Questions
Directions: Five alternative summaries are given below the text. Choose the option that best completes the essence of the text.
India and America are not always likely to share strategic interests. Nevertheless, we must remain friends in the sense of a higher commitment to certain values. Alliances based on interests are but transient. We should support America if it seeks to export the ideal of genuine liberal democracy around the world and warn it of the fate which befell earlier hegemons that chose to pursue narrow selfish interests. This position, as their friend in freedom, is what we owe them. Frankness, in other words, must be the primary virtue of our often strained, but nevertheless true friendship.
- India and America share common values of democracy and freedom. Therefore, it is in India’s own interest to support America if the latter supports democracy worldwide and caution it if it doesn’t.
- International relations ought to be based on common interests. Since India and America do not share strategic interests, their friendship can only be based on frankness.
- Selfless friendships are more enduring. India and America may not always have commonality of interests, but they must share ideological common ground and be mutually supportive on such shared values.
- Friendships based on mutual interest are longer-lasting. India and America do not share common interests. Yet India should support America where the latter is right.
- True friendship, based on mutual support and frankness, should define India’s relations with America.
Directions: Four alternative summaries are given below the text. Choose the option that best completes the essence of the text.
In the philosophy of the Vedanta, matter is not an entity isolated from the realm of eternity, but is merely an appearance of the Eternal through space, time and causation. The activities of the material world are all consciously directed towards the fulfillment of the cosmic purpose of self-realisation. Matter is not an unwilling self, but a willing cooperator in the grand scheme of the cosmos. Matter appears to be an impediment when the Spirit is forgotten, but when one consciously and deliberately puts forth efforts towards the realisation of the Spirit in one's own self, one would discover that the material universe becomes a stepping stone in the process of this grand ascent.
- The material pursuits are a stepping stone to the ultimate realisation of self.
- There is but a thin line of demarcation between the inert and the alert, and ultimately both are a pre-requisite to the fulfillment of the real purpose in life.
- Though material universe is not eternal, the spirit and the cosmic purpose are.
- In the realm of Vedanta, material world is part of the grand scheme of things in which self-realisation is the ultimate purpose.
- Vedanta defines matter as the expression of the spirit through space, time and causation.
Directions: Four alternative summaries are given below the text. Choose the option that best completes the essence of the text.
A group of strict vegetarians have formed an association called Proveg. They protested recently against a famous and popular manufacturer on the issues of a chemical additive that goes into its toothpaste. The additive is dicalcium phosphate and apparently, the company obtains it from animal bones. Let me hasten to point out that I respect the right of this group to adopt and to propagate vegetarianism. I can also understand their sensibilities regarding animal bones, but I am afraid their concern may be misplaced. What they need to be reassured about this is that the dicalcium phosphate is free of any organic contaminant from animal tissues. If the manufacturer proves that this phosphate is pure, the matter should rest there. If, on the other hand, tests reveal that the material is contaminated with any organic material from the animal, Proveg would be justified in their worries and protests.
- Appearances are often deceptive.
- What can’t be cured must be endured.
- Empty vessels create more noise.
- Let’s not get hold of the wrong end of the stick.
- You can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.
Sometimes as you change and learn, you might not make immediate progress, but if the fundamentals are correct you can rest assured that as you 'drill for skill' and start to own the procedure, your career will definitely move to new heights (and so will your personal life).
- Put in concerted efforts
- Pick up the ability
- Master the art
- Pick up nuances
- Practise the craft
Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.
'Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better' (Samuel Beckett)
- Try try again.
- Failures are stepping stones to success.
- Failures are learning experiences.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Experiences incubate perfection.
Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.
The only way to deal with the analysis paralysis is to ride the tide.
- Practise what you say.
- Take the problem squarely in the face.
- Experience is the greatest teacher.
- Take decision when the chips are down.
- Make hay while the sun shines.
Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. Choose the option which best fits the sequence logically.
Recently, I had difficulty with one of my tyres, so I went to the tyre store to get it replaced. Much to my chagrin, the service attendant identified a small problem with another tyre, which indicated the front end was out of alignment. He explained that if I did not correct the alignment, I would soon be replacing yet another tyre. Needless to say, realigning the front end of my car cost money, but the investment actually saved me additional costs in the future. The attendant (salesperson) did not cause the problems; he simply identified the problem and offered a solution, (______) We do not create problems; we identify them and offer solutions through our goods and services.
- which in any case was his duty to do.
- which we ought to do in the first place.
- which is exactly what the professional does.
- and saved me a lot of hassle.
- but isn't that what all of us are bound to do if we are true professionals?
Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. Choose the option which best fits the sequence logically.
Feynman on religion is interesting mainly because he clearly feels the need to tread very carefully for fear of offending too many people. He divides religion up into three parts: the metaphysical (creation of myths and so on), the ethical and the inspirational. His analysis is that science undermines the metaphysical part, but has no effect at all on the ethical, because, in fact, (__________). He laments the fact that the undermining of the metaphysical takes a lot of air out of the sails of the inspirational part, but his view is that the picture of the universe presented by science is pretty inspirational itself.
- science has nothing to do with the ethics of religion
- scientists have pretty much the same ethical values as everyone else
- ethics and inspiration are irretrievably intertwined
- scientific laws do not seek to confront ethical values
- science does not moralise as ethics do
Directions: Five alternative illustrations are given below the text representing an idiom, a phrase or an aphorism. Choose the option that best illustrates the essence of the phrase.
India is sue generis.
- India follows the general trend.
- India follows the gospel truth.
- The Indian miracle is here to stay.
- India's growth experience is a broad brush phenomenon.
- Indian growth story is one of its own kind.
Directions: Choose the most suitable meaning of the italicised idiom/phrase.
Contrary to the usual cinematography of his life, it was not a seamlessly unfolding panorama.
- Without a pause
- Without a seam
- Without an effort
- Discursive
- Endlessly revealing
Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. Choose the option which best fits the sequence logically.
In times past, a liberal education set off a free man from a slave or a gentleman from labourers and artisans. It now distinguishes (_______) or from the trivialities which are no training at all. Such an education involves a combination of knowledge, skills and standards.
- scholarly learning from the loading of abstract concepts by the hoi polloi
- maturation of minds from conceptual enlightenment
- whatever nourishes the mind and spirit from the training which is merely practical or professional
- practical skills from compartmentalized learning with narrow focus
- pursuit of knowledge per se from the dissemination of anachronistic ideas
Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. Choose the option which best fits the sequence logically.
Woolf's focus on society has not been generally recognized because of her intense antipathy to propaganda in art. (_______). Even when Woolf is fundamentally sympathetic to their causes, she portrays people anxious to reform their society and possessed of a message or program as arrogant or dishonest, unaware of how their political ideas serve their own psychological needs. (Her writer's Diary notes: 'the only honest people are the artists' whereas 'these social reformers and philanthropists...harbor...discreditable desires under the disguise of loving their kind...'). Woolf detested what she called 'preaching' in fiction, too.
- Her detestation of the apathetic is palpable.
- She disregards their objectives, howsoever noble they might have been.
- She feels that they unnecessarily force their views and judgments down the people's gullets.
- The pictures of reformers in her novels are usually satiric or sharply critical.
Directions: The question is a logical sequence of statements with a missing link, the location of which is shown parenthetically. From the five choices available you are required to choose the one which best fits the sequence logically.
In contrast to the early discoveries of exoplanets, we now find that less than 1 in 5 exoplanets are to be found very close to their stars, a few orbiting with a period of 5 to 50 days (______). This supports the idea that they are formed at Jupiter-like distances from their host star. Dependent on the details of the early solar system, most giant planets probably spiral inwards towards their star until they reach a point where a lack of frictional forces stops their further migration.
- much closer to their host star than mercury is to our sun
- and a few others even more distant than Jupiter is to our sun
- while most others are almost at the edge of the host star's planetary system
- the majority having spherical orbits at Jupiter-like distances
- but most giant planets are orbiting at large distances from their host stars
Directions: From the below given alternative summaries, choose the one that best presents the essence of the text.
In India, we need profound systemic changes in our method of education. Currently, the system pigeonholes individuals into a narrow range of disciplines and straitjackets them into rigid career tracks. Given the overwhelming emphasis on grades, creativity and independent thinking end up taking a back seat. So how can we expect the spirit of curiosity and inquiry to develop in such a pressure cooker? The need of the hour is an education system that fosters exploration, questioning and debate. A system that can help each student to pursue a path that best stimulates individual creativity and challenges him or her. The objective should be to create citizens who have the ability to think laterally: Students who are equipped to step out into the real world and become thought leaders, rather than products of a machine that churns out yet another commodity.
- The present 'made to order' education system in India needs to be replaced by a 'market-oriented' system.
- The education system in India needs to be completely overhauled.
- The education system needs to incorporate changes to meet the challenges of the new economy.
- In India, we have a very narrow and stereotyped focus on education. The focus needs to change from the product to the process of stimulation.
- The education system needs to progress from career-orientation to thought orientation.
Directions: From the below given alternative summaries, choose the one that best presents the essence of the text.
The 'best and the brightest' in the IMF and the World Bank were aghast at the sudden collapse in South-East Asia. They thought they had been managing the world economy wonderfully well, following what came to be known as 'the Washington Consensus'. The Washington Consensus was a set of aphorisms shared by the IMF, the World Bank, the U.S. Treasury, Washington think-tanks and their friends around the world. The Washington Consensus called for an implicit faith in the efficacy of market economy, free movement of international capital and an unrestricted and free trade of goods throughout the world. Unable to place their finger on the precise reason for the collapse, they blamed short term capital managed by financial intermediaries - commonly referred to as 'hot money'. In a globalised economy, they discovered with feigned wonderment, billions of dollars can be moved at the stroke of a computer key and this fact makes it almost impossible to manage or control its movement. At the same time, they said, imposing any restrictions on the movement of this 'hot money' is just not permissible, since it went against the basic credo of globalisation, namely, the free movement of capital. When Malaysia imposed a few restrictions, there was a howl of protest from all over the West. They said the imposition of such restrictions scared away capital from such countries and would prove counter-productive in the long run.
- The collapse of the economies in South-East Asia was the result of the faulty policies pursued by the governments of these countries.
- South-East Asian crisis presented a dilemma to the champions of Free Market economy.
- South-East Asian crisis was caused by the unrestrained entry and exit of “hot money”.
- The Washington consensus presented a conflicting view on the reasons for the financial crisis in South-East Asia.