EASY
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
Earn 100
Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.
A long time ago, on a big tree in the lap of the mountain, lived a bird named Sindhuka. It was a rather special bird because its droppings turned into gold as soon as they hit the ground.
One day, a hunter came to the tree in search of prey and he saw Sindhuka's droppings hit the ground and turn into gold. The hunter was struck with wonder. He though, "I have been hunting birds and small animals since I was a boy, but in all my 80 years, I have never seen such a miraculous creature. He decided that he had to catch the bird somehow. He climbed the tree and skillfully set a trap for the bird. The bird, quite unaware of the danger it was in, stayed on the tree and sang merrily. But it was soon caught in the hunter's trap. The hunter immediately seized it and shoved it into a cage.
The hunter took the bird home joyfully. But as he had time to think over his good fortune later, he suddenly realised, "If the king comes to know of this wonder, he will certainly take away the bird from me and he might even punish me for keeping such a rare treasure all to myself. So it would be safer and more honourable if I were to go to the king and present the unique bird to him," The next day, the hunter took the bird to the king and presented it to him in court with great reverence. The king was delighted to receive such an unusual and rare gift. He told his courtiers to keep the bird safe and feed it with the best bird food available.
The king's prime minister though, was reluctant to accept the bird. He said "O Rajah, how can you believe the word of a foolish hunter accept this bird? Has anyone in our kingdom ever seen a bird dropping gold? The hunter must be either crazy or telling lies. I think it is best that you release the bird from the cage." After a little thought, the king felt that his prime minister's words were correct. So he ordered the bird to be released. But as soon as the door of the cage was thrown open, the bird flew out, perched itself on a nearby doorway and defecated. To everyone's surprise, the dropping immediately turned into gold. The king mourned his loss.
Which of the following is possibly the most appropriate title for the story?
50% studentsanswered this correctly
Important Questions on Reading Comprehension
EASY
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
The European Union's ban on the import of mangoes and four vegetables from India deserves further consideration. The question is whether the EU took into account the steps already taken by New Delhi to address the EU's concerns over the presence of pests, including fruit flies, in mangoes, bitter gourd, taro, eggplant, and snake gourd. The new procedure introduced for export-bound consignments mandates that all perishable items should be routed through recognized pack houses under the vigilance of the National Plant Protection Organization. In order to ensure that packaging material is free of infestation - and to ward off any future action on that count - New Delhi has instructed its customs authorities to allow shipments only in wood containers that bear the specified stamps of the plant quarantine officials.
The EU curbs hit right in the middle of the mango season. That harms not only Indian producers and exporters but also European importers, retailers, and consumers. At this stage, it would be difficult for exporters to find new markets and customers for their products and also for importers to source their supplies from elsewhere. Several Indian varieties of mango - particularly the Alphonso - have a market niche in importing countries. Prices of these mangoes have already shot up in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, while these have crashed by 15 percent in the mango-producing areas in India. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the voices of dissent against the restriction have erupted within the EU, particularly from the UK's mango traders and retailers. Notably, a motion has been moved in the British Parliament by a member calling for the reversal of the ban. If this embargo is perhaps retaliatory action by Brussels after New Delhi imposed new and burdensome labelling standards on imported wines, scotch, and chocolates, then it needs to be revisited - since that would potentially affect the ongoing negotiations on the India-EU free-trade pact.
Importantly, this raises another vital question. Why are Indian exports always running afoul of health and sanitary standards abroad in different sectors and jurisdictions - but with no notable effects on domestic regulation? Given the strictures on Indian medicines, food, and even cars recently passed by a variety of global regulators, it cannot all be a conspiracy against India. Are Indian lives so much cheaper than European ones that India's regulators will be defensive instead of taking foreign concerns on board? More domestic action is needed to tackle the menace of pest infestation, pesticide residue, and lax sanitary and phytosanitary standards of farm goods. Indian consumers, too, have a right to consume foods that are safe and free of pests, pathogens, and toxic residue. Farmers, food processors, and marketers need to be educated about the judicious use of plant protection chemicals and the observance of strict hygiene standards in producing, handling, and processing produces. Fruit flies, for example, the current bone of contention, can be eliminated through simple and safe treatments, such as hot water immersion of harvested fruits. There is little reason why such measures cannot be adopted on a larger scale to protect consumers at home and abroad and to improve India's image as a reliable exporter of farm produce.
Which of the following is the current bone of contention, according to the passage?
EASY
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
The European Union's ban on the import of mangoes and four vegetables from India deserves further consideration. The question is whether the EU took into account the steps already taken by New Delhi to address the EU's concerns over the presence of pests, including fruit flies, in mangoes, bitter gourd, taro, eggplant and snake gourd. The new procedure introduced for export-bound consignments mandates that all perishable items should be routed through recognized pack houses under the vigilance of the National Plant Protection Organization. In order to ensure that packaging material is free of infestation - and to ward off any future action on that count - New Delhi has instructed its customs authorities to allow shipments only in wood containers that bear the specified stamps of the plant quarantine officials.
The EU curbs hit right in the middle of the mango season. That harms not only Indian producers and exporters but also European importers, retailers and consumers. At this stage, it would be difficult for exporters to find new markets and customers for their products and also for importers to source their supplies from elsewhere. Several Indian varieties of mango - particularly the Alphonso - have a market niche in importing countries. Prices of these mangoes have already shot up in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, while these have crashed by 15 per cent in the mango-producing areas in India. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the voices of dissent against the restriction have erupted within the EU, particularly from the UK's mango traders and retailers. Notably, a motion has been moved in the British Parliament by a member calling for the reversal of the ban. If this embargo is perhaps retaliatory action by Brussels after New Delhi imposed new and burdensome labelling standards on imported wines, scotch and chocolates, then it needs to be revisited - since that would potentially affect the ongoing negotiations on the India-EU free-trade pact.
Importantly, this raises another vital question. Why are Indian exports always running afoul of health and sanitary standards abroad in different sectors and jurisdictions - but with no notable effects on domestic regulation? Given the strictures on Indian medicines, food and even cars recently passed by a variety of global regulators, it cannot all be a conspiracy against India. Are Indian lives so much cheaper than European ones that India's regulators will be defensive instead of taking foreign concerns on board? More domestic action is needed to tackle the menace of pest infestation, pesticide residue and lax sanitary and phytosanitary standards of farm goods. Indian consumers, too, have a right to consume foods that are safe and free of pests, pathogens and toxic residue. Farmers, food processors and marketers need to be educated about the judicious use of plant protection chemicals and the observance of strict hygiene standards in producing, handling and processing produce. Fruit flies, for example, the current bone of contention, can be eliminated through simple and safe treatments, such as hot water immersion of harvested fruits. There is little reason why such measures cannot be adopted on a larger scale to protect consumers at home and abroad, and to improve India's image as a reliable exporter of farm produce.
Which of the following remedies have been suggested to get rid of fruit flies?
EASY
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
The European Union's ban on the import of mangoes and four vegetables from India deserves further consideration. The question is whether the EU took into account the steps already taken by New Delhi to address the EU's concerns over the presence of pests, including fruit flies, in mangoes, bitter gourd, taro, eggplant and snake gourd. The new procedure introduced for export-bound consignments mandates that all perishable items should be routed through recognized pack houses under the vigilance of the National Plant Protection Organization. In order to ensure that packaging material is free of infestation - and to ward off any future action on that count - New Delhi has instructed its customs authorities to allow shipments only in wood containers that bear the specified stamps of the plant quarantine officials.
The EU curbs hit right in the middle of the mango season. That harms not only Indian producers and exporters but also European importers, retailers and consumers. At this stage, it would be difficult for exporters to find new markets and customers for their products and also for importers to source their supplies from elsewhere. Several Indian varieties of mango - particularly the Alphonso - have a market niche in importing countries. Prices of these mangoes have already shot up in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, while these have crashed by 15 per cent in the mango-producing areas in India. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the voices of dissent against the restriction have erupted within the EU, particularly from the UK's mango traders and retailers. Notably, a motion has been moved in the British Parliament by a member calling for the reversal of the ban. If this embargo is perhaps retaliatory action by Brussels after New Delhi imposed new and burdensome labelling standards on imported wines, scotch and chocolates, then it needs to be revisited - since that would potentially affect the ongoing negotiations on the India-EU free-trade pact.
Importantly, this raises another vital question. Why are Indian exports always running afoul of health and sanitary standards abroad in different sectors and jurisdictions - but with no notable effects on domestic regulation? Given the strictures on Indian medicines, food and even cars recently passed by a variety of global regulators, it cannot all be a conspiracy against India. Are Indian lives so much cheaper than European ones that India's regulators will be defensive instead of taking foreign concerns on board? More domestic action is needed to tackle the menace of pest infestation, pesticide residue and lax sanitary and phytosanitary standards of farm goods. Indian consumers, too, have a right to consume foods that are safe and free of pests, pathogens and toxic residue. Farmers, food processors and marketers need to be educated about the judicious use of plant protection chemicals and the observance of strict hygiene standards in producing, handling and processing produce. Fruit flies, for example, the current bone of contention, can be eliminated through simple and safe treatments, such as hot water immersion of harvested fruits. There is little reason why such measures cannot be adopted on a larger scale to protect consumers at home and abroad, and to improve India's image as a reliable exporter of farm produce.
Which of the following is false in the context of the passage?
MEDIUM
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
The king of Kanchi set off to conquer Karnat. He was victorious in battle. The elephants were laden with sandalwood, ivory, gold, and precious stones were taken from the conquered kingdom of Karnat. They would be a part of the victory parade for his subjects. On his way back home he stopped at a temple, finished his prayers to the goddess, and turned to leave. Around his neck was a garland of scarlet hibiscus and as was the custom for all, his forehead was anointed with red sandal paste. His Minister and the court jester were his only companions. At one spot, in mango grove by the wayside, they spied some children playing. The king said, "Let me go and see what they are playing."
The children had lined up two rows of clay dolls and were playing warriors and battles. The King asked, "Who is fighting whom?" They said, "Karnat is at battle with Kanchi." The king asked, "Who is winning and who is the loser?" The children puffed their chests up and said, "Karnat will win and Kanchi will lose." The Minister froze in disbelief, the King was furious and the jester burst into laughter.
The King was soon joined by his troops and the children were still immersed in their game. The King commanded, "Cane them hard." The children's parents came running from the nearby village and said, "They are naïve, it was just a game, please grant them pardon." The King called his commander and ordered, "Teach these children and the village a lesson so that they never forget the King of Kanchi." He went back to his camp.
That evening the commander stood before the king. He bowed low in shame and said, "Your Majesty, with the exception of hyenas and vultures, all lie silent in the village." The Minister said, "His Majesty's honour has been saved." The priest said, "The goddess has blessed our King." The jester said, "Your Highness, please grant me leave to go now." The King asked, "But why?" The jester said, "I cannot kill, I cannot maim, I can only laugh at God's gift of life." Trembling in the face of the king's anger he bravely continued, "If I stay in your Majesty's court, I shall become like you and I shall forget how to laugh."
Which of the following cannot be said about the jester?
I. He was not a loyal subject of the king.
II. He was afraid of the king's temper
III. He did not support the king's war against Karnat.
HARD
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
Political ploys initially hailed as master-strokes often end up as glops. The Rs. 60,000 crore farm loan waiver announced in the budget writes off 100% of overdues of small and marginal farmers holding upto two hectares, and 25% of overdues of larger farmers. While India has enjoyed 8% - 9% GDP growth for the past few years, the boom has bypassed many rural areas and farmer distress and suicides have made newspaper headlines. Various attempts to provide relief (Employment guarantee scheme, public distribution system) have made little impact, thanks to huge leakages from the government's lousy delivery systems. So, many economists think the loan waiver is a worthwhile alternative to provide relief.
However the poorest rural folk are landless laboures, who get neither farm loans nor waivers. Half of the small and marginal farmers get no loans from banks and depend entirely on money lenders, and will not benefit. Besides, rural India is full of the family holdings rather than individual holdings and family holdings will typically be much larger than two hectares even for dirt poor farmers, who will, therefore, be denied the 100% waiver, It will thus fail in both economic and political objectives. IRDP loans to the rural poor in the 1980s demonstrated that crooked bank officials demand bribes amounting to one-third the intended benefits. Very few of the intended beneficiaries who merited relief received it. After the last farm loan waiver will similarly slow down fresh loans to deserving farmers. While overdues to cooperatives may be higher, economist Surjit Bhalla says less than 5% of farmer loans to banks are overdue i.e. overdues exist for only 2.25 million out of 90 million farmers, If so, then the 95% who have repaid loans will not benefit. They will be angry at being penalised for honesty.
The budget thus grossly overestimates the number of beneficiaries, it also underestimates the negative effects of the waiver-encouraging willful default in the future and discouraging fresh bank lending for some years. Instead of trying to reach the needy, through a plethora of leaky schemes we should transfer cash directly to the needy using new technology like biometric smart cards, which are now being used in many countries, and mobile phones bank accounts. Then benefits can go directly to phone accounts operable only by those with biometric cards, ending the massive leakages of current schemes.
The political benefits of the loan waiver have also been exaggerated since if only a small fraction of farm families benefit, and many of these have to pay bribes to get the actual benefit, will the waiver really be massive vote-winner? Members of joint families will feel aggrieved that, despite having less than one hectare per head, their family holdings is too large, to qualify for the 100% waiver, All finance ministers, of central or state governments, give away freebies in their last budgets, hoping to win electoral reagrds. Yet, four-fifth of all incumbent governments are voted out. This shows that beneficiaries of favours are not notably grateful, while those not so favoured may feel aggrieved, and vote for the opposition. That seems to be why election budgets constantly fail to win elections n India and the loan waiver will not change that pattern.
Why do economist feel that loan waivers will benefit farmers in distress?
MEDIUM
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
Political ploys initially hailed as master-strokes often end up as glops. The Rs. 60,000 crore farm loan waiver announced in the budget writes off 100% of overdues of small and marginal farmers holding upto two hectares, and 25% of overdues of larger farmers. While India has enjoyed 8% - 9% GDP growth for the past few years, the boom has bypassed many rural areas and farmer distress and suicides have made newspaper headlines. Various attempts to provide relief (Employment guarantee scheme, public distribution system) have made little impact, thanks to huge leakages from the government's lousy delivery systems. So, many economists think the loan waiver is a worthwhile alternative to provide relief.
However the poorest rural folk are landless laboures, who get neither farm loans nor waivers. Half of the small and marginal farmers get no loans from banks and depend entirely on money lenders, and will not benefit. Besides, rural India is full of the family holdings rather than individual holdings and family holdings will typically be much larger than two hectares even for dirt poor farmers, who will, therefore, be denied the 100% waiver, It will thus fail in both economic and political objectives. IRDP loans to the rural poor in the 1980s demonstrated that crooked bank officials demand bribes amounting to one-third the intended benefits. Very few of the intended beneficiaries who merited relief received it. After the last farm loan waiver will similarly slow down fresh loans to deserving farmers. While overdues to cooperatives may be higher, economist Surjit Bhalla says less than 5% of farmer loans to banks are overdue i.e. overdues exist for only 2.25 million out of 90 million farmers, If so, then the 95% who have repaid loans will not benefit. They will be angry at being penalised for honesty.
The budget thus grossly overestimates the number of beneficiaries, it also underestimates the negative effects of the waiver-encouraging willful default in the future and discouraging fresh bank lending for some years. Instead of trying to reach the needy, through a plethora of leaky schemes we should transfer cash directly to the needy using new technology like biometric smart cards, which are now being used in many countries, and mobile phones bank accounts. Then benefits can go directly to phone accounts operable only by those with biometric cards, ending the massive leakages of current schemes.
The political benefits of the loan waiver have also been exaggerated since if only a small fraction of farm families benefit, and many of these have to pay bribes to get the actual benefit, will the waiver really be massive vote-winner? Members of joint families will feel aggrieved that, despite having less than one hectare per head, their family holdings is too large, to qualify for the 100% waiver, All finance ministers, of central or state governments, give away freebies in their last budgets, hoping to win electoral reagrds. Yet, four-fifth of all incumbent governments are voted out. This shows that beneficiaries of favours are not notably grateful, while those not so favoured may feel aggrieved, and vote for the opposition. That seems to be why election budgets constantly fail to win elections n India and the loan waiver will not change that pattern.
Which of the following cannot be said about loan waiver?
A. Small and marginal farmers will benefit the most.
B. The loan waiver penalizes deserving farmers.
C. A large percentage i.e. ninety-five percent of distressed farmers will benefit
MEDIUM
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
Raghu has been orphaned when he was quite young so he had learned to fend for himself. One day he was very hungry. Wondering what to do, he happened to pass a sweet shop and heard the shopkeeper tell his young assistant, "Look after the shop while I take a nap. Call me only if something important comes up." Raghu smelt an opportunity. He waited for a short time and then entered. "I am the owner's best friend's son. Give me the best sweets in the shop." The boy was suspicious and asked him his name. "My name is Fly," said Raghu helping himself to some jalebis. As he sat eating, the boy ran to the owner, "Fly is eating the sweets. What should I do?" The sweet shop owner was in a deep sleep. He mumbled, "How much can a fly eat? Let him be." Then he turned over and started snoring
loudly. The poor boy could do nothing but watch him demolish a plate of jalebis. Finally Raghu took two boxes of the best sweets in the shop and left without paying.These boxes he presented to Mahadev saying, "Here is a present for our city's greatest man. Please accept this. I am a poor man and have nothing else to give you." Seeing the box full of expensive sweets Mahadev, who rarely parted with money
, was delighted. "Sir", continued Raghu, "I have only one request. May I have the empty boxes back please?" Mahadev was only interested in the sweets so he said graciously, "Of course. Ask my wife to give you two vessels for the sweets." Raghu went to Mahadev's wife and said, "Your husband has asked you to give me two gold coins". The woman who was cooking lunch was astonished and said, "Are you out of your mind?" My husband would never say such a thing!" So Raghu called out to Mahadev, "Your wife is refusing to give me what I asked for." Mahadev was negotiating a handsome deal in his shop. Irritated by the disturbance he called out, "Give him what he wants." So Raghu left with the gold coins in his pocket.Days went by and Raghu made his living through his smooth talk and tall promise. The king heard about this. Raghu was brought to him under arrest. The king heard to his story in silence and then said, "Since you are so clever study with the best pundits in the land. Use your wits for the betterment of the kingdom." Raghu was silent. No one had praised him or offered the King's terms and one day came to be known as one of the wisest of his ministers.
Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
GRACIOUSLY
MEDIUM
English Proficiency
IMPORTANT
In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Four words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Choose the correct answer.
Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley. It (i) to me that I stood by the iron gate leading to the drive, but there was a padlock and chain upon the gate. Then, like all dreamers, I suddenly attained supernatural powers and passed (ii) the gate like a spirit. As I (iii) along the twisting and turning drive, I (iv) see that a change had come about. This was not the neat and orderly drive that we had (v). It was only when I (vi) my head to avoid the low swinging branch of a tree that I realised what had (vii) Nature had come into its own again. The woods on either side of the drive had encroached upon the open space in between. The branches of the tree intermingled (viii) my head like the archway of a church. The drive was choked with grass and moss. I came upon the house all of a (ix). As I stood before it, I (x) the strange prick of tears behind my eyes.
Choose the correct word for blank (i).
