By Vishal sir

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LIC RBI grade B, RBI ASSISTANT, & Other competitive Exams

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Dear Students,

In these times of immense competition, success is not something that’s easier to

achieve. You have to excel your preparation and perform exceptionally well at various
stages. And to achieve this you need the best material present out there.

With an initiative to provide you with the best, Vishal Parihar has come with this new
book ‘Most Proficient 100+ Reading Comprehension’ for all competitive exams. The Most
Proficient 100+ Reading Comprehension in this series are the most useful questions in
English. They were found by analysis of a collection of different previous year papers from
different competitive examinations like SBI, IBPS, CAT, MAT, and various insurance
examinations. Each set of question in this book is a high-frequency question. This means
that the effort in solving the question is well repaid by the number of times learners have a
chance to encounter or solve them. You can rely on this book to improve solving ability that
will help you to achieve better scores in the examinations.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our team (Bhavesh Patni, Aanchal Singh,
Rishika Jain) for their relentless efforts towards the design and the quality content of the
book.

Good Luck!

Vishal Parihar
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Dedication

I dedicate this book to "my parents

and my family" for their relentless

support. Hope this book will help

students to achieve their goal.

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The information you will find in this book and any publications or other study materials published by Vishal
Parihar is for information only, which is to be used for learning English grammar.
Tips, strategies, methods of study, lessons and all the resources are only recommendations for the aspirants,
and reading any information in this book is provided ‘as is’.
The whole book is made keeping in mind, all the previous years questions asked in bank & other
relevant exams and expected to be asked in the upcoming exams. The author has made reasonable efforts to
provide current and accurate information to his readers. The author will not be held liable for any
unintentional errors or omissions that may be found

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How
SBI PO, to Attempt
SBI CLERK, Reading
IBPS PO, IBPS Comprehension
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1. Develop skills of each type of question in reading: There are around 10 different types of questions and you need to find a strategy to
tackle each one. Some question types have answers that come in order and others do not. This type of information will help you not only
save time but also locate the right answers.

2. Skimming and Scanning: You should be able to skim and scan passages to do well in Exams. Skimming is reading a passage to get a
general idea of the content. This is recommended to do before you tackle the questions. All types of questions, except one, are given after
the passage because it is recommended to skim read the passage before the questions. This does not mean you try to understand the
passage. It’s just a chance to get a sense of the topic and layout. You should skim read the full passage in 2 to 3 minutes – not longer. At
the same time, you should underline any key words you see. The only types of questions which comes before the passage is matching
headings, for those, you don’t need to read the passage first. Scanning is your ability to locate information quickly and has no relation to
comprehension of the passage.

3. Develop your speed reading skills: The section in the exam has a strict time limit which will really challenge your ability to complete
the questions in time. You must develop speed reading skills to be able to find your answers quickly. This means you must be able to scan
the passage quickly to locate information.

4. Don’t try to understand the full passage: Your task is to locate answers only. Most questions test your ability to locate specific
information given to you and then to comprehend the sentence or sentences which contain that information. There are only two types of
questions which will require a more detailed understand of the whole passage – matching headings and choosing a title. All other questions
are based on locating information.

5. Developing vocabulary: This is one of the key reasons why students don’t get the score they need. Learn vocabulary is not just about
learning the meaning of a word, it is about learning when you can and can’t use a word. It is also about what collocations can be used
with words, for example verbs and match nouns. You should write words lists that include common paraphrases and also any problems
you had finding the answer. You can do this by learning vocabulary from practice reading passages. And for your kind information we
have launched a separate E-book on “5000 Vocabulary” that will surely help you improve your comprehensive approach.

6. Spotting key words: Each question will have key words to help you locate the information in the passage and to spot the right answer.
You should learn to spot key words and use them correctly. You should also check whether the key words can be paraphrased. You will
soon learn to use key words correctly when you review your answers in practice reading lessons. Some key words are obvious, for instance
names, dates, numbers, places etc. Other key words are more subtle.
7. Grammar: Question types such as summary completion and sentence completion require that the sentence is grammatically correct when
you have put the answer in. This means that grammar can help you to spot the right answer. Many students wonder why one answer is
correct and the other is not – the reason is often grammar related. You will see this when you do practice reading lessons.

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Reading Comprehension Set - 1 is carried via droplets that the wearer exhales into the membrane,
and "when the water evaporates, salt ions gather to form crystals,"
Directions : Read the following passage carefully and answer says Choi. "The crystals look like a very sharp spearhead. So, they
the questions that follow. easily kill the virus."

Choi's primary area of research is in vaccines and pandemic

Over the last millennium, salt has undergone a major status
shift, from exotic delicacy that drove humans to war to kitchen preparedness, and that's where he sees the masks' biggest potential.
During an influenza outbreak, he says, it takes scientists a minimum
condiment taken so for granted that 90 percent of Americans
of six months from the time the strain is identified to the production
consume too much of it without even trying. But new research
of a vaccine; meanwhile, the MERS virus spread across South
suggests that salt may be on the verge of yet another reinvention -
Korea in a matter of weeks in 2015. It's in this interim period,
this time in the world of disease control.
between outbreak and vaccine, that many people don surgical masks
in an attempt to protect themselves and others, but doing so can
Superbugs like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or
backfire if the masks are worn too long or handled incorrectly. In
MRSA, have wreaked havoc on the health-care system in recent
addition to appearing safe for reuse, the masks Choi is hoping to
years. Drug-resistant infections, which include superbugs, are
develop are equally effective at killing all types of influenza,
responsible for more than 700,000 deaths globally each year, and
because they rely on a physical process. Salt has the added
come with an approximate annual cost of $20 billion in the United
advantage of being stable across most environments, easy to handle,
States alone. How do you stop them? Frequent hand washing is one
option, but that requires a behaviour change, which can be onerous, and cheap to acquire.
even for hospital staff. Another option is to coat those frequently Q1. Which of the following words can be an antonym of the word
fondled objects most likely to carry the bugs - doorknobs, bed rails,
'onerous', as used in the passage?
toilet handles - with a special anti-microbial surface, like copper.
This approach is increasingly popular, but time is of the essence
(a) Difficult
when it comes to preventing the spread of disease, and MRSA has
(b) Effortless
been shown to survive even on copper for several hours.
(c) Laborious
Brayden Whitlock, a graduate student at the University of
Alberta, to design a pilot study that put salt and copper head to head. (d) Confusing
(e) Delayed
Coupon-sized strips of pure, compressed sodium chloride were
covered in an MRSA culture, alongside similar strips of Q2. Which of the following words can be an antonym of the word
antimicrobial copper and stainless steel. Whitlock found that salt
'exotic', as used in the passage?
killed off the bug 20 to 30 times faster than the copper did. That was
"considerably faster" than expected, Whitlock says. "It's great to be
(a) Sparkling
able to eliminate pathogens over the course of a few hours," he said.
(b) Outlandish
(c) Native
Meanwhile, fellow researchers at the University of Alberta have
(d) Precious
found another potential medical use for salt: this time, as a coating
(e) Remarkable
on surgical masks. These masks are designed to trap viruses that
wearers are carrying, like influenza, but need to be thrown away Q3. Which of the following words can be a synonym of the word 'pilot',
after a single use. A paper co-authored by Hyo-Jick Choi, found that
as used in the passage?
soaking the inner membrane of a common surgical mask in a
solution of sodium chloride made the mask actually able to destroy
(a) Important
the flu virus outright, which could allow for multiple uses. Influenza
(b) Trial

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(c) Complicated Q8. How did the usage of salt improve the efficacy of the surgical mask?
(d) Widespread I. By making it cheaper
(e) Driving II. By allowing for multiple uses
III. By trapping viruses
Q4. Which of the following words can be a synonym of the word 'don', (a) Only I
as used in the passage? (b) Only II
(c) Only III
(a) Scare (d) Only I and II
(b) Avoid (e) Only II and III
(c) Purchase
(d) Wear Q9. Which of the following solutions does the passage not discuss while
(e) Sell exploring ways to control the damage caused due to diseases?

Q5. Which of the following best represents the tone of the given (a) Washing hands frequently
passage? (b) Coating frequently used objects by copper
(a) Apologetic (c) Surgical masks coated with salt
(b) Sarcastic (d) Using salt ions to kill the influenza bacteria
(c) Cynical (e) All are discussed
(d) Euphemistic
(e) Analytical Answers And Solutions
Q6. Which of the following objects are mentioned in the passage to be
Q1Ans.(b)
carrying bugs?
Onerous - (of a task or responsibility) involving a great deal of
I. Bed rails II. Doorknobs
effort, trouble, or difficulty. So, 'effortless' can be a antonym. B is
III. Pollution masks
the right answer.
(a) Only I Q2Ans.(c)
(b) Only II
Exotic - Originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country.
(c) Only I and III
So, 'native' can be its antonym. C is the right answer.
(d) Only II and III Q3Ans.(b)
(e) Only I and II
Pilot - Done as an experiment or test before being introduced more
Q7. Why does the passage say, "time is of the essence when it comes to widely. So, 'trial' can be its synonym. B is the right answer.
Q4Ans.(d)
preventing the spread of the disease"?
Don (verb) - Put on (an item of clothing). So 'wear' can be its
synonym. D is the right answer.
(a) MRSA survives even on copper for several hours and it is Q5Ans.(e)
essential to destroy any microbes quickly to contain the disease.
The tones given in the options are explained below:
(b) MRSA survives on copper for several hours and it is essential to
Apologetic - Expressing remorse, regret, sorrow for having failed,
destroy it after several hours.
injured, insulted or wronged another
(c) MRSA survives even on copper for several hours and it leads to
Sarcastic - Harsh, bitter derision; taunting; sneering; cutting
700000 deaths each year globally
remarks
(d) MRSA needs to be eliminated within two days of its diagnosis
Cynical - hints of pessimism and scepticism can be seen in this kind
(e) None of the above
of passages.

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Euphemistic - Substitution of mild, indirect or vague expression for through technologies including not just video cameras but also
one thought to be offensive, harsh or blunt monitoring software, has grown rapidly across all industries.
Analytical - The characteristic of an analytical tone is the presence Randolph Lewis, a professor of American studies pointed to
of reasons or logic/ justifications to support something. In such software that makes it possible for employers to monitor employee
passages, the author tries to analyse an issue. facial expressions and tone of voice to gauge their emotional states,
We can see that 'analytical' best sums up the tone of the passage, as such as rage or frustration. Among more conventional surveillance
the author shares details about a new discovery in the medical methods, employers can track employees' website visits and keep
domain and discusses how it can be used to overcome certain tabs on their employees' keystrokes. Employers can also monitor
problems. E is the right answer. employees' personal blogs and read their social-networking profiles.
Q6Ans.(e) In one case in California, a sales executive at a money-transfer firm
The fourth sentence of the second paragraph list the 'objects', which sued her employer, claiming she had been fired for disabling an app
include options I and II. III does not find mention in the passage. E that used employer-issued cell phones to track workers via GPS,
is the right answer. even when they were off the clock.
Q7(a)
The last sentence of the second paragraph tells us that MRSA can The proliferation of surveillance is due, at least in part, to the
remain on copper for several hours, which inevitably increases the rising sophistication and declining cost of spy technology:
chances of it spreading. B and D are incorrect as they are not Employers monitor workers because they can. Michel Anteby, a
mentioned in the passage. C is incorrect as it is not the right reason; Boston University sociologist and business scholar has noticed that
plus it gets the figure incorrect - it should have been more than the more employees are watched, the harder they try to avoid being
700000 deaths. A is the right answer. watched, and the harder management tries to watch them. "Most
Q8Ans.(b) TSA workers try to never speak up, never stick out, do nothing that
The third sentence of the fourth paragraph tells us that using salt might get noticed by management. This leads to a vicious cycle,
(sodium chloride) could allow for multiple uses of surgical masks. whereby management grows more suspicious and feels justified in
This is the only advantage mentioned in the passage. Hence, B is ratcheting up the surveillance", he said.
the right answer.
Q9Ans.(d) Perhaps the most common argument for surveillance - one
The fourth sentence of the second paragraph contains option A. The often deployed by firms that make employee-monitoring products -
fifth sentence contains option B. Option C appears in the first is that it can make workers more productive. Purveyors of
sentence of the fourth paragraph. The last two sentences of the last monitoring software claim they can help managers reduce the
paragraph tell us that salt ions are used to kill the influenza virus. number of wasted hours and ensure that employees make better use
But option D says 'bacteria'; hence it is incorrect. So, D is the right of their time. A Boston-based technology company called
answer. Humanyze applies what it calls "moneyball for business." The term
moneyball originated in Michael Lewis's best seller about the
Reading Comprehension Set - 2 Oakland Athletics baseball team and its general manager, Billy
Beane, who used statistics to assemble a team of particularly gifted
Directions : Read the following passage carefully and answer ballplayers. Humanyze gathers data by fitting employee ID badges
the questions that follow. with a microphone, location sensors, and an accelerometer to tease
out patterns of employee behaviour that affect a company's
performance. At one office, Humanyze's data suggested that more
A TSA spokesman acknowledged the agency's use of
frequent employee interactions improve productivity, so the
surveillance, though he attributed the "fairly rapid" turnover rate of
employer installed larger, more central coffee stations to encourage
TSA baggage screeners to other factors - in particular, to "low pay
those interactions.
and high stress." In fact, electronic surveillance of employees,

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The proposition that job performance improves when

employees are monitored is not a hopeful one. It's possible that (a) Only I
observed employees felt pressured to push customers to order more (b) Only II and III
- a practice that is not necessarily good for business in the long run, (c) Only I and II
as few of us enjoy feeling pressured to overconsumed. In general, (d) Only II
studies of surveillance suggest that it can increase workplace stress, (e) Only III
promote worker alienation, lower job satisfaction, and convey the
perception that the quantity of work one generates is more important Q5. According to the passage, which of the following arguments work
than its quality. The constant surveillance of employees diminishes in favour of monitoring software?
their capacity to operate as independent thinkers and actors.
I. It is helpful in reducing the number of wasted hours
Q1. Which of the following can be a suitable title for the given passage? II. It can ensure employees make better use of their time
III. It can increase the profit levels of the companies
(a) The complexities of employer-employee relationship
(b) The dilemma of employee surveillance (a) Only I
(c) The dark side of technology (b) Only II and III
(d) Emotional states of employees at work (c) Only I and II
(e) Workplace surveillance found to increase employee productivity (d) Only II
(e) Only III
Q2. Which of the following options can be an antonym of the phrase
'ratchet up' used in the passage? Q6. According to the passage, which of the following points work
against surveillance on employees?
(a) Tighten I. It promotes quantity of work over quality
(b) Decrease II. It increases workplace stress
(c) Raise III. It lowers the employees' capability as independent actors
(d) Cover up
(e) Justify (a) Only I
(b) Only I and II
Q3. Which of the following can be a synonym for the word 'purveyor' (c) Only II
as used in the passage? (d) Only II and III
(e) All I, II and III
(a) Critic
(b) Developer Q7. Which of the following was/were the result of data obtained from
employee behaviour monitoring?
(c) Analyser
(d) Promoter (a) Usage of statistics to assemble a team of efficient workers
(e) Indicator (b) Fitting ID badges with employees
(c) Installation of larger, more central coffee stations
Q4. According to the passage, which of the following arguments work (d) More frequent employee interactions
in favour of monitoring software? (e) It made technology companies profitable
I. It is helpful in reducing the number of wasted hours
II. It can ensure employees make better use of their time Answers And Solutions
III. It can increase the profit levels of the companies

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Condescending - Patronizing; showing/implying patronising

Q1Ans.(b) descent from dignity/ superiority
The passage talks about the surveillance measures being taken by Introspective - Consider one's own internal state of feelings.
employers on employees. It discusses the effects of such Analytical - The characteristic of an analytical tone is the presence
surveillance on employees and their behaviour. of reasons or logic/ justifications to support something. In such
A cannot be a title as the passage discusses only 'surveillance' and passages, the author tries to analyse an issue.
does not delve into employer-employee relationship, which is a vast Since the passage takes up the issue of surveillance of employees
subject. B can be a title as this is the very topic being discussed in by employers and discusses the pros and cons of such an exercise,
the passage; the employers and the providers of surveillance 'analytical' is the right choice. E is the right answer.
systems claim that such measures result in improved productivity Q5Ans.(c)
whereas studies have shown that there are several negative effects The second sentence of the third paragraph mentions the options I
and productivity and job satisfaction can actually take a hit when and II as the advantages of monitoring software; the statement is:
employees are under surveillance, thus indicating a dilemma talked "Purveyors of monitoring software claim they can help managers
about in the title. C cannot be a title as only the 'surveillance' aspect reduce the number of wasted hours and ensure that employees make
of technology, which is being used by employers, is being discussed better use of their time". III is not mentioned in the passage. C is the
in the passage - not the dark side of the technology. D cannot be a right answer.
title as it is only being discussed as a part of the effects of Q6Ans.(e)
surveillance on employees and is not the theme of the passage. E The third sentence of the last paragraph covers options I and II: "In
cannot be a title as, though this is the aim of workplace surveillance, general, studies of surveillance suggest that it can increase
the passage provides proof to the contrary - that workplace workplace stress, promote worker alienation, lower job satisfaction,
surveillance actually ends up increasing stress and worker alienation and convey the perception that the quantity of work one generates
and lowers job satisfaction. B is the right answer. is more important than its quality". Option III is mentioned in the
Q2Ans.(b) last sentence: "The constant surveillance of employees diminishes
Ratchet something up - Cause something to rise as a step in what is their capacity to operate as independent thinkers and actors". E is
perceived as an irreversible process. So, 'decrease' can be an the right answer.
antonym. B is the right answer. Q7Ans.(c)
Q3Ans.(d) The last sentence of the third paragraph mentions the inference from
Purveyor - A person or group who spreads or promotes an idea, the data collected by Humanyze: "At one office, Humanyze's data
view, etc. 'Promoter' can be a synonym. D is the right answer. suggested that more frequent employee interactions improve
Q4Ans.(c) productivity, so the employer installed larger, more central coffee
Solution : stations to encourage those interactions". This tells us that option C
The second sentence of the third paragraph mentions the options I is the correct outcome. Options B and D are the steps taken by
and II as the advantages of monitoring software; the statement is: Humanyze to assess employee behaviour. Option A was the tactic
"Purveyors of monitoring software claim they can help managers employed by Billy Beane for the Oakland Athletics baseball team,
reduce the number of wasted hours and ensure that employees make as per the fourth sentence of the third paragraph. Option E is
better use of their time". III is not mentioned in the passage. C is the incorrect as it is not mentioned in the paragraph. C is the right
right answer. answer.
Correct Choice : e
The styles given in the options are described below:
Sarcastic - Harsh, bitter derision; taunting; sneering; cutting
remarks
Apathetic - Emotionless; not interested/ concerned; indifferent;
unresponsive

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Reading Comprehension Set - 3 d) common man

e) None of the above
In the 16th century, an age of great marine and terrestrial 2. Magellan lost the favor of the king of Portugal when he became
exploration, Ferdinand Magellan led the first expedition to sail involved in a political ________.
around the world. As a young Portuguese noble, he served the king
of Portugal, but he became involved in the quagmire of political a) entanglement
intrigue at court and lost the king’s favor. After he was dismissed b) discussion
from service by the king of Portugal, he offered to serve the future
Emperor Charles V of Spain. c) negotiation

A papal decree of 1493 had assigned all land in the New World d) problem
west of 50 degrees W longitude to Spain and all the land east of that e) None of the above
line to Portugal. Magellan offered to prove that the East Indies fell
under Spanish authority. On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail 3. The Pope divided New World lands between Spain and Portugal
from Spain with five ships. More than a year later, one of these ships according to their location on one side or the other of an
was exploring the topography of South America in search of a water imaginary geographical line 50 degrees west of Greenwich that
route across the continent. This ship sank, but the remaining four extends in a _________ direction.
ships searched along the southern peninsula of South America. a) north and south
Finally they found the passage they sought near 50 degrees S
latitude. Magellan named this passage the Strait of All Saints, but b) crosswise
today it is known as the Strait of Magellan.
c) easterly
One ship deserted while in this passage and returned to Spain, so
d) south east
fewer sailors were privileged to gaze at that first panorama of the
Pacific Ocean. Those who remained crossed the meridian now e) north and west
known as the International Date Line in the early spring of 1521
4. One of Magellan’s ships explored the _________ of South
after 98 days on the Pacific Ocean. During those long days at sea,
America for a passage across the continent.
many of Magellan’s men died of starvation and disease.
a) coastline
Later, Magellan became involved in an insular conflict in the
Philippines and was killed in a tribal battle. Only one ship and 17 b) mountain range
sailors under the command of the Basque navigator Elcano survived
c) physical features
to complete the westward journey to Spain and thus prove once and
for all that the world is round, with no precipice at the edge. d) islands
1. The 16th century was an age of great ______ exploration. e) None of the above
a) cosmic 5. Four of the ships sought a passage along a southern ______.
b) land a) coast
b) inland
c) mental
c) body of land with water on three sides

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d) border discovered radium, Pierre was killed by a horse-drawn wagon in

e) Answer not available 1906.
6. The passage was found near 50 degrees S of ________. Marie was stunned by this horrible misfortune and endured
heartbreaking anguish. Despondently she recalled their close
a) Greenwich
relationship and the joy that they had shared in scientific research.
b) The equator
The fact that she had two young daughters to raise by herself greatly
c) Spain
increased her distress.
d) Portugal
e) Madrid 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
7. In the spring of 1521, the ships crossed the _______ now called the
was the first woman to be given a professorship at the world-famous
International Date Line.
university. In 1911 she received the Nobel Prize in chemistry for
a) imaginary circle passing through the poles isolating radium. Although Marie Curie eventually suffered a fatal
b) imaginary line parallel to the equator illness from her long exposure to radium, she never became
c) area disillusioned about her work. Regardless of the consequences, she
d) land mass had dedicated herself to science and to revealing the mysteries of
e) Answer not available the physical world.

Reading Comprehension Set - 4 8. The Curies’ _________ collaboration helped to unlock the
secrets of the atom.

Marie Curie was one of the most accomplished scientists in history.

Together with her husband, Pierre, she discovered radium, an a) friendly
element widely used for treating cancer, and studied uranium and b) competitive
other radioactive substances. Pierre and Marie’s amicable c) courteous
collaboration later helped to unlock the secrets of the atom. d) industrious
e) chemistry
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 9. Marie had a bright mind and a ______ personality.
and a blithe personality. Her great exuberance for learning prompted
her to continue with her studies after high school. She became a) strong
disgruntled, however, when she learned that the university in b) lighthearted
Warsaw was closed to women. Determined to receive a higher c) humorous
education, she defiantly left Poland and in 1891 entered the d) strange
Sorbonne, a French university, where she earned her master’s e) envious
degree and doctorate in physics. 10. When she learned that she could not attend the university in
Warsaw, she felt _________.
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 a) hopeless
and Pierre were married in 1895 and spent many productive years b) annoyed
working together in the physics laboratory. A short time after they c) depressed

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d) worried question out of the four alternatives and click the button
e) None of the above corresponding to it.
11. Marie _________ by leaving Poland and traveling to France to My brother, David, was always close to our grandmother. Both
enter the Sorbonne. of them shared a love of Mother Nature and of food that they had
grown themselves. Whenever his schedule permitted, he would drop
a) challenged authority
in for a short visit and a cup of coffee. One day, when he found no
b) showed intelligence
one home, he left a chunk of dirt on her porch. This started what
c) behaved
was later to be known as his “calling card”. Grandmother would
d) was distressed
come home occasionally and instantly know that Dave had been by
e) Answer not available
when she spotted the chunk of dirt on her porch. Although
12. _________ she remembered their joy together. Grandmother had a poor upbringing in Italy, she managed to do well
in the United States. She was always healthy and independent and
a) Dejectedly enjoyed a fulfilling life. Recently she had a stroke and died.
b) Worried Everyone was saddened by her death. David was disconsolate. His
c) Tearfully life-long friend was now gone.
d) Happily
e) Irefully Q1. What is the opposite of the word ‘disconsolate’?

13. Her _________ began to fade when she returned to the Sorbonne a) Devastated
to succeed her husband.
b) Hilarious
c) Exuberant
a) misfortune
d) Sombre
b) anger
c) wretchedness Q2. David would drop in for a short visit and leave a _____ as a sign
d) disappointment on grandma’s porch if she was not at home.
e) ambition
a) schedule
14. Even though she became fatally ill from working with radium,
Marie Curie was never _________. b) chunk of dirt
c) calling card
a) troubled
b) worried d) cup of coffee
c) disappointed
Q3. Grandmother used to be _____ .
d) sorrowful
e) disturbed a) rich in Italy but poor in the United States

Reading Comprehension Set- 5 b) in the United States but is now in Italy

c) poor earlier but became rich later on
Directions (1-5): A passage is given with 5 questions following it. d) rich earlier but now poor
Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each

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Q4. Grandmother enjoyed a _____ life. any connection with the czar’s family. Eight years later, however,
she claimed that she was Anastasia.
a) healthy but sickly
b) good and healthy She said that she had been rescued by two Russian soldiers after the
c) rich but sickly czar and the rest of her family had been killed. Two brothers named
d) poor and healthy Tschaikovsky had carried her into Romania. She had married one
of the brothers, who had taken her to Berlin and left her there,
Q5. Grandmother’s death made everyone
penniless and without a vocation. Unable to invoke the aid of her
a) sad including David mother’s family in Germany, she had tried to drown herself. During
the next few years, scores of the czar’s relatives, ex-servants, and
b) disconsolate excluding David acquaintances interviewed her. Many of these people said that her
c) happy and disconsolate looks and mannerisms were evocative of the Anastasia that they had
known. Her grandmother and other relatives denied that she was the
d) sad excluding David real Anastasia, however.
Reading Comprehension Set - 6 Tired of being accused of fraud, Anastasia immigrated to the United
States in 1928 and took the name Anna Anderson. She still wished
to prove that she was Anastasia, though, and returned to Germany
Directions: A passage is given with 5 questions following it. Read the
in 1933 to bring suit against her mother’s family. There she
passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question
declaimed to the court, asserting that she was indeed Anastasia and
out of the four alternatives and click the button corresponding
deserved her inheritance. In 1957, the court decided that it could
to it.
neither confirm nor deny Anastasia’s identity. Although it will
One of the most intriguing stories of the Russian Revolution probably never be known whether this woman was the Grand
concerns the identity of Anastasia, the youngest daughter of Czar Duchess Anastasia, her search to establish her identity has been the
Nicholas II. During his reign over Russia, the czar had planned to subject of numerous books, plays, and movies.
revoke many of the harsh laws established by previous czars. Some Q6. Some Russian peasants and workers ______ for social reform.
workers and peasants, however, clamored for more rapid social
reform. In 1918, a group of these people known as Bolsheviks a) longed
overthrew the government. On July 17 or 18, they murdered the czar
b) cried out
and what was thought to be his entire family. Although witnesses
vouched that all the members of the czar’s family had been c) begged
executed, there were rumors suggesting that Anastasia had survived.
d) hoped
Over the years, a number of women claimed to be Grand Duchess
Anastasia. Perhaps the most famous claimant was Anastasia Q7. Witnesses ______ that all members of the czar’s family had been
Tschaikovsky, who was also known as Anna Anderson. executed.
In 1920, 18 months after the czar’s execution, this terrified young a) gave assurance
woman was rescued from drowning in a Berlin river. She spent two
years in a hospital, where she attempted to reclaim her health and b) thought
shattered mind. The doctors and nurses thought that she resembled c) hoped
Anastasia and questioned her about her background. She disclaimed

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d) doubted [Link] strategy was not only to provide mass vaccinations, but
also to isolate patients with active smallpox in order to contain the
Q8. Tschaikovsky initially ______ any connection with the czar’s
spread of the disease and to break the chain of human transmission.
family.
Rewards for reporting smallpox assisted in motivating the public to
a) denied aid health workers. One by one, each smallpox victim was sought
out, removed from contact with others and treated. At the same time,
b) stopped the entire village where the victim had lived was vaccinated. Today
c) noted smallpox is no longer a threat to humanity. Routine vaccinations
have been stopped worldwide.
d) justified
Q1. Which of the following is the best title for the passage?
Q9. She was unable to ______ the aid of her relatives.
a) The World Health Organization
a) locate
b) The Eradication of Smallpox
b) speak about
c) Smallpox Vaccinations
c) call on
d) Infectious Diseases
d) identify
Q2. What was the goal of the campaign against smallpox?
Q10. In court she _________ maintaining that she was Anastasia and
deserved her inheritance. a) To decrease the spread of smallpox worldwide

a) finally appeared b) To eliminate smallpox worldwide in ten years

b) spoke forcefully c) To provide mass vaccinations against smallpox worldwide

c) gave testimony d) To initiate worldwide projects for smallpox, malaria and yellow
fever at the same time
d) gave evidence
Q3. According to the paragraph what was the strategy used to
Reading Comprehension Set - 7 eliminate the spread of small pox?

Directions (1-5): A passage is given with 5 questions following it. Read

a) Vaccination of the entire village
the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each
question out of the four alternatives and click the button b) Treatment of individual victims
corresponding to it.
c) Isolation of victims and mass vaccinations
In May 1966, the World Health Organization was authorized to
d) Extensive reporting of outbreaks
initiate a global campaign to eradicate smallpox. The goal was to
eradicate the disease in one decade. Because similar projects for Q4. Eleven years after the initial organization of the campaign,
malaria and yellow fever had failed, few believed that smallpox ___________
could actually be eradicated but eleven years after the initial
organization of the campaign, no cases were reported in the a) Smallpox was no longer a threat to humanity

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b) No cases were reported in the field If you’re in Thimphu, put the Textile Museum on your must-do list.
The museum, run by the Royal Textile Academy is the project of
c) Organization members changed the strategy
Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, one of the Queen Mothers of
d) More number of people had been victimized from smallpox Bhutan (the former King had four Queens, all sisters). The museum
is dedicated to preserving the oldest and rarest woven fabrics worn
Q5. It can be inferred that— in Bhutan and used in their religious scrolls and Thangkhas. As you
a) No new cases of smallpox have been reported this year walk in, it is the ‘Thongdrel’ or massive silk work of the Zhabdrung
Phuensum Tshogpa (in honour of a sacred meal served to Bhutan’s
b) Malaria and yellow fever have been eliminated political and spiritual founder in 1637) that greets you. The
c) Smallpox victims no longer die when they contract the disease thongdrel stands 34 feet tall, running 23 feet across and is set against
a glass window that runs three stories high.
d) Smallpox is not transmitted from one person to another Another on your must-see list is the relatively new Tara Lakhang
and Pangrizampa monastery on the outskirts of Thimphu. This is
Bhutan’s only monastery dedicated to 21 Taras, the female
Reading Comprehension Set - 8 Bodhisattva and it is a powerful display of ancient feminism.
Compared to the rest of the subcontinent, women have a status more
equal to men in Bhutan. There isn’t the obvious preference for the
Elections were in the air of the world’s youngest democracy when male child, girls and boys go to school in equal numbers.
I arrived in Thimphu. This was for a by-election in the capital city,
that dominated the conversation at dinners, even in Thimphu’s most Not so equal While polygamy is practiced in some parts, so is
fun night-spot Mojo Park (the best music in town). Bhutan has taken polyandry, and divorce settlements are equal and even-handed.
to democracy with ease ever since 2008 when the first proper Even so, Bhutanese women lag behind in one place that it counts:
elections were held, a process India has helped out with, sending parliament. In the last National Assembly elections, 3/4ths of the 47
officials from the Election Commission travelling to check seats had only male candidates (nine had females), and four women
arrangements, explain electronic voting machine (EVM) were elected as MPs. “Misogyny plays only one part of it,” explains
technology and procedures. However, there are many things the only leader of a party (DCT) Lily Wangchuk, who runs a hotel
uniquely Bhutanese: in downtown Thimphu. “Women just don’t vote for women, and the
Monks and nuns in this deeply religious Buddhist majority are not lack of women role models in modern Bhutan becomes a vicious
allowed to vote, so as to avoid mixing religion and politics. All cycle.”
voters must wear their national dress on polling day, but no one—
candidate, campaigner or voter—is allowed to wear the kabney silk While Bhutan’s government and people tell you they are devoted to
and gyentag (scarf of honour, for men and women respectively, preserving the country and its beauty, it is plain to see Bhutan is
bestowed only by the King), patang (ceremonial sword), or any changing everyday in little ways. Less youngsters adhere to the
other sign of rank or royal patronage to avoid a misuse of influence. traditionaland once mandatory national dress (Goh and Kira), more
And, in deference to the environment, no posters can be put up on and more buildings now get permission to rise above the originally
any public property, including trees, and are mostly restricted to a regulated two stories, and glass and granite is seen more in Thimphu
community billboard for all. Maybe a thing or two the world’s where once only wood and paint were allowed. Some modernities
largest democracy could learn from the youngest? are welcome, and the abundance of hydropower electricity means
many Bhutanese (including the very dashing U.S.-educated Prime
Royal textiles Minister Tshering Tobgay) drive hybrid cars. The countryside is

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still pristine, and not covered with the plastic waste ubiquitous in (c) I and III only
India, even as Bhutan explores more ‘non-wood’ uses for its 70% (d) I and II only
forest cover that is also mandated in the constitution.
4). Which of the following statements is correct as given in the
There is, however, one place that doesn’t change, and it is always
Passage?
my first stop when I land in Paro: the Kyichu Lhakhang. This is one
of Bhutan’s oldest and simplest monasteries, believed to be
constructed in 659 CE, by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and has a (a) Polyandry is not practiced in Bhutan.
link to the Jokhang temple in Lhasa. (b) Polygamy is practiced in Bhutan.
All year round, one is welcomed into Kyichu with a spectacular and (c) There is not a single Female Member in Bhutan's Parliament.
miraculous orange tree laden with fruit. It is here that you know the (d) None is Correct
truth of Bhutan Tourism’s catchy slogan, ‘Happiness is a place.’
5). Why was candidate, campaigner or voter not allowed to wear
1). Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the any sign of rank or royal patronage in the 2008 Elections of
2008 Elections of Bhutan? the country?

I. India helped Bhutan in elections by sending officials from (a) Due to some kind of superstition.
Election Commission of India. (b) To neglect the misuse of influence of wealthy and famous
II. Monks and nuns were not allowed to vote. people.
III. Wearing National Dress on Election day was compulsory. (c) Both are Correct
(a) All are Correct (d) None is Correct
(b) II and III only
6). Consider the following statements regarding the 'Kyichu
(c) I and III only
Lhakhang' as given in the passage:
(d) I and II only
2). Who is 'Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck' as mentioned in the
passage? I. He was the first Prime Minister of Bhutan.
II. It is one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries.
III. It was built in 7th Century.
(a) The elected Prime Minister of Bhutan (a) I and II only
(b) The elected President of Bhutan (b) All are Correct
(c) Queen Mother of Bhutan (c) I and III only
(d) None is Correct (d) II and III only
3). Consider the following statements regarding the 'Mojo 7). Choose the word which is Most Similar to the word printed in
Park' as mentioned in the passage. bold in the passage.
Scrolls
(a) Document
I. It is situated in the Northeast India.
(b) Aimless
II. It is famous for its Music Shows.
(c) Rolling
III. It is situated in the City of Thimphu.
(d) None is Correct
(a) All are Correct
(b) II and III only

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8). Choose the word which is Most Similar to the word printed in world and to range of our sympathies rather than to narrow them
bold in the passage. down through partisan commitment. As John Keats said, ‘We hate
Outskirts poetry that has a palpable design upon us’.
(a) Downtown
Another reason why politics does not seem amenable to the
(b) Away
highest kind of literary representation seems to arise from the fact
(c) Center
that politics by its very nature is constituted of ideas and
(d) Periphery
ideologies. If political situations do not lend themselves to happy
9) Choose the word which is Most Opposite to the word printed literary treatment, political ideas present perhaps an even greater
in bold in the passage. problem in this regard. Literature, it is argued, is about human
Laden experiences rather than about intellectual abstractions; it deals in
(a) Empty what is called the ‘felt reality’ of human flesh and blood, and in
(b) Full sap and savour (rasa) rather than in arid and lifeless ideas. In an
(c) Charged extensive discussion of the matter in her book Ideas and the Novel
(d) Encumbered the American novelist Mary McCarthy observed that ‘ideas are
still today felt to be unsightly in the novel though that was not so
10). Choose the word which is Most Opposite to the word printed
in ‘former days’, i.e..in the 18th and 19n centuries. Her
in bold in the passage.
formulation of the precise nature of the incompatibility between
Misogyny
ideas on the one hand and the novel on t other betrays perhaps a
(a) Woman-hater
divided conscience in the matter and a sense of dilemma shared by
(b) Sexist
many writers and readers : ‘An idea cannot have loose ends, but a
(c) Feminist
novel, I almost think, needs them Nevertheless, there is enough in
(d) None is Correct
common for the novelists to fee!… the attraction of ideas while
taking up arms against them – most often with weapons of
mockery.’
Reading Comprehension Set - 9
Q1. The constructs of politics by its nature is

The literary distaste for politics, however, seems to be focused (A) Prevalent political situation
not so much on the largely murky practice of politics in itself as a (B) Ideas and Ideologies
subject of literary representation but rather more on how it is often (C) Political propaganda
depicted in literature, i.e., on the very politics of such (D) Understanding of Iranian nature
representation. A political novel often turns out to be not merely a Q 2. Literature deals with
novel about politics but a novel with a politics of its own, for it
seeks not merely to show us how things are but has fairly definite (A) Human experiences in politics
ideas about how things should be, and precisely what one should (B) Intellectual abstractions
think and do in order to make things move in that desired (C) Dry and empty ideas
direction. In short, it seeks to convert and enlist the reader to a (D) Felt reality of human life
particular cause or ideology; it often is (in an only too familiar Q 3. The observation of the novelist. Mary McCarthy reveals
phrase) not literature but propaganda. This is said violate the very
spirit of literature which is to broaden our understanding of the (A) unseen felt ideas of today in the novel

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(B) dichotomy of conscience on political ideas and novels distribution of attention and support amongst all religions. These
(C) compatibility between idea and novel blessed aspects of India’s famed tolerance (Indian kings so rarely
(D) endless ideas and novels persecuted religious groups that the exceptions prove the rule) at
Q 4. According to the passage, a political novel often turns out to be a once struck Portuguese and other European visitors to the West
(A) Literary distaste for politics Coast of India in the sixteenth century, and the impression made
(B) Literary representation of politics upon them in this and other ways gave rise, at one remove, to the
(C) Novel with its own politics basic constitution of Thomas More’s Utopia. There is little about
(D) Depiction of murky practice of politics modern India that strikes one at once as Utopian : but the
Q 5. A political novel reveals insistence upon the inculcation of norms, and the absence of
bigotry and institutionalized exploitation of human or natural
(A) Reality of the things resources, are two very different features which link the realities of
(B) Writer’s perception India and her tradition with the essence of all Utopians.
(C) Particular ideology of the readers
Q 1. The basic construction of Thomas More’s Utopia was inspired by
(D) The spirit of literature
(A) Indian tradition of religious tolerance.
Reading Comprehension Set - 10 (B) Persecution of religious groups by Indian rulers.
(C) Social inequality in India.
(D) European perception of Indian State.
Traditional Indian Values must be viewed both from the angle
of the individual and from that of the geographically delimited Q 2. What is the striking feature of modern India ?
agglomeration of peoples or groups enjoying a common system of (A) A replica of Utopian State
leadership which we call the ‘State’, The Indian ‘State’s’ special (B) Uniform laws
feature is the peaceful, or perhaps mostly peaceful, co-existence of (C) Adherence to traditional values
social groups of various historical provenances which mutually (D) Absence of Bigotry
adhere in a geographical, economic, and political sense, without
ever assimilating to each other in social terms, in ways of thinking, Q 3. Which of the following is a special feature of the Indian State ?
or even in language. Modern Indian law will determine certain
rules, especially in relation to the regime of the family, upon the (A) Peaceful co-existence of people under a common system of
basis of how the loin-cloth is tied, or how the turban is worn, for leadership
this may identify the litigants as members (B) Peaceful co-existence of social groups of different historical
of a regional group, and therefore as participants in its traditional provenances attached to each other in a geographical, economic
law, though their ancestors left the region three or four centuries and political sense
earlier. (C) Social integration of all groups
The use of the word ‘State’ above must not mislead us. There (D) Cultural assimilation of all social groups
was no such thing as a conflict between the individual and the Q 4. The author uses the word ‘State’ to highlight
State, atleast before foreign governments became established, just
as there was no concept of state ‘sovereignty’ or of any church- (A) Antagonistic relationship between the state and the individual
and-state dichotomy. Modern Indian ‘secularism’ has an throughout the period of history.
admittedly peculiar feature. It requires the state to make a fair (B) Absence of conflict between the state and the individualsupto a
point in time.

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(C) The concept of state sovereignty. Q1. Our knowledge is a collection of:
(D) Dependence on religion. (1) all stories that we have heard during our life-time
(2) some stories that we remember
Q 5. Which one is the peculiar feature of modern Indian ‘Secularism’ ?
(3) a few stories that survive
(A) No discrimination on religious considerations (4) some important stories
(B) Total indifference to religion
Q2. Story telling is:
(C) No space for social identity
(1) an art
(D) Disregard for social law
(2) a science
Reading Comprehension Set-11
(3) in our genes

Story telling is not in our genes. Neither it is an evolutionary (4) the essence of what makes us human
history. It is the essence of what makes us Human. Human beings Q3. How the future will turn out to be, depends upon the stories ?
progress by telling stories. One event can result in a great variety
of stories being told about it. Sometimes those stories differ
greatly. Which stories are picked up and repeated and which ones (1) We collectively choose to believe in
are dropped and forgotten often determines how we progress. Our (2) Which are repeatedly narrated
history, knowledge and understanding are all the collections of the (3) Designed to spread fear and tension
few stories that survive. This includes the stories that we tell each (4) Designed to make prophecy
other about the future. And how the future will turn out depends Q4. Rational optimists :
partly, possibly largely, on which stories we collectively choose to (a) Look for opportunities.
believe. Some stories are designed to spread fear and concern. This (b) Are sensible and cheerful.
is because some story-tellers feel that there is a need to raise some (c) Are selfishly driven.
tensions. Some stories are frightening, they are like totemic
warnings : “Fail to act now and we are all doomed.” Then there are Identify the correct answer from the codes given below :
stories that indicate that all will be fine so long as we leave (1) (a), (b) and (c)
everything upto a few especially able adults. Currently, this trend (2) (a) only
is being led by those who call themselves “rational optimists”. (3) (a) and (b) only
They tend to claim that it is human nature to compete and to (4) (b) and (c) only
succeed and also to profit at the expense of others. The rational
optimists however, do not realize how humanity has progressed Q5. Humans become less selfish when:
overtime through amiable social networks and how large groups (1) they work in large groups
work in less selfishness and in the process accommodate rich and (2) they listen to frightening stories
poor, high and low alike. This aspect in story-telling is considered (3) they listen to cheerful stories
by the ‘Practical Possibles’, who sit between those who say all is (4) they work in solitude
fine and cheerful and be individualistic in your approach to a
successful future, and those who ordain pessimism and fear that Q5. Humans become less selfish when:
we are doomed. What the future holds for us is which stories we (1) they work in large groups
hold on to and how we act on them. (2) they listen to frightening stories

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(3) they listen to cheerful stories a. an alteration in the role played by governments
(4) they work in solitude
b. an increase in interaction between national governments and
Reading Comprehension Set-12 international regulatory institutions
c. an increase in the formation of multinational trading alliances
As the economic role of multinational, global corporations expands, d. an increase in integration in the two richest markets of the world
the international economic environment will be shaped increasingly
not by governments or international institutions, but by the e. a fear of increasing United States protectionism
interaction between governments and global corporations, Question 3: The passage suggests which of the following about global
especially in the United States, Europe, and Japan. A significant corporations?
factor in this shifting world economy is the trend toward regional
trading blocs of nations, which has a potentially large effect on the a. Their continued growth depends on the existence of a fully
evolution of the world trading system. Two examples of this trend integrated international market.
are the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement and Europe b. Their potential effect on the world market is a matter of ongoing
1992, the move by the European Community to dismantle concern to international institutions.
impediments to the free flow of goods, services, capital, and labor
among member states by the end of 1992. However, although c. They will have to assume quasi-governmental functions if current
numerous political and economic factors were operative in economic trends continue.
launching the move to integrate the EC’s markets, concern about d. They have provided a model of economic success for regional
protectionism within the EC does not appear to have been a major trading blocs.
consideration. This is in sharp contrast to the FTA; the
overwhelming reason for that bilateral initiative was fear of e. Their influence on world economics will continue to increase.
increasing United States protectionism. Nonetheless, although Question 4: According to the passage, one similarity between the FTA and
markedly different in origin and nature, both regional developments
Europe 1992 is that they both
are highly significant in that they will foster integration in the two
largest and richest markets of the world, as well as provoke a. overcame concerns about the role of politics in the shifting world
questions about the future direction of the world trading system. economy
Question 1: The primary purpose of the passage as a whole is to b. originated out of concern over unfair trade practices by other nations
a. describe an initiative and propose its continuance c. exemplify a trend toward regionalization of commercial markets
b. chronicle a development and illustrate its inconsistencies d. place the economic needs of the trading bloc ahead of those of the
member nations
c. identify a trend and suggest its importance
e. help to ensure the continued economic viability of the world
d. summarize a process and question its significance
community
e. report a phenomenon and outline its probable future Question 5: Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about
Question 2: According to the passage, all of the following are elements of the European Community prior to the adoption of the Europe 1992
the shifting world economy EXCEPT program?

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a. There were restrictions on commerce between the member nations. Reading Comprehension Set-13
b. The economic policies of the member nations focused on global
trading issues Rising levels of education among Indian women have not
c. There were few impediments to trade between the member nations empowered them to seek spouses who are equally educated, a study
and the United States. has concluded. Comparing marriages between the 1970s and 2000s,
the study found that highly educated women married men who were
d. The flow of goods between the member nations and Canada was less educated but from more privileged families. According to the
insignificant. study, the rise in such marriages reflects deep-rooted gender scripts
e. Relations between multinational corporations and the governments in India. The study attributes these marriages to multiple social and
of the member nations were strained. economic factors such as caste constraints, lower female
participation in the labour market, lower income for women’s work,
Question 6: The author discusses the FTA and Europe 1992 most likely in especially for those with an Arts degree, and limited freedom for
order to women to choose a spouse.
a. point out the similarities between two seemingly disparate trading Marriage is almost universal in India, with the proportion of single
alliances women going from 0.9% in 1971 to 3.7% in 2011, the study said.
b. illustrate how different economic motivations produce different While Chinese women may choose to remain single rather than
types of trading blocs marry a less educated mate, this is not an option easily open to
Indian women. Also, due to the custom of arranged marriage,
c. provide contrasting examples of a trend that is influencing the world women don’t have the power to choose their spouses. Fewer than
economy 5% of Indians chose their own partners, the study found. In most
d. identify the most important characteristics of successful economic arranged marriages, the man and the woman belonged to the same
integration caste, further restricting a woman’s options. Another reason for the
small marriageable pool is consanguineous marriage, in which
e. trace the history of regional trading blocs blood relatives marry.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the organization of the The proportion of working-age women who were either employed or
passage? looking for work has reduced from 33% in 1993-’94 to 18.2% in
2017-’18, show the latest data available from the Periodic Labour
a. An argument is put forth and evidence for and against it given.
Force Survey. As many as 25 million women have left the Indian
b. An assertion is made and opposing evidence presented. labour force over 10 years to 2015, as we reported in April 2016.
This is very peculiar to India, that with growth fewer women are
c. Two hypotheses are described and shown to inconsistent with one
participating in the workforce. In South Korea, Japan and China,
another.
other countries with patriarchal societies, women’s participation in
d. A phenomenon is identified and illustrations of this phenomenon the labour force increased with economic growth. One reason for
offered. this India-specific situation is that women here tend to be
constrained to the house. In India, being educated does not
e. A specific case of a phenomenon is discussed a generalization
necessarily mean that the person will have a job and one reason for
drawn.
this is the poor quality of education that affects employability.
Answers And Solutions Moreover, with little institutional support for childcare, it is less

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likely that women will work. A woman who has to manage the home
and children along with a job also has fewer employment options in
Q3. “Marriages between men and women at the same educational level
terms of work hours and commute. There is also wage
were most common in rural areas between those who were illiterate
discrimination between men and women which further reduces the
and in urban areas among those who were highly educated”.
returns to women’s education. All these factors mean that even
educated women would have to seek partners with better economic If considered true, the given statement is inconsistent with which of
status. The most important quality for women in the marriage the following statements?
market is good appearance while the corresponding quality for men
is their ability to earn a living, the study said. For the younger I. Only increasing women’s education does not shift gender
cohort, the study found that economic potential, trustworthiness and inequality.
intelligence of the prospective partner are increasingly more valued II. There is an increase in the level of education in the country and the
than other traits and this is true for both men and women reduced gap in education levels between men and women.
Q1. Which of the following correctly identifies the main motive of the III. Marriages that were more equal in terms of education levels and in sync
study? with the woman’s choice of her spouse lasted longer.
A. Understanding the role of caste constraints in restricting Indian A. Both I & III
women’s choices.
B. Both II & III
B. Identifying the variations in education marriage patterns in various
countries. C. All I, II & III

C. Examining the relationship between education and marriage in India. D. Both I & II

D. Establishing the differences between educated and uneducated women E. None of the above
in terms of traits desired by them in their spouses. Q4. With which of the following statements the author is likely to agree
E. None of the above with?

Q2. Which of the following cannot be inferred from the passage? A. As women’s education grew, more women married men with
similar education levels and the proportion of men marrying women
I. If women get to choose their own spouse, even without institutional at a lower education level fell.
support, many things will change for them in terms of housework
and childcare. B. Power in marriage selection and socioeconomic independence does
not automatically come from education.
II. Patriarchal societies are better than matriarchal societies as they
gave due to support to participation of women in the labour force. C. Women do marry men with lesser education in countries where
women are more highly educated than men.
III. Global trends on links between marriage and education for women
are different in different countries. D. All of the above

A. Both I & II E. None of the above

B. Both II & III Direction: In the given question, a part of the sentence is printed in
bold. Below the sentence, alternatives to the emboldened part are
C. Both I & III D. All I, II & III E. None of the above given as (A), (B), (C) and (D), which may help improve the

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sentence. Choose the correct alternative out of the given five construct than conventional train systems, although the simpler
options. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer will be construction of maglev vehicles makes them cheaper to
option (E), i.e., "No correction required". manufacture and maintain. Despite over a century of research and
development, maglev transport systems are in operation in just three
Q5. Woodfull was not a flamboyant player but was known for his calm,
countries (Japan, South Korea and China). The incremental
unruffled style and his reliable in difficult situations.
benefits of maglev technology have often been hard to justify
A. his calm, unruffled style and his reliablility against cost and risk, especially where there is an existing or
proposed conventional high speed train line with spare passenger
B. his calming, unruffled style and his reliable carrying capacity, as in continental Europe, the UK and Japan.
C. his calm, unruffle style and his reliability Q1. Which of the following statements can be correctly inferred from
D. his calm, unruffle style and his reliable the passage?

E. No correction required A. Maglev trains run on tracks which are levitated from the ground.
B. The construction of Maglev train systems has been cheaper than the
conventional high speed train systems. C. Maglev trains have a very
aerodynamic body so the electricity needed to push the train forward
isn’t much.
Reading Comprehension Set-14
D. Maglev trains are smoother and quieter than conventional trains as
there are no moving parts in them.
Maglev (derived from magnetic levitation) is a system of train
transportation that uses two sets of magnets, one set to repel and E. None of the above
push the train up off the track as in levitation (hence Maglev,
2. What is the main reason for the Maglev train system not being
Magnetic-levitation), then another set to move the 'floating train'
implemented in most countries?
ahead at great speed taking advantage of the lack of friction. Along
certain "medium range" routes (usually 200–400 miles) Maglev can A. Maglev trains increase the travel time by 30% as compared to that
compete favorably with high speed rail and airplanes. With Maglev of conventional trains.
technology, there are no moving parts. The train travels along a
B. Maglev trains are very loud which isn’t suitable for urban areas.
guideway of magnets which control the train's stability and speed.
Maglev trains are therefore quieter and smoother than conventional C. Maglev train systems are very expensive as compared to
trains, and have the potential for much higher speeds. Maglev conventional train systems.
vehicles have set several speed records and Maglev trains can
accelerate and decelerate much faster than conventional trains; the D. Maglev is the latest technology and no country apart from Japan,
only practical limitation is the safety and comfort of the passengers. China and South Korea is capable of building one.
The power needed for levitation is typically not a large percentage E. None of the above
of the overall energy consumption of a high speed maglev system.
Overcoming drag, which makes all land transport more energy Q3. Which of the following words is the MOST OPPOSITE in meaning
intensive at higher speeds, takes up the most energy. Vactrain to the given words?
technology has been proposed as a means to overcome this Conventional
limitation. Maglev systems have been much more expensive to

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A. Aphrodisiac Darwin were out of date. As to the principles of ethics I perceive, in

short, no sign of revolution. Darwinism has indeed helped many to
B. Radical
truer conception of the end, but I cannot admit that it has either
C. Linguistic originated or modified that conception. And yet in ethics Darwinism
after all perhaps be revolutionary, it may lead not to another view
D. Conditional about the end, but to a different way of regarding the relatively
E. Stimulant importance of the means. For in the ordinary moral creed those
means seem estimated on no rational principle. Our creed appears
Q4. Which of the following words is the MOST SIMILAR in meaning rather to be an irrational mixture of jarring elements. We have the
to the given words? moral code of Christianity, accepted in part; rejected practically by
Incremental all save a few fanatics. But we do not realise how in its very
principle the Christian ideals is false. And when we reject this code
A. Marginal for another and in part a sounder morality, we are in the same
B. Linchpin condition of blindness and of practical confusion. It is here that
Darwinism, with all the tendencies we may group under that name,
C. Commiseration seems destined to intervene. It will make itself felt, I believe, more
D. Aggravation and more effectually. It may force on us in some points a correction
of our moral views, and a return to a non-Christian and perhaps a
E. Inebriate Hellenic ideal. I propose to illustrate here these general statements
by some remarks on Punishment.
Q5. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title of the
passage? Darwinism, I have said, has not even modified our ideas of the Chief
Good. We may take that as — the welfare of the community realised
A. Maglev and its success in developing countries
in its members. There is, of course, a question as to meaning to be
B. Slow speed is the Maglev’s biggest problem given to welfare. We may identify that with mere pleasure, or gain
with mere system, or may rather view both as inseparable aspects of
C. Maglev: High speed trains of the future?
perfection and individuality. And the extent and nature of the
D. Maglev and its rise in India community would once more be a subject for some discussion. But
we are forced to enter on these controversies here. We may leave
E. Maglev: A cheaper alternative to conventional trains
welfare undefined, and for present purpose need not distinguish the
Reading Comprehension Set-15 community from the state. The welfare of this whole exists, of
course, nowhere outside the individuals, and the individuals again
have rights and duties only as members in the whole. This is the
That the doctrines connected with the name of Mr Darwin are revived Hellenism — or we may call it in the organic view of things
altering our principles has become a sort of commonplace thing to — urged by German Idealism early in the present century.
say. And moral principles are said to share in this general
Q1. What is most probably the author's opinion of the existing moral
transformation. Now, to pass by other subjects, I do not see why
principles of the people?
Darwinism need change our ultimate moral ideas. It was not to
modify our conception of the end, either for the community, or the A. He thinks they have to be revamped in the light of Darwinism.
individual, unless we have been holding views, which long before

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B. He thinks that they are okay as they are and do not need any major C. is followed by a vast majority of people.
change.
D. is totally ignored by all true Christians.
C. He thinks that it may be a good idea to have a modicum of the
E. is followed wholeheartedly by most of the people.
immortal Darwinism in us.
D. He thinks they have to be impoverished in the light of Darwinism.
E. Cannot be determined from the passage Reading Comprehension Set-16
Q2. According to the author, the doctrines of Mr Darwin _______.
I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me.
A. have changed our physical and moral principles. But my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an
B. have to be re-evaluated to correct the faults endemic in them. unpopular word. Apparently, I am among the ranks of women
whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating,
C. do not have to change our moral ideas. antimen and, unattractive. Why is the word such an uncomfortable
D. are actually new versions of old moral rules. one? I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am
paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should
E. None of these be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that
Q3. What, according to the passage, is the Chief Good? women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-
making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded
A. Being good and kind to all fellow human beings. the same respect as men. But sadly, I can say that there is no one
B. The greatest good of the greatest number. country in the world where all women can expect to receive these
rights. No country in the world can yet say they have achieved
C. The welfare of the community realised in its members. gender equality. These rights I consider to be human rights but I am
one of the lucky ones. My life is a sheer privilege because my
D. The fulfilment of self-interest vested in an individual.
parents didn’t love me less because I was born a daughter. My
E. Cannot be determined from the passage. school did not limit me because I was a girl. My mentors didn’t
assume I would go less far because I might give birth to a child one
Q14. It is implied in the passage that _______.
day. These influencers were the gender equality ambassadors that
A. a Hellenic ideal is not a proper substitute of the Christian ideal. made me who I am today. They may not know it, but they are the
inadvertent feminists who are changing the world today. And we
B. what mankind needs is a Hellenic ideal rather than a Christian one.
need more of those.
C. Darwinism is more Christian than Hellenic.
And if you still hate the word—it is not the word that is important
D. fanatics do not understand what Darwinism really is. but the idea and the ambition behind it. Because not all women have
been afforded the same rights that I have. In fact, statistically, very
E. activists do not try to comprehend the meaning of Darwinism. few have been. In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in
Q15. According to the author, the moral code of Christianity ________. Beijing about women’s rights. Sadly, many of the things she wanted
to change are still a reality today. But what stood out for me the
A. i s not followed by most people. most was that only 30 per cent of her audience were male. How can
B. is in danger due to opposition of Darwinism. we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel

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welcome to participate in the conversation? Men—I would like to E. All of the mentioned
take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender
Q20 .“Only 30 per cent of her audience were male”. Why?
equality is your issue too.
A. Feminism is an anti-men movement
Q16. Why can’t all women afford the same rights of feminism today?
B. Feminism is preached wrong
A. Because of the patriarchal society
C. Most men are misogynist
B. Because feminism is involved with anti-men notion
D. Most men see through the problem
C. Because not everyone advocates for women's rights
E. All of the above
D. Because feminism is complicated
E. Because feminism is an overrated topic Reading Comprehension Set-17
17. What is the difference between Gender Equality and Feminism?
A tornado is born from a powerful storm called a supercell.
A. Feminism puts women at the top of the hierarchy since they give Tornadoes have been reported in all states, but most tornadoes
birth to the next generation. happen in the central parts of America called “Tornado Alley.” In
B. Feminism and Gender Equality are inter-related some supercells, warm, moist air rises quickly into the atmosphere.
Winds blowing at different speeds at different parts of the supercell
C. Feminism is an anti-men movement produce wind shear and cause a horizontal, rotating column of air.
D. Both B and C A funnel cloud will form as the air column rotates faster and more
tightly within the supercell. The rain and hail within the storm cause
E. None of the above the funnel cloud to touch the ground, resulting in a tornado. The
Q18. Why is Feminism an issue for men too? strength of a tornado is measured by what’s called the Fujita scale.
The weakest tornadoes (F0) feature winds of 40–78 miles per hour,
A. Because men think they are incapable of leading the world while the strongest tornadoes (F5) have winds of up to 318 miles
B. Because men think women are more capable of leading the world per hour. All tornadoes can be devastating, especially if they touch
down in areas with lots of people. A tornado outbreak occurs when
C. Because every individual should have equal rights one storm system produces multiple tornadoes. Some tornado
outbreaks can result in the formation of dozens of tornadoes over
D. Because feminism directly involves men
several states. One particularly powerful tornado outbreak occurred
E. None of the above between April 25 and April 28 of 2011, where a record 355
tornadoes in 21 states and Canada were recorded, including an F5
Q19. Why can’t any country in the world yet say they have achieved
tornado that completely destroyed parts of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
gender equality?
Much of the destruction was caught on camera and broadcast across
A. Because women are still restricted the country and internet. The same weather system produced
hailstones that measured 4.5 inches across in southern Virginia. 328
B. Because women are better in household works
people were killed as a result of the outbreak, which totaled over
C. Because world leaders are misogynist $11 billion in damages.

D. Because the reports show it clearly Q1.) Which is NOT true about tornadoes?

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a.) They are born from supercells. a.) Historic Tornadoes

b.) They only occur in some states. b.) Wind Speed
c.) Tornado strength is measured on the Fujita scale. c.) The Fujita Scale
d.) Most tornadoes occur in North America in Tornado Alley. d.) Birth and Strength of a Tornado
Q2.) What states have never had tornadoes? Q7.) Why does the author refer to the hailstones that hit Virginia as part
of the tornado outbreak of April 2011?
a.) Alaska and Hawaii
a.) To show that much of the damage was caught on camera
b.) The passage doesn't say.
b.) To show how long the storm lasted
c.) States outside of Tornado Alley
c.) The show that tornado outbreaks often happen in the spring
d.) All states have had tornadoes.
d.) To show how powerful and destructive the storms were
Q3.) What causes the supercell to tilt downward toward the ground?
Q8.) In a tornado outbreak… (select all that are true)
a.) wind
a.) A single storm system can produce multiple tornadoes.
b.) warm air
b.) Only F5 tornadoes occur.
c.) rain and hail
c.) Storms that produce damaging hail can occur as well.
d.) lightning
d.) Dozens of tornadoes can form in distant locations.
Q4.) When are tornadoes most devastating?
Q9.) What did paragraph two include that paragraph one did not include?
a.) When they hit in Tornado Alley
a.) information about the Fujita scale
b.) When wind shear occurs
b.) information on when tornadoes become very destructive
c.) When they register on the Fujita Scale
c.) information about how tornadoes form
d.) When they hit areas with lots of people
d.) a specific instance
Q5.) Which of the following would complete the analogy:
Q10.) Select all that are true about the tornado outbreak of 2011.
Supercell : Tornado ::
a.) It produced a violent hailstorm in Virginia.
a.) Cloud : Lightning
b.) It devastated Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
b.) Moon : Stars
c.) It spanned two nations.
c.) Hurricane : Ocean
d.) It was both deadly and costly
d.) Thunder : Rain
Q6.) What is the theme of the first paragraph?

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Reading Comprehension Set-18 accommodative stance, the central bank has to remain vigilant in
Quantitative easing has concluded in the world’s largest economy warding off any let-up in expansionary momentum. For Indian
– at least for now. Almost nine years after the U.S. Federal policymakers, there are both positive and not-so-welcome cues.
Reserve started its unprecedented programe of liquidity infusion While the ongoing moderate expansion moderate expansion in the
through the purchase of asset-backed and Treasury securities in U.S. bodies well for the the country’s struggling exporters, the end
the wake of the global financial crisis, Fed chair Janet Yellen of easy money conditions could augur a slowdown in investment
announced on Wednesday that starting next month the central inflows from abroad and resultant pressure on the current account
bank would begin the normalization of its balance sheet. To their deficit. The Reserve Bank of India, though, should welcome the
credit, Ms Yellen and her colleagues on the Federal Open market clarity in messaging from its U.S. counterpart.
committee have walked the talk on their June decision to unwind Q1. What is the main purpose of the passage?
the mammoth $4.5 trillion balance sheet. Most crucially, they
have done it in a manner that precludes the risk of ‘taper tantrum’ A. To warn India of the consequences of a certain policy of US Fed.
similar to that in 2013 – when chairman Ben Bernanke had hinted B. To inform the readers of the effects of Taper Tantrums.
at starting to turn off the tap- by setting out a slow, long driven
and well calibrated timetable to shrink the Fed’s holdings. The C. To discuss the measures planned and the possible effects of US
asset wind-down will begin with monthly reductions of a modest Fed’s moves to normalize its balance sheet.
$10 billion in the three months through December. That amount D. To contrast the fore cast for GDP and inflation of US economy.
will gradually increase in quarterly increments of $10 billion so
as to reach, in October 2018, a monthly cap of $50 billion. It will E. To elaborate on the current precarious state of US economy.
continue at this level till such time the committee concludes that [Link] of the following is opposite in meaning to the expression “walk
the size of the central bank’s assets holding is optimal for the the talk” as used in passage.
effective conduct of monetary policy. Interestingly, Ms. Yellen,
who asserted that the balance sheet was not intended to be an A. Walking while talking
“active” policy tool in normal times, especially now that
B. Speaking Fluently
economic activity had strengthened, also placed a caveat. The
Fed, she said, “would be prepared to resume reinvestments” if the C. To keep the word
economic outlook were to deteriorate so significantly as to
D. Obeying an order
warrant “sizeable” interest rate cuts.
E. To break the promise
Not that Ms. Yellen sees the healthy expansion under-girded by
household spending weakening, the damage from the recent Q3. Which of the following is true with respect to the implementation of
hurricanes that have battered coastal regions in the U.S. real GDP the new policy of US Fed?
growth in 2017 to 2.4% from the 2.2% estimated in June, and
A. Huge amount of money is involved
signalled that it is on course to raise the federal funds rate one more
time this year after leaving interest rates unchanged from now. B. It is being conducted in hurried manner
However the one element in the Fed’s policy calculus that eludes,
in Ms. Yellen’s words, a more perfect “understanding” is the lower C. It will conclude in October 2018
than anticipated trajectory of inflation. Given that the monetary D. It is well planned to avoid past mistakes
authorities in the U.S. are focused on reflating the economy by
supporting “further strengthening” in the labour market through an E. Ben Bernanke is overseeing the implementation

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Q4. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word ’caveat’ – in receiving the most education, so that they could act as guardians of
the passage? the city and care for the less able. He believed that education should
be holistic, including facts, skills, physical discipline, music and art.
A. Act Plato believed that talent and intelligence is not distributed
B. Caution genetically and thus is be found in children born to all classes,
although his proposed system of selective public education for an
C. Oppose educated minority of the population does not really follow a
democratic model.
D. Code Aristotle considered human nature, habit and reason to be equally important
E. Praise forces to be cultivated in education, the ultimate aim of which
should be to produce good and virtuous citizens. He proposed that
Q5. Which of the following statements is implied about FOMC as per the teachers lead their students systematically, and that repetition be
passage? used as a key tool to develop good habits, unlike Socrates' emphasis
on questioning his listeners to bring out their own ideas. He
A. It never understands how inflation moves. emphasized the balancing of the theoretical and practical aspects of
B. It has the authority to raise interest rates. subjects taught, among which he explicitly mentions reading,
writing, mathematics, music, physical education, literature, history,
C. Ms. Yellen managed it better than Mr. Bernanke had and a wide range of sciences, as well as play, which he also
considered important.
D. Its initial GDP forecast is wrong During the Medieval period, the idea of Perennialism was first
E. Its policies adversely effect the world economy, including India’s formulated by St. Thomas Aquinas in his work "De Magistro".
Perennialism holds that one should teach those things deemed to be
Reading Comprehension Set-19 of everlasting importance to all people everywhere, namely
principles and reasoning, not just facts (which are apt to change over
time), and that one should teach first about people, not machines or
Philosophy of Education is a label applied to the study of the purpose,
techniques. It was originally religious in nature, and it was only
process, nature and ideals of education. It can be considered a
much later that a theory of secular perennialism developed.
branch of both philosophy and education. Education can be defined
During the Renaissance, the French skeptic Michel de Montaigne
as the teaching and learning of specific skills, and the imparting of
(1533 - 1592) was one of the first to critically look at education.
knowledge, judgment and wisdom, and is something broader than
Unusually for his time, Montaigne was willing to question the
the societal institution of education we often speak of.
conventional wisdom of the period, calling into question the whole
Many educationalists consider it a weak and woolly field, too far
edifice of the educational system, and the implicit assumption that
removed from the practical applications of the real world to be
university-educated philosophers were necessarily wiser than
useful. But philosophers dating back to Plato and the Ancient
uneducated farm workers, for example.
Greeks have given the area much thought and emphasis, and there
is little doubt that their work has helped shape the practice of
Q1. What is the difference between the approaches of Socrates and
education over the millennia.
Aristotle?
Plato is the earliest important educational thinker, and education is
1)Aristotle felt the need for repetition to develop good habits in
an essential element in "The Republic" (his most important work on
students; Socrates felt that students need to be constantly questioned
philosophy and political theory, written around 360 B.C.). In it, he
2)Aristotle felt the need for rote-learning; Socrates emphasized on
advocates some rather extreme methods: removing children from
dialogic learning
their mothers' care and raising them as wards of the state, and
3)There was no difference
differentiating children suitable to the various castes, the highest

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4)Aristotle emphasized on the importance of paying attention to be constantly questioned – their approaches were different and this
human nature; Socrates emphasized upon science difference is quite explicitly explained in the fourth paragraph
QAns2. The first option is correct because educationists believe that p
hilosophical abstractions are not suitable for practical
Q2. Why do educationists consider philosophy a ‘weak and woolly’ application
field?
QAns3. The first option is correct because the term comes from the root
1)It is not practically applicable word ‘perennial’ – which means ceaseless.
2)Its theoretical concepts are easily understood QAns4. The second option is correct – Plato’s beliefs were democratic but
3)It is irrelevant for education not his suggested practices
4)None of the above QAns5. The third option is correct – facts do change with the changing
times, hence, they are not of the utmost importance when aiming for
. holistic education.

Q3. What do you understand by the term ‘Perennialism’, in the context Reading Comprehension Set-20
of the given comprehension passage?
1)It refers to something which is of ceaseless importance The first systems of writing developed and used by the Germanic
2)It refers to something which is quite unnecessary peoples were runic alphabets. The runes functioned as letters, but
3)It refers to something which is abstract and theoretical they were much more than just letters in the sense in which we today
4) It refers to something which existed in the past and no longer understand the term. Each rune was an ideographic or pictographic
exists now symbol of some cosmological principle or power, and to write a
rune was to invoke and direct the force for which it stood. Indeed,
Q4. Were Plato’s beliefs about education democratic? in every Germanic language, the word “rune” (from Proto-
1)He believed that only the rich have the right to acquire education Germanic *runo) means both “letter” and “secret” or “mystery,” and
2)Yes its original meaning, which likely predated the adoption of the runic
3)He believed that only a select few are meant to attend schools alphabet, may have been simply “(hushed) message.”
4) He believed that all pupils are not talented
Each rune had a name that hinted at the philosophical and magical
significance of its visual form and the sound for which it stands,
Q5. Why did Aquinas propose a model of education which did not lay which was almost always the first sound of the rune’s name. For
much emphasis on facts? example, the T-rune, called *Tiwaz in the Proto-Germanic
1)Facts are not important language, is named after the god Tiwaz (known as Tyr in the Viking
2)Facts do not lead to holistic education Age). Tiwaz was perceived to dwell within the daytime sky, and,
3)Facts change with the changing times accordingly, the visual form of the T-rune is an arrow pointed
4)Facts are frozen in time upward (which surely also hints at the god’s martial role). The T-
rune was often carved as a standalone ideograph, apart from the
writing of any particular word, as part of spells cast to ensure victory
Answers And Solutions in battle.

QAns1. The first option is correct, Aristotle felt the need for repetition to The runic alphabets are called “futharks” after the first six runes
develop good habits in students; Socrates felt that students need to (Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kaunan), in much the same
way that the word “alphabet” comes from the names of the first two
Hebrew letters (Aleph, Beth). There are three principal futharks: the

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24-character Elder Futhark, the first fully-formed runic alphabet, futhark, in order, is that on the Kylver stone from Gotland, Sweden,
whose development had begun by the first century CE and had been which dates to roughly 400 CE.
completed before the year 400; the 16-character Younger Futhark,
which began to diverge from the Elder Futhark around the The transmission of writing from southern Europe to northern
beginning of the Viking Age (c. 750 CE) and eventually replaced Europe likely took place via Germanic warbands, the dominant
that older alphabet in Scandinavia; and the 33-character Anglo- northern European military institution of the period, who would
Saxon Futhorc, which gradually altered and added to the Elder have encountered Italic writing firsthand during campaigns amongst
Futhark in England. On some inscriptions, the twenty-four runes of their southerly neighbors. This hypothesis is supported by the
the Elder Futhark were divided into three ættir (Old Norse, association that runes have always had with the god Odin, who, in
“families”) of eight runes each, but the significance of this division the Proto-Germanic period, under his original name *Woðanaz, was
is unfortunately unknown. the divine model of the human warband leader and the invisible
patron of the warband’s activities. The Roman historian Tacitus tells
Runes were traditionally carved onto stone, wood, bone, metal, or us that Odin (“Mercury” in the interpretatio romana) was already
some similarly hard surface rather than drawn with ink and pen on established as the dominant god in the pantheons of many of the
parchment. This explains their sharp, angular form, which was well- Germanic tribes by the first century.
suited to the medium. From the perspective of the ancient Germanic peoples themselves,
however, the runes came from no source as mundane as an Old Italic
Much of our current knowledge of the meanings the ancient alphabet. The runes were never “invented,” but are instead eternal,
Germanic peoples attributed to the runes comes from the three pre-existent forces that Odin himself discovered by undergoing a
“Rune Poems,” documents from Iceland, Norway, and England that tremendous ordeal.
provide a short stanza about each rune in their respective futharks
(the Younger Futhark is treated in the Icelandic and Norwegian Q1. The word “pantheon” in the passage refers to
Rune Poems, while the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc is discussed in the Old
English Rune Poem). a. A temple of all the gods
b. All the gods collectively of a religion
While runologists argue over many of the details of the historical c. A monument or building commemorating a nation's dead heroes
origins of runic writing, there is widespread agreement on a general d. A domed circular temple at Rome, erected a.d. 120–124 by
outline. The runes are presumed to have been derived from one of Hadrian
the many Old Italic alphabets in use among the Mediterranean
peoples of the first century CE, who lived to the south of the
Germanic tribes. Earlier Germanic sacred symbols, such as those Q2. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
preserved in northern European petroglyphs, were also likely a. Unlike the Latin alphabet, which is an essentially utilitarian
influential in the development of the script. script, the runes are symbols of some of the most powerful forces
in the cosmos
The earliest possibly runic inscription is found on the Meldorf b. Runic writing was probably first used in southern Europe and
brooch, which was manufactured in the north of modern-day was carried north by Germanic tribes.
Germany around 50 CE. The inscription is highly ambiguous, c. The word “rune” and its meaning was derived from the runic
however, and scholars are divided over whether its letters are runic alphabet.
or Roman. The earliest unambiguous runic inscriptions are found on d. The first runic alphabets date back to the 1st century CE.
the Vimose comb from Vimose, Denmark and the Øvre Stabu Statement 1 - Unlike the Latin alphabet, which is an essentially
spearhead from southern Norway, both of which date to utilitarian script, the runes are symbols of some of the most
approximately 160 CE. The earliest known carving of the entire powerful forces in the cosmos.
From the passage, we know this to be true. Runes functioned as

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letters, but they were much more than just letters. Each rune was CE.
an ideographic or pictographic symbol of some cosmological Indeed, according to the passage, the development of the Elder
power. Futhark had begun by
Statement 2 - Runic writing was probably first used in southern Choice C is the correct answer.
Europe and was carried north by Germanic tribes. ii and iv
Again, this is stated in the passage and is correct. i, ii and iv
Statement 3 - The word “rune and its meaning was derived from i and iii
the runic alphabet Statement i - Runic script was most likely derived from Italic
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? script.
a. Runic script was most likely derived from Old Italic script. True. The runes are presumed to have been derived from one of
b. Runes were not used so much as a simple writing system, but the many Old Italic alphabets in use among the Mediterranean
rather as magical signs to be used for charms. peoples of the
c. In the Proto-Germanic period, the god Tiwaz was associated Germanic tribes.
with war, victory, marriage and the diurnal sky. Statement ii - Runes were not used so much as a simple writing
d. The knowledge of the meanings attributed to the runes of the system, but rather as magical signs to be used for charms.
Younger Futhark is derived from the three Rune poems. False. Runes were used as a writing system. They were also used
All the above as magical signs. They were more than letters as we understand
first century CE, who lived to the south of the them today, not just magical signs.
Statement iii - In the Proto-Germanic period, the god Tiwaz was
Q3. Which of the following cannot be reasonably inferred with regard associated with war, victory, marriage and the diurnal sky.
to the beliefs of the Proto-Germanic people? True. We understand from the passage that Tiwaz was perceived
to dwell within the daytime sky, had martial role and was
a. Odin came upon the runes after goinkg through a lot of torment. associated with victory in battle.
b. The name of a rune was almost always the first sound of a God’s Statement iv - The knowledge of the meanings attributed to the
name runes of the Younger Futhark is derived from the three Rune
c. The cosmological power represented by a rune was invoked by poems.
writing it. False. The Younger Futhark is treated in the Icelandic and
d. Proto-German Gods were modeled on humans. Norwegian Rune Poems only, not all three rune poems as
suggested in the statement above.
Answers And Solutions So, of the four statements above only i and iii can be inferred from
[Link](b) the passage.
"The Roman historian Tacitus tells us that Odin (“Mercury in the Choice D is the correct answer.
interpretatio romana) was already established as the dominant god [Link](b)
in the pantheons of many of the Germanic tribes by the first Statement a - Odin came upon the runes after going through a lot
century." of torment.
Here, clearly, it refers to Odin being the dominant god amongst all True, stated in the last couple of paragraphs.
gods of the Germanic tribes. Statement b - The name of a rune was almost always the first
So option b is the correct choice. sound of a God’s name.
[Link](d) The word “rune means both “letter and “secret and its False. Each rune had a name which was almost always the first
original meaning predated the adoption of the runic alphabet. sound of the rune’s name. Though the example of the T rune and
Hence statement 3 is incorrect. Tiwaz is given in the passage, it is not stated as a general rule that
Statement 4 - The first runic alphabets date back to the 1st century

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the name of a rune is the first sound of a God’s name. It is the first d. slug-like animals and security bug
sound of the rune’s name.
Statement c - The cosmological power represented by a rune was Q3. The statement that 'he later threw off the security bug' means that
invoked by writing it. a. Harold succeeded in overcoming the need for security
True. b. Harold stopped giving much importance to dreams
Statement d- Proto- c. Harold started tolerating social victimisation
d. Harold killed all the bugs troubled him
German Gods were modeled on humans.
True. The passage gives the example of Woðanaz, the divine
model of the human warband leader. Q4. Harold's dream was fearful because
So the correct answer choice is option b. a. it brought him face to face with reality
b. it was full of vivid pictures of snakes
Choice B is the correct answer. c. he saw huge elephant in it
d. in it he saw slimy creatures feeding on people's bodies
Reading Comprehension Set-11
Answers And Solutions
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow :
Q1.(c) The second statement of the passage clearly has the answer. "… he
Harold a professional man who had worked in an office for many found himself in a land where small slug-like animals…"
years had a fearful dream. In it, he found himself in a land where Choice C is the correct answer
small slug-like animals with slimy tentacles lived on people's Q2.(c) ‘Loathsome' is disgust or extreme hatred of someone/something.
bodies. The people tolerated the loathsome creatures because after We are looking for imageries that express this disgust. In option A
many years they grew into elephants which then became the nation's and D, ‘security bug' does not qualify as a description of loathe. In
system of transport, carrying everyone wherever he wanted to go. option B, ‘fearful dream' is more of an expression of horror than of
Harold suddenly realised that he himself was covered with these disgust. ‘Slimy' and ‘slug-like' give us the complete sense of
things, and he woke upscreaming. In a vivid sequence of pictures disgust.
this dream dramatised for Harold what he had never been able to Choice c is the correct answer
put in to words; he saw himself as letting society feed on his body Q3.(c) Option A Looks right. We will come back to it.
in his early years so that it would carry him when he retired. He later Q4.(c) Option B is antithetical to the passage because it is a dream that
threw off the "security bug" and took upfreelance work. makes Harold more conscious to the realities of his choices. And there is
no direct mention that he stops giving importance to dreams. So it is
Q1. In his dream Harold found the loathsome creatures eliminated.
a. in his village
Option C is also entirely opposed to the essence of the passage, since
b. in his own house
Harold decided to resist victimization by doing something where he
c. in a different land
d. in his office would not be constrained by society. Hence it is eliminated.
Option D "killed all bugs" is not relevant here. The line, "he saw himself
Q2. Which one of the following phrases best helps to bring out the as letting society feed on his body in his early years so that it would carry
precise meaning of 'loathsome creatures'? him when he retired" gives an idea of safety net or
social security that Harold was initially looking for in a stable job.
a. Security bug and slimy tentacles
The last sentence, "…took up freelance work" says Harold was
b. Fearful dream and slug-like animals
c. Slimy tentacles and slug-like animals

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then ready for a job without reliable, consistent earnings. This A Infant mortality rate is higher in rural areas as compared to that
explains he was ready to come out of his comfort zone. of urban areas
Q4.(d) Option B is omitted straightaway because there is no mention of B Income level alone can predict the infant mortality rate
snakes anywhere in the passage. Option C is not feasible because C There, now, is more population in urban areas as compared to
the passage mentions that people started tolerating the creatures rural areas
after they became elephant. This implies no or very low fear. Option D Delivery of services to the mother and child does not depend on
A seems to be correct, but the dream was not fearful because of the the settlement pattern
connection with the reality. It was fearful because of the presence E The rural areas have now become densely-populated
of the slimy creatures that fed on people's bodies.
Choice D is the correct answer
Q2 Which of the following is the issue of importance for policy ?

Reading Comprehension Set-22 A Relationship of mortality and income levels

B Growing rural-urban differentials
C Infant-mortality rate and mortality rate inter-dependence
Using infant mortality as a key indicator of the status of children,
D Dependence of education level of the mother and infant mortality
we now begin to have the broad features of a hypothesis as to the
rate
cause of the higher or lower mortality rates. One aspect is the
E Independence of factors other than income on infant mortality
‘’complex’’ of factors involving the ‘’access’’ of mothers to trained
personnel and other facilities for children delivery, the nutritional
status of pregnant and nursing mothers and the quality of health-
Q3. Which, according to the passage, is the other main indicator of the
care and nourishment which babies receive. The other aspect,
status of children, besides infant mortality ?
indicated by rural-urban differentials, is the possible importance of
human settlement patterns in relation to the availability of health-
A Educational level
care and related facilities such as potable water, excreta disposal
B Nourishment level
systems, etc. Thus, in a special sense it is much cheaper available to
C Weight at birth
a community when it is densely settled rather than widely dispersed.
D Not mentioned
It is possible to argue, however, that both these sets of factors are
E None of these
closely related to a third one, namely income levels. Poorer mothers
and babies have less access to health-care facilities and nourishment
than those who are better-off, urban communities are on average
Q4. What is the advantage of providing services in the urban areas, as
much better-off than rural communities. That economic conditions
compared to that of rural areas ?
play a crucial role in determining the status of both mother and child
is beyond dispute. But the question really is whether this is the only
B Per -capita expenditure for setting up services is much less
decisive factor or whether factors such as the availability of medical
C There is more awareness about availability of services
facilities, health-care programmes and nutritional programmes have
D The investment can be received in short duration
an independent role. If so, then the settlement patterns which affect
E It is much easier to set up services
service delivery to the mother and child target groups become a
relevant consideration. These are clearly issues of some importance
for policy and programme planning.
Q5. Which of the following is the ‘’same’’ in meaning as the word
Q1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage ?
‘’access’’ as used in the passage ?

A Passage

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B Outburst centerpiece of a major campaign speech. Economists at the IMF too

C Surplus have recently released a study assessing the causes and
D Demand consequences of rising inequality. Its authors reckon that while
E Reach inequality could cause all sorts of problems, Governments should
be especially concerned about its effects on growth. They estimate
Q6. Which of the following is not to factor for mortality rate ? that a one percentage .point increase in the income share of the top
20% will drag down growth by 0.08% percentage points over five
A Settlement pattern years, while a rise in the income share of the bottom 20% actually
B Type of child delivery boosts growth. But how does inequality affect economic growth
C Nutritional status rates? Economists say that some inequality is needed to propel
D Potable water growth. Without the carrot of large financial rewards, risky
E Income level entrepreneurship and innovation would grind to a halt. In 1975, an
American economist, argued that societies cannot have both perfect
equality and perfect efficiency, but must choose how much of one
Q7. to sacrifice for the other. While most economists continue to hold
Which of the following is the ‘’same’’ in meaning as the word that view, the recent rise in inequality has prompted a new look at
‘’complex’’ as used in the passage ? its economic costs. Inequality could impairment growth if those
A Building with low incomes suffer poor health and low productivity as a result,
B Nature or if, as evidence suggests, the poor struggle to finance investments
C Composite in education, inequality could also threaten public confidence in
D List growth-boosting capitalist strategies like free trade. More recent
E Types work suggests that inequality, could lead to economic or financial
instability.
Answers And Solutions The governor of the Reserve Bank of India argued that
Governments often respond to inequality by easing the flow of
credit to poorer houses, however, American households borrowed
[Link]. A
heavily prior to the crisis to prop up their consumption. But for this
Infant mortality rate is higher in rural areas as compared to that of
rise in Household debt, consumption would have stagnated as a
urban areas
result of poor wage growth. Crafting a response to rising inequality
[Link]. B Growing rural-urban differentials
is therefore tricky, he says. Some of the negative impact of
[Link]. B Nourishment level
inequality on growth can be blamed on poor government policies in
Q4.A The services are cheaply available
highly unequal countries. In Latin America, for instance, populist
[Link]. B Per -capita expenditure for setting up services is much less
pressure for excessive state economic control seems to shorten the
[Link]. E Reach average duration of growth spells. Yet in moderation, redistribution
[Link]. B Type of child delivery seems to benign effects-perhaps by reducing dependence on risky
[Link]. B Nature
borrowing among poorer houses. Over the past generation or two
inequality has risen most in places where progressive policies, such
as high top tax-rates, have been weakened. A little more
Reading Comprehension Set-23 redistribution now might improve the quality and quantity of
economic-growth and reduce the demand for more aggressive state
Inequality is at the top of the agenda around the world. Hilary interventions later.
Clinton, the leading Democratic candidate to succeed Barack
Obama as president of the United. States, made inequality the

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Q1 Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning to the D Only (A) and (B)
word CARROT given in bold as used in the passage. E Only (B) and (C)

A nutrient
B threat Q5. What do the examples of Hilary Clinton and IMF economists cited
C argument in the passage convey?
D incentive A Politicians misrepresent research depending on the message they
E satisfaction want to deliver.
B Americans are not con-. cerned with the impact of growing
inequality.
Q2 Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning to the C Social issues arc focused on prior to elections but not
word SPELLS given in bold as used in the passage. implemented thereafter,
D The issue of inequality is getting a lot of attention at present.
A curses E America and the IMF di-. agree on the measures “to be adopted
B predictions to handle inequality
C periods
D charms Q6. What is the author's view regarding policies such as high top tax-
E results rates?

A These are pointless as they drag down growth.

Q3 Which of the following best describes the opinion of experts B He is in favor of these as research shows they have a positive
regarding inequality? impact.
C He believes they promote risky lending practice among the poor.
A The impact of inequality on growth is exaggerated by D These are unfair as they impact less than 20 percent of the
governments. population.
B Inequality is a complex phenomenon and requires careful E Other than those given as options.
handling.
C Governments should aim at achieving perfect equality,
D State interventions such as redistribution cannot reduce Q7. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage?
inequality. A Governments and central bankers are in agreement on the measures
E Easing the flow of credit to poor ones is the way to reduce needed to reduce inequality.
inequality B India and Latin America have the highest rates of inequality.
C Government policies of redistribution of wealth serve no purpose
whatsoever.
Q.4 According to the passage, which of the following is / are the possible D. Identity is on the rise on / account of the partial policies of the IMF.
impact (s) of inequality? E None of the given options is true in the context of the passage.
(A) It affects economic stability-Of a country.
(B) The public may object to policies like free trade.
(C) It discourages entrepreneurship and innovation. Q8. Choose the word which is most nearly the opposite in meaning to
the word BENIGN given in bold as used in the passage.
A Only (A)
B Only (B) A mild
C All (A), (B) and (C) B gentle

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C selfish QSol 9 C Those in positions of power are unconcerned about the effects of
D friendly inequality.
E nasty QSol 10. A restricted.

Reading Comprehension Set-24

Q9 Which of the following is the central idea of the passage?
Our analysis calls for governments to think about ways agricultural policies
A Inequality impacts growth and cannot be eliminated.
on trade, land reform, farm distributions, and cropping choice, may
B Inequality is growing in developed countries not just developing
affect the stability of the food system as a whole, beyond locally
ones.
focused efforts to increase resilience in production. Sometimes it's
C Those in positions of power are unconcerned about the effects of
amazing to watch things move in synchrony. Like in synchronized
inequality.
swimming, or in a dance routine, or when an orchestra plays in
D Economists in developed and developing countries disagree about
concert. In nature, synchrony can be incredible to watch, like when
managing inequality.
starlings move together in a murmuration, or when large numbers
E The IMF should take the lead and define acceptable norms of
of fish school. While most of the time synchrony can be an awesome
inequality.
spectacle, when it comes to agriculture it is bad news. In our
analysis, we found that many of the largest global crop failures on
record were marked by increases in synchrony. Examples include:
Q10 . Choose the word which is most nearly the opposite in meaning to
when maize production dipped by 20 per cent in 1983, soybean
the word FREE given in bold as used in the passage,
production dipped by 14 per cent in 1976 and rice production dipped
by eight per cent in 2002.
A restricted. While these relationships may seem intuitive, our research
B expensive
quantified the degree to which things became synchronized under
C independent
the historical record. Moreover, we also found that when production
D confidential
became more unstable globally, it didn't necessarily arise from
E boundless
agricultural systems becoming more unstable locally. That is, local
production sometimes became more stable, but global instability
continued to rise (notably for soybean between 1961-68, and rice
Answers And Solutions between 1969 - 76) - because synchrony increased.
QSol 1. C argument There are essentially two ways we might mitigate the losses brought
QSol 2. C periods by synchronous failure of crop production: either raise average
QSol 3.B Inequality is a complex phenomenon and requires careful production of crops or reduce the volatility in crop production
handling. locally. Raising average production can be done, for example,
QSol 4. C All (A), (B) and (C) through yield gap closure, or yield ceiling raising. Reducing the
(A) It affects economic stability-Of a country. volatility in local crop production can be done, for example, through
(B) The public may object to policies like free trade. implementing climate smart cropping systems or developing
(C) It discourages entrepreneurship and innovation. technological infrastructures such as irrigation to resist
QSol 5.D The issue of inequality is getting a lot of attention at present. environmental stressors.
QSol 6 C He believes they promote risky lending practice among the poor.
QSol 7 C Government policies of redistribution of wealth serve no purpose We explored the extent to which these mitigation strategies might
whatsoever. help offset the risk of a complete synchronized failure event.
QSol 8 D friendly Remarkably, we found that we'd need to raise average production

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of breadbaskets by three to five times to counter the losses, and that

closing yield gaps in places with low production was unlikely to Q5. Which of the following is/are example(s) of synchronous activity?
work at all within any sensible ranges.
a) Dance routine
Q1. What is/are the way(s) to mitigate losses brought by synchronous b) Swimming
failure of crop production? c) Orchestra in a concert
d) Only (a) and (c)
a) Reduce the volatility in crop production locally e) All of the above
b) Raise average production of crops
c) Limiting the usage of harmful insecticides and pesticides
d) Only (a) and (b) Q6. Which of the following is/are the consequence(s) of crop failures?
e) All of the above
a) Emergence of middlemen
b) Hike in food prices
Q2. What is the overall theme of the passage? c) Food security
d) Hoarding
a) Crop failure is a major issue in the cotemporary world e) All of the above
b) Synchronizing food production can have disastrous effects
c) Mitigation strategies to offset the risk of a complete synchronized
failure event Q7. Which of the following is/are synonymous with the word 'mitigation'
d) All synchronous activities have positive results as used in the passage?
e) All of the above I. palliation
II. diminution
III. alleviation
Q3. How can the volatility in local crop production be reduced as per
the passage? a) II and III only
b) I and II only
a) Developing technological infrastructures c) I and III only
b) Yield gap closure d) I only
c) Implementing climate smart cropping production e) All of the above
d) Yield ceiling raising
e) Only (a) and (c)
Q8. Which of the following is/are antonym(s) of the word 'intuitive', as used
in the passage?
Q4. Which of following is/are incorrectly matched pair between crop and I. instinctive
their respective production dip year, according to the passage? II. calculative
III. innate
a) Rice- 2002
b) Maize- 1983 a) II and III only
c) Wheat- 1994 b) I and II only
d) Soybean- 1976 c) I and III only
e) All are correctly paired d) II only
e) None of the above

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As per the context, intuitive means using or based on what one feels
Answers And Solutions to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive. 'Calculated'
is the only antonym among the given words; hence, (d) is the right
[Link].d answer. Innate - natural/inborn.
It is mentioned in the third-last sentence of the third paragraph of
the passage; options (a) and (b) are stated there; hence, (d) is the Reading Comprehension Set-25
right answer.
[Link].b
The entire passage talks about food production and its The Alaska pipeline starts at the frozen edge of the Arctic Ocean.
synchronisation, which hasn't led to the desired result. In fact, It stretches southward across the largest and northernmost state in
synchronisation has the United States, ending at a remote ice-free seaport village
led to disastrous result. The entire passage revolves around it; hence, nearly 800 miles from where it begins. It is massive in size and
(b) is the right answer. (a)- doesn't talk about synchronisation of extremely complicated to operate. The steel pipe crosses
crop production; (c)- it is only talked in the last paragraph of the windswept plains and endless miles of delicate tundra that tops the
passage; (d)- it is exactly opposite of what is discussed in the frozen ground. It weaves through crooked canyons, climbs sheer
passage. mountains, plunges over rocky crags, makes its way through thick
[Link].e
forests, and passes over or under hundreds of rivers and streams.
It is mentioned in the last sentence of the third paragraph, which
The pipe is 4 feet in diameter, and up to 2 million barrels (or 84
states options (a) and (c) as methods for reducing volatility of local
million gallons) of crude oil can be pumped through it daily.
crop production; hence, (e) is the right answer.
[Link].c Resting on H-shaped steel racks called "bents", long sections of
The answer can be found in the last sentence of the second the pipeline follow a zigzag course high above the frozen earth.
paragraph; there is no mention of 'wheat' production which makes Other long sections drop out of sight beneath spongy or rocky
option (c) the right answer. Other options have correctly matched ground and return to the surface later on. The pattern of the
pairs. pipeline's up-and-down route is determined by the often harsh
[Link].d demands of the arctic and subarctic climate, the tortuous lay of the
The answer can be found in the third sentence of the second land, and the varied compositions of soil, rock, or permafrost
paragraph of the passage. Swimming, in general, isn't synchronised (permanently frozen ground). A little more than half of the
(it's different from synchronised swimming). Options (a) and (c) are pipeline is elevated above the ground. The remainder is buried
mentioned in the passage as examples of synchronous activities; anywhere from 3 to 12 feet, depending largely upon the type of
hence, (d) is the right answer. terrain and the properties of the soil. One of the largest in the
[Link].b
world, the pipeline cost approximately $8 billion and is by far the
It is mentioned in the first sentence of the passage, which states hike
biggest and most expensive construction project ever undertaken
in food prices as one of the consequences of crop failures; hence,
(b) is the right answer. by private industry. In fact, no single business could raise that
[Link].e much money, so 8 major oil companies formed a consortium in
As per the context, mitigation means the action of reducing the order to share the costs. Each company controlled oil rights to
severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something. All the words particular shares of land in the oil fields and paid into the pipeline-
given are synonymous with 'mitigation'; hence, (e) is the right construction fund according to the size of its holdings. Today,
answer. despite enormous problems of climate, supply shortage, equipment
[Link].d breakdowns, labor disagreements, treacherous terrain, a certain

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amount of mismanagement, and even theft, the Alaska pipeline has 3. Ans. The H-shaped steel racks
been completed and is operating.
4. Ans. 8 major oil companies joined hands to share the cost
Q1. The Alaskan pipeline ends
5. Ans. Lack of funds
a. north of Alaska
b. at a seaport village Reading Comprehension Set-26
c. after passing through canyons and rivers
d. at a tundra covered village
Another marvel on the far side of the lake was a little farm that felt
Q2. What is the capacity of the Alaskan pipeline? like a secret in the city. Some of the gaunt Karnataka labourers
even looked away when children came to dig and eat. But the
a. 2 million gallons of crude oil greatest pleasure, this side of the lake, was the jamun tree. A few
b. 4 million barrels of crude oil months back, Kalu and Sunil had a feast in the branches, shaking
c. 84 million gallons of crude oil down a few berries for Mirchi.
d. 84 billion barrels of crude oil That's when they came to know the second-coolest thing about the
Q3. What are "bents"? jamun tree : There were parrots nesting in it. Since then, some
other road boys had been capturing the parrots one by one to sell at
a. Zigzag shape of pipeline the Marol Market, but Sunil had brought Kalu around to the belief
b. Pipeline's up and down route that the birds should be left as they were. Sunil listened for their
c. The section of the pipeline that drops out of sight squawks each morning, to make sure they hadn't been abducted in
d. The H-shaped steel racks the night.
Q4. How was the fund for pipeline - construction generated? Kalu's expertise was in the recycling bins inside airline catering
compounds. Private waste collectors emptied these dumpsters on a
a. 8 major oil companies joined hands to share the cost regular basis, but Kalu had mastered the trash truck's schedules.
b. 8 major oil companies borrowed $8 billion. The night before pickup, Kalu would climb over the barbed-wire
c. A single private company raised $8 billion fences and raid the overflowing bins.
d. Oil rights were sold to 8 major oil companies Kalu's routine had become known by the local police, however. He
Q5. Which of the following were not problems faced while kept getting caught, until some constables proposed a different
constructing the pipeline? arrangement. Kalu could keep his metal scrap if he'd pass on
information he picked up on the road about local drug dealers.
a. Supply shortages
b. Treacherous terrain
c. Lack of funds Q 1. What was the greatest pleasure this side of the lake?
d. Equipment breakdown
a. A secret farm
Answers And Solutions b. The Jamun tree
c. Feasting on the branches of the Jamun tree
d. Labourers looking away when the children came to dig and eat
1. Ans. at a seaport village
Q. 2 What was the second coolest thing about the Jamun tree?
2. Ans. 84 million gallons of crude oil

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a. Shaking down the berries for Mirchi Reading Comprehension Set-7

b. There were parrots nesting in the tree
c. Selling parrots in the Marol Market
d. Capturing parrots in the tree The conclusion of World Trade Organization’s 11th biennial
ministerial conference at Buenos Aires was worrisome. From an
Q3. What did Sunil think of parrots?
Indian standpoint, there was no loss as status quo continues in the
a. That they should be captured and sold. most important issue: the right to continue the food security
b. That they had been abducted in the night. program by using support prices. But the inability of the
c. That they should not be captured and sold. negotiators to reach even one substantive outcome suggests that
d. That they squawked every morning. WTO’s efficacy is under question. As a 164-country multilateral
organization dedicated to crafting rules of trade through
Q4. How did Kalu manage to raid the airline recycling bins before consensus, WTO represents the optimal bet for developing
they were emptied? countries such as India. Strengthening WTO is in India’s best
a. He was an expert interest.
b. He jumped over the barbed wire fences. Perhaps the biggest threat to WTO’s efficacy today is the attitude
c. He had mastered the trash trucks schedules. of the US. The world’s largest economy appears to have lost faith
d. He worked at night in the organization and has begun to undermine one of its most
successful segments, the dispute redressal mechanism. This is
Q5. Why was a different arrangement proposed? significant as the US has been directly involved in nearly half of
a. Because Kalu's routine was known by the police all cases brought to WTO. Separately, large groups of countries
b. So that Kalu would be able to keep his metal scrap. decided to pursue negotiations on e-commerce, investment
c. So that Kalu could pass on information about local drug dealers facilitation and removal of trade obstacles for medium and small
d. Because Kalu kept getting caught scale industries. By itself this should not weaken WTO. But it
comes at a time when there is growing frustration with gridlock at
Answers And Solutions WTO.
India did well to defend its position on its food security program.
The envisaged reform package which will see a greater use of
1. Ans. The Jamun tree direct cash transfers to beneficiaries will be in sync with what
2. Ans. There were parrots nesting in the tree developed countries do. But it’s important for India to enhance its
efforts to reinvigorate WTO. In this context, India’s plan to
3. Ans. That they should not be captured and sold. organize a meeting of some countries early next year is a step in
4. Ans. He had mastered the trash trucks schedules. the right direction. WTO represents the best available platform to
accommodate interests of a diverse set of nations. Therefore, India
5. Ans. Because Kalu kept getting caught should be at the forefront of moves to fortify it.
1. Why was the WTO’s 11th binennial ministerial conference
worrisome?
a. Denial of states quo.
b. Inability of negotiators to reach to substantive outcome for the
problems.

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c. Rift in the policies suggested by WTO on IPR.

d. Non-cooperation from Indian government on various matters.
Reading Comprehension Set-28
2. What is the biggest threat to WTO’s efficacy today?
a. India being not working in its best interest.
b. Lost of faith in WTO by US. True, it is the function of the army to maintain law and order in
c. Negotiators of WTO are not decision takers. abnormal times. But in normal times there is another force that
d. WTO’s lame attitude towards global trade. compels citizens to obey the laws and to act with due regard to the
rights of others. The force also protects the lives and the properties
3. Which of the following nation is keen to fortify its interest on of law abiding men. Laws are made to secure the personal safety
WTO platform? of its subjects and to prevent murder and crimes of violence. They
a. USA are made to secure the property of the citizens against theft and
b. Japan damage to protect the rights of communities and castes to carry out
c. Russia their customs and ceremonies, so long as they do not conflict with
d. India the rights of others. Now the good citizen, of his own free will
4. Which of the following is the most successful segments of the obey these laws and he takes care that everything he does is done
WTO mentioned in the passage? with due regard to the rights and well-being of others. But the bad
a. Dispute redressal mechanism citizen is only restrained from breaking these laws by fear of the
b. Intellectual Property Rights consequence of his actions. And the necessary steps to compel the
c. Reviewer of government’s trade policies. bad citizen to act as a good citizen are taken by this force. The
d. Agreement on trade in services. supreme control of law and order in a State is in the hands of a
Minister who is responsible to the State Assembly and acts
5. According to the passage, which of the following statement is through the Inspector General of Police.
NOT true?
a. 11th WTO conference was held at Nairobi. 1. The expression 'customs and ceremonies' means:
b. India’s take on food security programme in the WTO a. Fairs and festivals
conference was positive. b. Habits and traditions
c. US is termed as the world’s largest economy. c. Usual practices and religious rites
d. US is involved directly in half of the cases brought to WTO d. Superstitions and formalities

Answers And Solutions 2. A suitable title for the passage would be :

(a) the function of the army.
(b) laws and the people's rights.
1. Ans. b. Inability of negotiators to reach to substantive outcome for (c) the fear of the law and citizen's security.
the problems. (d) the functions of the police.
3. Which of the following is not implied in the passage?
2. Ans. b. Lost of faith in WTO by US.
(a) Law protects those who respect it.
3. Ans. d. India (b) Law ensures people's religious and social rights absolutely
and unconditionally.
4. Ans. a. Dispute redressal mechanism (c) A criminal is deterred from committing crimes only for
5. Ans. a. 11th WTO conference was held at Nairobi fear of the law.

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(d) The forces of law help to transform irresponsible citizens message.”

into responsible ones.
4. According to the writer, which one of the following is not the Each rune had a name that hinted at the philosophical and magical
responsibility of the police? significance of its visual form and the sound for which it stands,
(a) To protect the privileges of all citizens. which was almost always the first sound of the rune’s name. For
(b) To check violent activities of citizens. example, the T-rune, called *Tiwaz in the Proto-Germanic
language, is named after the god Tiwaz (known as Tyr in the
(c) To ensure peace among citizens by safeguarding individual
Viking Age). Tiwaz was perceived to dwell within the daytime
rights.
sky, and, accordingly, the visual form of the T-rune is an arrow
(d) To maintain peace during extraordinary circumstances. pointed upward (which surely also hints at the god’s martial role).
5. Which of the following reflects the main thrust of the passage? The T-rune was often carved as a standalone ideograph, apart from
(a) It deals with the importance of the army in maintaining law the writing of any particular word, as part of spells cast to ensure
and order. victory in battle.
(b) It highlights role of the police as superior to that of the
army. The runic alphabets are called “futharks” after the first six runes
(c) It discusses the roles of the army and the police in different (Fehu, Uruz, Thurisaz, Ansuz, Raidho, Kaunan), in much the same
circumstances. way that the word “alphabet” comes from the names of the first
(d) It points to the responsibility of the Minister and the two Hebrew letters (Aleph, Beth). There are three principal
Inspector General of Police. futharks: the 24-character Elder Futhark, the first fully-formed
runic alphabet, whose development had begun by the first century
Answers And Solutions CE and had been completed before the year 400; the 16-character
Younger Futhark, which began to diverge from the Elder Futhark
around the beginning of the Viking Age (c. 750 CE) and
1. Ans (c) eventually replaced that older alphabet in Scandinavia; and the 33-
2. Ans (d) character Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, which gradually altered and added
to the Elder Futhark in England. On some inscriptions, the twenty-
3. Ans (b) four runes of the Elder Futhark were divided into three ættir (Old
Norse, “families”) of eight runes each, but the significance of this
4. Ans (d)
division is unfortunately unknown.
5. Ans (c)
Runes were traditionally carved onto stone, wood, bone, metal, or
Reading Comprehension Set-29 some similarly hard surface rather than drawn with ink and pen on
parchment. This explains their sharp, angular form, which was
The first systems of writing developed and used by the Germanic well-suited to the medium.
peoples were runic alphabets. The runes functioned as letters, but
they were much more than just letters in the sense in which we Much of our current knowledge of the meanings the ancient
today understand the term. Each rune was an ideographic or Germanic peoples attributed to the runes comes from the three
pictographic symbol of some cosmological principle or power, and “Rune Poems,” documents from Iceland, Norway, and England
to write a rune was to invoke and direct the force for which it that provide a short stanza about each rune in their respective
stood. Indeed, in every Germanic language, the word “rune” (from futharks (the Younger Futhark is treated in the Icelandic and
Proto-Germanic *runo) means both “letter” and “secret” or Norwegian Rune Poems, while the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc is
“mystery,” and its original meaning, which likely predated the discussed in the Old English Rune Poem).
adoption of the runic alphabet, may have been simply “(hushed)

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While runologists argue over many of the details of the historical c. A monument or building commemorating a nation's dead heroes
origins of runic writing, there is widespread agreement on a d. A domed circular temple at Rome, erected a.d. 120–124 by
general outline. The runes are presumed to have been derived from Hadrian
one of the many Old Italic alphabets in use among the
Mediterranean peoples of the first century CE, who lived to the
south of the Germanic tribes. Earlier Germanic sacred symbols, Q2. Which of the following statements is incorrect?
such as those preserved in northern European petroglyphs, were
also likely influential in the development of the script. a. Unlike the Latin alphabet, which is an essentially utilitarian script,
the runes are symbols of some of the most powerful forces in the
The earliest possibly runic inscription is found on the Meldorf cosmos
brooch, which was manufactured in the north of modern-day b. Runic writing was probably first used in southern Europe and was
Germany around 50 CE. The inscription is highly ambiguous, carried north by Germanic tribes.
however, and scholars are divided over whether its letters are runic c. The word “rune” and its meaning was derived from the runic
or Roman. The earliest unambiguous runic inscriptions are found alphabet.
on the Vimose comb from Vimose, Denmark and the Øvre Stabu d. The first runic alphabets date back to the 1st century CE.
spearhead from southern Norway, both of which date to
approximately 160 CE. The earliest known carving of the entire
futhark, in order, is that on the Kylver stone from Gotland, Q3. Which of the following cannot be reasonably inferred with regard
Sweden, which dates to roughly 400 CE. to the beliefs of the Proto-Germanic people?

The transmission of writing from southern Europe to northern a. Odin came upon the runes after going through a lot of torment.
Europe likely took place via Germanic warbands, the dominant b. The name of a rune was almost always the first sound of a
northern European military institution of the period, who would God’s name
have encountered Italic writing firsthand during campaigns c. The cosmological power represented by a rune was invoked by
amongst their southerly neighbors. This hypothesis is supported by writing it.
the association that runes have always had with the god Odin, d. Proto-German Gods were modeled on humans.
who, in the Proto-Germanic period, under his original name
*Woðanaz, was the divine model of the human warband leader Statement a - Odin came upon the runes after going through a lot
and the invisible patron of the warband’s activities. The Roman of torment.
historian Tacitus tells us that Odin (“Mercury” in the interpretatio True, stated in the last couple of paragraphs.
romana) was already established as the dominant god in the Statement b - The name of a rune was almost always the first
pantheons of many of the Germanic tribes by the first century. sound of a God’s name.
False. Each rune had a name which was almost always the first
From the perspective of the ancient Germanic peoples themselves, sound of the rune’s name. Though the example of the T rune and
however, the runes came from no source as mundane as an Old Tiwaz is given in the passage, it is not stated as a general rule that
Italic alphabet. The runes were never “invented,” but are instead the name of a rune is the first sound of a God’s name. It is the first
eternal, pre-existent forces that Odin himself discovered by sound of the rune’s name.
undergoing a tremendous ordeal. Statement c - The cosmological power represented by a rune was
invoked by writing it.
Q1. The word “pantheon” in the passage refers to True.
Statement d- Proto-German Gods were modeled on humans.
a. A temple of all the gods True. The passage gives the example of Woðanaz, the divine
b. All the gods collectively of a religion

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model of the human warband leader. d. The knowledge of the meanings attributed to the runes of the
So the correct answer choice is option b. Younger Futhark is derived from the three Rune poems.
Choice B is the correct answer. All the above
ii and iv
Answers And Solutions i, ii and iv
i and iii
[Link].(b) "The Roman historian Tacitus tells us that Odin (“Mercury in Statement i - Runic script was most likely derived from Italic
script.
the interpretatio romana) was already established as the dominant
True. The runes are presumed
god in the pantheons of many of the Germanic tribes by the first
to have been derived from one of the many Old Italic alphabets in
century."
use among the Mediterranean peoples of the first century CE, who
Here, clearly, it refers to Odin being the dominant god amongst all lived to the south of the Germanic tribes.
gods of the Germanic tribes. Statement ii - Runes were not used so much as a simple writing
So option b is the correct choice. system, but rather as magical signs to be used for charms.
Statement 1 - Unlike the Latin alphabet, which is an essentially False. Runes were used as a writing system. They were also used
utilitarian script, the runes are symbols of some of the most as magical signs. They were more than letters as we understand
powerful forces in the cosmos.
them today, not just magical signs.
From the passage, we know this to be true. Runes functioned as
[Link].(d) Statement iii - In the Proto-Germanic period, the god Tiwaz
letters, but they were much more than just letters. Each rune was
was associated with war, victory, marriage and the diurnal sky.
an ideographic or pictographic symbol of some cosmological
True. We understand from the passage that Tiwaz was perceived
power.
Statement 2 - Runic writing was probably first used in southern to dwell within the daytime sky, had martial role and was
Europe and was carried north by Germanic tribes. associated with victory in battle.
Again, this is stated in the passage and is correct. Statement iv - The knowledge of the meanings attributed to the
Statement 3 - The word “rune and its meaning was derived from runes of the Younger Futhark is derived from the three Rune
the runic alphabet poems.
[Link].(c)The word “rune means both “letter and “secret and its original False. The Younger Futhark is treated in the Icelandic and
meaning predated the adoption of the runic alphabet. Hence Norwegian Rune Poems only, not all three rune poems as
statement 3 is incorrect. suggested in the statement above.
So, of the four statements above
Statement 4 - The first runic alphabets date back to the 1st century
CE. only i and iii can be inferred from the passage.
Indeed, according to the passage, the development of the Elder Choice D is the correct answer.
Futhark had begun by
Choice C is the correct answer. Reading Comprehension Set-30
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage? Harold a professional man who had worked in an office for many
a. Runic script was most likely derived from Old Italic script. years had a fearful dream. In it, he found himself in a land where
b. Runes were not used so much as a simple writing system, but small slug-like animals with slimy tentacles lived on people's
rather as magical signs to be used for charms. bodies. The people tolerated the loathsome creatures because after
c. In the Proto-Germanic period, the god Tiwaz was associated many years they grew into elephants which then became
with war, victory, marriage and the diurnal sky.

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the nation's system of transport, carrying everyone wherever he

wanted to go. Harold suddenly realised that he himself was [Link].(c)The second statement of the passage clearly has the answer.
covered with these things, and he woke upscreaming. In a vivid "… he found himself in a land where small slug-like animals…"
sequence of pictures this dream dramatised for Harold what he had Choice C is the correct answer
never been able to put in to words; he saw himself as [Link].(c) ‘Loathsome' is disgust or extreme hatred of
letting society feed on his body in his early years so that it would someone/something. We are looking for imageries that express
carry him when he retired. He later threw off the "security bug" this disgust. In option A and D, ‘security bug' does not qualify as a
and took upfreelance work. description of loathe. In option B, ‘fearful dream' is more of an
expression of horror than of disgust. ‘Slimy' and ‘slug-like' give us
Q1. In his dream Harold found the loathsome creatures the complete sense of disgust.
Choice c is the correct answer
a. in his village [Link].(a)Option A Looks right. We will come back to it.
b. in his own house Option B is antithetical to the passage because it is a dream that
c. in a different land makes Harold more conscious to the realities of his choices. And
d. in his office there is no direct mention that he stops giving importance to
dreams. So it is eliminated.
Option C is also entirely opposed to the essence of the passage,
Q2. Which one of the following phrases best helps to bring out the since Harold decided to resist victimization by doing something
precise meaning of 'loathsome creatures'? where he would not be constrained by society. Hence it is
eliminated.
a. Security bug and slimy tentacles Option D "killed all bugs" is not relevant here. The line, "he saw
b. Fearful dream and slug-like animals himself as letting society feed on his body in his early years so that
c. Slimy tentacles and slug-like animals it would carry him when he retired" gives an idea of safety net or
d. slug-like animals and security bug social security that Harold was initially looking for in a stable job.
The last sentence, "…took up freelance work" says Harold was
then ready for a job without reliable, consistent earnings. This
Q3. The statement that 'he later threw off the security bug' means that explains he was ready to come out of his comfort zone.
[Link].(d)Option B is omitted straightaway because there is no mention
a. Harold succeeded in overcoming the need for security
b. Harold stopped giving much importance to dreams of snakes anywhere in the passage. Option C is not feasible
c. Harold started tolerating social victimisation because the passage mentions that people started tolerating the
d. Harold killed all the bugs troubled him creatures after they became elephant. This implies no or very low
fear.
Option A seems to be correct, but the dream was not fearful
Q4. Harold's dream was fearful because
because of the connection with the reality. It was fearful because
of the presence of the slimy creatures that fed on people's bodies.
a. it brought him face to face with reality
b. it was full of vivid pictures of snakes
Choice D is the correct answer
c. he saw huge elephant in it
d. in it he saw slimy creatures feeding on people's bodies Reading Comprehension Set-31
Amswers Amd Solutions The reporter gets the credit for a good story not only for its content
but also for its readability; however, when a copy is sloppy, the

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desk is easily blamed. Sometimes I get complaints against the desk (b) To provide reforms and global funds to individual investors.
from readers who contribute for the Open Page and the letters (c) As some nations are clear leaders in terms of scientific,
section when their stories and letters are cut for length. In a financial and industrial innovations.
newsroom, two values that are most talked about are independence (d) For the ineffective use of intellectual property.
and freedom. But we need to inculcate another supreme value: (e) None of these.
interdependence. Reporters and the desk bring a different set of
skills together to publish a newspaper. An editor of a news [Link]. We require water for everything: drinking, growing crops,
organisation works like the conductor of an orchestra. It is not a producing electricity and industrial production. With the world
solo performance. The job is to bring out the full import of each population projected to grow to about 10 billion by 2050,
note assigned to different players and ensure that the resultant according to the United Nations, and with climate change
product is not a cacophony but a pleasant symphony. discernible, both the quantity and quality of freshwater will
become critical, affecting health, food security, and economic
Q1. According to the passage what is the need of inculcating the other well-being. A 2015 UN report, Water for a Sustainable World,
value ‘interdependence’ apart from independence and freedom, pointed out that the gap between the availability of water and our
between reporters and the employees from the desk? need for water is only going to increase. The growing demand on
freshwater resources demonstrates the need for sustainable
(a) The dependence of employees from the desk and the reporters on management of water. In this context, projects that are being
each other bring a different set of skills together to publish a contemplated, such as the laying of multiple railway tracks in the
newspaper. critical Cauvery river basin in Kodagu district, Karnataka, are not
(b) The dependence of employees from the desk and the reporters on only economically unviable but also ecologically damaging.
each other might eradicate the conflicts between them.
(c) Interdependence between reporters and employees from the desk Q3. As per the 2015 UN report which could be the future reasons for the
might increase the profit of the organization. increasing gap between the availability and our need for water?
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(e) None of these (a)Growing world population
(b)Climate change pattern
[Link]. In 1859, when Charles Darwin presented his famed theory of (c)Increasing development pressure from the transportation and
evolution by natural selection, inherent in its essence was the construction sectors
abiding notion of survival of the fittest. To evolve, compete and do (d)Both (a) and (b)
better has been the cornerstone of the survival of any species. This (e)All (a),(b) and (c)
has also helped ensure that countries and societies have created an
era that is prosperous and (largely) peaceful than at any other time [Link]. Why is history such an important school subject? And why
in history. Innovation, progressive disruption and the effective use does it not receive the importance it deserves? A brief answer to
of intellectual property are the new tools of the economy this the second question is that history cannot compete with science
century. For examples, one only has to look at Israel or Singapore. subjects in the market that shapes and controls education today.
In the 21st century, they are clear leaders on their strengths in the Yet, history is an important subject because it moulds the outlook
fields of scientific, industrial and financial innovations. Hence the of the younger generation. By turning the past into a narrative,
lessons for emerging markets are clear — the need to innovate and history creates a public ethos and influences culture. From
compete globally. architecture to film, and from ancient India to Partition, the
Kolkata conference, organised by the History for Peace initiative
Q2. Why do the emerging markets need to innovate and compete of the Seagull Foundation for the Arts, covered a broad canvas to
globally? trace the complex relationship between history and culture. I can
(a) For providing a multifold increase in scientific capabilities. think of few other gatherings where school teachers got a chance

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to discuss their classroom experience with scholars of history and (b) Only (II)
culture. The outcome was a richer understanding of the constraints (c) Only (III)
that a poorly functioning system of education places on a society’s (d) Both (I) and (III)
capacity to cope with its present difficulties and imagine (e) All of these
sustainable solutions.

Q4. According to the author what was the denouement of the gathering [Link]. The graphic map which marks the areas where the water of
between the class teachers and the scholars of History and culture? the Ganga is unfit for bathing with red dots shows that the
(a) Government schools cope with bureaucratic norms and private pollution level in 11 major stretches of the Ganga spread across
schools cope with parental pressure to maintain heightened five districts and Kolkata is so high that it is even unfit for bathing.
competition. The CPCB guidelines, upon which the map is based, states that
(b) The result was the better understanding of the restraints that a water is fit for bathing when the amount of fecal coliform bacteria,
poorly functioning system of education places on a society. found mainly in human faeces, is not more than 2,500 most
(c) Its importance in shaping the larger political ethos of the country probable number (MPN) per 100 ml, dissolved oxygen is not more
remains undiminished. than 5 mg per litre, bio chemical oxygen demand is less than 3 mg
(d) both (b) and (c) per litre and the pH level-measurement of how acidic the water is,
(e) None of these is between 6.5 to 8.5.

[Link]. As for India, the ‘significant economic presence’ (SEP) Q6. An imaginary River ABCD has 3500 Most Probable Number
concept introduced in the Finance Act —it means that if a (MPN) per 100 ml as the amount of fecal coliform bacteria,
company has an SEP in India, it has tax liabilities here whether it dissolved oxygen is 3 mg per litre, bio chemical oxygen demand is
is based here or not—makes instinctive sense. The problem is 1 mg per litre and pH level of the water is 7.4. Changing which of
creating thresholds that don’t stifle competition or open New Delhi the following pollution-related attributes of the river-water would
up to accusations of protectionism. An even bigger problem is make the water of the imaginary river “ABCD” fit for bathing?
finagling such a regulatory change without becoming entangled in
existing bilateral tax treaties. These moves take aim at legitimate (a) Most probable number (MPN)
problems which will grow in scale as IP comes to play an (b) Amount of fecal coliform bacteria
increasingly important role in traditional sectors such as (c) Bio chemical oxygen demand
automobile. But the transnational nature of digital businesses (d) pH level of the river-water
demands a multilateral response rather than a patchwork of (e) options (a) and (b)
rivalrous measures. This is difficult at a time when protectionism
is on the rise, but all the more important for it. [Link]. Media coverage of Russian President Putin’s visit to India
focused strongly on a US law, Countering America’s Adversaries
Q5. What is/are the impediments associated with the implementation Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), and its implications for the
of SEP under Finance Act? India-Russia defence cooperation. CAATSA originated from
allegations, in the aftermath of President Trump’s election, of
(I) Identifying the intensity of the economic presence of a collusion between his campaign staff and Russia. This snowballed
company so that it doesn’t restrain the competition. into a wider, bipartisan concern that he might undermine American
(II) Intellectual property plays an important role in traditional security interests by allowing unwise concessions to Russia. A bill,
sectors. introduced in the US Congress, sought to restrain President Trump
(III)Implementation of SEP might muddle with the existing from diluting the Russia sanctions regime, which was established
bilateral tax treaties after the 2014 “annexation” of Crimea and subsequent events.
(a) Both (II) and (III)

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Q7. What is/are the reason(s) that led to the formation of CAATSA act (e) none of these.
in the US Congress?

(I) Trump might subvert American security interests by granting [Link]. In the contemporary world of democratized knowledge
favours to Russia. acquisition, insufficient attention is paid to intellectual norms and
(II) To restrain Trump from dissolving the Russia sanctions virtues. There are many, but mainly intellectual openness is one of
regime. them. It must surely be an integral part of our education, nurtured
(III)To pace up the India-Russia defence cooperation early in our childhood and ingrained so firmly that it remains with
(a) Both (I) and (II) us as long as we are intellectually active. But what is this quality
(b) Only (II) of openness? Suppose a newspaper claims that the Indian economy
(c) Both (II) and (III) is growing at 10%, it is incumbent upon me, the reader, with no
(d) Only (I) particular beliefs of my own on this matter, to check if this is true.
(e) All (I) (II) and (III) Not much research is needed. Relevant facts — some supporting
and others challenging the claim — are available on the Internet.
[Link]. Roshni Reddy, head of Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, And if that information proves indecisive, it is easily obtainable
Chennai, says students are recognising the problem, too, especially from other reliable sources.
when they opt for higher studies abroad. “There is a lot of
unlearning that they have to do when they set out as musicians in Q9. What virtues does the author wants to cultivate, which are an
their own right,” she explains. So at Swarnabhoomi, they ensure integral part of education?
their rotating faculty — which has included renowned pianist
Jordan Rudess, guitarist Rotem Sivan and drummer David (a) Gathering knowledge through reading and writing.
Anderson — help bridge the gap. To Srinivasan, promoting (b) Intellectual openness to be nurtured early in our childhood.
western classical is all about the packaging. “Young musicians (c) Acquiring rigorous norms of knowledge.
should be able to play within the tenets of the genre, to make it (d) Analyzing previous situations and making premature
appealing and relatable,” he says. Like Delhi-based pianist Sahil judgments.
Vasudeva, who has taken the instrument out of the concert hall (e) None of these.
with his ‘Un-Recitals’. In his attempt to make classical music
accessible and young — “after all, why should anybody sitting in [Link]. The invention of the alphabet is a major achievement of Western
Delhi in 2018 care about what was going on in music in 18th culture. It is also unique; the alphabet was invented only once,
century Europe?” though it has been borrowed by many cultures. It is a model of
analytic thinking, breaking down perceptible qualities like
Q8. What are the initiatives that are being taken so as the students from syllables into more basic constituents. And because it is capable of
India going abroad for higher education should not face problems conveying subtle differences in meaning, it has come to be used
in learning western classical music? for the expression of a great many of the functions served by
speech. The alphabet requires little of the reader beyond
(a) In schools, management ensures their rotating faculty — which familiarity with its orthography. It allows the reader to decipher
has included renowned pianist, guitarist, and drummer so that the words newly encountered and permits the invention of spellings
students from very start have a solid foundation of music. for new patterns of sound, including proper names. Finally, its
(b) By incorporating film and theatrical elements in his performances explicitness permits readers to make a relatively sharp distinction
of Debussy or Chopin. between the tasks of deciphering and interpreting. Less explicit
(c) Young musicians should be able to play within the tenets of the orthographies require the reader first to grasp the meaning of a
genre, to make it appealing and relatable. passage as a whole in order to decide which of several possible
(d) both (a) and (c) word meanings a particular graphic string represents.

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need for water is only going to increase.” Option (c) is out of the
Q10. Why has author called the invention of the alphabet a major context.
achievement? Q4. Ans. (b)
Option (b) is the correct answer choice. Option (b) can be traced
(a) An alphabet allows the reader to decipher words newly from the last lines of the paragraph where is mentioned, “. The
encountered and permits the invention of spellings for new outcome was a richer understanding of the constraints that a poorly
patterns of sound functioning system of education places on a society’s capacity to
(b) Its explicitness permits readers to make a relatively sharp cope with its present difficulties and imagine sustainable
distinction between the tasks of deciphering and interpreting solutions.”
(c) It is also unique; the alphabet was invented only once, though it
has been borrowed by many cultures. Q5. Ans. (d)
(d) Both (a) and (b) Both the alternatives (I) and (III) are correct. Refer to the 3rd line
(e) None of these. of the paragraph, “The problem is creating thresholds that don’t
stifle competition or open New Delhi up to accusations of
Answers And Solutions protectionism. An even bigger problem is finagling such a
regulatory change without becoming entangled in existing bilateral
tax treaties.” However, alternative (II) is incorrect. It is to be
Q1. Ans. (a)
noted that the next line “These moves take aim at legitimate
Option (a) is the best answer choice. The given option (a) can be
problems which will grow in scale as IP comes to play an
traced from the last lines of the paragraph where it is stated that
increasingly important role in traditional sectors such as
“In a nezwsroom, two values that are most talked about are
automobile” does not state any challenge for SEP. Hence, option
independence and freedom. But we need to inculcate another
(d) is the most viable answer choice.
supreme value: interdependence. Reporters and the desk bring a
Q.6. (b)
different set of skills together to publish a newspaper.”
‘Most Probable Number (MPN)’ is a unit for amount (or
Q2. Ans.(c)
concentration of microbes in a water-body). It is not the pollution-
Option (c) is the appropriate choice. Refer to paragraph where it is
related characteristic of the river-water. The pollution-related
given innovation, progressive disruption and the effective use of
characteristic of the river-water are: Amount of fecal coliform
intellectual property are the new tools of the economy this century.
bacteria, bio chemical oxygen demand, concentration of dissolved
For this the author has given examples of Israel and Singapore. In
oxygen and the pH level of the river-water. Paragraph provides the
the 21st century, they are clear leaders on their
permissible limits of the pollution related attributes of the water in
strengths in the fields of scientific, industrial and financial
a water body for bathing. Amount of fecal coliform bacteria in the
innovations. Hence the lessons for emerging markets are clear —
river ABCD is 3500 MPN per 100 ml which is more than the
the need to innovate and compete globally.
permissible limit. So, the amount of fecal coliform bacteria in the
Q3. Ans. (d)
river ABCD needs to be reduced.
Option (d) is the correct answer choice. both the options (a) and
Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
(b) can be trace form the paragraph where it is given that “With
Q7. Ans. (a)
the world population projected to grow to about 10 billion by
as per the information given in the passage, it can be deduced
2050, according to the United Nations, and with climate change
clearly that alternatives (I) and (II) clearly provide the reasons for
discernible, both the quantity and quality of freshwater will
the formation of the act in the US Congress. However, it is to be
become critical, affecting health, food security, and economic
further noted that alternative (III) is not the cause. Hence, option
well-being. A 2015 UN report, Water for a Sustainable World,
(a) is the most viable answer choice.
pointed out that the gap between the availability of water and our
Q8. Ans. (a)

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Option (a) is the appropriate choice here. The answer can be likely to find such advantage cannot be sustained through emergence of
referred from paragraph where it is given “so at Swarnabhoomi, new competitors. hf terms of capital, for centuries the days of gold coins
they ensure their rotating faculty — which has included renowned and later even paper money restricted financial flows. Subsequently
pianist Jordan Rudess, guitarist Rotem Sivan and drummer David regional concentrations were formed where large banks, industries and
Anderson — help bridge the gap”. markets coalesced. But today capital flows internationally at rapid speed.
Q9. Ans. (b) Global commerce no longer requires regional interactions among business
Option (b) is the appropriate choice. Refer to paragraph where it is players. Regional capital concentrations in places such as New York,
mentioned that insufficient attention is paid to intellectual norms London and Tokyo still persist, of course, but the capital concentrated
and virtues. There are many virtues but mainly intellectual there is no longer sufficient for competitive advantage over other
openness is one of them. It must surely be an integral part of our capitalists distributed worldwide. Only if an organization is able to
education, nurtured early in our childhood and ingrained so firmly combine, integrate and apply its resources (eg. Land, labour, capital, IT)
that it remains with us as long as we are intellectually active. in an effective manner that is not readily imitable by competitors can such
Q10. Ans. (d) an organization enjoy competitive advantage sustainable overtime. In a
The correct answer choice is option (d). Option (a) and (b) both knowledge-based theory of the firm, this idea is extended to view
can be traced from the paragraph where it is given as “The organizational knowledge as a resource with atleast the same level of
alphabet requires little of the reader beyond familiarity with its power and importance as the traditional economic inputs. An organization
orthography. It allows the reader to decipher words newly with superior knowledge can achieve competitive advantage in markets
encountered and permits the invention of spellings for new that appreciate the application of such knowledge. Semiconductors,
patterns of sound, including proper names. Finally, its explicitness genetic engineering, pharmaceuticals, software, military warfare, and like
permits readers to make a relatively sharp distinction between the knowledge-intensive competitive arenas provide both time-proven and
tasks of deciphering and interpreting.” current examples. Consider semiconductors (e.g. computer chips), which
are made principally of sand and common metals. These ubiquitous and
powerful electronic devices are designed within common office buildings,
Reading Comprehension Set-32 using commercially available tools, and fabricated within factories in
many industrialized nations. Hence, land is not the key competitive
resource in the semiconductor industry.
Based on the passage answer the following questions:
In terms of labour, for decades the relatively low cost and high quality of
Japanese workers conferred considerable competitive advantage across Q1. Which country enjoyed competitive advantages in automobile
numerous durable goods and consumer-electronics industries (eg.
industry for decades ?
Machinery, automobiles* televisions, radios). Then labour-based
advantages shifted to South Korea, then to Malaysia, Mexico and other
(1) South Korea (2) Japan
nations. Today, China appears to be capitalizing best on the basis of
(3) Mexico (4) Malaysia
labour. Japanese firms still remain competitive in markets for such
durable goods, electronics and other products, but the labour force is no
Q2. Why labour-based competitive advantages of India and
longer sufficient for competitive advantage over manufacturers in other
Singapore cannot be sustained in IT and service sectors ?
industrializing nations. Such shifting of labour-based advantage is clearly
not limited to manufacturing industries. Today, a huge number of IT and
(1) Due to diminishing levels of skill.
service jobs are moving from Europe and North America to India,
(2) Due to capital-intensive technology making inroads.
Singapore, and like countries with relatively well-educated, low-cost
(3) Because of new competitors.
workforces possessing technical skills. However, as educational levels
(4) Because of shifting of labour-based advantage in
and technical skills continue to rise in other countries, India, Singapore,
manufacturing industries.
and like nations enjoying labour-based competitive advantage today are

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in-joke or a drawing. Instead overwhelmed by the myriad options

Q3.. How can an organization enjoy competitive advantage available to me, I decided lo just write : “Good luck, best, Joel”.
sustainable overtime ? It was then that I realised, to my horror, that 1 had forgotLen how
to write. Mv entire existence is “tap letters into computer”. My
(1) Through regional capital flows. shopping lists are hidden in the notes function of my phone. If I
(2) Through regional interactions among business players. need to remember somelhing 1 send an e-mail to myself. A pen is
(3) By making large banks, industries and markets coalesced. something I chew when I’m struggling to think. Paper is
(4) By effective use of various instrumentalists. something I pile beneath my laptop to make it a more comfortable
height for me to type on. A poll of 1,000 teens by the stationers,
Q4. What is required to ensure competitive advantages in specific Bic found that one in 10 don’t own a pen, a third have never
markets ? written a letter, and half of 13 to 19 years – old have never been
(1) Access to capital (2) Common office buildings (3) Superior forced to sit down and write a thank you letter. More than 80%
knowledge (4) Common metals have never written a love letter, 56% don’t have letter paper at
home. And a quarter have never known the unique torture of
Q5.. The passage also mentions about the trend of writing a birthday card. The most a teen ever has to use a pen is on
an exam paper.
(1) Global financial flow Bic, have you heard of mobile phones ? Have you heard of e-mail,
(2) Absence of competition in manufacturing industry lacebook and snap chatting ? This is the future. Pens are dead.
(3) Regionalisation of capitalists Paper is dead. Handwriting is a relic.
(4) Organizational incompatibility “Handwriting is one of the most creative outlets we have and
should be given the same importance as other art forms such as
6. What does the author lay stress on in the passage ? sketching, painting or photography.”
(1) International commerce (2) Labour-intensive industries Answer the following questions :
(3) Capital resource management (4) Knowledge-driven
competitive advantage Q1. When confronted with signing a big card, the author felt like
Answers And Solutions “a rabbit in the headlight”. What does this phrase mean ?

(1) A slate of confusion (2) A state of pleasure

1. (2) Japan
(3) A state of anxiety (4) A state of pain
2. (3) Because of new competitors.
3. (4) By effective use of various instrumentalities. [Link] to the author, which one is not the most creative
4. (3) Superior knowledge
outlet of pursuit ?
5. (1) Global financial flow
(I) Handwriting (2) Photography
6. (4) Knowledge-driven competitive advantage
(3) Sketching (4) Reading
Q3.. The entire existence of the author revolves round :
(a) Computer
Reading Comprehension Set-33 (b) Mobile phone
(c) Typewrite?
Identify the correct answer from the codes given below :
I did that thing recently where you have to sign a big card – which (1) (b) only (2) (a) and (b) only
is a horror unto itself, especially as the keeper of the Big Card was (3) (a), (b) and (c) (4) (b) and (c) only
leaning over me at the time. Suddenly I was on the spot, a rabbit in
the headlights, torn between doing a fun message or some sort of

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Q4.. How many teens, as per the Bic survey, do not own a pen ? overtime through amiable social networks and how large groups
work in less selfishness and in the process accommodate rich and
(1) 800 (2) 560 (3) 500 (4) 100 poor, high and low alike. This aspect in story-telling is considered
by the ‘Practical Possibles’, who sit between those who say all is
Q5. What is the mam concern of the author ? fine and cheerful and be individualistic in your approach to a
successful future, and those who ordain pessimism and fear that
(1) That the teens use social networks for communication. we are doomed. What the future holds for us is which stories we
(2) that the teens use mobile phones. hold on to and how we act on them.
(3) That the teens use computer. Answer the following questions :
(4) That the teens have forgotten the art of handwriting. Q1. Our knowledge is a collection of:

Answers And Solutions (1) all stories that we have heard during our life-time
(2) some stories that we remember
1. (1) A slate of confusion
(3) a few stories that survive
2. (4) Reading
(4) some important stories
3. (a) and (b) only
4. (4) 100 Q2.. Story telling is:
5. (4) That the teens have forgotten the art of handwriting.
(1) an art (2) a science (3) in our genes (4) the essence of what
Reading Comprehension Set-34 makes us human
Q3.. How the future will turn out to be, depends upon the stories ?

Story telling is not in our genes. Neither it is an evolutionary (1) We collectively choose to believe in
history. It is the essence of what makes us [Link] beings (2) Which are repeatedly narrated
progress by telling stories. One event can result in a great variety (3) Designed to spread fear and tension
of stories being told about it. Sometimes those stories differ (4) Designed to make prophecy
greatly. Which stories are picked up and repeated and which ones
are dropped and forgotten often determines how we progress. Our Q4.. Rational optimists :
history, knowledge and understanding are all the collections of the
few stories that survive. This includes the stories that we tell each (a) Look for opportunities.
other about the future. And how the future will turn out depends (b) Are sensible and cheerful.
partly, possibly largely, on which stories we collectively choose to (c) Are selfishly driven.
believe. Identify the correct answer from the codes given below :
Some stories are designed to spread fear and concern. This is (1) (a), (b) and (c)
because some story-tellers feel that there is a need to raise some (2) (a) only
tensions. Some stories are frightening, they are like totemic (3) (a) and (b) only
warnings : “Fail to act now and we are all doomed.” Then there are (4) (b) and (c) only
stories that indicate that all will be fine so long as we leave
everything upto a few especially able adults. Currently, this trend Q5.. Humans become less selfish when:
is being led by those who call themselves “rational optimists”.
They tend to claim that it is human nature to compete and to (1) they work in large groups
succeed and also to profit at the expense of others. The rational (2) they listen to frightening stories
optimists however, do not realize how humanity has progressed (3) they listen to cheerful stories

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(4) they work in solitude McCarthy observed that ‘ideas are still today felt to be unsightly in
the novel though that was not so in ‘former days’, i.e..in the 18th
Q6.. ‘Practical Possibles’ are the ones who : and 19n centuries. Her formulation of the precise nature of the
(1) follow Midway Path (2) are doom-mongers incompatibility between ideas on the one hand and the novel on t
(3) are self-centred (4) are cheerful and carefree other betrays perhaps a divided conscience in the matter and a
Answers And Solutions sense of dilemma shared by many writers and readers : ‘An idea
cannot have loose ends, but a novel, I almost think, needs them
1. (3) a few stories that survive
Nevertheless, there is enough in common for the novelists to
2. (4) the essence of what makes us human
fee!… the attraction of ideas while taking up arms against them –
3. (1) We collectively choose to believe in
most often with weapons of mockery.’
4. (1) (a), (b) and (c)
5. (1) they work in large groups Q1.. The constructs of politics by its nature is
6. (4) are cheerful and carefree
(A) Prevalent political situation
Reading Comprehension Set-35 (B) Ideas and Ideologies
(C) Political propaganda
(D) Understanding of Iranian nature
The literary distaste for politics, however, seems to be focused not
so much on the largely murky practice of politics in itself as a Q2.. Literature deals with
subject of literary representation but rather more on how it is often
depicted in literature, i.e., on the very politics of such (A) Human experiences in politics
representation. A political novel often turns out to be not merely a (B) Intellectual abstractions
novel about politics but a novel with a politics of its own, for it (C) Dry and empty ideas
seeks not merely to show us how things are but has fairly definite (D) Felt reality of human life
ideas about how things should be, and precisely what one should
think and do in order to make things move in that desired Q3.. The observation of the novelist. Mary McCarthy reveals
direction. In short, it seeks to convert and enlist the reader to a
particular cause or ideology; it often is (in an only too familiar (A) unseen felt ideas of today in the novel
phrase) not literature but propaganda. This is said violate the very (B) dichotomy of conscience on political ideas and novels
spirit of literature which is to broaden our understanding of the (C) compatibility between idea and novel
world and to range of our sympathies rather than to narrow them (D) endless ideas and novels
down through partisan commitment. As John Keats said, ‘We hate
poetry that has a palpable design upon us’.Another reason why Q4.. According to the passage, a political novel often turns out to
politics does not seem amenable to the highest kind of literary be a
representation seems to arise from the fact that politics by its very (A) Literary distaste for politics
nature is constituted of ideas and ideologies. If political situations (B) Literary representation of politics
do not lend themselves to happy literary treatment, political ideas (C) Novel with its own politics
present perhaps an even greater problem in this regard. Literature, (D) Depiction of murky practice of politics
it is argued, is about human experiences rather than about
intellectual abstractions; it deals in what is called the ‘felt reality’ Q5.. A political novel reveals
of human flesh and blood, and in sap and savour (rasa) rather than
in arid and lifeless ideas. In an extensive discussion of the matter (A) Reality of the things
in her book Ideas and the Novel the American novelist Mary

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(B) Writer’s perception insistence upon the inculcation of norms, and the absence of
(C) Particular ideology of the readers bigotry and institutionalized exploitation of human or natural
(D) The spirit of literature resources, are two very different features which link the realities of
India and her tradition with the essence of all Utopians.
Answers And Solutions Q1..The basic construction of Thomas More’s Utopia was inspired
by
1. (B) Ideas and Ideologies
2. (D) Felt reality of human life
(A) Indian tradition of religious tolerance.
3. (C) compatibility between idea and novel
(B) Persecution of religious groups by Indian rulers.
4. (C) Novel with its own politics
(C) Social inequality in India.
5. (B) Writer’s perception
(D) European perception of Indian State.

Reading Comprehension Set-36 Q2.. What is the striking feature of modern India ?

(A) A replica of Utopian State

Traditional Indian Values must be viewed both from the angle of (B) Uniform laws
the individual and from that of the geographically delimited (C) Adherence to traditional values
agglomeration of peoples or groups enjoying a common system of (D) Absence of Bigotry
leadership which we call the ‘State’, The Indian ‘State’s’ special
feature is the peaceful, or perhaps mostly peaceful, co-existence of Q3..Which of the following is a special feature of the Indian State
social groups of various historical provenances which mutually ?
adhere in a geographical, economic, and political sense, without
ever assimilating to each other in social terms, in ways of thinking, (A) Peaceful co-existence of people under a common system of
or even in language. Modern Indian law will determine certain leadership
rules, especially in relation to the regime of the family, upon the (B) Peaceful co-existence of social groups of different historical
basis of how the loin-cloth is tied, or how the turban is worn, for provenances attached to each other in a geographical, economic
this may identify the litigants as members and politicalsense
of a regional group, and therefore as participants in its traditional (C) Social integration of all groups
law, though their ancestors left the region three or four centuries (D) Cultural assimilation of all social groups.
earlier. The use of the word ‘State’ above must not mislead us.
There was no such thing as a conflict between the individual and Q4..The author uses the word ‘State’ to highlight
the State, atleast before foreign governments became established, (A) Antagonistic relationship between the state and the individual
just as there was no concept of state ‘sovereignty’ or of any throughout the period of history.
church-and-state dichotomy. Modern Indian ‘secularism’ has an (B) Absence of conflict between the state and the individualsupto a
admittedly peculiar feature. It requires the state to make a fair point in time.
distribution of attention and support amongst all religions. These (C) The concept of state sovereignty.
blessed aspects of India’s famed tolerance (Indian kings so rarely (D) Dependence on religion.
persecuted religious groups that the exceptions prove the rule) at
once struck Portuguese and other European visitors to the West Q5... Which one is the peculiar feature of modern Indian
Coast of India in the sixteenth century, and the impression made ‘Secularism’ ?
upon them in this and other ways gave rise, at one remove, to the
basic constitution of Thomas More’s Utopia. There is little about (A) No discrimination on religious considerations
modern India that strikes one at once as Utopian : but the (B) Total indifference to religion

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(C) No space for social identity approaches to address local contexts. Conservation cannot limit
(D) Disregard for social law itself to enhancing the art-historical value of the heritage
structures, which international charters perhaps over emphasize.
Answers And Solutions The effort has to be broad-based : It must also serve as a means to
improving the quality of life in the area where the heritage
structures are located. The first task therefore is to integrate
1. (A) Indian tradition of religious tolerance.
conservation efforts with sound development plans that take care
2. (D) Absence of Bigotry
of people living in the heritage vicinity. Unlike in western
3. (B) Peaceful co-existence of social groups of different historical
countries, many traditional building crafts survive in India, and
provenances attached to each other in a geographical, economic and
conservation practices offer an avenue to support them. This has
politicalsense
been acknowledged by the Indian National Trust for Art and
4. (B) Absence of conflict between the state and the individualsupto a
Cultural Heritage charter for conservation but is yet to receive
point in time.
substantial state support. More strength for heritage conservation
5. (A) No discrimination on religious considerations
can be mobilized by aligning it with the green building movement.
Heritage structures are essentially Eco-friendly and conservation
Reading Comprehension Set-37 could become a vital part of the sustainable building practices
campaign in future.

Heritage conservation practices improved worldwide after the Q1..The outlook for conservation heritage changed
International Center for the Study of the Preservation and
Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) was established with (A) after the establishment of the International Centre for the
UNESCO’s assistance in 1959. The inter-governmental Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property.
organization with 126 member states has done a commendable job (B) after training the specialists in the field.
by training more than 4,000 professionals, providing practice (C) after extending UNESCO’s assistance to the educational
standards, and sharing technical expertise. In this golden jubilee institutions.
year, as we acknowledge its key role in global conservation, an (D) after ASI’s measures to protect the monuments
assessment of international practices would be meaningful to the
Indian conservation movement. Consistent investment, rigorous Q2..The inter-govemment organization was appreciated because of
attention, and dedicated research and dissemination are some of
the positive lessons to imbibe. Countries such as Italy have (A) increasing number of members to 126.
demonstrated that prioritizing heritage with significant budget (B) imparting training to professionals and sharing technical
provision pays. On the other hand, India, which is no less endowed expertise.
in terms of cultural capital, has a long wav to go. Surveys indicate (C) consistent investment in conservation.
that in addition to the 6,600 protected monuments, there are over (D) its proactive role in renovation and restoration
60,000 equally valuable heritage structures that await attention.
Besides the small group in the service of Archaeological Survey of Q3... Indian conservation movement will be successful if there
India, there are only about 150 trained conservation professionals. would be
In order to overcome this severe shortage the emphasis has been
on setting up dedicated labs and training institutions. It would (A) Financial support from the Government of India.
make much better sense for conservation to be made part of (B) Non-governmental organizations role and participation in the
mainstream research and engineering institutes, as has been done conservation movement.
in [Link] funding and building institutions are the (C) consistent investment, rigorous attention, and dedicated
relatively easy [Link] real challenge is to redefine international

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research and dissemination of awareness for conservation. Reading Comprehension Set-38

(D) Archaeological Survey of India’s meaningful assistance.

Q4... As per the surveys of historical monuments in India, there is

The TajMahal has become one of the world’s best known
very small number of protected monuments. As per given the total
monuments. This domed white marble structure is situated on a
number of monuments and enlisted number of protected
high plinth at the southern end of a four-quartered garden evoking
monuments, percentage comes to
the gardens of paradise, enclosed within walls measuring 305 by
549 metres. Outside the walls, in an area known as Mumtazabad,
(A) 10 percent (B) 11 percent (C) 12 percent (D) 13 percent
Q5..What should India learn from Europe to conserve our cultural were living quarters for attendants, markets, serais and other
structures built by local merchants and nobles. The tomb complex
heritage ?
and the other imperial structures of Mumtazabad were maintained
by the income of thirty villages given specifically for the tomb’s
(i) There should be significant budget provision to conserve our
support. The name TajMahal is unknown in Mughal chronicles,
cultural heritage.
but it is used by contemporary Europeans in India, suggesting that
(ii) Establish dedicated labs and training institutions.
this was the tomb’s popular name. In contemporary texts, it is
(iii) Force the government to provide sufficient funds.
generally called simply the Il1urninated Tomb (Rauza-i-
(iv) Conservation should be made part of mainstream research and
Munavvara). MumtazMahal died shortly after delivering her
engineering institutes.
fourteenth child in 1631. The Mughal court was then residing in
Choose correct answer from the codes given below:
Burhanpur. Her remains ‘were temporarily buried. by the grief
(A) (i) (ii), (iii ,(iv)
stricken emperor in a spacious garden known as Zainabad on the
(B) (i). (ii) (iv)
bank of the nver Tapti. SIX months later her body was transported
(C) (i), (ii)
to Agra, where it was interred in land chosen for the mausoleum.
(D) (i), (iii), (iv)
This land, situated south of the- Mughal city on the bank of the
Q6..INTACH is known for its contribution for conservation of our Jamuna, had belonged to the Kachhwaha rajas since the time of
Raja Man Singh and was purchased from the then current raja, Jai
cultural heritage. The full form of INTACH is
Singh. Although contemporary chronicles indicate Jai Singh’s
willing cooperation in this exchange, extant, farmans (imperial
(A) International Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage.
commands) indicate that the final price was not settled until almost
(B) Intra-national Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
two years after the mausoleum’s commencement. Jai Singh’s
(C) Integrated Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
further cooperation was insured by imperial orders issued between
(D) Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
1632 and 1637 demanding that he provide stone masons and carts
Answers And Solutions to transport marble from the mines at Makrana, within his
“ancestral domain”, to Agra where both the TajMahal and Shah
1. (A) after the establishment of the International Centre for the Study of Jahan’s additions to the Agra fort were constructed concurrently.
the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property. Work on the mausoleum was commenced early in 1632.
2. (B) imparting training to professionals and sharing technical expertise. Inscriptional evidence indicates much of the tomb was completed
3. (C) consistent investment, rigorous attention, and dedicated research by 1636. By 1643, when Shah Jahan most lavishly celebrated the
and dissemination of awareness for conservation. ‘Urs ceremony for MumtazMahal’, the entire complex was
4. (B) 11 percent virtually complete.
5. (B) (i). (ii) (iv) Q1..Marble stone used for the construction of the TajMahal was
6. (D) Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage brought from the ancestral domain of Raja Jai Singh. The name of
the place where mines of marble is

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6. (A) Farman
(A) Burhanpur (B) Makrana (C) Amber (D) Jaipur
Reading Comprehension Set-39
Q2..The popular name TajMahal was given by
The popular view of towns and cities in developing countries and
(A) Shah Jahan (B) Tourists
of urbanization process is that despite the benefits and comforts it
(C) Public (D) European travelers
brings, the emergence of such cities connotes environmental
Q3..Point out the true statement from the following. degradation, generation of slums and squatters, urban poverty,
unemployment, crimes, lawlessness, traffic chaos etc. But what is
the reality ? Given the unprecedental increase in urban population
(A) Marble was not used for the construction of the TajMahal.
over the last 50 years from 300 million in 1950 to 2 billion in 2000
(B) Red sandstone is non-visible in the TajMahal complex.
in developing countries, the wonder really is how well the world
(C) The TajMahal is surrounded by a four-quartered garden known
has coped, and not how badly.
as ChahrBagh..
In general, the urban quality of life has improved in terms of
(D) The TajMahal was constructed to celebrate the ‘Urs ceremony
availability of water and sanitation, power, health and education,
for MumtazMahal’.
communication and transport. By way of illustration, a large
Q4. In the contemporary texts the TajMahal is known number of urban residents have been provided with improved
water in urban areas in Asia’s largest countries such as China,
India, Indonesia and Philippines. Despite that, the access to
(A). Mumtazabad (B) MumtazMahal
improved water in terms of percentage of total urban population
(C) Zainabad (D)Rauza-i-Munavvara.
seems to have declined during the last decade of 20th century,
Q5..The construction of the TajMahal was completed between the though in absolute numbers, millions of additional urbanites, have
been provided improved services. These countries have made
period
significant progress in the provision of sanitation services too,
together, providing for an additional population of more than 293
(A) 1632 – 1636 A.D. (B) 1630 – 1643A.D.
million citizens within a decade (1990-2000). These improvements
(C) 1632 -1643 A.D. (D) 1636 – 1643 A.D.
must be viewed against the backdrop of rapidly increasing urban
Q6..The documents indicating the ownership of land, where the population, fiscal crunch and strained human resources and
efficient and quality-oriented public management.
TajMahal was built, known as
[Link] popular view about the process of urbanization in
(A) Farman
developing countries is
(B) Sale Deed
(C) Sale-Purchase Deed
(A) Positive (B) Negative
(D) None of the above
(C) Neutral . (D) Unspecified
Answers And Solutions
1. (B) Makrana [Link] average annual increase in the number of urbanites in
2. (D) European travelers developing countries, from 1950 to 2000 A.D. was close to
3. (C) The TajMahal is surrounded by a four-quartered garden known as
ChahrBagh.. (A) 30 million (B) 40 million
4. (D)Rauza-i-Munavvara. (C) 50 million (D) 60 million
5. (C) 1632 -1643 A.D.

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Q3.. The reality of urbanization is reflected in in a democracy in which people govern themselves, it is necessary
to have more openness. In the maturing of our democracy, right to
(A) How well the situation has been managed. information is a major step forward; it enables citizens to
(B) How badly the situation has gone out of control. participate fully in the decision-making process that affects their
(C) How fast has been the tempo of urbanization. lives so profoundly. It is in this context that the address of the
(D) How fast the environment has degraded. Prime Minister in the LokSabha is significant. He said, “I would
only like to see that everyone, particularly our civil servants,
Q4.. Which one of the following is not considered as an indicator should see the Bill in a positive spirit; not as a draconian law for
of urban quality of life ? paralyzing Government, but as an instrument for improving
Government-Citizen interface resulting in a friendly, caring and
(A) Tempo of urbanization (B) Provision of basic services effective Government functioning for the good of our People.” He
(G) Access to social amenities (D) All the above further said, “This is an innovative Bill, where there will be scope
to review its functioning as we gain experience. Therefore, this is a
[Link] author in this passage has tried to focus on piece of legislation, whose working will be kept under constant
reviews.”
(A) Extension of Knowledge The Commission, in its Report, has dealt with the application of
(B) Generation of Environmental Consciousness the Right to Information in Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.
(C) Analytical Reasoning The judiciary could be a pioneer in implementing the Act in letter
(D) Descriptive Statement and spirit because much of the work that the Judiciary does is open
to public scrutiny, Government of India has sanctioned an e-
[Link] the above passage, the author intends to state governance project in the Judiciary for about ` 700 crores which
would bring about systematic classification, standardization and
(A) The hazards of the urban life categorization of records. This would help the judiciary to fulfil its
(B) The sufferings of the urban life mandate under the Act. Similar capacity building would be
(C) The awareness of human progress required in all other public authorities. The transformation from
(D) The limits to growth nontransparency to transparency and public accountability is the
Answers And Solutions responsibility of all three organs of State.
1. (B) Negative Q1.A person gets power
2. (A) 30 million
3. (A) How well the situation has been managed.
(A) by acquiring knowledge
4. (A) Tempo of urbanization
(B) from the Official Secrets Act, 1923
5. (C) Analytical Reasoning
(C) through openings
6. (D) The limits to growth
(D) by denying public information

Reading Comprehension Set-40 [Link] to Information is a major step forward to

(A) enable citizens to participate fully in the decision making
process
James Madison said, “A people who mean to be their own (B) to make the people aware of the Act
governors must arm themselves with power that knowledge (C) to gain knowledge of administration
gives.” In India, the Official Secrets Act, 1923 was a convenient (D) to make the people Government friendly
smokescreen to deny members of the public access to information.
Public functioning has traditionally been shrouded in secrecy. But [Link] Prime Minister considered the Bill

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(A) to provide power to the civil servants Reading Comprehension Set-41

(B) as an instrument for improving Government-citizen interface
resulting in a friendly, caring and effective Government
(C) a draconian law against the officials
The catalytic fact of the twentieth century is uncontrollable
(D) to check the harassment of the people
development, consumerist society, political materialism, and
[Link] Commission made the Bill effective by spiritual devaluation. This inordinate development has led to the
transcendental ‘second reality’ of sacred perception that
biologically transcendence is a part of human life. As the century
(A) extending power to the executive authorities
closes, it dawns with imperative vigour that the ‘first reality’ of
(B) combining the executive and legislative power
enlightened rationalism and the ‘second reality’ of the Beyond have
(C) recognizing Judiciary a pioneer in implementing the act in
to be harmonised in a worthy state of man. The de facto values
letter and spirit
describe what we are, they portray the ‘is’ of our ethic, they are est
(D) educating the people before its implementation
values (Latin est means is). The ideal values tell us what we ought
[Link] Prime Minister considered the Bill innovative and hoped to be, they are esto values (Latin esto ‘ought to be’). Both have to
be in the ebb and flow of consciousness. The ever new science and
that
technology and the ever-perennial faith are two modes of one
certainty, that is the wholeness of man, his courage to be, his share
(A) It could be reviewed based on the experience gained on its
in Being. The materialistic foundations of science have crumbled
functioning.
down. Science itself has proved that matter is energy, processes are
(B) The civil servants would see the Bill in a positive spirit.
as valid as facts, and affirmed the non-materiality of the universe.
(C) It would not be considered as a draconian law for paralyzing
The encounter of the ‘two cultures’, the scientific and the humane,
Government
will restore the normal vision, and will be the bedrock of a ‘science
(D) All the above
of understanding’ in the new century. It will give new meaning to
[Link] transparency and public accountability is the responsibility the ancient perception that quantity (measure) and quality (value)
coexist at the root of nature. Human endeavours cannot afford to be
of three organs of the State.
humanistically irresponsible.
These three organs are [Link] problem raised in the passage reflects overall on
(A) LokSabha, RajyaSabha and Judiciary
(A) Consumerism (B) Materialism (C) Spiritual devaluation
(B) LokSabha, RajyaSabha and Executive
(D) Inordinate development
(C) Judiciary, Legislature and the Commission
(D) Legislature, Executive and Judiciary [Link] ‘de facto’ values in the passage means
Answers And Solutions
1. (A) by acquiring knowledge (A) What is (B) What ought to be (C) What can be (D) Where it is
2. (A) enable citizens to participate fully in the decision making process
3. (B) as an instrument for improving Government-citizen interface [Link] to the passage, the ‘first reality’ constitutes
resulting in a friendly, caring and effective Government
4. (C) recognizing Judiciary a pioneer in implementing the act in letter (A) Economic prosperity (B) Political development (C) Sacred
and spirit perception of life (D) Enlightened rationalism
5. (D) All the above
6. (D) Legislature, Executive and Judiciary

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Q4. Encounter of the ‘two cultures’, the scientific and the human think of political and economic issues and every village and every
implies bazaar hummed with argument and debate on the new ideas and
hopes that filled the people. That was an amazing psychological
(A) Restoration of normal vision change. The time was ripe for it, of course, and circumstances and
(B) Universe is both material and non-material world conditions worked for this change. But a great leader is
(C) Man is superior to nature necessary to take advantage of circumstances and conditions.
(D) Co-existence of quantity and quality in nature Gandhi was that leader, and he released many of the bonds that
imprisoned and disabled our minds, and none of us who experienced
[Link] contents of the passage are it can ever forget that great feeling of release and exhilaration that
came over the Indian people. Gandhi has played a revolutionary role
(A) Descriptive (B) Prescriptive (C) Axiomatic (D) Optional in India of the greatest importance because he knew how to make
the most of the objective conditions and could reach the heart of the
[Link] passage indicates that science has proved that masses, while groups with a more advanced ideology functioned
(A) universe is material (B) matter is energy largely in the air because they did not fit in with those conditions
(B) nature has abundance (D) humans are irresponsible and could therefore not evoke any substantial response from the
masses. It is perfectly true that Gandhi, functioning in the nationalist
Answers And Solutions plane, does not think in terms of the conflict of classes, and tries to
compose their differences. But the action he has indulged and taught
1. (C) Spiritual devaluation
the people has inevitably raised mass consciousness tremendously
2. (A) What is
and made social issues vital. Gandhi and the Congress must be
3. (D) Enlightened rationalism
judged by the policies they pursue and the action they indulge in.
4. (A) Restoration of normal vision
But behind this, personality counts and colours those policies and
5. (A) Descriptive
activities. In the case of very exceptional person like Gandhi the
6. (B) matter is energy
question of personality becomes especially important in order to
understand and appraise him. To us he has represented the spirit and
Reading Comprehension Set-42 honour of India, the yearning of her sorrowing millions to be rid of
their innumerable burdens, and an insult to him by the British
Government or other has been an insult to India and her people.
It should be remembered that the nationalist movement in India, like
all nationalist movements, was essentially a bourgeois movement. Q1. Which one of the following is true of the given passage ?
It represented the natural historical stage of development, and to
consider it or to criticise it as a working-class movement is wrong. (A) The passage is a critique of Gandhi’s role in Indian movement
Gandhi represented that movement and the Indian masses in relation for independence.
to that movement to a supreme degree, and he became the voice of (B) The passage hails the role of Gandhi in India’s freedom
Indian people to that extent. The main contribution of Gandhi to movement.
India and the Indian masses has been through the powerful (C) The author is neutral on Gandhi’s role in India’s freedom
movements which he launched through the National Congress. movement.
Through nation-wide action he sought to mould the millions, and (D) It is an account of Indian National Congress’s support to the
largely succeeded in doing so, and changing them from a working-class movement.
demoralised, timid and hopeless mass, bullied and crushed by every
dominant interest, and incapable of resistance, into a people with [Link] change that the Gandhian movement brought among the
self-respect and self-reliance, resisting tyranny, and capable of Indian masses was
united action and sacrifice for a larger cause. Gandhi made people

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Reading Comprehension Set-43

(A) Physical (B) Cultural (C) Technological (D) Psychological

[Link] consider the nationalist movement or to criticise it as a

The phrase “What is it like ?” stands for a fundamental thought
working-class movement was wrong because it was a
process. How does one go about observing and reporting on things
and events that occupy segments of earth space ? Of all the infinite
(A) historical movement
variety of phenomena on the face of the earth, how does one decide
(B) voice of the Indian people
what phenomena to observe ? There is no such thing as a complete
(C) bourgeois movement
description of the earth or any part of it, for every microscopic point
(D) movement represented by Gandhi
on the earth’s surface differs from every other such point.
[Link] played a revolutionary role in India because he could Experience shows that the things observed are already familiar,
because they are like phenomena that occur at home or because they
resemble the abstract images and models developed in the human
(A) preach morality
mind. How are abstract images formed ? Humans alone among the
(B) reach the heart of Indians
animals possess language; their words symbolize not only specific
(C) see the conflict of classes
things but also mental images of classes of things. People can
(D) lead the Indian National Congress
Q5. Groups with advanced ideology functioned in the air as they remember what they have seen or experienced because they attach
a word symbol to them.
did not fit in with
During the long record of our efforts to gain more and more
knowledge about the face of the earth as the human habitat, there
(A) objective conditions of masses
has been a continuing interplay between things and events. The
(B) the Gandhian ideology
direct observation through the senses is described as a percept; the
(C) the class consciousness of the people
mental image is described as a concept. Percepts are what some
(D) the differences among masses
people describe as reality, in contrast to mental images, which are
Q6. The author concludes the passage by theoretical, implying that they are not real. The relation of Percept
to Concept is not as simple as the definition implies. It is now quite
clear that people of different cultures or even individuals in the same
(A) criticising the Indian masses
culture develop different mental images of reality and what they
(B) the Gandhian movement
perceive is a reflection of these preconceptions. The direct
(C) pointing out the importance of the personality of Gandhi
observation of things and events on the face of the earth is so clearly
(D) identifying the sorrows of millions of Indians
a function of the mental images of the mind of the observer that the
whole idea of reality must be reconsidered. Concepts determine
Answers And Solutions what the observer perceives, yet concepts are derived from the
generalizations of previous percepts. What happens is that the
1. (B) The passage hails the role of Gandhi in India’s freedom movement. educated observer is taught to accept a set of concepts and then
2. (D) Psychological sharpens or changes these concepts during a professional career. In
3. (B) voice of the Indian people any one field of scholarship, professional opinion at one time
4. (B) reach the heart of Indians determines what concepts and procedures are acceptable, and these
5. (A) objective conditions of masses form a kind of model of scholarly behaviour.
6. (C) pointing out the importance of the personality of Gandhi
Q1. The problem raised in the passage reflects on

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(A) thought process (B) human behaviour pressure in the autumn and winter of 1945 to 46 – the months which
(C) cultural perceptions (D) professional opinion Perderel Moon while editing Wavell’s Journal has perceptively
described as ‘The Edge of a Volcano’. Very foolishly, the British
Q2. According to the passage, human beings have mostly in mind initially decided to hold public trials of several hundreds of the
20,000 I.N.A. prisoners (as well as dismissing from service and
(A) Observation of things detaining without trial no less than 7,000). They compounded the
(B) Preparation of mental images folly by holding the first trial in the Red Fort, Delhi in November
(C) Expression through language 1945, and putting on the dock together a Hindu, a Muslim and a
(D) To gain knowledge Sikh (P.K. Sehgal, Shah Nawaz, Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon).
Bhulabhai Desai, TejbahadurSapru and Nehru appeared for the
Q3. Concept means defence (the latter putting on his barrister’s gown after 25 years),
(A) A mental image (B) A reality and the Muslim League also joined the countrywide protest. On 20
(C) An idea expressed in language form (D) All the above November, an Intelligence Bureau note admitted that “there has
seldom been a matter which has attracted so much Indian public
Q4. The relation of Percepts to Concept is interest and, it is safe to say, sympathy … this particular brand of
sympathy cuts across communal barriers.’ A journalist (B. Shiva
(A) Positive (B) Negative (C) Reflective (D) Absolute Rao) visiting the Red Fort prisoners on the same day reported that
‘There is not the slightest feeling among them of Hindu and Muslim
Q5. In the passage, the earth is taken as … A majority of the men now awaiting trial in the Red Fort is
Muslim. Some of these men are bitter that Mr. Jinnah is keeping
(A) The Globe (B) The Human Habitat alive a controversy about Pakistan.’ The British became extremely
(C) A Celestial Body (D) A Planet nervous about the I.N.A. spirit spreading to the Indian Army, and in
January the Punjab Governor reported that a Lahore reception for
Q6. Percept means released I.N.A. prisoners had been attended by Indian soldiers in
uniform.
(A) Direct observation through the senses
(B) A conceived idea Q1. Which heading is more appropriate to assign to the above
(C) Ends of a spectrum passage ?
(D) An abstract image
Answers And Solutions (A) Wavell’s Journal (B) Role of Muslim League
(C) I.N.A. Trials (D) Red Fort Prisoners
Q2. The trial of P.K. Sehgal, Shah Nawaz and Gurbaksh Singh
1. (C) cultural perceptions
Dhillonsymbolises
2. (B) Preparation of mental images
3. (C) An idea expressed in language form
(A) communal harmony
4. (C) Reflective
(B) threat to all religious persons
5. (C) A Celestial Body
(C) threat to persons fighting for the freedom
6. (B) A conceived idea
(D) British reaction against the natives

Reading Comprehension Set-44 Q3. I.N.A. stands for

The decisive shift in British Policy really came about under mass

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(A) Indian National Assembly (B) Indian National Association institutions, which were initiated by the British, was democracy.
(C) Inter-national Association (D) Indian National Army Nobody can dispute that despite its many shortcomings, democracy
was and is far better alternative to
Q4. ‘There has seldom been a matter which has attracted so much the arbitrary rule of the rajas and nawabs, which prevailed in India
Indian Public Interest and, it is safe to say, sympathy … this in the pre-British days. However, one of the harmful traditions of
particular brand of sympathy cuts across communal barriers.’ Who British democracy inherited by India was that of conflict instead of
sympathises to whom and against whom ? cooperation between elected members. This was its essential
feature. The party, which got the support of the majority of elected
(A) Muslims sympathised with Shah Nawaz against the British members, formed the Government while the others constituted a
(B) Hindus sympathised with P.K. Sehgal against the British standing opposition. The existence of the opposition to those in
(C) Sikhs sympathised with Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon against the power was and is regarded as a hallmark of democracy.
British In principle, democracy consists of rule by the people; but where
(D) Indians sympathised with the persons who were to be trialled direct rule is not possible, it’s rule by persons elected by the people.
It is natural that there would be some differences of opinion among
Q5. The majority of people waiting for trial outside the Red Fort the elected members as in the rest of the society. Normally,
and criticising Jinnah were the members of any organizations have differences of opinion between
themselves on different issues but they manage to work on the basis
(A) Hindus (B) Muslims of a consensus and they do not normally form a division between
(C) Sikhs (D) Hindus and Muslims both some who are in majority and are placed in power, while treating
the others as in opposition. The members of an organization usually
Q6. The sympathy of Indian soldiers in uniform with the released work on consensus. Consensus simply means that after an adequate
I.N.A. prisoners at Lahore indicates discussion, members agree that the majority opinion may prevail for
the time being. Thus persons who form a majority on one issue and
(A) Feeling of Nationalism and Fraternity whose opinion is allowed to prevail may not be on the same side if
(B) Rebellious nature of Indian soldiers there is a difference on some other issue. It was largely by accident
(C) Simply to participate in the reception party that instead of this normal procedure, a two party system came to
(D) None of the above prevail in Britain and that is now being generally taken as the best
method of democratic rule. Many democratically inclined persons
Answers And Solutions in India regret that such a two party system was not brought about
in the country. It appears that to have two parties in India – of more
1. (C) I.N.A. Trials
or less equal strength – is a virtual impossibility. Those who regret
2. (A) communal harmony
the absence of a two-party system should take the reasons into
3. (D) Indian National Army
consideration. When the two party system got established in Britain,
4. (D) Indians sympathised with the persons who were to be trialled
there were two groups among the rules (consisting of a limited
5. (B) Muslims
electorate) who had the same economic interests among themselves
6. (A) Feeling of Nationalism and Fraternity
and who therefore formed two groups within the selected members
Reading Comprehension Set-45 of Parliament. There were members of the British aristocracy
(which landed interests and consisting of lord, barons etc) and
members of the new commercial class consisting of merchants and
While the British rule in India was detrimental to the economic artisans. These groups were more or less of equal strength and they
development of the country, it did help in starting of the process of were able to establish their separate rule at different times.
modernizing Indian society and formed several progressive Answer the following questions :
institutions during that process. One of the most beneficial

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1. (B) People were isolated from political affairs

Q1. In pre-British period, when India was ruled by the 2. (B) Rule of the people, by the people and for the people.
independent rulers : 3. (B) Opposition is more powerful than the ruling combine.
4. (A) It was behind the modernization of the Indian society.
(A) Peace and prosperity prevailed in the society 5. (D) Merchants and artisans
(B) People were isolated from political affairs
(C) Public opinion was inevitable for policy making Reading Comprehension Set-46
(D) Law was equal for one and all

Q2. What is the distinguishing feature of the democracy practiced

Radically changing monsoon patterns, reduction in the winter rice
in Britain ?
harvest and a quantum increase in respiratory diseases all part of the
environmental doomsday scenario which is reportedly playing out
(A) End to the rule of might is right.
in South Asia. According to a United Nations Environment
(B) Rule of the people, by the people and for the people.
Programme report, a deadly three-kilometer deep blanket of
(C) It has stood the test of time.
pollution comprising a fearsome, cocktail of ash, acids, aerosols and
(D) Cooperation between elected members.
other particles has enveloped in this region. For India, already
Q3. Democracy is practiced where : struggling to cope with a drought, the implication of this are
devastating and further crop failure will amount to a life and death
question for many Indians. The increase in premature deaths will
(A) Elected members form a uniform opinion regarding policy
have adverse social and economic consequences and a rise in
matter.
morbidities will place an unbearable burden on our crumbling
(B) Opposition is more powerful than the ruling combine.
health system. And there is no one to blame but ourselves. Both
(C) Representatives of masses.
official and corporate India has always been allergic to any mention
(D) None of these.
of clean technology. Most mechanical two wheelers roll of the
Q4. Which of the following is true about the British rule in India assembly line without proper pollution control system. Little effort
is made for R&D on simple technologies, which could make a vital
?
difference to people’s lives and the environment. However, while
there is no denying that South Asia must clean up its act, skeptics
(A) It was behind the modernization of the Indian society.
might question the timing of the haze report. The Kyoto meet on
(B) India gained economically during that period.
climate change is just two weeks away and the stage is set for the
(C) Various establishments were formed for the purpose of
usual battle between the developing world and the West,
progress.
particularly the Unites States of America. President Mr. Bush has
(D) None of these.
adamantly refused to sign any protocol, which would mean a change
Q5. Who became the members of the new commercial class in American consumption level. U.N. environment report will likely
find a place in the U.S. arsenal as it plants an accusing finger
during that time ?
towards controls like India and China. Yet the U.S.A. can hardly
deny its own dubious role in the matter of erasing trading quotas.
(A) British Aristocrats (B) Lord and barons
Richer countries can simply buy up excess credits from poorer
(C) Political Persons (D) Merchants and artisans
countries and continue to pollute. Rather than try to get the better of
developing countries, who undoubtedly have taken up
Answers And Solutions environmental shortcuts in their bid to catch up with the West, the
USA should take a look at the environmental profigacy, which is

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going on within. From opening up virgin territories for oil (C) Inadequate pollution control system
exploration to relaxing the standards for drinking water, Mr. Bush’s (D) Radically changing monsoon pattern
policies are not exactly beneficial, not even to America’s interests.
We realize that we are all in this together and that pollution Answers And Solutions
anywhere should be a global concern otherwise there will only be
more tunnels at the end of the tunnel.
Q1. Both official and corporate India is allergic to : 1. (D) Mention of Clean Technology
2. (B) Have adverse social and economic consequences
3. (C) Pollution control system in the vehicle
(A) Failure of Monsoon
4. (D) U.S.A. wants to use it as a handle against the developing countries
(B) Poverty and Inequality
in the forthcoming meet
(C) Slowdown in Industrial Production
5. (D) Radically changing monsoon pattern
(D) Mention of Clean Technology

Q2. If the rate of premature death increases it will : Reading Comprehension Set-47
(A) Exert added burden on the crumbling economy Read the following passage and answer the questions 11 to 15 :
(B) Have adverse social and economic consequences The fundamental principle is that Article 14 forbids class legislation
(C) Make positive effect on our effort to control population but permits reasonable classification for the purpose of legislation
(D) Have less job aspirants in the society which classification must satisfy the twin tests of classification
Q3. According to the passage, the two wheeler industry is not being founded on an intelligible differentia which distinguishes
adequately concerned about : persons or things that are grouped together from those that are left
out of the group and that differentia must have a rational nexus to
(A) Passenger safety on the roads the object sought to be achieved by the Statute in question. The
(B) Life cover insurance of the vehicle owner thrust of Article 14 is that the citizen is entitled to equality before
(C) Pollution control system in the vehicle law and equal protection of laws. In the very nature of things the
(D) Rising cost of the two wheelers society being composed of unequals a welfare State will have to
strive by both executive and legislative action to help the less
Q4. What could be the reason behind timing of the haze report fortunate in society to ameliorate their condition so that the social
just before the Kyoto meet? and economic inequality in the society may be bridged. This would
necessitate a legislative application to a group of citizens otherwise
(A) United Nations is working hand-in-glove with U.S.A. unequal and amelioration of whose lot is the object of state
(B) Organizers of the forthcoming meet to teach a lesson to the affirmative action. In the absence of the doctrine of classification
U.S.A. such legislation is likely to flounder on the bed rock of equality
(C) Drawing attention of the world towards devastating effects of enshrined in Article 14. The Court realistically appraising the social
environment degradation. and economic inequality and keeping in view the guidelines on
(D) U.S.A. wants to use it as a handle against the developing which the State action must move as constitutionally laid down in
countries in the forthcoming meet Part IV of the Constitution evolved the doctrine of classification.
The doctrine was evolved to sustain a legislation or State action
Q5. Which of the following is the indication of environmental designed to help weaker sections of the society or some such
degradation in South Asia ? segments of the society in need of succour. Legislative and
executive action may accordingly be sustained if it satisfies the twin
(A) Social and economic inequality tests of reasonable classification and the rational principle
(B) Crumbling health care system correlated to the object sought to be [Link] concept of

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equality before the law does not involve the idea of absolute
equality among human beings which is a physical impossibility. All [Link] dealing with diverse problems arising out of an infinite
that Article 14 guarantees is a similarity of treatment contra- variety of human relations, the government
distinguished from identical treatment. Equality before law means
that among equals the law should be equal and should be equally (A) must have the power of making special laws
administered and that the likes should be treated alike. Equality (B) must not have any power to make special laws
before the law does not mean that things which are different shall (C) must have power to withdraw equal rights
be as though they are the same. It ofcourse means denial of any (D) none of the above
special privilege by reason of birth, creed or the like. The legislation
as well as the executive government, while dealing with diverse Answers And Solutions
problems arising out of an infinite variety of human relations must
1. (C) 14
of necessity have the power of making special laws, to attain any
2. (B) equality before law and equal protection under the law
particular object and to achieve that object it must have the power
3. (A) executive and legislative action
of selection or classification of persons and things upon which such
4. (A) Help weaker sections of the society
laws are to operate.
5. (D) none of the above
Q1. Right to equality, one of the fundamental rights, is enunciated Reading Comprehension Set-48
in the constitution under Part III, Article :
Gandhi’s overall social and environmental philosophy is based on
(A) 12 (B) 13 what human beings need rather than what they want. His early
(C) 14 (D) 15 introduction to the teachings of Jains, Theosophists, Christian
Q2. The main thrust of Right to equality is that it permits : sermons, Ruskin and Tolstoy, and most significantly the Bhagavad
Gita, were to have profound impact on the development of Gandhi’s
(A) class legislation holistic thinking on humanity, nature and their ecological
(B) equality before law and equal protection under the law interrelation. His deep concern for the disadvantaged, the poor and
(C) absolute equality rural population created an ambience for an alternative social
(D) special privilege by reason of birth thinking that was at once far-sighted, local and immediate. For
Gandhi was acutely aware that the demands generated by the need
[Link] social and economic inequality in the society can be to feed and sustain human life, compounded by the growing
bridged by : industrialization of India, far outstripped the finite resources of
nature. This might nowadays appear naive or commonplace, but
(A) executive and legislative action such pronouncements were as rare as they were heretical a century
(B) universal suffrage ago. Gandhi was also concerned about the destruction, under
(C) identical treatment colonial and modernist designs, of the existing infrastructures which
(D) none of the above had more potential for keeping a community flourishing within
ecologically-sensitive traditional patterns of subsistence, especially
Q4. The doctrine of classification is evolved to : in the rural areas, than did the incoming Western alternatives based
on nature-blind technology and the enslavement of human spirit and
(A) Help weaker sections of the society energies. Perhaps the moral principle for which Gandhi is best
(B) Provide absolute equality known is that of active non-violence, derived from the traditional
(C) Provide identical treatment moral restraint of not injuring another being. The most refined
(D) None of the above expression of this value is in the great epic of the Mahabharata, (c.
100 BCE to 200 CE), where moral development proceeds through

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placing constraints on the liberties, desires and acquisitiveness 1. (C) Bhagavad Gita
endemic to human life. One’s action is judged in terms of 2. (A) need
consequences and the impact it is likely to have on another. Jainas 3. (B) social thinking
had generalized this principle to include all sentient creatures and 4. (D) rural infrastructure
biocommunities alike. Advanced Jaina monks and nuns will sweep 5. (A) Moral restraint of not injuring another being
their path to avoid harming insects and even bacteria. Non-injury is
a non-negotiable universal prescription. Reading Comprehension Set-49
[Link] one of the following have a profound impact on the
development of Gandhi’s holistic thinking on humanity, nature
All political systems need to mediate the relationship between
and their ecological interrelations ?
private wealth and public power. Those that fail risk a dysfunctional
government captured by wealthy interests. Corruption is one
(A) Jain teachings (B) Christian sermons
symptom of such failure with private willingness-to-pay trumping
(C) Bhagavad Gita (D) Ruskin and Tolstoy
public goals. Private individuals and business firms pay to get
[Link]’s overall social and environmental philosophy is based routine services and to get to the head of the bureaucratic queue.
They pay to limit their taxes, avoid costly regulations, obtain
on human beings’ :
contracts at inflated prices and get concessions and privatised firms
at low prices. If corruption is endemic, public officials – both
(A) need (B) desire
bureaucrats and elected officials – may redesign programmes and
(C) wealth (D) welfare
propose public projects with few public benefits and many
[Link]’s deep concern for the disadvantaged, the poor and opportunities for private profit. Ofcourse, corruption, in the sense of
bribes, pay-offs and kickbacks, is only one type of government
rural population created an ambience for an alternative :
failure. Efforts to promote ‘good governance’ must be broader than
anti-corruption campaigns. Governments may be honest but
(A) rural policy (B) social thinking
inefficient because no one has an incentive to work productively,
(C) urban policy (D) economic thinking
and narrow elites may capture the state and exert excess influence
[Link] policy and modernisation led to the destruction of : on policy. Bribery may induce the lazy to work hard and permit
those not in the inner circle of cronies to obtain benefits. However,
even in such cases, corruption cannot be confined to ‘functional’
(A) major industrial infrastructure
areas. It will be a temptation whenever private benefits are positive.
(B) irrigation infrastructure
It may be a reasonable response to a harsh reality but, over time, it
(C) urban infrastructure
can facilitate a spiral into an even worse situation.
(D) rural infrastructure Q1. The governments which fail to focus on the relationship between
[Link]’s active non-violence is derived from : private wealth and public power are likely to become :
(A) Functional (B) Dysfunctional
(C) Normal functioning (D) Good governance
(A) Moral restraint of not injuring another being Q2. One important symptom of bad governance is :
(B) Having liberties, desires and acquisitiveness
(A) Corruption (B) High taxes
(C) Freedom of action
(C) Complicated rules and regulations (D) High prices
(D) Nature-blind technology and enslavement of human spirit and Q3. When corruption is rampant, public officials always aim at many
energies
opportunities for :
(A) Public benefits (B) Public profit
Answers And Solutions (C) Private profit (D) Corporate gains

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Q4. Productivity linked incentives to public/private officials is one of vulnerable, committed to his dharma, but also not afraid of failure –
the indicatives for : less of a boy and more of a man. He even has a grown up name :
(A) Efficient government (B) Bad governance Veer Pratap Singh in Veer-Zaara and Mohan Bhargav in Swades.
(C) Inefficient government (D) Corruption The new heroine is not a babe, but often a bebe, dressed in
Q5. The spiralling corruption can only be contained by promoting : traditional Punjabi clothes, often with the stereotypical body type as
(A) Private profit (B) Anti-corruption campaign well, as in Bride and Prejudice of GurinderChadha.
(C) Good governance (D) Pay-offs and kick backs Q1. Which word Yash Chopra would not be able to pronounce ?
(A) Bling + bling (B) Zeitgeist
Answers And Solutions (C) Montaz (D) Dooriyan
Q2. Who made Lamhe in 1991 ?
1. (B) Dysfunctional
(A) SubhashGhai (B) Yash Chopra
2. (A) Corruption
(C) Aditya Chopra (D) SaktiSamanta
3. (C) Private profit Q3. Which movie is associated with ManojKumar ?
4. (A) Efficient government
5. (A) Private profit
(A) Jewel in the Crown (B) Kisna
(C) Zaara (D) Desh Ki dharti
Reading Comprehension Set-50 Q4. Which is the latest film by YashChopra ?

After almost three decades of contemplating Swarovski-encrusted (A) Deewar (B) KabhiKabhi
navels on increasing flat abs, the Mumbai film industry is on a (C) DilwaleDulhaniya Le Jayenge (D) Veer Zaara
discovery of India and itself. With budgets of over 30 crore each, Q5. Which is the dress of the heroine in Veer-Zaara ?
four soon to be released movies by premier directors are exploring (A) Traditional Gujarati Clothes
the idea of who we are and redefining who the other is. It is a (B) Traditional Bengali Clothes
fundamental question which the bling-bling, glam-sham and (C) Traditional Punjabi Clothes
disham-dishamtends to avoid. It is also a question which binds an (D) Traditional Madras Clothes
audience when the lights go dim and the projector rolls : as a nation,
who are we ? As a people, where are we going ? The Germans Answers And Solutions
coined a word for it, zeitgeist, which perhaps Yash Chopra would
1. (B) Zeitgeist
not care to pronounce. But at 72, he remains the person who can
2. (B) Yash Chopra
best capture it. After being the first to project the diasporic Indian
3. (D) Desh Ki dharti
on screen in Lamhe in 1991, he has returned to his roots in a new
4. (D) Veer Zaara
movie. Veer Zaara, set in 1986, where Pakistan, the traditional
5. (C) Traditional Punjabi Clothes
other, the part that got away, is the lover and the saviour. In
SubhasGhai’sKisna, set in 1947, the other is the English woman.
She is not a memsahib, but a mehbooba. In Ketan Mehta’s The Reading Comprehension Set-51
Rising, the East India Englishman is not the evil oppressor of
countless cardboard characterisations, which span the spectrum The superintendence, direction and control of preparation of
from Jewel in the Crown to Kranti, but an honourable friend. This electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, elections to Parliament and
is Manoj Kumar’s Desh Ki dharti with a difference : there is culture, State Legislatures and elections to the offices of the President and
not contentious politics; balleballe, not bombs : no dooriyan the Vice – President of India are vested in the Election Commission
(distance), only nazdeekiyan (closeness). All four films are of India. It is an independent constitutional authority. Independence
heralding a new hero and heroine. The new hero is fallible and of the Election Commission and its insulation from executive

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interference is ensured by a specific provision under Article 324 (5) printed in bold to help you locate them, while answering some
of the constitution that the chief Election Commissioner shall not be of the questions.
removed from his office except in like manner and on like grounds
as a Judge of the Supreme Court and conditions of his service shall The construction of border fence by Myanmar has led to
not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment. In C.W.P. resentment among the people on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar
No. 4912 of 1998 (Kushra Bharat Vs. Union of India and others), border. The affected people mainly are Konyak, Khiamniungan
the Delhi High Court directed that information relating to and YimchungerNagas who inhabit the areas of Eastern Nagaland
Government dues owed by the candidates to the departments in India and the Naga Self Administered Zone (NSAZ) in
dealing with Government accommodation, electricity, water, [Link] people living in the Eastern districts of Nagaland
telephone and transport etc. and any other dues should be furnished
and in the areas of NSAZ in Myanmar have close family ties and
by the candidates and this information should be published by the
election authorities under the commission. engage in cultural and economic [Link] some instances, the
imaginary border line cuts across houses, land and villages.
Q1. The text of the passage reflects or raises certain questions : People, especially those living on the Indian side, own land
holdings including cultivated lands and forested areas across the
(A) The authority of the commission can not be challenged. border and are completely dependent on such areas for their
(B) This would help in stopping the criminalization of Indian [Link] the Myanmar side, a lot of villagers come to the
politics.
Indian side to buy basic essentials. Taking advantage of the FMR,
(C) This would reduce substantially the number of contesting
candidates. a sizeable number of students from NSAZ also study in schools on
(D)This would ensure fair and free elections. the Indian side of the border.
Q2. According to the passage, the Election Commission is an The formation of Myanmar as a separate State in 135 and
independent constitutional authority. decolonisation of the sub-continent in 147 divided ethnic communities
This is under Article No. living along the Indo-Myanmar [Link] communities,
(A) 324 (B) 356 particularly Nagas, found the newly created boundary to be
(C) 246 (D) 161
Q3. Independence of the Commission means : inconsistent with the traditional limits of the region they inhabited.
(A)have a constitutional status. And they felt a deep sense of insecurity because they became
(B) have legislative powers. relegated to the status of ethnic minorities on both sides of the
(C)have judicial powers. [Link] address their concerns and enable greater interaction
(D) have political powers. among them, the Indian and Myanmarese governments established
the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allowed Nagas to travel
Answers And Solutions 16 kilometres across the border on either side without any visa
1. (D)This would ensure fair and free elections [Link] ongoing activity of fence construction by
2. (A) 324 Myanmar, which the locals perceive as being carried out with the
3. (A)have a constitutional status. concurrence of Indian authorities, has triggered apprehensions
among the people living on either side of the [Link] asserted
that the border fence would bereave them of the produce from their
Reading Comprehension -52
land and forest resources, which spread out on both sides of the
Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and
answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been border.

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The region presents serious security challenges. The FMR has been [Link] Government of India on its part could provide an
misused by locals to smuggle contraband in their head loads, assurance that no construction of border fence will be undertaken
which are not subject to inspection. on the Indian side without taking the affected population into
Militant groups have been using the penetrable border for confidence.
moving cadres and war-like [Link] with other active Indian Given that the vulnerability of the India-Myanmar border is posing
insurgent groups, the NSCN-Khaplang (NSCN-K), which had a serious challenge to the internal security of the country, the
unilaterally abrogated the ceasefire with the Government of India Government of India should pay immediate attention to effectively
(GoI) in 2015, maintains its camps and training bases in [Link] administer this [Link] should first make strong the security of the
these groups have benefited from the open border in terms of border by either giving the Assam Rifles the single mandate of
carrying out illegal activities including launching strikes against guarding the border or deploying another border guarding force
Indian security forces and returning to their safe havens in such as the Border Security Force (BSF).It should initiate a revision
[Link] has also been reportedly aiding some of these of the FMR and reduce the permitted distance of unrestricted travel.
groups. Indian insurgent groups in the region are also known to The construction of the ICP along with other infrastructure should
collaborate with Myanmarese insurgent groups like the United Wa be [Link], India should endeavour to meaningfully
State Army (UWSA), Kachin Independent Army (KIA), among engage with Myanmar and solicit its cooperation in resolving all
others. outstanding issues and better manage their mutual border.
The attempt to create physical infrastructure to secure the border in In case national security concerns dictate the necessity of
the midst of the prevailing public resentment presents a real constructing a fence along the India-Myanmar border, options such
challenge. From the security perspective, possible anti- as selective fencing, better use of technology, and regulated flow of
establishment sentiments that could flow from such apprehensions, cross-border movement, among other initiatives, can be examined.
if unaddressed, could reinvigorate the presently weakening Naga It is however essential to take into confidence the affected populace
insurgency in the [Link] aggravation of this issue at a time when and the local stakeholders prior to the finalisation and
peace talks between the central government and the National implementation of such plans. Regulated borders with greater
Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) are being held in a emphasis on developing people-to-people contact and cross-border
congenial atmosphere may fuel [Link] measures aimed trade initiatives are likely to yield greater security benefits as against
at addressing the people’s concern on the Indian side as well as on a closed border that may lead to a disturbed security environment
the other side in collaboration with Myanmarese authorities amidst popular discontent.
therefore need to be initiated in order to establish trust and
confidence amongst the affected populace. Q.1 Which title is most appropriate for the given passage?
Tripartite talks involving the local stakeholders (through the (a) opposition in border -fence along India-Myanmar
concerned state government), the Myanmarese government and the (b) India-Myanmar border- A serious challenge
GoI could be organised to address extant [Link]-economic (c) Is Border fence along India-Myanmar border essential?
initiatives on either side of the border aimed at benefitting the local (d) Securing the border
inhabitants by alleviating poverty and bringing greater development (e) Free movement regime
in the region could be worked out.A mutually acceptable
arrangement addressing the security concerns of both the countries Q.2 Which of the following is/are true in context of the passage?
with minimum discomfort to the local inhabitants would be

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(i) India should first weaken the security of the border by either giving (e) Both (b) and (c) are correct
the Assam Rifles the single mandate of guarding the border or
deploying another border guarding force such as the Border Q.5 Why border fence has been opposed?
Security Force. (a) So that Indian Insurgent groups with government can maintain its
(ii) A mutually acceptable arrangement addressing the security camps and training bases.
concerns of both the countries with minimum discomfort to the local (b) The people living in Nagaland and people of Myanmar have close
inhabitants would be prudent. family ties and cultural and economic engagements get disturb.
(iii) Nagas felt a deep sense of insecurity because they became relegated (c) There was hardly any trade among the people of two countries.
to the status of ethnic minorities on both sides of the border. (d) Myanmar locals contend that the border fence would deprive them
(a) Both (i) and (iii) are true (b) Only (iii) is true of the produce from their land and forest resources.
(c) Only (ii) is true (d) All are true (e) Both (a) and (d) are correct.
(e) Both (ii) and (iii) are true
Q6. What steps should be taken by government of India to effectively
Q.3 Which of the following is false in context of the passage? manage the border?
(a) It is however essential to take into confidence the affected populace (i) Government of India should make endeavor to provide the incentive
and the local stakeholders prior to the finalisation and to those serving in border.
implementation of such plans. (ii) It should reduce the permitted distance of unrestricted travel.
(b) The attempt to create physical infrastructure to secure the border in (iii) By strengthening the security of the border by giving the Assam
the midst of the dominating public resentment presents a real rifles the single mandate of guarding the border
challenge. (iv) India should make efforts to sign bilateral agreements with
(c) These communities, particularly Nagas, found the newly created Myanmar that will boost trade and tourism.
boundary to be inconsistent with the traditional limits of the region (v) By deploying the forces like Border Security Forces.
they inhabited. (a) Both (ii) and (iii) are correct
(d) To address their concerns and enable greater interaction among (b) (ii), (iii) and (v) are correct
them, the Indian and Myanmarese governments established the Free (c) Only (iii) is correct
Movement Regime. (d) All are correct
(e) It should initiate a revision of the FMR and increase the permitted (e) (i) ,(ii) and (iii) are correct
distance of unrestricted travel.
Directions (7-8): Choose the word or group of words which is MOST
Q.4 Why is the Border fence along India-Myanmar necessary? NEARLY THE SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold
(a) Militant group has been using porous border for moving cadres as used in the passage.
and war-like stores.
(b) To avoid smuggling by locals in their head loads which are not Q7. Relegate
subject to inspection.
(c) Illegal activities including launching strikes are carried out by (a) Dismiss (b) Promote
militant groups against Indian security forces (c) Ablaze (d) Assume
(d) All of these (e) Elevate

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Refer the third line of the sixth paragraph, “It should initiate a
Q8. Prudent revision of the FMR and reduce the permitted distance of
unrestricted travel.” Hence option (e) is incorrect in the context of
the passage.
(a) Thrift (b) Stupidity
Q.4Ans. (d)
(c) Disregard (d) Cautious Option (d) is true in context of the passage. Refer the third
(e) Vigilance paragraph, “…the region presents ……….havens in Myanmar”.
Hence all the statements mentioned in option (a), (b) and (c) are the
Directions (9-10): Choose the word or group of words which is MOST reasons.
Q.5Ans. (d)
OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in
Option (d) is true in context of the passage. Refer to the last lines of
the passage. second paragraph. “they asserted ……..sides of the border”. Hence
option (d) is true.

Q9. Solicit [Link]. (b)

Options (ii), (iii) and (v) are true in context of the passage. Refer the
lines in sixth paragraph. “….government of India ………mutual
(a) Request (b) Petition border”. Hence option (b) is the correct choice.
[Link]. (a)
(c) Beseech (d) Implore Relegate means transfer to a lower division. Hence ‘relegate’ and
(e) Disapprove ‘dismiss’ are similar in meanings.
[Link].(d)
Prudent means showing care, sensible. Hence ‘prudent’ and
Q10. Contraband ‘cautious’ are similar in meanings.
[Link].(e)
Solicit means request, ask for something. Hence ‘solicit’ and
(a) Forbidden (b) Authorize ‘disapprove’ are opposite in meanings.
[Link].(b)
(c) Unlawful (d) Prohibited Contraband means goods that have been imported or exported
(e) Illicit illegally. Hence ‘contraband’ and ‘authorize’ are opposite in
meanings.
Answers And Solutions
Reading Comprehension -53
Q.1Ans. (c)
“Is Border fence along India-Myanmar border essential?”is the
Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the
most appropriate title for the given passage. Whole theme revolves
around the Border fence along India and Myanmar. Hence option questions given below it. Certain words/phrases in the passage
(c) is correct choice. are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering
Q.2Ans. (e) some of the questions.
Only options (ii) and (iii) are true in context of the passage. Refer
the fifth line of fifth paragraph and fourth line of second paragraph. Irrigation poses the greatest challenge for a farmer since water
Hence option (e) is the correct choice.
Q.3Ans. (e) availability needs to be there almost throughout the year. Monson

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failure means fall in yield and farmers are the direct sufferers when dripping on the soil surface making the root zone wet, thereby
the rains are inadquate. “Especially in a country like India, the supplying moisture continuously to the crop.
unseasonal and unpredictable weather, especially when it turns into The plastic control knob in the middle of the tube can be
droughts, forces agriculture scientists and farmers to think of adjusted to control the drip. The farmer purchased about 350 bottles
alternative simple and effective solutions to overcome the crises,” from a waste paper mart and started using them for his cultivation.
says Dr IS Tomar, Programme Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, His entire family used to help him in filling the bottles with water.“I
Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) near Rajgarh Naka, have been able to get a net profit of Rs. 15,200 from less than a
Jhabua. hectare till date by using this method for my vegetables,” says the
One case study that has been quite popular is use of discarded farmer.
plastic saline bottles for irrigation by farmers in Jhabua district in The state agriculture department conferred an achievement
Madhya Pradesh. Basically a tribal-dominated dry region, award on him for adopting this simple yet effective method to
agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people there. overcome water shortage. Many others in the surrounding areas
Maize, blackgram, soyabean, wheat, and cotton are normally have also started adopting this method for their crops.
grown. According to Dr Tomar, this type of irrigation is quite popular
To enhance income of the farmers of the area, an attempt was in African countries like Kenya. Many American farmers are also
made to introduce improved vegetable cultivation under National using this system to grow their kitchen gardens.
Agricultural Innovation Sub Project called Integrated Farming But in India it is not popular. The reason could be that it is
System for Sustainable Rural Livelihood in undulating and rainfed time-consuming and labour-intensive.
areas. Though today there are several government schemes and
Mr Ramash Bariya, a small farmer from the village, started subsidies available to install a full-fledged drip irrigation system,
growing vegetables under this project guidance in a small area. He the paperwork involved is quite laborious and delays cultivation
got a good profit initially and this encouraged him to start growing work.
some gourd varieties like bitter and sponge gourds. He prepared a
small nursery for raising the seedlings but faced acute water Q1. Which of the following is the characteristic feature of Indian
shortage due to delayed monsoon. agriculture? Give your answer in the context of the passage.
Worried, he discussed with NAIP project scientists, who
advised him to adopt an innovative irrigation technique using waste (a) Agriculture is amongst the fastest-growing industries in India.
saline bottle.“We wanted to try out this method in the farmer’s field (b) India is amongst the top three global producers of many crops,
since it is quite cheap and effective and farmers who cannot including wheat, rice, pulses and vegetables.
financially afford big drip systems can try this. But farmers should (c) Farmers in India largely depend on monsoon.
realise that it requires labour and patience,” says Dr Tomar. (d) Scientific research and development has reduced farmers’
In this technique, the bottom portion of the bottle is removed dependence on monsoon.
using a sharp knife and the bottle filled with water. It is hung (e) The average size of land holding is very small.
upside-down from a stake next to the sapling in the field. The plastic
tube with the nozzle is made to touch the ground near the plant Q2. Why do agriculture scientists in India carry out scientific research?
[Link] of allowing water to be irrigated through the channels
in the field or pouring it on the crop with a bucket, water starts (a) To compete with agricultural productivity across the world

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(b) To face unseasonal and unpredictable weather in India Directions (6-8): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST
(c) To satisfy an urge to help farmers and encourage them for more SIMILAR in meaning to the word/group of words printed in
production bold as used in the passage.
(d) Due to pressure created by the Central government
(e) All the above Q6. OVERCOME

Q3. According to the given passage, which of the following is true about (a) vanquish (b) exceed
Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh? (c) solve (d) break
(e) rebut
(a) It is tribal-dominated region.
(b) Agriculture is the main source of livelihood of the people living Q7. UNDULATING
over there.
(c) It is basically a humid region. (a) uprooting (b) bouncing
(d) Only (a) and (b) (c) twisted (d) apathetic
(e) All 1), 2) and 3) (e) wavy

Q4. Which of the following is not true about waste saline water
irrigation technique? Q8. DISCARDED

(a) It is an effective irrigation technique. (a) dismissed

(b) It is helpful for such farmers as are not financially strong enough to (b) costly
afford big drip system. (c) cheap
(c) It requires a lot of labour and patience. (d) empty
(d) This technique is quite popular in some of the African countries (e) rejected
(e) None of these
Directions (Question.9-10): Choose the word/group of words which is
Q5. What, according to the given passage, is/are the main hindrance in MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word/group of words
the way of adopting waste saline water irrigation technique in India? printed in bold as used in the passage.

(a) It is a time-consuming and labour-intensive technique. Q9. SHARP

(b) Waste saline water bottles are not readily available.
(c) This technique is not effective in dry regions. (a) dull (b) blunt
(d) Waste saline water bottles are fragile and brittle. (c) flat (d) slow
(e) All the above (e) fine

Q10. ENHANCE

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(a) amplify All the options from (a) to (d) are true and make correct statements
(b) exalt
.Therefore option (e) must be chosen as an answer.
(c) augment
(d) diminish
(e) enlarge [Link].(a)
Answers And Solusions
Refer to second last paragraph “But in India it is not popular. The

[Link].(c) reason could be that it is time-consuming and labour-intensive.”

[Link].(c)
Option (c) is correct which can be inferred from the first paragraph
Overcome means to succeed in dealing with (a problem or
of the passage, “Monson failure means fall in yield and farmers are
difficulty). So, solve is the word which is similar in meaning to it.
the direct sufferers when the rains are inadquate.”
[Link].(e)
[Link].(b)
Undulating means having a wavy form or outline. So, wavy is the
Refer to the 1st paragraph of the passage, “Especially in a country
word which is similar in meaning to it.
like India, the unseasonal and unpredictable weather, especially
[Link].(e)
when it turns into droughts, forces agriculture scientists and farmers
Discarded means to get rid of (someone or something) as no longer
to think of alternative simple and effective solutions to overcome
useful or desirable. So, rejected is the word which is similar in
the crises”, hence option (b) is the correct choice for the given
meaning to it.
question.
[Link].(b)
[Link].(d)
Sharp means having an edge or point that is able to cut or pierce
Refer to the 2nd paragraph of the passage, “One case study that has
something. So, blunt is the word which is opposite in meaning to
been quite popular is use of discarded plastic saline bottles for
it.
irrigation by farmers in Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh.
[Link].(d)
Basically a tribal-dominated dry region, agriculture is the main
Enhance means to intensify, increase, or further improve the quality.
source of livelihood for the people there.” Hence (a) and (b) are
So, diminish is the word which is opposite in meaning to it.
correct options.
[Link].(b)

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Reading Comprehension - 54 Vietnam provided Nokia with an even cheaper economic landscape
— higher tax concessions and lower wages. No surprises here.
Directions (Question1-10) : Read the following passage carefully and A probable positive consequence of foreign investment is the
answer the questions given below it. Certain words are given in inflow of new technology and its subsequent diffusion. However,
bold to help you locate them while answering some of the technology diffusion is not at all certain, especially because it is in
questions. the interest of the foreign firm to withhold profitable technology.
Moreover, the diffusion of technology is difficult in countries like
India where the state of both physical and human capital is not yet
We are increasingly told that the inflow of capital —
on a par with advanced countries.
particularly the foreign direct investment (FDI) variety — increases
Therefore, relying on foreign investment in the long term is not
employment levels and contributes to economic growth. In a rare
an economically sound policy. Policies must be undertaken to
interview given to The Wall Street Journal in May, Prime Minister
revive domestic private investment. The lowering of interest rates
Narendra Modi reinforced the role of FDI for India: ‘To set a strong may not suffice in the current situation of aggregate demand
foundation for sustainable growth, we have run the most prudent
deficiency, a consequence of weak foreign demand as well as poor
macro-economic administration in decades, reducing fiscal and
domestic rural demand because of two consecutive monsoon
current account deficits. We have made India a destination which failures. One long-term solution is substantial public investment in
welcomes capital by liberalising foreign-direct investment policy,
education, health and environment, which will not only improve
increasing the ease of doing business.” Recently, the government
India’s socio-economic condition but also crowd in domestic
further relaxed the FDI policy. An FDI mania appears to have
private investment.
gripped our policymakers.
The contribution any investment makes to employment
FDI is necessary for economic growth. It could be undertaken
depends on the sector and the region. It is obvious that investment
by domestic or foreign investors. However, there are no a priori
in a labour-intensive sector will generate more employment than the
reasons for favouring foreign investment over domestic investment
same investment in a capital-intensive sector. The nature of
under normal economic conditions. If domestic investment is not
employment — skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled — will also
forthcoming, either because of a profitability crisis in the private
depend on the sector. For example, the construction sector is
sector or a self-imposed restraint on public spending (example,
unskilled-labour intensive whereas computer software requires
India’s Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act) , then
skilled labour.
we may be forced to attract foreign investment. One central
In 2015-16, the services sector received the largest FDI equity
character of private investment makes it unreliable in the long term:
inflow; this sector includes services such as finance, banking,
volatility. Rational investors are constantly in search of countries,
insurance and outsourcing and predominantly employs skilled
regions, sectors, ideas and processes which will yield higher profits.
workers. Of utmost concern is the stark reduction in FDI in the
Globally, countries formulate competitive policies to solicit foreign
construction sector — the rate of decrease is close to 85 per cent.
capital/investment by proffering a variety of economic concessions
The implications for labour employment in this sector cannot but be
— tax holidays, providing land at less-than-market prices,
negative.
weakening workers’ rights, easing the patenting of ideas and
While the overall FDI equity inflow has increased between
processes, and so on. In India, such concessions are being given in
2014-15 and 2015-16, the changes in the composition of FDI, as
the name of ‘ease of doing business’ and the ‘Make in India’
expected, are worrisome. Of course, the aim of FDI is profit, not
campaign. This “international competition for capital” tends to
employment. Therefore, the pursuit of full employment of labour
worsen the income inequality, which is what Thomas Piketty rightly
cannot be left to the private sector, whether domestic or foreign.
highlights in his book Capital in the Twenty-First Century.
The employment effects of investment undertaken in an urban
Not so long ago, in 2014, Finnish firm Nokia stopped its
settlement differ from that in a semi-urban and rural settlement. Just
phone-manufacturing factory in Sriperumbudur, a suburb in
Chennai. One of the reasons surmised by a journalist was that as India competes with other countries, Indian States compete
among each other to get FDI; the regional distribution is very

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unequal. As the U.S. Ambassador to India, Richard Verma, said Q2. What is the main rationale behind FDI investments according to
while visiting Bhubaneswar in January 2016, “While private author?
investment from the U.S. continues, Odisha has to compete with
other Indian States and countries like Singapore through ease of
doing business to raise the volume.” (a) So that in the event of a domestic investment crunch, relying on
Clearly, Mumbai and Delhi (which includes areas around foreign investment will be an option.
them) dominate the other regions by obtaining close to 50 per cent (b) To reduce the inequality that exists among different states of India.
of the overall FDI equity inflow whereas Odisha receives less than
(c) The situation of the states or regions which are poor will only get
1 per cent. FDI inflows therefore worsen existing regional
inequalities by making the rich regions richer and poor regions more dreadful.
poorer (as the workers migrate in search of employment) . (d) To set a strong foundation for sustainable growth and development.
Private investment in general is volatile. Foreign private (e) Poor social and economic structure of India.
investment is more volatile because the available investment
avenues are significantly greater (i.e. the entire world) . Therefore,
the responsibility of providing employment cannot be left to FDI. Q3. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true in context of the
As expected, the current FDI equity inflows are volatile over time passage?
and across sectors and regions, which is a necessary consequence
of their search for the highest returns. The adverse consequences are
(i) Only public investment by the government will steady us in the long
unstable employment and an accentuation of income and regional
inequalities. Besides these adverse economic consequences, there run.
are others — most notably, the issues of stagnant real wages and (ii) Our economic crisis due to the stagnant domestic investment is not
ecological destruction. In sum, howsoever economically beneficial
unsolicited.
FDI may seem in the short period, it has long-term adverse
consequences for the economy. A government committed to the (iii) Creating jobs is one of the aims of FDI.
long-term economic health of India must therefore increase the
(a) Only (ii) (b) Only (i)
quantity and quality of public investment.
(c) Both (i) and (iii) (d) Both (i) and (ii)
Q1. Why technology diffusion according to author is an arduous task in
(e) All of these.
India?

Q4. What can be the most suitable title for the passage?
(a) Because of the austerity of the laws regarding technological
advancements in India.
(b) Expensive economic landscapes in India compared to that of other (a) Nature of FDI in India
economies such as Vietnam. (b) The foreign hand isn’t enough
(c) As foreign firms are adamant on withholding profitable technology (c) Reviving domestic private investment - a long term solution
from India in response to India’s obsolete laws. (d) International competition for the capital
(e) Decoding the FDI mania
(d) Due to the dearth of talent and experience in Indian workman.
(e) Financial inequality at Global level which is having an indirect
Q5. Why FDI mania appears to have gripped our policymakers?
consequence on developing countries like India.
(a) Due to the volatility of the private FDI investment.

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(b) Fear of exacerbating regional inequalities as a consequence of

unattractive economic landscape. (a) Commodious (b) Capacious
(c) Long-term adverse consequences of FDI for the economy which (c) Substantial (d) Extensive
they have realized and want to revive domestic investment. (e) Exiguous
(d) Because of its commitment to improve economic health of India by
increasing the quantity and quality of public investment.
Q10. SUBSTANTIAL
(e) Because of its priority to inflow of new technology and its
subsequent diffusion.
(a) Wretched (b) Efficacious
Directions (Question6) : Choose the word/group of words which is (c) Exemplary (d) Profuse
MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the words/group of words (e) Impeccable
printed in bold as used in the passage. Answers And Solutions
Q6. PRUDENT [Link].(d)
Lack of human and physical capital is given as the reason by the
(a) Extortionate (b) Profligate
author which makes technological diffusion difficult in India. There
(c) Sagacious (d) Imprudent
can be confusion with option (c) as author also says uncertainty of
(e) Extravagant
the foreign firms as one possible reason but the added reason makes
Directions (Question7-10) : Choose the word/group of words which is it ambiguous as the reason for withholding is socio-economy and
MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the words/group of words not the obsolete laws.
printed in bold as used in the passage.

[Link].(a)
Q7. STAGNANT
Option (d) is not the correct answer for the question as it is not the
author’s view but the view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
(a) Ambulant (b) Vigorous
Option (a) is the correct answer as it is the main rationale (logic)
(c) Vibrant (d) Moribund
which can be inferred from the 2nd paragraph of the passage, “If
(e) Effervescent
domestic investment is not forthcoming, either because of a
profitability crisis in the private sector or a self-imposed restraint on
Q8. SURMISED
public spending (example, India’s Fiscal Responsibility and Budget
Management Act) , then we may be forced to attract foreign
(a) Conjecture (b) Notion
investment. “
(c) Postulate (d) Propound
[Link].(d)
(e) Veracious
The third (iii) statement is incorrect as it is the profit and not the
employment which is the aim of the FDI while the other two
Q9. SUFFICE

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statements are correct and mentioned in the passage hence (d) is Substantial means of considerable importance, size, or worth hence
the correct answer for the given question. wretched is the word most opposite in meaning.
[Link].(b)
Reading Comprehension -55
‘’ the foreign hand isn’t enough” is the most appropriate title for the
given passage, as it captures the essence of the passage most Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the
accurately and perfectly. questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to help
[Link].(b) you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Author has mentioned in the 2nd paragraph of the passage,
In a welcome move this week, India has ratified two key global
“international competition for capital” tends to worsen the income
conventions meant to keep children away from work, decades since
inequality and due to which our policymakers are giving relaxations
they were originally adopted by the International Labour
on various parameters in the name of ‘’ease of doing business’’ and
Organisation. Nonetheless, the scepticism aroused by the Child
‘’Make in India’’ campaign but the International competition has
Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016 over
worsen the situation and because of the unattractiveness of our
the government’s commitment towards complete abolition of child
economic landscape we are forced to ease the laws in an attempt to
labour will persist. The ILO treaties are about the minimum age at
grab ‘their’ attention as our domestic private investment is not that
which a person may begin work and the hazardous industries where
good.
she may not. Crucially, conventions 138 and 182 of the United
Q6Ans.(c) Nations body leave it to the member-states to determine what
Prudent means acting with or showing care and thought for the constitutes acceptable or unacceptable work for children at different
future hence sagacious is the word most similar in meaning. ages. Such flexibility has given the Indian government wiggle room
in adopting the international standards in question, even though the
[Link].(d)
2016 legislation falls several notches below a comprehensive
Stagnant means (of a body of water or the atmosphere of a confined prohibition of child labour. The Act contains the controversial
space) having no current or flow and often having an unpleasant provision that condones the employment of children below 14 years
smell as a consequence hence moribund is the word most opposite under the rubric of family enterprises and the declassification of
several industries as hazardous occupations. The detrimental
in meaning.
effects on the ground from these dilutions of the original 1194 Act
[Link].(e) could be widespread. With roughly 18% of the workforce
Surmise means suppose that something is true without having continuing to remain outside the ambit of the organised sector,
evidence to confirm it hence veracious is the word most opposite in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation is difficult. The
rules notified by the Ministry of Labour and Employment for the
meaning.
enforcement of the 2016 amendment include some small
[Link].(e) concessions. Under these stipulations, children may work in
domestic enterprises only for three hours after school, and not
Suffice means be enough or adequate hence exiguous is the word
between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. These restrictions are intended to ensure
most opposite in meaning.
attendance at school. But given the sensitivities involved in
Q10Ans.(a)

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monitoring activities within traditional households, effective (i) Due to poverty in India, especially in rural areas Indian government
enforcement will pose a challenge, and the rescue of vulnerable is quivering in adoption of the International standards.
children will remain an uncertain proposition. (ii) As determining acceptable or unacceptable work for children at
different ages is challenging in India.
India’s ratification of the two conventions, after more than 165 (iii) As complete abolition of child labour is found difficult in India due
countries have legally bound themselves to their obligations, is to various reasons.
itself a sad commentary on the priorities of successive governments, (a) Only (i) is true (b) Only (ii) is true
cutting across party lines. The ILO’s Minimum Age Convention of (c) Both (i) and (ii) are true (d) Both (ii) and (iii) are true
1973 entered into force in 1976 — and the instrument pertaining to (e) All are true
the elimination of the worst forms of child labour in 2000. While
policymakers are no doubt alert to the inequities that perennially Q3.
plague Indian society, the practical realities are too painful for the According to the passage, what are the restrictions imposed by
millions who languish on the margins. Any genuine enforcement Ministry of Labour and Employment to rescue the vulnerable
of a minimum age at work will elude governments so long as a children?
universal minimum wage of subsistence for the adult workforce is
not implemented scrupulously. On this score, the record of different (a) Children may not work under any family pressure.
States is at best patchy. This scenario is unlikely to improve in the (b) Children may work in domestic enterprises only for three hours
absence of a vibrant mechanism of collective bargaining among after school.
stakeholders. Without this, the total elimination of child labour will (c) Children may not work in any hazardous industry.
remain a difficult task. (d) Children below 14 years may not work under the rubric of family
enterprises.
Q1. According to the passage, why protecting children who are (e) All of the above
vulnerable to exploitation is difficult?
Q4. Why did author say, “Without this, the total elimination of child
(a) As children below the age of 14 are allowed to work in industries labour will remain a difficult task”?
which are declassified as hazardous industries.
(b) Because of the rule under which children may work in domestic (i) Determining the acceptable or unacceptable work for children at
enterprises only for three hours after school. different ages will remain a difficult task.
(c) It is difficult as children are allowed to work as custom in family (ii) As the absence of a vibrant mechanism of policy implemention, the
firm. total elimination of child labour will remain a difficult task.
(d) Both (a) and (c) (iii) Till the minimum wage for adult is not implemented, the
government wouldn’t be able to enforce minimum working age.
(e) All are correct
(a) Only (i) is true (b) Only (iii) is true
(c) Both (i) and (ii) are true (d) Both (ii) and (iii) are true
Q2. According to the passage, what is the reason behind the wavering (e) All are true
nature of Indian government in adopting the ILO agreement?
Q5. Which of the following statements is false in context of the passage?

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(a) The Ministry of Labour and Employment has notified the rules for Directions (9-10): Choose the word/group of words which is most
the enforcement of the 2016 amendment that include some small opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold
concessions. as used in passage.
(b) The harmful effects on the ground from the dilutions of the original
1194 Act could be widespread. Q9. languish
(c) Children may work in domestic enterprises only for two hours after
school, according to rules notified by The Ministry of Labour and (a) despond (b) grieve
Employment. (c) delight` (d) wither
(d) The ILO treaties are about the minimum age at which a person may (e) thrive
begin work and the hazardous industries where she may not.
Q10. Elude
(e) All are correct

(a) abet (b) baffle

Q6. Which of the following title is appropriate for the given passage?
(c) entice (d) circumvent
(e) support
(a) A universal minimum wage
(b) The ILO’s Minimum Age Convention
(c) The International Labour Organisation treaties
Answers And Solutions
(d) No time to work: On Child Labour Act
[Link].(d)
(e) Ratification of conventions on child labour
Refer to the first paragraph “The Act contains the controversial
provision that condones the employment of children below 14 years
Directions (7-8): Choose the word/group of words which is most under the rubric of family enterprises and the declassification of
similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold several industries as hazardous occupations” Hence both the
as used in passage. statements (a) and (c) are true.
[Link].(b)
Sol. Refer to the first paragraph “…….member-states to
Q7. Detrimental determine what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable work for
children at different ages. Such flexibility has given the Indian
(a) offensive (b) hostile government wiggle room in adopting the international standards in
(c) inimical (d) unwilling question”. Hence sentence (ii) is the correct choice.
[Link].(b)
(e) conflicting
Refer to the last few lines of first paragraph “The rules notified by
the Ministry of Labour and Employment for the enforcement of the
Q8. Ambit 2016 amendment include some small concessions. Under these
stipulations, children may work in domestic enterprises only for
(a) hapless (b) camber three hours after school, and not between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.” Hence
(c) purlieus (d) scope sentence (b) is correct answer.
(e) confines [Link].(b)

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Refer to the last few lines of the second paragraph “Any genuine Reading Comprehension -56
enforcement of a minimum age at work will elude governments so
long as a universal minimum wage of subsistence for the adult Direction (1-10) : Read the following passage carefully and answer the
workforce is not implemented scrupulously.” Hence sentence (iii)
is correct. questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to help
you locate them while answering some of the questions.
[Link].(c)
Refer to last few lines of first paragraph “The rules notified by the Why is history such an important school subject? And why
Ministry of Labour and Employment for the enforcement of the does it not receive the importance it deserves? These two were
2016 amendment include some small concessions. Under these
among the major questions debated at a conference recently held in
stipulations, children may work in domestic enterprises only for
three hours after school”. Hence sentence (c) is false. Kolkata. A brief answer to the second question is that history cannot
compete with science subjects in the market that shapes and controls
[Link].(d)
education today. Yet, history is an important subject because it
The title ‘No time to work: On Child Labour Act’ is the appropriate moulds the outlook of the younger generation. By turning the past
title for the passage. into a narrative, history creates a public ethos and influences
[Link].(c) culture. From architecture to film, and from ancient India to
Detrimental means tending to cause harm. Hence it has same Partition, the Kolkata conference, organised by the History for
meaning as ‘inimical’. Peace initiative of the Seagull Foundation for the Arts, covered a
Hostile means showing or feeling opposition or dislike, unfriendly. broad canvas to trace the complex relationship between history and
culture. I can think of few other gatherings where school teachers
[Link].(d)
got a chance to discuss their classroom experience with scholars of
Ambit means the scope, extent, or bounds of something. Hence it history and culture. The outcome was a richer understanding of the
has same meaning as scope. Camber means the slightly convex or
constraints that a poorly functioning system of education places on
arched shape of a road or other horizontal surface.
a society’s capacity to cope with its present difficulties and imagine
Purlieus means the area near or surrounding a place. sustainable solutions.
[Link].(e)
Languish means lose or lack vitality; grow weak. Hence it has
opposite meaning as thrive. The history syllabus and textbooks have been at the heart of a
Despond means become dejected and lose confidence. deep political controversy in India. India is not alone in this respect.
[Link].(a) No country in the world is immune to debates about the past and
Elude means escape from or avoid. Hence it has opposite meaning how it should be presented to school children. To take just two
to abet. instances, America’s discomfort with Hiroshima and Britain’s
Entice means attract or tempt by offering pleasure or advantage. discomfort with Gandhi continue to be reflected in their school
Circumvent means find a way around.
syllabi. The main reason why portrayal of the past in school
textbooks arouses controversy is that a publicly shared past imparts
a collective memory and identity. Textbooks are viewed as
officially approved documents even if they are privately produced
and have no official sanction and are therefore believed to be
associated with state power. Significantly, they do shape the

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perceptions of the young because children are impressionable. questions that are best answered with the help of guidebooks. The
Children introduced to a certain version of the past at school acquire 2005 curricular revolution has made little impact on this wider
a disposition which can be politically mobilised in the future. scene.
Debates over school textbooks seldom take into account the Schooling adds a dimension to culture that we do not quite
significance of curricular design and the preparation of a syllabus. understand. As public institutions, schools carry many burdens the
When criticising poor quality textbooks, people do not recognise society is not always aware of. Government schools cope with
that the problem may be at the level of syllabus and curriculum. bureaucratic norms and private schools cope with parental pressure
Similarly, when good textbooks are appreciated, people seldom to maintain heightened competition. The natural sciences bear the
realise the effort required in redesigning the curriculum and brunt of this pressure. For the growing middle class, including the
syllabus. The new history textbooks brought out by the National vast multitude of first-generation educated, science and
Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) from mathematics represent the golden route to high income jobs in
2006 onwards are a case in point. They have survived the change of medicine and engineering, including information technology. The
government. One reason for their longevity is their professional social sciences and humanities do not figure in this landscape, yet
quality. They have no single authors. Teams of eminent historians they also suffer the consequences of the command that the entrance
worked through deliberation and dialogue, first drafting a new test culture wields over schools. Although history has no place in
syllabus and then the text itself. They represent the spirit of the the competitive culture of education, its importance in shaping the
National Curriculum Framework, 2005, which is still in place, larger political ethos of the country remains undiminished. Children
which gives precedence to inquiry through direct exposure to depend on adults to learn about the past, and that is what makes
evidence. The textbooks based on it do not narrate a long story. history the most challenging school subject. Ironically poorly taught
Instead, they enable children to explore different, often divergent, history matters even more than well-taught history, simply because
themes, such as lives of peasants and women, architectural styles, when history does not arouse curiosity or impart the tools of
etc. Archival material is cited as evidence, and debates among analysis, it creates an emotional barrier for further inquiry.
historians are highlighted to demonstrate the difficulties of
interpreting evidence. Q1. Instead of not being important at school level how history as a
subject plays an important role in society?
These books mark a major step forward in the teaching of
history, but older ways of teaching and conventional textbooks have (a) History as a subject shapes the perceptions of the young because
persisted. As a presentation at the Kolkata conference pointed out, children are easily influenced.
the history teacher at school is often someone who has not studied (b) By covering a broad canvas to trace the complex relationship
history or enjoyed it. So, despite a shift in historiography, old between history and culture.
problems continue to affect the system. One of these is the (c) It moulds the outlook of the younger generation by conveying the
perception that history is all about wars, kings and dates. Another is past in forms of stories and thus creating a characteristic spirit of
the tenacity of dividing India’s past into three long chunks: ancient, the culture and influencing it.
medieval and modern. These categories flatten out the complexity (d) Both (a) and (c)
and richness of India’s history, wasting the opportunity of studying (e) By giving the dimensions to the culture of new generation.
it with the aim of arousing curiosity and imparting tools of inquiry.
The examination system also reinforces flat perceptions by asking

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Q2. According to the author what was the denouement of the gathering (e) Postulate
between the class teachers and the scholars of History and culture?
Q6. According to the author what is wrong with the people when it
(a) Government schools cope with bureaucratic norms and private comes to recognizing the quality of books?
schools cope with parental pressure to maintain heightened
competition. (a) People don’t realize the significance of curricular design and the
(b) The result was the better understanding of the restraints that a poorly preparation of a syllabus.
functioning system of education places on a society. (b) Without recognizing the authenticity and the level of syllabus and
(c) Its importance in shaping the larger political ethos of the country curriculum people start mentioning a book as a poor quality book.
remains undiminished. (c) When good textbooks are appreciated, people barely realise the
(d) both (b) and (c) effort required in designing the curriculum and syllabus.
(e) None of these (d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) All (a) , (b) and (c)
Q3. According to the passage why the narration of the past in school
textbooks arouses controversy?
Q7. What is the reason behind the survival of the new history textbooks
(a) A publicly shared past imparts a collective memory and identity. brought out by NCERT from 2006 onwards?
(b) Textbooks are viewed as officially approved documents even if they
are privately produced and have no official sanction. (a) Maintained Quality in syllabus and curriculum
(c) both (a) and (b) (b) Teams of eminent historians worked through deliberation and
(d) Children introduced to a certain version of the past at school acquire dialogue
a disposition which can be politically mobilised in the future. (c) The textbooks based on it do not narrate a long story. Instead, they
(e) None of these enable children to explore different, often divergent, themes
(d) Both (b) and (c)
Directions (4-5) : Choose the word which is mostly similar in meaning (e) All (a) ,(b) and(c)
as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Q8. Despite a shift in historiography why pedagogy is still being
Q4. Longevity affected by the old problems and methods?

(a) Endurance (b) Alacrity (a) History teacher at school is often someone who has not studied
(c) Leonine (d) Affability history or enjoyed it
(e) None of these (b) As public institutions, schools carry many burdens the society is
aware of.
Q5. Tenacity (c) Due to the wrong perceptions of the people that history is all about
wars, kings and dates
(a) Flexibility (b) Firmness (d) Because of the same prevailing concept of dividing the history of
(c) Irresolution (d) Reprobate India’s past into three long chunks: ancient, medieval and modern

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and thus flattening out the complexity and richness of India’s [Link].(b)
history. Option (b) is the correct answer choice. Option (b) can be traced
from the last lines of the 1st paragraph where is mentioned, “. The
(e) All (a) , (c) and (d) outcome was a richer understanding of the constraints that a poorly
functioning system of education places on a society’s capacity to
Q9. Which of the following statement is definitely false according to the cope with its present difficulties and imagine sustainable solutions.”
[Link].(c)
passage?
Option (c) is the correct answer choice. Both options (a) and (b)
can be deduced from the 2nd
(a) I can think of few other gatherings where school teachers got a paragraph where it is given as “The main reason why portrayal of
chance to discuss their personal experience with scholars of history the past in school textbooks arouses controversy is that a publicly
shared past imparts a collective memory and identity. Textbooks are
and culture. viewed as officially approved documents even if they are privately
(b) No country in the world is immune to debates about the past and produced and have no official sanction and are therefore believed to
how it should be presented to school children. be associated with state power”
[Link].(a)
(c) Children introduced to a certain version of the past at school acquire
Longevity- long life
a disposition which can be politically mobilized in the future. Leonine- like a lion
(d) Government schools cope with bureaucratic norms and private Affability-friendliness
schools cope with parental pressure to maintain heightened Alacrity- brisk and cheerful readiness
Option (a) is the right answer choice.
competition Q5Ans.(b)
(e) None of these Tenacity- the quality or fact of being able to grip something firmly;
grip
Q10. The natural sciences bear the brunt of this pressure. In the given Reprobate- an unprincipled person
Postulate- Suggest or assume the existence
sentence what does the bold part implies? Option (b) is the right answer choice.
[Link].(e)
(a) To win Option (e) is the correct answer choice. All options (a) ,(b) and (c)
(b) To suffer the worst part of an unpleasant or problematic situation can be deduced from the 2nd paragraph where it is given as
“Debates over school textbooks seldom take into account the
(c) To remember, think about, or consider someone or something significance of curricular design and the preparation of a syllabus.
(d) To suffer due to someone else’s problem When criticizing poor quality textbooks, people do not recognize
(e) None of these that the problem may be at the level of syllabus and curriculum.
Similarly, when good textbooks are appreciated, people seldom
realise the effort required in redesigning the curriculum and
Answers And Solutions syllabus.”
[Link].(e)
Option (e) is the correct answer choice. All options (a) ,(b) and (c)
[Link].(d) can be deduced from the 3rd paragraph where it is given as “One
Option (d) is the correct answer choice. Option (d) can be traced reason for their longevity is their professional quality. They have no
as stated in the 1st paragraph of the passage, “Yet, history is an single authors. Teams of eminent historians worked through
important subject because it moulds the outlook of the younger deliberation and dialogue, first drafting a new syllabus and then the
generation. By turning the past into a narrative, history creates a text itself.”
public ethos and influences culture.” Option (a) can be traced from [Link].(e)
the lines of the 2nd paragraph where it is stated “Significantly, they Option (e) is the correct answer choice. All options (a) ,(b) and (c)
do shape the perceptions of the young because children are can be deduced from the 3rd paragraph where it is given as “the
impressionable.” history teacher at school is often someone who has not studied

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history or enjoyed it. So, despite a shift in historiography, old The Attorney General is of the view that compensation needs
problems continue to affect the system. One of these is the to be paid to states for five years. But this compensation gap has to
perception that history is all about wars, kings and dates. Another is be met from the levy of cess. Compensation cannot be paid from
the tenacity of dividing India’s past into three long chunks: ancient, Consolidated Fund of India, the attorney general said, adding that
medieval and modern. These categories flatten out the complexity
and richness of India’s history, wasting the opportunity of studying levy of compensation can be extended beyond five years. About Rs
it with the aim of arousing curiosity and imparting tools of inquiry.” 3 lakh crore would be the need of compensation to be paid to states
[Link].(a) while compensation cess collected would be Rs 65,000 crore. There
Option (a) is the correct answer choice here as it is the only is an option to borrow the remaining Rs 2.35 lakh crore from the
statement which is definitely false according to the given passage. market On Aug. 25, the finance minister said the GST Council will
As stated in the last lines of 1st paragraph” I can think of few other consider lowering the tax rate on two-wheelers as it’s neither a
gatherings where school teachers got a chance to discuss their luxury item nor a sin good. It a “good suggestion”, Sitharaman said
classroom experience with scholars of history and culture.” while responding to a query at an industry interaction. GST rate on
two-wheelers currently stands at 28%. A GST rate cut could push
[Link].(b)
Option (b) is the correct answer choice here. up demand for two-wheelers ahead of the festive season but will
Bear the brunt of- To suffer the worst part of an unpleasant or impact the government’s revenue at a time tax mop-up has fallen
problematic situation. because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economy is set to
contract for the first time in more than four decades. However, this
Reading Comprehension -57 is likely to be discussed in a meeting on a later date. Earlier this
month, a Group of Ministers has agreed that states can individually
decide to make e-way bills mandatory for the movement of gold
Directions : Read the following passage carefully and answer the
within their territory to check tax evasion. The panel decided that if
questions that follow.
states want to implement the e-way bill mechanism for gold and
precious stones, they can do so for intra-state movement of the
States were given two options to make up for their revenue commodity.
shortfall amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The first option is to provide
a special borrowing window to states, in consultation with the RBI, The government will give a further relaxation of 0.5 percent in
to provide Rs 97,000 crore at a "reasonable" interest rate, the
states' borrowing limit under FRBM Act. States can choose to
finance secretary said after a meeting of the GST Council. This borrow more, beyond the expected compensation itself, since that
money can then be repaid after 5 years by extending cess is the injury caused by COVID-19. If a state goes for this option, it
collections. will borrow less, but its compensation entitlement will be protected.
So choice is between i) borrowing less & getting cess later, & ii)
The other option is to meet the entire GST compensation gap borrow more & pay for it using cess collected during transition
of Rs 2.35 lakh crore this year itself after consulting with the RBI. period.
Both options involve borrowing by states as that’s a better option,
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. “Two options were Repayment of loans, including interest payments, will be made
placed before states. We told them that we will facilitate talking
through the cess collected from sixth year onwards; in no case will
with the RBI and help to get G-security linked interest rates so that the states be burdened and they will not have to tap into other
each state does not have to struggle for loans.” The current year has sources of revenue for loan repayment. Centre
seen slowing down of economy due to Covid-19 which has led to _______________________ states through RBI, in getting loans -
low GST collections, States will also be given a further relaxation for that portion arising out of GST implementation. The gap arising
in FRBM of 0.5% points for market borrowing, said Finance in compensation due to the extraordinary situation and Act of God
Secretary AB Pandey today after the GST Council’s 41st meeting. in the form of COVID-19. There may be some states which may
prefer to get the hard-wired compensation rather than going to the

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market to borrow more. The option was tailor-made considering (c) Both I and II (d) Only III
that states can take a call depending on the compensation they (e) Both II and III
expect to come.
[Link] Q4. What was the decision taken after the latest GST council meeting?
finance-minister-sitharaman-on-compensation-issue-councils-
decisions
(a) Compensation cannot be paid from the Consolidated fund of India.
Q1. Which of the following statements can be correctly inferred from (b) The relaxation of 0.5 percent has been extended to states under the
the passage? FRBM act for the market borrowing.
(c) GST rates has been reduced to 28% after keeping the festive season
I. The council decided agreed for the repayment of loans from sixth in mind.
year onwards that too with the cess collected from the interest.
II. Government’s revenue can get affected by lowering the GST on two (d) The states will be in trouble after the sixth year if they fail to repay
wheelers but can escalate the demand of the vehicle. the loans through Cess collection.
III. Though the states were given the two options for the loan (e) All of the above
repayment, they may still be struggling to repay the loans.
(a) Only I (b) Only II Q5. What can be concluded about travelling from the following
(c) Both I and II (d) Only III
(e) Both II and III statement of the passage?

Q2. Which of the following can be correctly concluded from the third “two wheelers are neither a luxury item nor a sin good”
paragraph of the passage? I. Buying a luxury item is not a sin.
II. Two wheelers are sinful item unless they are luxurious.
(a) The compensation which will be paid from the levy of cess by the III. A regular item cannot be considered a luxury but a necessity.
states is for the term five years. (a) Only II & III (b) Only III
(b) The e-way billing technique is not only for the gold and precious (c) Only I & II (d) Only I & III
stones but also for the two wheelers in view of the festive season. (e) None of these
(c) The diminution of economy as a result of covid-19 pandemic is not
the first time being witnessed.
Q6. Which of the following statements is not true about RBI with
(d) It is imperative to track the movement of golds within the state to
reference to the given passage?
make sure of any misappropriation.
(e) None of the above.
(a) Keeping RBI in loop, a special borrowing window need to be
allocated for states.
Q3. Which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to the
(b) Having talked with RBI, Finance minister will help to get G-
passage?
security linked interest rates to weed out any trouble for the states
for the loans.
I. States have an option to choose compensation as per their (c) Keeping RBI in loop, the entire GST compensation gap of Rs 2.35
preference for the compensation they expect to arrive. lakh will be met.
II. one of the options for the state is to borrow less and pay for it using (d) RBI averted the loan payment in view of the pandemic as an act of
cess collected. GO(d)
III. The other option is to borrow more and get the cess later. (e) None of the above.
(a) Only I (b) Only II
Q7. Which of the following can fill the blank given in the passage?

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invalid. Thus, we can clearly infer that option B is the correct option
(a) Facilitating (b) Government to choose.
(c) Appreciation (d) Realising [Link].(d)
(e) None of the given options Only statement D is correct which can be inferred from the third last
line of the third paragraph which clearly shed light on the movement
Q8. Which of the following is the MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the of gold and why it is required to be done. Rest of the options fails
given word as used in the passage? to match the information provided in the passage.
[Link].(e)
Reasonable
Both the options II and III are incorrect which can be inferred from
(a) Sumptuous (b) Fictitious
the last paragraph 6th statement. i.e “There may be some states
(c) Ephemeral (d) Perennial
which may prefer to get the hard-wired compensation rather than
(e) Equitable
going to the market to borrow more.” And as far as the option I is
concerned, it is correct which can be inferred from the last statement
Q9. Which of the following is the OPPOSITE in meaning to the given
of the paragraph.
word as used in the passage?
[Link].(b)
Only option B is correct as the discussion related to GST council is
Facilitate
discussed in the 2nd paragraph 2nd last line which mentions the
(a) Impede (b) Kindle
relaxation of 0.5% for market borrowing. Option A is incorrect
(c) Paltry (d) Poser
which can be inferred from 3rd statement of the 3rd paragraph, in
(e) Beget
the same paragraph the fact about the 28% is also mentioned that is,
it is going to be reduced from 28% and not has been reduced to 28%
Q10. What is the tone of the given passage? thus this option is incorrect as well, the last option can be validate
from 1st line of the last paragraph which clearly states there will be
(a) Descriptive (b) cynical no burden on the states for the loan and its payment which they can
(c) Belligerent (d) cynical pay after 6th year onwards.
(e) Analytical [Link].(b)
Only option B is correct which means only statement third is
correct, and it is because the given statement has been taken from
Answers And Solutions the 8th statement of 3rd paragraph which mentions two wheelers as
a regular, general item and not a luxury. Rest of the options are in
[Link].(b)
Only statement II can be inferred from the passage which can be correct.
inferred from the 6th statement of the third paragraph where in it [Link].(d)
was clearly stated how the decrease in GST will affect the Option D is incorrect as it is no where written that there is any
government but can help to gain market a momentum. Statement I connection between the act of God and statement released by RBI.
is incorrect which can be validated from the 1st statement of the last Option A, B and C is correct and can be validated from the 1st and
paragraph where in it is no where mentioned that repayment will be
done with the cess collected from the interest. The mentioning of 2nd paragraph.
“from the interest” made the statement invalid. As far as the last [Link].(a)
option is concerned, it is incorrect as well because in the third Since the context of the paragraph is about no burdening of loan
statement of the 2nd para clearly states lowering tax rate is being payment to the states thus centre must be facilitating this process,
done to facilitate the repayment of loans and there is no conclusion thus “facilitate” which means to make an action or process easy or
given in the para which is done in option which makes the option

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easier is the correct option. “government” may have been correct, the largest fraction of economies experiencing declines in per capita
had “central” been used at the place of “centre.” output since 1870, the World Bank says in its June 2020 Global
[Link].(e) Economic Prospects. Economic activity among advanced
The word synonymous to the word “Reasonable” is “Equitable’ economies is anticipated to shrink 7% in 2020 as domestic demand
which means fair and impartial. and supply, trade, and finance have been severely disrupted.
Sumptuous means splendid and expensive-looking. Emerging market and developing economies EMDEs are expected
Fictitious means not real or true; imaginary or fabricated. to shrink by 2.5% this year, their first contraction as a group in at
Ephemeral means lasting for a very short time. least sixty years. Per capita incomes are expected to decline by
Perennial means lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite 3.6%, which will tip millions of people into extreme poverty this
time. year.
[Link].(a)
The word antonymous to the word “Facilitate” is “Impede which The blow is hitting hardest in countries where the pandemic
means to delay or prevent someone or something by obstructing has been the most severe and where there is heavy reliance on global
them. trade, tourism, commodity exports, and external financing. While
Facilitate means make an action or process easy or easier. the _________________ of disruption will vary from region to
Kindle means set something on fire. region, all EMDEs have vulnerabilities that are magnified by
Paltry means an amount very small or meagre. external shocks. Moreover, interruptions in schooling and primary
Poser means a person who poses healthcare access are likely to have lasting impacts on human
capital development.
Beget means to father or engender.
“This is a deeply sobering outlook, with the crisis likely to
[Link].(e) leave long-lasting scars and pose major global challenges,” said
Sol. All through the entire passage, the author analyses the loans World Bank Group Vice President for Equitable Growth, Finance
and its mode of payment that can be provided for states for not to and Institutions, Ceyla Pazarbasioglu. “Our first order of business
be under burden or anything. is to address the global health and economic emergency. Beyond
Hence, option E- “Analytical” would best describe the tone of the that, the global community must unite to find ways to rebuild as
passage. “Caustic” means sarcastic, which is definitely not the tone robust a recovery as possible to prevent more people from falling
of the passage. Belligerent tone of the passage is adopted by author into poverty and unemployment.”
when allies or parties are hostile to one another. And this is what
author has to delineate in the passage, this tone is adopted. Cynical Under the baseline forecast—which assumes that the pandemic
tone of the passage comes into picture when author wants to recedes sufficiently to allow the lifting of domestic mitigation
describe about the context which revolves around distrust or measures by mid-year in advanced economies and a bit later in
wariness. EMDEs, that adverse global spillovers ease during the second half
of the year, and that dislocations in financial markets are not long-
Reading Comprehension -58 lasting — global growth is forecast to rebound to 4.2% in 2021, as
advanced economies grow 3.9% and EMDEs bounce back by 4.6%.
Direction (1-10) Read the passages carefully and chooses the best However, the outlook is highly uncertain and downside risks are
answer to each question out of the four alternatives. predominant, including the possibility of a more protracted
pandemic, financial upheaval, and retreat from global trade and
The swift and massive shock of the coronavirus pandemic and
shutdown measures to contain it have plunged the global economy supply linkages.
into a severe contraction. According to World Bank forecasts, the A downside scenario could lead the global economy to shrink
global economy will shrink by 5.2% this year.[1] That would by as much as 8% this year, followed by a sluggish recovery in 2021
represent the deepest recession since the Second World War, with of just over 1%, with output in EMDEs contracting by almost 5%

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this year. The U.S. economy is forecast to contract 6.1% this year, (a) Though all the sectors are affected due to pandemic, schools and
reflecting the disruptions associated with pandemic-control primary healthcare will have the long-lasting impact in capital
measures. Euro Area output is expected to shrink 9.1% in 2020 as development.
widespread outbreaks took a heavy toll on activity. Japan’s (b) Global growth is expected to jump by 4.2% by 2021 and advanced
economy is anticipated to shrink 6.1% as preventive measures have economies may witness the jump of 3.9%.
slowed economic activity. (c) Health care systems, need to be enacted to generate strong and
sustainable growth.
“The COVID-19 recession is singular in many respects and is (d) The current episode has already seen by far the fastest and steepest
likely to be the deepest one in advanced economies since the Second downgrades in global growth forecasts on record.
World War and the first output contraction in emerging and (e) None of the above
developing economies in at least the past six decades,” said World
Bank Prospects Group Director Ayhan Kose. “The current episode Q3. What was the forecast shared by World Bank Group in their
has already seen by far the fastest and steepest downgrades in global meeting?
growth forecasts on record. If the past is any guide, there may be
further growth downgrades in store, implying that policymakers I. The pandemic is not the customary economic setback but the queer
may need to be ready to employ additional measures to support one which will leave a long running blemish on Global economy.
activity.” The pandemic highlights the urgent need for health and II. The strengthening of emerging markets and developing economies
economic policy action, including global cooperation, to cushion its is very critical as these economies are the most vulnerable.
consequences, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen III. This contraction of economies is witnessed first time in the past six
countries’ capacities to prevent and deal with similar events in the decades.
future. It is critically important for emerging market and developing (a) Only II & III (b) Only III
economies, which are particularly vulnerable, to strengthen public (c) Only I & II (d) Only I & III
health systems, address challenges posed by informality and limited (e) None of these
safety nets, and enact reforms to generate strong and sustainable
growth once the crisis passes. Q4. Which of the following statements is NOT true with respect to the
passage?
Q1. What can be concluded about travelling from the following
statement of the passage? (a) The covid-19 though a novel disease is sort of a regular disease in
many aspects.
“If the past is any guide, there may be further growth downgrades (b) All the economies or the markets will have to have a significant
in store,” chunk for the healthcare systems to tackle down the similar calamity
I. Any guidance may have been helpful to mitigate the growth in future if ever that situation arises.
downgrade. (c) Preventive measures for this disease was necessary on the one hand,
II. The incident of past should be used as a guidance to check anything it was hitting hard on the economy which somewhere resulted in
growing in the store. slowed economic activity.
III. A further reduction in growth is expected, if past is used as a (d) The global leaders will now have to take poverty and
reference. unemployment in their hands as well so the death and chaos can be
(a) Only II & III (b) Only III
(c) Only I & II (d) Only I & III prevented in future in case of similar scenario.
(e) None of these (e) None of the above.

Q2. Which of the following can be correctly concluded from the second Q5. Which of the following statements is not true about EMDEs with
paragraph of the passage? reference to the given passage?

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(a) Emerging markets and developing economies may witness the (a) Ravage (b) Fragile
shrinking of their economy by 2.5 in 2020. (c) Ascend (d) Vacillate
(b) A prediction regarding the gaining of momentum is made that says (e) Vanquish
EMDEs may gain the momentum a bit later after the advanced
economies. Q10. What is the tone of the given passage?
(c) No economy will be devoid of the hit by the global pandemic but (a) Descriptive (b) cynical
the matter is worse for EMDEs which will be magnified by other (c) Belligerent (d) cynical
factors as well. (e) Analytical
(d) EMDEs have faced the worst recession post world war and situation
may exacerbate in the coming future. Answers And Solutions
(e) None of the above
[Link].(b)
Q6. Which of the following statements can be correctly inferred from Only option B is correct which means only statement third is
the passage? correct, and it is because the given statement “If the past is any
guide, there may be further growth downgrades in store”, clearly
I. The repercussions of this pandemic took a tool on those countries states that keeping past as the datum line, the further downgrade in
which was dependent on tourism, external financing etc. growth can be witnessed.
[Link].(a)
II. Suffice it to say, the global healthcare standard is subpar as far as
dealing the global pandemic is concerned thus the global health care option A is correct which can be derived from the last line of 2nd
system need to be overhauled. paragraph which states “interruptions in schooling and primary
III. US being one of the richest countries of the world is not devoid of healthcare access are likely to have lasting impacts on human
the economic setback and may its economy witnesses the capital development.”
[Link].(d)
contraction of 6.1% in 2020.
(a) Only I (b) Only II Both statements I and III are correct and that can be verified from
(c) Both I and II (d) Only III the first and last paragraph. I.e. “The swift and massive shock of the
(e) All I, II and III coronavirus pandemic and shutdown measures to contain it have
plunged the global economy into a severe contraction”, and ““The
Q7. Which of the following can fill the blank given in the passage? COVID-19 recession is singular in many respects and is likely to be
the deepest one in advanced economies since the Second World
(a) Magnitude (b) Calamity War and the first output contraction in emerging and developing
(c) Impropriety (d) Invincibility economies in at least the past six decades”.
(e) None of the given options [Link].(a)
Only option A is not true with respect to the passage as which can
Q8. Which of the following is the MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the be validated from the last paragraph wherein it is clearly written that
given word as used in the passage?
this disease is singular in many aspects and that means it is not the
Protracted regular disease. Rest of the options are correct. Option C is talking
(a) Protected (b) Prudent about japan which is mentioned in 5th paragraph. Option B and D
(c) Pugnacious (d) Poignant is mentioned in the last paragraph.
(e) Prolonged [Link].(d)
Only the option D is incorrect and it is no where mentioned in the
Q9. Which of the following is the OPPOSITE in meaning to the given passage, rest of the options are correct and can be validated from
word as used in the passage? the 1st paragraph, 2nd paragraph 4th and 5th paragraphs. Hence
option D is incorrect.
Strengthen

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[Link].(e) “Analytical” would best describe the tone of the passage. “Caustic”
All the statements can be inferred form the passage. Statement 1 can means sarcastic, which is definitely not the tone of the passage.
be validated from 1st statement of the 2nd paragraph i.e. “The blow Belligerent tone of the passage is adopted by author when allies or
is hitting hardest in countries where the pandemic has been the most parties are hostile to one another. And this is what author has to
severe and where there is heavy reliance on global trade, tourism”, delineate in the passage, this tone is adopted. Cynical tone of the
the second statement can be inferred from “last paragraph 7th
statement i.e. “The pandemic highlights the urgent need for health passage comes into picture when author wants to describe about the
and economic policy action, including global cooperation” and the context which revolves around distrust or wariness.
last statement can be inferred from “the 3rd line of the 5th paragraph
i.e. “The U.S. economy is forecast to contract 6.1% this year, Reading Comprehension -59
reflecting the disruptions associated with pandemic-control
measures”
[Link].(a) Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the
Since the context of the paragraph is about “knocking off” the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are given in
economies which was reliant on tourism, external financing etc, bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the
thus the magnitude of disruptions must have been talked about as questions.
there is no other context that is fitting appropriately.
Magnitude means the intensity of something. Classical physics defines the vacuum as a state of absence: a
Calamity means an event causing great and often sudden damage or vacuum is said to exist in a region of space if there is nothing in it.
distress; a disaster. In the quantum field theories that describe the physics of elementary
Impropriety means failure to observe standards of honesty or
modesty; improper behaviour or character. particles, the vacuum becomes somewhat more complicated. Even
Invincibility means the quality of being too powerful to be defeated in empty space, particles can appear spontaneously as a result of
or overcome. fluctuations of the vacuum. For example, an electron and a positron,
[Link].(e) or anti electron, can be created out of the void. Particles created in
The word synonymous to the word “Protracted” is “Prolonged: this way have only a fleeting existence; they are annihilated almost
which means continuing for a long time or longer than usual; as soon as they appear, and their presence can never be detected
lengthy directly. They are called virtual particles in order to distinguish
Protracted means extended. them from real particles, whose lifetimes are not constrained in the
Prudent means acting with or showing care and thought for the same way, and which can be detected. Thus it is still possible to
future.
Pugnacious means eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight. define that vacuum as a space that has no real particles in it.
Poignant means evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret. One might expect that the vacuum would always be the state
Prolonged means continuing for a long time or longer than usual; of lowest possible energy for a given region of space. If an area is
lengthy. initially empty and a real particle is put into it, the total energy, it
[Link].(b) seems, should be raised by at least the energy equivalent of the mass
The word antonymous to the word “Strengthen” is “Fragile” which of the added particle. A surprising result of some recent theoretical
means easily breakable. investigations is that this assumption is not invariably true. There
Ravage means cause severe and extensive damage to. are conditions under which the introduction of a real particle of
Ascend means go up or climb. finite mass into an empty region of space can reduce the total
Vacillate means waver between different opinions or actions; be
indecisive. energy. If the reduction in energy is great enough, an electron and a
Vanquish means defeat thoroughly. positron will be spontaneously created. Under these conditions the
[Link].(e) electron and positron are not a result of vacuum fluctuations but are
All through the entire passage, the author analyses the rate of real particles, which exist indefinitely and can be detected. In other
growing of economy and the reason of its fall i.e. corona pandemic words, under these conditions the vacuum is an unstable state and
and how it can be brough back to track. Hence, option E-

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can decay into a state of lower energy; i.e., one in which real (e) The creation of a charged vacuum in which only real electrons can
particles are created. be created in the vacuum region of space
The essential condition for the decay of the vacuum is the
presence of an intense electric field. As a result of the decay of the Q4. Physicists recent investigations of the decay of the vacuum, as
vacuum, the space permeated by such a field can be said to acquire described in the passage, most closely resemble which of the
an electric charge, and it can be called a charged vacuum. The following hypothetical events in other disciplines?
particles that materialize in the space make the charge manifest. An
electric field of sufficient intensity to create a charged vacuum is (a) On the basis of data gathered in a carefully controlled laboratory
likely to be found in only one place: in the immediate vicinity of a experiment, a chemist predicts and then demonstrates the physical
super heavy atomic nucleus, one with about twice as many protons properties of a newly synthesized polymer.
(b) On the basis of manipulations of macroeconomic theory, an
as the heaviest natural nuclei known. A nucleus that large cannot be
economist predicts that, contrary to accepted economic theory,
stable, but it might be possible to assemble one next to a vacuum
inflation and unemployment will both decline under conditions of
for long enough to observe the decay of the vacuum. Experiments rapid economic growth.
attempting to achieve this are now under way. (c) On the basis of a rereading of the texts of Jane Austen’s novels, a
literary critic suggests that, contrary to accepted literary
Q1. Which of the following titles best describes the passage as a whole? interpretations. Austen’s plots were actually metaphors for political
events in early nineteenth-century England.
(a) The Vacuum: Its Fluctuations and Decay (d) On the basis of data gathered in carefully planned observations of
(b) The Vacuum: Its Creation and Instability several species of birds, a biologist proposes a modification in the
(c) The Vacuum: A State of Absence accepted theory of interspecies competition.
(d) Particles That Materialize in the Vacuum (e) On the basis of a study of observations incidentally recorded in
(e) Classical Physics and the Vacuum ethnographers’ descriptions of non-Western societies, an
anthropologist proposes a new theory of kinship relations.
Q2. According to the passage, the assumption that the introduction of a
real particle into a vacuum raises the total energy of that region of Q5. According to the passage, the author considers the reduction of
space has been cast into doubt by which of the following? energy in an empty region of space to which a real particle has been
added to be
(a) Findings from laboratory experiments
(b) Findings from observational field experiments (a) a well-known process (b) a frequent occurrence
(c) Accidental observations made during other experiments (c) a fleeting aberration (d) an unimportant event
(d) Discovery of several erroneous propositions in accepted theories (e) an unexpected outcome
(e) Predictions based on theoretical work
Q6. According to the passage, virtual particles differ from real particles
Q3. It can be inferred from the passage that scientists are currently in which of the following ways?
making efforts to observe which of the following events? (i) Virtual particles have extremely short lifetimes.
(ii) Virtual particles are created in an intense electric field.
(a) The decay of a vacuum in the presence of virtual particles (iii) Virtual particles cannot be detected directly.
(b) The decay of a vacuum next to a super heavy atomic nucleus (a) (i) only (b) (ii) only
(c) The creation of a super heavy atomic nucleus next to an intense (c) (iii) only (d)(i) and (ii) only
electric field (e) (i) and (iii) only
(d) The creation of a virtual electron and a virtual positron as a result
of fluctuations of a vacuum

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Directions (7-8): Choose the word which is the same in meaning as the Refer the second and third-last sentences of the first paragraph.
word given in bold as used in the passage. Q7. Ans.(c)
manifest- clear or obvious to the eye or mind.
Q7. manifest Apparent- clearly visible or understood; obvious.
So, apparent is the word which is similar in meaning to ‘manifest’.
(a) vague (b) bury
(c) apparent (d) withhold [Link].(b)
(e) abstruse spontaneously- as a result of a sudden impulse and without
premeditation.
Q8. spontaneously Impulsively- without forethought; on impulse.
So, Impulsively is the word which is similar in meaning to
(a) consciously (b) impulsively ‘spontaneously’.
(c) designedly (d) eloquently [Link].(b)
(e) kindly Invariably- in every case or on every occasion; always.
Dynamically- in a manner characterized by constant change,
Direction (9-10): Choose the word which is the opposite in meaning of activity, or progress.
the word given in bold as used in the passage. So, Dynamically is the word which is opposite in meaning to
‘Invariably’.
Q9. invariably [Link].(b)
Annihilated- destroy utterly; obliterate.
(a) constantly (b) dynamically Preserved- maintain (something) in its original or existing state.
(c) customarily (d) perpetually So, preserved is the word which is opposite in meaning to
(e) steadily ‘annihilated’.

Q10. annihilated Reading Comprehension -60

(a) preserved (b) eradicated Direction (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the
(c) obliterated (d) annulled questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to help
(e) extinguished you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Answers And Solutions
The effects of the worst economic downturn since the Great
[Link].(a) Depression are forcing changes on state governments and the U.S.
The Vacuum: Its Fluctuations and Decay. economy that could linger for decades. By one Federal Reserve
[Link].(e) estimate, the country lost almost an entire year's worth of economic
Refer the third sentence of the second paragraph. activity – nearly $14 trillion – during the recession from 2007 to
[Link].(b) 2009. The deep and persistent losses of the recession forced states
Refer to the last two sentence of the passage. to make broad cuts in spending and public workforces. For
[Link].(b) businesses, the recession led to changes in expansion plans and
Inflation and unemployment (vacuum) will decline (decay) under worker compensation. And for individual Americans, it has meant
rapid economic growth (a real particle). a future postponed, as fewer buy houses and start families. Five
[Link].(e) years after the financial crash, the country is still struggling to
Refer “A surprising result” (second paragraph) recover." In the aftermath of [previous] recessions there were strong
[Link].(e)

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recoveries. That is not true this time around," said Gary Burtless, a referring to the growth in low-wage and part-time employment, put
senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. "This is more like the it: "At those wages, it's tough to scramble together down payments
pace getting out of the Great Depression." For years, housing served and mortgages."
as the backbone of economic growth and as an investment Turmoil in the housing market has already reshaped the
opportunity that propelled generations of Americans into the middle makeup of households nationwide. Homeownership rates among
class. people with children under 18 fell sharply during the recession,
But the financial crisis burst the housing bubble and devastated declining 15% between 2005 and 2011, according to Census Bureau
the real estate market, leaving millions facing foreclosure, millions data. In some states it was far worse. For Michigan, the decline in
more underwater, and generally stripping Americans of years' worth homeownership was 23%, and in Arizona and California it was
of accumulated wealth. Anthony B. Sanders, a professor of real 22%. Lackluster job growth has outlived the downturn. A study by
estate finance at George Mason University, said even the nascent the Economic Policy Institute showed wages for all workers, when
adjusted for inflation, grew just 1.5% between 2000 and 2007. But
housing recovery can't escape the effects of the recession. Home
the last five years wiped out even those modest gains—the study
values may have rebounded, he said, but the factors driving that
found wages declined for the bottom 70% of all workers since the
recovery are very different than those that drove the growth in the recession began. However, some areas have seen manufacturing
market in the 1990s and 2000s. Sanders said more than half of jobs climb back from recessionary lows, and the energy sector has
recent home purchases have been made in cash, which signals been a boon for some Midwestern states. One hopeful sign for
investors and hedge funds are taking advantage of cheap properties. workers is the shift away from manufacturing growth in the
That could freeze out average buyers and also means little real typically low-wage South back toward the Rust Belt states,
economic growth underpins those sales. Those effects are clear in reversing a movement that was taking hold before the downturn.
homeownership rates, which continue to decline. In the second That trend is documented in a 2012 report from the Brookings
quarter of this year, the U.S. homeownership rate was 65.1%, Institution, "Locating American Manufacturing: Trends in the
according to Census Bureau data, the lowest since 1995. In the mid- Geography of Production."
2000s, it topped 69%, capping a steady pace of growth that began From 2000 to 2010, both the Midwest and South lost
after the early 1990s recession. Reversing that will be a challenge, manufacturing jobs at about the national rate of 34%. But the
in part because credit has tightened and lending rules have been Midwest has seen nearly half of all manufacturing jobs gained since
toughened in an effort to avoid the mistakes that inflated the housing 2010, almost double the increase in the South. For Michigan, the
bubble in the first place. growth was 19%; in Indiana, 12%. Even with that growth, there are
"Credit expanded, and now contracted, and it's going to be tight caveats. Autoworker unions have ceded ground with companies on
like this as far as the eye can see," Sanders said. "We so destroyed wages and benefits, for example, allowing new hires to work for
so many households when the bubble burst, there's just not the lower pay and fewer benefits than those who've held their jobs
longer. Unemployment remains stubbornly high in some states, and
groundswell to fill the demand again." Some are skeptical that the
the jobs created have leaned heavily toward part-time and low-pay
tight credit market and new efforts to regulate the financial markets,
work. A study from the San Francisco Federal Reserve found the
like the Dodd-Frank law, will prove lasting. Americans have often proportion of U.S. jobs that are part-time is high, as many of the
responded with calls for regulation after financial sector-driven jobs lost during the recession have not returned.
crises and accusations of mismanagement, according to Brookings'
Burtless. "But eventually, those fires cool down," he said. "It's not Q1. How, according to the passage, plunge in the economy devastated
as though this memory of what can go wrong sticks with us very the life of the Americans?
long." That can be seen in the intense efforts to water down Dodd-
Frank's regulations, Burtless said. Federal regulators have already (a) it has led to huge loss of revenues amounting almost $14 trillion
made moves to relax requirements for some potential homeowners (b) due to degrading economy there has been voluminous cuts in
who were victims of the recent housing crisis. Even those steps and spending
an unlikely return to easy credit might not fuel a full housing (c) it has led to a wide scale increase in the number of people buying
recovery without economic growth to back it up. As Sanders, homes.

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(d) both (a) and (b) (c) there has been steep increase in low pay work to reduce
(e) All of the above unemployment slowly but steadily
(d) even after a decade of the financial crash, the country is still
Q2. What can be sighted as the prime cause of this economic slump? struggling to recover
(e) None of these
(a) changes in expansion plans and worker compensation.
(b) the expansion in the Credit which has upheld the investment in Q6. Which of the following is the most suitable title for the passage?
manufacturing sector
(c) the tight credit market which has resulted in the decline of real estate (a) The economic downturn
business (b) The economic paralysis
(d) deregulation of the financial markets which has slowed down the (c) 2008 financial crisis impact still hurting states
economy (d) The upsurge in unemployment
(e) mismanagement of funds has led to huge confusion among the (e) The declining economy
citizens
Directions (7-8): Choose the word/group of words which is most
Q3. Why have been the employers preferring part time jobs to regular similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold
full time jobs since the downfall in economy? as used in passage.
(I) to downslide the debt curtailed over the organizations
(II) so that more number of jobs can be raised from a single job Q7. Downturn
(III) because lots of jobs lost during the recession have not returned yet
(a) Only (I) (b) Only (III) (a) operose (b) aeonian
(c) Both (II) and (III) (d) Both (I) and (III) (c) abetment (d) descent
(e) None is true (e) procurement

Q4. Home ownership has drastically decreased since the economic Q8. Persistent
downturn. Explain.
(a) merciful (b) tenacious
(a) because of the changes made in the Credit laws (c) intermittent (d) relenting
(b) due to the sudden shift in the nature of the federal towards the (e) yielding
middle class Americans
(c) due to sudden loss incurred in the real estate business of a large Directions 9-10): Choose the word/group of words which is most
number of people opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold
(d) because people are making broad cuts in their spending as used in passage.
(e) None of these
Q9. Foreclosure
Q5. Which of the following statements is/are NOT TRUE in the context (a) preclude
of the passage? (b) legalize
(c) deprive
(a) federals are tightening the lending rules to avoid mistakes which (d) allow
inflated housing bubble lately (e) prevent
(b) the U.S. economy could linger for decades due to this economic
recession

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Q10. Skeptical In the context of the passage, option(c) will be the apt title as it
relates to the content of the above passage.
(a) dubious [Link].(d)
(b) dissenting
Downturn means a decline in economic, business, or other activity.
(c) convinced
(d) cynical Operose means involving or displaying much industry or effort.
(e) doubted Aeonian means eternal; everlasting
Abetment means to encourage, support, or countenance by aid or
Answers And Solutions approval, usually in wrongdoing
Descent means an act of moving downwards, dropping, or falling
[Link].(d) Procurement means the action of obtaining or procuring something.
Refer to paragraph1, it is clearly mentioned that due to the Hence descent has the similar meaning as downturn.
degrading economy the states have made a cut on spending and [Link].(b)
public workforces. Also there has been a sudden decrease in the Persistent means continuing to exist or occur over a prolonged
number of people buying homes or starting families. Hence both the period
options (b) and (c) are correct. Merciful means compassion or forgiveness shown towards
[Link].(d) someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm
Read paragraph4 carefully, it is mentioned that the Americans have Tenacious means persisting in existence; not easily dispelled
often responded with calls for regulation after the financial sector- Intermittent means occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous
driven crises and have been accused of mismanagement. Hence or steady.
deregulation is the major cause of this economic slump. Relenting means become less severe or intense.
[Link].(b) Yielding means not hard or rigid.
Refer to paragraph5 of the passage, it is evident that many of the Hence tenacious has similar meaning as persistent.
jobs lost during the recession have not returned and due to that there [Link].(d)
has been a gradual increase in low wage and part-time jobs. Hence Foreclosure means Legal process by which a lender cancels
(b) is the correct choice. (forecloses) a borrower's right of redemption of the mortgaged
[Link].(e) property through a court order (called foreclosure order).
From the paragraph 2, we can easily infer that there is a decline in Preclude means prevent from happening; make impossible.
home ownership over the years as even in the second quarter of the Legalize means make (something that was previously illegal)
year, the U.S. homeownership rate was 65.1%, which is the lowest permissible by law.
since 1995 as in the mid-2000s it topped with 69%. Hence none of Deprive means prevent (a person or place) from having or using
the options is correct in the context of the passage. something.
[Link].(d) Allow means let (someone) have or do something
Read the passage, it is nowhere explicitly mentioned that after a Hence allow will be the exact opposite of foreclosure.
decade of financial crash the economy is struggling to recover, so [Link].(c)
statement (d) is clearly incorrect as it doesn’t relate to the content Skeptical means not easily convinced; having doubts or
of the passage. Hence (d) is the correct option. reservations.
[Link].(c) Dubious means hesitating or doubting.

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Dissenting means hold or express opinions that are at variance with workers whose wages are so low that their families remain in
those commonly or officially held poverty. Low wages and repeated or prolonged unemployment
Convinced means completely certain about something. frequently interact to undermine the capacity for self-support. Since
Cynical means distrustful of human sincerity or integrity. the number experiencing joblessness at some time during the year
Hence convinced will be the exact opposite of skeptical. is several times the number unemployed in any month, those who
suffer as a result of forced idleness can equal or exceed average
annual unemployment, even though only a minority of the jobless
Reading Comprehension -61 in any month really suffer. For every person counted in the monthly
unemployment tallies, there is another working part-time because
Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the of the inability to find full-time work, or else outside the labor force
questions given below it. Certain words/phrases have been but wanting a job. Finally, income transfers in our country have
printed in bold to help out locate them while answering some of always focused on the elderly, disabled, and dependent, neglecting
the questions. the needs of the working poor, so that the dramatic expansion of
cash and in-kind transfers does not necessarily mean that those
How many really suffer as a result of labor market problems? failing in the labor market are adequately protected.
This is one of the most critical yet contentious social policy As a result of such contradictory evidence, it is uncertain
questions. In many ways, our social statistics exaggerate the degree whether those suffering seriously as a result of labor market
of hardship. Unemployment does not have the same dire problems number in the hundreds of thousands or the tens of
consequences today as it did in the 1930’s when most of the millions, and, hence, whether high levels of joblessness can be
unemployed were primary breadwinners, when income and tolerated or must be countered by job creation and economic
earnings were usually much closer to the margin of subsistence, and stimulus. There is only one area of agreement in this debate—that
when there were no countervailing social programs for those failing the existing poverty, employment, and earnings statistics are
in the labor market. Increasing affluence, the rise of families with inadequate for one their primary applications, measuring the
more than one wage earner, the growing predominance of consequences of labor market problems.
secondary earners among the unemployed, and improved social
welfare protection have unquestionably mitigated the consequences Q1. The author contrasts the 1930's with the present in order to show
of joblessness. Earnings and income data also overstate the that
dimensions of hardship. Among the millions with hourly earnings
at or below the minimum wage level, the overwhelming majority (a) more people were unemployed in the 1930's
are from multiple-earner, relatively affluent families. Most of those (b) unemployment now has less severe effects
counted by the poverty statistics are elderly or handicapped or have (c) social programs are more needed now
family responsibilities which keep them out of the labor force, so (d) there now is a greater proportion of elderly and handicapped people
the poverty statistics are by no means an accurate indicator of labor among those in poverty
market pathologies. (e) poverty has increased since the 1930's
Yet there are also many ways our social statistics
underestimate the degree of labor-market-related hardship. The Q2. Which of the following proposals best responds to the issues raised
unemployment counts exclude the millions of fully employed by the author?

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(c) Fact that unemployment counts do not include those who work for
(a) Innovative programs using multiple approaches should be set up to low wages and remain poor
reduce the level of unemployment. (d) Establishment of system of record-keeping that makes it possible to
(b) A compromise should be found between the positions of those who compile poverty statistics
view joblessness as an evil greater than economic control and those (e) Prevalence, among low-wage workers and the unemployed, of
who hold the opposite view. members of families in which other are employed
(c) New statistical indices should be developed to measure the degree
to which unemployment and inadequately paid employment cause Q5. The author uses ‘labour market problems’ in passage to refer to
suffering. which of the following?
(d) Consideration showed be given to the ways in which statistics can
act as partial causes of the phenomena that they purport to measure. (a) The overall causes of poverty
(e) The labor force should be restructured so that it corresponds to the (b) Deficiencies in the training of the work force
range of job vacancies. (c) Trade relationships among producers of goods
(d) Shortage of jobs providing adequate income
Q3. The author's purpose in citing those who are repeatedly unemployed (e) Strikes and inadequate supplies of labour
during a twelve-month period is most probably to show that
Q6. Which of the following is the principle topic of the passage?
(a) there are several factors that cause the payment of low wages to
some members of the labor force (a) What causes labour market pathologies that result in suffering
(b) unemployment statistics can underestimate the hardship resulting (b) Why income measures are imprecise in measuring degrees of
from joblessness poverty
(c) recurrent inadequacies in the labor market can exist and can cause (c) Which of the currently used statistical procedures are the best for
hardships for individual workers. estimating the incidence of hardship that is due to unemployment
(d) a majority of those who are jobless at any one time do not suffer (d) Where the areas of agreement are among poverty, employment and
severe hardship earnings figures
(e) there are fewer individuals who are without jobs at some time (e) How social statistics give an unclear picture of the degree of
during a year than would be expected on the basis of monthly hardship caused by low wages and insufficient employment
unemployment figures opportunities

Q4. According to the passage, one factor that causes unemployment and Directions (7-8): Choose the word/group of words which is most
earnings figures to overpredict the amount of economic hardship is similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold
the as used in the passage.

(a) recurrence of periods of unemployment for a group of low-wage Q7. Dire

workers
(b) possibility that earnings may be received from more than one job (a)compel (b)terrible
per workers. (c)clamant (d)exigent

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(e)afflictive [Link].(e)
Refer to the third sentence of second paragraph. “Low
Q8. Mitigate wages…………self support”. Hence option (e) is true.
[Link].(d)
(a)alleviate (b)surfeit Refer to the last paragraph. “It is uncertain
(c)glut (d)satisfy …………………………..economic stimulus”.
(e)incite Hence option (d) is true.
[Link].(e)
Directions (9-10): Choose the word/group of words which is most It can be clearly inferred from the passage our social statistics
opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in underestimate the degree of labor-market-related hardship. Hence
bold as used in passage. sentence (e) is true in context of the passage.

Q9. Inability [Link].(b)

Dire means extremely serious and urgent. Hence it has same
(a)malaise (b)frailty meaning as terrible. Clamant means urgently demanding attention.
(c)competence (d)sycophancy Exigent means demanding.
(e)failure [Link].(a)
Mitigate means making less severe, serious. Alleviate is much
Q10. Contentious closer to it. Surfeit,glut means an excess amount of something.
Incite means encourage.
(a)agreeable (b)intrusive [Link].(c)
(c)combative (d)factious Inability means unable to do something. Competence means ability
(e)fierce to do something. Hence it has opposite meaning as Inability. Frailty
Answers And Solutions means condition of being weak. Malaise means feeling of
discomfort. Sycophancy means obedient behavior towards
Q1. Ans.(b) something.
Refer to the third sentence of first paragraph. “Unemployment does [Link].(a)
not……………………….labour market”. Hence sentence (b) is Contentious means causing or likely to cause an agreement. Hence
true. it has opposite meaning as agreeable. Combative means ready or
[Link].(c) eager to fight. Fierce means violent aggressiveness.
Refer to the last sentence of the last paragraph. “This is the only
area….. market problems”
Hence option (c) is true.
[Link].(b)
Refer to the fourth sentence of first paragraph. “Increasing
affluence…………………….dimensions of hardships”. Hence
option (b) is true.

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Reading Comprehension -62 the general trend in commodities. Rising geopolitical tensions,
particularly the continuing face-off between Iran and the US, might
Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the lead to a spurt in prices. It might make sense for our oil companies
questions given below it. Certain words/phrases have been to hedge this risk instead of buying oil in to spot market. As inflation
printed in bold to help out locate them while answering some of fears abate and emerging market central banks being to cut rates,
the questions. two things could happen. Lower commodity inflation would mean
When times are hard, doomsayers are aplenty. The problem is lower interest rates and better and better credit availability. This
that if you listen to them too carefully, you tend to overlook the most could set a floor to growth and slowly reverse the business cycle
obvious signs of change. 2011 was a bad year. Can 2012 be any within these economies second, as the fear of untamed, runaway
worse? Doomsday forecasts are the easiest to make these days. So inflation in these economies abates, the global investor’s comfort
let’s try a contrarian’s forecast instead. levels with their markets will increase.
Let’s start with the global economy. We have seen a steady Which of the emerging markets will out performed who will
flow of good news from the US. The employment situation seems get left behind? In an environment in which global growth is likely
to be improving rapidly and consumer sentiment, reflected in retail to be weak, economies like India that have a powerful domestic
expenditures on discretionary items like electronics and clothes, has consumption dynamic should lead; those dependent on exports
picked up. If these trends sustain, the US might post better growth should, prima facie, fall behind. Specifically for India, fall behind.
numbers for 2012 than the 1.5–1.8 per cent being forecast currently. Specifically for India, a fall in the exchange rate could not have
Japan is likely to pull out of a recession in 2012 as post- come at a better time. It will help Indian exporters gain market share
earthquak0065 reconstruction efforts gather momentum and the even if global trade remains depressed. More importantly, it could
fiscal stimulus announced in 2011 beings to pay off. The consensus lead to massive import substitution that favors domestic producers.
estimate for growth in Japan is a respectable 2 per cent for 2012. Let’s now focus on India and start with a caveat. It is important
The ‘hard-landing’ scenario for China remains and will remain a not to confuse a short-run cyclical dip with a permanent de-rating
myth. Growth might decelerate further from the 9 per cent that it of its long-term structural potential. The arithmetic is simple. Our
expected to clock in 2011 but is unlikely to drop below 8 – 8.5 per growth rate can be in the range of 7-10 per cent depending on policy
cent in 2012. action. Ten per cent if we get everything right, 7 per cent if we get
Europe is certainly in a spot of trouble. It is perhaps already in it will all wrong. Which policies and reforms are critical to taking
recession and for 2012 it is likely to post mildly negative growth. us to our 10 per cent potential? In judging this, let’s again be careful.
The risk of implosion had dwindled over the last few months- Let’s not go by the laundry list of reforms that fills like to wave:
peripheral economies like Greece, Italy and Spain have new increase in foreign equity limits in foreign shareholding, greater
government in place and have made progress towards genuine voting rights for institutional shareholders in banks, FDI in retail,
economic reform. Even with some of these positive factors in place etc. These can have an impact only at the margin. We need not bend
we have to accept the fact the global growth in 2012 will be tepid. over backwards to appease the fills through these reforms-they will
But there is a flipside to this, Softer growth means lower demand invest in our markets when momentum picks up and will be the first
for commodities and this is likely to drive a correction in to exit when the momentum flags. Reforms or not.
commodity prices. Lower commodity inflation will enable The reforms that we need are the ones that can actually raise
emerging market central banks to reverse its stance and has pared out sustainable long-term growth rate. These have to come in area
its reserve ratio twice. The RBI also seems poised for a reversal in like better targeting of subsidies, making projects in infrastructure
viable so that they draw capital, raising the productivity of
its rate cycle as headline inflation seems well on its way to target of
7 per cent for March 2012. That said, oil might be an exception to agriculture, improving healthcare and education, bringing the

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parallel economy under the tax net, implementing fundamental

reforms in taxation like GST and the direct tax code and finally Q4. According to the author, which of the following would characterize
easing the myriad rules and regulation that make doing business in Indian growth scenario in 2012?
India such a nightmare. A number of these things do not require new
legislation and can be done through executive order. (A) Domestic producers will take a hit because of depressed global trade
scenario.
Q1. Which of the following is NOT TRUE according to the passage? (B) On account of its high domestic consumption, India will lead.
(C) Indian exporters will have a hard time in gaining market share.
(a) China’s economic growth is likely to decline below 8 per cent in the (a) Only (B) (b) Only (A) and (B)
year 2012. (c) Only (B) and (C) (d) Only (A)
(b) The European economy is not doing very well. (e) All (A) and (B) and (C)
(c) Greece is on the verge of bringing about economic reforms.
(d) In the year 2012, Japan may post a positive growth and thus pull out Q5. Why does the author NOT recommend taking up the reforms
of recession. suggested by Flls?
(e) All are true.
(a) These will bring about only minor growth.
Q2. Which of the following will possibly be a result of softer growth (b) The reforms suggested will have no effect on the economy of our
estimated for the year 2012? country, whereas will benefit the Flls significantly.
(c) The previous such recommendations had backfired.
(A) Prices of oil will not increase (d) These reforms will be the sole reason for our country’s economic
(B) Credit availability would be better downfall.
(C) Commodity inflation would be lesser (e) The reforms suggested by them are not to be trusted as they will not
(a) Only (B) (b) Only (A) and (B) bring about any positive growth in India.
(c) Only (B) and (C) (d) Only (C)
(e) All (A), (B), and (C) Q6. According to the author, which of the following reforms is/are
needed to ensure long term growth in India?
Q3. Which of the following can be said about the present status of the
US economy? (A) Improving healthcare and educational facilities.
(B) Bringing about reforms in taxation.
(a) There is not much improvement in the economic scenario of the (C) Improving agricultural productivity.
country from the year 2011. (a) Only (A) (b) Only (A) and (B)
(b) The growth in the economy of the country, in the year 2012, would (c) Only (B) and (C) (d) Only (A)
definitely be lesser than 1.8 per cent. (e) All (A),(B) and (C)
(c) The expenditure on clothes and electronic commodities by
consumers is lesser than that in the year 2011. Directions (7-10): Choose the word/group of words which is most
(d) There is a chance that in 2012 the economy would do better than similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold
what has been forecast as used in the passage.
(e) The pace of change in the employment scenario of the country is
very slow. Q7. Abate

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[Link].(d)
(a) Rise (b) Gear Refer to fourth sentence of second paragraph. “U.S. might
(c) Hurl (d) Lessen post………….. forecast currently.” Hence sentence (d) is true.
(e) Retreat [Link].(a)
Refer to the first few lines of second last paragraph, “In an
Q8. Draw environment ………… remains depressed.”
Hence only option B is true in the context of the passage.
(a) Entice (b) Push [Link].(a)
(c) Decoy (d) Extract Refer to the seventh sentence of second last paragraph, “Let’s not
(e) Persuade
go………… only at the margin.”
Hence sentence (a) is true.
Directions (8-9): Choose the word/group of words which is most
[Link].(e)
opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold
as used in passage. Refer to the first few lines of last paragraph. “The reforms that we
need …………… such a nightmare”
Q9. Myriad Hence all sentences are true.
[Link].(d)
(a) Mucho (b) Difficult Abate means to reduce or to remove. Hence ‘lessen’ is the word
(c) Few (d) Effortless most similar in meaning to it.
(e) Countless [Link].(d)
Draw means extract (an object) from a container or receptacle.
Q10. Tepid Hence ‘draw’ and ‘extract’ are similar in meanings.
Decoy and Entice mean to lure.
(a) Moderate (b) High [Link].(c)
(c) Enthusiastic (d) Irregular Myriad means extremely great in number. Hence ‘myriad’ and
(e) Little ‘few’ are opposite in meanings.
Answers And Solutions [Link].(e)
Tepid means lukewarm, dull. Hence ‘enthusiastic’ is the word most
[Link].(a) nearly opposite in meaning to it.
Refer to the last line of second paragraph, “Growth might
decelerate……………..in 2012”. Hence statement (a) is not true in Reading Comprehension -63
the context of the passage.
Directions (1–10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the
[Link].(c) questions given below it. Certain words/phrases have been
Refer to the fourth sentence of third paragraph, “Softer growth printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of
the question.
…………. March 2012.”
Hence only options B and C are true in the context of the passage.
At the heart of the enormous boom in wine consumption that
has taken place in the English-speaking world over the last two

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decades or so is a fascinating, happy paradox. In the days when wine Ducru-Beaucaillou or Corton-Charlemagne, and they aren’t about
was exclusively the preserve of a narrow cultural elite, bought either to change. Some areas, in the middle of southern France, have now
a auctions or from gentleman wine merchants in wing collars and produced a generation of growers using the varietal names on their
bow-ties, to be stored in rambling cellars and decanted to order by
labels and are tempting consumers back to French wine. It will be
one’s butler, the ordinary drinker didn’t get a look-in. Wine was
considered a highly technical subject, in which anybody without the an uphill struggle, but there is probably no other way if France is to
necessary ability could only fall flat on his or her face in avoid simply becoming a specialty source of old-fashioned wines
embarrassment. It was not just that you needed a refined aesthetic for old-fashioned connoisseurs.
sensibility for the stuff if it wasn’t to be hopelessly wasted on you. Wine consumption was also given a significant boost in the
It required an intimate knowledge of what came from where, and early 1990s by the work of Dr. Serge Renaud, who has spent many
what it was supposed to taste like. years investigating the reasons for the uncannily low incidence of
Those were times, however, when wine appreciation
coronary heart disease in the south of France. One of his major
essentially meant a familiarity with the great French classics, with
perhaps a smattering of other wines-like sherry and port. That was findings is that the fat-derived cholesterol that builds up in the
what the wine trade dealt in. These days, wine is bought daily in arteries and can eventually lead to heart trouble, can be dispersed
supermarkets and high-street chains to be consumed that evening, by the tannins in wine. Tannin is derived from the skins of grapes,
hardly anybody has a cellar to store it in and most don’t even and is therefore present in higher levels in red wines, because they
possess a decanter. Above all, the wines of literally dozens of have to be infused with their skins to attain the red colour. That
countries are available in our market. When a supermarket offers its news caused a huge upsurge in red wine consumption in the Unites
customers a couple of fruity little numbers from Brazil, we scarcely
States. It has not been accorded the prominence it deserved in the
raise an eyebrow.
It seems, in other words, that the commercial jungle that wine UK, largely because the medical profession still sees all alcohol as
has now become has not in slightest deterred people from plunging a menace to health, and is constantly calling for it to be made
adventurously into the thickets in order to taste and see. Consumers prohibitively expensive. Certainly, the manufacturers of
are no longer intimidated by the thought of needing to know their anticoagulant drugs might have something to lose if we all got the
Pouilly-Fume from their Pouilly-Fuisse, just at the very moment message that we would do just as well by our hearts by taking half
when there is more to know than ever before.
a bottle of red wine every day!
The reason for this new mood of confidence is not hard to find.
It is on every wine label from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
and the United States: the name of the grape from which wine is Q1. Which one of the following CANNOT be reasonably attributed to
made. At one time that might have sounded like a fairly technical the labelling strategy followed by wine producers in English-
approach in itself. Why should native English-speakers know what speaking countries?
Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay were? The answer lies in the
popularity that wines made from those grape varieties now enjoy. (a) Consumers buy wines on the basis of their familiarity with a grape
Consumers effectively recognize them as brand names, and have
variety's name.
acquired a basic lexicon of wine that can serve them even when
confronted with those Brazilian upstarts. (b) Even ordinary customers now have more access to technical
In the wine heartlands of France, they are cared to death of that knowledge about wine.
trend – not because they think their wine isn’t as good as the best (c) Consumers are able to appreciate better quality wines.
from California or South Australia (what French winemaker will (d) Some non-English speaking countries like Brazil indicate grape
ever admit that?) but because they don’t traditionally call their variety names on their labels.
wines Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay. They call them Chateau (e) None of the above

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(c) new generation of local winegrowers who use labels that show
Q2. The tone that the author uses while asking "What French winemaker names of grape varieties.
will ever admit that?" is best described as (d) ability of consumers to understand a wine's qualities when
confronted with "Brazilian upstarts".
(a) caustic (b) satirical (e) None of the above
(c) critical (d) hypocritical
(e) None of the above Directions (6-7): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST
SIMILAR in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in bold
Q3. What according to the author should the French do to avoid as used in the passage.
becoming a producer of merely old fashioned wines?
Q6. Decanted
(a) Follow the labelling strategy of the English-speaking countries.
(b) Give their wines English names. (a) Trek (b) Broach
(c) Introduce fruity wines as Brazil has done. (c) Rove (d) Nomadize
(d) Produce the wines that have become popular in the English- (e) Transmigrate
speaking world.
(e) None of the above Q7. Uncannily

(a) preternatural (b) prevailing

Q4. Which one of the following, if true, would provide most support for (c) quotidian (d) wonted
Dr. Renaud's findings about the effect of tannins? (e) accustomed

(a) A survey showed that film celebrities based in France have a low Directions (8-10): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST
incidence of coronary heart disease. OPPOSITE in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in
(b) Measurements carried out in southern France showed red wine bold as used in the passage.
drinkers had significantly
higher levels of coronary heart incidence than white wine drinkers Q8. Anticoagulant
did.
(c) Data showed a positive association between sales of red wine and (a) inspissation (b) liquaemin
incidence of coronary heart disease. (c) warfarin (d) dicoumarol
(d) Long-term surveys in southern France showed that the incidence of (e) coumadin
coronary heart disease was significantly lower in red wine drinkers
than in those who did not drink red wine. Q9. Deterred
(e) None of the above
(a)dissuade (b)preclude
Q5. The development which has created fear among winemakers in the (c)obviate (d)daunt
wine heartlands of France is the (e)incentivize

(a) tendency not to name wines after the grape varieties that are used in Q10. Smattering
the wines.
(b) 'education' that consumers have derived from wine labels from (a) horde (b)modicum
English-speaking countries. (c)smidge (d)soupcon
(e)tad.

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Reading Comprehension -64

Answers And Solutions
Directions (11-20): Read the following passage carefully and answer
[Link].(c) the questions given below it. Certain words/ phrases are printed
in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the
Only a connoisseur can appreciate better quality wines, taste is not questions.
written on labels.
[Link].(b) Apple and the United States are crying foul over the ruling in
The writer is using satire to mildly tease the French winemaker. Europe that Apple received illegal tax breaks from Ireland and must
hand over 13 billion euros ($14.5 billion), a record tax penalty in
[Link].(a) Europe. But Apple and the United States have only themselves to
Refer to the part, some areas … have now produced a generation of blame for the situation.
growers using the varietal names on their labels. Apple has engaged in increasingly aggressive tax avoidance
[Link].(d) for at least a decade, including stashing some $100 billion in
Ireland without paying taxes on much of it anywhere in the world,
Option (d) is the most substantiated reason to support Dr. Renaud’s according to a Senate investigation in 2013. In a display of
findings. arrogance, the company seemed to believe that its arrangements in
[Link].(b) a known tax haven like Ireland would never be deemed illegal —
[Link].(b) even as European regulators cracked down in similar cases against
such multinational corporations as Starbucks the German chemical
Decanted- to pour (a liquid, especially wine) from one container giant BASF. Congress, for its part, has sat idly by as American
into another. corporations have indulged, Amazon, Fiat and in increasingly
So, broach is the word which is similar in meaning to it. intricate forms of tax avoidance made possible by the interplay of
[Link].(a) an outmoded corporate tax code and modern globalized finance.
The biggest tax dodge in need of reform involves deferral, in which
Uncannily- having or seeming to have a supernatural or American companies can defer paying taxes on foreign-held profits
inexplicable basis. So, preternatural is the word which is similar in until those sums are repatriated. Initially, deferral was a
meaning to it. convenience for multinationals, as they sought investment
[Link].(a) opportunities abroad while lobbying Congress for tax-rate cuts in
exchange for repatriating the money. Currently, there is some $2
Anticoagulant- having the effect of retarding or inhibiting the trillion in corporate profits in offshore tax-deferred accounts;
coagulation of the blood. So, inspissation is the word which is besides Apple, Microsoft, Google, Cisco and Oracle also have large
opposite in meaning to it. stashes. Apple is one of nearly two dozen major corporations
[Link].(e) pushing Congress for a “tax holiday,” which would let companies
bring back foreign-held money over the course of a year at a
Deterred-discourage (someone) from doing something by instilling discounted tax rate, rather than the current rate, 35 percent.
doubt or fear of the consequences. So, incentivize is the word which Before the European ruling on Tuesday, the debate over a tax
is opposite in meaning to it. holiday had pitted Republicans, who have generally favored the
[Link].(a) idea, against Democrats, who have viewed it as an unjustified
reward for tax avoidance. The Democrats have history on their side.
Smattering- a small amount of something. So, horde is word which A tax holiday in 2005 lowered the corporate rate to 5.25 percent,
is opposite in meaning to it. enticing corporations to repatriate some $300 billion. It was billed

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as a way to create jobs and increase investment, but the money was (d) As American companies are engineering it to shift the profits into
used mostly for dividend payments, share buybacks (which tend to foreign accounts.
raise executive pay) and severance for laid-off employees. Worse, (e) None of these.
the tax holiday inspired multinationals to stash as much money
abroad as they possibly could in anticipation of another holiday.
The European ruling, however, could sharply alter the terms of
Q12. Which of the following is not true about ‘tax holiday’ in context of
the congressional debate. Republicans and Democrats alike have
the passage?
always assumed that foreign-held profits would one day be
repatriated. The big question was the rate at which they would
(a) Tax holiday was demanded by the companies on account of creating
ultimately be taxed. Similarly, the Treasury assumes that deferred
employment but the money was instead used for their own benefits.
foreign profits will one day be taxed when it projects future
(b) Tax holiday encouraged the companies to move the profits to
revenues — an important measure of the nation’s fiscal health. But
offshore tax-deferred accounts.
the money won’t be repatriated and taxed under American law if
(c) Democrats were against the tax holiday as the companies were only
Europeans, in the course of enforcing their own laws against tax
able to repatriate some $300 billion.
havens, get their hands on it first and that in the nutshell is the reason
(d) Republicans are generally in favour of tax holiday.
due to which the members of Congress and Treasury officials are
(e) None of these.
not in favour of the Apple ruling. They understand, correctly, that
tax-law enforcement in Europe could reduce the sums they expect
Q13. Why members of Congress and Treasury officials are so upset about
to collect taxes on someday.
the Apple ruling?
What they don’t understand, or aren’t saying, is that they
brought the problem on themselves. The way forward is not to
(a) As they feel it is not justified and that it might put the hard earned
declare a tax war with Europe. It is for Congress to agree on a way
money of the Americans in peril.
to tax foreign-held corporate profits. President Obama put forth a
(b) The fear of squandering the opportunity of getting their hands on
reasonable approach in 2015, when he proposed a mandatory 14
the foreign held profits.
percent tax on multinationals’ current offshore profits — whether
(c) As they won’t be able to further slash the taxes and the money will
they are repatriated or not — and, thereafter, a new minimum tax
be taxed at the current 35% when it will be finally brought.
rate of 19 percent on profits moved offshore. An even better
(d) As it will discourage the corporations in America from doing the
solution would be to simply end indefinite corporate tax deferral,
business in Europe and thus they won’t be able to repatriate the
imposing American taxes on profits when they are made.
money.
Republicans rejected Mr. Obama’s proposal in 2015, and there is no
(e) None of these.
chance that lawmakers will engage in such a debate so close to the
election. But the next president and Congress will need to act to
Q14. Which of the following statement(s) is/are true in context of the
ensure that at long last, American corporations pay their fair share
passage?
in taxes.
(i) The new minimum tax rate after President Obama’s proposal would
Q11. Why deferral is the biggest taproot of global tax avoidance?
be 14 percent.
(ii) Apple has largest share in some $2 trillion in corporate profits in
(a) As deferral has resulted in obliterating the taxes of companies like
offshore tax-deferred accounts.
Apple entirely.
(iii) The tax holiday in 2005 was a success as it created jobs and
(b) As deferral allows them to take their business to foreign soil with
less paperwork and regulations. increased investment.
(c) Since a company or an organization which is already being taxed in (a) Only (i). (b) Both (ii) and (iii).
foreign soil is not taxed in America for the repatriation purposes. (c) Only (iii). (d) Both (i) and (iii).

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(e) None of these. (e) None of these.

Q15. Why Apple and the United States should be blamed for the
Directions Q(17-18 ): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST
situation?
SIMILAR in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in
bold as used in the passage.
(a) As Apple was not made aware of the consequence of its action by
the Congress which could have avoided the situation.
Q17. Stashing
(b) As apple and Congress neglected all the warnings by the European
authorities.
(a) Garner (b) Curtailment
(c) For not complying with the rules and regulations of tax system in
(c) Exigency (d) Paucity
European countries.
(e) Scantiness
(d) As situation is a result of arrogance of Apple and the inactiveness
Q18. Enticing
of the Congress to take appropriate measures.
(e) For not sorting out the difference between them on tax cut and tax
(a)Baffle (b)Hamper
holiday before the European ruling.
(c)Enchanting (d)Chagrin
(e)Embitter
Q16. What according to the author is the best possible step that must be
taken by the Congress to approach this situation?
Directions (Q.19-20): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST
OPPOSITE in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in
(a) The money that is stashed should be taxed at much higher rate than
bold as used in the passage.
the current rate of 35%.
(b) Congress must put an end to the deferral to avoid such situations in
Q19. Repatriate
future.
(c) By accepting the proposal by Obama in which he proposed a
(a)Expatriate (b)Rejuvenation
mandatory 14 percent tax on multinationals’ current offshore
(c)Refurbishment (d)Revivification
profits.
(e)Instauration
(d) Strict legal actions against the companies that indulge in the
activities involving tax avoidance made possible by the interplay of
Q20. Worse
an outmoded corporate tax code and modern globalized finance.

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(a)Amateurish (b)Shoddy Enticing means attractive or tempting; alluring hence enchanting is

the word most similar in meaning which means delightfully
(c)Rotten (d)Bewildered
charming or attractive.
(e) wonderful [Link].(a)
Repatriate means return to one's own country hence expatriate is the
word most opposite in meaning which means send (a person or
Answers And Solutions money) abroad.
[Link].(e)
Worse means of poorer quality or lower standard; less good or
[Link].(d) desirable hence wonderful is the word most opposite in meaning.
Clearly in the 2nd paragraph of the passage the author has explained
how the deferral system has increased the stash in offshore tax Reading Comprehension -65
deferred accounts.
[Link].(c)
Direction (6-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the
Democrats weren’t against the repatriation but they viewed deferral questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to help
as an unjustified reward for tax avoidance also due to the reason that you locate them while answering some of the questions.
they failed to keep their promise.
[Link].(b)
Paragraph 1: India’s ambitious Smart Cities program focuses on the
Refer to the 4th paragraph of the passage, “But the money won’t be
need for the computer systems enabling smart cities to have an
repatriated and taxed under American law if Europeans, in the
open-source system infrastructure in order to make them efficient
course of enforcing their own laws against tax havens, get their
in collaborating with the various intelligent platforms that will run
hands on it first and that in the nutshell is the reason due to which
the smart cities via a smoothly functioning network, which will
the members of Congress and Treasury officials are not in favour of
allow for cooperation among disparate civic bodies within a city.
the Apple ruling.”
[Link].(e) India is not alone in this ambitious initiative. Municipalities over
the world have realized how valuable it can be to make their cities
None of these is the correct choice. Option (i) is incorrect as the new
“smarter”. Smart City initiatives across the globe will attract
minimum tax is 19 percent after the proposal. Option (iii) is
technology investments of more than $81 billion in 2018, and
incorrect as tax holiday wasn’t a complete success as the promises
spending is set to grow to $158 billion in 2022, according to the
were not kept. Option (ii) is also incorrect as it is not mentioned if
International Data Corp. (IDC). Singapore, Tokyo and New York
apple has the largest stash in the deferred accounts.
[Link].(d) City will be among the largest spenders. Serena Da Rold of IDC has
been quoted as saying that intelligent transportation and data-driven
It is mentioned in the passage that Apple’s ignorance due to its
public safety remain the largest investment areas, but that IDC is
arrogance and congress’ idleness is the possible reason for the
also finding significant pockets of spending and growth in back-
situation.
[Link].(b) office and platform-related use cases, which are less often
publicized, but increasingly happening behind the scenes in cities
Refer to the last paragraph of the passage, “. An even better solution
around the world.
would be to simply end indefinite corporate tax deferral, imposing
American taxes on profits when they are made.”
[Link].(a) Paragraph 2: The opportunity to make money in installations
Stashing means store (something) safely in a secret place hence like these does not lie in a closed, monolithic implementation, but
garner is the word most similar in meaning which means gather or is facilitated by an open system with the ability to easily add new
collect (something, especially information or approval). services, applications and sensors. In such a model, it is not just the
[Link].(c) connections from application to application that are open. Every

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aspect of the enabling infrastructure is open, including its internal bad guys are coming after. For instance, Russian hackers have long
schema and interfaces, and the entire programming “source” code been suspected of causing widespread electricity blackouts in the
of the implementation is also made available on a royalty-free basis. Ukraine. Municipalities would do well to earmark some of those
billions of dollars to focus on ongoing spending on security, much
People are well aware of the vulnerabilities personal devices such
as corporations and individuals spend money on antivirus and anti-
as smartphones, laptops, routers and other hardware have, and the malware shields for their devices.
firms that make them work hard to plug gaps in a never-ending
catch-up game with hackers. An entire sub-industry has been Q1. Apart from the back-office and platform use related cases, what are
spawned for companies such as Symantec Inc., which owns Norton, the major significant areas for IDC to invest?
the antivirus and anti-malware firm. It turns out that while firms that
are involved in the smart cities program stand to make more money (a) Infrastructure investment to boost economy
(b) Data-driven public safety
as they roll out new sensors, each with an Internet of Things (IoT)-
(c) Intelligent transportation
based connection to their own application, as well as to other related (d) Both (a) and (b)
smart cities applications, the weakest link in smart cities (e) Both (b) and (c)
installations may also actually lie at this sensor level.
Q2 What is the weakest link mentioned in the smart city installation?
Paragraph 3: According to Wired magazine, researchers from
IBM Security worked with their counterparts from security firm (a) A larger support system is required for their installation which
Threat care to investigate sensor hubs from three different requires proper management.
companies, Battelle, Echelon Corp. and Libelium, who sell systems (b) These are less often publicized.
to support smart cities installations. The researchers found that these (c) officials in many countries, including the US, have acknowledged
sensor arrays are at great risk of being hacked. These firms’ that their infrastructure is vulnerable
business is to set up an interconnected array of sensors and allow (d) Sensors are at a great risk of being hacked.
municipalities to use IoT information from these sensors to solve (e) All of these.
problems of coordination between various city agencies. These
sensors monitor a variety of factors, such as pollution and traffic Q3. How do sensors help in the management of traffic flow?
flow, and can automatically cause action at the ground level by
controlling functions such as traffic lights, street lighting and (a) With the help of induction coil at bayonet.
emergency alerts. The magazine cites the instance of the false alarm (b) By causing false alarm situations.
that went off earlier this year in Hawaii about an expected missile (c) IoT are being used to acquire traffic data quickly and send it for
attack as an example of such an accident. This particular false alarm processing.
was enormously stressful, coming as it did in the wake of sabre (d) Remote sensing can help determine passengers.
rattling by North Korea about its ability to hit US cities with its (e) None of these.
expanded nuclear missile capabilities.
Q4. As per the information given in paragraph 2, in what reference has
Paragraph 4: The three firms have confirmed the the entire sub- industry been spawned?
vulnerabilities and issued patches for all the bugs. The magazine
stated that researchers have confirmed none of the bugs their “white (a) The entire sub industry has been spawned as it is less publicized.
hat” or friendly hacking efforts exposed have actually been (b) With reference to the vulnerabilities personal devices such as
exploited by others with mala-fide intent. That said, officials in smartphones, laptops etc. end up catching with hackers.
many countries, including the US, have acknowledged that their (c) It has not been affected by the bugs.
infrastructure is vulnerable, and it isn’t just the ballot box that the (d) Both (a) and (b)

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(e) None of these. [Link].(c)

Only option (c) stands out as the suitable choice for the answer. The
Q5. What is meant by the idiom “white hat”? answer has to be deduced and concluded from paragraph 4 based on
the author’s statement that the vulnerabilities exposed to the bugs
have been confirmed by the researchers that none of the bugs their
(a) Expert who may sometimes violate laws or typical ethical standards “white hat” or friendly hacking efforts exposed have actually been
but does not have the malicious intent. exploited by others with mala-fide intent. This means that white hat
(b) A person who breaks into a computer system with the purpose of are the friendly hacking efforts which are not exposed by mala fide
inflicting damage or stealing data. intent.
(c) A person who hacks ethically into a computer network in order to
test or evaluate its security systems.
(d) Both (a) and (c). Reading Comprehension -66
(e) Both (b) and (c).

Answers And Solutions Read the following passage to answer these questions given below it.
Certain words phrases have been printed in bold to help you
locate them while answering some of the questions:
[Link].(e)
Option (e) is the appropriate choice here. The answer can be
referred from paragraph 1 where it is given that intelligent India has 600 million young people – and they’re set to change
transportation and data-driven public safety remain the largest our world because more than half India’s population, are under 25
investment areas, but that IDC is also finding significant pockets of years old; no country has more young people. India has one of the
spending and growth in back-office and platform-related use cases, youngest populations in an aging world. It is expected that, in 2020,
which are less often publicized, but increasingly happening behind the average age of an Indian will be 29 years, compared to 37 for
the scenes in cities around the world. China and 48 for Japan; and, by 2030, India's dependency
[Link].(d) ratioshould be just over 0.(d)Demographics can change the pace and
The correct choice here is option (d).For the answer ,both the pattern of economic growth. While China’s spectacular growth has
paragraph 2 and 3 have to be referred. As paragraph 2 states about
the how the weakest link in smart cities installations may lie at this already benefited from a demographic dividend, India is yet to do
sensor level. The level is mentioned in paragraph 3 which is the [Link] dividend can increase economic growth through
researchers found that these sensor arrays are at great risk of being six channels. The first channel is through the swelling of the labour
hacked. force, as more people reach working age. The second channel is the
[Link].(c) increased fiscal space created by the demographic dividend to divert
Option (c) is the correct choice. The answer can be deduced from resources from spending on children to investing in physical and
paragraph 2 where it is mentioned that smart cities program stand human infrastructure. The third channel is the rise in women’s
to make more money as they roll out new sensors, each with an workforce that naturally accompanies a decline in fertility, and
Internet of Things (IoT)-based connection to their own application, which can be a new source of growth. The fourth is the increase in
as well as to other related smart cities applications .IoT is the
network of physical devices embedded with electronics, software, savings rate, as the working age also happens to be the prime period
actuators, sensors and connectivity which enables these devices to for saving. The fifth channel is an additional boost to savings that
connect and exchange data and signals. occurs as the incentive to save for longer periods of retirement
increases with greater longevity. The sixth channel is a massive shift
[Link].(b) towards a middle-class society that is already in the making.
The most suitable choice here is option (b).This line is quoted in Growth, education, home ownership, better economic security, and
bold in paragraph 2 which states that people are well aware of the a desire for more durable goods are the cause and consequence of
vulnerabilities personal devices such as smartphones, laptops, young demographics. But demographic dividend can also transform
routers and other hardware have, and the firms that make them work into a curse, and we examine its impact in Reshaping Tomorrow—
hard to plug gaps in a never-ending catch-up game with hackers.

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Is South Asia Ready For The Big Leap?, World Bank. To to secondary schooling, low-quality public services, and gender
understand it further let us see what demographic dividend means. discrimination. New technology could be exploited to accelerate the
Demographicdividend refers to the growth in an economy that is the pace of building human capital, including massive open online
resultant effect of a change in the age structure of a country's courses and virtual classrooms.
population. The change in age structure is typically brought on by a Pursuing a more aggressive education agenda fits very well,
decline in fertility and mortality rates. not just with countries that will benefit from the demographic
The growth benefit of a demographic dividend is not dividend, but also with what many governments in rich countries
automatic. A lot depends on whether the bulge in working are trying to do, even in its absence. Demographic dividend is a
population can be trained, and enough jobs created to employ the time-limited opportunity, and policymakers should have a greater
10 million more people who will join the labour force every year. incentive to redouble their efforts to promote human capital so that
There is mounting concern that future growth could turn out to be it can contribute to economic growth and job creation.
jobless due to de-industrialization, de-globalization, and the fourth No country can achieve its potential and meet the challenges
industrial revolution and technological progress. While digital of the 21st century without the full participation of working
technologies may enable the creation of new products and more population, both women and men. High-quality education is one of
productive jobs, they may also substitute existing jobs. India may the strongest ways for countries to reduce poverty, achieve gender
not be able to take advantage of these opportunities, due to a low equality, and create more jobs. Building human capital translates
human capital base and lack of skills. Lack of jobs combined with into higher rates of economic growth and job creation.
a demographic dividend will increase the share of the population Demographic dividend without investments in human capital will
that is dependent on the working population. This will increase the be a wasted development opportunity, and it will further widen
economic insecurity of the elderly, as there will be fewer people economic and social gaps, instead of narrowing them.
generating wealth. Whether the demographic dividend promotes
growth or transforms into a curse depends on how prepared the Q1. Demographic dividend is responsible for economic growth of the
states that should benefit from a young population are. Bihar, Uttar country. How?
Pradesh and other lagging states will experience a much bigger
bulge in working population than more developed states like Tamil (I) rise in the expense of people of the country.
Nadu. Unfortunately, the less-developed states are also the least (II) increase of the working population of the country.
prepared to take advantage of the demographic change they will (III) by improvement in standard of living and hence providing
undergo. transformation in the society. (IV) by rise in the women’s labour
Investing more and more efficiently in people will enable India force.
to tap into its demographic divided, and prepare the country for the
future. There is a powerful link between these investments and (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
economic growth, stability and security. Investing in people through (c) Only (I), (II) and (III) (d) Only (II) and (IV)
healthcare, quality education, jobs and skills helps build human (e) All
capital, which is key to supporting economic growth, ending
extreme poverty, and creating more inclusive societies. Human Q2. According to the passage, Demographic Dividend is dependent on?
capital is now the fastest-growing component of India’s wealth. It
is already the largest component of global wealth. More developed (a) increase in the population of the country.
and richer countries have vastly more human capital wealth than (b) trained and skilled working population.
developing countries. India’s human capital base may not be (c) Expansion of business in international scale.
adequate for the future or in a position to benefit from the (d) Both (B) and (C)
demographic dividend. India is home to the world’s largest (e) All are correct
concentration of illiterate people in the world. It has made gains in
human development, but challenges remain, including big barriers

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Q3. Derive the conclusion from the passage whether “Digital Q7. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides
technologies” is a curse or an advantage for Indian society. the most similar meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used in
the passage?
(I) Advantage, as it enables the creation of jobs beneficial for economic
growth of the country. Bulge
(II) Curse, as it will increase the dependency of some section of the (I) rise (II) augmentation
society to the working population. (III) surge (IV) humongous
(III) Advantage, as it will give rise to new talents in the country. (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
(IV) Curse, as India is lagging in innovation and research as compared (c) Only (I), (II) and (III) (d) Only (II) and (IV)
to other countries. (e) All
(a) Only (I) (b) Only (III)
(c) Both (I) and (III) (d) Only (II)
(e) Both (II) and (IV) Q8. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides
the most similar meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used in
Q4. What does building human capital refers to?
the passage?
(a) expanding business in international level.
(b) enhancing the wages of labour and that thereby transform the Accompany
standard of society. (I) encourage
(c) makinglabour capable in skills, education and capacity that (II) urge
influence the productive capacity and earning potential of a nation. (III) support
(d) increasing the working population of the nation and thus increasing (IV) harness
the economic growth. (a) Only (I)
(e) All of the above
(b) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
(c) Only (II) and (III)
Q5. The appropriate title of the passage is
(d) Only (I) and (III)
(e) All
(a) Is South Asia Ready For The Big Leap?
(b) The right investment of India Q9. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides
(c) Promoting economic growth of India the most opposite meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used
(d) Demographic dividend, growth and jobs in the passage?
(e) Building human capital
Mounting
Q6. What is/ are the barrier (s) to economic development of the country? (I) Taper (II) Entrench
(III) tumbling (IV) diminishing
(i) uneven distribution of wealth (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
(ii) lack of skills (c) Only (II) and (III) (d) Only (I) and (IV)
(iii) gender inequality (iv) quality education (e) All
(a) only (i) (b) only (ii)
(c) only (iii) (d) only (ii), (iii), (iv) Q10. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides
(e) All the most opposite meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used
in the passage?

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Massive existing jobs. India may not be able to take advantage of these
(I) meagre (II) miniature opportunities, due to a low human capital base and lack of skills.
(III) petite (IV) paltry Lack of jobs combined with a demographic dividend will increase
the share of the population that is dependent on the working
(a) Only (I) (b) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
population.”
(c) Only (II) and (III) (d) Only (I) and (IV) [Link].(c)
(e) All We can refer the third paragraph of the passage which states that
Answers And Solutions India needs to invest more and more effectively in people through
quality education, skills, health care that will translate into higher
[Link].(b) rates of economic growth and job creation.
As mentioned in the first paragraph of the passage, Demographic Hence, we can conclude that option (c) is the correct choice.
dividend can increase the economic growth through different ways dRefer the lines “Investing in people through healthcare, quality
like rise in labour force (including women) and a massive shift in education, jobs and skills helps build human capital, which is key
the middle- class society.
to supporting economic growth, ending extreme poverty, and
Hence option (b) is the correct choice.
Refer the lines “The first channel is through the swelling of the creating more inclusive societies”.
labour force, as more people reach working age.” [Link].(d)
“The sixth channel is a massive shift towards a middle-class society : “Demographic dividend, growth and jobs” is an appropriate title
that is already in the making.” of the passage.
“The third channel is the rise in women’s workforce that naturally [Link].(d)
accompanies a decline in fertility” We can infer from the third paragraph of the passage. Refer “It has
[Link].(d) made gains in human development, but challenges remain,
According to the passage, Demographic dividend depends on the including big barriers to secondary schooling, low-quality public
skilled workforce and increase in globalization and industrialization services, and gender discrimination.”
thus creating more jobs. Also refer to the last paragraph of the passage “High-quality
Hence option (d) is the correct choice. education is one of the strongest ways for countries to reduce
Refer the lines in second paragraph of the passage “There is poverty, achieve gender equality, and create more jobs.”
mounting concern that future growth could turn out to be jobless [Link].(c)
due to de-industrialization, de-globalization, and the fourth Bulge means an unusual temporary increase in number or size.
industrial revolution and technological progress.” Hence it has same meaning as rise, augmentation and surge.
“A lot depends on whether the bulge in working population can be Humongous means huge, enormous.
trained, and enough jobs created to employ the 10 million more [Link].(d)
people who will join the labour force every year.”
[Link].(d) Accompany means support or assist. Hence it has same meaning as
encourage and support.
We can derive the conclusion from second paragraph of the passage
Urge means try earnestly or persistently to persuade to do
which states that digital technologies may enable the creation of
something.
more jobs but India may not be able to take the advantage and hence
Harness means control or tackle.
there will be lack of jobs that increase the share of the population
[Link].(d)
that will be dependent on the working population.
Mounting means grow larger or more numerous. Hence it has
Hence option (d) is the correct choice.
opposite meaning as diminish and Taper.
Refer the lines “While digital technologies may enable the creation
Tumbling means fall suddenly.
of new products and more productive jobs, they may also substitute
Entrench means establish and settle.

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[Link].(e) responsible for the urban detritus of the former mills that is central
Massive means large and heavy or solid. Hence it has opposite Mumbai today.
meaning as meagre, paltry, miniature and petite. Mumbai’s leaders should take note as the city’s reliance on
financial services grows, with manufacturing continuing to move to
neighbouring districts like Thane and Pune. A healthy economic
Reading Comprehension -67 future as a financial nerve centre is certainly viable. But it is no
coincidence that New York, London, Hong Kong and Shanghai—
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given leading financial hubs, all—are also now start-up and tech hubs.
below them. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold The barriers between the two industries are increasingly permeable.
to help you locate them while answering some of the questions. The latter is both disrupting and enabling the former. Mumbai is
After Singapore gained nationhood in 1965, Lee Kuan Yew is poorly placed for such cross-pollination. The distorted real estate
said to have held Kolkata up as a role model for the new city-state. market and lack of a deep talent pool have led to it cedingground to
It is likely an apocryphal story, but telling for all of that. Even in its Bengaluru, Hyderabad and New Delhi. Early stage funding is still
decline, the former first city of India could plausibly be considered relatively healthy—but growth capital and achieving scale are
worthy of emulation by a leader who would go on to become the increasingly less so. Is it possible for Mumbai to continue to grow
high priest of the Asian tiger economies. Lee’s fancy, presumably, as a financial hub over the next two decades, as it has thus far,
didn’t last very long once Kolkata’s rot truly set in. Over the course without branching out? Perhaps. But it’s far from a safe bet—
of a few decades, India’s economic nerve centre of two centuries’ especially in light of potential rivals such as the Gujarat
standing would fade into near irrelevance. Is there a lesson here for International Finance Tec-City, a planned smart city and
its successor, Mumbai? The Mumbai Development Plan (MDP) international financial services centre.
2034, unveiled last week, aims at building on the city’s economic The increasing reliance on the tertiary sector poses
pre-eminence over the next two decades. It is a mixed bag from an sociopolitical questions as well. Mumbai’s textile mill workers
urban planning perspective. But it also feeds into larger questions were among the best paid industrial workers in India. Marathi
about Mumbai’s trajectory. workers dominated this workforce; it also gave low-skilled migrants
Mumbai is currently in the midst of its second economic cycle. an opportunity to enter the formal labour force. It’s no coincidence
The first cycle began in the mid-19th century with two global that parochial politics gained ground in Mumbai with the decline of
developments: the American Civil War that caused cotton prices to the secondary sector and the rise of a tertiary sector that required
spike internationally and the construction of the Suez Canal. The higher skilled workers. Nativist politics has an upfront economic
first played to Mumbai’s industrial strength and the second to its cost, of course. But they also have a more insidious effect. In an
being a strategically located port city. The cycle lasted for a century, influential 1903 essay, The Metropolis And Modern Life, German
ending with the collapse of the city’s textile mill heartland in the sociologist Georg Simmel wrote that the metropolis’ indifference to
early 1980s. This triggered a shift in Mumbai’s economic paradigm. difference—its elevation of the individual over group identity—
A manufacturing exodus led to a secondary sector decline. The allowed more space for economic rationalism. The reverse,
tertiary sector stepped into the breach, particularly after obviously, holds true as well. That is worth bearing in mind when
liberalization. considering Mumbai’s economic future. It would take a brave man
The MDP is based on the assumption that the second cycle will to predict Mumbai’s decline. It pays 60% of the country’s customs
continue as it has. It projects that the primary sector’s share of duty collections and 40% of income tax to the national exchequer—
Mumbai’s gross domestic product will decline from 31% currently although the latter is perhaps misleading given that it hosts a large
to 20% by 2034. Concurrently, the tertiary sector’s share will rise chunk of the country’s largest companies and the tax figures are not
from 68% to 80%. It seems like a safe assumption on the face of it. indicative of economic activity. More broadly, it had few rivals until
But it falls prey to what historian and urban expert Lewis Mumford recently; closing that gap will not be easy. But its continued
termed the fallacy of the first attitude—the assumption that past dominance is not inevitable; another financial hub, New York,
trend lines will continue indefinitely. This thinking was partly learnt that lesson in the 1970s. The infrastructure and housing

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problems the MDP addresses are important. But the solutions must (e) All are correct
be allied to a larger vision of the city’s future.
Q4. “ It had few rivals until recently; closing that gap will not be easy ”.
Q1. What does the author mean by the phrase “ It is likely an apocryphal Which gap does the author talk about?
story ” in the context of the passage?
(I) The gap between urban and rural development
(II) The gap between Marathi workers and other workers
(a) The story seems to be illusory as Kolkata is never taken up as a role
(III) The gap between secondary and tertiary sector
model by Singapore. (a) Only (I) is correct (b) Only (II) is correct
(c) Only (I) and (II) are correct (d) Only (II) and (III) are correct
(b) Lee Kuan Yew gave the story an unending conclusion by (e) All are correct
considering Kolkata as the role model.
Q5. The appropriate title of the passage is
(c) The story is an axiom as Kolkata is well established at that time
when it is considered as a role model by Lee Kuan Yew. (a) Mapping Mumbai’s future: the big questions
(b) A step towards The Mumbai Development Plan (MDP) 2034
(d) It seems doubtful that Kolkata even in its tumbling situation would
(c) Liberalization of sociopolitical issues
be considered as a role model.
(d) The rise of tertiary sector
(e) The story, irrespective of its authenticity, as made by Lee Kuan Yew (e) The infrastructure and housing problems
is only to make Singapore advanced.
Q6. The Mumbai development plan aims to
Q2. What was/ were the outcome(s) of economic cycle that began in
mid- 19th century in Mumbai?
(a) develop the sociopolitical reconciliation.
(I) Decline in secondary and tertiary sector. (b) address the infrastructure issues.
(II) Improvement in the industrial strength of Mumbai. (c) improve the economic condition of Mumbai.
(III) A sharp decrease in the cotton prices internationally. (d) Both (B) and (C)
(IV) Collapse of the city’s textile mill. (e) All are correct

(a) Only (I) is correct Q7. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides
(b) Both (II) and (IV) are correct
the most similar meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used in
(c) Only (I), (II) and (III) are correct
(d) Only (II), (III) and (IV) are correct the passage?
(e) All are correct
Insidious
Q3. According to the passage, what problem does Mumbai face? (I) preclude (II) instigate
(III) sneaky (IV) impetus
(a) The pace of growth capital is not as expected. (a) Only (III) (b) Only (II) and (IV)
(b) Contorted coordination between all leading financial hubs and start-
(c) Only (I), (II) and (III) (d) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
ups.
(c) Lack of allocation of funds. (e) All of the above
(d) Both (A) and (B)

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Q8. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides sentence. If the sentence is correct as it is, mark (E) i.e., "all are
the most similar meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used in correct" as the answer.
the passage? He had a large number of time to tweak the settings to ensure
that he perfected the programming---he was so into it that he lost
Detritus track of time and finished after midnight.
(I) spur (II) dregs
(III) consent (IV) wreckage (I) He had a large number of time
(a) Only (III) (b) Only (II) and (IV) (II) that he perfected the programming---he was so into it that
(c) Only (I), (II) and (III) (III) he lost track of time and finished after midnight
(d) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
(e) All of the above
(a) only (I) (b) both (I) and (II)
Q9. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides (c) only (III) (d) both (II) and (III)
the most opposite meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used (e) All are correct
in the passage?
Answers And Solutions
Ceding
(I) attaining (II) concurring [Link].(d)
(III) sanctioning (IV) Acquiring : Here apocryphal means of doubtful authenticity, although widely
(a) Only (III) (b) Only (I) and (IV) circulated as being true. We can conclude from first paragraph that
(c) Only (I), (II) and (III) (d) Only (II), (III) and (IV) Lee Kuan Yew considered Kolkata worth a role model, even in its
decline state, which seems to be a fictitious story.
(e) All are correct
Hence option (d) is the correct explanation in accordance to the
passage. All the other explanations are not appropriate.
Q10. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides Refer the lines from first paragraph “ It is likely an apocryphal story,
the most opposite meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used but telling for all of that. Even in its decline, the former first city of
in the passage? India could plausibly be considered worthy of emulation by a
leader…”
[Link].(b)
Inevitable
We can come to the conclusion after going through the second
(I) avoidable (II) alleviate
paragraph of the passage, which clearly indicates that mid- 19th
(III) uncertain (IV) concede
century marks a beginning of first economic cycle that resulted in
(a) Only (I) (b) Only (II)
sharp increase of cotton prices internationally due to American Civil
(c) Only (I) and (III) (d) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
War and construction of Suez Canal, hence building the economic
(e) All are correct
strength. Collapse of City’s textile mill will also come in this
category, which triggered a shift in Mumbai’s economic paradigm.
Q.11. In each of the following question a part of the sentence is
Hence option (b) will be the most appropriate choice.
highlighted which is grammatically correct and comprehensive.
Refer the lines “… the American Civil War that caused cotton prices
Choose the best option among the five given alternatives that reflect
to spike internationally and the construction of the Suez Canal. The
the correct phrase(s) in the context of the grammatically correct first played to Mumbai’s industrial strength and the second to its

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being a strategically located port city. The cycle lasted for a century, Insidious means proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very
ending with the collapse of the city’s textile mill heartland in the harmful effects. Hence it has the similar meaning as sneaky.
early 1980s…” Preclude means prevent from happening; make impossible.
[Link].(d)
Sneaky means furtive; sly.
With respect to the fourth paragraph, both the sentences (a) and (b)
are correct. Impetus means the force or energy with which a body moves.
Refer the lines “A healthy economic future as a financial nerve [Link].(b)
centre is certainly viable. But it is no coincidence that New York, Detritus means waste or debris of any kind. Hence it has the same
London, Hong Kong and Shanghai—leading financial hubs, all— meaning as dregs and wreckage.
are also now start-up and tech hubs. The barriers between the two Consent means give permission for something to happen.
industries are increasingly permeable. The latter is both disrupting Spur means a thing that prompts or encourages someone; an
and enabling the former. Mumbai is poorly placed for such cross- incentive.
pollination.” [Link].(b)
“Early stage funding is still relatively healthy—but growth capital Ceding means give up (power or territory). Hence it has the opposite
and achieving scale are increasingly less so.” Hence option (d) is meaning to attaining and acquiring.
the correct choice. Concurring means be of the same opinion; agree.
[Link].(d)
[Link].(c)
With reference to the fifth paragraph of the passage, we can
conclude that sentences (II) and (III) are correct. It has been : Inevitable means certain to happen; unavoidable. Hence it has the
mentioned that Marathi workers were among the highest paid opposite meaning to avoidable and uncertain.
workers that dominated the other work force resulting into the rise Concede means admit or agree that something is true after first
in tertiary sector and decline in secondary sector. denying or resisting it.
Hence option (d) is the most appropriate choice. Alleviate means make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less
Sentence (I) is not related to the passage. severe.
Refer the lines “The increasing reliance on the tertiary sector poses
sociopolitical questions as well. Mumbai’s textile mill workers Reading Comprehension -68
were among the best paid industrial workers in India. Marathi
workers dominated this workforce; it also gave low-skilled migrants
Read the following passage carefully and answer the
an opportunity to enter the formal labour force. It’s no coincidence
questions given below them.
that parochial politics gained ground in Mumbai with the decline of
the secondary sector and the rise of a tertiary sector that required Paragraph 1: Small entrepreneurs are important to
higher skilled workers.” India’s jobs, structural transformation, gender equality, and
[Link].(a) inclusive growth. The size of the small entrepreneurs in the
unorganized sector is extremely large when compared to large
“Mapping Mumbai’s future: the big questions” is an appropriate
entrepreneurs in the organized sector, or when compared to other
title of the passage. countries at a similar stage of development. More than 90% of
[Link].(d) entrepreneurs and establishments in the manufacturing sector in
Both sentences (b) and (c) are correct. India fall in the small enterprises category. More than 80% of
Refer the first paragraph of the passage “The Mumbai Development employment is generated by small enterprises in the unorganized
Plan (MDP) 2034, unveiled last week, aims at building on the city’s sector. The large employment share of small enterprise is
persistent. It has increased over time. The small enterprises are
economic pre-eminence over the next two decades. It is a mixed bag
also stubbornly persistent. This persistence is not due to particular
from an urban planning perspective.” industries or states, as most industries and states show limited
[Link].(a)

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change in unorganized sector employment shares. The associated with electricity access, population density, and
persistence comes from the fact that fast-growing state-industries closerspatial proximity to one of India’s largest cities.
witness rising unorganized sector activity. The presence of small Entrepreneurs in the organized sector, utilizing a greater variety
entrepreneurs is more pervasive in services than in
of inputs, display higher productivity, with the effects mostly
manufacturing.
Paragraph 2: Most developing countries have a large concentrated among smaller plants with fewer than 50
population of people working as small entrepreneurs in informal employees. For the small entrepreneurs in the unorganized sector,
establishments or in self-employment. There is a great deal of there is little correlation of input counts and local conditions, for
debate and interest in designing policies that promote small better or for worse, and a more modest link to productivity
entrepreneurship and jobs. The biggest barriers faced by them (as outcomes.
well as many large enterprises) are poor physical and human Paragraph 5: Evidence suggests that the size and
infrastructure. Small enterprises tend to suffer more from these, persistence of small entrepreneurs have withstood changes in
as they do not have the resources to buy, say, a new power trade, technology, demographics, urbanization, etc. India’s
generator like large enterprises do, build their own logistics and growth in the manufacturing sector displays two intriguing
transport connectivity due to the small scale of their production, properties. First, a substantial fraction of absolute and net
or invest in learning and skills. Removing regulatory barriers to employment growth is concentrated in small enterprises in the
industrial entry can be very successful in stimulating growth and tradable industries, thanks to globalization. Second, much of this
jobs, but it is often secondary, compared to the investments growth is connected to the development of one-person
needed to improve human and physical infrastructure to promote establishments. The rapid urbanization of the informal sector
entrepreneurship. plays the strongest role, while there is some evidence for
Paragraph 3: A substantial reason for the persistence in subcontracting by the large enterprises and a “push”
India’s small entrepreneurs in the unorganized manufacturing entrepreneurship story.
sector is the rapid increase in female-owned businesses. Had the Q1. Which of the following sentences can be deduced from paragraph
proportion of women’s participation to male-owned businesses 1 of the passage?
remain the same as in 1994, the unorganized manufacturing
sector would have declined in share, rather than increased. Most (a) The swift expansion in female-owned businesses made India’s
of these new female-owned businesses are opened in the humble entrepreneur in the unorganized sector of manufacturing
household and at a small scale, about a third of the size of a remain unvaried.
typical male-owned business in the informal sector. Yet, it the policies which promote small entrepreneurship and jobs
appears that these businesses offer economic opportunities not dodge a lot of debate and interest
otherwise present and a transition for some women from unpaid
The organized sector enterprises are more successful than the
domestic work. unorganized sector.
Paragraph 4: We examined in detail the scale and Less prominent enterprises lend significant economic wealth than
productivity consequences of varied input use in small and large large firms to a nation
enterprises in the manufacturing sector, using detailed plant-level The aggregate number of small firms in an any unorganized
data in some 600 districts. Counts of distinct material inputs are sector are less in number than the organized sector.
higher in urban settings than in rural locations, and they are also
higher in large enterprises in the organized sector than in small Q2. As per the passage, what is/ are the impediment(s) which ward
off growth and jobs in the economy?
enterprises in the unorganized sector. At the district level, higher
input usage in large enterprises in the organized sector is (I) Lack of trained labour force
generally observed in wealthier districts, and those with greater (II) unorganized manufacturing sector
literacy rates. Looking within states, the usage is more closely

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(III) Lack of the resources. contextually meaningful. Choose the most appropriate alternative
(a) Only (I) is correct as your answer. If the phrase is grammatically correct, as given,
(b) Only (II) is correct and doesn’t require any correction, choose option (5) i.e., “No
correction required” as your answer.
(c) Both (II) and (III) are correct
(d) Both (I) and (II) are correct (a) remaining the same as
(e) All are correct (b) will remain same since
(c) remained the same as
Q3. How size and persistence of the small entrepreneurs get affected? (d) will be remaining same as
(e) No correction required
(a) By removing regulatory barriers to industrial entry
(b) By participation of females in the unorganized manufacturing Q7. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning of the word
sector. printed in bold in context of the passage.
(c) By making the resources available to small entrepreneurs to let
their size grow. Persistence
(d) both (2) and (3) (a) conjure (b) protean
(e) All are correct (c) apathy (d) inchoate
(e) perseverance
Q4. What is/ are the impact of globalization and technology on small
enterprises? Q8. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning of the word
printed in bold in context of the passage.
(a) Growth in female owned unorganized sector.
(b) Easy availability of resources Spatial
(c) The net employment growth (a) geographical (b) structural
(d) The growth in small entreneurship (c) buttress (d) abrogate
(e) All are correct (e) stanchion

Q5. Why informal sector enterprises play the strongest role for Q9. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word
development of an economy? printed in bold in context of the passage.

(I) As it uplift the urbanization in India. Transition

(II) As it helps in alleviating unemployment to a greater extent (a) change (b) progression
(III) As it develops gender equality in the society. (c) alteration (d) inaction
(a) Only (I) is correct (e) addition
(b) Only (II) is correct
(c) Both (II) and (III) are correct Q10. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word
(d) Both (I) and (II) are correct printed in bold in context of the passage.
(e) All are correct
Pervasive
Q6. A phrase “remain the same as “ given in the passage is highlighted (a) scarce (b) epidemic
which may or may not contain grammatical error. There are five (c) sporadic (d) penetrating
alternatives given below, one of which may replace the existing (e) intermittent
highlighted part to make the sentence grammatically correct and

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Answers And Solutions extremely large when compared to large entrepreneurs in the
organized sector, or when compared to other countries at a similar
stage of development.”
[Link].(a)
Hence option (3) is the correct choice.
: Only sentence 1 can be deduced from the paragraph 1 of the [Link].(c)
passage which can be inferred from 1st line of paragraph 3rd “A
: The phrase ‘remained the same as’ is correct for making the
substantial reason for the persistence in India’s small
sentence meaningful and correct. Here the sentence is a
entrepreneurs in the unorganized manufacturing sector is the
conditional sentence which consists of a conditional clause (past
rapid increase in female-owned businesses”
perfect) and main clause giving the result which follows perfect
[Link].(c)
conditional or perfect continuous conditional (would have
: The Barriers faced by the small entrepreneurs in stimulating
declined). Hence past form of the verb will be used making the
growth and jobs in the Indian economy are poor physical and
sentence grammatically correct and contextually meaningful.
human infrastructure and lack of resources.
Hence option (3) is the correct choice.
Hence option (c) will be the most appropriate choice which can [Link].(e)
be inferred from 2nd paragraph 2ndl ine “The biggest barriers
: Persistence means the fact of continuing in an opinion or course
faced by them (as well as many large enterprises) are poor
of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. Hence it has same
physical and human infrastructure. Small enterprises tend to
meaning as perseverance.
suffer more from these, as they do not have the resources to buy,
Apathy means lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
say, a new power generator like large enterprises do, build their
Indolence means avoidance of activity or exertion; laziness.
own logistics and transport connectivity due to the small scale of [Link].(a)
their production, or invest in learning and skills.”
[Link].(b): : Spatial means relating to space. Hence it has same meaning as
geographical.
The sentence (2) is correct option that can be validated from the
Abrogate means repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal
statement “Refer the lines “A substantial reason for the
agreement).
persistence in India’s small entrepreneurs in the unorganized [Link].(d)
manufacturing sector is the rapid increase in female-owned
: Transition means the process or a period of changing from one
businesses. Had the proportion of women’s participation to male-
state or condition to another. Hence it has opposite meaning as
owned businesses remained the same as in 1994, the unorganized
inaction.
manufacturing sector would have declined in share, rather than [Link].(a)
increased.”
[Link].(c) : Pervasive means spreading widely throughout an area or a group
of people. Hence it has opposite meaning as scarce.
: the fifth paragraph of the passage shed light on the employment
Epidemic means a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease
growth which can be inferred from the statement ““First, a
in a community at a particular time.
substantial fraction of absolute and net employment growth is
concentrated in small enterprises in the tradable industries, thanks
to globalization” indicates that globalization and technology Reading Comprehension -69
would lead to net employment growth.
Hence option (3) is the most appropriate choice. Read the following passage divided into number of
[Link].(c) : Referring to first paragraph we can infer that sentences
paragraphs carefully and answer the questions that follow it.
(II) and (III) are correct.
Refer the lines “Small entrepreneurs are important to India’s jobs, Certain words are given in bold to help you locate them while
structural transformation, gender equality, and inclusive growth. answering some of the questions.
The size of the small entrepreneurs in the unorganized sector is

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Paragraph 1: Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) a lot like writing books under a pseudonym. As long as your
prohibited, with immediate effect, all regulated entities from nomme de plume remains hidden, no one will think to link you
providing services to anyone who deals with or settles any virtual with the books you have written. The moment the connection
currencies, citing concerns about the risks that these virtual between you and even one of your books is revealed, the whole
currencies pose in the context of consumer protection, market subterfuge comes crashing down.
integrity and money laundering . The true reason behind it is not Paragraph 4: On the internet, it is relatively easy to make such
entirely clear. Over the past year, the price of bitcoin has spiked links. Given how freely information leaks during most internet
in speculative frenzy. People have rushed to purchase coins in the transactions, it is relatively straightforward to link individuals
hope of offloading them at a higher price—and then been with the bitcoin transactions they make. Web trackers constantly
disappointed as the prices tumbled from their previous highs. We send all sorts of information to the other large platform
can see how the government might think that imposing a ban will companies, allowing them to track page usage, purchase amounts,
protect gullible investors from losing their shirts. But by this browsing habits, and a variety of other types of information. In
logic the government should, just as actively, be considering a certain circumstances these cookies also leak personally
prohibition on trading in rare stamps, antiques and hard-to-find identifiable information like the email address and names of the
Pokemons. users. Even where it doesn’t, it is possible for malicious trackers
Paragraph 2: So this cannot be why the government has taken this to use JavaScript to extract bitcoin addresses from web pages that
drastic step. From the text of the RBI notification it appears that do not leak them by default. Law-enforcement agencies should,
there is a concern around the anonymity inherent in the platform relatively easily, be able to collect and analyse this information
and the attendant challenges this poses for law enforcement. As a to link a user to his bitcoin address.
matter of fact, while every transaction on the bitcoin block chain Paragraph 5: Prohibiting a service rarely ever serves to
is, by design, public, the transactions reference electronic completely halt its use. The only people who abide by the terms
addresses that do not contain any information about the person of a ban are those who always intended to use the service for
making it. This is why, at least superficially, bitcoin serves as an legitimate purposes. Everyone else simply takes their
effective way to cover your financial tracks—making it the ideal alreadynefarious activities deeper underground. If the
means of exchange for criminal activities like money laundering government’s objective was to prosecute those who use
and trading in illicit goods—as well as for lesser transgressions cryptocurrency for illegal activities, they’d have been far better
like tax evasion. This veil of anonymity is also a useful shield off allowing these transactions to continue in the open where
behind which purveyors of fraudulent products— goods and there is a chance that they may be detected using the forensic
services—can hide, providing them greater cover as they swindle mechanisms outlined above. Now that the technology has been
unsuspecting marks of their money. banned and we have driven all who use it underground, bitcoins
Paragraph 3: But if you dig a little deeper into how the technology will be purchased through cash or other untraceable commodities.
operates online, it rapidly becomes evident that there was no real It will continue to be used but we will have less of an ability to
need to take this step. As a matter of fact, the much-vaunted link the transaction to the person.
anonymity of the bitcoin block chain is by no means perfect. It is

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Q1. What does the author mean by the phrase “losing their shirts” (d) Lenders may not be lured by the block chain transactions.
used in the first paragraph of the passage? (e) All of the above.

(a) The decision made by the government regarding facilitating Q4. How the cookies can obtain personal identifiable information of
investment in virtual currency may not be a significant step for the users etc while making Bitcoin transactions ?
investors to grow their business.
(b) The government thinks that investments or dealings in virtual (I) by using programming languages to obtain info about the user
currencies by any regulated entity could provide them interest from web pages.
against payment. (II) by leaking personally identifiable information like the email
(c) The government has given strict guidelines regarding the correct address and names of the users.
usage of virtual currencies to avoid any fraudulent activity. (III) by sending all information to large platform companies to make
(d) Forbidding investors to invest in Bitcoin trade so to protect them them accessible other useful information.
from becoming bankrupt (IV) by putting the users’ PC on remote to keep an eye on the website
(e) The government will impose a high penalty on investors investing they visit.
in virtual currency. (a) Only (I) (b) Only (I), (II) and (III)
(c) Only (II) and (III) (d) Only (I) and (II)
Q2. As per paragraph 2 how can we infer that bitcoin transacations (e) All of the above.
can hamper the economic growth?
Q5. The author’s point of view regarding the decision of the
(a) Bitcoin Trade have a regulated authority to conduct the government is/ are
Transactions in safe environment.
(b) No-one knows the person behind the address who made the trade (I) The government should take necessary action to link the
which would result in fraudulent activities. transaction to the person.
(c) The bitcoin transactions cannot be inspected as there is no record (II) open transactions should be allowed to avoid any fraudulent
of it present whatsoever. activities rather than completely banning it.
(d) Both (2) and (3) (III) The author has followed the government’s decision against
(e) All are correct. banning the cryptocurrency.

Q3. What is the outcome if the connection between you and your (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II)
books is revealed in terms of Blockchain transaction? (c) Only (II) and (III) (d) Only (I) and (II)
(e) All of the above.
(a) The profit in dealing bitcoins will get substantial hike.
(b) The main motive of the trade will be exposed to everyone. Q6. The appropriate title of the passage is
(c) The online transactions of the blockchain will be ceased.

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(a) Bitcoin investment and advantage associated with it. (a) overt (b) accede
(b) The Blockchain transaction –profit or loss . (c) accrue (d) cortege
(c) The credulous investors (e) flounder
(d) Bitcoin-trading prohibition- a futility Answers And Solutions
(e) Preventing illegal activities
[Link].(d)
Q7. Choose the word which is most same in meaning of the word
: In the investment world, means to lose one's money, savings,
printed in bold in context of the passage.
investments, resources — or more, if investments were made with

Gullible borrowed funds. Hence option 4 is the correct choice.

(a) ambit (b) gambit [Link].(d)
(c) purveyor (d) succumb : Both sentence (2) and (4) can be inferred from the paragraph 2
(e) ingenuous
while sentence (1) is not mentioned anywhere in the paragraph.
Refer the lines “So this cannot be why the government has taken
Q8. Choose the word which is most same in meaning of the word
printed in bold in context of the passage. this drastic step. From the text of the RBI notification it appears
that there is a concern around the anonymity inherent in the
Nefarious platform and the attendant challenges this poses for law
(a) naive (b) entrench
enforcement. As a matter of fact, while every transaction on the
(c) plausible (d) heinous
bitcoin block chain is, by design, public, the transactions
(e) creditable
reference electronic addresses that do not contain any information
Q9. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word about the person making it. This is why, at least superficially,
printed in bold in context of the passage. bitcoin serves as an effective way to cover your financial tracks—
making it the ideal means of exchange for criminal activities like
Tumble
money laundering and trading in illicit goods—as well as for
(a) Retinue (b) Inoculate
(c) Discern (d) Embitter lesser transgressions like tax evasion.”
(e) soar Hence option (4) is the correct choice.

Q10. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word [Link].(b)
printed in bold in context of the passage.
: the last line of the paragraph sheds some light on it that can be

Veil inferred form the lines “The moment the connection between you

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and even one of your books is revealed, the whole subterfuge Naïve means showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or
comes crashing down.” that the revelation of the name of the judgement.
person behind the trade would reveal the dishonest purpose [Link].(e)
behind the trade. ” thus option 2 is the correct option to choose. : Tumble means fall suddenly, clumsily, or headlong. Hence it
[Link].(b): Refer the fourth paragraph of the passage. has opposite meaning as soar.
Sentence (IV) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage. [Link].(a)
Hence option (2) is the appropriate choice. : Veil means partially conceal, disguise, or obscure. Hence it has
[Link].(d) opposite meaning as overt.
: Refer the lines of fifth paragraph “If the government’s objective Reading Comprehension -70
was to prosecute those who use cryptocurrency for illegal
activities, they’d have been far better off allowing these Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
below them. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold
transactions to continue in the open where there is a chance that to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
they may be detected using the forensic mechanisms outlined
above.” As an old tale has it, there once was a competition between
two pianists. After listening to the first pianist, the jury awarded the
Hence option (4) is the correct choice.
prize to the second. There was no need to listen further, because
[Link].(d) who could possibly be worse? The same logic may seem to apply to
“Bitcoin-trading prohibition- a futility” is an appropriate title of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to provide infrastructure such as
roads and power. In fact, listening to both contestants, and assessing
the passage.
their strengths and weaknesses, is essential. The first pianist is
[Link].(e): public provision, which faces two challenges: an incentive problem
Gullible means easily persuaded to believe something; credulous. and a budget problem. The incentive problem stems from the fact
Hence it has same meaning as credulous. that when governments procure a road project, the winning
contractor may cut corners, because he gets to pocket the savings.
ingenouos: innocent and unsuspecting. The budget problem stems from the fact that there is only so much
[Link].(d) that a government can safely borrow, because it will have to raise
: Nefarious means sinful or criminal. Hence it has same meaning future taxes to repay the debt. As a consequence, many worthwhile
projects must be postponed.
as heinous.
In comes the second pianist. Suppose the project is a
Plausible means seeming reasonable or probable. highway structured as a toll road with a 20-year concession. This
Entrench means establish or settle. seems to solve both the incentive and budget problem. The
contractor will be responsible for the increased maintenance cost if
Plausible means reasonable.
he cuts corners at the time of construction, presumably making him
more likely to do high-quality work. He also would have an

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incentive to run an efficient operation, because he gets to keep the behalf of the government. This requires institutional capabilities
savings. In addition, because the project is financed by tolls, it need that many countries do not have and that the development
not be limited by fiscal constraints. Liberating a project from community has not fostered. But these capabilities could make a
budgetary and public debt constraints can work wonders. Some 73% very large difference. That is why Albania’s government, with the
of Liberia’s citizens have cellphones, but only 9.1% have electricity. help of Harvard’s Center for International Development, is planning
This is because energy infrastructure is financed mainly with to create the necessary investment vehicle. Given the stakes, the
budgetary resources, whereas cellular telephony is provided many challenges and difficulties ahead will be worth it.
privately. When projects are structured so that beneficiaries pay for
them through service fees, markets can deliver them. When Q1. What can be inferred from the analogy used in the passage?
budgetary resources are needed, things move more slowly.
So it would seem that the second pianist wins. But life is more (a) Private enterprises are more efficient than public enterprises.
complicated than the story, owing to the problems that may arise (b) The slugfest between public and private industries are apparent.
over the course of a project. The first challenge that a project must (c) To facilitate the winning of Public Sector Company is a little
address is whether it is a good idea. Answering this question complicated.
requires an appraisal or pre-investment process that can be (d) To make the economy flourish, both the sectors need to work on
expensive, and the outcome may be no better than a good guess, partnership basis.
leaving many uncertainties. Most developing countries spend too (e) All of the above
little moneydevising good projects. When the private sector does,
transforming ideas into bankable projects is often very difficult Q2. How is it correct to say that second pianist is free from the
because many difficult-to-coordinate public-sector decisions or challenges faced by first pianist according to paragraph 2?
actions are involved. So, let’s assume that a toll road project is
approved, a concession contract is prepared, and companies bid on (I) There are no Public debt constraints.
it. The bidders need to plan for two phases: engineering, (II) High quality work is executed by contractors.
procurement and construction (EPC), and a longer phase of (III) The project is restricted to budget related issues.
operation when toll revenue is collected to recover incurred costs (a) Only (I) is correct
and expected returns. (b) Only (II) is correct
The government should build the road and sell the concession for (c) Both (I) and (II) are correct
operation and maintenance. This allows the government to cash out (d) Both (II) and (III) are correct
and reinvest the resources in pre-investment and EPC, thus (e) All are correct
recycling scarce public capital more quickly while cutting out the
most expensive and slowest parts of private involvement. For other Q3. Which of the following cannot be inferred from the passage?
projects, such as the development of tourism areas, the government
must incur significant public infrastructure costs if it is to make (a) The project does not require much planning from the developing
them bankable. countries.
Paragraph 5: Recovering these costs would require (b) Transforming ideas into bankable projects is often very difficult
participating in the project or co-investing with the private sector (c) Institutional capabilities need to be cultivated in the country.
through some financial vehicle that also manages the project on

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(d) 73% of Liberia’s citizens have cell phoned but 9.1% have
electricity. Foster
(e) All are correct (a) Stimulate (b) Moult
(c) Usurp (d) Augur
Q4. While planning the project, what are the hurdles experienced by (e) Percolate
private sector?
Q8. Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word
(I) Lack of trained labour force printed in bold as used in the passage.
(II) The uncertainties during implementation of the project plan.
(III) The time period of the project get extended mostly due to the stem
involvement of government decision. (a) obscure (b) occult
(a) Only (I) is correct (c) uncanny (d) grandeur
(b) Only (II) is correct (e) emanate
(c) Both (I) and (III) are correct
(d) Both (II) and (III) are correct Q9. Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the
(e) All are correct word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Q5. What is meant by ‘cut corners’ in context to the passage? Incur

(a) eschew (b) recede
(a) The method of implementing cutting edge technology in PPPs. (c) adept (d) surmount
(b) To accelerate the maintenance contract to cut cost (e) contrite
(c) A cutthroat competition among contractors to bag the contract from
the government. Q10. Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the
(d) To get the project done in easiest, cheapest and fastest way possible. word printed in bold as used in the passage.
(e) The necessary investment required to participate in the project or
co-investing is made cut. spend
(a) succulent (b) tumult
Q6. Which of the following is an appropriate title of the passage (c) Thrifty (d) Detritus
(e) argute
(a) The right approach for public-private partnership Answers And Solutions
(b) The PPPs project plan
(c) Transforming ideas into bankable projects [Link].(a)
(d) two pianists in arena The analogy as given in the first paragraph of the passage is
(e) Fiscal constraints financed by tolls First pianist represents public enterprises and second pianist
represents private enterprises.
Q7. Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word The lines given “…. After listening to the first pianist, the jury
printed in bold as used in the passage. awarded the prize to the second. There was no need to listen further,

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because who could possibly be worse?” indicates that public Thrifty means using money and other resources carefully and not
enterprise is not as efficient as private enterprises. wastefully.
Hence option (1) is the correct choice.
[Link].(c) Reading Comprehension -71
: As mentioned in the second paragraph of the passage the second
pianist that is private sector industries are liberated from incentive Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
and budget problems. Private sector is not limited by fiscal below them. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate
constraints and high-quality work is likely to be executed by them while answering some of the questions.
contractors.
Hence option (3) is the correct choice.
[Link].(e) Skill development has emerged as a key strategy to realize
the potential of a young workforce with an average age of 29, by
: All the given sentences are correct.
[Link].(d) enhancing their employability. The National Skill Development
Mission launched by the Union government envisions skilling at
: Refer the third paragraph of the passage.
scale with speed and standards, with a focus on strengthening
Sentences (II) and (III) are mentioned in paragraph 3, whereas
institutional training, infrastructure, convergence, training of
sentence (I) is not mentioned.
trainers, overseas employment, sustainable livelihoods and
Hence option (4) is the correct choice.
[Link].(d) leveraging public infrastructure. The national policy for skill
development and entrepreneurship 2015 provides an enabling
: The phrase ‘cut corners’ used in the first paragraph means to do
framework to realize this vision. The policy framework outlines the
something in the easiest, cheapest and fastest way. All the other paradigms and enablers to realize the potential of India’s
explanations are irrelevant with respect to the passage. Hence option demographic advantage by addressing challenges such as
4 is the correct choice. aspirations and mobilization of youth, quality and relevance of
[Link].(a) training; access to training, inclusivity and leveraging available
: “The right approach for public-private partnership” is an technology.
appropriate title of the passage. Yet, several challenges remain for skill development in
India. First, the huge proportion of informally trained workers who
[Link].(a)
form a part of the informal sector, where skill training is generally
: Foster means encourage the development of (something, carried out through individual learning, observation, or a transfer of
especially something desirable). Hence it has same meaning as skills from a master craftsperson to an apprentice. The proportion
stimulate. of trained workers in India is low at (d)69% of the total workforce
[Link].(e) compared to countries like Germany (75%) and South Korea (96%).
: stem means to originate in or be caused by. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) has been introduced in India to
facilitate an assessment and certification of the skills acquired by
Emanate means to originate from; be produced by.
the individual through experience, observation and self-learning in
[Link].(a)
order to give him/her an edge in career advancement. The mismatch
: Incur means become subject to (something unwelcome or between skill, academic training and employment has widened,
unpleasant) as a result of one's own behaviour or actions. Hence it leading to a situation where, on one hand, employers are unable to
has opposite meaning as circumvent. find appropriately trained people, and on the other, the youth are
eschew means deliberately avoid using; abstain from. unable to find employment that they aspire for.
[Link].(c) The significant variation in demographic profile necessitates
spend means to give (money) to pay for goods, services, or so as to local interventions. Southern states like Goa, Tamil Nadu, and
benefit someone or something. Kerala have a higher median age, between the range of 29-31 years,

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due to early fertility transitions, and will soon be ageing. challenge in developing these indicators. There is a need to generate
Hinterland states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan have data leading up to the labour market. This can be done by
a low median age between 20 and 22 years. Thus, this northern belt systematically including key questions on skills in employment-
will have a rising working age population. This requires addressing unemployment surveys. Once the indicators are finalized, an index
skill challenges of access, equity, relevance and financing can be built, ranking the states based on their performance
differently . Given that developing skills requires huge investments, outcomes. The creation of indicators itself is expected to catalyse
availability of real-time data on challenges faced by a the availability of reliable data on a periodic basis.
region/area/district/state, identification of sectors requiring skilled
manpower, and demand-supply match, it is important to assess the Q1. What method was devised by government to increase the
outcomes of various interventions undertaken thus far so that the employability in the nation
future course of policy action can be planned or modified.
Internationally, the first such efforts to develop indicators for (a) by providing proper assistance to create jobs.
skill development were made by the Organisation for Economic Co- (b) by making sure to improve institutional training, infrastructure and
operation and Development (OECD) that established the world sustainable livelihoods
indicators of skills for employment (WISE). The WISE framework (c) by indicating problems such as aspirations and mobilization of
includes a focus on contextual factors in a country, such as the gross youth, quality and relevance of training.
domestic product (GDP), population, employment in informal (d) both (B) and (C)
sector; factors affecting skill acquisition, such as educational (e) All are correct
attainment, literacy rate, enrolment ratios, vocational programme,
participation in training/apprenticeship, factors affecting skill Q2. Why India falls behind in skill development when compared to
requirement, such as employment share by level of education, other nations?
occupation, incidence of self-employment, skill use and outcomes
in terms of growth in GDP, labour productivity, employment rate, (I) Shortage of standard education in academic centers.
earnings, etc. Adapting from this framework, indicators must be (II) Dearth of qualified instructors which is mandatory to impart
developed to address challenges such matching skills across adroitness to youngsters.
sectors/regions to realize the potential of our youth and the working (III) Employment as per their expertise is not secured by the trained
population. SDIs would improve the effectiveness of various professional.
platforms set-up by the ministry of skill development and (IV) Huge portion of unprofessional workers
entrepreneurship. They would also enable the states to evaluate and (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
compete with their own past performance and facilitate sharing of (c) Only (I), (II) and (III) (d) Only (III) and (IV)
best practices across different sectors and states/union territories. (e) All
They would help assess the match between employers’ needs and
future labour market opportunities and based on the assessment of Q3. Why it was required to nurture skill development indicators (SDI),
existing policy initiatives and their outcomes, the future course of developed by OECD for the first time?
policy action could be planned or modified.
The indicators’ parameter of access would measure the (a) to realize the potential of the youth and working population
capacity and outreach of the programmes. Relevance would To understand the flair of youth and working population.
measure the ease of entry to the labour market with an enhanced (b) to understand the challenge faced by working class .
employability. Equity will measure the equal accessibility of the (c) To enhance the dexterity essential as per the various obstacle
opportunity to all and quality will evaluate whether the training encountered by different regions.
imparted meets the required standard of employability. And finally, (d) Both (A) and (C)
the parameter of finance would measure the cost-effectiveness of (e) All are correct
the funding provided. The dearth of reliable data is a pressing

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Q4. The appropriate title of the passage is Q9. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word
printed in bold in context of the passage.
(a) hurdles of skill development
(b) paving way for economic development of nation catalyze
(c) youth power- a medium to stabilize economy (a) criticize (b) propitiate
(d) Skill development indicators- a prerequisite (c) advocate (d) dawdle
(e) Fostering skill development (e) contrite

Q5. Which of the following sentences does not hold true in context to Q10. Each question below has one blank, each blank indicating that
the passage? something has been omitted. Find out which option can be used to
fill up the blanks in the sentence in the same sequence to make it
(a) The percentage of trained workers in Germany is 75% meaning complete.
(b) Southern states have a higher median state than the median age of But a religion could not permanently subsist in this world of space
hinterland states. and time without some external ________________ embodiment.
(c) To expedite assessment and certification of the essential skills for
an individual RPL has been introduced. (A) repulsive (B) consolidate
(d) The scarcity of authentic data is a major issue in developing the (C) livid (D) concrete
indicators. (a) only (A) (b) only (D)
(e) All are correct (c) both (A) and (C) (d) both (B) and (D)
Q6. Choose the word which is most same in meaning of the word printed (e) All of these
in bold in context of the passage. Answers And Solutions
facilitate [Link].(d)
(a) livid (b) vivid
In the first paragraph, it is mentioned that the main motive to launch
(c) expedite (d) entourage
mission was to strengthen institutional training, infrastructure,
(e) retinue
training of trainers, oversees employment etc.
Thus option 4 is the correct choice.
Q7. Choose the word which is most same in meaning of the word printed [Link].(d)
in bold in context of the passage.
Second paragraph shed light on the context where in the informal
trained workers and the gap between skill, academic training and
hinterland
employment has widened.
(a) inchoate (b) pugnacious
Hence option (4) is correct.
(c) paradigm (d) countryside
Refer the lines “The proportion of the formally trained in India is
(e) extol
low at (d)69% of the total workforce compared to countries like
Germany (75%) and South Korea (96%).”
Q8. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word
“The mismatch between skill, academic training and employment
printed in bold in context of the passage.
has widened, leading to a situation where, on one hand, employers
are unable to find appropriately trained people, and on the other, the
leveraging
youth are unable to find employment that they aspire for”
(a) authority (b) loathsome [Link].(e)
(c) adjacent (d) wholesome
:Refer the third and fourth paragraph of the passage.
(e) impuissant [Link].(d)

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:“Skill development indicators- a prerequisite ” is an appropriate Recalcitrant: having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards
title of the passage. authority or discipline.
[Link].(e) Combination (B-C) is correct as these words are imparting the
:All of the given statements are correct. meaning.
[Link].(c) [Link].(a)
:facilitate means make (an action or process) easy or easier. The error is in only the part (II) of the sentence.
Expedite means make (an action or process) happen sooner or be Use ‘that’ in place of whether as we use ‘that’ after ‘doubt’ and
accomplished more quickly. ‘unsure’ as the “doubt or uncertainity” has already been shown thus
[Link].(e): the conjunction “that” must be used for the next sentence to connect.
Hinterland means the remote areas of a country away from the coast [Link].(c)
or the banks of major rivers. The error is in part (I) and (II) of the sentence.
Countryside means the land and scenery of a rural area. In part (III) of the sentence the error is in the use of ‘of’. We will
[Link].(e) not use ‘of’ after ‘comprise’ as comprise = consist of.
Leverage : the exertion of force by means of a lever. In part (I) “the all” should be changed to “all the” as the should be
Impuissant: unable to take effective action; powerless. used before any noun, if noun is specific and then the determiner
[Link].(a) “all” before it to change the subject of the sentence to plural as “all”
:catalyze: cause or accelerate (a reaction) by acting as a catalyst. is a plural determiner.
Dawdle means move slowly and idly in a particular direction. [Link].(d)
Contrite means feeling or expressing remorse at recognition that one The word that fits perfectly in the blank is ‘shunning’ . ‘Shunning’
has done wrong. is a verb which means persistently avoid, ignore, or reject (someone
[Link].(b) or something) through antipathy or caution. And eschewing means
“concrete” is the most appropriate word as it is a present participle deliberately avoid using; abstain from.
acting as an adjective and it means existing in a material or a Hence, option 4becomes the most suitable choice.
physical form. Concrete provided the correct contextual meaning to Seeking means attempt or desire to obtain or achieve (something).
the sentence. Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical or
[Link].(a) idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the
Option (a) is the correct choice for the given question. sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is ‘No
The error is in part (II) of the sentence.
error’, the answer is ‘e’). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)
“The” should not be used before school.
[Link].(b)
School, College, Church, Hospital, Prison, Jail, Court, Bed, Market
when used for the fundamental purpose then we don’t use an article Apostrophe should be used after life to show whose adversity is
before it. being talked about. Thus “life’s adversity” should be used at the
And in the given sentence, school has been used to indicate the fact place of “life adversity”.
about the education which is its fundamental purpose. [Link].(a)
Among all the given word only option (1) does not fit appropriately
Q.12Ans.(d)
in the given blanks. Hence option (1) is the correct choice.
Option (d) is the correct choice for the given question.
jingoism: extreme patriotism, especially in the form of aggressive [Link].(e)
or warlike foreign policy. Among all the given words only option (c) i.e., ‘relinquish does not
Repartee: conversation or speech characterized by quick, witty fit appropriately in the given blanks. ‘relinquished means
comments or replies. voluntarily cease to keep or claim; give up., therefore, it does not
Badinage: humorous or witty conversation. fill the blank coherently. However, ‘radical’ is an adjective which
means (especially of change or action) relating to or affecting the

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fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough. Hence, ` The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), achieved
option (5) is the most suitable answer choice. in 2015 between Iran and the world powers, was neither a “second
Holocaust” nor “a diplomatic success worthy of the Nobel Prize.
[Link].(c) Last week, US President Donald Trump announced
America’s exit from the Iran nuclear deal—formally known as the
In statement (I), “travels” should be replaced with “travails” as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The other
travails means suffering and “travel” means to go somewhere and signatories to the deal—the UK, France, Germany, Russia and
there is no context of going somewhere or anything like this. The China—have stated their intention of staying in the deal. If the
context of the passage is suffering, hardship thus “travails” is the JCPOA unravels, it will have consequences for the entire world,
correct word to choose. including India. Iran is India’s third largest oil supplier and serves
In statement (II), “species’ food” should be used at “species food’ as India’s link to Afghanistan and Central Asia. Trump had three
main problems with JCPOA: a) The deal does not have binding
to show the possessiveness.
restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme; b) many of the
In statement (III), In this statement “multifacet” should be replaced restrictions have sunset clauses; and c) the deal does nothing to
with “multifaceted” to make it an adjective for the linking verb “is”. prevent Iranian sponsorship of terrorism in its region.
Hence, option3 is the most suitable choice. On 30 April, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
[Link].(d) had brought to light Iranian nuclear weapons development archives.
Out of all the statements provided, only Statement (I) is But, ironically, those documents could have been used, as Robert
grammatically correct. In case of statement II, “from” should be Einhorn of the Brookings Institution has suggested, to plug
JCPOA’s gaps. If the archives contain solid proof of Iranian plans
taken off as “off” itself is a preposition and does not take another
to mount a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile, it would have
preposition “from” after it. In statement III, “that” should be taken given teeth to Trump’s efforts to contain Iran’s ballistic missile
off as “how” itself is a conjunction thus does not require any further development effort. But, for that, Trump had to sincerely abide by
conjunction to join a clause. the JCPOA until the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
In statement (Iv), “is certain” should be replaced with “are certain” had established the links between Iran’s extant ballistic missiles
as “are” is used for those talked in the sentence. Hence, option 4 is programme and its previous plans to develop nuclear weapons. On
the contrary, Trump has been running a long, prejudiced campaign
the correct option.
against the JCPOA and has given more than an impression that he
[Link].(b)
just needed an excuse to exit the deal.
“Glib” which means “fluent but insincere and shallow” should be Other participants of the JCPOA believe that the terms of the
used as the context of the passage is that the human beings are losing sunset clauses could have extended in negotiations with Iran. But
themselves in pursuit of technology. All other words fail to deliver that would have also been possible only if the deal was adhered to
the intended meaning. by all parties. Trump and other JCPOA opponents argue that lifting
sanctions incentivised Iran to step up terrorist and destabilizing
Reading Comprehension -72 activities in West Asia. They may not be entirely wrong but the
quest for a perfect deal can equally be a credible path to an Iran with
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given a nuclear bomb. What will happen now? It depends on how
below them. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate effective the reimposed sanctions on Iran will be. If Europe, along
them while answering some of the questions. with Russia and China, refuses to play ball with the US, the
sanctions regime will be ineffective. In that case, Iran will not suffer
much and the US will not have much leverage—other than threat of

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military action—to stop the Iranian bomb. Alternatively, the US Q2. What does the idiom “given teeth” mean as per the passage?
can`t perforce make the sanctions effective by threatening
secondary sanctions against countries doing business with Iran. (a) Inchoate (b) Render
European businesses and banks cannot even contemplate being shut (c) ministration (d) Succulent
out of the US. China too knows from previous experience of dealing (e) Blender
with both Iran and North Korea that American sanctions can indeed
bite. Already reeling under sanctions imposed by the West, Russia Q3. What will make the sanctions regime on Iran effective?
will not have much to offer Iran.
(a) consent given by countries like china and Russia.
Even if the sanctions are effective, it does not necessarily
(b) Agreeing the acceptance made by Iran
mean that Iran will come back to the table willing to accept harsher (c) by collapsing the Iran regime over the oil deal.
restrictions. Under siege, Iran may instead decide to go down the (d) Both (b) and (c)
path of acquiring the nuclear bomb. Seeing how North Korea’s (e) All are correct
acquisition of the nuclear bomb has increased its bargaining power
may just act as a motivator. The Trump administration may be Q4. As per the passage, what can be the after effect of sanctions in Iran?
secretly hoping that sanctions will lead to a regime collapse in Iran.
This is an idea fraught with danger. A regime collapse risks a more (I) Downfall of Iran’s economy
(II) growth of regional impact.
hardline section in Iran gaining power. The new rulers may choose (III) attainment of more nuclear weapons
to double down on the nuclear weapons programme and expand (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II)
regional influence. After studying other examples of nuclear (c) Both (II) and (III) (d) Both (I) and (II)
proliferation, including that of North Korea. (e) All are correct
Given India’s dependence on Iran for oil and connectivity,
as mentioned earlier, it is easy to overstate the implications of Q5. As per the passage, what would be the ramifications of sanctioning
by U.S. on India?
JCPOA’s death, if that occurs. India has many other oil suppliers
ready to move in if imports from Iran get disrupted. Reimposition (I) India will switch to other countries’ oil Import
of sanctions may even make Iran offer oil on favourable terms to (II) Iran will facilitate easy import.
India. In any case, the Indian system has gone through this before— (III) The Indian economy will suffer.
in the run-up to JCPOA negotiations. (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II)
(c) Both (II) and (III) (d) Both (I) and (II)
(e) All are correct
Q1. What impact does Israeli prime minister Benjamin netanyahu’s
revelation made? Q6. A phrase “could have extended” given in the passage is highlighted
which may or may not contain grammatical error. There are five
(a) New suppliers nodded to supply to India on favourable terms. alternatives given below, one of which may replace the existing
(b) It stopped the contention among the countries of JCPOA highlighted part to make the sentence grammatically correct and
(c) The gap between Iran and Israel got strengthened contextually meaningful. Choose the most appropriate alternative
(d) US’ exit from JCPOA got provoked. as your answer. If the phrase is grammatically correct, as given, and
doesn’t require any correction, choose option (e) i.e., “No correction
(e) All of the above.
required” as your answer

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(a) could have been extending

(b) could have extended Q10. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides
(c) could had extended the most opposite meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used
(d) could have been extended in the passage?
(e) i.e., “No correction required” as your answer.
Abide by
Q7. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides (I) spurn (II) vaunt (III) narcissist (IV) flaunt
the most similar meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used in (a) Only (II)
the passage? (b) Only (I) and (IV)
(c) Only (II), (III) and (III)
Unravel (d) Only (II), (I) and (IV)
(I) untwist (II) decipher (e) None of them
(III) unsnarl (IV) unfold Answers And Solutions
(a) Only (III)
(b) Only (II) and (IV) [Link].(d)
(c) Only (I), (II) and (III)
(d) Only (II), (III) and (IV) in the first sentence of the second paragraph clearly mentions the
(e) All are correct revelation made by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyhu
regarding the Iranian weapon development and this was the reason
Q8. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides trump decided to exit from the JCPOA. All other options are not
the most similar meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used in
relevant as per the question.
the passage?
[Link].(c)
prejudice Option (3) is the correct choice for the given question.
(I) protean (II) charlatan Given teeth means to make something powerful; to give something
(III) inchoate (IV) livid a real effect.
(a) Only (I)
ministration means the provision of assistance or care.
(b) Only (II) and (IV)
(c) Only (I), (III) and (III) [Link].(a)
(d) Only (II), (I) and (IV) we can deduce the plausible explanation from the third paragraph
(e) None of them from the statement “If Europe, along with Russia and China, refuses
to play ball with the US, the sanctions regime will be ineffective.”
Q9. Which of the following alternatives among the five options provides
Hence option 1 is the correct choice.
the most opposite meaning(s) of the word given in BOLD as used
in the passage? [Link].(e)
all the given after-effects are correct.
Fraught Refer the lines “The Trump administration may be secretly hoping
(I) gullible (II) adipose (III) plausible (IV) unscrupulous that sanctions will lead to a regime collapse in Iran. This is an idea
(a) Only (II)
fraught with danger. A regime collapse risks a more hardline section
(b) Only (I) and (IV)
(c) Only (II), (III) and (III) in Iran gaining power. The new rulers may choose to double down
(d) Only (II), (I) and (IV) on the nuclear weapons programme and expand regional influence.”
(e) None of them Hence option (5) is the most correct choice.

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[Link].(b) plausible means of an argument or statement seeming reasonable or

only statement 2 can be deduced from the paragraph which can be probable.
inferred from the statement “India has many other oil suppliers
ready to move in if imports from Iran get disrupted. Reimposition [Link].(b)
of sanctions may even make Iran offer oil on favourable terms to Abide means accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or
India.” recommendation).
Thus option 2 is the correct choice. Hence spurn and flout are opposite in meaning as ‘abide by’.
[Link].(d) Nefarious means wicked or criminal.
“could have been extended” is the correct phrase which delivers the Vaunt means boast about or praise.
correct meaning to the sentence.
In this sentence, either “clause ” have extended something or Reading Comprehension -73
“clause” could have been extended by something. In this “clauses”
are not extending something as there is no direct object after “could Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
have extended” so it should be written in passive. Thus “could have below them. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate
been extended: should be used. them while answering some of the questions.
[Link].(e)
From doubling farm incomes by 2022, renaming the
Unravel means become undone. ministry of agriculture the agriculture and farmers' welfare ministry,
untwist means open or cause to open from a twisted position. transferring Rs 6,000 per year directly into the bank accounts of
Decipher means convert (a text written in code, or a coded signal) small and marginal farmers, guaranteeing Minimum Support Price
into normal language. (MSP) with 50 per cent additional payment, issuing soil health
cards, setting up eNAMs and GrAMs to revamping 99 big
Unsnarl means disentangle.
incomplete canal irrigation projects, the list of agricultural reforms
Hence all the words are similar in meaning with unravel. the government purports to have undertaken is long. The
[Link].(e) government announced its ambitious dream of doubling farmers’
: prejudice means preconceived opinion that is not based on reason income by 2022-23 in 2015-16. Incomes would have to grow
or actual experience. annually by 10.4% to double in seven years. The data on growth
rates of farm income given by NITI Aayog in its policy paper on
None of the given words is similar in meaning with prejudice.
doubling farmers’ income shows that the real income of farmers has
Protean means tending or able to change frequently or easily. grown at a rate of (c)4% between 1993 and 2016. Further, if we use
Charlatan means a person falsely claiming to have a special the gross value added (GVA) by agriculture as a proxy for farm
knowledge or skill. incomes, we see that the GVA of agriculture at constant prices has
Inchoate means just begun and so not fully formed or developed; historically grown, on an average, at a rate of 3% per annum.
Following this trend, the real GVA took as many as 25 years (in the
rudimentary.
period 1990-2016) to double!
livid means angry Recent efforts to improve farmers’ income have been
[Link].(a) focused on raising minimum support prices (MSPs). Historical
Fraught means causing or affected by anxiety or stress. Hence it has evidence shows that MSP does not directly translate into higher
opposite meaning as repose. incomes for farmers due to a deficient ground-implementation
framework. Additionally, high MSPs result in market distortions

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and render Indian exports uncompetitive in world markets. Thus, it households need to be encouraged and enabled to engage household
does not appear realistic to double the real income of a rural members in non-farm livelihood and contribute to the household
household from agriculture alone. Incomes of rural households need income through remittance earning or direct earning. Non-farm
to be augmented from non-farm income sources.
activities already generate close to two-thirds of the income in
Notwithstanding challenges, the industry and service sectors
have shown more consistent real growth in the last five years and a Indian rural areas but this hasn’t translated into a significant rise in
shift of workforce is required from the farm to the non-farm sector. employment opportunities in these areas or bridged disparities in
Openunemployment is already high. The problem of disguised worker productivity. The thrust on the manufacturing sector in rural
unemployment and under-employment, fuelled by fragmentation areas has been inadequate woeful. Manufacturing activity,
of landholdings, has long plagued the Indian agricultural sector. especially employing modern technology, in rural areas has been
More than 45% of the workforce is engaged in a sector which neglected. Lack of required skills and technical knowledge are the
contributes less than 17% to the country’s gross domestic product.
major barriers, apart from good quality infrastructure and power.
This share is poised to further decline; agriculture cannot sustain
households dependent on it for long. The sooner we recognize this, This has led to minimal private sector investment. Growth of rural
the faster we will be able to evaluate policy alternatives. manufacturing requires massive investment in skill formation and
For instance, China, whose farm sector was similar to that of entrepreneurship development as well as in infrastructure.
India in the 1960s, now employs only 27.7% of its workforce in
agriculture. It has left India far behind in value of agriculture Q1. As per the passage, how can farmers grow their income?
production and rural household incomes. This is because first, it
produces much more from each hectare than India does, and second, (a) by raising the base price of farm produce
it rigorously developed non-farm income sources. (b) by considering non-farmer sources a source of earning
Through major reforms in the 1970s, China boosted its (c) by increasing the subsidies provided by the government
agricultural productivity and at the same time, established urban (d) by increasing the MSPs
labour markets by developing non-state enterprises, making it (e) All of the above
possible for rural migrants to seek jobs in towns and cities.
Additionally, non-farm activities were rapidly developed in rural Q2. What can be the possible reason(s) for the decline of the Indian
China, which absorbed a large quantity of surplus agricultural economy?
labour. This form of labour mobility was christened “leave the land,
(I) insufficient developmental strategy by the government.
but not the village”. (II) shortage of workforce available in non-farm sector as compared to
Labour-intensive “township and village enterprises” (TVEs) farm sector.
were established in rural areas and saw keen participation from the (III) dissolution of land holdings
private sector due to low-wage labour. TVEs became engines of (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II) and (III)
growth for Chinese rural non-farm sector. As a result, China’s rural (c) Only (III) (d) Only (I) and (III)
non-farm sector has emerged as a major source of the high rates of (e) All are correct
economic growth in the recent past. Rural poverty levels are as low
Q3. How did China managed to grow its economy in the recent past?
as (b)5% now in China while in India, they remain as high as 40% How China’s economy grew so rapidly in the recent past?
in some states.
Taking a cue from its neighbour, India needs to undertake a (I) developing the industries and service sector.
drive to intensify non-farm employment in its rural areas. Rural

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(II) Implementing the reforms against lack of labour force in urban (a) rigorous developed
areas. (b) developed rigorously
(III) Increasing its agricultural productivity (c) rigorously developed
(d) rigorously developing
(IV) by providing employment opportunities in rural areas.
(e) No correction required
(a) Only (I) (b) Only (II), (III) and (IV)
(c) Only (III) and (IV) (d) Only (I), (II) and (III) Q7. The phrase given in bold depicts the meaning of one of the words
(e) All are correct given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the given
options that defines the given meaning in the context of the passage.
Q4. What are the ways by which India can provide significant making difference between two groups smaller or less significant.
employment opportunities?
(a) bidged (b) persevered
(a) By improving the living of the rural people. (c) miserable (d) tersed
(b) By providing good quality infrastructure (e) inchoate
(c) by imparting the required skills and technical knowledge to the
labour force. Q8. The phrase given in bold depicts the meaning of one of the words
(d) Both (2) and (3) given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the given
(e) All are correct options that defines the given meaning in the context of the passage.
An illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or similarity between
Q5. What does the author mean by the phrase “leave the land, but not two or more facts.
the village” as given in the passage?
(a) bile (b) debauchee
(a) To increase the income of households from non farm income (c) disparity (d) psyche
sources. (e) upright
(b) Making the inhabitants of rural areas to migrate to town and cities
but not permanently. Q9. The phrase given in bold depicts the meaning of one of the words
(c) Engaging in non-farm livelihood and contribute to the household given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the given
income. options that defines the given meaning in the context of the passage.
(d) Shifting the labour force from farm to non-farm activities developed provide or give (a service, help, etc.).
in rural areas.
(a) nimble (b) lure
(e) All of the above. (c) loiter (d) render
(e) slander
Q6. A phrase given in the passage is highlighted which may or may not
contain grammatical error. There are five alternatives given below, Q.10 The phrase given in bold depicts the meaning of one of the words
one of which may replace the existing highlighted part to make the given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the given
sentence grammatically correct and contextually meaningful. options that defines the given meaning in the context of the passage.
Choose the most appropriate alternative as your answer. If the a hint or indication about how to behave in particular circumstances.
phrase is grammatically correct, as given, and doesn’t require any
correction, choose option (5) i.e., “No correction required” as your (a) humour (b) adage
answer. (c) sarcasm (d) cue
(e) impute

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Answers And Solutions [Link].(c)

: ‘woefully inadequate’ is the correct usage of the phrase that will
deliver a grammatically correct sentence. Here ‘woefully’ is an
Q.1Ans.(b)
adverb which modifies an adjective, verb or other adverb and
: Second paragraph suggests that income of the farmers cannot be ‘inadequate’ is an adjective which describes the noun or pronoun.
raised by raising minimum support prices due to deficient ground- Here ‘has been’ is a linking verb after which an adjective should be
implementation framework but from non- farm sources. used and then before that we can use an adverb. Hence option (d) is
All the other options are not mentioned in the passage. the correct choice.
This makes option (b) as the correct choice. Q7Ans.(a):
Refer the line of the paragraph “Incomes of rural households need Disguised is the word which means making (something)
to be augmented from non-farm income sources.” unrecognizable by altering its appearance, sound, taste, or smell.
[Link].(d) Persistence means the fact of continuing in an opinion or course of
: With respect to third paragraph of the passage, we can conclude action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
that fragmentation of landholdings leading to unemployment and Abject means experienced or present to the maximum degree.
lack of workforce in non- farm sector are the factors responsible for Abet means encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong,
decline of the Indian economy. in particular to commit a crime.
Hence option (b) will be the most appropriate choice. Despair means the complete loss or absence of hope.
Refer the lines “The problem of disguised unemployment and [Link].(c)
under-employment, fuelled by fragmentation of landholdings, has : Disparity is the word, which means a great difference.
long plagued the Indian agricultural sector.”
Tumbled means fall suddenly.
“Notwithstanding challenges, the industry and service sectors have
shown more consistent real growth in the last five years and a shift Hegemonic means ruling or dominant in a political or social
of workforce is required from the farm to the non-farm sector.” context.
[Link].(e) Hype means extravagant or intensive publicity or promotion.
: With Reference to the fourth, fifth and sixth paragraph of the Rile means make annoyed or irritated.
passage, we can conclude that all the given sentences are correct. [Link].(d)
Hence option (e) is the correct choice. : Augment is the word, which means make (something) greater by
[Link].(d) adding to it.
Despicable means deserving hatred and contempt.
: Refer the last paragraph of the passage, that suggests the steps need
Entrench means establish, settle
to be taken by India in order to improve its non- farm employment.
Taper means diminish or reduce in thickness.
Sentences (b) and (c) are correct according to the last paragraph.
Harness means control or tackle
Hence option (d) is the correct choice. Q.10Ans.(d)
Refer the lines “Lack of required skills and technical knowledge are
: The word cue as means a hint or indication about how to behave
the major barriers, apart from good quality infrastructure and
in particular circumstances.
power.”
[Link].(d) Invigoration means making one feel strong, healthy and full of
energy.
: Sentence (d) is the correct explanation of the phrase “leave the Axiomatic means self- evident or unquestionable.
land, but not the village”. Subdued means soft and restrained.
Refer the fifth paragraph of the passage “Additionally, non-farm Dissent means the holding or expression of opinions at variance
activities were rapidly developed in rural China, which absorbed a with those commonly or officially held.
large quantity of surplus agricultural labour. This form of labour
mobility was christened “leave the land, but not the village”.

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Reading Comprehension -74 The second half of the 1970s and the early 1980s proved to
be the most vital years in the history of computers. This is the period
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given when the single-chip CPU (central processing unit) was invented by
below them. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate a microchip design team. The group of engineers led by Federico
them while answering some of the questions. Faggin, Ted Hoff and Stan Mazor successfully integrated 2,300
transistors in an area of 3 x 4 mm2 using 10µ technology.
Every classical electronic computer exploits the natural Vigorous and cut-throat competition between the two giants,
behavior of electrons to produce results in accordance with Boolean Intel and Motorola, triggered an ever-increasing density of
logic. IN 1978, we were the first batch of students at Indian Institute transistors on per unit area of a semiconductor chip. Gordon Moore,
of Technology (IIT) Delhi to study the microprocessor along with one of the founders of Intel, in 1965 had predicted the “doubling of
boolean and switching algebra. Little did we know then that we components per chip every year”. By the mid 1970s, the prediction
were learning about a chip that would soon transform the entire assumed the status of a law, and since the invention of the first I.C.
world and, that too, at an ever-increasing pace. This rectangular until this day, the electronics industry has followed Moore’s Law.
octopus-shaped chip, which converted every bit of information into Three factors governed the industry with respect to this law.
zeros and ones, was to soon change its shape and size and invade all First, the speed and capacity to perform simultaneous multiple
spaces of our life. operations is directly proportional to the increase in the density of
My generation is a product of the gigantic mainframe transistors per unit area. Secondly, the power consumption was
computers such as the DEC system-10, manufactured by Digital inversely proportional to the density. Thirdly, for any corporation
Electronic Corporation. For housing this gigantic computer, a new to withstand the pressure of an ever-enlarging market, it was crucial
building was constructed on the IIT campus. All those who had to optimise the costs: this could not be achieved without the timely
access to the mainframe computer, especially students who joined bulk production of higher-density [Link]. On the one hand
“computer science”, moved around the campus with an acute sense proliferation of technology led to competition among producers of
of self-importance and a chip on their shoulders. The sub-discipline, microchips and on the other mass production forced user firms to
“information technology (IT)”, was yet to be born. Even the search for new markets, new uses, new inventions and new
brightest among us could not foresee the revolution that was in the products.
offing. Jose van Dijck, a professor of Comparative Media Studies at
One of the major problems that computer and electronic the University of Amsterdam, in his foreword to a recently
engineers faced at that time was called the “tyranny of numbers”. published book, The Datafied Society: Studying Culture Through
To improve the performance of electronic machines and computers, Data, wrote: “Networked connectivity runs on data—the new oil of
the number of components had to be increased. These components the information economy. Just as electricity changed industrial
had to be physically connected through wires. The laborious task of processes and domestic practices in the nineteenth century, a data-
soldering these wires was prohibitive. It was clear that the old driven paradigm will constitute the core of twenty-first-century
technology was reaching a saturation point. Jack Kilby’s invention processes and practices.”
offered a novel solution. In 1958, he demonstrated that several The digital revolution driven by I.C.s impacted all spaces of
electronic components could be created and integrated on a single human activities. Every operation performed by man or machine
semiconductor chip, which was later called integrated circuit (I.C.). could now be reduced to zeros and ones. But something else was

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also happening simultaneously, unlimited digital storage space was (a) Only (I) (b) Both (II) and (III)
available to humankind. This space could consume unlimited data (c) Only (II) (d) Both (I) and (II)
and store them eternally without any loss of information. With (e) All (I), (II) and (III)
powerful computers at one’s command, the capability to collect,
collate, transport over huge distances, and analyse the large Q3. Which of the following events led to the prediction of doubling of
datasets did not just double every year, it increased exponentially. components per chip every year?
It is interesting to note that the Human Genome Project, the largest
data collection project of the 20th century, was initiated as an idea (I) A robust and cut-throat competition between the giant producers,
in 1984, launched in 1990, and declared completed in 2003. This is Intel and Motorola.
the period when the digital revolution was also taking place. (II) Excess demand of several electronic components to be integrated
on a single semiconductor chip.
Q1. Which of the following factors governed the electronics industry (III) Origination of higher density I.C.s in the late 20th century.
with respect to Moore’s law? (a) Both (II) and (III) (b) Only (I)
(c) Only (III) (d) All (I), (II) and (III)
(I) he speed and capacity to perform simultaneous multiple operations (e) Both (I) and (II)
is directly proportional to the increase in the density of transistors
per unit area. Q4. How, according to the author, the period of 1970s-80s saw the
(II) The power consumption is inversely proportional to the density. revolution in computers?
(III) Optimization of costs to withstand the pressure of an ever-enlarging
market. (I) The period saw the invention of the single-chip CPU (central
(a) Only (I) (b) Only (II) processing unit).
(c) Only (III) (d) None of the above (II) The period saw the introduction of a single semiconductor chip for
(e) All of the above the very first time.
(III) The period saw the elimination of boolean and switching algebra as
Q2. What does the author mean by the statement, “ The sub-discipline, parts of computer course.
“information technology (IT)”, was yet to be born.”? (a) Only (I) (b) Only (III)
(c) Both (II) and (III) (d) Both (I) and (III)
(I) Information technology (IT), which wasn’t known among many, (e) All (I), (II) and (III)
had already been the subject of self-importance to “computer
science” students. Q3. How, according to the passage, the digital revolution driven by I.C.s
(II) Information technology, which brought the revolution in cyber impacted all spaces of human activities?
world, had hardly been imagined during the period of gigantic
mainframe computers such as the DEC system-10. (I) Unlimited digital storage space was accessible to humankind.
(III) It was expected that with the evolution of information technology (II) The capability to collect, collate, transport over huge distances, and
cyberspace would witness multidimensional cultural changes in analyse the large datasets increased exponentially.
almost every society.

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(III) Every operation performed by man or machine could now be Prediction

reduced to zeros and ones. (a) accuracy (b) surmise
(a) Only (I) (b) Only (II) (c) calculation (d) ambitious
(c) Both (I) and (III) (d) Both (I) and (II) (e) explicate
(e) All (I), (II) and (III)
Q10. Choose the word which is mostopposite in meaning to the word
Q6. What led to the invention of Integrated Circuit (I.C.)? printed in bold in the context of the passage.

(I) It was becoming important to improve the performance of electronic Proliferation

machines and computer. (a) diminution (b) capaciousness
(II) The old technology was reaching a saturation point. (c) kosher (d) Recreational
(III) The tedious task of connecting components through wires required (e) kaput
soldiering which was inhibitory.
(a) Only (II) (b) Both (I) and (II) Answers And Solutions
(c) All (I), (II) and (III) (d) Only (III)
(e) Both (II) and (III) [Link].(e)
Solution: Refer the sixth paragraph of the passage, all the three
Q7. Choose the word which is most similarin meaning to the word factors that governed the electronics industry with respect to
printed in bold in the context of the passage.
Moore’s law are mentioned there. Thus, all three statements
together constitute the answer. Hence option (5) is the correct
analyse
choice.
(a) scrutinize (b) pacify
[Link].(c)
(c) rectify (d) sanitize
(e) blister Before answering the given question, one needs to understand in
what context the author has used the statement in the passage. Read
Q8. Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word the first two paragraphs carefully, try to understand the generation
printed in bold in the context of the passage. of gigantic mainframe computers which the author had gone
through as well. The author had implicitly mentioned that the
Crucial evolution of information technology had hardly been imagined even
(a) adage (b) apogee by the brightest of students during that period. Among the given
(c) colossal (d) pivotal alternatives, only the second statement decipher the meaning what
(e) collusion
the author had tried to convey. The other two statements are out of
the context. Hence option (3) is the correct choice.
Q9. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word
[Link].(b)
printed in bold in the context of the passage.

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Among the given alternatives, only the first event led to the Blister means a swelling filled with air or fluid on the surface of a
prediction of doubling of components per chip every year. It was plant, heated metal, painted wood, etc.
predicted by Gordon Moore, one of the founders of Intel. For the [Link].(d)
reference, read the fifth paragraph carefully. The other two The word “crucial ” means a decisive or critical, especially in the
statements are not correct in the context of the passage. Hence success or failure of something. The word “ pivotal” means
option (2) is the correct choice. something of crucial importance in relation to the development or
[Link].(a) success of something else.. Thus, in the context of passage, both
Refer the fourth paragraph of the passage where it is clearly these words are similar in meanings. Hence option (4) is the correct
mentioned that the second half of the 1970s and the early 1980s choice.
saw the invention of most important tool of the computer i.e. the [Link].(c)
single-chip CPU (central processing unit) which was invented by The word “prediction ” means a statement about what you think
a microchip design team. This makes the first statement a correct will happen in the future but keeps you in dilemma. Thus, in the
choice as the answer. However, the other two options are context of the usage of the word in the passage, the word opposite
contextually incorrect. Hence option (1) is the correct choice. in meaning to it is “calculation ” which means an accurate
[Link].(e) mathematical determination of the amount or number of something.
All the three statements could be termed as the impacts of the digital Hence option (c) is the correct choice.
revolution driven by I.C.s on all spaces of human activities. All [Link].(a)
these statements can be inferred from the last paragraph of the The word “proliferation ”means rapid increase in the number or
passage where all these points are mentioned along with few more. amount of something . The word “ diminution” means a reduction
Hence option (5) is the correct choice in the context of the passage. in the size, extent, or importance of something.. Thus, in the context
[Link].(c) of the usage of the word in the passage, both are opposite in
All the three statements could be considered the reasons that led to meanings. Hence option (1) is the correct choice.
the invention of Integrated Circuit (I.C.). For the reference, read the
third paragraph of the passage. These statements are mentioned in Reading Comprehension -75
detail and with proper explanation suggesting what inspired the
introduction of Integrated Circuit (I.C.). Hence option (3) is the Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
below them. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold
correct choice.
to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
[Link].(b)
The word “analyse ” means examine (something) methodically and Electric vehicles represent a small but growing market share
in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it.. Thus, in the of all vehicles. The more we see them on our streets and highways,
the more benefits we’ll all accrue. But still the Union government
context of the usage of the word in the passage, the word makes no bones about its intent to promote electric vehicles (EVs).
“scrutuinize ” is most similar in meaning. Hence option (2) is the However, it would do well to learn a few lessons from what
correct choice. happened to smartphones before making grand technology bets. A
number of incentives for EVs are on the table. Last week, the Union

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minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, announced continuing to plan through the paradigm of the feature phone would
that the government is considering exemption from permits, have led us astray, and it is good the government did not subsidize
concessional toll, a rate of depreciation of 50% as against the the iPhone 2 or build public phone charging infrastructure.
prevailing 15% for conventional vehicles, lowering of the goods Similarly, the government should avoid regulating the
and services tax on batteries and a rule mandating taxi aggregators supply of infrastructure with arbitrary prescriptions and subsidies.
to have a certain percentage of EVs in their fleet. This week, there While everyone agrees that charging infrastructure is essential to
are noises of incentives of up to Rs(b)5 lakh for cars, and car the success of EVs, whether there should be a charging station at
chargers at every few kilometers. On the public transport front, every five kilometers or ten cannot be known in advance. Factors
Union minister for heavy industries AnantGeete has spoken about such as the driving range of vehicles, private charging capabilities
making the public transport system fully electric through the second of users and charging speed will determine the number and location
phase of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric of charging stations. Similarly, shifts in technology—such as
vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme. It’s possible that some of wireless charging, solid state batteries or a transition to hydrogen
these plans will not materialize, but the government’s intent is fuel cells—will have to be anticipated as these might render existing
clear. infrastructure obsolete.
Amid all the excitement, however, the smartphones story
should give the government reason for caution. EVs are superior to Q1. Electric vehicles are not the solution to air pollution in developing
internal combustion engines, but also expensive. Just like early countries. Justify.
smartphones, rather than rushing to purchase the early iterations, a
better idea would be to wait until the rich nations buy sufficient (I) Electric and hybrid buses need regular maintenance.
volumes of the products on offer, and bring prices down. Therefore, (II) Electric vehicle is an expensive solution for developing countries to
incentives to purchase EVs, as well as procurement of EVs for adopt.
public transport, could be fiscally expensive, and we might end up (III) Electric and hybrid buses are not widely available.
with an overpriced fleet of early-generation vehicles. (a) Only (I) (b) Only (II)
The primary reason for the EV push is controlling carbon (c) Both (II) and (III) (d) Both (I) and (III)
emissions. But something like an all-electric fleet of buses is an (e) All
expensive solution to the problem. A World Bank study on the cost
effectiveness of electric and hybrid buses in developing countries Q2. What lesson(s) should government learn from smartphone story?
concluded that in order to tackle air pollution, the policy goal should
be to incentivize more people to leave their cars at home. In Mexico, (a) Not to bring it in excessive use.
for example, an average commuter would emit 8kg of carbon (b) Using the products on offer.
dioxide if he takes his trip in a car. The emissions decrease to (a)5kg (c) Not to make early purchases.
if he takes a diesel bus, 1kg in a hybrid bus and zero in an electric (d) Both (B) and (C)
bus. It is, therefore, clear that many of the gains against air pollution (e) All are correct
can be derived by enabling the modal shift, through improvements
in the quality of public transport. Q3. What intention of government can be inferred from the passage
Lastly, we should remember that EVs are a paradigm shift regarding adopting electric vehicles?
much in the same way that smartphones were. The thing about these
transitions is that we cannot know which parts of the previous (a) Government is taking interest in launching the electric vehicles after
paradigm will be borrowed, and which left behind. For example, its price drop down.
feature phones had physical keys but, BlackBerry’s resistance, (b) The government is perplexed with the efficiency of electric
keyboards had to give way to screens. If we still used the battery vehicles.
technology of feature phones, there might have been government (c) Due to expensive nature of electric vehicles, government is not
tenders for public phone charging infrastructure. In hindsight, taking interest in its promotion.

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(d) The government is clear in its vision in adopting electric vehicles. given options that defines the given meaning in the context of the
(e) None of these passage.

Commuter
Q4. What is/ are the requirements for making electric vehicles work? (a) Passerby (b) player
(a) less expensive (c) spectator (d) passenger
(e) Bequeather
(b) advanced technology
(c) charging infrastructure Q.9. The word given in bold depicts the opposite meaning of one of the
(d) both (2) and (3) words given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the
(e) All given options that defines the given meaning in the context of the
passage.
Q5. What is the author’s tone in context of the passage?
promote
(a) humurous (b) Laudatory (a) concede (b) secede
(c) Ethical (d) cynical (c) intercede (d) supersede
(e) critical (e) impede

Q6. In what context is the phrase ‘makes no bones’ used in the passage? Q.10. The word given in bold depicts the opposite meaning of one of the
words given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the
(a) The government intent is yet to be deciphered regarding accepting given options that defines the given meaning in the context of the
electric vehicles. passage.
(b) The government is not giving its consent for manufacturing of
electric vehicles. Imprudence
(c) The goernment is perplexed for adopting electric vehicles in the (a) precedence (b) creative
country in order to prevent air pollution. (c) lavish (d) caution
(d) The governmnt is making its intention clear leaving no doubt (e) adjunct
regarding accepting the electric vehicles. Answers And Solutions
(e) There is no objection by the government regarding production of
electric vehicles. [Link].(b)
Q.7. The word given in bold depicts the similar meaning of one of the Electric vehicles are not the solution to air pollution in developing
words given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the countries as electric vehicles are expensive for developing countries
given options that defines the given meaning in the context of the to adopt, hence according to world bank, developing countries
passage. should encourage their citizens to make less use of cars, which emit
more carbon dioxide than a diesel bus or hybrid bus. This proves
Materialize sentence (II) as the most appropriate choice.
(a) entrap (b) rife
Other sentences are not mentioned anywhere in the passage.
(c) Surface (d) tremble
(e) forlorn Hence option (2) is the correct choice.
Refer the lines from third paragraph “But something like an all-
Q.8. The word given in bold depicts the similar meaning of one of the electric fleet of buses is an expensive solution to the problem. A
words given below. Choose the most appropriate word among the World Bank study on the cost effectiveness of electric and hybrid

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buses in developing countries concluded that in order to tackle air [Link].(e)

pollution, the policy goal should be to incentivise more people to The tone of the author is critical as the author is giving his deep
leave their cars at home.” interpretation of the issue with a neutral outlook. The author has
[Link].(c) provided the analysis of adopting Electric vehicles in developing
Refer the second paragraph of the passage “Just like early countries. Hence option (5) is the correct choice.
smartphones, rather than rushing to purchase the early iterations, a [Link].(d)
better idea would be to wait until the rich nations buy sufficient The phrase ‘makes no bones’ used in the passage is to provide the
volumes of the products on offer, and bring prices down.” From intention of the government regarding its clear intention of adopting
which it is clear that government should not make early purchases, electric vehicles. ‘Make no bones’ is an idiom which means to be
they should wait till prices goes down to avoid expensive transparent about something , without any equivocation.
procurement. Hence option (4) is the correct choice to be made.
Hence option (3) is the best suited choice. Refer the line “The Union government makes no bones about its
[Link].(d) intent to promote electric vehicles (EVs). However, it would do well
Refer the first paragraph of the passage from which we can infer the to learn a few lessons from what happened to smartphones before
government’s intent regarding adoption of electric vehicles. making grand technology bets. A number of incentives for EVs are
The government has formulated plans for promoting electric on the table….”
vehicles which clearly indicates that government is keen to adopt [Link].(c)
Electric vehicles. All the other options are not its correct Materialize is the word used in the passage which means become
explanation. actual fact; happen or appear or be present when expected.
Hence option (4) is the most appropriate choice. Rife means something undesirable of common occurrence;
Refer the lines “… Union minister for heavy industries AnantGeete widespread.
has spoken about making the public transport system fully electric surface means rise or come up to the surface of the water or the
through the second phase of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of ground.
Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme. It’s Entrench means establish or settle.
possible that some of these plans will not materialize, but the [Link].(d)
government’s intent is clear…” commuter means a person who travels some distance to work on a
[Link].(d) regular basis. Covet means desire.
In reference to fifth paragraph of the passage, we can conclude that [Link].(e)
option (4) is the correct. promote is the word used in passage which means support or
Refer the lines “While everyone agrees that charging infrastructure actively encourage (a cause, venture, etc.); further the progress of.
is essential to the success of EVs, whether there should be a Impede means to obstruct or hinder someone
charging station at every five kilometres or 10 cannot be known in [Link].(d)
advance.” “… Similarly, shifts in technology—such as wireless Caution is the word used in the passage which means care taken to
charging, solid state batteries or a transition to hydrogen fuel cells— avoid danger or mistakes. Hence it has opposite meaning as
will have to be anticipated as these might render existing imprudence.
infrastructure obsolete.” Option (1) is irrelevant. Adjunct means connected or added to something.
Hence option (4) is the correct choice.

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Reading Comprehension -76 householders and then to impact their energy use has been discussed
quite extensively. Frequently, these discussions have criticised the
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given. extent to
which retrofit schemes rely on incentives and the provision
Certain words/phrases have been given in bold to help you locate
of new technologies to change behaviour whilst ignoring the many
them while answering some of the questions.
other factors that might limit either participation in the schemes or
From a technical and economic perspective, many assessments have
their impact on the behaviours and practices that shape domestic
highlighted the presence of cost-effective opportunities to reduce
energy use. These factors are obviously central to the success of
energy use in buildings. However several bodies note the
retrofit schemes, but evaluations of different schemes have found
significance of multiple barriers that prevent the take-up of energy
that despite these they
efficiency measures in buildings. These include lack of awareness
can still have significant impacts. Few experts that the best
and concern, limited access to reliable information from trusted
estimate of the gap between the technical potential and the actual
sources, fear about risk, disruption and other ‘transaction costs’
in-situ performance of energy efficiency measures is 50%, with
concerns about up-front costs and inadequate access to suitably
35% coming from performance gaps and 15% coming from
priced finance, a lack of confidence in suppliers and technologies
‘comfort taking’ or direct rebound effects. They further suggest that
and the presence of split incentives between landlords and tenants.
the direct rebound effect of energy efficiency measures related to
The widespread presence of these barriers led experts to predict
thatwithout a concerted push from policy, two-thirds of the household heating is Ilkley to be less than 30% while rebound
effects for various domestic energy efficiency measures vary from
economically viable potential to improve energy efficiency will
remain unexploited by 2035. These barriers are albatross around 5 to 15% and arise mostly from indirect effects (i.e., where savings
the neck that represent a classic market failure and a basis for from energy efficiency lead to increased demand for goods and
services). Other analyses also note that the gap between technical
governmental intervention. While these measurements focus on the
potential and actual performance is likely to vary by measure, with
technical, financial or economic barriers preventing the take-up of
the range extending from 0% for measures such as solar water
energy efficiency options in buildings, others emphasise the
heating to 50% for measures such as improved heating controls.
significance of the often deeply embedded social practices that
And others note that levels of comfort taking are likely to vary
shape energy use in buildings.
according to the levels of consumption and fuel poverty in the
These analyses focus not on the preferences and rationalities
sample of homes where insulation is installed, with the range
that might shape individual behaviours, but on the ‘entangled’
cultural practices, norms, values and routines that underpin extending from 30% when considering homes across all income
groups to around 60% when considering only lower income homes.
domestic energy use. Focusing on the practice-related aspects of
The scale of these gapsis significant because it materially affects the
consumption generates very different conceptual framings and
impacts of retrofit schemes and expectations and perceptions of
policy prescriptions than those that emerge from more traditional or
these impacts go on to influence levels of political, financial and
mainstream perspectives. But the underlying case for government
public support for these schemes. The literature on retrofit
intervention to help to promote retrofit and the diffusion of more
highlights the presence of multiple barriers to change and the need
energy efficient particles is still apparent, even though the forms of
for government support, if these are to be overcome. Although
intervention advocated are often very different to those that emerge
much has been written on the extent to which different forms of
from a more technical or economic perspective. Based on the
support enable the wider take-up of domestic energy efficiency
recognition of the multiple barriers to change and the social,
measures, behaviours and practices, various areas of contestation
economic and environmental benefits that could be realised if they remain and there is still an absence of robust ex-post evidence on
were overcome, government support for retrofit (renovating
the extent to which these schemes actually do lead to the social,
existing infrastructure to make it more energy efficient) has
economic and environmental benefits that are widely claimed.
been widespread. Retrofit programmes have been supported and
adopted in diverse forms in many setting and their ability to recruit

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Q6. Which of the following is most nearly the OPPOSITE in meaning (e) Both B and C
to the word ‘CONCERTED’ as used in the passage?
Q.11
(a) collaborative (b) piled Which of the following is most nearly the SAME in meaning to
(c) subtracting (d) necessary word ‘UNDERPIN’ as used in the passage ?
(e) weak
(a) undermine (b) determine
Q7. Which of the following is most nearly the OPPOSITE; in meaning (c) criticise (d) abandon
to the word ‘ROBUST as used in the passage ? (e) dispose

(a) manual (b) loose Q.12

(c) vogue (d) flimsy Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(e) flexible
(a) Employing retrofit programmes is relatively a new concept and is
Q.8 yet to become popular.
Which of the following is most nearly the same in meaning to the (b) The Government so far has been least supportive of retrofit
word ‘UNEXPLOITED’ as used in the passage ? programmes.
(c) Lack of trust on landlords has been cited as one of the major barriers
(a) untapped (b) unanswered to employing energy efficiency schemes.
(c) explored (d) developed (d) Retrofit schemes are dependent on incentives to bring attitudinal
(e) vacant change towards energy efficiency schemes.
(e) All the given statements are true.
Q.9
The title for the given passage could be................ Q.13
What is the author trying to convey through the phrase ‘albatross
(a) How to measure the impact of Retrofit programmes of energy around the neck‘ as used in the passage ?
conservation.
(b) Barriers to effective usages of energy. (a) As light as a bird
(c) Views of stalwarts on disadvantages of Retrofit programmes. (b) Prevent from achieving success
(d) Existing practices of conserving energy. (c) Are worthless
(e) How much energy is to be consumed. (d) Act as controllers
(e) Always provide adequate guidance
Q.10
According to the author, to make programmes for conserving Q.14
energy more successful.............. The author in the given passage is ..................

(A) only latest technology must be employed. (A) of the view that no amount of efforts can bring about in employing
(B) the author’s country must adhere to norms followed in countries energy efficiency schemes in his country.
where such programmes have been successful. (B) positive that more evidence on retrofit schemes is essential to make
(C) change must be brought in the attitudes of people with respect to people more aware and sensitive towards them.
efficient usage of energy. (C) cynical about the present state of energy efficiency measures taken
(a) Only A (b) Only B in his country.
(c) Only C (d) Both A and B (a) Only A (b) Only B

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(c) Only C (d) Both A and B credit initiatives that funnel money directly into the hands of
(e) Both B and C women. This is a substantial sum dedicated to women. If not, most
Q.15 developing countries, women produce more food than men and bear
As mentioned in this passage and according to the experts. in order primary responsibility for feeding, sheltering and educating the
to exploit potential to better energy afficiency measures young. But lack of education coupled with social customs which
treat women as secondclass citizens restrict their participation in the
(a) availability of sufficient funding is a must. economy. The figures are starting. Globally those women who do
(b) availability of reliable information from dependable source must be work are concentrated at the bottom end of the labour market and
ensured. receive far less pay. A significant proportion of the world’s illiterate
(c) adequate and trustworthy suppliers of energy must be made are women and women account for half of all refugees.
available. Anything that helps women catch up with men should be
(d) governmental support by implementing adequate policies is welcomed on grounds of equity alone. But fairer treatment of
essential. women is also one of the most effective ways to improve an
(e) All those given as options economy’s efficiency as well. It is widely recognised educating
Answers And Solutions more women in developing countries and specifically making
[Link](e) education available to men and women equally is likely to raise the
[Link](d) productive potential of an economy significantly. As education
[Link](a) levels rise, so do household incomes. In Sub-Saharan Africa, for
[Link](b) instance, 70% of young children whose mothers have secondary
[Link](c) information receive their vaccinations, as opposed to just 30% of
[Link](b) those whose mothers have no formal schooling at all. A
[Link](d) crosscountry analysis concluded that gains in women’s education
[Link](b) made the single largest contribution to declines in malnutrition in
[Link](b) 13 countries between 1970 and 1995. Some researchers reckon that,
[Link](e) if female farmers in places like Cameron or Kenya were afforded
the same schooling and other opportunities as male farmers, crop
yields would rise quite hefty. One economic analysis estimates that,
Reading Comprehension -77 if countries in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East had closed
the gender gap in schooling at the same rate as East Asia after 1960.
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions. Certain Income per head could have grown substantially over the
words/phrases are given in bold to help you actual growth rates achieved. But one country’s gender bias
locate them while answering some of the questions. Most of is another’s ancient tradition, entrenched in laws and institutions.
the declarations of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Some South American Countries, like Bolivia and Guatemala
Beijing in 1995 have faded from memory. But the linkage made restrict wives employment outside the home in South African
there between women’s rights and poverty and the assumption that nations like Botswana, women have no independent right to manage
discrimination actually impedes progress-has survived. Since then of own land but now girls are offered stipends for secondary
the promotion of equal education- a long standing programme now holstered by
rights has become a central economic priority for multilateral aid. Elsewhere in Africa in Ghana, peripatetic bankers
international aid aeencies. The World Bank has declared the act as lenders and financial advisors, often helping women as
enfranchisement of women. the single most important issue for particular to set up small businesses. Part of the rationale for micro-
effective development. A sweeping statement, perhaps, but since finance (small icons) that caters to women is that some studies have
1805 the bank has lent billions of dollars on programmes that shown women tend to spend money more prudently on vital goods
encourage, girls’ education, better maternal health and on micro- and services that benefit families, men often squander it. This

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finding may seem implausible to many men. Not many women (c) Aid should be withdrawn from countries which do not promote
would be surprised. equal opportunities.
Q.1. (d) The goals are unrealistic as many of aided countries are facing
Which of the following is an appropriate title for the passage ? political conflicts.
(e) These are generous but effectiveness is hampered by prevailing
(a) Enabling Asia- The Long Road Ahead local factors.
(b) Catching Lip with Africa Q.5
(c) Raising Children in the 21st Century Choose the word/group of words which is most nearly the same in
(d) Poverty-(a)Matter of Geography ? meaning as the
(e) Gender Fairness Equals Economic Development word FADE(d)given in bold as used in the passage.

Q.2 (a) Tainted (b) Disappeared

Which of the following is/are (a) hindrance(s) in the economic (c) Darkened (d) Drooped
development of the countries mentioned in the passage ? (e) Deepened

A. Time-honoured traditions in these countries Q.6

B. Women’s limited access to education Choose the word/group of words which is most nearly the same in
C. Population explosion in the 1960s meaning as the word CATERS given in bold ds used in the passage.
(a)Only (A) (b)Only (B)
(c)All (A), (B) and (C) (d)Both (A) and (C) (a) Is cooked (b) Available
(e)Both (A) and (B) (c) Subjects (d) Pampers
(e) Plans
Q.3
What do the statistics in the passage indicate ? Q.7
Which of the following is true in the context of the passage ?
(a) The female infanticide rate in African countries has dropped
significantly. (a) Women in Asia and Africa have access to primary but not higher
(b) Maternal health and life expectancy of women has improved since education.
1995. (b) International conferences on gender equality have not resulted in
(c) Education of mothers has improved health and immunisation in any concrete aid and action.
Sub-Saharan Africa. (c) There has been much focus on the issue of gender equality in the
(d) Much of the World Bank aid for health has been utilised effectively. past two decades.
(e) Economic development in Africa is on the rise. (d) Over half the women in sub Saharan Africa are illiterate.
(e) All of the given statements are true in the context of the passage.
Q.4
Which of the following best describes the author’s opinion Q.8
regarding international aid efforts ? Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word
FAIRER given in bold as used in the passage.
(a) These have been ineffective on account of rampant corruption in
aided countries. (a) Dimmer (b) Mysterious
(b) Aid will soon dry up as donors are facing economic troubles of their (c) Depressing (d) Biased
own. (e) Dus ty

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Q.9 about girls’ . lack of confidence in science but this is changing.

Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word Sweden has commissioned research into its “boy crisis”. Australia
IMPLAUSIBL(e)given in bold as used in the passage. has devised a reading programme called “Boys, Blokes, Books and
(a) Questionable (b) Open Bytes”. In just a couple of generations, one gender gap has closed,
(c) Hypocritical (d) Credible only for another to open up. The reversal is laid out in a report
(e) Fake published on March 5th by the OECD. a Paris based Rich country
thinktank. Boys’ dominance just about endures in maths: at age 15
Q.10 they are, on average, the equivalent of three months’ schooling
According to the passage, what can be said with regard to Africa ? ahead of girls. In science the results are fairly even. But in reading,
(a) It is struggling to improve the situation with regard to where girls have been ahead for some time, a gulf has appeared. In
discrimination against women. all G4 countries and economies in the study, girls outperform boys.
(b) While cultural attitudes are changing fast, gender equal policies lag The average gap is equivalent to an extra year of
behind. schooling. The OECD deems literacy to be the most
(c) Today there is parity between men and women in terms of property important skill that it assesses, since further learning depends on it.
rights. Sure enough, teenage boys are 50% more likely than girls to fail to
(d) Micro-credit programmes here have not enjoyed the same success achieve basic proficiency in any of maths, reading and science.
as they did in Asia. Youngsters in this group, with nothing to build on or shine at, are
(e) None of the given options can be said. prone to drop out of school altogether. To see why boys and girls
Instructions fare so differently in the classroom, first look at what they do
Answers And Solutions outside it. The average 15year old girl devotes five and half hours a
week to homework, an hour more than the average boy, who spend
[Link](e) more time playing video games and trawling the internet. Three
[Link](e) quarters of girls read for pleasure, compared
[Link](b) with little more than half of boys. Reading rates are falling
everywhere as screens draw eyes from pages, but boys are giving
[Link](c)
[Link](b) up faster. The OECD found that, among boys who do as much
[Link](d) homework as the average girl, the gender gap in reading fell by
[Link](c) nearly a quarter.
[Link](d) Once in the classroom, boys long to be out of it: They are
[Link](d) twice as likely as girls to report
[Link](a) that school is a “waste of time”, and more often turn up late.
Just as a teacher sused to struggle to persuade girls that science is
not only for men, the OEC(d)now urges parents and policymakers
Reading Comprehension -78 to steer boys away from a version of masculinity that ignores
academic achievement. Boys’ disdain for school might have been
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions. Certain less irrational when there were plenty of jobs for uneducated men.
words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate them while But those days have long gone. It may be that a bit of swagger helps
answering some of the questions. in maths, where confidence
plays a part in boys’ lead (though it sometimes extends to
Until the 1960s boys spent longer and went further in school delusion:12% of boys told the OEC(d)that they are familiar with
than girls, and were more likely to graduate from university. Now, the mathematical concept of “subjunctive sealing”, a red herring
across the rich world and in a growing number of , poor countries, that fooled only 7% of girls.) But their lack of self Visit discipline
the balance has tilted the other way. Policymakers once fretted drives teachers crazy. The OEC(d)found that boys did much better

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in its anonymised tests than in teachers assessments. What is behind (a)Unconscious (b)Flat
this discrimination? One possibility is that teachers mark up (c)Likely (d)Lifeless
students who are polite, eager and stay out of flights, all attributes (e)Opinionated
that are more common among girls. In some countries, academic
points can even be docked for bad behaviour. Q.6 Which of the following factors can have an impact on results of
boys in school ?
Q.1 Choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the word
DOCKED given in bold as used in the passage. A. Perceptions of teachers
B. Societal attitude towards educational achievement and boys
(a) Raised (b) Stopped C. Overconfidence of male students
(c) Widened (d) Flown (a)Only (A) (b)Only (B)
(e) None of these (c)All (A), (B) and (C) (d)Only (A) and (C)
(e)Only (A) and (B)
Q.2 According to the passage, what can be said about the school
education today ?
Q.7 What do the OEC(d)statistics in the passage indicate ?
(a) Science education is deteriorating rapidly.
(b) Online education can easily address its problems such as shortage (a) Schools dropout rates among boys are higher in developing
of teaching staff. countries than in rich ones.
(c) It fosters rote learning instead of creative thinking. (b) Despite the perception that girls are doing better than boys in
(d) The amount of homework for children is prohibitive. school, the same is not true.
(e) Girls are doing better at school as compared to boys on some (c) Today boys are more at risk than girls in terms of educational
parameters. achievement in developed countries.
(d) Enrolment of girls in schools has doubled while that of boys has
Q.3 Choose the word/group of words which is most nearly the same in fallen.
meaning as the word DRAW given in bold as used in the passage. (e) By and large teenagers have very low educational achievement in
rich countries.
(a) Sketch (b) Tie
(c) Raffle (d) Represent Q.8 Choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the word
(e) Divert DELUSION given in bold as used in the passage.

Q.4 Which of the following is TRU(e)in the context of the passage ? (a)Myth (b)Superstition
(c)Precipitating (d)Reality
(a) Boys perform better than girls on subjective teacher assessments. (e)Familiarity
(b) Efforts to improve representation of girls in education have had
success. Q.9 Which of the following best describes the author’s opinion about
(c) By and large teachers are female and they discriminate against boys. the `boy crisis’?
(d) Education in rich countries needs to be subsidised to reduce dropout
numbers. (a) It is not as much of a problem as it is made out to be.
(e) None of the given statements is true in the context of the passage. (b) Policymakers should address the issue of ‘uneducated’ boys as it
will impact boys employment subsequently.
Q.5 Choose the word/group of words which is most nearly the same in (c) It can be addressed by implementing quotas at university level.
meaning as the word PRON(e)given in bold as used in the. passage.

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(d) It is a rich country phenomenon and can be easily addressed through countries face many problems such as lack of infrastructure , poor
increased funding for schools. or unstable market access volatile input and output prices etc that
(e) None of the given options biotechnology does not address much less solve It is true that
transgenic plants can offer a range of benefits which area above and
Q.10 Which of the following is an appropriate title for the passage ? beyond those which emerged from more traditional innovations in
cultivation It is suggested that such new technology offers more
(a) Finding the Glass Ceiling effective pest resistance of seeds and crops through genetic control
(b) Men Storming Up the Irony Tower mechanisms which also reduces the need for pesticide use and leads
(c) Pay and Job Flexibility to improved yield (a) basic question of course is whether the new
(d) Attention! (a)New Gender Gap Gm technology is safe and whether this is absolutely crucial since
(e) (a)Broken Safety Net the effects may only be known much later The jury is still very much
out on this matter and the controversy does not appear to be resolved
Answers And Solutions quickly. The trouble is that most governments in developing
countries have relatively low food and beverage regulatory
[Link](b) standards and public system for monitoring and surveillance of such
item are poor or non-existent. This leaves them open for entry and
[Link](e)
[Link](e) even dumping of a range of agricultural products of the new
[Link](b) technology Which mayinto pass regulatory standards in the more
[Link](c) developed countries.
[Link](c)
[Link](d) Q.1 Which of the following is true in the context of the passage ?
[Link](d)
[Link](b) (a) Genetically modified crops have been universally recognized as a
[Link](d) solution to poverty and environmental degradation
(b) The only way to improve the deficit in food requirement and food
Reading Comprehension -79 production in the world is by adapting genetically modified crops
(c) Genetically modified crops produce more yield as compared to
Instructions yield from the traditional methods
Modern biotechnology especially the creation of genetically (d) Taking advantage of absence of regulatory standards scientists have
modified crops is often presented as a magic solution or universal been dumping new products in the markets without appropriate
panacea for the problems of poverty inadequate nutrition across the approval
world Conversely there are people who present the picture of tech (e) None of these
generated monsters and major human health hazards being created Q.2 Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning
by science Many of the technological changes currently in the to OPEN printed in bold as used in the passage
process of being utilised in agriculture can have unforeseen
consequences and their safety and future viability are far from (a) Vulnerable (b) Capable
secure. (c) Threatened (d) Uncertain
The reality as always is far more complex than either of these (e) Weak
two extremes Even today the total food production in the world is Q.3 Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning
adequate to feed the hungry of the world the problem is rather one to VOLATIL(e) printed in the bold as used in the passage
of unequal distribution which
deprives a large part of the population of even their minimal (a) Never ending (b) Meager
nutritional requirements Similarly farmers especially in developing (c) Valuable (d) Irreversible

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(e) Stable Volatile also means unstable.

Q.4 The author of the given passage seems to be definitely_______ Opposite of which would be 'stable'.
Hence, the correct option is E.
A. Suggesting the use of traditional methods of agriculture as against Q.4Ans.(d)
biotechnology by developing countries owing to their poor The author is neither in favour of genetically modified crops nor
regulatory standards. against their use. However, the rationale of genetically modified
B. in favour of utilizing biotechnology as a tool for alleviation of crops helping to alleviate poverty seems flimsy to him. He is
poverty from the world. unconvinced of the immediate need for their introduction.
C. Urging the policy makers to improve infrastructure facilities so that Option D is the correct answer.
farmers can maximize the benefits of genetically modified crops. Q.5Ans.(b)
D. Unconvinced of the long term effects and rationale for immediate The argument in favour of the use of genetically modified crops is
requirement of genetically modified products. that they will help to alleviate the problem of food shortage.
E. None of these However, the problem is not food
14 shortage but the economic disparity which is main cause of
Q.5 Why according to the author is genetic modification of crops not an hunger around the world.
answer to the problem of hunger in the world ? Hence, option B is the correct option.
Reading Comprehension -80
(A) People being highly doubtful of the long term effects of genetically
modified crops do not buy the products grown by such methods Directions : In each of the following questions, a short passage is given
(B) The problem of hunger in the world is not due to inadequate with one of the lines in the passage missing and represented by
production of food but due to unequal distribution of it a blank. Select the best out of the five answer choices given, to
(C) Many developing countries have banned genetically modified make the passage complete and coherent.
products as developed country have been using these countries as
dumping grounds for new genetically modified products
Q.1 Poverty is the state of majority of world's people and nations. Why
(a) Only A (b) Only B
is this? ....... Have they been lazy, made poor decisions, and been
(c) Both (b) and C (d) Both (a) and C
solely responsible for their own plight? What about their
(e) None of these
governments?
Have they pursued policies that actually harm successful
Answers And Solutions development? Such causes of poverty and inequality are no doubt
real. But deeper and more global causes of poverty are often less
Q.1Ans.(c) discussed.
Author says that genetically modified crops have advantages and Behind the increasing inter-connectedness promised by
disadvantages. globalisation are global decisions, policies and practices. These are
But it is a fact that they have better yield than the traditional or typically influenced, driven or formulated by the rich and powerful.
conventional crops. These can be leaders of rich countries or other global actors such as
Only the statement C states a fact while others are wrong conclusions. multinational corporations, institutions and influential people. In
Q.2Ans.(b) the face of such enormous external influence, the governments of
Here, open is used to denote vulnerability of developing markets. poor nations and their people are often powerless. As a result, in the
Due to less regulation, they can be treated as dumping grounds by global context, a few get wealthy while the majority struggles.
developed nations.
Hence, option B is correct. (a) Is it enough to blame poor people for their own predicament?
Q.3Ans. (e) (b) What is the government doing about it?

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(c) Are the wealthy ones in the nation even aware of this? ecological disasters have resulted, as witnessed during the European
(d) The government has already taken measures to eradicate the same. heat wave in 2003, which saw thousands of people die. ______.
(E) The huge gap between the rich and the poor in the nation is now
narrowing. (a) This, though, does not bring any relief in the problems associated
with climate change.
Q.2 Women's rights around the world are an important indicator to (b) This phenomenon thus is part of the climate change problem.
understand global well-being. (a) major global women's rights (c) Scientists thus believe that this phenomenon goes hand in hand with
treaty was ratified by the majority of the world's nations a few global warming.
decades ago. These range from the cultural, political to the (d) At first, it sounds like an ironic saviour to climate change problems.
economic. For example, women often work more than men, yet are (E) The answer to all our problems with respect to climate- change is
paid less; gender discrimination affects girls and women throughout definitely here.
their lifetime; and women and girls are often the ones that suffer the
most poverty. Many may think that women's rights are only an issue Q.4 Next to China, India is the most populated country in the world.
in countries where religion is law. Or even worse, some may think ______. Particularly, rush to technical andhigher education has
this is no longer an issue at all. increased as the scope for arts and science has become lesser and
But reading the report about the United Nation's Women's lesser due to lack of reforms and upgradation in the course structure
Treaty and how an increasing number of countries are lodging and materials according to the developments of the world. Also,
reservations will show otherwise. Gender equality furthers the qualification in higher education gives added advantage to face
cause of child survival and development for all of society, so the competition successfully in the job market.
importance of women's rights and gender equality should not be
underestimated. (a) Keeping this in mind, the government has provided concessions in
the admission fees for the arts and science streams in the country.
(a) This treaty tackled and solved a number of issues related to women. (b) Naturally, there is too much rush and competition in every field.
(b) Why is it then, that women still face a number of problems on the (c) Despite this the rush to higher education is lesser.
domestic front? (d) This population increase, though, has not kept pace with the
(c) Thus, the woman today is ten times more empowered as compared knowledge expansion around the world.
to a woman say about a decade ago. (E) In the next decade, it will become the most populous.
(d) Women's activists across nations have implored the respective
governments to take! this seriously. Q.5 Analysts and industry pundits forecast that the notebook market
(E) Yet, despite many successes in empowering women, numerous which has been growing faster than the desktop market for the past
issues still exist in all areas of life. three years is expected to overtake the desktop market by the year
2011-
Q.3 Research has shown that air pollutants from fossil fuel use make
clouds reflect more of the sun's rays back into space. This leads to A fall in prices, large deals from governments and institutions and demand
an effect known as global dimming whereby less heat and energy from consumers and sectors such as education are expected to help
reaches the earth. However, it is believed that global dimming the notebook numbers. According to research agencies, the year
caused the droughts in certain parts of the world where millions 2010 - 11 saw notebook volumes rise and for the first time, a
died, because the northern hemisphere oceans were not warm million-plus notebooks were sold in India in a single quarter. The
enough to allow rain formation. Global dimming is also hiding the market has grown nearly four times for notebooks. The demand is
true power of global warming. By cleaning up global dimming- driven by all sectors and a very buoyant consumer market, which
causing pollutants without tackling greenhouse gas emissions, rapid prefers mobile computers. Entry-level notebook prices have
warming has been observed and various human health and dropped below the Rs. 25,000 mark; this has helped break the ice
with new customers. This drop in notebook prices has been helped

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by the drop in the prices of the building blocks that make a The passage explains how notebooks are getting more popular and
notebook. It's simple. With notebook volumes growing, the prices hence option A is the correct choice.
of the components are also bound to come down______ ______ . Reading Comprehension -81
(a) All this has resulted in a noticeable change in a number of large
government tenders for notebooks; which were traditionally for
A majority of Indians prefer to use internet for accessing banking
desktops.
and other financial services than shopping online, show a new
(b) Because of this the government still prefers desktops to notebooks
survey.
and has passed tenders for the same.
Almost 57% of Indians respondents using the internet prefer to bank
(c) Thereby making them more expensive. online and use other financial services due to hassle-free access and
(d) Thus, the forecast for the coming year states that desktops will be
time saving feature of online banking according to the survey.
the preferred technology choice only for consumers who cannot
Checking the information on products and services online comes a
afford the exorbitantly priced notebooks.
close second at 53% while 50% shop for products online. The fourth
(E) Thus, notebooks will become obsolete after a decade or so.
on the list-around 42% of respondents in India surfed online to look
Answers And Solutions for jobs, the survey said.
Online banking has made things much easier for the people and it
[Link](a) saves a lot of time.
Explanation: It has eliminated the problems associated with traditional way of
The sentences immediately after the blank uses the pronoun "they". banking where one has to stand in a queue and fill up several forms.
This is used to refer to poor people. The only option that refers to Most of the banks in India have introduced customer - friendly
poor people is option A online banking facility with advanced security features to protect
[Link](e) customers against cybe rcrime.
Explanation: The easy registration process for net banking has improved
We can eliminate options A and C as they are contrary to what is customer’ access to several banking products increased customer
being said in the paragraph. Option B incorrectly identifies the loyalty, facilitated money transfer to any bank across India and has
scope of the paragraph. The paragraph speaks of all the injustices helped banks-attract new customers.
women face - not just the one on the domestic front. Between D and The Indian results closely track the global trends as well conducted
E, E correctly completes the chain of thought being expressed at the among 19216 people from 24 countries, the survey showed that
end of the paragraph. Hence, the correct option is option E. banking and keeping track of finances and searching for jobs are the
[Link](c) main tasks of internet users around the globe.
Explanation: Overall, 60% of people surveyed used the web to check their bank
The paragraph talks about how the true effects of global warming account and other financial assets in the past 90 days, making it the
would have been on display if global dimming had not been there. most popular use of the internet globality, shopping was not too far
So, the best concluding sentence would be option c), which says that behind at 48%, the survey showed and 41% went online in search
scientists believe that global dimming goes hand in hand with global of a job in terms of country preferences, almost 90% of respondents
warming. in Sweden use e-banking.
[Link](b) Online banking has also caught on in a big way in nations like
Explanation: France, Canada, Australia, Poland, South Africa and Belgium, the
There is a discontinuity between the first and the second lines in the survey showed. The Germans and British come on top for using
given passage. Option B fills in the gap between those sentences. online shopping with 74% of respondents in both countries having
[Link](a) bought something online in the past three months. They are
Explanation: followed by 68% respondents in Sweden. 65% in US and 62% in
South Korea.

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Q.5 Which of the following is most nearly the same in meaning as the
Q.1 If the given sentences were to be arranged in their order of their word hassle-free used in the passage?
popularity(from most popular to least popular ), which one of the
following would represent the correct sequences as given in the (a) unskilled (b) Not annoying
passage? (c) Subtle (d) Unsaddle
(e) Notable
A: Use internet to gain information about products and services.
B: Use internet to search for jobs Q.6 Based on the passage, what can be said about the internet is a
C: Use internet for online banking nutshell?
(a) B, A, C (b) C, B, A
(c) C, A, B (d) A, B, C (a) It has increased the number of cybercrimes
(e) A, C, B (b) It is useful only for rich
(c) It has been hyped for no reason
Q.2 Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage? (d) It is more popular for online shopping than anything else
(e) It has made lives easier than before
(a) Internet users across the globe are mainly interested in looking for
jobs and keeping track of finances. Q.7 Which of the following can appropriate title for the passage?
(b) Germany and Great Britain are the top countries where online
shopping is quite popular (a) The growing utility of the internet
(c) Many people in Sweden use e-banking to maintain their finances (b) Internet and its drawbacks
(d) A majority of Indians prefer shopping online as compared to other (c) The traditional versus modern ways of shopping
online activities (d) Use of the internet in different countries
(e) All the given statements are true (e) Internet---The Curse

Q.3 According to the passage, banks are successful in attracting more Q.8 Which of the following is/are true in the context of the passage?
customers due to India’s No.1 Teacher in Bank Exams for English Language and
Editorial 6
A. better training to sales staff
B. Opening more branches at various locations A. More than 50% Indians using internet prefer online banking
C. Easy registration process for net banking B. Many banks in India have introduced facilities to suit the needs of
(a) Only B (b) (b) and C customers (customer friendly)
(c) (a) and B (d) (a) and C C. More people shop online in South Korea as compared to those in
(e) Only C Sweden
(a) Only b (b) (b) and (c) both
Q.4 How many of the Indians using the internet shop online? (c) (a) and (b) both (d) (a) and (c) both
(e) Only C
(a) Between 40% and 50%
(b) One-fourth of them Q.9 Which of the following is most nearly the same in meaning as the
(c) One-third of them word ‘eliminated’ as used in the passage?
(d) Half of them
(e) All of them (a) taken (b) introduced
(c) begun (d) removed
(e) cancelled

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Explanation:
Q.10 According to the passage, globally, the most popular use of internet "Almost 57% of Indians respondents using the internet prefer to
is bank online and use other financial services due to hassle-free
access and time saving feature of online banking according to the
(a) looking for a job survey."
(b) checking bank accounts and maintaining financial assets "hassle-free" means problem-free.
(c) finding out information about various products Among the given options, not-annoying fits the best.
(d) shopping online Q6Ans.(e)
(e) blogging and tweeting every update in one’s personal life Explanation:
"It has eliminated the problems associated with traditional way of
Answers And Solutions banking where one has to stand in a queue and fill up several forms".
Through this sentence, we can say that the author's opinion is that
Q1Ans.(c) Internet has made life easier.
Hence, option E is the answer.
Explanation: Q7Ans.(a)
"Almost 57% of Indians respondents using the internet prefer to
Explanation:
bank online".
The whole passage talks about internet in a positive connotation.
"Checking the information on products and services online comes a
Hence, B, C and E can be eliminated.
close second at 53% ."
Between A and D, A fits better because the author does not
"The fourth on the list-around 42% of respondents in India surfed
concentrate on the different countries where the internet is used.
online to look for jobs".
Rather, he is interested in how widely is internet used.
Through these statements, we can say that C - A - B is the answer.
Q2Ans.(d) Hence, option A is the answer.
Q8Ans.(c)
Explanation:
Explanation:
"Checking the information on products and services online comes a
"Almost 57% of Indians respondents using the internet prefer to
close second at 53% while 50% shop for products online."
bank online".
This statement disproves option D.
"Most of the banks in India have introduced customer - friendly
Hence, D is the answer.
Q3Ans.(e) online banking facility with advanced security features to protect
customers against cybercrime."
Explanation:
Using these two sentences, we can say that A and B are true.
"The easy registration process for net banking has improved
Sentence C is not mentioned in the passage.
customer’ access to several banking products increased customer Q9Ans.(d)
loyalty, facilitated money transfer to any bank across India and has
Explanation:
helped banks-attract new customers."
Traditional ways of banking used to have some issues which were
From the above statement we can say that only C is true.
removed by online banking.
Hence, option E is the answer.
Q4Ans.(d) Hence, "removed" is the correct word.
Q10Ans.(b)
Explanation:
Explanation:
"Checking the information on products and services online comes a
"Overall, 60% of people surveyed used the web to check their bank
close second at 53% while 50% shop for products online."
account and other financial assets in the past 90 days, making it the
From this information, we can say that 50% or half of the people in
most popular use of the internet globality".
India shop online.
Q5Ans.(b) Through this sentence, we can say that checking bank accounts and
maintaining financial assets are the most popular usage of internet.

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Reading Comprehension -82 matter was. Mihir told her the whole story, Then she smiled and
whispered a plan to him. Not long after, the woman came to
Makarand’s shop, carrying a big box. ‘Brother, I heard you are a
Read Ito’ following passage carefully and answer the questions good and honest man. My son went on a pilgrimage many months
given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you ago and has still not returned. 1 am worried and have decided to go
locate them while answering sonic of the questions. and loo for him. Will you look after my box of two hundred gold
coins while I am away ?Makarand could not believe his luck. He
Once upon a time. there was a shrewd shopkeeper called was about to launch into his idea about- hiding the box, when an
Makitrand. He had a friend called Mihir, who had saved a lot of angry Mihir entered the shop, ‘Where is but before he could
money. Mihir was keen on going on a pilgrimage. But he did not complete his sentence, Makarand, afraid of being accused in front
know where to leave his precious savings. So he came to of the old woman, said quickly, ‘I forgot. I had seen some pigs
Makarand’s shop and said, ‘my friend, I trust you more than anyone. digging around there and had removed the bag just to keep it safe.
Could you please look after my life’s savings till i return from my Here it is.’ And he handed Mihir the bag he had stolen many months
pilgrimage Makarand pretended to be deep in thought, and then ago.
said, ‘1 would rather not.
Now the old woman pretended she was seeing Mihir for the first
Money spoils relationships. What if something hap pens to your time, Son, did you also go on a pilgrimage? Could you tell me if
money while you are away ? You will no longer be my friend.’ As you met my son anywhere? His name is Jahangir.’ Mihir, clutching
Mihir stood there by his shop thinking about what his friend had just onto his precious bag, said, ‘Yes, Auntie, I met him on the road a
said, an old woman entered the shup and bought some things. One few villages away. He was on his way home. He should be here in
of the boys helping Makarand, gave her less change than he should a week.’ The old woman
have. Makaranc saw this and pretended to scold the boy, he then
ordered him to return the remaining money to the woman. Mihir not leaned over and took her box away from Makarand. Thank you.
knowing that this was an act put up by Makarand to make him Brother, you have saved me an unnecessary trip. Now, I will need
believe that he was honest, was convinced about his decision and some money to prepare for my son’s welcome,’ she added and the
said to Makarand, ‘I have decided. I will leave the money only with two left the shop. Makarand could only stare at them Open-
you.’ Makarand smiled. Then let us do something. Let’s take the mouthed,
bag of coins and bury it in a place that only you and I will know of. Q.1 What incident in the passage convinced Mihir that Makarand was
That way, even if something happens to me while you are away,
indeed an honest man?
you will know where your money is: Mihir, simple that he was.
thought this was a good idea and the two went and hid the bag in a (A) The incident where he scolded his helper boy for returning less
secret place. Mihir left the next day on his pilgrimage. happy his change to the old woman who was a customer in his shop.
savings Were in safe hands. Six months later, Mihir returned. He
dumped his luggage at home and went to dig out his bag of savings. (B) The fact that Makarand refused to keep Mihir’s money, in the event
But even though he searched and searched for his valuables, there that it might destroy their friendship.
was no sign of the bag anywhere. In panic, he ran in Makarand, who (C) The incident where Makarand told Mihir that he had kept his hag
was busy in his shop. When Mihir asked him about the bitg, with him as he saw pigs digging at the very spot where the treasure
Makarand pretended to be surprised. was buried.
‘But I did not go that way in all these months. Why don’t you search (a) Only (A)
for it again ?’ he said, putting on his most innocent look. Mihir had
no choice but to believe him. Sadly, he went home. (b) Only (B)

On the way, as luck would have it, he met the old woman he had (c) Only (C)
seen in Makarand’s shop. Seeing him sad. she asked him what the

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(d) Only (B) and (C) (c) Only (C) (d) Either (B) or (C)
(e) Only (A) and (C) (e) None of these
Q.2 What was Makarand’s real intention for wanting to bury Mihir’s Q.6 Which of the following statements is false according to passage?
bag of valuables?
(a) He wanted Mihir to know where the money would be in case
something happened to him while Mihir was away. (a) The old woman’s son went on the some pilgrimage its mihir

(b) He did not feel safe keeping Mihir’s bag of valuables with him. (b) . The old woman helped mihir recover his saving from Makarand

(c) He wanted to steal the money while Mihir was away. (c) Makarand was a very shrewd shopkeeper

(d) He wanted the pigs to dig out the bag so he could steal it. (d) Mihir had gone away on a pilgrimage

(e) He wanted to he a part of a far more adventurous plan, (e) Makarand had stolen Mihir’s money.

Q.3 Where did Makarand and Mihir bury the bag of coins ? Q.7 Why was Mihir sail after returning from the piNrimage?

(a) In a secret place in Mihir’s garden (A) He lost ;ill ins valuables while returnit fnMil the pilgrimage.

(b) In the ground under Makarand’s shop (B) The valuables that he had buried safely had all disappeans

(c) In the old woman’s backyard (C) He had spent far too much of his savings nn the pilgrimage.

(d) In his shop (a) Only (A) (b) Only (B)

(e) Not indicated in the passage. (c) Only (B) and (C) (d) Only (C)

Q.4 Which of the following is true with regard to Mihir? (e) None of these
Q.8 In the end, why did Makarand return Mihir’s money?
(a) Mihir accused Makarand of stealing his valuables
(b) Mihir helped the old woman find her son
(c) Mihir left his life’s savings with the old woman (A) He realised that he had done the wrong thing by pretending to he
unaware of Mihir’s mistbrtune.
(d) Mihir trusted Makarand with his valuables
(B) The old woman offered to give him two hundred gold coins if he
(e) Mihir strongly believed that keeping others’ money spoilt returned Mihir’s money.
relationships
(C) He did not want to be accused of having stolen Mihir’s money in
Q.5 Why did Mihir want to keep his life’s savings with Makarand ? front of the old woman.
(A) Makarand had a locker in his shop. (a) Only (A) (b) Only (B)
(B) He trusted his friend Makarand more than anyone else. (c) Only (C) (d) Only (A) and (C)
(C) He was scared that if he buried his savings, the pigs would dig it (e) All (A), (B) and (C)
out.
Q.9 Synonym of Clutching ?
(a) Only (A) (b) Only (B)

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(a) Releasing (b) Fixing (e) Lonely

(c) Holding (d) Sticking Q.15 synonym of Forgot?
(e) Obtaining
Q.10 synonym of Keen? (a) Found (b) Memorised
(c) Lost (d) Claimed
(a) Eager (b) Hurried (e) Remembered
(c) Planning (d) Fortunate Answers And Solutions
(e) Deserving
Q1Ans.(a)
Q.11 synonym of Choice ? Q2Ans.(c)
Q3Ans.(e)
Q4Ans.(d)
(a) Understanding • (b) Regard Q5Ans.(b)
Q6Ans.(a)
(c)Value (d) Pick
Q7Ans.(b)
(e) Option Q8Ans.(c)
Q9Ans.(c)
Q.12 Whole
Q10Ans.(a)
Q11Ans.(e)
Q12Ans.(c)
(a) Partial (b) Some Q13Ans.(b)
(c) Entire (d) Total Q14Ans.(c)
Q15Ans.(b)
(e) P.m
Q.13 Complete Reading Comprehension -83
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
(a) Partial (b) Start below it. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to
help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
(c) incomplete (d) End
(e) Finish Once upon a time, there lived a lion in a forest. (a) jackal, a
crow and a wolf had developed friendship. They knew that the lion
Q.14 Sadly was the king of the forest and friendship with such a fierce creature
would always help them. To meet their selfish ends, they started
obeying and were always at the service of the lion.
(a) Quietly (b) Dejectedly They didn’t have to make any efforts to search for their food,
as the lion gave his leftover meals to them. Moreover, they became
(c) Happily (d) Disturbingly
powerful as they were next to the king of the forest. One day, a

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camel, who came from some distant land, lost his way and entered First of all, the crow came forward and said, “Your Majesty, I
the same forest where these friends lived. In the meantime, these can’t see you like this. So please eat me.” The lion replied, “I would
three friends happened to pass the same way that the camel was prefer to die than to perform such a sinful deed.” Then, the jackal
wandering. When they saw the camel, they realized that he did not came forward and said, “Your Majesty, crow’s body is too small for
belong to their forest. The jackal suggested to his other two friends, your appetite. I offer myself to you, as it is my duty to save your
“Let’s kill and eat him.” The wolf replied, “It is a big animal. life.” The lion politely rejected the offer. As per the plan, now it was
We cannot kill him like this. I think, we should first inform our the wolf’s turn to offer himself to the king. So, the wolf came
king about this camel.” The crow agreed with the wolfs idea. All of forward and said, “Your Majesty, jackal is quite small to gratify
them went to meet the lion. On reaching the lion’s den, the jackal your hunger. I offer myself for this kind job, Please, kill me and
approached the lion and said, Your Majesty, an unknown camel has appease your hunger.” But the Lion didn’t kill any of them. The
dared to enter your kingdom without your consent, Let’s kill him; camel, who was watching the whole scene felt reassured of his
he could make a nice safety and also decided to go forward and complete the formality.
meal.” The lion roared loudly on hearing this and said, ‘What He marched forward and said, “Your Majesty, why don’t you kill
are you saying ? The camel has come for refuge in ray kingdom. It me ? You are my friend. Please allow me to offer you my body.”
is unethical to kill him. We should provide him the best shelter. Go The lion found the offer quite appropriate as the camel himself
and bring him to me,” All of them were dispirited to hear these had offered his body for food. The lion attacked the camel at once,
words from the king. They unwillingly went to the camel and told ripped open his body and lore him into pieces. The lion and his
him about the lion’s desire to meet him, The camel was scared about friends feasted on the poor camel for days together.
the strange offer. He thought that his end had come and in a little
while he would become the lion’s meal. As he couldn’t even escape, Q.1 ‘Why could the lion not hunt anymore ?
he decided to meet the lion. The selfish friends escorted the camel
to the lion’s den. The lion welcomed the camel warmly and assured (a) He had become lazy as his friends had provided him with food all
him of a safe stay in the forest. The camel was totally amazed to the time
hear the lion’s words. He happily started living with the jackal, the (b) There were no animals left in the forest besides his friends
crow and the wolf. (c) He had injured himself badly in a fight with an elephant
One day, when the lion was hunting for food, he had a struggle (d) lie was too old and his hones were weak
with a mighty elephant. The lion was badly injured in the struggle (e) None of these
and became incapable of hunting for his food. Thus the lion had to
sustain without food for days. Due to this, his friends too had to go Q.2 Why were the jackal, the crow and the wolf friends with the lion ?
hungry for days as they totally depended on the lion’s kill for their
food. But the camel (a) As they got food easily and were also powerful in the lion’s
was satisfied grazing around in the forest. presence
All the three friends were worried and discussed the matter (b) As the lion was really weak and they could take over the kingship
among them, As the jackal, the crow and the wolf had set their evil soon
eyes on the camel, they met once again and devised a plan to kill (c) As they loved to hunt along with the lion and he taught them new
the camel. They went to the camel and said, “Dear Friend, you know tricks every lime
our king has not eaten anything for many days now. He is unable to (d) As there was no other powerful animal in the forest
hunt due to his wounds and sickness. Under such circumstances, it (e) As they were scared of the lion and had no other alternative
becomes our duty to sacrifice ourselves to save the life of our king.
Come with us, we will offer our bodies as food for him.” The camel Q.3 Why had the camel come to the forest in the first place 4?
didn’t understand their plan, but innocently nodded in favour of it.
All of them approached the lion’s den. (a) He wanted to meet the lion
(b) He was starving and was looking for food

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(c) He was in search of friends (A) They were sensitive (B) They were selfish
(d) He lost his way (C) They were cunning
(e) None of these (a) Only (B) (b) Only (C)
(c) Only-(A) (d) Only (B) and (C)
Q.4 Why did the camel feel afraid when the lion desired to meet him ? (e) Only (A) and (C)

(a) He had breached the lions secure forest and was sure to he punished Q.9 Which of the following can he the most appropriate title for the
(b) He felt that the lion would eat him story ?
(c) He knew that the lion would ask him to fight with the elephant
(d) The three friends had told him that the lion wanted to arrest him (a) The Old Lion
(e) None of these (b) The Mighty Elephant
(c) The Selfish Camel and the Brave Friends
Q.5 Which of the following can definitely be said about the camel in the (d) The Lion and the Forest
story ? (e) The Shrewd Friends and the Innocent Camel

(A) He was fierce (B) He was young Q.10 What reason did the lion give for not eating the crow ?
(C) He was trusting
(a) Only (A) (b) Only (A) and (C) (a) He would prefer to eat the camel
(c) All (A), (B) and (C) (d) Only (C) (b) It was wrong to eat friends
(e) Only (B) and (C) (c) The crow was too tiny to be eaten
(d) The crow was not good to taste
Q.6 How did the jackal, the crow and the wolf finally manage to eat the (e) He wanted to eat the fox instead
camel ?
Answers And Solutions
(a) They tricked him into offering his body to the lion
(b) They poisoned him Q1Ans.(c)
(c) They requested him to be their meal Q2Ans.(a)
(d) They killed him as soon as they saw him in the forest Q3Ans.(d)
(e) They forced the lion to eat him Q4Ans.(b)
Q5Ans.(d)
Q.7 What made the camel offer his body to the lion ?
Q6Ans.(a)
Q7Ans.(e)
(a) He felt very sorry for the lion as he had grown thin and weak Q8Ans.(c)
(b) He wanted to end his own life Q9Ans.(e)
(c) He knew that the lion would die on consuming him Q10Ans.(b)
(d) The camel would rather have his body eaten by his friend the lion
than an unknown elephant
(e) Since the lion had rejected the other friends bodies the camel was Reading Comprehension -84
sure that the lion would not eat him as well
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions
Q.8 Which of the following cannot be said about the jackal, the crow given below it. Certain words/phrases have been printed in
and the wolf ? ‘’bold’’ to help you locate them while answering some of the
questions.

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As increasing dependence on information systems develops, the general need to be harnessed so that banking is available to all
need for such system to be reliable and secure also becomes more customers in such a manner that they would feel most convenient,
essential. As growing numbers of ordinary citizens use computer and if required, without having to visit a branch of a bank. All these
networks for banking, shopping, etc., network security in will have to be accompanied with a high level of comfort, which
potentially a ‘’massive’’ problem. Over the last few years, the need again boils down to the issue of e-security.
for computer and information security system has become One of the biggest advantages accruing to banks in the future
increasingly evident, as web sites are being defaced with greater would be the benefits that arise from the introduction of Real Time
frequency, more and more denial-of-service attacks are being Gross Settlement (RTGS). Funds management by treasuries of
reported, credit card information is being stolen, there is increased banks would be helped greatly by RTGS. With almost 70 banks
sophistication of hacking tools that are openly available to the having joined the RTGS system, more large value funds transfer are
public on the Internet, and there is increasing damage being caused taking place through this system.
by viruses and worms to critical information system resources. The implementation of Core Banking solutions by the banks is
At the organizational level, institutional mechanism have to be closely related to RTGS too. Core Banking will make anywhere
designed in order to review policies, practices, measures and banking a reality for customers of each bank. while RTGS bridges
procedures to review e-security regularly and assess whether these the need for inter-bank funds movement.
are appropriate to their environment. It would be helpful if Thus, the days of depositing a cheque for collection and a long
organizations share information about threats and vulnerabilities, wait for its realization would soon be a thing of the past for those
and implement procedures of rapid and effective cooperation to customers who would opt for electronic movement of funds, using
prevent, detect and respond to security incidents. As new threats and the RTGS system, where the settlement would be on an almost
vulnerabilities are continuously discovered there is a strong need for ‘’instantaneous’’ basis. Core Banking is already in vogue in many
co-operation among organizations and, if necessary, we could also private sector and foreign banks; while its implementation is at
consider cross-border information sharing. We need to understand different stages amongst the public sector banks.
threats and dangers that could be ‘’vulnerable’’ to and the steps that IT would also facilitate better and more scientific decision-
need to be taken to ‘’ mitigate’’ these vulnerabilities. We need to making within banks. Information system now provide decision-
understand access control systems and methodology, makers in banks with a great deal of information which, along with
telecommunications and network security, and security historical data and trend analysis, help in the building up of efficient
management practise. We should be well versed in the area of Management Information Systems. This, in turn, would help in
application and systems development security, cryptography, better Asset Liability Management (ALM) which, today’s world of
operations security and physical security. hairline margins is a key requirement for the success of banks in
The banking sector is ‘’poised’’ for more challenges in the near their operational activities. Another benefit which e-banking could
future. Customers of banks can now look forward to a large array provide for relates to Customer Relationship Management (CRM).
of new offerings by banks, from an ‘’era’’ of mere competition, CRM helps in stratification of customers and evaluating customer
banks are now cooperating among themselves so that the synergistic needs on a holistic basis which could be paving the way for
benefits are shared among all the players. This would result in the competitive edge for banks and complete customer care for
information customer of banks.
of shared payment networks (a few shared ATM networks have Q.1 The content of the passage ‘’mainly’’ emphasizes----
already been commissioned by banks), offering payment services
beyond the existing time zones. The Reserve Bank is also (a) the threat of competition among banks providing tele-banking
facilitating new projects such as the Multi Application Smart Card services
Project which, when implemented, would facilitate transfer of funds (b) the scientific advancements that have facilitated quicker and
using electronic means and in a safe and secure manner across the scientific banking procedures
length and breadth of the country, with reduced dependence on (c) threats to on-line banking and remedies to guard against them
paper currency. The opportunities of e-banking or e-power is (d) e-banking and its impact on global economy

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(e) None of these (d) To ascertain proper logistic support

(e) None of these
Q.2 What, according to the passage , is the ‘’prerequisite’’ to lessen the
threats of hacking? Q.7 Which of the following is/are recommended by the author to ensure
security of banking transactions ?
(a) Effective measures to combat vulnerability
(b) Environment-friendly gadgets to remedy damages I. Continuous re-examination of policies and procedures
(c) Detection and timely prevention of the threat II. Ensuring appropriateness of the security measures
(d) Effective mechanism to evaluate the e-security III. Co-operation among various users to identify and prevent threat
(e) None of these (a) II only (b) II and III only
(c) I and III only (d) I and II only
Q.3 In what way does IT catalyse better decision making ? (e) None of these

I: By providing updated data and trend analysis Q.8 Which of the following statements is definitely ‘’FALSE’’ in the
II: By providing increasing opportunities of personal contacts context of the passage ?
III: By ensuring better asset-liability management
(a) I only (b) II only I. Transfer of the funds to any part of the country through electronic
(c) III only (d) I and II only media is under active consideration.
(e) All the three II. Co-operation among various competing banks is helpful to all of
them in sharing legitimate benefits.
Q.4 What is the advantage of RTGS to the customers ? III. Assessment of customer needs and their clustering in homogeneous
groups provides competitive edge to banks.
(a) Anywhere banking (a) Only I (b) Only II and III
(b) Instant realization of cheques (c) Only I and III (d) All the three
(c) Easy withdrawal of cash (e) None of these
(d) Hasslefree depositing of cash-loads
(e) Availability of transaction facilities at any other bank Q.9 Computer-savvy citizens are also scared to transact on-line due to
the following ‘’except’’-----
Q.5 What, according to the author, should be the ultimate goal(s) of e-
banking ? (a) smuggling of vital information regarding credit cards
(b) availability of hacking tools on the internet
I. Customers’ convenience (c) damage by viruses to critical information
II. Avoidance of heavy footfall of customers in bank branches (d) sophisticated, well-guarded on-line transaction devices
III. Protection of customers, interests (e) denial-of-service attacks that put valid customers to inconvenience
(a) I and II only (b) II and III only
(c) I and III only (d) All the three Q.10 Choose the word which is ‘’MOST OPPOSITE’’ in meaning to the
(e) None of these word printed in ‘’bold’’ as used in the passage.
‘’Instantaneous’’
Q.6 Why it is obligatory that a system should be perfectly dependable ?
(a) Delayed (b) Quick
(a) To justify escalating dependence on system (c) Immediate (d) Eventful
(b) To ensure security of the system (e) Unconventional
(c) To disallow any pilferage whatsoever

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Q.11 Choose the word which is ‘’MOST OPPOSITE’’ in meaning to the Answers And Solutions
word printed in ‘’bold’’ as used in the passage.
Q.1Ans.(b)
‘’Vulnerable’’
A can be eliminated as the passage never discussed about
(a) Susceptible (b) Rigid
competition between banks.C also can be eliminated as it is too
(c) Invincible (d) Prone
broad in nature(Though the passage suggested to discuss about the
(e) Weakling
threats,it never discussed about remedies against threats to online
Q.12 Choose the word which is ‘’MOST OPPOSITE’’ in meaning to the banking).D is also eliminated as it speaks of global economy
which is not discussed in the
word printed in ‘’bold’’ as used in the passage.
[Link] passage whole in all discusses about banking and its
[Link],B is correct.
‘’Massive’’ Q.2Ans.(d)
(a) Tiny (b) Gigantic
The 2nd paragraph 1st line clearly states that institutional
(c) Bulky (d) Insignificant
mechanism has to be developed in-order to review ESecurity.
(e) Acute
D captures this idea at the best.
Q.3Ans.(a)
Q.13 Choose the word which is ‘’MOST NEARLY’’ the ‘’SAME’’ in
Refer to the 1st line of last [Link] clearly states that IT is
meaning as the word printed in ‘’bold’’ as used in the passage.
capable of providing historical data and trend analysis which in turn
helps in building up efficient Management Information
"Era"
Systems.2&3 are out of [Link],A only 1 is correct
(a) Year (b) Epoch Q.4Ans.(e)
(c) Span (d) Spirit Q.5Ans.(c)
(e) Instinct
The main point of the last paragraph is that e-banking enables
Q.14 Choose the word which is ‘’MOST NEARLY’’ the ‘’SAME’’ in customers to hassle free banking and to ensure that public interests
are met. Though, option 2 is correct in general terms,we are
meaning as the word printed in ‘’bold’’ as used in the passage.
supposed to answer as per the context of the passage. The passage
never suggests that footfalls can be avoided by e-banking.
‘’Poised’’
Hence,option C is correct
(a) Balanced (b) Adulterated Q.6Ans.(b)
(c) Stupefied (d) Launched
The starting line of the passage states that "As increasing
(e) Ready
dependence on information system develops,there is a necessity
Q.15 Choose the word which is ‘’MOST NEARLY’’ the ‘’SAME’’ in for such a system to be secure", which means that if we are
supposed to depend on a system- it should be reliable and
meaning as the word printed in ‘’bold’’ as used in the passage.
[Link],B is correct.
Q.7Ans.(c)
‘’Mitigate’’
Refer to 1st and 2nd lines of 2nd paragraph and 2nd line of 3rd
(a) Investigate (b) Allay
[Link] state that E-banking should undergo necessary
(c) Elevate (d) Invigorate
changes continually and mutual cooperation is required to mitigate
(e) Amplify
risks of security.
Q.8Ans.(e)
Refer to 3rd paragraph 4th line. It mentions that using multi
application smart card, we can transfer funds to length and

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breadth of the country. Hence,1 is true. Refer to 2nd paragraph Reading Comprehension -85
2nd line, it states that sharing of information between two banks
is required in-order to mitigate the risks of threat. Hence, 2 is Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
true. But,we cannot find anything in the passage suggesting that below it. Certain words have been printed in ‘’bold’’ to help you
customers are grouped into clusters. Hence,3 is [Link] E, none locate them while answering some of the questions.
of the options is correct
Q.9Ans.(d)
For years now, Grorge W. Bush has told Americans that he would
The first paragraph of the passage has a mention of options
increase the number of troops in Iraq only if the commanders on the
A,B,C,[Link] nowhere,the passage mentioned about on-line
ground asked him to do so. It was not a throwaway line: Bush said
transaction [Link],D is correct
Q.10Ans.(a) it from the very first days of the war, when he and Pentagon boss
Donald Rumsfeld were criticized for going to war with too few
Instantaneous means quick and [Link], B&C; are
troops. He said it right up until last summer, stressing at a news
eliminated. Eventful means something that gives an excitement.
conference in Chicago that Iraq commander General George Casey
Unconventional means something which is unusual. Hence, A.
‘’Will
Delayed is the opposite
Q.11Ans.(c) make the decisions as to how many troops we have there.’’
Seasoned military people suspected that the line was a dodge-that
Vulnerable means weak in security or susceptible. Prone means to
the civilians who ran Pentagon were testing their personal theory
be weak or to be exposed to something unpleasant.
that war can be fought on the cheap and the brass simply knew better
Weakling means a person or animal lacking strength. Rigid means
than to ask for more. In any case, the president repeated the mantra
unchangeable or hard. Between rigid and invincible,invincible
to dismiss any suggestion that the war was going badly. Who, after
means something that can never be destroyed. Hence, C is correct
Q.12Ans.(a) all, knew better than the generals on the ground?
Now, as the war near the end of its fourth year and the number
Massive means a thing which is gigantic and huge in appearance.
of Americans killed has surpassed 3,000, Bush had dropped the
Bulky also means the same. Insignificant means unimportant. Acute
general-know-best line. Sometime next week the President is
means bad or serious. Hence,A tiny is the correct answer.
Q.13Ans.(b) expected to propose a surge in the number of U.S. forces in Iraq for
a period of upto two years. (a) senior official said reinforcements
Era means epoch or span or [Link] as per the context given in
numbering ‘’About 20,000 troops,’’ and may be more, could be in
passage,era means epoch.
Q.14Ans.(e) place within months. The ‘’surge’’ would be achieved by extending
the stay of some forces already in Iraq and accelerating the
Poised means balance,calm and [Link] to the passage,the
deployment of others.
meaning of poised is [Link] means
The ‘’irony’’ is that while the generals would have liked more
[Link] means to [Link] means to start
troops in the past, they are “cool’’ idea of sending more now. That’s
[Link], E is correct.
Q.15Ans.(b) in part because the politicians and commanders have had trouble
agreeing on what the goal of a surge would [Link] it is also because
Mitigate is to reduce or to [Link] also means to reduce or to
they are worried that a surge would further erode the readiness of
[Link] is to ascend or to climb [Link] means
U.S.’s already stressed ground forces. And even those who back a
strong. Amplify is to [Link], B is correct
surge are under no ‘’illusions’’ about what it would mean to the
casualty rate. ‘’If you put more American troops on the front line,’’
said a White House Official, ‘’You’re going to have
more casualties.’’
Coming from Bush, a man known for bold strokes, the surge is a
strange half-measure---too large for the political climate at home,

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too small to crush the ‘’insurgency’’ in Iraq and surely three years
too late. Bush has waved off a bipartisan rescue mission out of pride, (a) Such strategies are better left to Army Commanders to decide on
‘’stubbornness" or ideology, or some combination of the three. the ground (b) Civilians are best assessors of such strategies
Rather than reversing course, as well the wise elders of the Iraq (c) Wars can be fought on the cheap
Study Group advised, the Commander in Chief is betting that more (d) The brass knew better of war but not of politics
troops will lead the way to what one White House official calls (e) None of these
‘’Victory’’.
Q.5 The author of the passage appears to be
Q.1 Bush and Rumsfeld had received brickbats for----
(a) in favour of enhancement of American troops in Iraq
(a) waging a war against Iraq (b) critical about Bush’s strategy of handling situation in Iraq
(b) testing her personal theories (c) an important assessor of the US strategy related to the situation in
(c) their assertion in the news conference in Chicago Iraq
(d) turning down the demands of General George Casey (d) an indifferent onlooker of what is happening in Iraq
(e) None of these (e) inclined to the idea of withdrawal of American troops to save
casualty
Q.2 George Bush gave an impression to his subjects that his army
commanders were given the autonomy to decide---- Answers and Solutions
(a) when to start or stop the war in Iraq [Link](c)
(b) the reasonable requirement of American troops to fight the war
Explanation:
in Iraq
Brickbat means criticism and Bush and Rumsfeld had received
(c) how many troops should Iraq use to fight against the Americans
criticism for asserting that General George Casey would take
(d) the Pentagon policies regarding war in Iraq
decisions regarding the number of [Link] ,option (c) is
(e) None of these
correct.
[Link](b)
Q.3 From the content of the passage, which of the following can be
Explanation:
definitely inferred ?
The third line of the 1st paragraph states that Bush had given the
freedom to The Iraq commander General George to decide how
A: The U.S. troops in Iraq are happy with their victory
many troops were required to fight the [Link], (c) is correct.
B: The troops already fighting the war in Iraq are sufficient enough to [Link](d)
combat the situation effectively
Explanation:
C: The generals who were earlier not in favour of increasing troops in
The passage clearly never discussed the happiness of U.S troops in
Iraq are now insisting on surge.
[Link] also never stated that troops are [Link],it
(a) (A) and (B) only
emphasized on the necessity of extra [Link] per the passage,
(b) (B) and © only
generals never
(c) (A) and (C)only
expressed their opinion on increase of troops or insurgency.
(d) None
HenceD, None of them is correct.
(e) All the three [Link](a)
Q.4 Which of the following best describes Bush’s persistent reaction to Explanation:
the observations that the Iraq war strategy was not effective due to
inadequate American forces ?

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The question is how Bush reacted to the criticism. Refer to the third control of market forces through high [Link] participating
line of the passage. It mentions that Generals were given freedom nations apart from the USA, are Japan the UK France Germany
to decide. Hence, A certain South East Asian countries and a few others The driving
[Link](b) force is the generation of wealth with certain types of economic
Explanation: doctrine.
The main point of the passage is not only to state the necessity of The urgent issue we need to address collectively as a nation is
extra troops in Iraq, but also to criticize the actions of [Link], how do we handle the tactics of economic and military dominance
(b) is correct. in this new form coming from the backdoor? Today technology is
the main driver of economic development at the national level
Reading Comprehension -86 Therefore we have to develop indigenous technologies to enhance
our
competitive edge and to generate national wealth in all segments of
Thought the Cold War has ended selective tactics are still economy Therefore the need of the hour is arm India with
continuing for ensuring the military and economic dominance of technology.
developed countries Various types of technology denial regimes are Q.1 Why do certain countries use selective tactics against developing
still being enforced which are now being mainly targeted against countries ?
developing countries like India.
Today we in India encounter twin problems On one side there is (a) To help developing countries gain military and economic
a large scale strengthening of our neighbours through supply of independence
arms and clandestine support to their nuclear and missile (b) To help developing countries govern themselves and be
programmes and on the other side all efforts are being made to economically independent
weaken our indigenous technology growth through control regimes (c) To ally with developing countries to dominate over other developed
and dumping of low-tech system accompanied with high countries
commercial pitch in critical areas Growth of indigenous technology (d) To curtail their domination over developing countries
and self-reliance are the only answer to the problem. (e) None of these
Thus in the environment around India the number of missiles and
nuclear powers are continuously increasing and destructive Q.2 Which are the issues of great concern that India is facing at present
weapons continue to pile up around us in spite of arms reduction according to the author of the passage ?
treaties.
To understand the implications of various types of warfare that (A) The supply of high-tech weaponry by other countries to India’s
may affect us we need to take a quick look at the evolution of war neighbours who are likely to use the same against India
weaponry and the types of warfare I am highlighting this point for (B) Other countries secretly helping India’s neighbours to strengthen
the reason that in less than a century we could see change in the their nuclear might
nature of warfare and its effects of society In early years of human (C) Obstruction of India’s genuine efforts to develop its own nuclear
history it was mostly direct human warfare During the twentieth technology
century up to about 1990 the warfare was weapon driven The (a) (a) & (b) only (b) (b) & (c) only
weapons used were guns tanks aircraft ships submarines and the (c) (a) & (c) only (d) All A,B, & C
nuclear weapons deployed on land/sea/air and also reconnaissance (e) None of these
spacecraft. Proliferation of conventional nuclear and biological
weapons was at a peak owing to the competition between the Q.3 Enforcement of technology denial regimes by developed countries
superpowers. implies which of the following ?
The next phase in a new form has just started from 1990 onwards
The world has graduated into economic [Link] means used is (a) Dominance of developing countries over developed ones

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(b) Exploitation of developing nations by the mightier ones (A) Importing up-to-date technology and nuclear equipments from
(c) Targeting of developed countries by developing countries developed countries
(d) Sympathising with underprivileged countries (B) Developing our own in-house technology
(e) None of these (C) Eliminating dependence on developed countries
(a) (a) & (b) only
Q.4 The striking difference in warfare before and after 1990 was the (b) (a) & (c) only
shift from (c) (b) & (c) only
(d) All A, B, & C
(a) guns, tanks, etc to nuclear weapons (e) None of these
(b) ships and submarines to spacecrafts
(c) weaponry to economic warfare Q.8 What is the general outcome of arms reduction treaties as a whole
(d) economic forces to high technology driven warefare according to the author of the passage?
(e) None of these
(a) They seem to have become totally defunct
Q.5 Why according to the author is it necessary to examine how (b) They have achieved the desired outcome in most cases
weaponry and warfare have evolved ? (c) They have resulted in curbing the trade of destructive weapons
(d) Piling up of weapons has significantly reduced due to such
(A) To understand their implications for us treaties
(B) To learn the rapid changes that have taken place in weaponry and (e) None of these
warfare
(C) To master them and enable us to attack our enemies Q.9 What according to the author is the immediate problem to be
(a) All A, (b) & C collectively resolved by our country ?
(b) (a) & (b) only
(c) (a) and (c) only (a) To counter the dominance of developed countries through money
(d) (b) & (c) only and muscle power
(e) None of these (b) To eradicate poverty and become economically self reliant
(c) To control the exorbitant rate of population growth
Q.6 According to the author the most effective way to counter our major (d) To develop indigenous technology to manufacture mightier
problems is to weapons
(e) None of these
(A) develop indigenous technologies
(B) compete with other countries in their warring tactics Q.10 Choose the word which is the MOST similar in meaning as the word
(C) generate national wealth in all segments of economy ”Reconnaissance” as given in the passage
(a) All A, B, & C
(b) (a) & (b) only (a) Investigation
(c) (b) & (c) only (b) Reserved
(d) (a) & c only (c) Recognisable
(e) None of these (d) Remedy
(e) Attack
Q.7 What according to the author is the solution to our problems in the
international field ? Q.11 Choose the word which is the MOST similar in meaning as the word
”Proliferation” as given in the passage

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(a) Explosion Answers and Solutions

(b) Devastation
(c) Discomfiture
(d) Abundance [Link](e)
(e) Extraction Explanation:
Although at the start of passage it has been said that developed
Q.12 Choose the word which is the MOST similar in meaning as the word countries want to dominate and use tactics, no explicit reason for the
”Evolution” as given in the passage. same has been given in subsequent paragraphs.
Hence, (e) is the correct option.
(a) Magnification [Link](d)
(b) Expansion Explanation:
(c) Progression The paragraphs first, second and third outline all the three concerns
(d) Modification of - help to the neighbours in stregthening their nuclear might and
(e) Changing hampering of India's indigeneous technology.
Hence, Option (d) is correct answer.
Q.13 Choose the word which is the MOST opposite in meaning as the [Link](b)
word ”Indigenous” as given in the passage. Explanation:
By denying technology to developing nations, developed nations
(a) Local explicitly dominate them and thus it becomes easier for developing
(b) Domestic nations to be exploited by developed nation. Hence, option (b) is
(c) Abroad correct.
(d) Foreign [Link](c)
(e) Exported Explanation:
The paragraph 5 and 6 clearly states the shift of warfare from weapon
Q.14 Choose the word which is the MOST opposite in meaning as the based to economic weapon where each developed nation is using it's
word ”Dominence” as given in the passage. economic doctrine for domination.
Hence, option (c) is correct.
(a) Aggression [Link](b)
(b) Submission Explanation:
(c) Assertion The last paragraph implicitly mentions that we need to understand
(d) Ignorance the rapid changes taking place in technology sector and understand
(e) Lethargy the implications of those changes.
Therefore both statements (a) and (b) are correct.
Q.15 Choose the word which is the MOST opposite in meaning as the Hence, option (b) is correct.
word ”continuously” as given in the passage. [Link](d)
Explanation:
(a) Illegitimately The fifth, sixth and seventh paragraphs of the passage state quite
(b) Unconditionally explicitly that there is need for us to develop indigeneous technology
(c) Insensitively as well as to strengthen our economy to be in better position to tackle
(d) Uninterrupted economic warfare.
(e) Intermittently Hence, the correct option is D.
[Link](c)
Explanation:

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Throughout the passage, author makes a pitch for developing Explanation:

indigeneous technology and also on reducing our dependence on Here, continously means 'in an uniterrupted manner'. Amongst the
other countries. Hence, both (b) and (c) are appropriate statements. given options, opposite of 'continously' would be Intermittently.
Therefore, option (c) is correct.
[Link](a) Reading Comprehension -87
Explanation:
The third paragraph explicitly states that inspite of arms treaties, the
weapons have been piling up with neighbouring countries. Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given
Hence, these treaties are as good as defunct. below [Link] words/phrases have been printed in bold to
Therefore, option (a) is correct. help you locate them while answering some of the question.
[Link](e) Governments have traditionally equated economic progress
Explanation: with steel mills and cement factories. While urban centers thrive and
The problem we immediately need to tackle is the tactics used by city dwellers get rich, hundreds of millions of farmers remain mired
developed nations to establish dominance over developing nations. in poverty. However fears of food shortages, a rethinking of anti-
None of the option mention this. poverty priorities and the crushing recession in 2008 are causing a
Hence, the correct option is E. dramatic shift in world economic policy in favour of greater support
[Link](a) for agriculture.
Explanation: The last time when the world’s farmer felt such love was in the
In the context of passage, reconaissance is used is used in context of 1970s. At that time, as food prices spiked, there was real concern
scouting or exploring to gain military information i.e investigation. that the world was facing a crisis in which the planet was simply
Hence, the correct option is A. unable to produce enough grain and meat for an expanding
[Link](d) [Link] across the developing world and
Explanation: international aid organisations plowed investment into agriculture
In the context of passage, proliferation means 'abundance'. in the early 1970s, while technological breakthroughs, like high-
Hence, the correct option is D. yield strains of important food crops, boosted production. The result
[Link](c) was the Green Revolution and food production exploded.
Explanation: But the Green Revolution became a victim of its own
Here, in the context of given passage, evolution refers to growth or [Link] prices plunged by some 60% by the late 1980s from
development i.e progression. their peak in the mid-1970s. Policy makers and aid workers turned
Hence, option (c) is correct. their attention to the poor’s other pressing needs such as health care
[Link](d) and education. Farming got starved of resources and investment.
Explanation: By 2004 aid directed at agriculture sank to 3.5 % and Agriculture
In the context of passage, 'indigeneous' means 'homegrown' or lost its glitter. Also as consumer in high-growth giants such as China
developed inside the country. and India became wealthier they began eating more meat so grain
Opposite of which will be 'foreign'. once used for human consumption got diverted to beef up livestock.
Hence, the correct option is D. By early 2008 panicked buying by importing countries and
[Link](b) restrictions slapped on grain exports by some big producers helped
Explanation: drive prices upto heights not seen for three decades. Making matters
In the context of paragraph, dominance may mean agression or worse land and resources got reallocated to produce cash crops such
assertion. as biofuels and the result was that voluminous reserves of grain
Opposite of this would be Submission. evaporated. Protests broke out across the emerging world and
Hence, option (b) is correct. fierce food riots toppled governments.
[Link](e)

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This spurred global leaders into action. This made them (a) Unchecked crop yields resulted in large tracts of land becoming
aware that food security is one of the fundamental issues in the barren
world that has to be dealt with in order to maintain administrative (b) Withdrawal of fiscal impetus from agriculture to other sectors
and political stability. This also spurred the US which traditionally (c) Farmers began soliciting government subsidies for their produce
provisioned food aid from American grain surpluses to help needy (d) Farmers rioted as food prices fell so low that they could not make
nations to move towards investing in farm sectors around the globe ends meet
to boost productive for themselves and be in a better position to feed (e) None of these
their own people.
Africa, which missed out on the first Green Revolution due Q.3 What is the author trying to convey through the phrase making the
to poor policy and limited resources, also witnessed a 'change'. government 7 % GDP growth target look a bit rich ?
Swayed by the success of East Asia the primary poverty-fighting
method favoured by many policy-makers in Africa was to get (a) India is unlikely to achieve the targeted growth rate
farmers off their farms and into modern jobs in factories and urban (b) Allocation of funds to agriculture has raised India’s chances of
centers. But that strategy proved having a high GDP
to be highly insufficient. Income levels in the countryside (c) Agriculture growth has artificially inflated India’s GDP and such
badly trailed those in cities while the FAO estimated that the growth is not real
number of poor going hungry in 2009 reached an all time high at (d) India is likely to have one of the highest GDP growth rates
more than one billion. (e) A large portion of India’s GDP is contributed by agriculture
In India on the other hand with only 40% of its farmland
irrigated, entire economic boom currently underway is held hostage Q.4 Which of the following factors was/were responsible for the neglect
by the unpredictable monsoon. With much of India’s farming areas of the farming sector after the Green Revolution ?
suffering from drought this year, the government will have a tough
time meeting its economic growth targets. In a report Goldman A. Steel and cement sectors generated more revenue for the
Sachs, predicted that if this year, too receives weak rains it could government as compared to agriculture
cause agriculture to contract by 2 % this fiscal year making the B. Large-scale protests against favouring agriculture at the cost of
government 7% GDP growth target look "a bit rich". Another green other important sectors such as education and health care
revolution is the need of the hour and to make it a reality, the global C. Attention of policy makers and aid organisations was diverted from
community still has much backbreaking farm work to do. agriculture to other sectors
(a) None
Q.1 What is the author’s main objective in writing the passage ? (b) Only C
(c) Only (b) & C
(a) Criticising developed countries for not bolstering economic growth (d) Only (a) & B
in poor nations (e) All A, (b) & C
(b) Analysing the disadvantages of the Green Revolution
(c) Persuading experts that a strong economy depends on Q.5 What prompted leaders throughout the world to take action to boost
industrialisation and not on agriculture the agriculture sector in 2008 ?
(d) Making a case for the international society to engineer a second
Green Revolution (a) Coercive tactics by the US which restricted food aid to poor nations
(e) Rationalising the faulty agriculture policies of emerging countries (b) The realisation of the link between food security and political
stability
Q.2 Which of the following is an adverse impact of the Green (c) Awareness that performance in agriculture is necessary in order to
Revolution ? achieve the targeted GDP

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(d) Reports that high-growth countries like China and India were (A) Hoarding of food stocks by local wholesalers which inadvertently
boosting their agriculture sectors to capture the international created a food shortage
markets (B) Export of foodgrains was reduced by large producers
(e) Their desire to influence developing nations to slow down their (C) Diverting resources from cultivation of foodgrains to that of more
industrial development profitable crops
(a) None (b) Only C
Q.6 What motivated the US to focus on investing in agriculture across (c) Only B (d) All A, (b) & C
the globe ? (e) Only (b) & C

(a) To make developing countries become more reliant on US aid Q.10 Which of the following is true about the state of agriculture in India
(b) To ensure grain surpluses so that the US had no need to import food at present ?
(c) To make those countries more self-sufficient to whom it previously
provided food (A) Of all the sectors agriculture needs the highest allocation of funds
(d) To establish itself in the market before the high growth giants such (B) Contribution of agriculture to India’s GDP this year would depend
as India and China could establish themselves greatly upon the monsoon rains
(e) None of these (C) As India is one of the high-growth countries it has surplus food
reserves export to other nations
Q.7 What impact did economic recession of 2008 have on agriculture ? (a) Only (a) and C
(b) Only C
(a) Government equated economic stability with industrial (c) Only B
development and shifted away from agriculture (d) Only (b) and C
(b) Lack of implementation of several innovative agriculture (e) None of these
programmes owing to shortage of funds
(c) It prompted increased investment and interest in agriculture Q.11 Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning
(d) The GDP as targeted by India was never achieved because of losses to the word printed in bold as used in the passage: STARVED
in agriculture
(e) None of these (a) Deprived
(b) Disadvantaged
Q.8 What encouraged African policy-makers to focus on urban jobs ? (c) Hungry
(d) Fasting
(a) Misapprehension that it would alleviate poverty as it did in others (e) Emaciated
countries
(b) Rural development outstripped urban development in many parts of Q.12 Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning
Africa to the word printed in bold as used in the passage: SLAPPED
(c) Breaking out of protests in the country and the fear that the
government would topple (a) Beaten
(d) Blind imitation of western models of development (b) Imposed
(e) None of these (c) Withdrawn
(d) Avoided
Q.9 Which of the following had contributed to exorbitant food prices in (e) Persuaded
2008?
Q.13 Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning
to the word printed in bold as used in the passage: PLOWED

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(a) Cultivated [Link](a)

(b) Bulldozed Explanation:
(c) Recovered Refer to the following lines:"In a report Goldman Sachs predicted
(d) Instilled that if this year too receives weak rains it could cause agriculture to
(e) Withdrew contract by 2 % this fiscal year making the government 7%GDP
growth target look a bit rich".
Q.14 Choose the word which is most opposite in the meaning of the word Here the author talks that the agricultural output is likely to fall due
printed in bold as used in the passage: PRESSING to weak rains. Hence the 7% growth rate is little too exaggerated.
[Link](b)
(a) Unpopular Explanation:
(b) Undemanding Refer to the following lines:"Food prices plunged by some 60% by
(c) Unobtrusive the late 1980s from their peak in the mid-1970s Policy makers and
(d) Unsuitable aid workers turned their attention to the poor’s other “pressing”
(e) Unimportant needs such as health care and education Farming got “starved” of
resources and investment."
Q.15 Choose the word which is most opposite in the meaning of the word This is highlighted in option c. Option a and b are nowhere
printed in bold as used in the passage: EVAPORATED mentioned in the paragraph.
[Link](b)
(a) Absorbed Explanation:
(b) Accelerated Refer to the following lines: "This spurred global leaders into action
(c) Grew This made them aware that food security is one of the fundamental
(d) Plunged issues in the world that has to be dealt with in order to maintain
(e) Mismanaged administrative and political stability".
This substantiates option B.
Answers and Solutions [Link](c)
Explanation:
[Link](d) Refer to the following lines:"This made them aware that food
security is one of the fundamental issues in the world that has to be
Explanation:
dealt with in order to maintain administrative and political stability
The whole passage talks about the mire condition of farmers while
This also spurred the US which traditionally provisioned food aid
highlighting the stats of irrigated lands, facilities and different
from American grain surpluses to help needy nations to move
aspects. In this way, he builds his point that serious improvements
towards investing in farm sectors around the globe to boost
is needed in farming. He calls for the second green revolution to
productive for themselves and be in a better position to feed their
happen.
[Link](b) own people".
Here the author states that US invested in agriculture in other
Explanation:
countries to make them self-sufficient.
Refer to th following lines:"Policy makers and aid workers turned [Link](c)
their attention to the poor’s other “pressing” needs such as health
Explanation:
care and education Farming got “starved” of resources and
Refer to the following lines:".However fears of food shortages a
investment By 2004 aid directed at agriculture sank to 3.5 % and
rethinking of anti-poverty priorities and the crushing recession in
Agriculture lost its glitter" In this paragraph, the author talks how
2008 are causing a dramatic shift in world economic policy in
the investment was diverted from agriculture to other pressing
favour of greater support for agriculture".
issues. Hence fiscal impetus was withdrawn from agriculture.
This confirms option c as an answer.

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[Link](a) PRESSING means the issues which are relevant. Hence its opposite
Explanation: would be unimportant.
Refer to the following line:"Africa which missed out on the first [Link](c)
Green Revolution due to poor policy and limited resources also Explanation:
witnessed a change Swayed by the success of East Asia the primary EVAPORAT(e) means to remove or to eradicate. Its opposite is
poverty-fighting method favoured by many policy-makers in Africa GREW.
was to get farmers off their farms and into modern jobs in factories
and urban centers But that strategy proved to be highly insufficient Reading Comprehension -88
Income levels in the countryside badly trailed those in cities while
the FAO estimated that the number of poor going hungry in 2009 Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
reached an all time high at more than one billion" it. Certain word/phrases have been printed in ‘’bold’’ to help
Here the author highlights the shofting of policies by African you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
leaders by observing the sucess of East-Asia and which proved to
India is rushing headlong towards economic success and
be wrong. Option (a) correctly summarises the answer.
[Link](d) modernisation, counting on hightech industries such as information
technology and biotechnology to propel the nation to prosperity.
[Link](c)
India’s recent announcement that it would no longer produce
Explanation:
unlicensed inexpensive generic pharmaceuticals bowed to the
Refer to the following llines:"In India on the other hand with only
realities of the World Trade Organisation while at the same time
40% of its farmland irrigated entire economic boom currently
challenging the domestic drug industry to compete with the
underway is held hostage by the unpredictable monsoon with much
multinational firms. Unfortunately, its weak higher education sector
of India’s farming areas suffering from drought this year the constitutes the Achilles’ heel of this strategy. Its systematic
government will have a tough time meeting its economic growth
disinvestment in higher education in recent years has yield neither
targets" Here the author
world-class research nor very many highly trained scholars,
mentions that the prosperity of India's agriculture is dependent upon
scientists or managers to sustain high-tech development.
monsoon. Option (a) and (c) are not mentioned in the paragraph.
[Link](a) India’s main competitor especially China buts also
Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea are investing in large and
Explanation:
‘’differentiated’’ higher education systems. They are providing
STARV(e) means when someone is deprived of food. In this context
access to large number of students at the bottom of the academic
the author states that the farmers are starved of the resources. It
system while at the same time building some research-based
means they are deprived of the resources.
[Link](b) universities that are able to compete with the
world’s best institutions. The recent London Times Higher
Explanation:
Education Supplement ranking of the world’s top 200 universities
Refer to the following lines:"By early 2008 panicked buying by
included three in China, three in Hong Kong three in South Korea.
importing countries and restrictions “slapped” on grain exports by
one in Taiwan, and one in India. These countries are positioning
some big producers helped drive prices upto heights not seen for
themselves for leadership in the knowledge based economies for
three decades." Slapping with something means to impose
coming era.
something.
[Link](d) There was a time when countries could achieve economic
success with cheap labour and low-tech manufacturing. Low wages
Explanation:
still help, but contemporary large-scale development requires a
To plow something means to instill something productive in it.
sophisticated and at least partly knowledgebased economy. India
Hence option d correct
[Link](e) has chosen that path, but will find a major stumbling block in its
universities system.
Explanation:

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India has significant advantages in the 21st century (c) Only C

knowledge race. It has a large higher education sector --- the third (d) Only (b) and C
largest in the world in student numbers, after China and the United (e) All A, (b) and C
States. It uses English as a primary language of higher education
and research. It has a long academic tradition. Academic freedom is Q.3 Which of the following are Asian countries other than India, doing
respected. There are a small number of highly quality institutions, to head towards a knowledge based economy?
departments, and centres that can form the basis of quality sector in
higher education. The fact that the States, rather than the Central A. Building competitive research based universities
Government, exercise major responsibility for higher education B. Investing in diverse higher education systems
creates a rather cumbersome structure, but the system allows for a C. Providing access to higher education to a select few students.
variety of policies and approaches. (a) Only A
Yet the weakness far outweigh the strengths. India educates (b) Only (a) and B
approximately 10 per cent of its young people in higher education (c) Only (b) and C
compared with more than half in the major industrialised countries (d) Only B
and 15 per cent in China. Almost all of the world’s academic (e) All A, (b) and C
systems resemble a pyramid, with a small high quality tier at the top
and a massive sector at the bottom. India has a tiny top tier. None Q.4 Which of the following is possibly the most appropriate title for
of its universities occupies a solid position at the top. (a) few of the passage?
best universities have some excellent departments and centres and
there are a small number of outstanding undergraduate colleges. The (a) The Future Of Indian Universities
university Grants Commission’s recent major support of five (b) Methods of Overcoming The Educational Deficit In India
universities to build on their recognised strength is a step toward (c) India And The Hunt For (a) Knowledge Based Economy
recognising a differentiated academic system and fostering (d) Indian Economy Versus Chinese Economy
excellence. These universities, combined, enroll well under 1 (e) Indian Economy And Its Features
percent of the student population.
Q.5 What did India agree to do at the behest of the World Trade
Q.1 What does the phrase ‘Achilles’ Heel’ mean as used in the passage? Organisation?

(a) Weakness (a) It would stop manufacturing all types of pharmaceuticals

(b) Quickness (b) It would ask its domestic pharmaceutical companies to compete
(c) Low Quality with the international ones
(d) Nimbleness (c) It would buy only licensed drugs from USA
(e) Advantage (d) It would not manufacture cheap common medicines without a
license
Q.2 Which of the following is/are India’s strength/s in terms of higher (e) None of these
education?
Q.6 Which of the following is/are India’s weakness/es when it comes to
A: Its system of higher education allows variations higher education?
B: Medium of instruction for most higher learning is English
C: It has the paraphernalia, albeit small in number, to build a high A. India universities do not have the requisite teaching faculty to cater
quality higher educational sector. to the needs of the higher education sector
(a) Only B B. Only five Indian universities occupy the top position very strongly,
(b) Only (a) and B in the academic pyramid, when it comes to higher education

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C. India has the least percentage of young population talking to higher (c) little
education as comapred to the rest of the comparable countries. (d) gaping
(a) Only (a) and B (e) huge
(b) Only B
(c) Only C Answers and Solutions
(d) Only (a) and C
(e) All A, (b) and C [Link](a)
Q.7 Which of the following , according to the passage, is/are needed for Explanation:
Refer to the third line of 2nd para you will come across 'Achilles
economic success of a country?
Heel'. The line states that India's weaker higher education sector
constitutes Achilles Heel of this strategy (strategy to produce
A. Cheap labour
unlicensed inexpensive generic pharmaceuticals) which means
B. Educated employees
weakness as used in the context of the passage. Quickness and
C. Research institutions to cater to development
nimbleness are synonyms meaning agile in nature. Low quality
(a) Only (a) and B
means poor. Advantage means having an upper hand. Hence, (a) is
(b) Only B
correct
(c) Only C [Link](e)
(d) Only (b) and C
Explanation:
(e) All A, (b) and C
Refer to 5th para 2nd line, we can find both A&B;,(stating that
Q.8 Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning English is a primary language of higher education and research, also
academic freedom is respected) refer to the last line of the passage,
to the word printed in bold as used in the passage: FOSTERING
we can find (c) stating that top universities enroll under 1 percent of
the student population and which means that even though it is small
(a) safeguarding
in number, the universities can build a high quality higher
(b) neglecting
educational sector.
(c) sidelining [Link](b)
(d) nurturing
Explanation:
(e) ignoring
Refer to 3rd paragraph 1st line. It states that countries like
Q.9 Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning China,Singapore are investing in differentiated higher education
systems. Hence,(b) is correct. (a) is also correct as it was mentioned
to the word printed in bold as used in the passage: PROPEL
in 3rd paragraph 3rd line. Hence, (b) is correct.
[Link](c)
(a) drive
Explanation:
(b) jettison
The title should give an information on the main point covered in
(c) burst
the [Link] main point of the passage is covered in the first line
(d) acclimatize
itself and states that India is heading towards economic success and
(e) modify
modernization. Also,there is another instance in the para 3 last line
Q.10 Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning stating that India is positioning itself for leadership in knowledge
based economies. So, (a) can be eliminated as the passage did not
to the word printed in bold as used in the passage: MASSIVE
discuss about future of Indian universities. (b) can be eliminated as
the title seems too narrow and main point did not get [Link]
(a) lump sum
passage never compared Indian economy with Chinese economy or
(b) strong

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never discussed about Indian [Link] (c) perfectly catches

the main idea which states that India is trying to become a Read the following passage carefully and answer the given
knowledge based economy. questions. Certain words/phrases are given in bold to help you
[Link](d) locate them while answering some of the questions.
Explanation: At first glance the patriarchy appears to be thriving. More
Refer to the 2nd para 1st line stating that India would no longer than 90% of presidents and prime ministers are male, as are all
produce unlicensed inexpensive generic pharmaceuticals.(d) nearly big corporate bosses. Men dominate finance, technology,
captures this idea perfectly. films, sports, music and even stand up comedy. In much of the world
[Link](c) they still enjoy social and legal privileges simply because :hey have
Explanation: a Y chromosome. So it might seem odd to worry about the plight of
(a) is out of context and is not covered in the passage.(b) is incorrect men. Yet there is plenty of cause for concern. Men cluster at the
as the last paragraph's third line states that India has a tiny top tier bottom as well at the top. Poorly educated men in rich countries
and none of its universities occupies a top [Link],only (c) have had difficulty coping with the enormous changes in the labour
is correct market and the home over the past half century. As technology and
[Link](e) trade have devalued brawn, less educated men have struggled to
Explanation: find a role in the workplace. Women, on the other hand, are surging
Refer to the 4th paragraph 2nd line stating that low wages still help into expanding sectors such as health care and education, helped by
and large scale development requires a sophisticated and atleast a their superior skills. As education has become more important, boys
partly knowledge based economy-which means it requires both (a) have also fallen behind girls in school (except at the very top). Men
&[Link]; main point of the last paragraph is that universities are who lose jobs in manufacturing often never work again. And men
considered as an epitome for getting established as a good economy. without work find it hard to support a family. The result for low
Hence, A, B, (c) all are correct skilled men, is a poisonous combination of no job, no family and no
[Link](d) prospects. Some tend to focus on economics. Shrinking job
Explanation: opportunities for men, they say, are entrenching poverty and
Fostering means to encourage the development of some one or destroying families. In America pay for men with only a high school
[Link] means protect some one when they are going. certificate fell by 21% in real terms between 1979 and 2013, for
Hence, (d) suits the most. women with similar qualifications it raised by 3%. Around a fifth of
[Link](a) working age American men with only a high school have no job.
Explanation: But both economic and social changes are to blame, and the two
Propel is to drive something forward. Jettison means dropping causes reinforce each other. Moreover, these problems are likely to
something from a height. Burst means to explode. get worse. Technology will disrupt more industries, creating
Acclimatize means adjusting to a situation. Modify is to change. benefits for society but rendering workers who fail to update their
Option (a) is the synonym for propel. skills redundant. The OECD, a think tank, predicts that the absolute
[Link](e) number of single parent households will continue to rise in nearly
Explanation: all rich countries. Boys who grow up without fathers are more likely
Massive means exceptionally large or huge . Lump sum means to have trouble forming lasting relationships, creating a cycle of
giving at a time in a single [Link] means [Link] male dysfunction. What can be done? Part of the solution lies in a
means small in number. Gaping means wide [Link], (e) is correct change in cultural attitudes. Over the past
generation, men have learned that they need to help with
child care and have changed their behaviour. Women have learned
that they can be surgeons and physicists not at the cost of
Reading Comprehension -89 motherhood. Policymakers also need to lend a hand, because foolish
laws are making the problem worse. Governments need to recognise

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that boys' underachievement is a serious problem and set about (d) prefer to
fixing it. Some sensible policies that are good for everybody are (e) liking for
particularly good for boys.
Early childhood education provides boys with more Q.4 Choose the word/group of words which is opposite in meaning as
structure and a better chance of developing verbal and social skills. the word ENTRENCHING given in bold as usain the passage.
Countries with successful vocational systems such as Germany have
done a better job motivating non academic boys and guiding them (a) hastening
into jobs, but policymakers need to reinvent vocational education (b) reducing
for an age when trainers are more likely to get jobs in hospitals than (c) stabilising
factories. The growing equality of the genders is one of the biggest (d) hesitating
achievements of the post war era people have greater opportunities (e) digging
than ever before to achieve their ambitions regardless of their
gender. But some even have failed to cope with this new world. It Q.5 Which of the following is true in the context of the passage ?
is time to give them a hand.
(a) Underachievement of boys at school is a problem prevalent in Japan
Q.1 What do the statistics in the passage with regard to America and America.
indicate? (b) Most of the government funds for vocational education are misused.
(c) Women are still not well represented in high positions.
(a) Pay and employment for men with low skills has fallen. (d) The number of children with learning disabilities is on the rise in
(b) Less than ten percent of American politicians are women. rich countries.
(c) Men dominate most high paying professions such as surgery etc. (e) None of the given statements is true in the context of the passage.
(d) Americans are protected from labour market disruptions by a strong
social welfare system. Q.6 Which of the following factors has/have an impact on the current
(e) At both the top and bottom of the job pyramid women are losing out state of male employment ?
to men.
(A) Men's failure to update their skills.
Q.2 According to the passage, what can be said about families today? (B) Single parent households with an absent father.
(C) Adoption of technological changes in low skill jobs.
(a) It is difficult for families to survive on the earnings of one parent. (a) Only (A)
(b) The size of the family is shrinking which will cause a problem of an (b) Only (B)
ageing population soon. (c) All (A), (B) and (C)
(c) Parents favour sons over daughters causing an unhealthy social (d) (A) and (C)
mindset. (e) (A) and (B)
(d) Poverty and lack of education among men is putting the family
structure at risk. Answers and Solutions
(e) None of the given options can be said.
[Link](a)
Q.3 Choose the word/group of words which is most nearly the same in
[Link](d)
meaning as the word ENJOY given in bold as used in the passage. [Link](d)
[Link](b)
(a) benefit from [Link](c)
(b) laugh with [Link](d)
(c) amused by

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do not seem very alarming, experts who reviewed last year's results
Reading Comprehension -90 for 158 banks, of which only 20 are listed found that "Shadow
loans", loans recorded as investments which may be a disguise for
In the following questions, read the following passage carefully and bad loans have grown to as much as 5.7 billion yuan, or 5 of the
answer the questions given below it. industry's assets. These are heavily concentrated on the balance
sheets of smaller-unlisted banks, and at the very least, all this points
to a need for recapitalisation of small banks.
Certain words / phrases are given in bold to help you locate
them while answering some of the questions. Over the past few days Q.1
alone. the China's central bank has pumped extra cash into the
financial system and cut interest rates. The aim is to free more cash Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning to the
word
for banks to lend and provide a boost for banks seeking to improve
the return on their assets. The official data though, suggested that
'TAGGING' given in bold as used in the passage.
bad loans make up only 1.4% of their balance sheets. How to
(a) delayed
explain the discrepancy? One possible answer is that bad loans are
a tagging indicator ie it is only after the economy has struggled for (b) breaking
(c) stopping
while that borrowers began to suffer. Looked at this way, China is
(d) protecting
trying to anticipate problems keeping its banks in good health by
(e) tying
susteining economic growth of nearly 7% year on year. Another
more worrying possibility is that bad loans are worse than official Q.2
data. This does not look to be the cause for China's biggest banks,
Choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the word FREE
which are managed conservatively and largely focus on the
given in bold as used in the passage.
county's biggest value and quality borrowers. But there is
mounting evidence that when it comes to smaller banks, especially
(a) expensive
those yet to list on the stock market, bad loans piling up. That is
(b) secret
important because unlisted lenders account for just over a third of
(c) complimentary
the Chinese banking sector, making them as big as Japan's entire
(d) restrict
banking industry.
(e) charged
Although, non-performing loans have edged up slowly, the increase
in specialmention loans (a category that includes those overdue but Q.3
not yet classified as impaired loans.) has been much bigger. Special-
According to the passage, which of the following can be said about
mention loans are about 2% at most of China's big listed banks,
China's large banks?
suggesting that such loans must be much higher at their smaller,
unlisted peers. Many of these loans are simple bad debts which
(A) These are cautiously run.
banks have not yet accepted to.
(B) Their clients are mainly high value.
Another troubling fact is that fifteen years ago, the
(C) 2 percent of their loans have been classified as overdue but not
government created asset-management companies (often referred to
impaired.
as badbanks) to take on the non-performing loans of the lenders.
(a) Only (B)
After the initial transfer these companies had little to pay. But, last
(b) Only (A)
year, Cinda, the biggest of the bad banks, bought nearly 150 billion
(c) All (A), (B) and (C)
Yuan ($ 24 billion) of distressed assets last year, two-thirds more
(d) Only (A) and (C)
than in 2013. These assets would have raised the banks badloans
(e) Only (B) and (C)
ratio by a few tenths of a percentage point. Although such numbers

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Q.4 Q.8
Which of the following is the central idea of the passage? Choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the word
MOUNTING given in bold as used in the passage.
(a) Small banks should be allowed to become listed on the stock
exchange. (a) melting
(b) The government should do away with asset management (b) accumulating
companies. (c) removing
(c) China's financial crisis is not as serious as it is being made out to be. (d) submerging
(d) China's central bank has failed to predict and stop the decline of its (e) decreasing
banks.
(e) There is trouble brewing in China small unlisted banks. Q.9
Which of the following best describes experts' findings regarding
Q.5 shadow loans?
Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning to the
word 'POINTS' (a) Shadow loans have been steadily falling and are negligible at
given in bold as used in the passage. present.
(b) These are growing substantially and changing the need for reform
(a) peaks of small banks.
(b) moments (c) Shadow loans are unfairly being passed onto asset management
(c) arguments companies.
(d) indicates (d) These loans are inconsequential for the health of banks.
(e) plugs (e) The findings are faulty as if only includes few listed banks.

Q.6 Q.10
Which of the following is true in the context of the passage? What is the author's view regarding small banks?

(a) China has not implemented any resources to help its banking sector (a) These have a better loan portfolio than large banks.
in recent times. (b) These are a good health helping to sustain economic growth of 7
(b) Approximately 32% of China's banking sector is unlisted. percent.
(c) China's stock market has plummeted in recent times. (c) These should be merged with large banks to bail them out of trouble.
(d) Japan's banking industry is experiencing a boom unlike that of (d) Regulations governing these banks should be relaxed.
China. (e) Other than those given as options
(e) None of the given options is true in the context of the passage.
Answers and Solutions
Q.7
What does the example of the Cinda convey? [Link](e)
[Link](d)
(a) Many of the loans given by Chinese banks are in trouble. [Link](e)
(b) Many such large Chinese asset management companies are failing. [Link](e)
(c) China's economy is overly dependent on large banks. [Link](d)
(d) China is the ideal destination for small banks to flourish. [Link](e)
(e) Such companies have become obsolete. [Link](b)

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[Link](e) Mate is hugely popular and sells more than a brand like Harpic in
[Link](b) its own stores So there is a certain amount of conflict and
[Link](e) competition that will play out over the next few years which the
FMCG companies will have to watch out for said KPMG’s
Reading Comprehension -91 executive director (retail) In the past there have been instances of
retailers boycotting products from big FMCG players on the issue
Read the following passage to answer the given question based on it. of margins but as modern retail become increasingly significant for
“pushing” new categories experts say we could see more
Some words/phrases are printed in bold to help you locate them
while answering some of the questions. partnerships being forged between retailers and FMCG companies
Market development for new categories takes time so brand wars
Organized retail has “fuelled” new growth categories like for leadership and consumer franchise will be fought on the modern
retail platform (a) new brand can overnight compete with
liquid hand wash, breakfast cereals and pet foods in the consumer “established” companies by trying up with few retailers in these
goods industry accounting for almost 50% of their sales said data
categories president of Future Group added
from market search firm Nielsen The figures showed some of these
new categories got more than 40% of their business from modern Q.1
retail [Link] data also suggests how products in these
Which of the following is being referred to as new growth category
categories reach the neighbourhood kirana stores after they have
?
established themselves in modern trade While grocers continue to
be an important channel for the new and evolving categories we saw
(a) Soap cake
an increased presence of the high end products in modern trade For
example premium products in laundry detergents dishwashing car (b) Fresh fruits
(c) Fresh vegetables
air fresheners and surface care increased in availability through this
format as these products are aimed at “affluent” consumers who are (d) Liquid Hand wash
(e) Usual groceries
more likely to shop in supermarket/hypermarket outlets and who are Q.2
willing to pay more for
Which of the following is being referred to as modern retail outlet ?
specialized products Some other categories that have grown
exceptionally and now account for bulk of the sales from modern
(a) Kirana Store
retail are frozen and With the evolution of modern trade our growth
(b) On-line Store
in this channel has been healthy as it is for several other categories
(c) Door-to-door Selling
Modern retail is an important part of our business said managing
(d) Road-side Hawkers
director Kellogg India.
(e) Supermarket
What modern retail offers to companies experimenting with Q.3
new categories is the chance to educate customers which was not
Which of the following best conveys the meaning of the phrase
the case with a general trade store Category creation and market
“watch out for” as used in the passage ?
development starts with modern trade but as more consumer start
consuming this category they “penetrate into other channels” said
(a) Demand justice
president food FMCG
(b) Avoid conflict
category Future Group the country’s largest retailer which operates
(c) Be on the alert
stores like Big Bazaar But a point to note here is that modern
(d) passively accept
retailers themselves push their own private brands in these very
(e) Open for competition
categories and can emerge as a big threat for the onsumers goods
and foods companies For instance Big Bazaar’s private label Clean Q.4

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Which of the following is being referred to as certain amount of Which class/section of the people are more likely to shop in
conflict ? Hypermarket outlets?

(a) Retailers selling their own products with products of companies (a) Senior citizens
(b) Retailers selling similar products of different consumer companies (b) Younger generation
(c) Offering differential rate of margin for different products (c) Rich consumers
(d) New products killing the old products (d) Poor section
(e) Different retailers selling same category of products (e) Women

Q.5 Q.9
The new growth category products Which of the following advantages do modern retail outlets provide
for new categories of products as compared to general trade stores
(a) reach first the neighbourhood Kirana shop and then the modern ?
retail outlets
(b) account for less than 20% of sales in organized retail (a) Higher profit margins
(c) reach all the outlets almost at the same time (b) Experimenting with new products
(d) first become popular in modern trade outlets before reaching Kirana (c) Competition with similar products
shops (d) Better packing of the product
(e) are aimed at the poor section of the society (e) products at much lower price

Q.6 Q.10
Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage ? ............. penetrate into other Channels Which of the following is
being referred to as Channels ?
(a) Clean Mate is a product of an organized retailers
(b) Some retailers don’t keep some products if the profit margin is not (a) Products
good (b) Companies
(c) Anew brand can never quickly displace an established brand (c) New products
(d) Kirana store still remains an important channel (d) Existing products
(e) In future there will be more partnerships between retailers and (e) None of these
FMCG Companies
Q.11
Q.7 Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word,
Which of the following categories has become very popular through 'Fuelled', printed in bold as used in the passage
sales from modern retail outlets ?
(a) Killed
(a) Frozen foods (b) Conflicted
(b) Computers (c) Stimulated
(c) Cell phones (d) Contained
(d) Fresh fruits (e) Retained
(e) Soft-drinks
Q.12
Q.8 Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word,
'Pushing', printed in bold as used in the passage

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At the starting of the paragraph, author says that liquid hand wash
(a) Stalling breakfast cereals and pet foods in the consumer goods are new
(b) Introducing growth categories.
(c) Depressing Therefore the correct option is option D.
(d) Segregating [Link](e)
(e) Suggesting Explanation:
The author refers to supermarket/hypermarket outlets when he says
Q.13 modern retail outlets. These outlets mainly cater to affluent strata of
Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word, the market.
'Premium', printed in bold as used in the passage The correct option is option E.
[Link](c)
(a) Superior Explanation:
(b) Bonus Author uses the phrase 'watch out for' in context of FMCG
(c) Payable companies to be on alert of the home grown FMCG products of the
(d) Promotional modern retail outlet.
(e) Indistinguished It means that 'to be alert' towards someone or something.
The correct option is option C.
Q.14 [Link](a)
Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word, Explanation:
'Established', printed in bold as used in the passage. The modern retail banks sell the FMCG products of their own
brands in addition to that of the FMCG companies.
(a) Small This creates conflict due to resulting competition.
(b) New Therefore, the correct option is optionA.
(c) Orthodox [Link](d)
(d) Modern Explanation:
(e) Remaining An interesting trend has been observed in the case of new growth
Q.15 category products.
Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word, They reached modern retail outlets first and then subquently
'Affluent', printed in bold as used in the passage. reached the neighbourhood kirana stores.
Therefore, option (d) is correct.
(a) Affected [Link](c)
(b) Rural Explanation:
(c) Uneducated Author quotes President of Future group as he states that a new
(d) Poor brand can overnight compete sucessfully with established brand. If
(e) Younger the new brand ties up with few retailers in growth categories, the
new brand can emerge as a strong competitor.
Answers and Solutions Statement (c) contradicts this and hence the correct option is option
C.
Q7Ans(a)
[Link](d)
Explanation:
Explanation:
As author says in the third paragraph of the passage, the sell of
'frozen food' has become very popular through modern oulets.
Option (a) is correct.

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[Link](c) In the context of the given passage, author uses the word 'affuent' to
Explanation: mean 'rich'.
Hypermarket/Supermarket generally houses FMCG products in He makes reference to premium products which are afforded mostly
premium range. by 'affluent' i.e rich strata of the society.
These are mainly for affluent strata of society which can afford these
products. Reading Comprehension -92
Therefore, the correct option is option C.
[Link](b)
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
Explanation: below it. Certain words/expressions are printed in bold in the
Modern retail oulets are open to experimentations of new products passage to help you locate them while answering some of the
from new brands. The traditional stores genrerally play it safe with questions.
known products and estasblished brands.
Child Psychology is certainly not a strong point with most
Therefore, the correct option is option B.
[Link](e) Indian schools; why else would they inflict a double trauma on a
student faring badly in the pre-boards by banning her from taking
Explanation:
the board exams. Often with fatal results as evidenced by reports of
Here, channels refers to 'categories' of products.
student suicides in the run-up to the boards. Now the Central board
However no option states this.
of Secondary Education (CBSE) has stepped in and put the brakes
Hence, none of the option is the answer.
[Link](c) on this discriminatory practise, ruling that no student can be barred
from the boards without prior clearance from the CBSE. The
Explanation:
good news for parents and students, many of whom have had to live
Here, fuelled is used to imply stimulation.
with the threat of performance-linked debarment. While the
It has been used in context of organized retail stimulating the new
schools’ logic is that in order to attract talented students, the need to
growth categories.
maintain performance records at high levels, the assumption that a
Therefore, the correct option is option C. student faring poorly at the preboards will ‘’replicate’’ this at the
[Link](b)
boards is faulty. Chances are that the student will by ‘’ spurred’’ to
Explanation:
work doubly hard. On the other hand, the threat of debarment will
Here, 'pushing' is used in reference to the introduction of new
almost certainly impact adversely on her performance. Of course,
categories in market.
linking pre-boards to the boards is only one of the problems with
In the given context, it refers to introduction.
our school system.
The correct option is option B.
[Link](a)
Q.1
Explanation:
Choose the word which MOST OPPOSIT(e) in meaning of the word
In the context of passage, author uses premium to describe high
‘spur’ as used in the passage.
quality or 'superior' products.
Therefore, the correct option is option A.
[Link](b) (a) Depress
(b) Enlarge
Explanation:
(c) Explicate
Author uses 'established' in case of brands. It means that the brands
(d) Sustain
which are 'older' in market.
(e) Activate
The opposite of 'established' will be 'new'.
Option (b) is correct. Q.2
[Link](d)
Which is the good news for parents, according to the passage ?
Explanation:

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(e) Low percentage of students passing the board exam

(a) School will take the responsibility of preparing students for the
board Q.6
(b) School will provides study facilities to the poor students According to the passage, parents had to live with the threat of--
(c) School will enforce discipline to ensure higher attendance of
students (a) Falling grades of their wards
(d) No students can be barred from the boards without clearance from (b) Not getting their wards admitted in the quality schools
the CBSE (c) Schools are not treating their wards with the attitude of counselor
(e) Teachers will be able to handle students will, if they know child (d) Linking performance of their wards in preboards to the debarment
psychology (e) Schools creating traumatic situations for their wards

Q.3 Q.7
What is the ruling of the CBSE? Schools wanted to enforce performance-linked debarment in order
to--
(a) Students must pass the pre-board exam before appearing for the
board exam (a) Get regular grant-in-aid from the education department
(b) Schools follow the practice of performance linked debarment (b) Improve their public image as a social institution
(c) Schools should maintain the performance record of students at high (c) Attract better quality students
level (d) Make students aware that they should aspire for their all-round
(d) Schools must motivate students to work hard development
(e) Before barring any students for the board schools must take prior (e) Provide better study material to the students
permission of the CBSE
Q.8
Q.4 Choose the word which is SIMILAR in meaning as the word
What is the faulty assumption of schools, according to the passage ‘replicate’ as used in the passage ?
? (a) Enhance
(b) Repeat
(a) Students who do not do well at pre-boards will be motivated to work (c) Perform
hard (d) Achieve
(b) Pre-boards are generally easy and therefore students take them (e) Plunder
lightly
(c) Students who fare poorly at the pre-board will fail all the boards Answers and Solutions
(d) Learning by rote is a better method of learning
(e) Students perform well in languages than that of science subjects [Link](a)
Q.5 Explanation:
To spur is to stimulate or to encourage or to prompt someone.
Which of the following according to the passage is the problem with
Hence,(e) can be eliminated as it is a synonym. Enlarge means to
our school system ?
make something big. Explicate means explain or improve an idea.
Sustain is to hold on something with perseverance. Depress means
(a) Providing study facilities to the students
means to degrade or discourage some one. Hence,(a) is the antonym
(b) Linking pre-board performance of students to the boards
for spur
(c) Teacher’s lack of knowledge of child psychology [Link](d)
(d) Attracting talented students

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Explanation: Certain words are given in bold to help you locate them while
The 3rd line of the passage states that CBS(e) has given a warning answering some of the questions.
to schools to stop the practice of baring students from Board exams.
Also it states that no student can be barred without CBSE's Paragraph 1: It’s quite common to hear people say they have bought
approval. Hence, (d) is correct an endowment insurance plan or they own a money-back policy.
[Link](e) Both are bundled life insurance policies that offer twin benefits of
Explanation: savings and life insurance, and both qualify for tax deductions. But
The 3rd paragraph says that no student can be barred from exams there is one big difference between the two, and that is in the way
without clearance from The CBSE. Hence, E the maturity benefits are structured. Read on to know the difference.
[Link](c)
Explanation: Paragraph 2: You have an endowment policy when the maturity
Refer to 5th and 6th [Link] schools are of the opinion that benefit is made available to you after a specified term; this is usually
Students who perform poorly at the pre-board exams will do the the policy term. So, if you buy a life insurance endowment policy
same in board [Link], (c) is correct. for 15 years, you are entitled to the investment benefit at the end of
[Link](b) 15 years. This is the basic premise of an endowment plan. Even a
Explanation: unit-linked insurance plan (Ulip) qualifies as an endowment policy
The final line of the passage clearly states that linking of preboard because the premiums that you pay every year get invested every
exams to board exams is only a problem among [Link],B year in your choice of funds, after all costs have been deducted, and
[Link](d) at the policy term, the fund value is made available to you as the
Explanation: maturity benefit.
The 4th line of the passage clearly states that Parents need to worry
of their children' s debarment for not performing [Link],(d) is Paragraph 3: In traditional plans too, an endowment policy can be
correct. offered as a participating plan or as a non-participating plan. Under
[Link](c) a participating plan, the sum assured that you choose is usually the
Explanation: guaranteed benefit that is payable either on death or on maturity.
The 5th line of the passage clearly states that in-order to attract Over and above this, every year you get an additional benefit in the
talented students ,the schools need to maintain performance record form of bonuses. These bonuses come from the surplus generated
at high [Link],C by the participating fund and are declared as a percentage of the sum
[Link](b) assured at the end of every year. Once declared, the bonuses are
India’s No.1 Teacher in Bank Exams for English Language and guaranteed to be paid on maturity or on death. As a non-
Editorial 11 participating plan, an endowment policy will specify the maturity
Explanation: benefit, since non-participating plans offer guaranteed investment
Replicate means reproduce or copy [Link] is to benefits. For example, an insurance policy can specify the maturity
[Link] means acting in a situation. Achieve means to benefit as a percentage of the total premiums paid in the policy as
succeed in fulfilling one's [Link] means to steal or maturity benefit.
[Link], (b) is correct
Paragraph 4: While an endowment policy will pay the investment
Reading Comprehension -93 benefit at the end of the policy term, a money-back policy staggers
the investment benefit throughout the policy term at regular
Directions (1-10): Read the following passage divided into number of intervals. (a) money-back structure is typically offered by
traditional policies. So as a participating plan, that pegs the
paragraphs carefully and answer the questions that follow it.
investment benefit to the performance of underlying participating
fund and distributes it in the form of yearly bonuses, a money-back

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plan usually staggers the payment of sum assured at regular Q3. Which of the following statements does not agree with the
intervals during the policy term and on maturity pays the sum of endowment policy?
bonuses.
(a) An endowment policy can be offered as both participating plan and
Paragraph 5: Money backs are quite popular in the non- non-participating plan.
participating structure as well. Here, the payouts could be defined (b) The additional benefit in the form of bonuses come from the surplus
as a percentage of the sum assured or the premiums. Given that a generated by the participating fund.
money-back plan offers investment benefits early on, the rate of (c) The endowment policy, as a non-participating plan, details the
return on these plans is a tad lower compared to endowment maturity benefit as it offers guaranteed investment benefits.
policies. (d) A unit-linked insurance plan (Ulip) can be considered an
endowment policy.
Q1. How, according to the passage, endowment insurance plan is (e) All the given statements agree with the endowment policy.
different from money-back policy?
Q4. Which of the following combination of words describes the most
(I) Money-back policy generates slightly a lower rate of return as appropriate style and tone of the paragraph 3 respectively?
compared to endowment policy.
(II) Money-back policy, unlike endowment insurance plan, pays the (a)analytical, nostalgic
investment benefit throughout the policy term at regular intervals. (b)descriptive, didactic
(III) The policy term is fixed in the case of Money-back policy, unlike (c)narrative, satirical
endowment policy. (d)argumentative, eulogistic
(e)analytical, cynical
(a)Only (I) is correct
(b)Only (III) is correct Q5. Which of the following statements can follow the paragraph 5 or
(c)Both (I) and (II) are correct conclude the passage contextually?
(d)Both (II) and (III) are correct
(e)All are correct (I) Endowment and Money Back plans are traditional insurance and
savings products that have been very popular in India for a long
Q2. According to the passage, endowment insurance plan works on time.
which basic assumption? (II) Investors should make an evaluation of their financial plan before
investing in either endowment or money back plans.
(I) In the endowment policy, the maturity benefit is made available (III) However, both endowment and money back plans are essentially
only after the policy term. savings products, in addition to life insurance.
(II) In the endowment policy, the bonuses are guaranteed to be paid on
maturity or on death. (a)Only (I) is correct
(III) The endowment policy specifies the maturity benefit as a (b)Only (II) is correct
percentage of the total premiums paid. (c)Only (III) is correct
(d)Both (II) and (III) are correct
(a)Only (I) is correct (e)All are correct
(b)Only (II) is correct
(c)Only (III) is correct Direction (6-8): Choose the word/group of words which is most similar
(d)Both (I) and (III) are correct in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used
(e)All are correct in passage.

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Q6. Surplus (e)Civic

(a)Surfeit Answer And Solution

(b)Meed
(c)Tallow
Ans.1.(c)
(d)Remittance
Refer the fourth and the fifth paragraphs of the passage, it is clearly
(e)Sublimate
mentioned how the structure of maturity benefits is different in both
these life insurance plans. However, the third statement finds no
evident clue from the passage which states that the policy term is
Q7. Specify
fixed in either of the cases. Thus, only (I) and (II) statements give
the correct explanation to the given question. Hence option (c) is the
(a)Generalize
correct choice.
(b)Segregate
Ans.2. (a)
(c)Sever
Refer the second paragraph of the passage, it is mentioned there that
(d)Enumerate
in an endowment policy, the maturity level is made available only
(e)Collate
after a specified term, which is the basic premise of the endowment
plan. Hence only the first statement is the correct choice in the
Q8. Peg
context of the passage.
Ans.3. (e)
(a)Unfasten
Refer the second and the third paragraphs of the passage, all the four
(b)Fix
statements constitute the features of endowment policy. Hence
(c)Spike
option (e) is the correct choice.
(d)Sustain
Ans.4. (b)
(e)Release
Read the paragraph carefully; the author has used the descriptive
Direction (9-10): Choose the word/group of words which is most style of writing as he has provided the detailed information of
opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold endowment policy along with certain examples. Moreover, the tone
as used in passage. of the author is didactic as the intention behind writing and sharing
the detailed information is to teach the readers about the specific
plan. Hence, option (b) is the correct choice.
Q9. Premise
Ans.5. (d)
Both the statements (II) and (III) can be used to conclude the
(a)Precept
paragraph contextually as they provide the neutral ending to the
(b)Antecedent
passage as both these policies are equally important and beneficial.
(c)Verity
However, we cannot consider the first statement as it inherits the
(d)Espousal
similar meaning as what paragraph 1 suggests. It will be more
(e)Impression
appropriate if we begin the passage with the given statement. Hence
option (d) is the correct choice.
Q10. Popular
Ans.6. (a)
The word “surplus” means an amount of something left over when
(a)Obscure
requirements have been met; an excess of production or supply. The
(b)Customary
word “surfeit” means an excessive amount of something. Hence
(c)Eminent
both are similar in meanings.
(d)Orthodox

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Meed means a person's deserved share of praise, honour, etc. Civic means relating to the duties or activities of people in relation
Tallow means a hard, fatty substance made from rendered animal to their town, city, or local area.
fat, used (especially formerly) in making candles and soap.
Remittance means a sum of money sent in payment or as a gift. Reading Comprehension -94
Sublimate means a solid deposit of a substance which has sublimed.
Ans.7. (d) Directions (1-10): Read the passage carefully and then answer the
The word “specify” means identify clearly and definitely. The word questions given below.
“enumerate” means mention (a number of things) one by one.
Hence both the words are similar in meanings.
It is well known that a child learns to walk, to talk, and to
Generalize means make a general or broad statement by inferring
know his way around the world just by trying something out and
from specific cases.
seeing what happens, then modifying what he does (or thinks) in
Sever means divide by cutting or slicing, especially suddenly and
accordance with what has actually happened. In this way, he spends
forcibly.
his first few years in a wonderfully creative way, discovering all
Collate means compare and analyse (two or more sources of
sorts of things that are new to him and this leads people to look back
information). on childhood as a kind of lost paradise. As the child grows older,
Ans.8. (b) learning takes on a narrower meaning. He accumulates knowledge
The word “peg” means fix, secure, or mark with a peg or pegs. Thus, to please others. He learns then for some utilitarian purpose and
the word “fix” is similar in meaning to it. Hence option (b) is the
not mainly for the love of the action of learning itself. So, his ability
correct choice.
to see something new and original gradually dies away. And without
Unfasten means open the fastening of; undo (something).
it there is evidently no ground from which anything can grow.
Spike means impale on or pierce with a sharp point. Evidently then, the ability to learn something new is based
Sustain means strengthen or support physically or mentally.
on the general state of mind of a human being. It do not depend on
Ans.9. (c)
special talents, nor does it operate only in special fields. But when
The word “premise” means an assertion or proposition which forms
it does operate, there is an undivided and total interest in what one
the basis for a work or theory. The word “verity” means a true
is doing. Only this kind of whole-hearted interest will give the mind
principle or belief, especially one of fundamental importance.
the energy needed to see what is new and different, especially when
Hence both are opposite in meanings.
the later seems to threaten what is familiar, precious, secure, or
Precept means a general rule intended to regulate behaviour or
otherwise dear to us. It is clear that all the great scientists and artists
thought.
had such a feeling for their work. But no matter what his occupation
Antecedent means a thing that existed before or logically precedes
may be, anyone can, in principle, approach life in this way. Here I
another.
am reminded of Anne Sullivan, who was the teacher of Helen
Espousal means an act of adopting or supporting a cause, belief, or
Keller. When she came to teach this child, who was blind and deaf
way of life.
from an early age, she met a 'wild animal'. She worked with the child
Ans.10. (a)
as best as she could. with all the energies at her disposal, remaining
The word “popular” means liked or admired by many people or by extremely sensitively observant, feeling out the unknown mind of
a particular person or group. The word “obscure” means not
the child and eventual learning how to communicate with her.
important or well known. Hence both the words are opposite in
The key step here was to teach the child to form a concept
meanings.
(which she had never learned, because she had not been able to
Customary means according to a person's habitual practice.
communicate with other people to any significant extent). This was
Eminent means (of a person) famous and respected within a
done by causing her to come in contact with water in a wide variety
particular sphere.
of different forms and contexts, each time scratching the word
Orthodox means of the ordinary or usual type; normal.
'water' on the palm of her hand. For a long time, the child did not

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grasp what it was all about. But suddenly she realized that all these (d) Creative engagements are most often subversive.
different experiences referred to one substance in its many aspects (e) None of the above
which was symbolized by the word 'water' scratched in her palm.
This initiated a fantastic revolution in the whole of her mind, the Q5. From the following sentences choose the option that reflects the
depth and scope of which we find hard to appreciate without having grammatically and contextually correct sentence/s.
experienced directly what it means to live without conceptual
abstraction. [I] It do not depend on special talents, nor does it operate only in special
fields.
Q1. According to the author's arguments, which of the following [II] He accumulates knowledge to please others.
statement sheds light on why a child is in a more creative state of [III] So, his ability to see something new and original gradually dies
mind? away.
(a) A child doesn't understand its own self-interest. (a) Only [I]
(b) A child does not want security or familiarity. (b) Only [II]
(c) Knowledge acquisition for the child is not a mere accumulative (c) Only [III]
process. (d) Both [II] and [III]
(d) As he fails to see something new and original gradually. (e) All are correct
(e) None of the above
Directions (6-8): Choose the word which is most similar with the
Q2. The experience of Helen described above can best be summarized meaning of the given word.
by
Q6. ACCUMULATES
(a) Fun (b) Joy
(c) Excitement (d) Revelation (a) scatter
(e) Adventurous (b) diverge
(c) derange
Q3. Which of the following is NOT a necessary step in the formation of (d) litter
'concept' as described above? (e) acquire

(a) Reconciliation of information derived from at least two different Q7. EVIDENTLY
perceptual media
(b) Deciphering the multiple information content in a signal (a) improbably
(c) Searching for similarities across differences (b) obscurely
(d) Developing curiosity in mind, the depth and scope of which we find (c) vaguely
hard to appreciate. (d) doubtless
(e) none of the above (e) impalpably

Q4. Which of the following does NOT necessarily follow from the Q8. OBSERVANT
above passage?
(a) alert (b) heedless
(a) Utilitarian learning cannot lead to creative discoveries. (c) oblivious (d) bemused
(b) Abstractions are the bedrock on which inter-subjective human (e) unwary
communication rests.
(c) Creativity is not the preserve of a few select professions.

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Directions (9-10): Choose the word that is most opposite in meaning Option (d) is the correct choice. Refer to the second sentence of the
with the given word in bold. first paragraph “In this way, he spends his first few years in a
wonderfully creative way, discovering all sorts of things that are
Q9. PARADISE new to him and this leads people to look back on childhood as a
kind of lost paradise.” Creative engagements are not subversive
(a) wonderland (b) utopia however, it transcends the notion of security.
(c) abyss (d) heaven Q5. (d)
(e) Bliss Statement [I] consists error in it. To make the sentence error free
replace “do” with “does”. As, being the subject singular it will
require the verb in its singular form. However, Both the other
Q10. UTILITARIAN statements [II] and [III] are grammatically correct. Therefore,
option (d) becomes the correct choice.
(a) practical (b) Quixotic Q6. (e)
(c) functional (d) realistic Accumulates means gather together or acquire an increasing
(e) pragmatic number or quantity of which is similar in meaning with ‘acquire’.
Hence option (e) is the correct choice.
Scatter means throw in various random directions.
Answer And Solutions Diverge means (of a road, route, or line) separate from another route
and go in a different direction
Derange means make (someone) insane.
Ans..(c)
Litter means rubbish such as paper, cans, and bottles left lying in an
According to fourth and fifth sentence of the paragraph “In this way,
open or public place.
he spends his first few years in a wonderfully creative way,
Q7. (d)
discovering all sorts of things that are new to him and this leads
Evidently means in a way that is clearly seen or understood;
people to look back on childhood as a kind of lost paradise”. With
obviously. Doubtless means certainly; without doubt. Hence, they
this sentence it can be inferred that Knowledge acquisition for the
both are similar in meaning.
child is not a mere accumulative process. Therefore, option (c) is
Improbably means in an unexpected or unlikely manner.
the correct choice.
Obscurely means not discovered or known about; uncertain.
Q2.(d) Refer to the last sentence of the paragraph, “This initiated a fantastic
Vaguely means in a way that is uncertain, indefinite or unclear;
revolution in the whole of her mind, the depth and scope of which
roughly.
we find hard to appreciate without having experienced directly what
Impalpably means unable to be felt by touch.
it means to live without conceptual abstraction.” Thus, option (d)
Q8. (a)
becomes the, most suitable choice.
Observant means quick to notice or perceive things, while; alert
Q3.(b)
means quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or
Refer to the last paragraph. Option (a) is mentioned in the statement
difficult circumstances; vigilant. Therefore, both are similar in
“water in a wide variety in different forms” and option (c) is
meaning.
mentioned in the statement “different experiences referred to one
Heedless means showing a reckless lack of care or attention.
substance.” For option (d) refer to the last sentence, “This initiated
Oblivious means not aware of or concerned about what is happening
a fantastic revolution in the whole of her mind, the depth and scope
around one.
of which we find hard to appreciate”. Therefore, as only option (b)
Bemused means puzzle, confuse, or bewilder.
is not a necessary step to develop a concept, it becomes the correct
Unwary means not cautious of possible dangers or problems.
answer choice.
Q9. (c)
Q4. (d)

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Paradise means an ideal or idyllic place or state. Abyss means a deep sheep. Test on a 15 kilovolt ampere diesel genset powered by
or seemingly bottomless chasm. Hence, they both are opposite in sugarcane leaves gasifier showed that 70-90 percent diesel
meaning. substitution could be achieved with a five KW load. The NARI
Utopia means an imagined place or state of things in which gasifier, which is non-polluting and safe, also produces char which
everything is perfect. is 15-28 percent of the fuel.
Bliss means perfect happiness; great joy.
Q10. (b) The char boosts the overall efficiency of the system to 80-85 percent
Utilitarian means designed to be useful or practical rather than and when mixed with a suitable binder it forms an excellent
attractive. Quixotic means extremely idealistic; unrealistic and briquetting fuel for cooking purposes. In India alone, about 430s
impractical. Hence, they both are opposite in meaning. million tonnes of crop residues are produced every year, out of
Functional means of or having a special activity, purpose, or task. which 330 million tonnes are used as feed or fodder and the
Pragmatic means dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a remaining 1oo million tonnes simply disposed off by burning in
way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations. open fields.
"This is a colossal waste of potentially useful source of energy",
says the report by the NARI director, Anil K Rajvanshi, and his
colleague Rajiv Jorapur. Most of the residues are in a loose leafy
form such as sugarcane leaves, wheat husk, rise husk and safflower
Reading Comprehension -95 straw. The residues usually have high amounts of ash and are,
therefore, difficult to gasify. In their studies, the NARI scientists
Directions (1-10): Read the following passage divided into used sugarcane leaves that have been chopped into one-to-five cm
number of paragraphs carefully and answer the questions that long pieces and sun dried.
follow it. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate
them while answering some of the questions. Q1. As opposed to use of wood or charcoal in biomass gasification in
the west, developing countries should use
Sugarcane leaves, millions of tonnes of which go waste in India
(a) only coal
every year, can be used to generate power, save diesel and produce
(b) char
enough heat to run jaggery units and even burn small animals in a
(c) agriculture residues
crematorium.
(d) only sugarcane leaves
"Production of power via loose leafy biomass is a unique
(e) None of these.
technology and it is believed that in gasification of sugarcane leaves
we are the first in the world", report scientists from the Nimbkar
Q2. Power from the sugarcane leaves can be used for
Agricultural Research Institute, at Phaltan in Maharasthra.
(i) incinerating small dead animals
They presented their findings at an International conference in
(ii) generating electricity up to to-is kilowatts per hour
Switzerland in May 1999 and have also submitted them to the
(iii) generating heat for jaggery - making units
Department of Non-Conventional Energy Sources. In view of the
pressing need in India to identify indigenous and renewable sources (a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (i), (ii) and (iii) (d) None of these
of energy, NARI initiated the project to gasify loose sugarcane
(e) Only (i) and (iii)
leaves to generate electricity in the ten-fifteen kilowatts range.
Besides, producing power, the scientists have successfully used the
Q3. Producing power from burning sugarcane leaves can be listed under
sugarcane leaves to generate heat for jaggery-making units and
specially-designed furnaces to incinerate small dead animal like which of the sources of energy

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(a) Oil (e) None of the above

(b) Coal
(c) Water Direction: Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in
(d) Non-Conventional Energy Sources meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in
(e) All of these passage.

Q4. Which of following is not an advantage of production of power via Q8. Indigenous
gasification of agricultural residue in the developing countries?
(a) Native (b) Primitive
(a) a 70-90 percent diesel substitution rate can be achieved with a five (c) Primeval (d)Migrant
KW load (e) Ancient
(b) the indigenous gasifier is non-polluting and safe
(c) the gasifier also produces char which is 15-20 percent of the fuel Direction (9-10): Choose the word/group of words which is most
(d) the residues usually have high amount of ash opposite in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold
(e) All of the above. as used in passage.

Q5. Which of the questions cannot be answered after reading the Q9. Incinerate
passage?
(a) Destroy (b) Cremate
(a) What is the quantity of sugarcane leaves available in India after (c) Burn (d)Rehabilitate
being used as fodder? (e) Carbonize
(b) What are the other agricultural residues available in India besides
sugarcane leaves? Q10. Dispose
(c) What amount of crop-residues is used as fodder every year?
(d) What can be done with the char after gasifying? (a) Abandon (b) Reject
(e) All of the above (c) Unload (d)Dump
(e) Retain
Q6. It can be inferred that such power as can be generated from
sugarcane leaves will be of great use in Answer And Solutions
(i) industrial areas (ii) agricultural areas
Ans.1. (c)
(iii) cities (iv) villages
According to fourth and fifth sentence of the paragraph “In this way,
(a) (i) and (ii) (b) (ii) and (iii)
he spends his first few years in a wonderfully creative way,
(c) (ii) and (iv) (d) (iii) and (iv)
discovering all sorts of things that are new to him and this leads
(e) (i) and (iv)
people to look back on childhood as a kind of lost paradise”. With
this sentence it can be inferred that Knowledge acquisition for the
Q7. Which of the following is not a valid assumption on the basis of
child is not a mere accumulative process. Therefore, option (c) is
above paragraph?
the correct choice.
Q2. (d)
(a) wood cannot be a source of biomass gasification in India
Refer to the last sentence of the paragraph, “This initiated a fantastic
(b) bulk of the crop residue gets used as feed and fodder
revolution in the whole of her mind, the depth and scope of which
(c) nearly 1/3 of the crop residue is burnt off in open fields
we find hard to appreciate without having experienced directly what
(d) char is a good cooking fuel

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it means to live without conceptual abstraction.” Thus, option (d) Impalpably means unable to be felt by touch.
becomes the, most suitable choice. Q8. (a)
Q3.(b) Observant means quick to notice or perceive things, while; alert
Refer to the last paragraph. Option (a) is mentioned in the statement means quick to notice any unusual and potentially dangerous or
“water in a wide variety in different forms” and option (c) is difficult circumstances; vigilant. Therefore, both are similar in
mentioned in the statement “different experiences referred to one meaning.
substance.” For option (d) refer to the last sentence, “This initiated Heedless means showing a reckless lack of care or attention.
a fantastic revolution in the whole of her mind, the depth and scope Oblivious means not aware of or concerned about what is happening
of which we find hard to appreciate”. Therefore, as only option (b) around one.
is not a necessary step to develop a concept, it becomes the correct Bemused means puzzle, confuse, or bewilder.
answer choice. Unwary means not cautious of possible dangers or problems.
Q9. (c)
Q4. (d) Paradise means an ideal or idyllic place or state. Abyss means a deep
Option (d) is the correct choice. Refer to the second sentence of the or seemingly bottomless chasm. Hence, they both are opposite in
first paragraph “In this way, he spends his first few years in a meaning.
wonderfully creative way, discovering all sorts of things that are Utopia means an imagined place or state of things in which
new to him and this leads people to look back on childhood as a everything is perfect.
kind of lost paradise.” Creative engagements are not subversive Bliss means perfect happiness; great joy.
however, it transcends the notion of security. Q10. (b)
Q5. (d) Utilitarian means designed to be useful or practical rather than
Statement [I] consists error in it. To make the sentence error free attractive. Quixotic means extremely idealistic; unrealistic and
replace “do” with “does”. As, being the subject singular it will impractical. Hence, they both are opposite in meaning.
require the verb in its singular form. However, Both the other Functional means of or having a special activity, purpose, or task.
statements [II] and [III] are grammatically correct. Therefore, Pragmatic means dealing with things sensibly and realistically in
option (d) becomes the correct choice. a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical
Q6. (e) considerations.
Accumulates means gather together or acquire an increasing
number or quantity of which is similar in meaning with ‘acquire’. Reading Comprehension -96
Hence option (e) is the correct choice.
Scatter means throw in various random directions. Directions (1- 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the
Diverge means (of a road, route, or line) separate from another route questions given below them. Certain words/phrases have been
and go in a different direction printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of
Derange means make (someone) insane. the questions.
Litter means rubbish such as paper, cans, and bottles left lying in an
open or public place.
There are various sectors in India that needed to be assessed for their
Q7. (d)
strength, weakness, opportunities and threats.
Evidently means in a way that is clearly seen or understood;
The total population is of over 1 billion which will increase to 1.46
obviously. Doubtless means certainly; without doubt. Hence, they
billion by 2035 to cross China. The huge populations will result in
both are similar in meaning.
higher unemployment and deterioration of quality. Literacy, also a
Improbably means in an unexpected or unlikely manner.
worsening factor in India is yet another factor to be discussed.
Obscurely means not discovered or known about; uncertain.
According to 1991 census, 64.8% of Population was illiterate and
Vaguely means in a way that is uncertain, indefinite or unclear;
male ratio holds 75.3 and female rate is of 53.7%. The literacy level
roughly.

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in Rajasthan is very poor and even that has been crossed by Bihar commensurate with the needs of the consumers in a short span. The
in the recent trend. The major downtrend of education is due to the major competitors for India are from China and Philippines and by
employment of child labor which is spread all over India and this the way of an effective communication and expert technical ability,
should be totally eradicated by the way of surveillance and a good Indians are ahead the race. The major Metropolitan states are
educational system must be implemented properly by the targeting vigorously in the outsourcing field by giving various
Government. amenities to the outsourcing companies like Tax concession,
Pollution is one more threat to the environment, for the allotting of land etc., to start their businesses in its cities without any
countries prospects. This has been experienced more in urban areas hurdles. Thereby most of the MNCs preferred India as their
mainly in metropolitan cities. The water pollution by the sewage destinations and capitalize the resources to maximize their assets.
seepage into the ground water and improper maintenance will lead Infrastructure is another key factor for outsourcing company to start
to various diseases which in turn can affect the next generation. In a business in the particular city. It includes road, rail, ports, power
most of the cities there is no proper sewage disposal. The and water. The increased input in infrastructure in India is very
Government has to take effective steps to control population which, limited where China’s record is excellent.
in turn, will minimize the pollution. India in earlier days gave more importance for the
development of Industry and less importance to other departments.
Poverty questions the entire strengths of India’s political But the scenario has quite changed now-a-days by allocating a
view and minimizes the energetic way of approach. The shortfall of special budget of funds for the security. This is because of the
rains, enormous floods, unexpected famine, drought, earthquake frightening increase in terrorism all around the world especially
and the recent tsunami hit the country in a negative way. The emerging after the 9/11 terror attack in US. In the last ten years,
proactive approach through effective Research and Analytical study budget towards the development of military forces is higher when
helps us to determine the effects in advance and proper allocation compared to others. It shows that the threat from our neighboring
of funds is a prerequisite. In developed countries like US, Japan countries is escalating. India has to concentrate more on this
precautionary methods are adopted to overcome this, but it has to security factor to wipe out the problem in the way of cross-border
be improved a lot in our systems. terrorism.
Making India, a developed country in 2020 is not an easy
Increased population is one of the major reasons for poverty task. India has to keep in check the Population, corruption and
and the Government is unable to allocate the basic needs to the pollution and will have to improve the infrastructure. It must also
society. India, has an estimated population of over 1 billion people improve social structure and invest more on security. To quote
with nearly 400 million people living below the poverty line and China as an example is that they demolished an old building to
90% of active population is in informal economy. The children are construct a very big port to meet future demands, but India is still
forced to become a child labor due to their poverty, differential caste waiting for things to happen. India in the recent past has improved
system and untouchables are still customary in some of the states in a lot in the foreign exchange reserves, outsourcing business and in
India. They are working in match industry for daily wages, as exports too. The profits gained are to be spent for the development
servants, mechanics, stone breakers, agricultural workers etc. To of the welfare of the country. Most of the foreign companies are
prevent child labor, existing laws which favors the Anti-Child Labor ready to do business in India because of the individual prowess of
Act should be implemented by the Government vigorously. manpower which will give fast, quality output in a short span.
More population will result in cheap cost by virtue of the India’s vision for a brighter path will come true not only by mere
demand supply concept. Most of the foreign countries try to utilize words or speech, but extra effort needed at all levels to overcome
this factor by outsourcing their business in India with a very low the pitfalls.
capital. According to US India is a “Knowledge pool” with cheap
labor. The major advantage is our Communication and Technical Q1. Which of the following, according to the author, is/are a result(s) of
skill which is adaptable to any environment. The cutting edge skill increased population in India?
in IT of our professionals will help the outsourcing companies to

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A. Pollution B. Poverty A. India leads the way in the amount invested in the development of
C. Unemployment infrastructure
(a) Only A B. Political system in India is not influenced by poverty
(b) Only (a) and B C. Indian population would increase by approximately 50% in the next
(c) Only B 25 years
(d) Only (a) and C (a) Only (a) and B
(e) All A, (b) and C (b) Only B
(c) Only C
Q2. Why, according to the author, has the Indian Government allotted (d) Only (b) and C
more funds to strengthen the military forces? (e) All A, (b) and C

(a) To improve security in order to counter increasing terrorism Q6. Which of the following is are the facilities available to the MNCs
(b) As the security in India over the past ten years was grossly investing in India?
inadequate
(c) As the US too has strengthened its military forces after 9/11 attack A. Easy availability of Land
(d) As the industry is developed enough and is not in need of any more B. Better infrastructure than China
funds C. Tax concession
(e) None of these (a) Only C (b) All A, (b) and C
(c) Only (a) and (b) (d) Only (a) and (c)
Q3. What is the author’s main objective in writing this passage? (e) None of these.

(a) To Exhort the government to garner support from its neighboring Direction (7-8): In each of the questions a word is given in Bold. These
countries word is then followed by four words. These words are then
(b) To suggest to the government to follow China’s example blindly followed by five combinations. Choose the combination of the
thereby bringing about rapid development words that are most similar to the given word.
(c) To highlight the plight of the poor
(d) To discuss the problems of child labour and suggest suitable Q7. PROSPECTS
remedies
(e) To bring forth the problems associated with the India’s development (i) Incumbents
and to suggest measures to counter them. (ii) Anticipation
(iii) Perverse
Q4. Why, according to the author, is India one of the favorite (iv) Probability
destinations for investment by outsourcing companies? (a) (ii)- (iii) (b) (i)-(iv)
(c) (i)- (iii) (d) (ii)- (iv)
A. Shorter response time for clients (e) (iii)- (iv)
B. Better technical skills Perverse means showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave
C. Availability of cheap labour in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable.
(a) Only C (b) All A, (b) and C
(c) Only (b) and C (d) Only (a) and B Q8. VIGOROUSLY
(e) Only A
(i) Intensely
Q5. Which of the following is/are true in the context of the passage? (ii) Frail
(iii) Fiercely

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(iv) Feeble of the frightening increase in terrorism all around the world
(a) (ii)- (iii) (b) (i)-(iv) especially emerging after the 9/11 terror attack in US.”
(c) (i)- (iii) (d) (ii)- (iv) Q3.(e)
(e) (iii)- (iv) Refer to the 1st sentence of the passage, “There are various sectors
in India that needed to be assessed for their strength, weakness,
Direction (9-10): In each of the questions a word is given in Bold. These opportunities and threats.”
word is then followed by four words. These words are then Q4.(c)
followed by five combinations. Choose the combination of the Both (b) and (c) has been mentioned in the passage but (a) has not
words that are most opposite to the given word. been mentioned in the passage. Refer to the 8th line of the 4th
paragraph of the passage, “More population will result in cheap cost
Q9. ESCALATING by virtue ……………….Most of the foreign countries try to utilize
this factor…….”. Refer to the 10th line of the fourth para of the
(i) Abate (ii) Surge passage, “The major advantage is our Communication and
(iii) Augment (iv) Recede Technical skill which is adaptable to any environment.”
(a) (ii)- (iii) Q5.(c)
(b) (i)-(iv) (a) is false: India’s record is poorer than that of China’s.
(c) (i)- (iii) (b) is also false: The passage says: “ Poverty question the entire
(d) (ii)- (iv) strength of India’s political view…….”
(e) (iii)- (iv) (c) is true: Refer to the first sentence of the passage.
Q6.(d)
Q10. COMMENSURATE Refer to the last line of the 4th paragraph of the passage, “The
increased input in infrastructure in India is very limited where
(i) Disproportionate China’s record is excellent”. It can be inferred from here that (b) is
(ii) Unreasonable the wrong choice.
(iii) Correspondent Q7.(d)
(iv) Equivalent Option (d) is the correct choice for the given question.
(a) (ii)- (iii) Prospects means the possibility or likelihood of some future event
(b) (i)-(ii) occurring.
(c) (i)- (iii) Anticipation means the action of anticipating something;
(d) (ii)- (iv) expectation or prediction.
(e) (iii)- (iv) Perverse means showing a deliberate and obstinate desire to behave
in a way that is unreasonable or unacceptable.
Answers And Solutions Q8.(c)
Vigorously means in a way that involves physical strength, effort,
or energy; strenuously.
Q.1.(e) All A, (b) and (c) are the result of the increased population in India.
Feeble means lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age
They are mentioned in detail throughout the passage.
or illness.
Fiercely means in a savagely violent or aggressive manner.
Q2(a)
Frail means (of a person) weak and delicate.
Refer to the third and the second sentence of the fifth paragraph of
Q9.(b)
the passage, “But the scenario has quite changed now-a-days by
Escalate means increase rapidly.
allocating a special budget of funds for the security. This is because
Abate means (of something unpleasant or severe) become less
intense or widespread.

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Recede means (of a quality, feeling, or possibility) gradually the abrogation of hard-won land rights, and all principles of justice
diminish. are being thrown to the winds as even basic relocation with
Surge means a sudden powerful forward or upward movement, effective rehabilitation and resettlement provisions is glaringly
especially by a crowd or by a natural force such as the tide. absent. This blustering violence of capital is not going
Augment means make (something) greater by adding to it; increase. unchallenged. We are witnessing the unfolding of a struggle at all
Q10.(b) such spots of acquisition through the building of cross-class
Commensurate means corresponding in size or degree; in alliances and a hitherto unseen kind of unity of the affected
proportion. people.
Disproportionate means too large or too small in comparison with
something else. Massive protests against land acquisition under the antiquated
Disproportionate and unreasonable are antonyms of commensurate. colonial Land Acquisition Act of 1894 in different parts of India
for over a decade were often met with brutal repression and even
led to the loss of lives. The Congress-led United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) government was forced to enact The Right to Fair
Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition,
Reading Comprehension -97 Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, known as LARR 2013,
after wide consultations with different stakeholders and debates in
Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer Parliament. LARR 2013 had many problems that were pointed out
the questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to by the groups such as the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), the
help you locate them while answering some of the questions. National Alliance of People’s Movements and the Left parties, and
amendments were moved in Parliament to strengthen it and ensure
A land grab of unparalleled proportions is on across India. The Central
that it protected the interests of the peasantry and those dependent
and State governments, Indian and foreign companies and even
on land. Although the final Act was a watered-down version,
individuals are either buying land or acquiring large tracts of land
following a compromise struck between the UPA and the
on long-term leases at ridiculously low prices. They are nothing
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance
but vehicles for unbridled capital accumulation, being undertaken
(NDA), it nevertheless was an improvement over the colonial Act
in the name of grandiose projects such as special economic zones as it enshrined the principle of prior informed consent and
(SEZs), national investment and manufacturing zones (NIMZs),
incorporated the concept of social impact assessment, apart from
industrial corridors, economic corridors, “smart cities” and other
providing for safeguards on account of the country’s food security
taxonomically innovative names. What really marks out the
ongoing aggrandisement is the aggressive and brazen interests.
intervention of the state on behalf of powerful corporate interests.
After coming to power, the NDA government reversed its earlier stance
These logistics corridors, NIMZs, SEZs and “smart cities” that criss-cross
on LARR 2013 and sought to enforce amendments through the
the country are literally cutting into the lives of millions of people,
ordinance route in December 2014. This facilitated the smooth
much like how national boundaries were once drawn over paper
takeover of land for corporate profiteering and real estate
maps in the colonial era with scant respect for the people who
speculation. This, in effect, takes us back to a situation worse than
lived in the frontier regions. But unlike in the colonial era, these
the colonial era as even the British rulers did not include a
projects are creating turmoil, uprooting people across vast tracts of
provision in the Act that allowed for land to be acquired for private
land. Massive infrastructure projects, industrial corridors, mining,
companies without seeking consent. Under the colonial Act, land
captive ports, and irrigation and real estate projects involve en
could be acquired forcibly under the “eminent domain” doctrine
masse eviction of the peasantry, tribal people, forest dwellers, the
without seeking the consent of the peasantry but only for
fishing community and marginalised sections already living in
government projects. The BJP government appears to have taken
precarious conditions. The loot of resources is being facilitated by
inspiration from the Nazi era in Germany, when a law was enacted

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that had provisions for the free expropriation of land for the (d) The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act
purposes of establishing so-called public utilities. which was moved in Parliament to strengthen it and to ensure that
In effect, it reinstated the most draconian provisions of the colonial Land it protects the interests of the peasantry and those dependent on
Acquisition Act of 1894 and removed the necessity to seek the land was not altered.
consent of farmers and others dependent on land while also doing (e) All are true
away with social impact assessment altogether. The government
also expanded the definition of industrial corridors to include land Q3. Why has the author mentioned that the NDA government has
up to one kilometer on either side of designated roads or railway worsened the situation regarding LARR?
lines serving these corridors. Organisations such as the AIKS had
called for provisions to ensure acquisition of land to the extent (a) The NDA government has not provided safeguards and
required and legal safeguards for landowners. resettlement provisions to the peasants.
(b) The NDA government has facilitated the smooth takeover of
Q1. How is it correct to say that the land grabbed by the government, land for corporate profiteering and real estate speculation.
companies or individuals are affecting many millions of lives? (c) The NDA government has worsened the situation by forcibly
(I) The lands are losing their actual value and making a loss to several acquiring the land from peasants for the government use.
people as those lands are grabbed at ridiculously low prices by the (d) Both (a) and (b) are correct.
Central and State governments, Indian and foreign companies. (e) All are correct.
(II) The infrastructure projects, mining or manufacturing zones of
the government or companies made on the land acquired by them
are plundering the resources due to the absence of effective Q4. Which of the following is an appropriate title of the passage?
rehabilitation and resettlement provisions.
(III) The lands acquired by the government, companies or (a) Against the violence of development.
individuals at considerably low prices in the name of national (b) Problems in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and
projects or manufacturing zones are uprooting people who are Resettlement Act.
already living in insecure conditions. (c) The NDA government and colonial era.
(d) The unparalleled proportions of land.
(a) Only (I) is correct (e) The blustering violence of capital.
(b) Only (II) is correct
(c) Both (I) and (II) are correct
(d) Both (II) and (III) are correct Q5. The Land Acquisition Act is no more stringent to the peasants.
(e) All are correct How is this statement justified?
.
Q2. Which of the following sentences is not forming a part of the (I) It is not necessary to seek the consent of farmers and others
passage? dependent on land by the Central and State governments, Indian
and foreign companies for Massive infrastructure projects,
(a) After the wide consultations and debates in the parliament, the industrial corridors, mining, captive ports, and irrigation and real
United Progressive Alliance government is forced to ratify The estate projects.
Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in LARR act. (II) The government has made provisions to ensure acquisition of
(b) Many people have lost their lives in protest against land land to the extent required and legal safeguards for landowners.
acquisition under the antiquated colonial Land Acquisition Act of (III) The government has provided the appropriate resources to the
1894 in different parts of India. farmers to ameliorate their precarious conditions.
(c) The BJP government appears to have taken inspiration from the
Nazi era in Germany.

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(a) Only (I) is correct. Answers And Solutions

(b) Only (II) is correct
(c) Both (I) and (II) are correct
S1. Ans. (d)
(d) Both (II) and (III) are correct
Referring to the second paragraph of the passage we infer that
(e) All are correct
sentences (II) and (III) are correct. The people (peasantry, tribal
Directions (6): Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in people, forest dwellers, the fishing community and marginalized
meaning to the word Aggrandise printed in italicized as used sections) are uprooted from the lands being grabbed by the
in the passage. government or companies whereas the loot of resources is being
facilitated by the abrogation of hard-won land rights.
Q6. Aggrandise Hence option (d) is the correct choice
S2. Ans. (d)
(a) exult
Sol. Refer the fourth paragraph of the passage; it can be concluded
(b) execrate
that sentence (d) is not forming a part of the passage. In the
(c) Curtail
paragraph, it has been mentioned that the Parliament has presented
(d) ferocity
the watered-down version of The Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation
(e) excavate
and Resettlement Act, 2013 which meant to protect the interests of
Directions (7-8): Choose the word which is most SIMILAR in the peasantry and those dependent on land. Hence sentence (d) is
meaning to the word Hitherto printed in italicized as used in the correct choice.
the passage. S3. Ans. (b)
Refer to the fifth paragraph of the passage where it has been
Q7. Hitherto mentioned that NDA government, unlike colonial era has
facilitated the smooth takeover of land for corporate profiteering
and real estate speculation, we can conclude that only sentence (b)
(a) extol
is correct.
(b) concomitant
S4. Ans. (a)
(c) insolence
The title “Against the violence of development” is an appropriate
(d) Quandary
title of the passage as the passage revolves around the theme of
(e) dispute
protests against grabbing of the land from peasants in the name of
Q8. development projects like special economic zones (SEZs), national
Choose the word which is most SIMILAR in meaning to the investment and manufacturing zones (NIMZs), industrial
word Enshrined corridors, economic corridors etc. Hence option (a) is the correct
printed in italicized as used in the passage. choice.
S5. Ans. (c)
Enshrined Refer to the last paragraph of the passage “Organisations such as
the AIKS had called for provisions to ensure acquisition of land to
the extent required and legal safeguards for landowners.”
(a) conceit
“………..removed the necessity to seek the consent of farmers and
(b) impend
others dependent on land while also doing away with social impact
(c) lament
assessment altogether”.
(d) revere
Hence sentences (I) and (II) are correct.
(e) turmoil
S6. Ans. (c)

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Aggrandise means increase the power, status, or wealth of. Hence

it has the opposite meaning to curtail. While these relationships may seem intuitive, our research
Excavate means reveal or extract. quantified the degree to which things became synchronized under
Exult means show or feel triumphant elation or jubilation. the historical record. Moreover, we also found that when
Ferocity means brutality. production became more unstable globally, it didn't necessarily
Execrate means to feel or express great loathing for. arise from agricultural systems becoming more unstable locally.
S7. Ans. (b) That is, local production sometimes became more stable, but
Hitherto means until now or until the point in time under global instability continued to rise (notably for soybean between
discussion. Hence it has the same meaning as concomitant. 1961-68, and rice between 1969 - 76) - because synchrony
Quandary means a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to increased. There are essentially two ways we might mitigate the
do in a difficult situation. losses brought by synchronous failure of crop production: either
Insolence means rude and disrespectful behaviour. raise average production of crops or reduce the volatility in crop
Extol means praise. production locally. Raising average production can be done, for
S8. Ans. (d) example, through yield gap closure, or yield ceiling raising.
Enshrined means preserve (a right, tradition, or idea) in a form Reducing the volatility in local crop production can be done, for
that ensures it will be protected and respected. Hence it has the example, through implementing climate smart cropping systems or
same meaning as revere. developing technological infrastructures such as irrigation to resist
Conceit means excessive pride in oneself. environmental stressors.
Lament means a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.
Impend means be about to happen. We explored the extent to which these mitigation strategies might
help offset the risk of a complete synchronized failure event.
Reading Comprehension -98 Remarkably, we found that we'd need to raise average production
of breadbaskets by three to five times to counter the losses, and
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that closing yield gaps in places with low production was unlikely
given below it. Certain words are given in italicized to help you to work at all within any sensible ranges.
locate them while answering some of the questions.
Q1. What is/are the way(s) to mitigate losses brought by synchronous
failure of crop production?
Our analysis calls for governments to think about ways
agricultural policies on trade, land reform, farm distributions, and
(a) Reduce the volatility in crop production locally
cropping choice, may affect the stability of the food system as a
(b) Raise average production of crops
whole, beyond locally focused efforts to increase resilience in
(c) Limiting the usage of harmful insecticides and pesticides
production. Sometimes it's amazing to watch things move in
(d) Only (a) and (b)
synchrony. Like in synchronized swimming, or in a dance routine,
(e) All of the above
or when an orchestra plays in concert. In nature, synchrony can be
incredible to watch, like when starlings move together in a Q2. What is the overall theme of the passage?
murmuration, or when large numbers of fish school. While most of
the time synchrony can be an awesome spectacle, when it comes to
(a) Crop failure is a major issue in the cotemporary world
agriculture it is bad news. In our analysis, we found that many of
(b) Synchronizing food production can have disastrous effects
the largest global crop failures on record were marked by increases
(c) Mitigation strategies to offset the risk of a complete
in synchrony. Examples include: when maize production dipped
synchronized failure event
by 20 per cent in 1983, soybean production dipped by 14 per cent
(d) All synchronous activities have positive results
in 1976 and rice production dipped by eight per cent in 2002.
(e) All of the above

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Q3. How can the volatility in local crop production be reduced as per Q8. Which of the following is/are antonym(s) of the word 'intuitive', as
the passage? used in the passage?

(a) Developing technological infrastructures I. instinctive

(b) Yield gap closure II. calculative
(c) Implementing climate smart cropping production III. innate
(d) Yield ceiling raising a) II and III only
(e) Only (a) and (c) b) I and II only
c) I and III only
Q4. Which of following is/are incorrectly matched pair between crop d) II only
and their respective production dip year, according to the passage? e) None of the above

a) Rice- 2002 Answers And Solutions

b) Maize- 1983
c) Wheat- 1994
d) Soybean- 1976 Q1. Ans. d
e) All are correctly paired It is mentioned in the third-last sentence of the third paragraph
of the passage; options (a) and (b) are stated there; hence, (d)
Q5. Which of the following is/are example(s) of synchronous activity?
is the right answer.
(a) Dance routine
(b) Swimming Q2. Ans. b
(c) Orchestra in a concert The entire passage talks about food production and its
(d) Only (a) and (c) synchronisation, which hasn't led to the desired result. In fact,
(e) All of the above synchronisation has led to disastrous result. The entire passage
revolves around it; hence, (b) is the right answer. (a)- doesn't
Q6. Which of the following is/are the consequence(s) of crop failures?
talk about synchronisation of crop production; (c)- it is only
talked in the last paragraph of the passage; (d)- it is exactly
(a) Emergence of middlemen
(b) Hike in food prices opposite of what is discussed in the passage.
(c) Food security Q3. AnsAns.(e)
(d) Hoarding It is mentioned in the last sentence of the third paragraph,
(e) All of the above which states options (a) and (c) as methods for reducing
Q7. Which of the following is/are synonymous with the word volatility of local crop production; hence, (e) is the right
'mitigation' as used in the passage? answer.
Q4. AnsAns.(c)
I. palliation II. diminution III. alleviation The answer can be found in the last sentence of the second
a) II and III only paragraph; there is no mention of 'wheat' production which
b) I and II only
makes option (c) the right answer. Other options have
c) I and III only
correctly matched pairs.
d) I only
e) All of the above

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Q5. d only 31 per cent of witnesses intervened when they were part of a
The answer can be found in the third sentence of the second group of five. Latané and Darley labelled this phenomenon
paragraph of the passage. Swimming, in general, isn't 'diffusion of responsibility', which along with 'evaluation
synchronised (it's different from synchronised swimming). apprehension' (concern about how any intervention might be
Options (a) and (c) are mentioned in the passage as examples interpreted) and 'pluralistic ignorance' (if everyone else seems calm,
of synchronous activities; hence, (d) is the right answer. there's nothing to worry about) make up what has become known as
the bystander effect or bystander apathy. In the half-century since it
Q6Ans.(b) was first described, the bystander effect has been widely studied and
It is mentioned in the first sentence of the passage, which elaborated upon, but never fundamentally challenged.
states hike in food prices as one of the consequences of crop
failures; hence, (b) is the right answer.
More recent studies suggest that bystanders do (or do not) intervene
Q7. AnsAns.(e) for reasons far more complex and individuated than Latané and
As per the context, mitigation means the action of reducing the Darley's psychosocial model allows. In fact, the newest research
severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something. All the calls that model into question entirely, suggesting that the way our
words given are synonymous with 'mitigation'; hence, (e) is brains process a violent event in the immediate instant, when
the right answer. intervention is most likely, is largely reflexive and unconscious.
When it comes to witnessing violence, bystanders are in general
Q8. AnsAns.(d) more likely to intervene once cognition overrides reflexes, whether
As per the context, intuitive means using or based on what one or not they are in groups. Understanding bystander responses this
feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive. way challenges the idea that our moral compasses turn sketchy
'Calculated' is the only antonym among the given words; when we can offload responsibility for the Good Samaritan stuff
hence, (d) is the right answer. Innate - natural/inborn. onto somebody else; plus, when it comes to matters of survival it
suggests that some kind of group solidarity or species-wide empathy
comes into play. Instead of characterising us as shirkers, willing to
Reading Comprehension Set-99 let others step up, this model argues that, when someone else's
survival might be at stake, we tend to do the right thing - and when
Directions : Read the following passage carefully and answer we don't, it could be the result of neurological processes beyond our
the questions that follow. immediate control.

The effect called "Bystander apathy" - is the failure of onlookers to As it happens, the original Times report was what we might now
intervene in troubling, violent or even murderous events when call 'fake news'. Editors at the paper knew the coverage was full of
others are present. The effect was first described in 1968 by the inaccuracies. The number of witnesses was not 38, but more likely
social psychologists Bibb Latané at Columbia University in New six, two of whom called the police. Others heard sounds but
York and John Darley at New York University. Their research was interpreted them as a domestic dispute or street disturbance. One of
prompted by the murder of Kitty Genovese outside her home in Genovese's neighbours, a 70-year-old woman, had called an
Queens in 1964. In The New York Times's report of the killing, ambulance and at considerable potential cost to herself cradled the
which was rehashed by news media across the world, only one of wounded Genovese in the hallway of their apartment building until
38 witnesses was said to have done anything to intervene. Latané help arrived. But the Times ignored these facts in service of a story
and Darley's research suggested that the greater the number of that played better to the race politics of the time. Not until 2016 did
onlookers the less likely anyone was to step in, especially if others the paper publicly acknowledge that its reporting had been
around them appeared calm or unconcerned. Whereas lone 'inaccurate'.
bystanders stepped forward to help a victim 85 per cent of the time,

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Q1. When did New York Times admit that its reporting of murder of (b) It wanted to mislead the investigation.
Kitty Genovese was inaccurate? (c) It wanted a story which played better than the race politics of
a) 1964 that time.
b) 1931 (d) Because it had unskilled reporters.
c) 2016 (e) None of the above
d) They never accepted it
e) None of the above Q6. The newest research supports which of the following ideas
(a) During a violent event, if people around someone appear calm
Q2. What is 'evaluation apprehension'? or unconcerned, they will be less likely to intervene.
(a) Diffusion of responsibility (b) When an emergency occurs, observers are more likely to take
(b) Changing your behaviour based on how a group is reacting action if there are few or no other witnesses.
(c) The way our brain processes a violent event (c) While Genovese's case has been subject to numerous
(d) Worry about how our intervention might be interpreted misrepresentations and inaccuracies, there have been numerous
(e) None of the above similar other cases reported in recent years.
(d) It suggests that when people do not help others during a violent
event, it could be the result of neurological processes beyond their
Q3. Which of the following fact(s) about Latané and Darley's research immediate control.
is/are incorrect in the context of the passage? (e) None of the above

(a) It was prompted by the murder of Kitty Genovese.

(b) It revealed the fact that the New York Times' report of the Q7. Which of the following words best expresses the opposite meaning
murder of Kitty Genovese was inaccurate. of the word "acknowledge" as used in the context of the passage?
(c) It suggested that the probability of anyone stepping in decreased (a) Admit
as the number of bystanders increased. (b) Confess
(d) Their research has been called into question. (c) Realize
(e) All are correct (d) Reject
(e) None of the above
Q4. Which of the following is/are not incorrect in the context of the
passage? Answers And Solutions
(a) A 70-year-old man had called an ambulance for the wounded Q1Ans.(c)
Genovese
The last sentence of the of the passage mentions this. Option C is
(b) The greater the number of bystanders, the more likely it is that
the correct answer.
one of them will help. Q2Ans.(d)
(c) Bystanders are more likely to intervene in a violent event once
11th line talks about evaluation apprehension, which is the concern
cognition overrides reflexes.
about how any intervention might be interpreted. Option D is the
(d) Editors of the New York Times were unaware of the
correct answer.
inaccuracies of the Kitty Genovese murder coverage. Q3Ans.(b)
(e) All are incorrect
A is mentioned in the 4th line. C is mentioned in the 7th and 8th line
Q5. Why did the Times ignore the true facts about the murder of Kitty of the passage. D is mentioned specifically in the 2nd sentence of
the second paragraph and generally the entire second passage has
Genovese?
questioned Latané and Darley's research. All of them are correct in
(a) It was unaware of the true facts.

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the context of the passage. B is incorrect as it was not their research They were connected with each other by friendly relations and
which showed inaccuracies in New York Times' report of the alliances, more or less intimate, the whole system being known in
incident. Option B is the correct answer. history by the name of the Saxon Heptarchy. The princes of these
Q4Ans.(c) various dynasties showed in their dealings with one another, and in
their relations with foreign powers, the same characteristics of
A is incorrect (31st line). B is incorrect (7th and 8th line). D is boldness and energy as had always marked the action of the race.
incorrect (2nd sentence of the 3rdparagraph). C is correct as Even the queens and princesses evinced, by their courage and
mentioned in the 20th and 21st line of the passage. Option C is the decision, that Anglo-Saxon blood lost nothing of its inherent
correct answer. qualities by flowing in female veins.
Q5. c For example, a very extraordinary story is told of one of these
The 2nd last sentence of the passage answers this. Option C is the Saxon princesses. A certain king upon the Continent; whose
correct answer. dominions lay between the Rhine and the German Ocean, had
Q6. d proposed for her hand in behalf of his son, whose name was
A is suggested by the research of Latané and Darley. B is true Radiger. The consent of the princess was given, and the contract
closed. The king himself soon afterward died, but before he died he
changed his mind in respect to the marriage of his son. The king
wanted his son to marry someone else. The prince entered into these
according to the context of the passage, but this is not idea the idea views. The Anglo-Saxon princess was very indignant at this
that is suggested by the newest research. C is out of scope and violation of his plighted faith on the part of her suitor. She raised an
context of the passage. D is what the newest research talks about army and attacked him. The army defeated Radiger and came back
and it is mentioned in the last sentence of the 2nd paragraph. triumphing in their victory.
The princess, however, instead of sharing in their satisfaction,
Q7Ans.(d)
ordered them to make a new incursion into the interior, and not to
Acknowledge - to accept, admit, or recognize something. All the return without bringing Radiger with them as their prisoner. They
options, except option D, are synonyms of 'acknowledge'. Option D did so; and after hunting the defeated and distressed king from place
is the correct answer. to place, they succeeded, at last, in seizing him in a wood, and
brought him in to the princess's encampment. He began to plead for
Reading Comprehension Set 100 his life, and to make excuses for the violation of his contract by
urging the necessities of his situation and his father's dying
Directions : Read the following passage carefully and answer commands. The princess said she was ready to forgive him if he
the questions that follow. would now dismiss her rival and fulfill his obligations to her.
Radiger yielded to this demand; he repudiated his Frank wife and
The landing of Hengist and Horsa, the first of the Anglo-Saxons, married the Anglo-Saxon lady in her stead.
took place in the year 449, according to the commonly received
chronology. It was more than two hundred years after this that the Q1. How much time did Saxons take to establish their authority
Saxon authority established throughout the island, unquestioned throughout the island after their first landing?
and supreme. One or two centuries more passed away, and then the
Anglo-Saxons had, in their turn, to resist a new horde of invaders, (a) 100 years
who came, as they themselves had done, across the German Ocean. (b) 200 years
These new invaders were the Danes. (c) More than 2 centuries
The Saxons were not united under one general government. Their (d) 449 years
territory was divided into seven or eight separate kingdoms. These (e) None of the above
kingdoms were ruled by many separate dynasties, or lines of kings.

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[Link] many different Saxon kings of different kingdoms had friendly (e) Dissent
relations and alliances with each other. This system was known as?
Q7. Which of the following words best expresses the opposite meaning
(a) Anglo-Saxons of the word "alliance" as used in the context of the passage?
(b) Radiger (a) Coalition
(c) Hengist and Horsa (b) Union
(d) Saxon Heptarchy (c) Enmity
(e) None of the above (d) Atrocious
(e) Angrily
Q3. Which of the following is/are wrong in the context of the passage?
Q8. Which of the following words best expresses the opposite meaning
(a) The Anglo-Saxon queens and princesses were equally brave and of the word "plead" as used in the context of the passage?
bold as their kings and princes. (a) Hopeless
(b) A new horde of invaders across the German ocean attacked the (b) Thank
Anglo-Saxons. (c) Beg
(c) The Saxon princess was satisfied and went to her kingdom with (d) Command
her army after they had defeated prince Radiger. (e) Complaint
(d) Radiger married the Saxon princess in the end.
(e) All are correct Answers And Solutions
Q4. Why did the Saxon princess attack prince Radiger?
Q1Ans.(c)
(a) Because Radiger was planning an attack on her.
It is mentioned in the second line of the first paragraph that "it was
(b) Because Radiger has insulted the princess's father.
more than two hundred years after this that the Saxon authority
(c) Radiger didn't want to marry her as he was in love with someone
established throughout the island", hence c is the correct option.
else. Q2Ans.(d)
(d) Radiger's father's dying command was for his son to marry
It is mentioned in the second paragraph that "these kingdoms were
someone else, which violated the princess's faith.
(e) None of the above. ruled by many separate dynasties, or lines of kings..the whole
system being known in history by the name of the Saxon
Q5. Who was/were the first of the Anglo-Saxons? Heptarchy." Hence, d is the correct option.
(a) Kings of Saxton heptarchy
(b) Prince Radiger Q3Ans.(c)
(c) Hengist and Horsa A is mentioned in the last sentence of the second paragraph.. "even
(d) Not mentioned in the passage the queens and princesses..lost nothing of its inherent qualities by
(e) None of the above flowing in female veins." B is mentioned in the last line of the first
paragraph.. "to resist a new horde of invaders, who came, as they
themselves had done, across the German Ocean." D is mentioned in
Q6. Which of the following words best expresses the meaning of the the last line of the last paragraph "..he repudiated his Frank wife,
word "consent" as used in the context of the passage? and married the Anglo-Saxon lady in her stead." C is incorrect as
(a) Knowledge the princess was not satisfied as mentioned in the first line of the
(b) Property last paragraph. C is the correct option.
(c) Assent Q4Ans.(d)
(d) Ascent Solution :

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From the fourth to second last line, the third paragraph mentions the requests for information on 9,226 accounts - representing about one-
reason for the princess's attack. "The king himself soon afterward third of all Twitter's demands for the first-half of the year, with
died, but before he died, he changed his mind..She raised an army Japan and the U.K. falling behind in second and third place.
and attacked him." D is the correct option. Twitter also said it received 39 requests for 24 accounts relating to
Q5Ans.(c) its Periscope live-streaming service, and one request about its now-
It is mentioned in the first line of the first paragraph.. "the landing defunct Vine service. In all, including governments requesting that
of Hengist and Horsa, the first of the Anglo-Saxons, took place in data is removed, the number of global government demands went
the year 449." C is the correct option. up by 80 percent, Twitter said, which had 336 million users as of its
Q6Ans.(c) last earnings call. Most of the demands came from Russia and
Consent here is used as a noun and it means permission or Turkey, where freedom of expression is limited.
agreement for something to happen. Dissent - refusal for doing Between January and June, more than 487,300 accounts were
something, disagreement. It is an antonym of 'consent'. Assent - the suspended for violating the company's child sexual exploitation
expression of approval or agreement. Ascent - the act of climbing rules. Some 97 percent of those accounts were proactively flagged,
or moving upwards. C is the correct answer. including through its use of Microsoft's PhotoDNA software, which
Q7Ans.(c) helps detect child abuse content. More than 205,100 accounts were
Alliance - a union or association formed for mutual benefit. removed between January and June for posting terrorist content,
Atrocious - barbaric, brutal. Alliance is a noun hence we need a with 91 percent proactively flagged by the company's own tools.
noun in answer, but D is an adjective and E is an adverb. Hence, About 75 percent of accounts believed to be spam were challenged
they are eliminated as possible answer choices. A and B are by its systems and were ultimately suspended. The number of spam
synonyms of 'alliance'. Enmity is a noun and it means a state or reports declined from 868,349 in January to 504,259 in June.
feeling of active opposition or hostility. C is the correct option.
Q8Ans.(d) Q1. How many Government request did Twitter receive for information
Plead(verb) - Appeal or request earnestly and emotionally. on user accounts?
'Hopeless' is a noun and 'complaint' is also a noun, so they are both
eliminated as possible answer choices. C is a synonym of 'plead'. (a) 6904
Command - to issue orders with authority. Command can be used (b) 2231
as a noun as well as a verb. D is the correct answer. (c) 16882
(d) 487300
(e) 15000
Reading Comprehension Set - 101
Q2. How many requests did Twitter receive relating to its Periscope
Directions : Read the following passage carefully and answer live-streaming service?
the questions that follow.
(a) 10 percent more compared to previous year.
(b) 56
Twitter says the number of government demands for data on its
(c) 39
users has shot up in the past year. In its latest transparency report,
(d) 24
the social media giant said it received 10 percent more requests
(e) 97
between January and June than on its previous reporting period - the
largest percentage increase in three years. According to the newly Q3. Most of the demands for removal of data came from Russia and
released data, Twitter received 6,904 government requests for
Turkey. What can likely be the reason for this?
information on 16,882 accounts. Twitter turned over at least some
data in 56 percent of cases. The U.S. took the lead with 2,231

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(a) Because they have significantly large population hence in terms (d) Obsolete
of number of requests for removal of data, they have more requests (e) None of these
than other countries.
(b) Because they are very strict with regards to their security. Answers And Solutions
(c) Because their citizens have limited freedom of expression.
(d) A and C Q1(a)
It is mentioned in the third line of the first paragraph that "Twitter
(e) None of the above
received 6,904 government requests for information on 16,882
Q4. Who, according to the passage, is the creator of the PhotoDNA accounts." A is the correct answer.
Q2Ans.(c)
software?
The first line of the second paragraph says that "Twitter also said it
received 39 requests for 24 accounts relating to its Periscope live-
(a) Twitter
streaming service." C is the answer.
(b) US government Q3Ans.(c)
(c) Russian government
The last line of the second paragraph mentions that "most of the
(d) Microsoft
demands came from Russia and Turkey, where freedom of
(e) Vine
expression is limited." A and B are nowhere talked about in the
Q5. What was the total number of spam reports in June? passage. C is the correct answer.
Q4Ans.(d)
The second line of the third paragraph mentions "..use of
(a) 205,100
Microsoft's PhotoDNA software, which helps detect child abuse
(b) 9,226
content.." D is the answer.
(c) 868,349 Q5Ans.(d)
(d) 504,259
The last line of the third paragraph says that "the number of spam
(e) 2,231
reports declined from 868,349 in January to 504,259 in June." So,
Q6. Which of the following words best expresses the meaning of the in June it was 504,259. D is the answer.
Q6Ans.(c)
phrase "shot up" as used in the context of the passage?
The context of the passage is that there has been an increase in the
government demand for Twitter user's data. The phrase 'shot up'
(a) Shoot someone
means either to increase rapidly in number/amount or to cause great
(b) Decrease quickly
damage to something. But, in this context, C is the correct answer.
(c) To increase very quickly and suddenly Q7Ans.(d)
(d) Increase in profits
Defunct - no longer existing or functioning. Insipid - tasteless,
(e) None of the above
uninterested. Opulent - rich. Obsolete - no longer produced or used.
D is the correct answer.

Q7. Which of the following words best expresses the meaning of the
word "defunct" as used in the context of the passage?

(a) Uninterested
(b) Insipid
(c) Opulent

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