Directions (1):
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it.
Certain
words/expressions are given in bold in the passage to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Radically changing monsoon patterns, reduction in the winter rice harvest and a quantum increase in respiratory diseasesall part of the environmental doomsday scenario which is reportedly playing out in South Asia. According to a United Nations Environment Programme report, a deadly threekm deep blanket of pollution comprising a fearsome cocktail of ash. acids, aerosols and other particles has enveloped this region. For India, already struggling to cope with a drought^the implications of this are devastating and further crop failure will amount to a life and death question for many Indians. The increase in premature deaths will have adverse social and economic consequences and a rise in morbidities will place an unbearable burden on our crumbling health system. And there is no one to blame but ourselves. Both official and corporate India has always been allergic to any mention of clean technology. Most mechanical two wheelers roll off the assembly line without proper pollution control system. little effort is made for R & D on simple technologies, which could make a vital difference to people's lives and the en-
vironment .
words/expressions are given in bold in the passage to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Radically changing monsoon patterns, reduction in the winter rice harvest and a quantum increase in respiratory diseasesall part of the environmental doomsday scenario which is reportedly playing out in South Asia. According to a United Nations Environment Programme report, a deadly threekm deep blanket of pollution comprising a fearsome cocktail of ash. acids, aerosols and other particles has enveloped this region. For India, already struggling to cope with a drought^the implications of this are devastating and further crop failure will amount to a life and death question for many Indians. The increase in premature deaths will have adverse social and economic consequences and a rise in morbidities will place an unbearable burden on our crumbling health system. And there is no one to blame but ourselves. Both official and corporate India has always been allergic to any mention of clean technology. Most mechanical two wheelers roll off the assembly line without proper pollution control system. little effort is made for R & D on simple technologies, which could make a vital difference to people's lives and the en-
vironment .
However, while there is no denying that South Asia must
clean up its act, skeptics might question the timing of
the haze report. The Kyoto meet on climate change is just two weeks away and the Stage is set for the usual battle
between the developing world and the West, particularly the U.S. President Mr. Bush has adamantly refused to sign
any protocol, which would mean a change in American consumption level. U.N. environment report will likely find
a place in the U.S. arsenal as it plants an accusing finger towards controls like India and China. Yet the U.S. can
hardly deny its own dubious role
the haze report. The Kyoto meet on climate change is just two weeks away and the Stage is set for the usual battle
between the developing world and the West, particularly the U.S. President Mr. Bush has adamantly refused to sign
any protocol, which would mean a change in American consumption level. U.N. environment report will likely find
a place in the U.S. arsenal as it plants an accusing finger towards controls like India and China. Yet the U.S. can
hardly deny its own dubious role
in
the matter of erasing trading quotas. Richer countries can simply buy up excess
credits from poorer countries and
continue to pollute. Rather than try to get the better of developing countries, who undoubtedly have taken up
environmental shortcuts in their bid to catch up with the West, the U.S. should take a look at the environmental
profligacy, which is going on within. From opening up virgin territories for oil exploration to relaxing the standards
for drinking water, Mr. Bush's policies are not exactly beneficial, not even to America's interests. We realize that we
are all in this together and that pollution anywhere should be a global concern otherwise there will only be more
tunnels at the end of the tunnel.
continue to pollute. Rather than try to get the better of developing countries, who undoubtedly have taken up
environmental shortcuts in their bid to catch up with the West, the U.S. should take a look at the environmental
profligacy, which is going on within. From opening up virgin territories for oil exploration to relaxing the standards
for drinking water, Mr. Bush's policies are not exactly beneficial, not even to America's interests. We realize that we
are all in this together and that pollution anywhere should be a global concern otherwise there will only be more
tunnels at the end of the tunnel.
1. Both official and corporate
India is allergic to:
(1)
failure of monsoon
(2)
poverty and inequality
(3)
slowdown in industrial production
(4)
mention of clean technology
(5)
crop failure
2. Which, according to the
passage. Is a life and death question to many Indians?
(1)
Increase in respiratory diseases
(2)
Use of clean technology
(3)
Thick blanket of pollution over the region
(4)
Failure in crops
(5)
Dwindling agricultural yield
3. If the rate of premature
deaths increases it will:
(1)
exert added burden on our crumbling economy
(2)
have adverse social and economic consequences
(3)
make positive effect on our efforts to control population
(4)
have less job aspirants in the ' society
(5)
have healthy effect on our economy
4. Choose the word which is SIMILAR in
meaning to the word 'profligacy'
as used in the passage.
(1)
wastefulness
(2)
conservation
(3)
upliftmeht (4) criticality (5) denouncement
5. According to the passage,
India cannot tolerate any further:
(1)
crop failure
(2)
deterioration of health care system
' (3)
increase in respiratory diseases
(4)
proliferation of nuclear devices
(5)
social and economic consequences
6. According to the passage,
two wheeler industry is not adequately concerned about
(1)
passenger safety on the roads
(2)
life cover insurance of the vehicle owners
(3)
pollution control system In the vehicles
(4)
rising cost of the two wheelers
(5)
rising cost of the petrol in the country
7. What could be the reason
behind timing of the haze report just before the Kyoto meet, as indicated in
the passage ?
(1)
United Nations is working handinglove with U.S.
(2)
Organizers of the forthcoming meet to teach a lesson to the U.S.
(3)
Drawing attentions of the world towards devastating effects of environment
degradation.
(4)
U.S. wants to use it as a handle against the developing countries in the
forthcoming meet
(5)
The meet is a part of political agenda of the U.N.
8. Choose the word which is SIMILAR in
meaning to the word 'allergic'
as used in the passage. (1) liking (2)
passionate
(3)
possessive (4) crumbling (5) repugnant
9. Which of the following is
the indication of environmental degradation in South Asia ?
(1)
Social and economic inequality
(2)
Crumbling health care system
(3)
Inadequate pollution control system
(4)
Overemphasis on technology
(5)
Radically changing monsoon pattern
10. What must we realize,
according to the passage ?
(1)
No country should show superiority over other countries
(2)
U.N. is putting in hard efforts in the direction of pollution control
(3)
All countries must join hands in fighting pollution
(4)
Nobody should travel through tunnel to avoid health hazards
(5)
We all must strive hard to increase agricultural production
11. Which of the following
finds place in the United Nations Environment Programme Report?
(1)
Changing monsoon patterns
(2)
Substantial increase in respiratory diseases
(3)
A serious cover of pollution over the region
(4)
Reduction in winter rice harvest
(5)
None of these
12. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage ?
(1)
U.N. environment report blames countries like India and China
(2)
Developing countries have taken environment shortcuts in their bid to catch up
with the West.
(3)
U.S. is also to be blamed for environmental degradation and pollution
(4)
Indians cannot afford to have any further crop failure
(5)
U.S. has tightened safety standards for drinking water
13. According to the passage,
Kyoto meet is going to witness
(1)
calm and dispassionate thinking on the issue of pollution control
(2)
a blaming game between developed and developing countries
(3)
refusal of U.N. to work as arbitrator
(4)
U.S. agreeing to look at the issue of lowering its consumption
(5)
countries agreeing for higher monetary allocation to R & D.
14. Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in
meaning to the word 'dubious'
as used in the passage ?
(1)
unquestionable
(2)
dissimilar (3) illegal
(4)
antisocial (5) innovative
15. Choose the word which is the MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word 'morbidity' as
used in the passage.
(1)
powerfulness
(2)
healthiness (3) softness (4) acuteness (5) purposeful
Directions (2) : Read the following passage carefully and answer the
questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in
bold to help you locate them while answering those questions.
At one time it would have been impossible to imagine the
integration of different religious thoughts, ideas and
ideals. That is because of the closed society, the lack of any communication or interdependence on other nations.
People were happy and content amongst themselves, they did not need any more. The physical distance and cultural
barriers prevented any exchange of thought and beliefs. But such is not the case today. Today, the world has become
a much smaller place, thanks to the adventures and miracles of science. Foreign nations have become our next door
neighbours. Mingling of population is bringing about an interchange of thought. We are slowly realizing that the
world is a single cooperative group. Other religions have become forces with which we have to reckon and we are
seeking for ways and means by which we can live together in peace and harmony. We cannot have religious unity
and peace so long as we assert that we are in possession of the light and all others are grouping in the darkness. That
very assertion is a challenge to a fight. The political ideal of the world is not so much a single empire with a
homogeneous, civilization and single communal will a brotherhood of free nations differing profoundly in life and
mind, habits and institutions, existing side by side in peace and order, harmony and cooperation and each
contributing to the world its own unique and specific best, which is irreducible to the terms of the others.
ideals. That is because of the closed society, the lack of any communication or interdependence on other nations.
People were happy and content amongst themselves, they did not need any more. The physical distance and cultural
barriers prevented any exchange of thought and beliefs. But such is not the case today. Today, the world has become
a much smaller place, thanks to the adventures and miracles of science. Foreign nations have become our next door
neighbours. Mingling of population is bringing about an interchange of thought. We are slowly realizing that the
world is a single cooperative group. Other religions have become forces with which we have to reckon and we are
seeking for ways and means by which we can live together in peace and harmony. We cannot have religious unity
and peace so long as we assert that we are in possession of the light and all others are grouping in the darkness. That
very assertion is a challenge to a fight. The political ideal of the world is not so much a single empire with a
homogeneous, civilization and single communal will a brotherhood of free nations differing profoundly in life and
mind, habits and institutions, existing side by side in peace and order, harmony and cooperation and each
contributing to the world its own unique and specific best, which is irreducible to the terms of the others.
The
cosmopolitanism of the eighteenth century and the nationalism of the nineteenth
are combined in our
ideal
of a world commonwealth, which allows every branch of the human family to find
freedom, security and self
realisation in the larger life of mankind. I see no hope for the religious future of the world, if this ideal is not
extended to the religious sphere also. When two or three different systems claim that they contain the revelation of
the very core and centre of truth and the acceptance of it is the exclusive pathway to heaven, conflicts are inevitable.
In such conflicts one religion will not allow others to steal"a march over it and no one can gain ascendancy until the world is reduced to dust and ashes. To obliterate every other religion than one's is a sort of Bolshevism in religion which we must try to prevent. We can do so only if we accept something like the Indian solution, which seeks the unity of religion not in a common creed but in a common quest. Let us believe in a unity of spirit and not of organization, a unity which secures ample liberty not only for every individual but for every type of organized life
which has proved itself effective.
realisation in the larger life of mankind. I see no hope for the religious future of the world, if this ideal is not
extended to the religious sphere also. When two or three different systems claim that they contain the revelation of
the very core and centre of truth and the acceptance of it is the exclusive pathway to heaven, conflicts are inevitable.
In such conflicts one religion will not allow others to steal"a march over it and no one can gain ascendancy until the world is reduced to dust and ashes. To obliterate every other religion than one's is a sort of Bolshevism in religion which we must try to prevent. We can do so only if we accept something like the Indian solution, which seeks the unity of religion not in a common creed but in a common quest. Let us believe in a unity of spirit and not of organization, a unity which secures ample liberty not only for every individual but for every type of organized life
which has proved itself effective.
For almost all historical forms of life and thought can
claim the sanction of experience and so the authority of God. The world would
be a much poorer thing if one creed absorbed the rest. God wills a rich harmony
and not a colourless uniformity. The comprehensive and
synthetic spirit of Indianism had made it a mighty forest with a thousand waving arms each fulfilling its function and all
directed by the spirit of God. Each thing in its place and all associated in
the divine concert making with their various voices and even dissonance, as
Heracletus would say, the most exquisite harmony should be our
ideal.
1. According to the passage,
religious unity and peace can be obtained if
(1)
We believe that the world is a single co-operative group
(2)
We do not assert that we alone are in possession of the real knowledge
(3)
We believe in a unity of spirit and not of organization
(4)
We believe that truth does matter and will prevail
(5) None of these
2. Which of the following,
according to the passage, is the Indian solution' ? Unity of religions in a
common
(1)
Belief
(2)
Organization
(3) Creed
(4)
Search
(5) None of these
3. According to the author,
which of the following is not true ?
(1) Acceptance of Indianism is the exclusive pathway to
heaven
(2)
We should not assert that other religions have no definite pathway or goal
(3)
God wants a genuine similarity in thoughts, ideals and values rather than an
artificial appearance
(4)
People interacting with each other is bringing about a change in their
attitude.
(5) None of these
4. According to the passage,
the political ideal of the contemporary world is toil) create a single empire
with a
(2)
foster the unity of all the religions of the world
(3)
create a world common wealth preserving religious diversity of all the nations
(4)
create brotherhood of free nations who believe in one religion
(5) None of these
5. According to the passage,
the world would be a much poorer thing if
(1)
one religion swallows all other religions
(2)
one religion accepts the supremacy of other religions
(3)
religions adopt toleration as a principle of spiritual life
(4)
we do not achieve the ideal of brotherhood of free nations
(5) None of these
6. Which of the following
statements is/are stated or implied in the above passage ?
(A)
People today are happy and content amongst themselves.
(B)
There is no freedom and security in the religious sphere in the world todav.
(C)
Indianism is directed by the spirit of God. (l)Only(A)&(C)
(2)
Only (B)
(3)
Only (C)
(4)
Only (A)
(5) None of these
7. Which of the following is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the world "reckon" as used in the passage ?
(1)
show regard
(2)
take into consideration
(3) confront
(4)
agree with
(5) None of these
8. Which of the following is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word "profoundly" as used in the passage ?
(l)meagerly
(2)
hardly
(3)
scarcely
(4)
marginally
(5) empty
9. According to the passage,
what is Bolshevism In the religion ?
(1)
To ridicule the views sincerely held by others
(2)
To accept others religious beliefs and doctrines as authentic as ours
(3)
To adhere to rigid dogmatism in religion
(4)
To make change in a religion so that it becomes more acceptable
(5) None of these
10. According to the passage,
the conflict of religions is inevitable mainly because each religion
(1)
believes that anyone who disargrees with it ought to be silenced
(2)
wants to steal a march over others
(3)
claims to possess a complete and exclusive understanding of truth
(4)
believes that the view held strongly by many need not be a correct view
(5) None of these
(1)
wastefulness
