of water
c) asking him for help
d) offering him money
37. The holy water sanctified by his father was carried for –
a) drink
b) worship
c) invalids
d) none of these
38. People came to meet Kalam's father in their house to -
a) sanctify water
b) cure the invalids
c) offer thanks
d) seek his advice
39. When people thanked Jainulabdeen after being cured, he asked them to thank-
a) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry
b) Allah, the merciful
c) the universe
d) various divine forces
40. How does APJ Abdul Kalam sum up his childhood in Rameswaram? –
a) a time when he moved from rags to riches
b) a period of extreme comfort and affluence
c) a time of want and deprivation
d) a very secure time, materially and emotionally
41. “My mother’s lineage was the more distinguished.” Here ‘lineage’ means –
a) family background
b) standing in a line
c) linkage
d) average age.
42. Dr. Kalam’s mother’s lineage was more — than his father’s.
a) superior
b) Distinguished
c) Aristocratic
d) Lowly
43. Dr. Kalam lived on the – Street
a) Muslim
b) Mausoleum
c) Mosque
d) Monument
44. Dr. Kalam lived with both Hindu and Muslim neighbours –
a) Peacefully
b) Amicably
c) In stress
d) Lovingly
45. According to Dr. Kalam’s father, during prayer
a) One becomes part of the cosmos
b) The cosmos becomes one
c) Part becomes whole
d) Cosmos is distributed into parts
46. According to Kalam’s father since adversity always presents opportunities for introspection, we must try to —
a) Understand its relevance
b) Accept it.
c) Blame others and find their faults.
d) Propitiate demonic forces with prayers and offerings
47. Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry was the –
a) councillor of the town
b) headmaster of Rameswaram School
c) high priest of the Shiva temple
d) none of these
48. The name of the high priest of Rameswaram Temple was
a) Lakshmana Sastry
b) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry
c) Ram Lakshmana Sastry
d) Rameswaram Sastry
49. Kalam remembered his father discussing with Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry about –
a) politics
b) the riots
c) sports
d) spiritual matters
50. According to Kalam’s father, when we pray we transcend our body and become a part of –
a) the earth
b) the cosmos
c) the god
d) the world
51. According to Kalam’s father, __________ knows no division of wealth, age, caste or creed. –
a) the earth
b) the cosmos
c) the god
d) the world
52. Abdul Kalam’s father would convey complex spiritual concepts in simple down-to-earth –
a) Arabic
b) Urdu
c) Tamil
d) Telegu
53. According to Kalam’s father, adversity always presents opportunities for –
a) inspection
b) introduction
c) introspection
d) retrospection
54. Kalam’s father believed that man looked for a company –
a) when he was happy
b) when he was lonely
c) when he was afraid
d) when he was cheerful
55. The words of Abdul Kalam’s father filled him with strange energy and –
a) relief
b) enthusiasm
c) perseverance
d) determination
56. According to Kalam’s father, whenever people reach an impasse, they –
a) become frustrated
b) look for someone to help them
c) surrender themselves to God
d) try to understand the relevance of it
57. Abdul Kalam describes his parents as being –
a) wealthy, educated and generous
b) highly educated but not wealthy
c) very poor and illiterate
d) neither wealthy nor highly educated but kind, wise and large-hearted
58. Kalam’s father was acknowledged as a spiritual person because –
a) he was very knowledgeable about spiritual matters
b) he worked at the local mosque
c) he read the namaz before dawn
d) the priest of the Rameswaram temple had discussions with him
59. Kalam’s father believed that for people in distress, he was –
a) mere mediator
b) greater than God
c) solver of problems
d) a helpless onlooker of their difficulties
60. The piece presents a delightful sketch of the author’s early life and the development of his _______ growth.
a) spiritual
b) life
c) science
d) Space
61. Growing old enough, once Kalam asked his father about-
a) the existence of God
b) the utter mystery of life
c) the relevance of prayer
d) his father's austerity
62. "When troubles come, try to understand the relevance of your sufferings."- This is said by -
a) APJ Abdul Kalam
b) Jainulabdeen
c) Ashiamma
d) Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry.
63. Adversity always presents opportunities for introspection."- Here the word 'introspection' means-
a) insight
b) inner vision
c) sufferings
d) deep thought about one's feelings
64. According to Kalam's father, every human being is a -
a) blessed entity
b) heavenly being
c) specific element within the whole of the manifest divine being
d) unique man with specific qualities
65. A.PJ Abdul Kalam is -
a) the one of the two sons of
b) the single son in the family
c) one of the many children of Jainulabdeen
d) the eldest and tallest child of Jainulabdeen
66. What type of childhood did Kalam have?
a) Miserable and poor
b) Insecure and unstable
c) Secure, both materially and emotionally
d) Lonely and deprived
67. The father of Kalam led -
a) a very secure and peaceful life
b) a very luxurious and peaceful life
c) a very fast and laborious and peaceful life
d) a very austere and peaceful life
68. Out of the most vivid memories of Kalam's early childhood is of -
a) two men discussing political problems
b) two men discussing economic matters
c) two men discussing spiritual matters
d) two men discussing Hindu-Muslim unity
69. Which of the following was not part of Kalam's meal?
a) Sambar
b) Pickle
c) Bread
d) Coconut chutney
70. What did Kalam's father prioritize the most?
a) Education
b) Spirituality and simplicity
c) Politics
d) Business
71. How did young Kalam perceive the Arabic prayers?
a) He fully understood them
b) He ignored them
c) He did not understand them but believed they reached God
d) He found them meaningless
72. What kind of meal did Kalam eat with his mother?
a) Rice, sambar, pickle, and coconut chutney
b) Roti and dal
c) Bread and butter
d) Fish and chips
73. What did Kalam remember about his father and Pakshi Lakshmana Sastry?
a) Their heated arguments
b) Their discussions on politics
c) Their spiritual discussions
d) Their business dealings
74. What did Kalam's father say about prayer?
a) It was a mysterious ritual
b) It created a communion of the spirit
c) It should be avoided
d) It was only for the elderly
75. According to Kalam's father, what does prayer help one transcend?
a) Time
b) Wealth
c) The body
d) Education
76. APJ Abdul Kalam was born to
a) parents of bright complexion
b) short but handsome parents
c) parents of dark complexion
d) tall and handsome parents
77. Kalam was convinced that there exists
a) a divine power
b) a magical power
c) an economical power
d) a natural power
78. Kalam's father said that for the distressed people he acted as-
a) a go-between
b) a priest
c) a mentor
d) a guru
79. Kalam's austere father did not like -
a) essential comforts
b) material wealth
c) luxuries
d) Arabic prayer
80. Every recurrent anguish, longing and desire
a) finds special friend
b) finds hindrances
c) finds a physician
d) finds its special helper
81. "This water was then carried home for invalids" - Hear the word 'invalid' means
a) illogical
b) inessential
c) infirm and incapable persons
d) worthless
82. According to APJ Abdul Kalam, the divine power can lift one up from -
(a) confusion and misery
(b) melancholy
(c) failure
(d) all the above
83. Kalam remembers his father starting his day at ____ am.
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
84. Kalam remembers his father starting his day –
a) with namaz after dawn
b) with namaz before dawn
c) with morning walk
d) with meditation
85. The coconut grove where Abdul Kalam’s father used to walk down every morning was about / Jainulabdeen’s coconut grove was miles from his house –
a) One and a half miles
b) Three miles
c) Four miles
d) Four and a half miles
86. Kalam’s father would go to their coconut grove and return with about –
a) a dozen coconuts
b) half a dozen coconuts
c) 10 coconuts
d) 14 coconuts
87. Kalam’s father would maintain his routine- bound life up to –
a) sixties
b) late sixties
c) seventies
d) late seventies
88. Kalam tried to emulate his father in his own world of –
a) politics
b) medical science
c) social service
d) science and technology
89. Kalam had deep faith in the existence of a –
a) divine power
b) supernatural power
c) devilish power
d) his father’s rituals
90. According to Kalam an individual can attain freedom, happiness and peace of mind by –
a) reading the daily namaz
b) severing his mental and physical bonds
c) avoiding all luxuries of life
d) following a routine-bound life
91. Jainulabdeen started his day at 4 a.m. with –
a) Namaz
b) Breakfast
c) Morning walk
d) Plucking coconuts
92. 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
93. Why did Kalam's father hesitate before answering his son's question?
a) He was unsure of the answer
b) He was testing his son's ability to understand
c) He did not want to answer
d) He was too busy
94. What kind of energy did Kalam feel after his father's response?
a) Confusion
b) Sadness
c) Fear
d) Enthusiasm
95. What did Kalam's father say about people in distress?
a) They should donate money
b) They should pray to Allah
c) They look for someone to guide them
d) They must suffer alone
96. What is a "fear-ridden vision of destiny," according to Kalam's father?
a) A belief that fate controls everything
b) A positive outlook on life
c) A scientific approach to life
d) A refusal to accept problems
97. What did Kalam try to emulate from his father?
a) His business skills
b) His commitment to spirituality
c) His love for food
d) His political beliefs
98. What did Kalam believe about divine power?
a) It is a myth
b) It lifts one from misery and confusion
c) It only helps religious people
d) It controls people's lives directly
99. What was the core belief of Kalam's father about human destiny?
a) It is controlled by supernatural forces
b) It is fixed and cannot be changed
c) It is shaped by individual effort and understanding
d) It depends entirely on religious practices
100. According to Kalam's father, why do people seek help during difficulties?
a) Because they need guidance and support
b) Because they lack self-confidence
c) Because they are superstitious
d) Because they want to escape reality
101. Abdul Kalam was born in the year
(a) 1929
(b) 1930
(c) 1931
(d) 1932.
102. Kalam was the President of India from
(a) 1996 to 2001
(b) 2002 to 2007
(c) 1990 to 1995
(d) 2008 to 2013
103. What is the full name of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?
(a) Abdul Pakir Jamiruddin Abdul Kalam
(b) Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
(c) Abdur Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam
(d) Ahmed Pakir Jamiruddin Abdul Kalam.
104. What was he a pioneer in?
(a) aerospace engineering
(b) rocket engineering
(c) chemical engineering
(d) space engineering
105. When did A.P.J. Abdul Kalam die?
(a) 2013
(b) 2014
(c) 2015
(d) 2016
106. Where did he work mostly?
(a) NASA
(b) ISRO
(c) Indian Space Organisation
(d) Indian Space Programmes