Following the microlith groupings along the hill, one conclusion is unavoidable. These tools represent the pre-metal and pre-pottery stage when the valley bottom was not cleared of jungle. With herds of animals, considerable food-gathering and sporadic cultivation to eke out some hunting, they may be called Mesolithic cultures.
Such a population had to shift constantly from place to place. Permanent settlement could not come before the advent of cheap metal like iron. It is difficult to imagine the use of iron anywhere in the Deccan, earlier to the Mauryan conquest. The deposits of copper in this region are uncommon. Even the Arthashastra does not speak of iron in this area. The natural route of the savages before the swampy or forested valleys were opened for cultivation, must have been along the hillocks.
The groups that moved along these tracks could not have been numerous. There was no question of their possessing land, for land - ownership is not a primitive concept. Fixed plots were meaningless till the plough had conquered the soil. For this, the fertile bottom lands had to be cleared of forest, which was not possible in our monsoon country without iron tools in plenty. Land to the savage is territory, not property. In my opinion the still revered Maharashtra custom of 'gamva - sai' dates back to the presettlement days. This used to be the propitiation (at such date as the Bhagat might set) of all local deities, spirits and goblins. The characteristic feature was that villages used to get deserted as every human being had to leave the village for seven or nine days. After living in the fields or under trees for the period, and performing the required worship and blood sacrifices, the inhabitants would return with the hope of better crops, eradication of diseases and general well - being. The ceremonial return must be being conceived as resettlement. The fixed cult - spots for pre - agricultural people would necessarily be where their regular paths crossed, places where they met for - barter where the communities performed ceremonies or where they celebrated their periodic fertility cults together. Thus, the crossways were logically the sites for the mother - goddess cults.
Consider the following two statements :
(a) During gamva Sai the people worshipped good and evil spirits.
(b) The people worshipped them because they were afraid of them and wanted to please them.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Both the statements are correct and the second is the correct explanation for the first.
Explanation
During the gamva-sai ritual, the inhabitants propitiated local deities, spirits, and goblins, which represents the worship of both benevolent and malevolent supernatural forces. Propitiation is defined as the act of appeasing or pleasing a spirit or deity, typically motivated by a fear of their power or potential wrath, which could manifest as disease or crop failure. By performing worship and blood sacrifices, the people sought to please these spirits to secure their favor, ensure the eradication of diseases, obtain better crops, and achieve general well-being. Therefore, both statements are correct, and the second statement directly explains why this worship was performed.
2Reading Comprehension
Following the microlith groupings along the hill, one conclusion is unavoidable. These tools represent the pre-metal and pre-pottery stage when the valley bottom was not cleared of jungle. With herds of animals, considerable food-gathering and sporadic cultivation to eke out some hunting, they may be called Mesolithic cultures.
Such a population had to shift constantly from place to place. Permanent settlement could not come before the advent of cheap metal like iron. It is difficult to imagine the use of iron anywhere in the Deccan, earlier to the Mauryan conquest. The deposits of copper in this region are uncommon. Even the Arthashastra does not speak of iron in this area. The natural route of the savages before the swampy or forested valleys were opened for cultivation, must have been along the hillocks.
The groups that moved along these tracks could not have been numerous. There was no question of their possessing land, for land - ownership is not a primitive concept. Fixed plots were meaningless till the plough had conquered the soil. For this, the fertile bottom lands had to be cleared of forest, which was not possible in our monsoon country without iron tools in plenty. Land to the savage is territory, not property. In my opinion the still revered Maharashtra custom of 'gamva - sai' dates back to the presettlement days. This used to be the propitiation (at such date as the Bhagat might set) of all local deities, spirits and goblins. The characteristic feature was that villages used to get deserted as every human being had to leave the village for seven or nine days. After living in the fields or under trees for the period, and performing the required worship and blood sacrifices, the inhabitants would return with the hope of better crops, eradication of diseases and general well - being. The ceremonial return must be being conceived as resettlement. The fixed cult - spots for pre - agricultural people would necessarily be where their regular paths crossed, places where they met for - barter where the communities performed ceremonies or where they celebrated their periodic fertility cults together. Thus, the crossways were logically the sites for the mother - goddess cults.
When the agriculture was still to be practised what of the following was uncommon ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) boasting of earmarked plots close by
Explanation
According to the passage, prior to the practice of agriculture and the conquest of the soil by the plough, the concept of land ownership did not exist. The text specifies that there was no question of these primitive populations possessing land, and fixed plots of land were entirely meaningless. Consequently, boasting of earmarked plots of land was uncommon during this pre-agricultural period.
3Reading Comprehension
Following the microlith groupings along the hill, one conclusion is unavoidable. These tools represent the pre-metal and pre-pottery stage when the valley bottom was not cleared of jungle. With herds of animals, considerable food-gathering and sporadic cultivation to eke out some hunting, they may be called Mesolithic cultures.
Such a population had to shift constantly from place to place. Permanent settlement could not come before the advent of cheap metal like iron. It is difficult to imagine the use of iron anywhere in the Deccan, earlier to the Mauryan conquest. The deposits of copper in this region are uncommon. Even the Arthashastra does not speak of iron in this area. The natural route of the savages before the swampy or forested valleys were opened for cultivation, must have been along the hillocks.
The groups that moved along these tracks could not have been numerous. There was no question of their possessing land, for land - ownership is not a primitive concept. Fixed plots were meaningless till the plough had conquered the soil. For this, the fertile bottom lands had to be cleared of forest, which was not possible in our monsoon country without iron tools in plenty. Land to the savage is territory, not property. In my opinion the still revered Maharashtra custom of 'gamva - sai' dates back to the presettlement days. This used to be the propitiation (at such date as the Bhagat might set) of all local deities, spirits and goblins. The characteristic feature was that villages used to get deserted as every human being had to leave the village for seven or nine days. After living in the fields or under trees for the period, and performing the required worship and blood sacrifices, the inhabitants would return with the hope of better crops, eradication of diseases and general well - being. The ceremonial return must be being conceived as resettlement. The fixed cult - spots for pre - agricultural people would necessarily be where their regular paths crossed, places where they met for - barter where the communities performed ceremonies or where they celebrated their periodic fertility cults together. Thus, the crossways were logically the sites for the mother - goddess cults.
What are the practices involved in the custom of 'Gamva Sai' ?
(a) Propitiation of gods
(b) Village should be deserted
(c) Ritual worship and blood sacrifice
(d) Barter trade
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) (a), (b), (c)
Explanation
According to the passage, the Maharashtra custom of gamva-sai involved the propitiation of all local deities, spirits, and goblins, which corresponds to statement (a). The characteristic feature of this custom was that the villages used to get deserted because every human being had to leave the village for seven or nine days, which corresponds to statement (b). During this period of living in the fields or under trees, the inhabitants performed the required worship and blood sacrifices, corresponding to statement (c). Barter trade, mentioned in statement (d), is described in the passage as an activity that took place at regular crossing paths of pre-agricultural people and is not a practice of the gamva-sai ritual. Thus, only statements (a), (b), and (c) represent the practices involved in the custom.
4Reading Comprehension
Following the microlith groupings along the hill, one conclusion is unavoidable. These tools represent the pre-metal and pre-pottery stage when the valley bottom was not cleared of jungle. With herds of animals, considerable food-gathering and sporadic cultivation to eke out some hunting, they may be called Mesolithic cultures.
Such a population had to shift constantly from place to place. Permanent settlement could not come before the advent of cheap metal like iron. It is difficult to imagine the use of iron anywhere in the Deccan, earlier to the Mauryan conquest. The deposits of copper in this region are uncommon. Even the Arthashastra does not speak of iron in this area. The natural route of the savages before the swampy or forested valleys were opened for cultivation, must have been along the hillocks.
The groups that moved along these tracks could not have been numerous. There was no question of their possessing land, for land - ownership is not a primitive concept. Fixed plots were meaningless till the plough had conquered the soil. For this, the fertile bottom lands had to be cleared of forest, which was not possible in our monsoon country without iron tools in plenty. Land to the savage is territory, not property. In my opinion the still revered Maharashtra custom of 'gamva - sai' dates back to the presettlement days. This used to be the propitiation (at such date as the Bhagat might set) of all local deities, spirits and goblins. The characteristic feature was that villages used to get deserted as every human being had to leave the village for seven or nine days. After living in the fields or under trees for the period, and performing the required worship and blood sacrifices, the inhabitants would return with the hope of better crops, eradication of diseases and general well - being. The ceremonial return must be being conceived as resettlement. The fixed cult - spots for pre - agricultural people would necessarily be where their regular paths crossed, places where they met for - barter where the communities performed ceremonies or where they celebrated their periodic fertility cults together. Thus, the crossways were logically the sites for the mother - goddess cults.
According to the author, what is not a pre - requisite for the beginning of settled agriculture ?
(a) Land should be tilled with a plough.
(b) Iron should be abundantly available.
(c) Forests need to be cut and cleared.
(d) None of the above.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (d)
Explanation
According to the passage, permanent settlement and settled agriculture require several key developments. The author states that fixed plots of land were meaningless till the plough had conquered the soil, meaning that land must be tilled with a plough. Furthermore, the fertile bottom lands had to be cleared of forests, which was not possible in this monsoon region without plenty of iron tools. Since tilling land with a plough, having abundant iron tools, and clearing the forests are all explicitly described by the author as essential pre-requisites for settled agriculture, none of the listed conditions can be excluded as a pre-requisite. Thus, (d) None of the above is correct.
5Reading Comprehension
Following the microlith groupings along the hill, one conclusion is unavoidable. These tools represent the pre-metal and pre-pottery stage when the valley bottom was not cleared of jungle. With herds of animals, considerable food-gathering and sporadic cultivation to eke out some hunting, they may be called Mesolithic cultures.
Such a population had to shift constantly from place to place. Permanent settlement could not come before the advent of cheap metal like iron. It is difficult to imagine the use of iron anywhere in the Deccan, earlier to the Mauryan conquest. The deposits of copper in this region are uncommon. Even the Arthashastra does not speak of iron in this area. The natural route of the savages before the swampy or forested valleys were opened for cultivation, must have been along the hillocks.
The groups that moved along these tracks could not have been numerous. There was no question of their possessing land, for land - ownership is not a primitive concept. Fixed plots were meaningless till the plough had conquered the soil. For this, the fertile bottom lands had to be cleared of forest, which was not possible in our monsoon country without iron tools in plenty. Land to the savage is territory, not property. In my opinion the still revered Maharashtra custom of 'gamva - sai' dates back to the presettlement days. This used to be the propitiation (at such date as the Bhagat might set) of all local deities, spirits and goblins. The characteristic feature was that villages used to get deserted as every human being had to leave the village for seven or nine days. After living in the fields or under trees for the period, and performing the required worship and blood sacrifices, the inhabitants would return with the hope of better crops, eradication of diseases and general well - being. The ceremonial return must be being conceived as resettlement. The fixed cult - spots for pre - agricultural people would necessarily be where their regular paths crossed, places where they met for - barter where the communities performed ceremonies or where they celebrated their periodic fertility cults together. Thus, the crossways were logically the sites for the mother - goddess cults.
Sites for mother - goddess cults were at crossways because ________.
(a) This is where the paths of the nomadic people crossed.
(b) This is where the nomadic people exchanged goods.
(c) They could not cut the forests.
(d) Valleys were Swampy.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (a), (b)
Explanation
According to the passage, the crossways logically became the sites for the mother-goddess cults because they served as the fixed cult-spots where the regular paths of the pre-agricultural nomadic people crossed, and they were the locations where these communities met to barter and exchange goods, perform ceremonies, or celebrate their periodic fertility cults together.
6Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
Drought is basically a distress situation caused by the failure of rainfall. This failure may be due to insufficient rains or due to a wide gap between two or more spells of rain. Droughts are of three types. A meteorological drought is a situation when the actual rainfall is significantly less than the climatologically expected rainfall over a wide area. Here the rains do not arrive in time and are inadequate. Such droughts are mainly concentrated in the areas falling between arid and semi - arid zones of the country and are characterised by high variability of rainfall.
Hydrological droughts are associated with the drying up of surface water such as rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs and fall in ground water levels. Such droughts are augmented by deforestation, mining, road construction, overgrazing and withdrawal of excessive ground water. All these factors contribute to hydrological instability leading to droughts. Agricultural droughts or soil droughts occur when soils lose their effective moisture conserving capacity. This prevents healthy crop growth. Such droughts may occur even when meteorological droughts do not occur and vice versa. Under extreme conditions of such a drought no plant exists and such a condition is called desertification.
Although all these three forms of drought occur independent of each other the occurrence of meteorological drought is the basic reason for hydrological and agricultural droughts. Prolonged meteorological drought results into hydrological drought, and may, thereafter, lead to agricultural drought. This transition is a very slow process.
Consider the following two statements :
(a) In dry areas chances of receiving high or low rainfall are not high.
(b) Hydrological droughts begin with illicit felling of trees and overgrazing only.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Both are incorrect
Explanation
Statement (a) is incorrect because the passage states that dry areas lying between arid and semi-arid zones are characterized by high variability of rainfall. High variability means that rainfall levels fluctuate widely, which implies that the chances of experiencing either very high or very low rainfall are actually high.
Statement (b) is incorrect because the passage explains that hydrological droughts are caused by prolonged meteorological drought, while activities like deforestation, mining, road construction, overgrazing, and excessive groundwater withdrawal only augment or worsen the condition. Therefore, these droughts do not begin solely with the illicit felling of trees and overgrazing.
7Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
Drought is basically a distress situation caused by the failure of rainfall. This failure may be due to insufficient rains or due to a wide gap between two or more spells of rain. Droughts are of three types. A meteorological drought is a situation when the actual rainfall is significantly less than the climatologically expected rainfall over a wide area. Here the rains do not arrive in time and are inadequate. Such droughts are mainly concentrated in the areas falling between arid and semi - arid zones of the country and are characterised by high variability of rainfall.
Hydrological droughts are associated with the drying up of surface water such as rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs and fall in ground water levels. Such droughts are augmented by deforestation, mining, road construction, overgrazing and withdrawal of excessive ground water. All these factors contribute to hydrological instability leading to droughts. Agricultural droughts or soil droughts occur when soils lose their effective moisture conserving capacity. This prevents healthy crop growth. Such droughts may occur even when meteorological droughts do not occur and vice versa. Under extreme conditions of such a drought no plant exists and such a condition is called desertification.
Although all these three forms of drought occur independent of each other the occurrence of meteorological drought is the basic reason for hydrological and agricultural droughts. Prolonged meteorological drought results into hydrological drought, and may, thereafter, lead to agricultural drought. This transition is a very slow process.
Read the following statements and choose the appropriate option.
(a) Climatological drought is the cause for every drought.
(b) Hydrological drought is always an outcome of the human factors.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) (a) and (b) both are wrong
Explanation
Statement (a) is wrong because the passage clearly states that agricultural droughts can occur even when meteorological droughts do not occur, and that all three forms of drought can occur independently of each other. This indicates that meteorological or climatological drought is not the cause of every single drought.
Statement (b) is wrong because the passage states that hydrological droughts are caused by prolonged meteorological droughts, which are natural occurrences. Human activities such as deforestation, mining, road construction, overgrazing, and excessive groundwater withdrawal only augment or intensify hydrological droughts rather than being their sole or always necessary cause.
8Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
Drought is basically a distress situation caused by the failure of rainfall. This failure may be due to insufficient rains or due to a wide gap between two or more spells of rain. Droughts are of three types. A meteorological drought is a situation when the actual rainfall is significantly less than the climatologically expected rainfall over a wide area. Here the rains do not arrive in time and are inadequate. Such droughts are mainly concentrated in the areas falling between arid and semi - arid zones of the country and are characterised by high variability of rainfall.
Hydrological droughts are associated with the drying up of surface water such as rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs and fall in ground water levels. Such droughts are augmented by deforestation, mining, road construction, overgrazing and withdrawal of excessive ground water. All these factors contribute to hydrological instability leading to droughts. Agricultural droughts or soil droughts occur when soils lose their effective moisture conserving capacity. This prevents healthy crop growth. Such droughts may occur even when meteorological droughts do not occur and vice versa. Under extreme conditions of such a drought no plant exists and such a condition is called desertification.
Although all these three forms of drought occur independent of each other the occurrence of meteorological drought is the basic reason for hydrological and agricultural droughts. Prolonged meteorological drought results into hydrological drought, and may, thereafter, lead to agricultural drought. This transition is a very slow process.
If the wells grow in number in a specific area what kind of drought is likely to occur ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Hydrological
Explanation
According to the passage, hydrological droughts are associated with the drying up of surface water and a fall in groundwater levels. The passage explicitly states that hydrological droughts are augmented by the withdrawal of excessive groundwater. An increase in the number of wells in a specific area leads to intensive and excessive extraction of groundwater. This depletion of the underground water table directly contributes to hydrological instability, making a hydrological drought highly likely to occur.
9Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The genetic diversity within the handful of crop and livestock species that feed humanity-so-called germplasm resources-holds much of the potential for improving agricultural performance. At the same time, great opportunities lie in broadening the base of the species that provide our food and fiber. An agriculture, sufficient to feed the world's population that is expected to double in the next 40 years, will need to use both plant and animal diversities.
Increasing of harvests rests on a foundation of genetic diversity by bringing about improvement in the crop upto a desired level. Throughout the history, the selection and breeding of superior plants was done by individual farmers working on limited stocks in their fields, augmented by occasional spontaneous crosses with wild relatives nearby. Cultivated crops, though single species, contained an incredible array of genetic types adapted to local circumstances.
In industrial countries, few farmers can spare the time or land for plant breeding. The selection of high performance crops today is done by government scientists and by private companies who sell specially bred seed to farmers for planting. Farmers have traded their independence for higher performance and larger harvests; as a result, a few successful varieties are being planted on millions of acres.
Fifteen years after a devastating epidemic of Southern Corn Leaf Blight cut the U.S. corn harvest by 15 per cent and alerted the nation to the genetic vulnerability of its crops, a visitor to the wheat fields of the Dakotas or the corn fields of Iowa can still see row upon row of uniform plants stretching to the horizon. Yet under this uniformity lie forms of diversity not available to most of the world's farmers. The many varieties under study by the private plant breeding industry, the widely available information on pest outbreaks and weather conditions worldwide that constitute an "early warning system," and a seed industry that can transport varieties quickly to areas that need them all protect American farmers from fatal vulnerability. These safeguards have come at a substantial price: U.S. farmers now spend over $4 billion each year on seeds, and while the cost per ton of grain harvested has declined in real terms over the past three decades, the cost per harvested acre has doubled.
Consider the following two statements :
(a) Today a large number of widely diff. species are getting planted over extensive areas.
(b) Genetic diversity has led us to this situation.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) (a) incorrect therefore the question does not arise about (b)
Explanation
According to the passage, modern agricultural practices have led to a decrease in the diversity of crops planted over large areas, as farmers trade independence for higher yields. The text specifies that a few successful varieties are being planted on millions of acres, creating fields of uniform plants stretching to the horizon. This directly contradicts statement (a), which asserts that a large number of widely different species are being planted over extensive areas. Because statement (a) is incorrect based on the text, the question of whether statement (b) explains it does not arise.
10Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The genetic diversity within the handful of crop and livestock species that feed humanity-so-called germplasm resources-holds much of the potential for improving agricultural performance. At the same time, great opportunities lie in broadening the base of the species that provide our food and fiber. An agriculture, sufficient to feed the world's population that is expected to double in the next 40 years, will need to use both plant and animal diversities.
Increasing of harvests rests on a foundation of genetic diversity by bringing about improvement in the crop upto a desired level. Throughout the history, the selection and breeding of superior plants was done by individual farmers working on limited stocks in their fields, augmented by occasional spontaneous crosses with wild relatives nearby. Cultivated crops, though single species, contained an incredible array of genetic types adapted to local circumstances.
In industrial countries, few farmers can spare the time or land for plant breeding. The selection of high performance crops today is done by government scientists and by private companies who sell specially bred seed to farmers for planting. Farmers have traded their independence for higher performance and larger harvests; as a result, a few successful varieties are being planted on millions of acres.
Fifteen years after a devastating epidemic of Southern Corn Leaf Blight cut the U.S. corn harvest by 15 per cent and alerted the nation to the genetic vulnerability of its crops, a visitor to the wheat fields of the Dakotas or the corn fields of Iowa can still see row upon row of uniform plants stretching to the horizon. Yet under this uniformity lie forms of diversity not available to most of the world's farmers. The many varieties under study by the private plant breeding industry, the widely available information on pest outbreaks and weather conditions worldwide that constitute an "early warning system," and a seed industry that can transport varieties quickly to areas that need them all protect American farmers from fatal vulnerability. These safeguards have come at a substantial price: U.S. farmers now spend over $4 billion each year on seeds, and while the cost per ton of grain harvested has declined in real terms over the past three decades, the cost per harvested acre has doubled.
Consider the following two statements :
(a) Higher profits is the main consideration for the farmers and the private companies all alike.
(b) The wild crops have regularly helped their cultivated counter parts throughout the history in producing superior varieties.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Neither is correct
Explanation
Statement a is incorrect because the passage does not state that higher profits are the main consideration for either farmers or private companies. It only mentions that farmers traded their independence for higher performance and larger harvests, and that U.S. farmers spend substantial amounts on seeds.
Statement b is incorrect because the passage states that throughout history, the selection and breeding of superior plants was augmented by occasional spontaneous crosses with wild relatives nearby. The use of the word occasional contradicts the claim that wild crops regularly helped their cultivated counterparts.
11Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The genetic diversity within the handful of crop and livestock species that feed humanity-so-called germplasm resources-holds much of the potential for improving agricultural performance. At the same time, great opportunities lie in broadening the base of the species that provide our food and fiber. An agriculture, sufficient to feed the world's population that is expected to double in the next 40 years, will need to use both plant and animal diversities.
Increasing of harvests rests on a foundation of genetic diversity by bringing about improvement in the crop upto a desired level. Throughout the history, the selection and breeding of superior plants was done by individual farmers working on limited stocks in their fields, augmented by occasional spontaneous crosses with wild relatives nearby. Cultivated crops, though single species, contained an incredible array of genetic types adapted to local circumstances.
In industrial countries, few farmers can spare the time or land for plant breeding. The selection of high performance crops today is done by government scientists and by private companies who sell specially bred seed to farmers for planting. Farmers have traded their independence for higher performance and larger harvests; as a result, a few successful varieties are being planted on millions of acres.
Fifteen years after a devastating epidemic of Southern Corn Leaf Blight cut the U.S. corn harvest by 15 per cent and alerted the nation to the genetic vulnerability of its crops, a visitor to the wheat fields of the Dakotas or the corn fields of Iowa can still see row upon row of uniform plants stretching to the horizon. Yet under this uniformity lie forms of diversity not available to most of the world's farmers. The many varieties under study by the private plant breeding industry, the widely available information on pest outbreaks and weather conditions worldwide that constitute an "early warning system," and a seed industry that can transport varieties quickly to areas that need them all protect American farmers from fatal vulnerability. These safeguards have come at a substantial price: U.S. farmers now spend over $4 billion each year on seeds, and while the cost per ton of grain harvested has declined in real terms over the past three decades, the cost per harvested acre has doubled.
If we see the history of the genetic diversity the farmers.
(a) have benefitted from higher performance.
(b) have become rich because of the larger production.
(c) have overcome the problems of planting of uniform plants.
(d) but the circumstances do not allow them to decide for themselves.
(e) the market driven tendencies force them to follow.
(f) and the benefits come to them at a great cost.
Which of the above statements are correct ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (a), (b), (d), (e) and (f)
Explanation
The history of genetic diversity in agriculture shows that farmers have gained from higher performance and larger harvests, as they transitioned from traditional breeding to using specially bred seeds. This shift has enabled greater agricultural output and economic returns for them. However, because modern plant breeding requires significant land and time, prevailing circumstances do not allow individual farmers to decide or breed varieties for themselves. Instead, they are directed by market-driven forces, specifically the government scientists and private companies that dominate the seed industry. While these specialized varieties and industry safeguards protect their yields, these benefits come at a substantial financial cost, as farmers now spend billions of dollars annually on seeds.
12Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The genetic diversity within the handful of crop and livestock species that feed humanity-so-called germplasm resources-holds much of the potential for improving agricultural performance. At the same time, great opportunities lie in broadening the base of the species that provide our food and fiber. An agriculture, sufficient to feed the world's population that is expected to double in the next 40 years, will need to use both plant and animal diversities.
Increasing of harvests rests on a foundation of genetic diversity by bringing about improvement in the crop upto a desired level. Throughout history, the selection and breeding of superior plants was done by individual farmers working on limited stocks in their fields, augmented by occasional spontaneous crosses with wild relatives nearby. Cultivated crops, though single species, contained an incredible array of genetic types adapted to local circumstances.
In industrial countries, few farmers can spare the time or land for plant breeding. The selection of high performance crops today is done by government scientists and by private companies who sell specially bred seed to farmers for planting. Farmers have traded their independence for higher performance and larger harvests; as a result, a few successful varieties are being planted on millions of acres.
Fifteen years after a devastating epidemic of Southern Corn Leaf Blight cut the U.S. corn harvest by 15 per cent and alerted the nation to the genetic vulnerability of its crops, a visitor to the wheat fields of the Dakotas or the corn fields of Iowa can still see row upon row of uniform plants stretching to the horizon. Yet under this uniformity lie forms of diversity not available to most of the world's farmers. The many varieties under study by the private plant breeding industry, the widely available information on pest outbreaks and weather conditions worldwide that constitute an "early warning system," and a seed industry that can transport varieties quickly to areas that need them all protect American farmers from fatal vulnerability. These safeguards have come at a substantial price: U.S. farmers now spend over $4 billion each year on seeds, and while the cost per ton of grain harvested has declined in real terms over the past three decades, the cost per harvested acre has doubled.
In industrial countries the farmers who earlier did plant breeding are no more resorting to it because :
(a) Govt. scientists want to take it upon themselves.
(b) Private companies undertake plant breeding for their interests.
(c) The farmers are busy otherwise.
(d) The farmers want to put their land to other use.
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) (c) and (d)
Explanation
According to the passage, the primary reasons why farmers in industrial countries no longer engage in plant breeding are that few of them can spare the time or land for it. This directly corresponds to statement (c), indicating that farmers are busy with other activities, and statement (d), indicating that they cannot set aside land for plant breeding and must put it to other uses.
13Reading Comprehension
Many people say that 21st century is a century of knowledge, but the people who think more deeply about it say, it is going to be a century of mind. If this is the case then India has demographic advantage. India has 55% of its population less than 25 years old. This means that there are 6000 lakh odd minds to shape destiny of India.
But there is a fundamental difference between the mind and the mindset. Mind represents intellect, mind allows you to make smart observations, smart analysis, smart synthesis etc. but it is the mindset which determines your attitude and your approach to life. In India, there is this huge battle between the Indian mind and Indian mindset. The Indian mind is taking us into 21st century and there is no doubt about it, but it is the Indian mindset which is drawing us back into 14th, 15th, 16th century.
Centuries ago Indian mind introduced the concept of global village with a slogan, "Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam" (Entire world is a family). We say that we are one family but are we practising what we say? We know that when two Japanese come together, how many Japanese they make? They form a great team and become eleven. Someone in a lighter vein has said that when two Indians come together, they become zero as they neutralize each other. They do not make a team and this is the Indian mindset.
My basic premise is not that shaping of Indian minds is not required and only changing of the Indian mindset should be attempted. We should start taking up both. We should not only be contented with clever minds, more intelligent minds, more observant minds, more analytical minds, better minds synthesizing in a more clever way, but also mindsets that are positive, constructive, forward looking, mutually reinforcing, - mindsets that will make it possible for us to shape 21st century India.
Which of the statements given below about today's world is correct ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) None of the above.
Explanation
According to the passage, many people state that the 21st century is a century of knowledge, whereas those who think more deeply say it is going to be a century of mind. Additionally, the text highlights that we should not merely be contented with clever minds but must also focus on positive mindsets. This directly contradicts the assertions that many people associate the era with the mind, that only some people associate it with knowledge, or that it is a world of clever people. Consequently, none of the specific statements about today's world accurately reflect the text.
14Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it:
Many people say that 21st century is a century of knowledge, but the people who think more deeply about it say, it is going to be a century of mind. If this is the case then India has demographic advantage. India has 55% of its population less than 25 years old. This means that there are 6000 lakh odd minds to shape destiny of India.
But there is a fundamental difference between the mind and the mindset. Mind represents intellect, mind allows you to make smart observations, smart analysis, smart synthesis etc. but it is the mindset which determines your attitude and your approach to life. In India, there is this huge battle between the Indian mind and Indian mindset. The Indian mind is taking us into 21st century and there is no doubt about it, but it is the Indian mindset which is drawing us back into 14th, 15th, 16th century.
Centuries ago Indian mind introduced the concept of global village with a slogan, "Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam" (Entire world is a family). We say that we are one family but are we practising what we say? We know that when two Japanese come together, how many Japanese they make? They form a great team and become eleven. Someone in a lighter vein has said that when two Indians come together, they become zero as they neutralize each other. They do not make a team and this is the Indian mindset.
My basic premise is not that shaping of Indian minds is not required and only changing of the Indian mindset should be attempted. We should start taking up both. We should not only be contented with clever minds, more intelligent minds, more observant minds, more analytical minds, better minds synthesizing in a more clever way, but also mindsets that are positive, constructive, forward looking, mutually reinforcing, - mindsets that will make it possible for us to shape 21st century India.
Which of the following statements is not incorrect ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) The elderly people are not in majority in India.
Explanation
The passage states that India has 55% of its population less than 25 years old. Since a majority of the population (55%) is under the age of 25, the elderly population cannot be in the majority. This makes the statement that elderly people are not in the majority in India correct.
15Reading Comprehension
Preamble to constitution of India starts with “We the people..” It does not refer to people of any particular caste or religion, which signifies that the constitution of India places its people at the highest position in democracy. When people of India elect our government, we also have a complete right to get aware of all its aspects and governance. Such awareness gives a chance to actually participate in the process of governance which in turn advances the democracy from being merely representative to become participative. Success of democracy largely depends on participation of its population in making and implementation of government policy. Where common people are not able to actively participate in the process of governance, possibility of protection of rights of select empowered class increases manyfold. This holds the potential of eventually becoming a major obstacle in the path of Social Justice.
The efforts of creation of knowledge based societies of 'Informed citizenry' are ongoing in various parts of the world. India too, has joined the bandwagon by accepting the Right to Information. 'Informed citizenry' term appears in the RTI Act. Various courts in India have reported that Right to Information is inherent to Freedom of Speech and Expression provided in article 19(1)(a) of constitution of India. Additionally United Nations Organizations stated in its Universal Declaration that Right to Information is fundamental to human rights.
In the light of this, Right to Information can play a pivotal role in the process of protection and establishment of social justice. Preamble to constitution of India has resolved for "Justice, Freedom, Equality and Fraternity" to all its citizens. Deliberately the word 'justice' is placed first in the order. Justice is fundamental, in absence of it, freedom, equality and fraternity cannot be achieved. Absence of justice leads to social inequality. This inequality stems not only out of unequal distribution of natural resources but also out of unequal distribution of information. Ruling class controls information to maintain its hegemony over power and resources. Indian history has witnessed this time and again. Social inequality can be won over by making the socially oppressed classes aware of 'power of Information' and therefore Right to Information is extremely crucial in the process of achieving justice. It is for this reason that Right to Information has become a matter of utmost interest for numerous civil society organizations and human rights movements.
Right to Information and Environmental movement are also closely connected. Article 21 of the constitution provides Right to Life and Liberty. In another a words, citizen have a right to know everything that has impact on life and liberty. The same was also reiterated in the earth summit of Rio de Janerio, Brazil held in 1992. This also being the core principle of environmental movement, they have keenly promoted Right to Information.
Right to Information is more related to which of the following fundamental rights :
(a) Right to Life and Liberty
(b) Right against exploitation
(c) Right to freedom of speech and expression
(d) Right to Education
Which of the option given below is correct ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) (a) (c)
Explanation
The Right to Information is directly linked to the Right to Life and Liberty under Article 21 and the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
The passage explicitly highlights that various courts in India have recognized the Right to Information as inherent to the Freedom of Speech and Expression guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a). Furthermore, the passage connects the Right to Information with the Right to Life and Liberty under Article 21, explaining that citizens have a fundamental right to know about everything that impacts their life and liberty. This dual constitutional foundation makes the Right to Information deeply integrated with and relevant to both of these fundamental rights.
16Reading Comprehension
Preamble to constitution of India starts with “We the people..” It does not refer to people of any particular caste or religion, which signifies that the constitution of India places its people at the highest position in democracy. When people of India elect our government, we also have a complete right to get aware of all its aspects and governance. Such awareness gives a chance to actually participate in the process of governance which in turn advances the democracy from being merely representative to become participative. Success of democracy largely depends on participation of its population in making and implementation of government policy. Where common people are not able to actively participate in the process of governance, possibility of protection of rights of select empowered class increases manyfold. This holds the potential of eventually becoming a major obstacle in the path of Social Justice.
The efforts of creation of knowledge based societies of 'Informed citizenry' are ongoing in various parts of the world. India too, has joined the bandwagon by accepting the Right to Information. 'Informed citizenry' term appears in the RTI Act. Various courts in India have reported that Right to Information is inherent to Freedom of Speech and Expression provided in article 19(1)(a) of constitution of India. Additionally United Nations Organizations stated in its Universal Declaration that Right to Information is fundamental to human rights.
In the light of this, Right to Information can play a pivotal role in the process of protection and establishment of social justice. Preamble to constitution of India has resolved for "Justice, Freedom, Equality and Fraternity" to all its citizens. Deliberately the word 'justice' is placed first in the order. Justice is fundamental, in absence of it, freedom, equality and fraternity cannot be achieved. Absence of justice leads to social inequality. This inequality stems not only out of unequal distribution of natural resources but also out of unequal distribution of information. Ruling class controls information to maintain its hegemony over power and resources. Indian history has witnessed this time and again. Social inequality can be won over by making the socially oppressed classes aware of 'power of Information' and therefore Right to Information is extremely crucial in the process of achieving justice. It is for this reason that Right to Information has become a matter of utmost interest for numerous civil society organizations and human rights movements.
Right to Information and Environmental movement are also closely connected. Article 21 of the constitution provides Right to Life and Liberty. In another a words, citizen have a right to know everything that has impact on life and liberty. The same was also reiterated in the earth summit of Rio de Janerio, Brazil held in 1992. This also being the core principle of environmental movement, they have keenly promoted Right to Information.
Consider the following two statements :
(a) Right to information is being pursued by individuals all over.
(b) Various societies, movements and countries well informed or otherwise are following right to information.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) (b) is correct (a) is not
Explanation
The passage highlights the role of collective entities, organized groups, and nations in pursuing and promoting the Right to Information. It specifically notes that the creation of knowledge-based societies of an informed citizenry is an ongoing effort in various parts of the world, and that India has joined this process. It also highlights that the Right to Information has become a matter of utmost interest for numerous civil society organizations, human rights movements, and environmental movements. This directly supports statement (b), showing that various societies, movements, and countries are following and advancing this right.
In contrast, statement (a) is incorrect because the passage focuses entirely on organized, institutionalized, and collective efforts rather than individuals pursuing the Right to Information individually all over.
17Reading Comprehension
Preamble to constitution of India starts with “We the people..” It does not refer to people of any particular caste or religion, which signifies that the constitution of India places its people at the highest position in democracy. When people of India elect our government, we also have a complete right to get aware of all its aspects and governance. Such awareness gives a chance to actually participate in the process of governance which in turn advances the democracy from being merely representative to become participative. Success of democracy largely depends on participation of its population in making and implementation of government policy. Where common people are not able to actively participate in the process of governance, possibility of protection of rights of select empowered class increases manyfold. This holds the potential of eventually becoming a major obstacle in the path of Social Justice.
The efforts of creation of knowledge based societies of 'Informed citizenry' are ongoing in various parts of the world. India too, has joined the bandwagon by accepting the Right to Information. 'Informed citizenry' term appears in the RTI Act. Various courts in India have reported that Right to Information is inherent to Freedom of Speech and Expression provided in article 19(1)(a) of constitution of India. Additionally United Nations Organizations stated in its Universal Declaration that Right to Information is fundamental to human rights.
In the light of this, Right to Information can play a pivotal role in the process of protection and establishment of social justice. Preamble to constitution of India has resolved for "Justice, Freedom, Equality and Fraternity" to all its citizens. Deliberately the word 'justice' is placed first in the order. Justice is fundamental, in absence of it, freedom, equality and fraternity cannot be achieved. Absence of justice leads to social inequality. This inequality stems not only out of unequal distribution of natural resources but also out of unequal distribution of information. Ruling class controls information to maintain its hegemony over power and resources. Indian history has witnessed this time and again. Social inequality can be won over by making the socially oppressed classes aware of 'power of Information' and therefore Right to Information is extremely crucial in the process of achieving justice. It is for this reason that Right to Information has become a matter of utmost interest for numerous civil society organizations and human rights movements.
Right to Information and Environmental movement are also closely connected. Article 21 of the constitution provides Right to Life and Liberty. In another a words, citizen have a right to know everything that has impact on life and liberty. The same was also reiterated in the earth summit of Rio de Janerio, Brazil held in 1992. This also being the core principle of environmental movement, they have keenly promoted Right to Information.
Consider the following statements :
(a) Non dissemination of the information is a root cause of social inequality.
(b) When the participation in the governance is not all round social injustice could prevail.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) (b) is correct but (a) is not the correct explanation of (b)
Explanation
According to the passage, when common people are unable to actively participate in the process of governance, the possibility of protecting the rights of a select empowered class increases, which acts as a major obstacle to social justice. This directly validates statement (b).
The passage also highlights that social inequality stems from the unequal distribution of information and natural resources, which validates statement (a) since the non-dissemination or unequal distribution of information acts as a root cause of social inequality.
However, statement (a) is not the logical explanation or cause of statement (b). The reason why a lack of all-round participation in governance leads to social injustice is the exclusion of common citizens from decision-making and the concentration of political power, rather than the non-dissemination of information itself. Thus, both statements are correct individually, but (a) is not the correct explanation of (b).
18Reading Comprehension
Preamble to constitution of India starts with “We the people..” It does not refer to people of any particular caste or religion, which signifies that the constitution of India places its people at the highest position in democracy. When people of India elect our government, we also have a complete right to get aware of all its aspects and governance. Such awareness gives a chance to actually participate in the process of governance which in turn advances the democracy from being merely representative to become participative. Success of democracy largely depends on participation of its population in making and implementation of government policy. Where common people are not able to actively participate in the process of governance, possibility of protection of rights of select empowered class increases manyfold. This holds the potential of eventually becoming a major obstacle in the path of Social Justice.
The efforts of creation of knowledge based societies of 'Informed citizenry' are ongoing in various parts of the world. India too, has joined the bandwagon by accepting the Right to Information. 'Informed citizenry' term appears in the RTI Act. Various courts in India have reported that Right to Information is inherent to Freedom of Speech and Expression provided in article 19(1)(a) of constitution of India. Additionally United Nations Organizations stated in its Universal Declaration that Right to Information is fundamental to human rights.
In the light of this, Right to Information can play a pivotal role in the process of protection and establishment of social justice. Preamble to constitution of India has resolved for "Justice, Freedom, Equality and Fraternity" to all its citizens. Deliberately the word 'justice' is placed first in the order. Justice is fundamental, in absence of it, freedom, equality and fraternity cannot be achieved. Absence of justice leads to social inequality. This inequality stems not only out of unequal distribution of natural resources but also out of unequal distribution of information. Ruling class controls information to maintain its hegemony over power and resources. Indian history has witnessed this time and again. Social inequality can be won over by making the socially oppressed classes aware of 'power of Information' and therefore Right to Information is extremely crucial in the process of achieving justice. It is for this reason that Right to Information has become a matter of utmost interest for numerous civil society organizations and human rights movements.
Right to Information and Environmental movement are also closely connected. Article 21 of the constitution provides Right to Life and Liberty. In another a words, citizen have a right to know everything that has impact on life and liberty. The same was also reiterated in the earth summit of Rio de Janerio, Brazil held in 1992. This also being the core principle of environmental movement, they have keenly promoted Right to Information.
Consider the following statements :
(a) "Citizenry has right to know" was for the first time said in the summit at Rio-de Janeiro.
(b) Many courts in India have reiterated that dissemination of information is an absolute must for attaining social justice. Now state whether.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Neither is correct
Explanation
Statement (a) is incorrect because the passage notes that the citizen's right to know is linked to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and this principle was subsequently reiterated at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The word reiterated indicates that the concept was already established and was not stated there for the first time.
Statement (b) is incorrect because, according to the passage, various courts in India have reported that the Right to Information is inherent to the Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The passage does not state that the courts have declared or reiterated that the dissemination of information is an absolute must for attaining social justice; this connection is instead drawn as part of the general discussion in the text.
19Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
Preamble to constitution of India starts with “We the people..” It does not refer to people of any particular caste or religion, which signifies that the constitution of India places its people at the highest position in democracy. When people of India elect our government, we also have a complete right to get aware of all its aspects and governance. Such awareness gives a chance to actually participate in the process of governance which in turn advances the democracy from being merely representative to become participative. Success of democracy largely depends on participation of its population in making and implementation of government policy. Where common people are not able to actively participate in the process of governance, possibility of protection of rights of select empowered class increases manyfold. This holds the potential of eventually becoming a major obstacle in the path of Social Justice.
The efforts of creation of knowledge based societies of 'Informed citizenry' are ongoing in various parts of the world. India too, has joined the bandwagon by accepting the Right to Information. 'Informed citizenry' term appears in the RTI Act. Various courts in India have reported that Right to Information is inherent to Freedom of Speech and Expression provided in article 19(1)(a) of constitution of India. Additionally United Nations Organizations stated in its Universal Declaration that Right to Information is fundamental to human rights.
In the light of this, Right to Information can play a pivotal role in the process of protection and establishment of social justice. Preamble to constitution of India has resolved for "Justice, Freedom, Equality and Fraternity" to all its citizens. Deliberately the word 'justice' is placed first in the order. Justice is fundamental, in absence of it, freedom, equality and fraternity cannot be achieved. Absence of justice leads to social inequality. This inequality stems not only out of unequal distribution of natural resources but also out of unequal distribution of information. Ruling class controls information to maintain its hegemony over power and resources. Indian history has witnessed this time and again. Social inequality can be won over by making the socially oppressed classes aware of 'power of Information' and therefore Right to Information is extremely crucial in the process of achieving justice. It is for this reason that Right to Information has become a matter of utmost interest for numerous civil society organizations and human rights movements.
Right to Information and Environmental movement are also closely connected. Article 21 of the constitution provides Right to Life and Liberty. In another a words, citizen have a right to know everything that has impact on life and liberty. The same was also reiterated in the earth summit of Rio de Janerio, Brazil held in 1992. This also being the core principle of environmental movement, they have keenly promoted Right to Information.
Which of the following indicates the transformation of representative democracy into participatory democracy ?
(a) By asking questions in parliament and state legislature.
(b) By launching complaint against administration.
(c) Using RTI act to make government and administration transparent.
(d) Getting knowledge of functioning of governance.
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (c) and (d)
Explanation
According to the passage, when citizens obtain awareness of all aspects and governance, it gives them a chance to actively participate in the process of governance. This awareness is what advances democracy from being merely representative to becoming participative. Therefore, getting knowledge of the functioning of governance is directly linked to this transformation. Additionally, the passage highlights that India accepted the Right to Information to foster an informed citizenry, making the use of the RTI Act to ensure transparency a crucial practical tool in achieving this participatory transition.
20Decision Making
In India, economic reforms were initiated in mid 1991 due to problems such as increasing external debt, unmanageable balance of payments situation, high possibility of acceleration in the rate of inflation and the fiscal problems. External factors like Gulf war and collapse of soviet economy also contributed to the crisis. With a view to tide over the economic crisis and ensuring sustainability of growth process, it was considered necessary to introduce certain major policy reforms, on industrial trade and public sector fronts. Measures for stabilization aiming at reduction in fiscal and current account deficit in budget were also necessary. The economic reforms basically aimed at allocation of resources and decision - making to be guided by the market mechanism.
In the post reforms period, there has been a lot of optimism regarding long- term economic growth. In the last two decades, India was among ten to twelve highest growing countries in the world. Some macroeconomic variables performed well during this period. Rate of inflation declined during 1997- 2002. Gross domestic savings as a % of GDP increased from 23.1% to 28.2% during 9th and the 10th plan. Gross domestic investment increased and fiscal deficit declined marginally during this period. FDI inflow, FOREX reserves showed promising trends.
In conclusion, the economy seems to be on a high growth path of 8% to 9% in the last 4 years. The performance of the other variables also seems to be relatively satisfactory.
Which of the following is an external factor leading to economic reforms in India ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) None of the above
Explanation
The external factors that triggered the 1991 economic crisis and prompted the economic reforms in India were the Gulf War and the collapse of the Soviet economy. The Gulf War led to a steep rise in global oil prices and a sudden loss of remittances from West Asia, which severely strained India's balance of payments. Additionally, the disintegration of the Soviet Union dismantled India's primary rupee-trade partner, creating a severe export shock. Since these specific geopolitical events represent the actual external factors behind the crisis, option 4 is the correct choice.
21Reading Comprehension
In India, economic reforms were initiated in mid 1991 due to problems such as increasing external debt, unmanageable balance of payments situation, high possibility of acceleration in the rate of inflation and the fiscal problems. External factors like Gulf war and collapse of soviet economy also contributed to the crisis. With a view to tide over the economic crisis and ensuring sustainability of growth process, it was considered necessary to introduce certain major policy reforms, on industrial trade and public sector fronts. Measures for stabilization aiming at reduction in fiscal and current account deficit in budget were also necessary. The economic reforms basically aimed at allocation of resources and decision - making to be guided by the market mechanism.
In the post reforms period, there has been a lot of optimism regarding long- term economic growth. In the last two decades, India was among ten to twelve highest growing countries in the world. Some macroeconomic variables performed well during this period. Rate of inflation declined during 1997- 2002. Gross domestic savings as a % of GDP increased from 23.1% to 28.2% during 9th and the 10th plan. Gross domestic investment increased and fiscal deficit declined marginally during this period. FDI inflow, FOREX reserves showed promising trends.
In conclusion, the economy seems to be on a high growth path of 8% to 9% in the last 4 years. The performance of the other variables also seems to be relatively satisfactory.
Which of the following is a macro economic variable, not described in this paragraph ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Money supply
Explanation
The provided text details various macroeconomic variables such as the balance of payments, inflation, gross domestic savings, gross domestic investment, fiscal deficit, and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow. There is no mention or description of the money supply in the entire passage, making it the correct option.
22Reading Comprehension
In India, economic reforms were initiated in mid 1991 due to problems such as increasing external debt, unmanageable balance of payments situation, high possibility of acceleration in the rate of inflation and the fiscal problems. External factors like Gulf war and collapse of soviet economy also contributed to the crisis. With a view to tide over the economic crisis and ensuring sustainability of growth process, it was considered necessary to introduce certain major policy reforms, on industrial trade and public sector fronts. Measures for stabilization aiming at reduction in fiscal and current account deficit in budget were also necessary. The economic reforms basically aimed at allocation of resources and decision - making to be guided by the market mechanism.
In the post reforms period, there has been a lot of optimism regarding long- term economic growth. In the last two decades, India was among ten to twelve highest growing countries in the world. Some macroeconomic variables performed well during this period. Rate of inflation declined during 1997- 2002. Gross domestic savings as a % of GDP increased from 23.1% to 28.2% during 9th and the 10th plan. Gross domestic investment increased and fiscal deficit declined marginally during this period. FDI inflow, FOREX reserves showed promising trends.
In conclusion, the economy seems to be on a high growth path of 8% to 9% in the last 4 years. The performance of the other variables also seems to be relatively satisfactory.
Major limitation of economic reforms of 1991 has been :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) None of the above.
Explanation
Based on the provided text, the economic reforms initiated in 1991 led to significant positive outcomes rather than the issues listed:
The rate of economic growth increased substantially, placing India on a high growth path of 8% to 9% and making it one of the highest-growing countries in the world.
The reforms focused on resource allocation through market mechanisms, which actively encouraged modernization, efficiency, and competitiveness on industrial, trade, and public sector fronts.
Trade liberalization stimulated external trade, resulting in promising trends for foreign direct investment inflows and foreign exchange reserves, which contradicts any claim of slow export and import growth.
Consequently, none of the specific drawbacks mentioned in the first three choices represents a limitation of the 1991 economic reforms.
23Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
A long time ago remnants of plants and animals got buried into the earth. Due to the effect of the tremendous pressure of the layers of earth above and the heat inside they were converted into fuel. Such fuels are called fossil fuels. It takes lakhs of years for such fuels to be formed. That is why the deposits of fossil fuel are limited. As a result, a need has now arisen to make prudent use of these resources.
Fossil fuels are found in three forms solid, liquid and gaseous - in the bowels of the earth. These fuels include coal, mineral oil and natural gas. All fossil fuels contain hydrocarbon compounds. Besides these, we daily use other fuels too, for example, wood, charcoal, cow dung, pats, etc.
Firewood and brushwood are used as fuel in rural areas. It is a matter of concern that the use of wood for fuel is causing destruction of forests and has endangered the environment. Mineral oil is found may thousand metres deep in the bowels of the earth. Petrol, diesel, kerosene and fuel oil can be obtained from it.
Natural gas is a very convenient fuel to use. It lights up quickly and does not leave behind any solid substances. Besides, it is easy to transport from its main sources by means of pipes. A big advantage is that the burning of natural gas can be easily controlled. Methane, ethane, propane, butane etc. are the various types of natural gas.
The deposits of fossil and other fuels are limited. That is why, coal, oil etc. are said to be conventional or non-renewable sources of energy - they cannot be produced anew.
Even though we are now using renewable sources of energy like wind energy, hydro-electric energy, biogas, biodiesel, etc. we are still in the grip of an energy crisis. The main reason for this is the growing population and increasing industrialisation. It is difficult to continuously produce the increasing amounts of energy they need. To find ways of using renewable sources is the need of the hour. In view of this, we must concentrate on the use of solar energy.
Which energy source has proved to be the most destructive ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Fuel wood
Explanation
According to the passage, the use of wood for fuel in rural areas is a major matter of concern because it is causing the destruction of forests and has endangered the environment. This direct impact on forest ecosystems and environmental stability makes fuel wood a highly destructive energy source.
24Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
A long time ago remnants of plants and animals got buried into the earth. Due to the effect of the tremendous pressure of the layers of earth above and the heat inside they were converted into fuel. Such fuels are called fossil fuels. It takes lakhs of years for such fuels to be formed. That is why the deposits of fossil fuel are limited. As a result, a need has now arisen to make prudent use of these resources.
Fossil fuels are found in three forms solid, liquid and gaseous - in the bowels of the earth. These fuels include coal, mineral oil and natural gas. All fossil fuels contain hydrocarbon compounds. Besides these, we daily use other fuels too, for example, wood, charcoal, cow dung, pats, etc.
Firewood and brushwood are used as fuel in rural areas. It is a matter of concern that the use of wood for fuel is causing destruction of forests and has endangered the environment. Mineral oil is found may thousand metres deep in the bowels of the earth. Petrol, diesel, kerosene and fuel oil can be obtained from it.
Natural gas is a very convenient fuel to use. It lights up quickly and does not leave behind any solid substances. Besides, it is easy to transport from its main sources by means of pipes. A big advantage is that the burning of natural gas can be easily controlled. Methane, ethane, propane, butane etc. are the various types of natural gas.
The deposits of fossil and other fuels are limited. That is why, coal, oil etc. are said to be conventional or non-renewable sources of energy - they cannot be produced anew.
Even though we are now using renewable sources of energy like wind energy, hydro-electric energy, biogas, biodiesel, etc. we are still in the grip of an energy crisis. The main reason for this is the growing population and increasing industrialisation. It is difficult to continuously produce the increasing amounts of energy they need. To find ways of using renewable sources is the need of the hour. In view of this, we must concentrate on the use of solar energy.
Energy crisis is not a :
(a) Social problem.
(b) manmade problem.
(c) economic problem.
(d) environmental problem.
(e) gift of nature.
(f) global problem.
Select the correct option :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (e)
Explanation
The energy crisis is primarily caused by human factors such as rapid industrialization and population growth, which lead to the overconsumption and rapid depletion of limited fossil fuels. Because it is a direct consequence of unsustainable human consumption and resource management rather than a natural blessing, it is a critical challenge rather than a gift of nature.
25Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
A long time ago remnants of plants and animals got buried into the earth. Due to the effect of the tremendous pressure of the layers of earth above and the heat inside they were converted into fuel. Such fuels are called fossil fuels. It takes lakhs of years for such fuels to be formed. That is why the deposits of fossil fuel are limited. As a result, a need has now arisen to make prudent use of these resources.
Fossil fuels are found in three forms solid, liquid and gaseous - in the bowels of the earth. These fuels include coal, mineral oil and natural gas. All fossil fuels contain hydrocarbon compounds. Besides these, we daily use other fuels too, for example, wood, charcoal, cow dung, pats, etc.
Firewood and brushwood are used as fuel in rural areas. It is a matter of concern that the use of wood for fuel is causing destruction of forests and has endangered the environment. Mineral oil is found may thousand metres deep in the bowels of the earth. Petrol, diesel, kerosene and fuel oil can be obtained from it.
Natural gas is a very convenient fuel to use. It lights up quickly and does not leave behind any solid substances. Besides, it is easy to transport from its main sources by means of pipes. A big advantage is that the burning of natural gas can be easily controlled. Methane, ethane, propane, butane etc. are the various types of natural gas.
The deposits of fossil and other fuels are limited. That is why, coal, oil etc. are said to be conventional or non-renewable sources of energy - they cannot be produced anew.
Even though we are now using renewable sources of energy like wind energy, hydro-electric energy, biogas, biodiesel, etc. we are still in the grip of an energy crisis. The main reason for this is the growing population and increasing industrialisation. It is difficult to continuously produce the increasing amounts of energy they need. To find ways of using renewable sources is the need of the hour. In view of this, we must concentrate on the use of solar energy.
Which conventional source of energy is most man-friendly ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Natural gas
Explanation
Based on the passage, natural gas is a very convenient and user-friendly fuel because it lights up quickly and does not leave behind any solid residue or waste upon burning. Furthermore, it is highly manageable as its burning can be easily controlled, and it can be transported effortlessly from its main sources to consumption points through pipelines. These distinct advantages make natural gas the most practical and man-friendly conventional source of energy.
26Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
A long time ago remnants of plants and animals got buried into the earth. Due to the effect of the tremendous pressure of the layers of earth above and the heat inside they were converted into fuel. Such fuels are called fossil fuels. It takes lakhs of years for such fuels to be formed. That is why the deposits of fossil fuel are limited. As a result, a need has now arisen to make prudent use of these resources.
Fossil fuels are found in three forms solid, liquid and gaseous - in the bowels of the earth. These fuels include coal, mineral oil and natural gas. All fossil fuels contain hydrocarbon compounds. Besides these, we daily use other fuels too, for example, wood, charcoal, cow dung, pats, etc.
Firewood and brushwood are used as fuel in rural areas. It is a matter of concern that the use of wood for fuel is causing destruction of forests and has endangered the environment. Mineral oil is found may thousand metres deep in the bowels of the earth. Petrol, diesel, kerosene and fuel oil can be obtained from it.
Natural gas is a very convenient fuel to use. It lights up quickly and does not leave behind any solid substances. Besides, it is easy to transport from its main sources by means of pipes. A big advantage is that the burning of natural gas can be easily controlled. Methane, ethane, propane, butane etc. are the various types of natural gas.
The deposits of fossil and other fuels are limited. That is why, coal, oil etc. are said to be conventional or non-renewable sources of energy - they cannot be produced anew.
Even though we are now using renewable sources of energy like wind energy, hydro-electric energy, biogas, biodiesel, etc. we are still in the grip of an energy crisis. The main reason for this is the growing population and increasing industrialisation. It is difficult to continuously produce the increasing amounts of energy they need. To find ways of using renewable sources is the need of the hour. In view of this, we must concentrate on the use of solar energy.
The problem of energy is becoming increasingly acute. What should we resort to ?
(a) Natural gas as it can be conveniently used.
(b) We must pay more attention to renewable sources of energy.
(c) We should lay stress on solar energy.
(d) We should find new sources of energy.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) (b) and (c)
Explanation
The passage highlights the critical nature of the energy crisis and explicitly states that finding ways of using renewable sources of energy is the need of the hour. It further emphasizes that we must concentrate on the use of solar energy to resolve this issue. Therefore, paying more attention to renewable sources of energy and laying stress on solar energy are the direct solutions advocated in the passage.
27Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
A long time ago remnants of plants and animals got buried into the earth. Due to the effect of the tremendous pressure of the layers of earth above and the heat inside they were converted into fuel. Such fuels are called fossil fuels. It takes lakhs of years for such fuels to be formed. That is why the deposits of fossil fuel are limited. As a result, a need has now arisen to make prudent use of these resources.
Fossil fuels are found in three forms solid, liquid and gaseous - in the bowels of the earth. These fuels include coal, mineral oil and natural gas. All fossil fuels contain hydrocarbon compounds. Besides these, we daily use other fuels too, for example, wood, charcoal, cow dung, pats, etc.
Firewood and brushwood are used as fuel in rural areas. It is a matter of concern that the use of wood for fuel is causing destruction of forests and has endangered the environment. Mineral oil is found may thousand metres deep in the bowels of the earth. Petrol, diesel, kerosene and fuel oil can be obtained from it.
Natural gas is a very convenient fuel to use. It lights up quickly and does not leave behind any solid substances. Besides, it is easy to transport from its main sources by means of pipes. A big advantage is that the burning of natural gas can be easily controlled. Methane, ethane, propane, butane etc. are the various types of natural gas.
The deposits of fossil and other fuels are limited. That is why, coal, oil etc. are said to be conventional or non-renewable sources of energy - they cannot be produced anew.
Even though we are now using renewable sources of energy like wind energy, hydro-electric energy, biogas, biodiesel, etc. we are still in the grip of an energy crisis. The main reason for this is the growing population and increasing industrialisation. It is difficult to continuously produce the increasing amounts of energy they need. To find ways of using renewable sources is the need of the hour. In view of this, we must concentrate on the use of solar energy.
Which of the following statements is/are true?
(a) Fossil fuels are formed in the bowels of the earth.
(b) All fossil fuels contain hydrocarbon compounds.
(c) Wood, charcoal, cow dung, pats, etc. are also fossil fuels.
(d) Coal, mineral oil and natural gas are non-renewable sources of energy.
Answer options:
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (a), (b) and (d)
Explanation
The passage states that fossil fuels are found in solid, liquid, and gaseous forms in the bowels of the earth, verifying statement (a). It also explicitly mentions that all fossil fuels contain hydrocarbon compounds, which makes statement (b) true. Finally, the passage explains that coal, mineral oil, and natural gas are conventional or non-renewable sources of energy because they cannot be produced anew, confirming statement (d).
28Reading Comprehension
The concept of biotechnology is a wide concept encompassing procedures modifying living organisms as per necessity for the welfare of human beings. The living organisms are modified by various technical procedures for number of human requirements being such as domestication of animals, cultivation of plants and improving plant variety through various breeding practices. Modern technologies used for the purpose include techniques like cell, tissue culture and genetic engineering. The United Nations convention of Biological diversity defines 'biotechnology' as : Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organism or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use. In other words, biotechnology can be defined as the application of technical advances in life sciences to develop various products.
Biotechnology also involves pure biological scientific disciplines such as genetics, microbiology animal cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology and those outside the sphere of biology which include chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, bioinformatics and biorobotics.
Conversely, modern biological sciences are intimately entwined and dependent on the methods developed through biotechnology and therefore all these together constitute the life sciences industry. Biotechnology is research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from any living organism and any source of biomass by means of biological engineering where high value added products could be planned, forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured and marketed. These products should be used on sustainable basis and patent rights thereof must be obtained. (legal protection at national and international level)
Consider the following statements :
(a) Biotechnology is basically used for obtaining patents.
(b) Biotechnology has nothing to do with economics.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Both are wrong
Explanation
According to the passage, the primary purpose of biotechnology is to modify living organisms for the welfare of human beings. Patent rights are simply a legal protection mechanism obtained for the developed products, meaning biotechnology is not basically used for obtaining patents.
Furthermore, the passage describes biotechnology as a process where high value-added products are planned, developed, manufactured, and marketed as part of the life sciences industry. Manufacturing and marketing of these products are inherently economic activities, which shows that biotechnology is directly involved with economics.
29Reading Comprehension
The concept of biotechnology is a wide concept encompassing procedures modifying living organisms as per necessity for the welfare of human beings. The living organisms are modified by various technical procedures for number of human requirements being such as domestication of animals, cultivation of plants and improving plant variety through various breeding practices. Modern technologies used for the purpose include techniques like cell, tissue culture and genetic engineering. The United Nations convention of Biological diversity defines 'biotechnology' as : Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organism or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use. In other words, biotechnology can be defined as the application of technical advances in life sciences to develop various products.
Biotechnology also involves pure biological scientific disciplines such as genetics, microbiology animal cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology and those outside the sphere of biology which include chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, bioinformatics and biorobotics.
Conversely, modern biological sciences are intimately entwined and dependent on the methods developed through biotechnology and therefore all these together constitute the life sciences industry. Biotechnology is research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from any living organism and any source of biomass by means of biological engineering where high value added products could be planned, forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured and marketed. These products should be used on sustainable basis and patent rights thereof must be obtained. (legal protection at national and international level)
Consider the following two statements :
(a) Biotechnology does not necessarily always involve organisms or parts thereof :
(b) Biotechnology basically involves both pure and marginally applied sciences.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Both are incorrect
Explanation
Statement (a) is incorrect because the passage defines biotechnology as any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof. Since biological systems and derivatives are inherently composed of or derived from living organisms, biotechnology must always involve organisms or parts thereof.
Statement (b) is incorrect because the fields outside of biology involved in biotechnology, such as chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, bioinformatics, and biorobotics, are highly applied sciences and engineering disciplines rather than marginally applied sciences.
30Reading Comprehension
The concept of biotechnology is a wide concept encompassing procedures modifying living organisms as per necessity for the welfare of human beings. The living organisms are modified by various technical procedures for number of human requirements being such as domestication of animals, cultivation of plants and improving plant variety through various breeding practices. Modern technologies used for the purpose include techniques like cell, tissue culture and genetic engineering. The United Nations convention of Biological diversity defines 'biotechnology' as : Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organism or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use. In other words, biotechnology can be defined as the application of technical advances in life sciences to develop various products.
Biotechnology also involves pure biological scientific disciplines such as genetics, microbiology animal cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology and those outside the sphere of biology which include chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, bioinformatics and biorobotics.
Conversely, modern biological sciences are intimately entwined and dependent on the methods developed through biotechnology and therefore all these together constitute the life sciences industry. Biotechnology is research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from any living organism and any source of biomass by means of biological engineering where high value added products could be planned, forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured and marketed. These products should be used on sustainable basis and patent rights thereof must be obtained. (legal protection at national and international level)
What is the ultimate objective of Biotechnology ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) Human satisfaction
Explanation
According to the passage, the concept of biotechnology encompasses modifying living organisms as per necessity for the welfare of human beings and to meet various human requirements. This emphasizes that the ultimate objective of these technological applications, scientific procedures, and biological engineering is to serve human needs and ensure human welfare, which directly translates to human satisfaction.
31Reading Comprehension
The concept of biotechnology is a wide concept encompassing procedures modifying living organisms as per necessity for the welfare of human beings. The living organisms are modified by various technical procedures for number of human requirements being such as domestication of animals, cultivation of plants and improving plant variety through various breeding practices. Modern technologies used for the purpose include techniques like cell, tissue culture and genetic engineering. The United Nations convention of Biological diversity defines 'biotechnology' as : Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organism or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use. In other words, biotechnology can be defined as the application of technical advances in life sciences to develop various products.
Biotechnology also involves pure biological scientific disciplines such as genetics, microbiology animal cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology and those outside the sphere of biology which include chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, bioinformatics and biorobotics.
Conversely, modern biological sciences are intimately entwined and dependent on the methods developed through biotechnology and therefore all these together constitute the life sciences industry. Biotechnology is research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from any living organism and any source of biomass by means of biological engineering where high value added products could be planned, forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured and marketed. These products should be used on sustainable basis and patent rights thereof must be obtained. (legal protection at national and international level)
What is the central theme of biotechnology ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) None of the above
Explanation
The central theme of biotechnology is the application of technical advances in life sciences to modify living organisms, biological systems, or their derivatives to make or modify products and processes for specific human requirements and human welfare. It encompasses procedures that use biological engineering to explore, extract, and produce high-value-added products on a sustainable basis from any living organism or source of biomass to fulfill human needs.
32Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
The concept of biotechnology is a wide concept encompassing procedures modifying living organisms as per necessity for the welfare of human beings. The living organisms are modified by various technical procedures for number of human requirements being such as domestication of animals, cultivation of plants and improving plant variety through various breeding practices. Modern technologies used for the purpose include techniques like cell, tissue culture and genetic engineering. The United Nations convention of Biological diversity defines 'biotechnology' as : Any technological application that uses biological systems, living organism or derivatives thereof to make or modify products or processes for specific use. In other words, biotechnology can be defined as the application of technical advances in life sciences to develop various products.
Biotechnology also involves pure biological scientific disciplines such as genetics, microbiology animal cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, embryology, cell biology and those outside the sphere of biology which include chemical engineering, bioprocess engineering, bioinformatics and biorobotics.
Conversely, modern biological sciences are intimately entwined and dependent on the methods developed through biotechnology and therefore all these together constitute the life sciences industry. Biotechnology is research and development in the laboratory using bioinformatics for exploration, extraction, exploitation and production from any living organism and any source of biomass by means of biological engineering where high value added products could be planned, forecasted, formulated, developed, manufactured and marketed. These products should be used on sustainable basis and patent rights thereof must be obtained. (legal protection at national and international level)
Which of the following is not a biological science discipline?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Biorobotics
Explanation
According to the provided passage, biorobotics is explicitly categorized under the disciplines that lie outside the sphere of biology. It is therefore not considered a pure biological science discipline.
33Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The forest manures itself. It makes its own humus and supplies itself with minerals. If we see a piece of woodland we find a gentle accumulation of mixed vegetable and animal residues constantly taking place on the ground and that these wastes are being converted by fungi and bacteria into humus. The process involved in the early stages of this transformation depends throughout on oxidation : afterwards it takes place in the absence of air. The process is entirely sanitary. There is no nuisance of any kind - no smell, no flies, no dustbins, no incinerators, no artificial sewage system, no water - borne diseases, no town councils, and no rats. On the contrary, the forest affords a place for the ideal summer holiday with sufficient shade and an abundance of pure fresh air. All over the surface of the woods the conversion of vegetable and animal wastes into humus is never so rapid as during the holiday months - July to September.
The mineral matter needed by the trees and the undergrowth is obtained from the subsoil. This is collected in dilute solution in water by the deeper roots, which also help in anchoring the trees. Even in soils markedly deficient in phosphorus, trees have no difficulty in obtaining ample supplies of this element. Potash, phosphate, and other minerals are always collected in situ and carried by the transpiration current for use in the green leaves. Afterwards they are either used in growth or deposited on the floor of the forest in the form of vegetable waste being one of the constituents needed in the synthesis of humus. This humus is again utilized by the roots of the trees. Nature's farming, as seen in the forest, is characterized by two things, a constant circulation of the mineral matter absorbed by the trees and a constant addition of new mineral matter from the vast reserves held in the subsoil.
What is the true source of minerals in the forests as per the passage ?
(a) Vegetable residues
(b) Animal wastes
(c) Fungi and bacteria
(d) Subsoils
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) only (d)
Explanation
According to the passage, the mineral matter needed by the trees and the undergrowth is obtained from the subsoil. The deeper roots of the trees collect these minerals in a dilute solution in water from the subsoil. Furthermore, the text explicitly states that nature's farming in the forest is characterized by a constant addition of new mineral matter from the vast reserves held in the subsoil. This establishes subsoils as the true source of minerals.
34Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The forest manures itself. It makes its own humus and supplies itself with minerals. If we see a piece of woodland we find a gentle accumulation of mixed vegetable and animal residues constantly taking place on the ground and that these wastes are being converted by fungi and bacteria into humus. The process involved in the early stages of this transformation depends throughout on oxidation : afterwards it takes place in the absence of air. The process is entirely sanitary. There is no nuisance of any kind - no smell, no flies, no dustbins, no incinerators, no artificial sewage system, no water - borne diseases, no town councils, and no rats. On the contrary, the forest affords a place for the ideal summer holiday with sufficient shade and an abundance of pure fresh air. All over the surface of the woods the conversion of vegetable and animal wastes into humus is never so rapid as during the holiday months - July to September.
The mineral matter needed by the trees and the undergrowth is obtained from the subsoil. This is collected in dilute solution in water by the deeper roots, which also help in anchoring the trees. Even in soils markedly deficient in phosphorus, trees have no difficulty in obtaining ample supplies of this element. Potash, phosphate, and other minerals are always collected in situ and carried by the transpiration current for use in the green leaves. Afterwards they are either used in growth or deposited on the floor of the forest in the form of vegetable waste being one of the constituents needed in the synthesis of humus. This humus is again utilized by the roots of the trees. Nature's farming, as seen in the forest, is characterized by two things, a constant circulation of the mineral matter absorbed by the trees and a constant addition of new mineral matter from the vast reserves held in the subsoil.
Consider the following statements :
(a) Forest manuring is both aerobic and anaerobic.
(b) Forest manuring is not hostile free.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (a) is correct (b) is not
Explanation
Statement (a) is correct because the passage states that the early stages of the transformation depend on oxidation, which is an aerobic process, and afterwards, it takes place in the absence of air, which is an anaerobic process. This confirms that forest manuring is both aerobic and anaerobic.
Statement (b) is incorrect because the passage notes that the process is entirely sanitary and free from any nuisance, mentioning there are no flies, no water-borne diseases, and no rats. This demonstrates that the process is hostile-free, contradicting the claim that it is not hostile-free.
35Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The forest manures itself. It makes its own humus and supplies itself with minerals. If we see a piece of woodland we find a gentle accumulation of mixed vegetable and animal residues constantly taking place on the ground and that these wastes are being converted by fungi and bacteria into humus. The process involved in the early stages of this transformation depends throughout on oxidation : afterwards it takes place in the absence of air. The process is entirely sanitary. There is no nuisance of any kind - no smell, no flies, no dustbins, no incinerators, no artificial sewage system, no water - borne diseases, no town councils, and no rats. On the contrary, the forest affords a place for the ideal summer holiday with sufficient shade and an abundance of pure fresh air. All over the surface of the woods the conversion of vegetable and animal wastes into humus is never so rapid as during the holiday months - July to September.
The mineral matter needed by the trees and the undergrowth is obtained from the subsoil. This is collected in dilute solution in water by the deeper roots, which also help in anchoring the trees. Even in soils markedly deficient in phosphorus, trees have no difficulty in obtaining ample supplies of this element. Potash, phosphate, and other minerals are always collected in situ and carried by the transpiration current for use in the green leaves. Afterwards they are either used in growth or deposited on the floor of the forest in the form of vegetable waste being one of the constituents needed in the synthesis of humus. This humus is again utilized by the roots of the trees. Nature's farming, as seen in the forest, is characterized by two things, a constant circulation of the mineral matter absorbed by the trees and a constant addition of new mineral matter from the vast reserves held in the subsoil.
Which of the following statements is incorrect ?
(a) Natural forest manuring goes on round the clock.
(b) It is quicker during monsoons.
(c) Forest acts therein as manufacturer, distributor and consumer.
(d) Man's interference therein is absent
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) none of the above
Explanation
Based on the provided passage, all the statements are correct, meaning none of them are incorrect:
Statement (a) is correct because the passage mentions that a gentle accumulation of mixed vegetable and animal residues is constantly taking place on the ground, indicating that the process of natural forest manuring goes on continuously around the clock.
Statement (b) is correct because the passage states that the conversion of vegetable and animal wastes into humus is most rapid during the months of July to September, which corresponds to the monsoon season in India.
Statement (c) is correct because the forest makes its own humus and supplies itself with minerals (acting as a manufacturer), carries these minerals via the transpiration current (acting as a distributor), and utilizes the humus again via its roots (acting as a consumer).
Statement (d) is correct because the passage describes the system as nature's farming, which operates entirely naturally without any artificial elements like town councils, artificial sewage systems, or incinerators, indicating that man's interference is absent.
Since all the given statements are correct, none of them are incorrect.
36Reading Comprehension
Read the following passage:
The forest manures itself. It makes its own humus and supplies itself with minerals. If we see a piece of woodland we find a gentle accumulation of mixed vegetable and animal residues constantly taking place on the ground and that these wastes are being converted by fungi and bacteria into humus. The process involved in the early stages of this transformation depends throughout on oxidation : afterwards it takes place in the absence of air. The process is entirely sanitary. There is no nuisance of any kind - no smell, no flies, no dustbins, no incinerators, no artificial sewage system, no water - borne diseases, no town councils, and no rats. On the contrary, the forest affords a place for the ideal summer holiday with sufficient shade and an abundance of pure fresh air. All over the surface of the woods the conversion of vegetable and animal wastes into humus is never so rapid as during the holiday months - July to September.
The mineral matter needed by the trees and the undergrowth is obtained from the subsoil. This is collected in dilute solution in water by the deeper roots, which also help in anchoring the trees. Even in soils markedly deficient in phosphorus, trees have no difficulty in obtaining ample supplies of this element. Potash, phosphate, and other minerals are always collected in situ and carried by the transpiration current for use in the green leaves. Afterwards they are either used in growth or deposited on the floor of the forest in the form of vegetable waste being one of the constituents needed in the synthesis of humus. This humus is again utilized by the roots of the trees. Nature's farming, as seen in the forest, is characterized by two things, a constant circulation of the mineral matter absorbed by the trees and a constant addition of new mineral matter from the vast reserves held in the subsoil.
Consider the following statements :
(a) Potash and phosphate are brought from elsewhere
(b) They are used only in the formation of humus.
Now state whether
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) Both are incorrect
Explanation
According to the passage, potash, phosphate, and other minerals are collected in situ, which means they are sourced directly on-site rather than being brought from elsewhere. This makes statement (a) incorrect.
Additionally, the passage mentions that these minerals are either used in growth or deposited on the forest floor to help in the synthesis of humus. Since they are used for tree growth as well, they are not used solely for humus formation, making statement (b) incorrect.
37Reading Comprehension
Sympathy is a great secret of life. It overcomes evil, and strengthens good. It disarms resistance, melts the hardest heart, and develops the better part of human nature. It is founded on love. It is but another word for disinterestedness and affection. When we have sympathy for any one we see ourselves in his place and therefore we help him; we relieve him. There can be no love without sympathy. Like mercy, sympathy and benevolence are twice blessed, blessing both the giver and the receiver. While they bring forth an abundant fruit of happiness in the heart of the giver, they enhance kindness and benevolence in the heart of the receiver.
Hardly can there be any other attitude generating love in the human heart. Even hardest of the hard core persons cannot remain aloof of its influence. It enforces much more than force can. A kind word, or a kind look, can do wonders on those upon whom coercion has been tried in vain. While sympathy invites love and obedience, harshness provokes aversion and resistance.
Sympathy glorifies humanity. It is synonym of love. It enables us to help the sorrow-stricken and the oppressed. Wherever there is cruelty, or ignorance, or misery, sympathy consoles and alleviates. The sight of grief, the sound of a groan, hold a sympathetic mind. Sympathy and justice have eradicated very many evil practices of the world, be they abolition of slavery in America, England and France, the uneducatedness and ignorance of the people or the backwardness at the lowly people. The sympathy that the great people had, could only bring in the improvement for all these.
Autocrats will be able to rule more successfully with the help of sympathy than with cruelty because :
(a) Sympathy has the capacity to touch one's heart more than anything.
(b) Their 'don't care' policy is not a correct policy
(c) A kind word goes a long way in establishing control
(d) Sympathy brings in love and obedience
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) (a) and (d)
Explanation
According to the passage, sympathy possesses an exceptional capacity to melt the hardest hearts and affect even the most hardcore individuals, which directly supports statement (a). Additionally, the text explicitly highlights that sympathy invites love and obedience, whereas harshness provokes aversion and resistance. This supports statement (d) because autocrats employing sympathy would gain the genuine love and willing cooperation of their subjects rather than facing opposition. Together, these factors explain why ruling with sympathy is more successful than using cruelty.
38Reading Comprehension
Sympathy is a great secret of life. It overcomes evil, and strengthens good. It disarms resistance, melts the hardest heart, and develops the better part of human nature. It is founded on love. It is but another word for disinterestedness and affection. When we have sympathy for any one we see ourselves in his place and therefore we help him; we relieve him. There can be no love without sympathy. Like mercy, sympathy and benevolence are twice blessed, blessing both the giver and the receiver. While they bring forth an abundant fruit of happiness in the heart of the giver, they enhance kindness and benevolence in the heart of the receiver.
Hardly can there be any other attitude generating love in the human heart. Even hardest of the hard core persons cannot remain aloof of its influence. It enforces much more than force can. A kind word, or a kind look, can do wonders on those upon whom coercion has been tried in vain. While sympathy invites love and obedience, harshness provokes aversion and resistance.
Sympathy glorifies humanity. It is synonym of love. It enables us to help the sorrow-stricken and the oppressed. Wherever there is cruelty, or ignorance, or misery, sympathy consoles and alleviates. The sight of grief, the sound of a groan, hold a sympathetic mind. Sympathy and justice have eradicated very many evil practices of the world, be they abolition of slavery in America, England and France, the uneducatedness and ignorance of the people or the backwardness at the lowly people. The sympathy that the great people had, could only bring in the improvement for all these.
Why is sympathy one of the great secrets of life ?
(a) Because life is not possible without it.
(b) It is the best way to establish world peace.
(c) It is possible to rule over ignorant people with it.
(d) A little show of sympathy can win over people.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (d)
Explanation
The passage highlights that sympathy is a powerful force that overcomes evil, disarms resistance, and melts the hardest of hearts. It explains that even the most stubborn individuals cannot remain unaffected by its influence. A simple gesture, such as a kind word or a kind look, can achieve wonders on individuals where force or coercion has failed. This shows that a little show of sympathy can successfully win people over and bring about love and obedience.
39Reading Comprehension
Sympathy is a great secret of life. It overcomes evil, and strengthens good. It disarms resistance, melts the hardest heart, and develops the better part of human nature. It is founded on love. It is but another word for disinterestedness and affection. When we have sympathy for any one we see ourselves in his place and therefore we help him; we relieve him. There can be no love without sympathy. Like mercy, sympathy and benevolence are twice blessed, blessing both the giver and the receiver. While they bring forth an abundant fruit of happiness in the heart of the giver, they enhance kindness and benevolence in the heart of the receiver.
Hardly can there be any other attitude generating love in the human heart. Even hardest of the hard core persons cannot remain aloof of its influence. It enforces much more than force can. A kind word, or a kind look, can do wonders on those upon whom coercion has been tried in vain. While sympathy invites love and obedience, harshness provokes aversion and resistance.
Sympathy glorifies humanity. It is synonym of love. It enables us to help the sorrow-stricken and the oppressed. Wherever there is cruelty, or ignorance, or misery, sympathy consoles and alleviates. The sight of grief, the sound of a groan, hold a sympathetic mind. Sympathy and justice have eradicated very many evil practices of the world, be they abolition of slavery in America, England and France, the uneducatedness and ignorance of the people or the backwardness at the lowly people. The sympathy that the great people had, could only bring in the improvement for all these.
Why is sympathy a twice blessing :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) None of the above
Explanation
According to the passage, sympathy is twice blessed because it blesses both the giver and the receiver. It produces an abundant fruit of happiness in the heart of the giver, and simultaneously enhances kindness and benevolence in the heart of the receiver. Since none of the first three options state that it blesses both the giver and the receiver, the correct choice is option 4.
40Reading Comprehension
Sympathy is a great secret of life. It overcomes evil, and strengthens good. It disarms resistance, melts the hardest heart, and develops the better part of human nature. It is founded on love. It is but another word for disinterestedness and affection. When we have sympathy for any one we see ourselves in his place and therefore we help him; we relieve him. There can be no love without sympathy. Like mercy, sympathy and benevolence are twice blessed, blessing both the giver and the receiver. While they bring forth an abundant fruit of happiness in the heart of the giver, they enhance kindness and benevolence in the heart of the receiver.
Hardly can there be any other attitude generating love in the human heart. Even hardest of the hard core persons cannot remain aloof of its influence. It enforces much more than force can. A kind word, or a kind look, can do wonders on those upon whom coercion has been tried in vain. While sympathy invites love and obedience, harshness provokes aversion and resistance.
Sympathy glorifies humanity. It is synonym of love. It enables us to help the sorrow-stricken and the oppressed. Wherever there is cruelty, or ignorance, or misery, sympathy consoles and alleviates. The sight of grief, the sound of a groan, hold a sympathetic mind. Sympathy and justice have eradicated very many evil practices of the world, be they abolition of slavery in America, England and France, the uneducatedness and ignorance of the people or the backwardness at the lowly people. The sympathy that the great people had, could only bring in the improvement for all these.
Sympathy can help in uniting the world because :
(a) the scope of sympathy is wide
(b) unity of the world is a part of public philanthropy
(c) it endeavours to alleviate all without discrimination
(d) it unites us in a bond of peace and brotherhood
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) All the above
Explanation
According to the passage, sympathy is a powerful, universal force that has the potential to unite the world because of its comprehensive and transformative qualities. The scope of sympathy is remarkably wide, extending across different nations and addressing various societal ills. Its role in the unity of the world aligns with public philanthropy, as shown by historical reforms spearheaded by sympathetic individuals. Furthermore, it endeavours to alleviate all forms of suffering without discrimination, console those in misery, and foster mutual understanding by enabling people to put themselves in others' shoes. This cultivation of mutual affection and understanding effectively unites humanity in a bond of peace and brotherhood.
41Reading Comprehension
Sympathy is a great secret of life. It overcomes evil, and strengthens good. It disarms resistance, melts the hardest heart, and develops the better part of human nature. It is founded on love. It is but another word for disinterestedness and affection. When we have sympathy for any one we see ourselves in his place and therefore we help him; we relieve him. There can be no love without sympathy. Like mercy, sympathy and benevolence are twice blessed, blessing both the giver and the receiver. While they bring forth an abundant fruit of happiness in the heart of the giver, they enhance kindness and benevolence in the heart of the receiver.
Hardly can there be any other attitude generating love in the human heart. Even hardest of the hard core persons cannot remain aloof of its influence. It enforces much more than force can. A kind word, or a kind look, can do wonders on those upon whom coercion has been tried in vain. While sympathy invites love and obedience, harshness provokes aversion and resistance.
Sympathy glorifies humanity. It is synonym of love. It enables us to help the sorrow-stricken and the oppressed. Wherever there is cruelty, or ignorance, or misery, sympathy consoles and alleviates. The sight of grief, the sound of a groan, hold a sympathetic mind. Sympathy and justice have eradicated very many evil practices of the world, be they abolition of slavery in America, England and France, the uneducatedness and ignorance of the people or the backwardness at the lowly people. The sympathy that the great people had, could only bring in the improvement for all these.
Some of the world's evil practices were eradicated due to :
(a) the capacity of some people to understand the problem
(b) some men and women put themselves in the place of those who were at the receiving end of the practice
(c) some people believed in public philanthropy
(d) some people believed sympathy and justice were the answer to the problem
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) (b) and (d)
Explanation
According to the passage, when we have sympathy for anyone, we see ourselves in their place, which inspires us to help and relieve them. This directly corresponds to individuals putting themselves in the place of those who are at the receiving end of harmful practices. Additionally, the passage explicitly states that sympathy and justice have eradicated very many evil practices of the world, such as the abolition of slavery. Therefore, both the practice of placing oneself in the position of others and the application of sympathy and justice were instrumental in eradicating these societal evils.
42Reading Comprehension
समाजशास्त्रज्ञ, मानववंशशास्त्रज्ञ, तत्त्वज्ञ आणि धर्मशास्त्राचे जाणकार हे 'धर्म' या संकल्पनेचा अर्थ अनेक छटांसह मांडतात. सर्वसामान्य माणसाला मात्र 'धर्म' म्हणजे काय, ते सहसा माहीत नसते किंवा ते अचूक शब्दांत मांडणे जमलंच पाहिजे असाही त्याचा अट्टाहास नसतो. धर्माचा अभिमान मात्र त्याला असतो. धर्माची निवड आपल्या हाती नसते, ती जन्मजात असते. मग त्याच्या निवडीचा अभिमान आपल्याला का असतो? कसा जडतो? धर्म तर तो जडतो संस्कारांतून, सवयीतून. लहानपणापासून त्या धर्मीशी, धर्मातील विधी-उपचारांशी, सणांशी एक जवळीक निर्माण होते. या जवळीकीतून प्रेम निर्माण होते. या प्रेमात, जवळकीत कुठेतरी सुरक्षितता वाटते. कुठल्याही गोष्टीची स्वयंजडण्यामागे सातत्य असावंच लागतं, सातत्य म्हणजे सुसंगत, समान, निरंतर अस्तित्व. या सातत्यासाठी एक व्यवस्था अपरिहार्य ठरते. व्यवस्था काही अचानक निर्माण होत नाही. तिच्यामागे निश्चित विचारप्रक्रिया असते. धर्मव्यवस्था होण्यामागेही विचारप्रक्रिया असते. ती कोणती?
आपल्या भोवतालच्या विराट सृष्टीचे आकलन जसंजसं माणसाला झालं असेल, तसंतसं या सृष्टीत आपलं स्थान काय, ते शोधण्याची इच्छाही त्याच्या मनात उत्पन्न झाली असेल- इवलंसं मूल जन्माला पाहून माणूस आनंदला असेल, तितक्याच कुणाच्या मृत्यूने तो कासावीस झाला असेल. आपले जगणे क्षणभंगुर आहे, अशाश्वत आहे, परावलंबी आहे, कालबद्ध आहे, याची जाणीव त्याला झाली असेल. त्याचवेळी या सृष्टीला जीवनप्रवाह मात्र अखंड, अनंत, मुक्त, कालातीत आणि शाश्वत आहे याची खोल जाणीव त्याला झालीच असेल. जीवनातील शाश्वत-परमोच्च सत्याचा शोध, हेच मानवी जीवनाचं खरं ध्येय असलं पाहिजे, हेही त्याला जाणवलं असावं. ध्येय साधायचं तर विचार आणि कृती या दोन्हींची गरज असते. ध्येयवरील विश्वासाचे निष्ठेत, श्रद्धेत रूपांतर झालं की मग ती निष्ठा माणसाला कार्यप्रवण करते. जेव्हा ध्येयाचे भान जागविणारी अशी व्यापक व्यवस्था किंवा मार्ग म्हणजेच धर्म. ध्येय ज्या व्यवस्थेतून साधायचं आहे, त्या व्यवस्थेत कालानुरूप सुधारणा होतात. त्यामुळे धर्मही सुधारणा होणे, नवा धर्म-पंथ निर्माण होणे उचितच ठरते.
धर्माचा अभिमान सर्वसामान्यांना का असतो ?
(अ) धर्म जन्मजात असतो.
(ब) धर्मामुळे माणसाला सुरक्षित वाटते.
(क) धर्माची सवय माणसाच्या मनात धर्माबद्दल प्रेम निर्माण करते.
(ड) धर्म निरंतर असतो.
पर्यायी उत्तरे :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (ब) आणि (क)
Explanation
उताऱ्यात स्पष्ट केल्यानुसार, मानवाला धर्माचा अभिमान का व कसा जडतो, याची दोन प्रमुख कारणे दिली आहेत. धर्म हा संस्कार आणि सवयींतून जडतो, ज्यामुळे लहानपणापासूनच धर्माशी जवळीक निर्माण होऊन मनात प्रेम निर्माण होते. या प्रेमामुळे आणि जवळीकीमुळे माणसाला सुरक्षितता वाटते. त्यामुळे धर्मामुळे वाटणारी सुरक्षितता (ब) आणि धर्माच्या सवयीमुळे मनात निर्माण होणारे प्रेम (क) हीच सामान्य माणसाला धर्माचा अभिमान असण्याची खरी कारणे आहेत.
43Reading Comprehension
समाजशास्त्रज्ञ, मानववंशशास्त्रज्ञ, तत्त्वज्ञ आणि धर्मशास्त्राचे जाणकार हे 'धर्म' या संकल्पनेचा अर्थ अनेक छटांसह मांडतात. सर्वसामान्य माणसाला मात्र 'धर्म' म्हणजे काय, ते सहसा माहीत नसते किंवा ते अचूक शब्दांत मांडणे जमलंच पाहिजे असाही त्याचा अट्टाहास नसतो. धर्माचा अभिमान मात्र त्याला असतो. धर्माची निवड आपल्या हाती नसते, ती जन्मजात असते. मग त्याच्या निवडीचा अभिमान आपल्याला का असतो? कसा जडतो? धर्म तर तो जडतो संस्कारांतून, सवयीतून. लहानपणापासून त्या धर्मीशी, धर्मातील विधी-उपचारांशी, सणांशी एक जवळीक निर्माण होते. या जवळीकीतून प्रेम निर्माण होते. या प्रेमात, जवळकीत कुठेतरी सुरक्षितता वाटते. कुठल्याही गोष्टीची स्वयंजडण्यामागे सातत्य असावंच लागतं, सातत्य म्हणजे सुसंगत, समान, निरंतर अस्तित्व. या सातत्यासाठी एक व्यवस्था अपरिहार्य ठरते. व्यवस्था काही अचानक निर्माण होत नाही. तिच्यामागे निश्चित विचारप्रक्रिया असते. धर्मव्यवस्था होण्यामागेही विचारप्रक्रिया असते. ती कोणती?
आपल्या भोवतालच्या विराट सृष्टीचे आकलन जसंजसं माणसाला झालं असेल, तसंतसं या सृष्टीत आपलं स्थान काय, ते शोधण्याची इच्छाही त्याच्या मनात उत्पन्न झाली असेल- इवलंसं मूल जन्माला पाहून माणूस आनंदला असेल, तितक्याच कुणाच्या मृत्यूने तो कासावीस झाला असेल. आपले जगणे क्षणभंगुर आहे, अशाश्वत आहे, परावलंबी आहे, कालबद्ध आहे, याची जाणीव त्याला झाली असेल. त्याचवेळी या सृष्टीला जीवनप्रवाह मात्र अखंड, अनंत, मुक्त, कालातीत आणि शाश्वत आहे याची खोल जाणीव त्याला झालीच असेल. जीवनातील शाश्वत-परमोच्च सत्याचा शोध, हेच मानवी जीवनाचं खरं ध्येय असलं पाहिजे, हेही त्याला जाणवलं असावं. ध्येय साधायचं तर विचार आणि कृती या दोन्हींची गरज असते. ध्येयवरील विश्वासाचे निष्ठेत, श्रद्धेत रूपांतर झालं की मग ती निष्ठा माणसाला कार्यप्रवण करते. जेव्हा ध्येयाचे भान जागविणारी अशी व्यापक व्यवस्था किंवा मार्ग म्हणजेच धर्म. ध्येय ज्या व्यवस्थेतून साधायचं आहे, त्या व्यवस्थेत कालानुरूप सुधारणा होतात. त्यामुळे धर्मही सुधारणा होणे, नवा धर्म-पंथ निर्माण होणे उचितच ठरते.
धर्म माणसाला कार्यप्रवण करतो असे का म्हटले जाते ?
(अ) कारण माणूस धर्मावर निष्ठा ठेवतो आणि ही निष्ठाच त्याला कार्यप्रवण करते.
(ब) कारण माणूस चिकाटीने पाळतो.
(क) कारण धर्म पाळणे म्हणजे ध्येयाचे भान ठेवणे असते.
(ड) कारण धर्म ही सवय असते.
पर्यायी उत्तरे :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (अ) आणि (क)
Explanation
उताऱ्यातील शेवटच्या परिच्छेदानुसार, ध्येय साध्य करण्यासाठी विचार आणि कृती या दोन्हीची गरज असते. ध्येयावरील विश्वासाचे निष्ठेत किंवा श्रद्धेत रूपांतर झाल्यावर ती निष्ठा माणसाला कार्यप्रवण करते. तसेच, ध्येयाचे भान जागवणारी व्यापक व्यवस्था किंवा मार्ग म्हणजेच धर्म होय.
यावरून स्पष्ट होते की:
अ नुसार, माणसाची धर्मावरील निष्ठा त्याला कार्यप्रवण करते.
क नुसार, धर्म ही ध्येयाचे भान जागवणारी व्यवस्था असल्याने धर्म पाळणे म्हणजे ध्येयाचे भान ठेवणे होय, ज्यामुळे माणूस सतत कार्यरत राहतो.
त्यामुळे (अ) आणि (क) ही दोन्ही विधाने योग्य ठरतात.
44Reading Comprehension
समाजशास्त्रज्ञ, मानववंशशास्त्रज्ञ, तत्त्वज्ञ आणि धर्मशास्त्राचे जाणकार हे 'धर्म' या संकल्पनेचा अर्थ अनेक छटांसह मांडतात. सर्वसामान्य माणसाला मात्र 'धर्म' म्हणजे काय, ते सहसा माहीत नसते किंवा ते अचूक शब्दांत मांडणे जमलंच पाहिजे असाही त्याचा अट्टाहास नसतो. धर्माचा अभिमान मात्र त्याला असतो. धर्माची निवड आपल्या हाती नसते, ती जन्मजात असते. मग त्याच्या निवडीचा अभिमान आपल्याला का असतो? कसा जडतो? धर्म तर तो जडतो संस्कारांतून, सवयीतून. लहानपणापासून त्या धर्मीशी, धर्मातील विधी-उपचारांशी, सणांशी एक जवळीक निर्माण होते. या जवळीकीतून प्रेम निर्माण होते. या प्रेमात, जवळकीत कुठेतरी सुरक्षितता वाटते. कुठल्याही गोष्टीची स्वयंजडण्यामागे सातत्य असावंच लागतं, सातत्य म्हणजे सुसंगत, समान, निरंतर अस्तित्व. या सातत्यासाठी एक व्यवस्था अपरिहार्य ठरते. व्यवस्था काही अचानक निर्माण होत नाही. तिच्यामागे निश्चित विचारप्रक्रिया असते. धर्मव्यवस्था होण्यामागेही विचारप्रक्रिया असते. ती कोणती?
आपल्या भोवतालच्या विराट सृष्टीचे आकलन जसंजसं माणसाला झालं असेल, तसंतसं या सृष्टीत आपलं स्थान काय, ते शोधण्याची इच्छाही त्याच्या मनात उत्पन्न झाली असेल- इवलंसं मूल जन्माला पाहून माणूस आनंदला असेल, तितक्याच कुणाच्या मृत्यूने तो कासावीस झाला असेल. आपले जगणे क्षणभंगुर आहे, अशाश्वत आहे, परावलंबी आहे, कालबद्ध आहे, याची जाणीव त्याला झाली असेल. त्याचवेळी या सृष्टीला जीवनप्रवाह मात्र अखंड, अनंत, मुक्त, कालातीत आणि शाश्वत आहे याची खोल जाणीव त्याला झालीच असेल. जीवनातील शाश्वत-परमोच्च सत्याचा शोध, हेच मानवी जीवनाचं खरं ध्येय असलं पाहिजे, हेही त्याला जाणवलं असावं. ध्येय साधायचं तर विचार आणि कृती या दोन्हींची गरज असते. ध्येयवरील विश्वासाचे निष्ठेत, श्रद्धेत रूपांतर झालं की मग ती निष्ठा माणसाला कार्यप्रवण करते. जेव्हा ध्येयाचे भान जागविणारी अशी व्यापक व्यवस्था किंवा मार्ग म्हणजेच धर्म. ध्येय ज्या व्यवस्थेतून साधायचं आहे, त्या व्यवस्थेत कालानुरूप सुधारणा होतात. त्यामुळे धर्मही सुधारणा होणे, नवा धर्म-पंथ निर्माण होणे उचितच ठरते.
मृत्यूच्या जाणिवेमुळे माणसाला प्रगल्भता का येते ?
(अ) कारण आपले जगणे शाश्वत आहे हे त्याला कळते.
(ब) कारण आपले जगणे पराधीन आहे हे त्याला कळते.
(क) कारण आपल्या मृत्यूने संपूर्ण सृष्टिचक्र थांबणार नाही हे त्याला कळते.
(ड) कारण जगणे कधीतरी संपणारच एण त्यापूर्वी आपण काहीतरी अर्थपूर्ण केले पाहिजे हे माणसाला कळते.
पर्यायी उत्तरे :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) (ब), (क) आणि (ड)
Explanation
उताऱ्यामध्ये स्पष्टपणे नमूद केले आहे की, आपले जगणे क्षणभंगुर आणि अशाश्वत आहे. यामुळे विधान (अ) चुकीचे ठरते कारण आपले जगणे अशाश्वत आहे हे माणसाला कळते, शाश्वत नाही.
तसेच, माणसाचे जगणे परावलंबी म्हणजेच पराधीन आहे याची जाणीव त्याला होते, ज्यामुळे विधान (ब) योग्य ठरते.
आपल्या निधनाने सृष्टीचा अखंड आणि अनंत जीवनप्रवाह थांबणार नाही हे माणसाला समजते, ज्यामुळे विधान (क) देखील योग्य आहे.
याच जाणिवेतून माणसाला हे समजते की जीवनातील परमोच्च सत्याचा शोध घेणे म्हणजेच जगणे संपण्यापूर्वी विचार आणि कृतीच्या माध्यमातून काहीतरी ध्येयपूर्ण किंवा अर्थपूर्ण केले पाहिजे. त्यामुळे विधान (ड) योग्य ठरते.
यावरून (ब), (क) आणि (ड) ही तिन्ही विधाने योग्य आहेत.
45Reading Comprehension
समाजशास्त्रज्ञ, मानववंशशास्त्रज्ञ, तत्त्वज्ञ आणि धर्मशास्त्राचे जाणकार हे 'धर्म' या संकल्पनेचा अर्थ अनेक छटांसह मांडतात. सर्वसामान्य माणसाला मात्र 'धर्म' म्हणजे काय, ते सहसा माहीत नसते किंवा ते अचूक शब्दांत मांडणे जमलंच पाहिजे असाही त्याचा अट्टाहास नसतो. धर्माचा अभिमान मात्र त्याला असतो. धर्माची निवड आपल्या हाती नसते, ती जन्मजात असते. मग त्याच्या निवडीचा अभिमान आपल्याला का असतो? कसा जडतो? धर्म तर तो जडतो संस्कारांतून, सवयीतून. लहानपणापासून त्या धर्मीशी, धर्मातील विधी-उपचारांशी, सणांशी एक जवळीक निर्माण होते. या जवळीकीतून प्रेम निर्माण होते. या प्रेमात, जवळकीत कुठेतरी सुरक्षितता वाटते. कुठल्याही गोष्टीची स्वयंजडण्यामागे सातत्य असावंच लागतं, सातत्य म्हणजे सुसंगत, समान, निरंतर अस्तित्व. या सातत्यासाठी एक व्यवस्था अपरिहार्य ठरते. व्यवस्था काही अचानक निर्माण होत नाही. तिच्यामागे निश्चित विचारप्रक्रिया असते. धर्मव्यवस्था होण्यामागेही विचारप्रक्रिया असते. ती कोणती?
आपल्या भोवतालच्या विराट सृष्टीचे आकलन जसंजसं माणसाला झालं असेल, तसंतसं या सृष्टीत आपलं स्थान काय, ते शोधण्याची इच्छाही त्याच्या मनात उत्पन्न झाली असेल- इवलंसं मूल जन्माला पाहून माणूस आनंदला असेल, तितक्याच कुणाच्या मृत्यूने तो कासावीस झाला असेल. आपले जगणे क्षणभंगुर आहे, अशाश्वत आहे, परावलंबी आहे, कालबद्ध आहे, याची जाणीव त्याला झाली असेल. त्याचवेळी या सृष्टीला जीवनप्रवाह मात्र अखंड, अनंत, मुक्त, कालातीत आणि शाश्वत आहे याची खोल जाणीव त्याला झालीच असेल. जीवनातील शाश्वत-परमोच्च सत्याचा शोध, हेच मानवी जीवनाचं खरं ध्येय असलं पाहिजे, हेही त्याला जाणवलं असावं. ध्येय साधायचं तर विचार आणि कृती या दोन्हींची गरज असते. ध्येयवरील विश्वासाचे निष्ठेत, श्रद्धेत रूपांतर झालं की मग ती निष्ठा माणसाला कार्यप्रवण करते. जेव्हा ध्येयाचे भान जागविणारी अशी व्यापक व्यवस्था किंवा मार्ग म्हणजेच धर्म. ध्येय ज्या व्यवस्थेतून साधायचं आहे, त्या व्यवस्थेत कालानुरूप सुधारणा होतात. त्यामुळे धर्मही सुधारणा होणे, नवा धर्म-पंथ निर्माण होणे उचितच ठरते.
सर्वसामान्य माणसाला धर्म म्हणजे काय ते का माहीत नसते ?
(अ) कारण 'धर्म' या संकल्पनेला अनेक छटा असतात.
(ब) कारण धर्म त्याने एक सवय म्हणून स्वीकारलेला असतो.
(क) धर्माचा त्याला अभिमान असतो.
(ड) धर्म म्हणजे काय ते जाणून घेण्याचा अट्टाहास त्याने केलेला नसतो.
पर्यायी उत्तरे :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) (अ), (ब) आणि (ड)
Explanation
उताऱ्याच्या पहिल्या परिच्छेदानुसार, समाजशास्त्रज्ञ, मानववंशशास्त्रज्ञ, तत्त्वज्ञ आणि धर्मशास्त्राचे जाणकार हे 'धर्म' या संकल्पनेचा अर्थ अनेक छटांसह मांडतात, म्हणजेच या संकल्पनेला अनेक छटा असतात (विधान अ). सर्वसामान्य माणसाचा धर्म अचूक शब्दांत मांडण्याचा कोणताही अट्टाहास नसतो (विधान ड). तसेच, त्याला हा धर्म संस्कारांतून आणि सवयीतून जडलेला असतो, त्यामुळे तो धर्म एक सवय म्हणून स्वीकारतो (विधान ब).
याउलट, 'धर्माचा त्याला अभिमान असतो' (विधान क) हे विधान सर्वसामान्य माणसाला धर्म म्हणजे काय ते का माहीत नसते, याचे कारण स्पष्ट करत नाही. त्यामुळे विधान 'क' वगळता (अ), (ब) आणि (ड) ही विधाने अचूक कारणे दर्शवतात.
46Reading Comprehension
Is India becoming a proponent of apartheid? Not apartheid based on race, but on gender? The recent proposal to create special banks which will cater only to women customers has created a controversy. While the 'women's bank' has been widely hailed by many as a socially progressive idea in that most women would feel more comfortable dealing with other women in a women- only situation, there are dissenting voices which say that such proposals, well- meant though they are, will serve to further ghettoise women in an already oppressively male- centric scheme of things.
Proponents of this point of view argue that what is needed is not to co- soon women in protective environments specially reserved for them - be they in the form of 'ladies' coaches in trains or in the Metro, or 'pink' auto- rickshaws meant only for women passengers - but to enable them to share common public spaces and services with their male counterparts without fearing for their safety.
'Women's only' banks, and similar facilities, isolate women from the social mainstream. Such discrimination, as well- intentioned as it undoubtedly is, constitutes a form of apartheid based not on race or skin colour but on gender. At best, it is like the 'equal but separate' policy that some southern American states followed, whereby 'coloureds' and white people had segregated schools and separate seats on public transport.
In effect, this is another way of saying that the 'solution' to violent gender crimes like rape - which is a horrifyingly everyday occurrence in India - is to lock up women in the safe custody of their homes and not allow them out in public. The response to such 'solutions', of course, is that it is not the presence of women in public places which is the cause of rape but the predatoriness of men, who are the ones who should be kept under lock and key where they can't do harm to anyone.
The only real and lasting solution to crimes against women is to stop discriminating against them, even with the best of intentions. Instead of being 'protected' from men, women want men to be educated - or rather, re- educated - on gender issues so that they no longer pose a danger to women.
It's a long- haul solution. But it's the only one that we can all bank on, women as well as men.
Women's bank in a way :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Confirms and perpetuates male dominance
Explanation
The passage highlights that creating separate women-only institutions, like a women's bank, serves to ghettoize and isolate women from the social mainstream. By confining women to protective, segregated environments instead of integrating them into common public spaces, such policies leave the existing oppressively male-centric system unchallenged. Consequently, this segregation fails to address the root causes of gender discrimination and instead confirms and perpetuates the dominant male-centric scheme of things.
47Reading Comprehension
Is India becoming a proponent of apartheid? Not apartheid based on race, but on gender? The recent proposal to create special banks which will cater only to women customers has created a controversy. While the 'women's bank' has been widely hailed by many as a socially progressive idea in that most women would feel more comfortable dealing with other women in a women- only situation, there are dissenting voices which say that such proposals, well- meant though they are, will serve to further ghettoise women in an already oppressively male- centric scheme of things.
Proponents of this point of view argue that what is needed is not to co- soon women in protective environments specially reserved for them - be they in the form of 'ladies' coaches in trains or in the Metro, or 'pink' auto- rickshaws meant only for women passengers - but to enable them to share common public spaces and services with their male counterparts without fearing for their safety.
'Women's only' banks, and similar facilities, isolate women from the social mainstream. Such discrimination, as well- intentioned as it undoubtedly is, constitutes a form of apartheid based not on race or skin colour but on gender. At best, it is like the 'equal but separate' policy that some southern American states followed, whereby 'coloureds' and white people had segregated schools and separate seats on public transport.
In effect, this is another way of saying that the 'solution' to violent gender crimes like rape - which is a horrifyingly everyday occurrence in India - is to lock up women in the safe custody of their homes and not allow them out in public. The response to such 'solutions', of course, is that it is not the presence of women in public places which is the cause of rape but the predatoriness of men, who are the ones who should be kept under lock and key where they can't do harm to anyone.
The only real and lasting solution to crimes against women is to stop discriminating against them, even with the best of intentions. Instead of being 'protected' from men, women want men to be educated - or rather, re- educated - on gender issues so that they no longer pose a danger to women.
It's a long- haul solution. But it's the only one that we can all bank on, women as well as men.
"Ghetto is a :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Place where people of a group live in poor conditions
Explanation
The term ghetto refers to an underprivileged, congested, or segregated area of a city where members of a particular minority group or community reside under poor, restricted, or impoverished conditions, often as a result of social, legal, or economic pressures. This aligns with the definition of a place where a group of people live in poor conditions.
48Reading Comprehension
Is India becoming a proponent of apartheid? Not apartheid based on race, but on gender? The recent proposal to create special banks which will cater only to women customers has created a controversy. While the 'women's bank' has been widely hailed by many as a socially progressive idea in that most women would feel more comfortable dealing with other women in a women- only situation, there are dissenting voices which say that such proposals, well- meant though they are, will serve to further ghettoise women in an already oppressively male- centric scheme of things.
Proponents of this point of view argue that what is needed is not to co- soon women in protective environments specially reserved for them - be they in the form of 'ladies' coaches in trains or in the Metro, or 'pink' auto- rickshaws meant only for women passengers - but to enable them to share common public spaces and services with their male counterparts without fearing for their safety.
'Women's only' banks, and similar facilities, isolate women from the social mainstream. Such discrimination, as well- intentioned as it undoubtedly is, constitutes a form of apartheid based not on race or skin colour but on gender. At best, it is like the 'equal but separate' policy that some southern American states followed, whereby 'coloureds' and white people had segregated schools and separate seats on public transport.
In effect, this is another way of saying that the 'solution' to violent gender crimes like rape - which is a horrifyingly everyday occurrence in India - is to lock up women in the safe custody of their homes and not allow them out in public. The response to such 'solutions', of course, is that it is not the presence of women in public places which is the cause of rape but the predatoriness of men, who are the ones who should be kept under lock and key where they can't do harm to anyone.
The only real and lasting solution to crimes against women is to stop discriminating against them, even with the best of intentions. Instead of being 'protected' from men, women want men to be educated - or rather, re- educated - on gender issues so that they no longer pose a danger to women.
It's a long- haul solution. But it's the only one that we can all bank on, women as well as men.
What would women want ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Parity with men
Explanation
The passage argues against creating segregated spaces for women, such as women-only banks or special transport facilities, which it equates to a form of gender apartheid. Instead of being isolated under the guise of protection, the text states that the real and lasting solution is to enable women to share common public spaces and services with men without fear. This means women seek to be integrated into the social mainstream on an equal footing, which translates to demanding parity with men rather than special protective segregation.
49Reading Comprehension
A terrible combat ensued. The shark had seemed to roar, if I might say so, the blood rushed in torrents from its wound. The sea was dyed red, and through the opaque liquid I could distinguish nothing more. Nothing more, until the moment, when like lightning, I saw the undaunted captain hanging on to one of the creature's fins, struggling as he was, hand to hand with the monster and dealing successive blows at his enemy. Yet unable to give a decisive one.
'A terrible combat ensued' here implies :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) A battle between the captain and the shark followed
Explanation
The word ensued means to happen afterward or to follow as a subsequent event. In this context, the phrase indicates that a fierce struggle or battle between the captain and the shark followed immediately after the initial actions described in the narrative.
50Reading Comprehension
A terrible combat ensued. The shark had seemed to roar, if I might say so, the blood rushed in torrents from its wound. The sea was dyed red, and through the opaque liquid I could distinguish nothing more. Nothing more, until the moment, when like lightning, I saw the undaunted captain hanging on to one of the creature's fins, struggling as he was, hand to hand with the monster and dealing successive blows at his enemy. Yet unable to give a decisive one.
The writer describes the captain as
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) fearless
Explanation
The writer describes the captain as "undaunted" during his intense hand-to-hand struggle with the shark. The term "undaunted" means courageously resolute in the face of danger and completely undamaged by fear. This directly aligns with characterizing the captain as fearless while he battles a deadly marine predator.
51Quantitative Aptitude
Three containers are filled with mangoes, bananas, chickus and pears. Mangoes and bananas are equal in number. Chickus are double that of bananas. Pears are 3/4 of that of chickus and bananas together. If total number of fruits in three containers is 1000 how many pears and chickus are there ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) 360, 320
Explanation
Let the number of bananas be B.
Mangoes are equal to bananas in number, so Mangoes = B.
Chickus are double that of bananas, so Chickus = 2B.
Pears are 3/4 of chickus and bananas together:
Pears = 3/4 × (Chickus + Bananas) = 3/4 × (2B + B) = 9B/4
The total number of fruits in the three containers is 1000:
Mangoes + Bananas + Chickus + Pears = 1000
B + B + 2B + 9B/4 = 1000
4B + 9B/4 = 1000
25B/4 = 1000
B = (1000 × 4) / 25 = 160
Using B = 160, we calculate the required quantities:
Pears = 9 × 160 / 4 = 360
Chickus = 2 × 160 = 320
The numbers of pears and chickus are 360 and 320 respectively.
52Quantitative Aptitude
A 200 m long goods train crosses a man standing on the platform at a speed of 48 km/hr. At the same time another goods train 150 metres long crosses that man at a speed of 60 km/hr in the reverse direction. Calculate the difference between time taken by both the trains to cross the man?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) 6 seconds
Explanation
To find the time taken by a train to cross a standing man, the formula used is:
Time = Distance / Speed
Since the man is stationary, the distance to be covered is equal to the length of the train.
First, convert the speeds from km/hr to m/s by multiplying by 5/18.
For the first train:
Speed = 48 × 5/18 = 40/3 m/s
Time taken (t₁) = 200 / (40/3) = 15 seconds
For the second train:
Speed = 60 × 5/18 = 50/3 m/s
Time taken (t₂) = 150 / (50/3) = 9 seconds
The difference between the time taken by both trains is:
Difference = t₁ - t₂ = 15 - 9 = 6 seconds
53Logical Reasoning
When a line of words is given as an input to a word-processing machine, the machine rearranges the line in a step by a definite rule. The input and the steps of re-arrangements are given below :
Input → NO, GO, Fit, COUNTER, FORCE, I, TURN, NET
Step I → I, NO, GO, Fit, COUNTER, FORCE, TURN, NET
Step II → I, GO, NO, Fit, COUNTER, FORCE, TURN, NET
Step III → I, GO, NO, Fit, NET, COUNTER, FORCE, TURN
Step IV → I, GO, NO, Fit, NET, TURN, COUNTER, FORCE
Step V → I, GO, NO, Fit, NET, TURN, FORCE, COUNTER
If the input is, “Class, Rat, An, UP, PEN, TRUE” then,
“An, UP, Class, Rat, PEN, TRUE” will be in what step ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) II
Explanation
The machine rearranges the words in ascending order of their length. If two words have the same length, they are arranged alphabetically. In each step, one word is moved to its correct sorted position from left to right.
The final sorted sequence for the words in the given input should be: An (2 letters, starts with A), UP (2 letters, starts with U), PEN (3 letters, starts with P), Rat (3 letters, starts with R), TRUE (4 letters), Class (5 letters).
Let us trace the step-by-step rearrangement:
Input: Class, Rat, An, UP, PEN, TRUE
Step I: The first word in the sorted sequence is An. It is moved to the first position.
Order: An, Class, Rat, UP, PEN, TRUE
Step II: The second word in the sorted sequence is UP. It is moved to the second position, right after An.
Order: An, UP, Class, Rat, PEN, TRUE
The sequence An, UP, Class, Rat, PEN, TRUE is obtained in Step II.
54Quantitative Aptitude
The balling average of a cricket player was 24.85 runs per wicket. In a match he took 5 wickets, giving 52 runs. Then his balling average got reduced by 0.85. Then how many wickets had he taken, before playing the last match ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) 80
Explanation
Let w be the number of wickets taken by the player before the last match. Since his average was 24.85 runs per wicket, the total runs given by him before the last match is 24.85w.
In the last match, he gave 52 runs and took 5 wickets. This makes his total runs 24.85w + 52, and his total wickets w + 5.
His new bowling average is reduced by 0.85, so the new average is 24.85 - 0.85 = 24.
We can set up the equation for the new average:
(24.85w + 52) / (w + 5) = 24
Multiplying both sides by w + 5:
24.85w + 52 = 24(w + 5)
24.85w + 52 = 24w + 120
24.85w - 24w = 120 - 52
0.85w = 68
w = 68 / 0.85
w = 80
55Logical Reasoning
O, P and Q are three sets of 'cup and saucer'. Read the following information about these sets which are not in any particular order :
(a) Cups are blue, white and yellow in colour.
(b) Saucers are red, pink and white in colour.
(c) No set is unicoloured.
(d) Cup of the set O is not yellow in colour.
(e) Cup of the set P is not blue in colour.
(f) Cup of the set Q is not white in colour.
(g) Saucer of the set Q is not red in colour.
(h) Saucer of the set O is white in colour.
What are the colours of saucer and cup respectively of set P ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) Red and white
Explanation
From statement (h), the saucer of set O is white. Since the saucer of set Q is not red according to statement (g), the saucer of set Q must be pink, leaving the red saucer for set P.
For the cups, since the saucer of set O is white, the cup of set O cannot be white because no set is unicoloured. Statement (d) says the cup of set O is not yellow, so the cup of set O must be blue. The remaining cup colours are white and yellow. Since statement (f) states that the cup of set Q is not white, the cup of set Q must be yellow, which means the cup of set P is white. Therefore, the saucer of set P is red and the cup of set P is white.
56Logical Reasoning
(a) The six students P, Q, R, S, T and U are studying different subjects at post graduate level. Their subjects are English, History, Philosophy, Physics, Statistics and Mathematics, not necessarily in the same order.
(b) Out of them two live in hostel, two live as paying-guests and remaining two live at home.
(c) R is not paying-guest and studies Philosophy.
(d) The student studying History, lives at home and the student studying Statistics does not live as paying-guest.
(e) T studies Mathematics and S studies Physics.
(f) U and S live in hostel.
(g) T lives as paying-guest and Q lives at home.
Then which of the following pair is not correct ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) U-History
Explanation
From the given conditions, the accommodations of the six students are divided into three categories: two in hostel, two as paying-guests, and two at home. Since U and S live in the hostel, the hostel slots are fully occupied. Since T lives as a paying-guest and Q lives at home, the remaining slots must go to P and R. R is not a paying-guest, so R must live at home, which means P lives as a paying-guest.
For the subjects, we know S studies Physics, T studies Mathematics, and R studies Philosophy. The student who studies History lives at home. Since R and Q are the only ones living at home, and R studies Philosophy, Q must be the student studying History.
Finally, the remaining subjects are Statistics and English, and the remaining students are P and U. The student studying Statistics does not live as a paying-guest. Since P lives as a paying-guest, P must study English, leaving U to study Statistics. Therefore, the pair U-History is incorrect because U actually studies Statistics, and Q studies History.
57Logical Reasoning
Select proper alternative in place of the question-mark ? If Audio = 85, Video = 80 then Radio = ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) 88
Explanation
The coding scheme is based on the reverse alphabetical position of each letter, where A = 26, B = 25, and so on until Z = 1. The reverse alphabetical position of any letter can be calculated by subtracting its standard position from 27.
For AUDIO:
A = 27 - 1 = 26
U = 27 - 21 = 6
D = 27 - 4 = 23
I = 27 - 9 = 18
O = 27 - 15 = 12
Summing these values: 26 + 6 + 23 + 18 + 12 = 85.
For VIDEO:
V = 27 - 22 = 5
I = 27 - 9 = 18
D = 27 - 4 = 23
E = 27 - 5 = 22
O = 27 - 15 = 12
Summing these values: 5 + 18 + 23 + 22 + 12 = 80.
Applying the same logic to RADIO:
R = 27 - 18 = 9
A = 27 - 1 = 26
D = 27 - 4 = 23
I = 27 - 9 = 18
O = 27 - 15 = 12
Summing these values: 9 + 26 + 23 + 18 + 12 = 88.
58Logical Reasoning
The ten members A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I and J are divided into two teams X and Y. Five members are in each team. The members of both the teams are seating in two rows, such that, exact opposite of each member of 'X' team, there is a member of Y team facing each other. The members of 'X' team are facing North. D is third to the right of A and is seating exact opposite of G. B is immediate right of G and is facing south. H is third to the right of B and exact opposite of F. C is between A and E and exact opposite of I.
Which group is seating in the same row ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) HIG
Explanation
Let the ten members be arranged in two parallel rows of five seats each, numbered 1 to 5 from left to right (West to East). Row X faces North, and Row Y faces South. For North-facing members, right is to the East (increasing position numbers). For South-facing members, right is to the West (decreasing position numbers).
D is third to the right of A, placing both in the North-facing Row X. If A is at position 2, then D is at position 5. Since D is opposite G, G must be at position 5 in the South-facing Row Y.
B is to the immediate right of G. Since G faces South, B is at position 4 in Row Y.
H is third to the right of B. Since B faces South, H is at position 1 in Row Y (4 - 3 = 1). Since H is opposite F, F is at position 1 in Row X.
C is between A (position 2) and E, which places E at position 4 and C at position 3 in Row X. Since C is opposite I, I is at position 3 in Row Y.
The remaining seat at position 2 in Row Y is occupied by J.
The resulting seating arrangement is:
Row Y (South-facing): H (1), J (2), I (3), B (4), G (5)
Row X (North-facing): F (1), A (2), C (3), E (4), D (5)
Thus, the group HIG (H, I, and G) are all seated in Row Y.
59Quantitative Aptitude
In an examination, 35% of the total students failed in Hindi; 45% failed in English and 20% failed in both. What percent of total students passed in both the subjects ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) 40
Explanation
Using the set theory formula for the union of two sets, the percentage of students who failed in at least one of the two subjects is given by:
n(H ∪ E) = n(H) + n(E) - n(H ∩ E)
Here, H represents the percentage of students who failed in Hindi (35%), E represents the percentage of students who failed in English (45%), and H ∩ E represents the percentage of students who failed in both subjects (20%).
Substituting these values into the formula:
n(H ∪ E) = 35% + 45% - 20% = 60%
Since 60% of the students failed in at least one subject, the percentage of students who passed in both subjects is the remaining percentage:
Percentage of students who passed in both = 100% - 60% = 40%
60Logical Reasoning
In a small village in no man's land, brains of people are wired to answer inquiries in two sentences. One of the sentences always describes the fact as it is and the other describes nonexistent thing. One among them is the best archer of the area and you are there to get some tips from him for developing your archery skills. On reaching the place you find three persons sitting in the shadow of a banyan tree enjoying gossip. Two of them were busy mending their own arches. When you started inquiring with them, their responses were as follows:
Aanu said, “This is my arch. But I am not the best archer among us.
Banu said, “This is not my arch. Aanu is the best archer of this village.
Chanu said, “I never touch the arch. Banu is the best archer”.
From whom will you get the tips about archery?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) From Aanu only
Explanation
Every person makes exactly two statements, one of which is true and the other is false. We are given that exactly two people are busy mending their own arches.
Let us test the cases for who the best archer is:
If Banu is the best archer:
Chanu's statement Banu is the best archer is true, so Chanu's other statement I never touch the arch must be false, meaning Chanu is mending an arch.
Aanu's statement I am not the best archer is true, so Aanu's other statement This is my arch is false, meaning Aanu is not mending his arch.
Banu's statement Aanu is the best archer is false, so Banu's other statement This is not my arch is true, meaning Banu is not mending his arch.
In this case, only Chanu is mending an arch, which contradicts the fact that two people are mending their own arches.
If Chanu is the best archer:
Aanu's statement I am not the best archer is true, so This is my arch is false, meaning Aanu is not mending his arch.
Banu's statement Aanu is the best archer is false, so This is not my arch is true, meaning Banu is not mending his arch.
Chanu's statement Banu is the best archer is false, so I never touch the arch is true, meaning Chanu is not mending an arch.
Here, none of them are mending their own arches, which contradicts the fact that two people are mending their arches.
If Aanu is the best archer:
Aanu's statement I am not the best archer is false, so This is my arch is true, meaning Aanu is mending his arch.
Banu's statement Aanu is the best archer is true, so This is not my arch is false, meaning Banu is mending his arch.
Chanu's statement Banu is the best archer is false, so I never touch the arch is true, meaning Chanu is not mending an arch.
In this case, exactly two people, Aanu and Banu, are mending their own arches, which is perfectly consistent with the given facts.
Thus, Aanu is uniquely determined to be the best archer. You will get the tips from Aanu only.
61Quantitative Aptitude
In an election, the voting power was not used by 8% voters. There were only two candidates in this election. The elected candidate got 48% votes, out of the total votes and he defeated the other candidate by 1100 votes. How many total voters were there in the election?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) 27500
Explanation
Let the total number of voters be T.
Since 8% of the voters did not cast their votes, the total votes cast are:
100% - 8% = 92% of T
The elected candidate got 48% of the total votes, which is 0.48T.
The losing candidate received the remaining cast votes:
92% of T - 48% of T = 44% of T, which is 0.44T
The winning candidate defeated the loser by 1100 votes:
0.48T - 0.44T = 1100
0.04T = 1100
T = 1100 ÷ 0.04
T = 27500
62Quantitative Aptitude
When the speed of a monorail is 60 km/hr it reaches on time. If the speed is increased by 20 kms it reaches one hour earlier then how much distance does the monorail cover?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) 240 km
Explanation
The distance D covered by a vehicle when traveling at two different speeds S₁ and S₂ with a time difference Δt is given by the formula:
D = (60 × 80) / (80 - 60) × 1
D = 4800 / 20
D = 240 km
63Logical Reasoning
The meanings of @, δ, , , and % are as follows :
PδQ means, P, is not less than Q.
PQ means, P, is not greater than Q.
P%Q means, P, is not greater than Q and not equal to Q.
PQ means, P is not less than Q and not equal to Q.
P@Q means, P is not greater than or less than Q.
Considering the statements true, which of the conclusion/s I, II, III is/are perfectly true ?
Select the correct alternative.
Statement : B%N ; NδF ; F*H
Conclusion : I - H$N
II - F%B
III - B%H
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) No one is correct
Explanation
First, decode the symbols based on the definitions:
The symbol δ means not less than, which translates to ≥.
The symbol * means not greater than, which translates to ≤.
The symbol % means not greater than and not equal to, which translates to <.
The symbol means not less than and not equal to, which translates to >.
The symbol @ means not greater than or less than, which translates to =.
Now, translate the given statements:
B % N becomes B < N.
N δ F becomes N ≥ F.
F * H becomes F ≤ H.
Combining these statements, we have:
B < N, N ≥ F, and F ≤ H.
Evaluating each conclusion:
For Conclusion I (H N, which means H > N):
We have N ≥ F and H ≥ F (from F ≤ H). Since both N and H are greater than or equal to F, the relationship between H and N is undetermined. Therefore, Conclusion I is not correct.
For Conclusion II (F % B, which means F < B):
We have B < N and F ≤ N (from N ≥ F). Since both B and F are compared to N, their direct relationship is undetermined. Therefore, Conclusion II is not correct.
For Conclusion III (B % H, which means B < H):
The comparison between B and H involves opposing inequality signs (B < N ≥ F ≤ H), so no definite relationship can be established between B and H. Therefore, Conclusion III is not correct.
Since none of the conclusions are true, no one is correct.
Based on the given series, let us analyze the pattern followed by each group of terms:
For the first term, 5RJ, we start at the element 5. Skipping one element (3) gives R, and skipping the next element () gives J.
To transition to the second term, we skip two elements (P and E) after J to arrive at the starting element 1. Following the same intra-group rule, we skip one element (H) to get %, and skip another element (I) to get Q. This gives the term 1%Q.
To transition to the third term, we skip two elements (4 and B) after Q to arrive at 8. Skipping one element (A) gives W, and skipping another element (2) gives U. This gives the term 8WU.
Following this established system, we transition to the fourth term by skipping two elements (G and 6) after U, which brings us to the starting element . From , skipping one element (9) gives δ, and skipping another element (Z) gives N. This yields the next term.
65Logical Reasoning
There are five similar boxes, having labels, indicating the description of the items contained in them, as follows :
Items | Labels
Two Balls - BB
Two pens - PP
Two Watches - WW
One watch and one Ball - WB
One watch and one Pen - WP
Some one has changed the labels on all the boxes, such that, no box contains the items, as per the label on it.
If the boxes with labels WB and PP are opened and no item is watch, then which statement will be true in case of the box, having label WW ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) One item will be watch
Explanation
The five combinations of items are two balls (BB), two pens (PP), two watches (WW), one watch and one ball (WB), and one watch and one pen (WP).
We are given that the boxes with labels WB and PP are opened and found to contain no watches. The only two combinations of items that contain no watches are BB and PP. Since no box can have its correct label, the box labeled PP cannot contain PP. Therefore, the box labeled PP must contain BB, and the box labeled WB must contain PP.
This leaves three boxes with labels BB, WW, and WP, and three remaining item combinations to be distributed among them: WW, WB, and WP.
Since no box can contain the items matching its label, the box labeled WW cannot contain WW. Thus, the box labeled WW must contain either WB or WP. Since both WB (one watch and one ball) and WP (one watch and one pen) contain exactly one watch, the box labeled WW will always contain exactly one watch.
66Logical Reasoning
A, B, C, D, E, F and G are the members of a family. Out of them, four are adults and three are children, of which two, F and G are girls. A and D are brothers and A is a Doctor. E is an Engineer and has married one of the two brothers. E has two children. B is married to D and G is their child. Then who is C ?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Son of A
Explanation
The family consists of seven members: A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. There are four adults and three children.
A and D are brothers, so both are male adults.
A is a Doctor.
B is married to D, which means D and B are a married couple, and B is a female adult.
G is the child of B and D. Since G is one of the two female children (F and G), G is a girl child.
E is an Engineer and is married to one of the brothers. Since D is married to B, E must be married to A. Thus, E is a female adult.
The four adults are A, D, B, and E. The remaining three members, C, F, and G, are the children.
We are given that two of the children, F and G, are girls. Since there are three children in total, the third child, C, must be a boy.
E has two children with A. Since G is the child of D and B, the two children of A and E must be C and F. Since C is a boy, C is the son of A.
67Quantitative Aptitude
Kabir requires 10 days less than Akshay to complete a certain task. Satyam takes 15 days more than Akshay to complete the same task. If Kabir and Akshay both take 12 days to complete the task together how many days will be required by Akshay and Satyam together to complete it?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) 18 days
Explanation
Let the number of days taken by Akshay to complete the task be x days.
Then, Kabir takes (x - 10) days and Satyam takes (x + 15) days.
Given that Kabir and Akshay together take 12 days to complete the task, we can write the equation:
1/x + 1/(x - 10) = 1/12
Since Kabir takes (x - 10) days, x must be greater than 10. Therefore, x = 30 days.
This means Akshay takes 30 days to complete the task and Satyam takes 30 + 15 = 45 days.
The number of days required by Akshay and Satyam together to complete the task is:
1 / (1/30 + 1/45) = 1 / (5/90) = 18 days
68Decision Making
You as an administrative authority have been approached by a house wife of a well-established entrepreneur complaining harassment for having two daughters. She also informs you that her parents are not financially well off to help her in this matter. You would :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) arrange counselling sessions for the couple
Explanation
Arranging counselling sessions for the couple is the most constructive and balanced step an administrative authority can take. Since the housewife lacks financial support from her parents, immediate legal confrontation or public exposure could jeopardize her domestic security, leaving her and her daughters highly vulnerable.
Counselling addresses the root cause of the harassment—patriarchal gender bias against daughters—by using professional mediation to sensitize the husband. This approach seeks to reform the husband's attitude, resolve the marital conflict amicably, and preserve the family structure while ensuring the safety and dignity of the woman and her children.
69Decision Making
Situation : Government has formulated a policy to ensure that each family in rural area of the State should have a toilet as most of the diseases and epidemics are caused due to e-coli found in human excreta carried through the use of contaminated water. The loss of human life, mandays wasted and the loss of wages due to these ailments and expenditure required to be incurred on the treatment is enormous. The embarrassment to the female population is another factor, so also the village environmental pollution caused. The Supreme Court interpreted Right to life means life with dignity. In fact, human excreta, if treated scientifically, is a rich source of organic manure.
In spite of these provisions and severe consequences the percentage of rural families having toilets is only 60% and out of these, who are actually using the toilets is only 50%. The failure is ascribed to the fact that toilet policy is "Construction oriented" and the element of educating and sensitizing the people as to the adverse effects of the non use of toilets is squarely missing. It is felt that a strong public education campaign is the need of the time.
Question : If you are assigned a role of preparing a public awareness campaign, which of the following elements you would incorporate in order of priority in the design of the campaign :
(a) Regular use of toilet reduces health hazards of open defecation.
(b) Maintaining the ambience of the village.
(c) Maintaining the dignity of the human being, particularly women folk.
(d) Boost to farm productivity and economy
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (B) (a), (c), (b), (d)
Explanation
The primary objective of formulating the toilet policy is to curb diseases, prevent epidemics, and reduce the loss of human life and wages. Therefore, highlighting that the regular use of toilets reduces the health hazards of open defecation (a) serves as the top priority of the campaign. The second most critical dimension is the social and individual impact, emphasizing the dignity of human beings, particularly women, as aligned with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Right to Life, making (c) the second priority. Addressing village environmental pollution and maintaining the overall ambience of the village (b) represents a broader community-level objective, placing it third in priority. Finally, utilizing treated excreta as a source of organic manure to boost farm productivity and the economy (d) is a secondary, value-added benefit, making it the lowest priority in the awareness sequence.
70Decision Making
You are a government representative and a member of a committee that has been given responsibility of selecting young artists for awarding two year government scholarships. An influential artist of high reputation is also a member on this committee as an expert. After studying the shortlisted artists, for this prestigious state scholarship, another member brought to your notice that many artists are from the institute that is managed by this reputed artist or institutes that are managed by his past students. You would :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (D) request all the members of the present committee to go through the original list again and with unbiased approach freshly shortlist the candidates.
Explanation
As a responsible government representative, your primary duty is to ensure fairness, transparency, and institutional integrity in the selection process. Requesting all the members of the committee to collectively review the original list and freshly shortlist the candidates under an unbiased approach ensures a balanced, fair, and merit-based selection. It actively addresses the potential conflict of interest and risk of bias in a constructive manner, while maintaining administrative continuity and avoiding unnecessary delay or public controversy. By involving all members in the re-evaluation, it fosters collective accountability and keeps the process transparent, objective, and collaborative.
71Decision Making
As an administrative incharge of a communally sensitive area, you are faced with a situation where the religious heads of both the communities have given inflammatory speeches thereby inciting violence amongst their respective communities. You would :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) immediately order the arrest of the two religious heads.
Explanation
As the administrative in-charge of a communally sensitive area, your primary responsibility is to maintain public order and prevent any outbreak of violence. Inflammatory speeches by religious leaders that incite violence represent an active, serious threat to law and order, and constitute a criminal offense under the law, specifically for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion and acts prejudicial to harmony.
In such a critical situation, immediate and decisive action is necessary to prevent widespread riots, casualties, and damage to property. Delaying action to negotiate or seek instructions allows the tension to escalate and gives mobs more time to organize.
Ordering the immediate arrest of both religious heads is the most effective administrative and legal response. It neutralizes the source of provocation, demonstrates absolute neutrality by holding both sides equally accountable, and sends a strong deterrent message to the public that any breach of peace will be met with the full force of the law.
72Decision Making
Situation : One major difference between the severe drought faced by the State in the year 1973 vis-à-vis year 2012-13 is, where as there was a food scarcity in 1973, the year 2012-13 reflects acute water scarcity. Thousands of villages do not have even adequate quantity, forget appropriate quality drinking water. Most Rabi crops could not simply be sown as the moisture in the soil is completely dried away. The chemical contamination like Nitrate, Fluoride is causing a grave concern even where water is available, which if consumed would lead to grave health hazards. Human survival till onset of the monsoon is the major concern.
Question : Under such circumstances if you are entrusted with a responsibility to tackle the situation, which of the following options would you resort to, on priority to manage the immediate crisis.
(a) Reserving all public and private water sources exclusively for drinking water purposes.
(b) To strike a balance between farmers losing their income of Rabi Crops and also to ensure acute drinking water needs, 50-50 distribution plan for crop survival and drinking water.
(c) As the poor farmers will be losing their only income source which may have severe economic consequences, crop production will be given priority and most of the water will be reserved for the agriculture purposes.
(d) Even taking the risk of diseases people will be motivated to use chemically contaminated water for survival till onset of monsoon to save human life there being no alternative as diseases can be cured in due course.
Answer options :
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) (a)
Explanation
The situation describes a severe crisis where human survival is the topmost priority because of acute water scarcity and a lack of adequate drinking water. Under such life-threatening circumstances, the immediate duty of an administrator is to secure and safeguard water specifically for drinking. Reserving both public and private water sources exclusively for drinking water purposes ensures that every available drop is prioritized to sustain human life until the monsoon arrives. Requisitioning private sources alongside public ones maximizes the volume of safe drinking water that can be distributed to dry villages, directly addressing the core challenge of human survival and fulfilling the primary welfare responsibility of the state during an extreme natural disaster.
73Decision Making
Your friend has rented his shop to a shopkeeper and shopkeeper has not paid his rent for the last one year and now refuses to vacate his shop. Shopkeeper has offered to purchase that shop from him but only at 50% of the present market value. Shopkeeper uses his contacts and has threatened him of dire consequences if he lodges a police complaint. What kind of advice would you give to your friend as a police officer?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (A) Lodge a complaint against the shopkeeper with the police.
Explanation
As a police officer, upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens from criminal intimidation and extortion is the primary duty. The shopkeeper has committed a criminal offense by threatening the owner with dire consequences to force a property sale at half its market value. Lodging a formal police complaint is the legally appropriate and upright course of action. This ensures that the criminal threats are investigated, the law is enforced, and the owner is protected from coercion while resolving the tenancy dispute through lawful channels.
74Decision Making
Suppose you are going for Public Service Commission's Interview. On the road you see an accident in which few men are stuck in. What will you do?
● Correct
● Not quite — the correct answer is highlighted
Show answer & explanationHide answer⌄
Answer: (C) You will call Police and Ambulance for help and wait till the help reaches.
Explanation
An aspirant for the civil services is expected to possess high ethical standards, empathy, crisis management abilities, and a strong sense of social responsibility. In a life-threatening situation such as a road accident, saving human lives takes immediate priority over personal commitments, including an interview. Calling the police and an ambulance ensures that professional emergency medical services and rescue operations are initiated without delay. Waiting until help arrives ensures that the victims are not left unattended, provides moral support, and guarantees a smooth handoff of the situation to the authorized personnel, which demonstrates the leadership, responsibility, and civic duty essential for a future public servant.
