General English (NABARD Assistant Manager - 3)

The author talks of “unnecessary waste of life”. In what sense has the phrase been used?

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

“We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime.” How has the modern civilisation initiated this condition?

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

According to the passage, what is the ideal way to survive for a long time?

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

Directions: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Astray

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

Directions: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Sensuous

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

Directions: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Inimical

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

Directions: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Complacent

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

How can the opening line of the passage be interpreted?

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

What legacy does the new generation receive from its ancestors?

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

Directions: Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

Impaired

It is natural to be healthy, but we have wandered so far astray that disease is the rule and good health is the exception. Of course, most people are well enough to attend to their work, but nearly all are suffering from some illness, mental or physical, acute or chronic, which deprives them of a part of their power. There is too much illness, too much suffering and too many premature deaths. We are losing every year a vast army of individuals who are in their productive prime. The average individual is of less value to himself, to his family and to society than he could be. His bad habits, of which he is often not aware, have brought weakness and disease upon him. These conditions prevent him from doing his best mentally and physically. This abnormal condition has a bad effect upon his descendants, who may not be born with any special defects, but have less resistance at birth than is their due, and consequently fall prey to disease very easily. This state of impaired resistance has been passed on from generation to generation, and we of today are passing it on as a heritage to our children.
Yet it is within the power of each individual to prolong his life beyond what is now considered old age. Under favourable conditions, people should live in comfort and health to the age of one hundred years or more, useful and in full possession of their faculties. Barring accidents, which should be less numerous when people fully realise that unreasonable haste and speed are wasteful, and that life is more valuable than accumulated wealth, human life could and should be a certainty. There should be no sudden deaths resulting from the popular diseases of today.
All civilised nations of which we have record, except the Chinese, have decayed after growing and flourishing for a few centuries, usually about a thousand years or less. Many reasons are given for the decline and fall of nations. Rome especially furnishes food for much thought. However, look into the history of each known nation that has risen to prominence, glory and power, and you will find that so long as they kept in close contact with the soil they flourished on. With the advance of civilisation, the people change their mode of life from simplicity to luxuriousness and complexity. Thus, individuals decay and in the end there is enough individual decay to result in national degeneration. When this process has advanced far enough, these people are unable to hold their own. In the severe competition of nations, the strain is too great and they perish. There is a point of refinement beyond which people can not go and survive.
Nations, like individuals, generally do better in moderate circumstances, than in opulence. Nearly all can stand poverty, but only the exceptional individual or nation can bear up under riches. Nature demands of us that we exercise both body and mind.
Civilisation is not inimical to health and long life. In fact, the contrary is true, for as the people advance, they learn to master the forces of nature and with these forces under control, they are able to lead better, healthier lives, but if they become too soft and luxurious, there is decay of moral and physical fibre, and in the end, the nation must fall, for its individual units are unworthy of survival in a world which requires an admixture of brain and brawn. Civilisation is favourable to long life so long as the people are moderate and live simply, but when it degenerates to sensuous softness, individual and racial deterioration ensue. Too generous supply of food, too little exercise and alcohol are some of the luxuries which are generally introduced with civilisation.
A part of the price we must pay for being civilised is the exercise of considerable self-control and self-denial, otherwise we must suffer.
We look upon this unnecessary waste of life complacently because we are used to it and consequently think that it is natural. It is neither necessary nor natural. If we would read and heed nature's writings, it would cease. Then, people would live until their time came to fade away peacefully and beautifully, as do the golden leaves of autumn or the blades of grass.

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labelled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The organisation _______ to popularise Indian classical music among the youth which has lost _______ with its cultural roots.

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labelled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

One of the major critiques of the examination system is that it _______ to a spirit of ______ competition among the students.

Directions: The sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labelled (1) through (5). Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The governmental __________ spurred dramatic improvements in the way waste management is ______ out in many hospitals.

Choose the correct option and fill blank (v).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (iii).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (viii).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (iv).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (x).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (vii).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (vi).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (ix).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (ii).

Choose the correct option and fill blank (i).

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The sentence does not contain more than one error. If the sentence contains an error, select the underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) The goal of unemployment insurance is to support workers who have lost their (B) jobs until they are (C) reabsorption into (D) industry. (E) No error

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The sentence does not contain more than one error. If the sentence contains an error, select the underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

“A Raisin in the Sun”, the (A) highly (B) acclaimed Broadway play by Lerraine Hansberry, (C) dealing with the serious and comic (D) events in the life of a Black family in modern America. (E) No error

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The sentence does not contain more than one error. If the sentence contains an error, select the underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

The selection of products available through (A) mail (B) order companies (C) are large and (D) varied. (E) No error

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The sentence does not contain more than one error. If the sentence contains an error, select the underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers, follow the requirements of standard written English.

Soprano Minnie Hauk is often (A) credit with starting a trend in opera (B) away from the old Italian style towards (C) more realistic, dramatic (D) interpretations. (E) No error

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The sentence does not contain more than one error. If the sentence contains an error, select the underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

From a (A) youngest age, children begin a (B) continuous process of evaluating (C) themselves in the light of the opinions and comments of those (D) around them. (E) No error