Reading Comprehension Questions

Multiple choice

Why are the “categories "true and false" so inadequate” in the case of philosophy?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

Metaphysical principles are less easily verified from experience than physical hypotheses, but also less easily refuted. Systems of philosophy, therefore, are not so dependent on our progressive knowledge of facts as the theories of natural science, and change less quickly; notwithstanding their mutual conflicts, and in spite of the talk about discarded standpoints, they possess in a measure the permanence of classical works of art, they retain for all time a certain relative validity. The thought of Plato, of Aristotle, and of the heroes of modern philosophy is ever proving anew its fructifying power. Nowhere do we find such instructive errors as in the sphere of philosophy; nowhere is the new so essentially a completion and development of the old, even though it deem itself the whole and assume a hostile attitude toward its predecessors; nowhere is the inquiry so much more important than the final result; nowhere the categories "true and false" so inadequate. The spirit of the time and the spirit of the people, the individuality of the thinker, disposition, will, fancy--all these exert a far stronger influence on the development of philosophy, both by way of promotion and by way of hindrance, than in any other department of thought. If a system gives classical expression to the thought of an epoch,’ a nation, or a great personality; if it seeks to attack the world-riddle from a new direction, or brings us nearer its solution by important original conceptions, by a subtler or a simpler comprehension of the problem, by a wider outlook or a deeper insight; it has accomplished more than it could have done by bringing forward a number of indisputably correct principles.

  1. The true and false are different only in form, not in substance.

  2. There is nothing inherently true or false in a philosophical theory.

  3. Various philosophical interpretations have a sort of hierarchy of truths.

  4. Since philosophical tenets cannot be tested for validity, it is difficult to prove their truthfulness.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): 'Inadequate categories' does not mean true and false are no different in substance. Option (2): This does not reason why categories "true and false" are so inadequate. So, the option is ruled out. Option (3): The categories are inadequate means there are other options or shades that cannot strictly be included in one of these categories. Hence, this option is the correct answer. Option (4): 'Cannot be tested' renders this option incorrect. The passage says that philosophical tenets are less easily verified, but does not say that they cannot be verified. Option (5): Not only truths but untruths also are relative in philosophy, but the option talks only about truths.

Multiple choice

Which of the following represents best the key point of argument of the passage?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

Metaphysical principles are less easily verified from experience than physical hypotheses, but also less easily refuted. Systems of philosophy, therefore, are not so dependent on our progressive knowledge of facts as the theories of natural science, and change less quickly; notwithstanding their mutual conflicts, and in spite of the talk about discarded standpoints, they possess in a measure the permanence of classical works of art, they retain for all time a certain relative validity. The thought of Plato, of Aristotle, and of the heroes of modern philosophy is ever proving anew its fructifying power. Nowhere do we find such instructive errors as in the sphere of philosophy; nowhere is the new so essentially a completion and development of the old, even though it deem itself the whole and assume a hostile attitude toward its predecessors; nowhere is the inquiry so much more important than the final result; nowhere the categories "true and false" so inadequate. The spirit of the time and the spirit of the people, the individuality of the thinker, disposition, will, fancy--all these exert a far stronger influence on the development of philosophy, both by way of promotion and by way of hindrance, than in any other department of thought. If a system gives classical expression to the thought of an epoch,’ a nation, or a great personality; if it seeks to attack the world-riddle from a new direction, or brings us nearer its solution by important original conceptions, by a subtler or a simpler comprehension of the problem, by a wider outlook or a deeper insight; it has accomplished more than it could have done by bringing forward a number of indisputably correct principles.

  1. Philosophical tenets are evolutionary, rather than being revolutionary.

  2. The ancient philosophy of Plato and Aristotle has nuggets of wisdom valid even in the present age.

  3. Philosophical principles are metaphysical and hence, cannot be easily verified.

  4. Philosophical thought is akin to natural sciences in certain aspects, though it essentially remains metaphysical in nature.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): Philosophical principles are of gradual not of radical changes. They “possess in a measure the permanence of classical works of art, they retain for all time a certain relative validity.” Also “nowhere is the new so essentially a completion and development of the old”. Thus, (1) is the correct answer. Option (2): The passage is about philosophy not about Plato or Aristotle. The option is too specific to select as answer. Option (3): This option rephrases only the opening line of the passage. It is not the main theme of the passage. Nor does it cover all the aspects of the passage. Thus, it is ruled out. Option (4): This is not the key point of the argument. This is only a supporting fact to elucidate the main theme of the passage. Thus, the option is eliminated. Option (5): The latter part of the option renders it incorrect.

Multiple choice

Why is the thought of Plato and Aristotle “proving anew its fructifying power”?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

Metaphysical principles are less easily verified from experience than physical hypotheses, but also less easily refuted. Systems of philosophy, therefore, are not so dependent on our progressive knowledge of facts as the theories of natural science, and change less quickly; notwithstanding their mutual conflicts, and in spite of the talk about discarded standpoints, they possess in a measure the permanence of classical works of art, they retain for all time a certain relative validity. The thought of Plato, of Aristotle, and of the heroes of modern philosophy is ever proving anew its fructifying power. Nowhere do we find such instructive errors as in the sphere of philosophy; nowhere is the new so essentially a completion and development of the old, even though it deem itself the whole and assume a hostile attitude toward its predecessors; nowhere is the inquiry so much more important than the final result; nowhere the categories "true and false" so inadequate. The spirit of the time and the spirit of the people, the individuality of the thinker, disposition, will, fancy--all these exert a far stronger influence on the development of philosophy, both by way of promotion and by way of hindrance, than in any other department of thought. If a system gives classical expression to the thought of an epoch,’ a nation, or a great personality; if it seeks to attack the world-riddle from a new direction, or brings us nearer its solution by important original conceptions, by a subtler or a simpler comprehension of the problem, by a wider outlook or a deeper insight; it has accomplished more than it could have done by bringing forward a number of indisputably correct principles.

  1. Although certain philosophers have out-rightly rejected aspects of their thought, it still finds support among others.

  2. Plato and Aristotle had proved validity of their concepts and efforts of certain modern day thinkers to reject their usefulness are futile.

  3. Fresh interpretation leads to the relative validity of concepts earlier thought to be outmoded.

  4. Aristotle and Plato have proved mighty resilient, efforts of modern day thinkers to debunk them, notwithstanding.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): The passage does not provide any description of rejection or acceptance of Plato's and Aristotle's thought. Thus, the option is ruled out. Option (2): Nowhere in the passage is it stated that Plato and Aristotle had proved validity of their concepts. So, the option is discarded. Option (3): This can be inferred from the preceding lines about “certain relative validity” of old concepts fructifying anew. Thus, (3) is the correct answer. Option (4): Nowhere does the passage say that modern thinkers try to debunk Aristotle and Plato. Option (5): The passage suggests that nowhere is the new so essentially a completion and development of the old. 'Permanence' cannot be inferred since new modifies and develops the old.

Multiple choice

According to the passage, which of the following is a tenet of Eastern philosophy?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

While the East has always been more favourable towards the pre-ordained destiny model of life, West has embraced the ‘actions ordain destiny’ model of thinking.

While the general direction of life has been attributed by the East to a preordained destiny intricately conjoined with actions of the past lives and subsequent Karma accrued, the deliberate actions of this life are often geared towards accrual of a better karma, which in turn will help in the afterlife and rebirth and the cycle is endless till a spirit evolves so much that it becomes a part of the ‘Supreme Soul’ thereby attaining Moksha. In a manner of speaking, the life that is being lived today is directly linked to the previous life and will impact the lives to come. As we pass this marker, there seems to be a certain confluence of the two divergent philosophies in that the concept of an accession to heaven or a descent into hell is dictated by the actions of this life.

A book on a case study by a leading psychiatrist from U.S.A. has set the cat among the legions of spiritualists and philosophers. The learned doctor, who used hypnotic therapy to treat the symptoms of a present day disease of his patient claims to have found proof of the cycle of births and rebirths. Initially a skeptic, the psychiatric was amazed when the patient took him onto journeys into her past lives ranging from the stone ages to the middle ages to just centuries ago. Supposedly, during the therapy of the aforesaid patient, not only did the doctor find proof of reincarnation, but also found a common, invisible thread that binds the spirits that are close in this birth into other past lives as well. Working on the theory of probabilities, it is also well nigh conceivable that what is true for the past will remain steadfast for the future also. According to the doctor, or rather his inference of the past life events of his patient, every birth that we take is to help us spiritually evolve to the next level of consciousness. As long as we remain trapped by the same thoughts and beliefs, our forward journey into the next level is impossible. A spirit chooses its time of rebirth and death, even the sex, circumstances and the family that it will reincarnate withm but the learning has to be taken to the next level before it can proceed to the next level of consciousness.

Maybe, the cycle of birth and death in itself is a manifestation of hell and heaven with evolving spirits moving up to the next level of consciousness and progressively closer to a final communion with the Holy Spirit, while the spirits which are tied down by the petty events and emotions of the present are sentenced to hell by the virtue of having to go through similarly painful experiences till the time they learn to break free. The intervening period between death and the next rebirth is perhaps a period of silent introspection while suspended in a state of flux.

  1. Every action of one’s life is pre-determined.

  2. Life and death is an endless cycle.

  3. Reincarnation takes place within the same clique of spirits.

  4. Today is inextricably linked to yesterday and tomorrow.

  5. Death is the initiation into a posture of inner contemplation.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Not every action - Deliberate actions specifically mentioned (2) Untrue - it ends in Moksha (3) This is doctor’s research, not Eastern philosophy. (4) True- as it is mentioned in the 1st paragraph (5) It is author’s hypothesis- not mentioned in Eastern philosophy which mentions results of Karma

Multiple choice

Which of the following generalisations is the author most likely to agree with?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

While the East has always been more favourable towards the pre-ordained destiny model of life, West has embraced the ‘actions ordain destiny’ model of thinking.

While the general direction of life has been attributed by the East to a preordained destiny intricately conjoined with actions of the past lives and subsequent Karma accrued, the deliberate actions of this life are often geared towards accrual of a better karma, which in turn will help in the afterlife and rebirth and the cycle is endless till a spirit evolves so much that it becomes a part of the ‘Supreme Soul’ thereby attaining Moksha. In a manner of speaking, the life that is being lived today is directly linked to the previous life and will impact the lives to come. As we pass this marker, there seems to be a certain confluence of the two divergent philosophies in that the concept of an accession to heaven or a descent into hell is dictated by the actions of this life.

A book on a case study by a leading psychiatrist from U.S.A. has set the cat among the legions of spiritualists and philosophers. The learned doctor, who used hypnotic therapy to treat the symptoms of a present day disease of his patient claims to have found proof of the cycle of births and rebirths. Initially a skeptic, the psychiatric was amazed when the patient took him onto journeys into her past lives ranging from the stone ages to the middle ages to just centuries ago. Supposedly, during the therapy of the aforesaid patient, not only did the doctor find proof of reincarnation, but also found a common, invisible thread that binds the spirits that are close in this birth into other past lives as well. Working on the theory of probabilities, it is also well nigh conceivable that what is true for the past will remain steadfast for the future also. According to the doctor, or rather his inference of the past life events of his patient, every birth that we take is to help us spiritually evolve to the next level of consciousness. As long as we remain trapped by the same thoughts and beliefs, our forward journey into the next level is impossible. A spirit chooses its time of rebirth and death, even the sex, circumstances and the family that it will reincarnate withm but the learning has to be taken to the next level before it can proceed to the next level of consciousness.

Maybe, the cycle of birth and death in itself is a manifestation of hell and heaven with evolving spirits moving up to the next level of consciousness and progressively closer to a final communion with the Holy Spirit, while the spirits which are tied down by the petty events and emotions of the present are sentenced to hell by the virtue of having to go through similarly painful experiences till the time they learn to break free. The intervening period between death and the next rebirth is perhaps a period of silent introspection while suspended in a state of flux.

  1. The life that is being lived today is indirectly linked to the previous life.

  2. The spirits which are tied down by the emotions of the present are sentenced to hell.

  3. Eastern and Western philosophies are in total discord over afterlife experiences.

  4. Afterlife is a state of reflection.

  5. A spirit gets reborn generally within a close circle of kindred spirits.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) It is the Eastern philosophy and not his. (2) It is not his research, he’s just quoting someone. (3) No, they are not. He mentions a point of confluence in 1st paragraph. (4) It is the correct option as he concludes by saying that. (5) It is nowhere mentioned.

Multiple choice

Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

While the East has always been more favourable towards the pre-ordained destiny model of life, West has embraced the ‘actions ordain destiny’ model of thinking.

While the general direction of life has been attributed by the East to a preordained destiny intricately conjoined with actions of the past lives and subsequent Karma accrued, the deliberate actions of this life are often geared towards accrual of a better karma, which in turn will help in the afterlife and rebirth and the cycle is endless till a spirit evolves so much that it becomes a part of the ‘Supreme Soul’ thereby attaining Moksha. In a manner of speaking, the life that is being lived today is directly linked to the previous life and will impact the lives to come. As we pass this marker, there seems to be a certain confluence of the two divergent philosophies in that the concept of an accession to heaven or a descent into hell is dictated by the actions of this life.

A book on a case study by a leading psychiatrist from U.S.A. has set the cat among the legions of spiritualists and philosophers. The learned doctor, who used hypnotic therapy to treat the symptoms of a present day disease of his patient claims to have found proof of the cycle of births and rebirths. Initially a skeptic, the psychiatric was amazed when the patient took him onto journeys into her past lives ranging from the stone ages to the middle ages to just centuries ago. Supposedly, during the therapy of the aforesaid patient, not only did the doctor find proof of reincarnation, but also found a common, invisible thread that binds the spirits that are close in this birth into other past lives as well. Working on the theory of probabilities, it is also well nigh conceivable that what is true for the past will remain steadfast for the future also. According to the doctor, or rather his inference of the past life events of his patient, every birth that we take is to help us spiritually evolve to the next level of consciousness. As long as we remain trapped by the same thoughts and beliefs, our forward journey into the next level is impossible. A spirit chooses its time of rebirth and death, even the sex, circumstances and the family that it will reincarnate withm but the learning has to be taken to the next level before it can proceed to the next level of consciousness.

Maybe, the cycle of birth and death in itself is a manifestation of hell and heaven with evolving spirits moving up to the next level of consciousness and progressively closer to a final communion with the Holy Spirit, while the spirits which are tied down by the petty events and emotions of the present are sentenced to hell by the virtue of having to go through similarly painful experiences till the time they learn to break free. The intervening period between death and the next rebirth is perhaps a period of silent introspection while suspended in a state of flux.

  1. Oriental and Western spiritualism have nothing in common.

  2. The cycle of birth and death is a manifestation of heaven and hell.

  3. Hypnosis therapy can be used to cure diseases.

  4. Spirituality is an evolving subject.

  5. Past life regression can be used to heal trauma of previous lives.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) There is a point of confluence in 1st para: “there seems to be a certain confluence of the two divergent philosophies”. (2) This is an opinion quoted, with a big ‘Maybe’. (3) Only the doctor does it; others may or may not agree. (4) True – Manifestation of hell and heaven with evolving spirits moving up to the next level of consciousness and progressively closer to a final communion with the Holy Spirit. (5) Nowhere mentioned

Multiple choice
  1. physics and psychology are inconsistent

  2. physics and psychology are in accord with each other

  3. behaviourists do not by any means deny that all sorts of things may go on in our minds

  4. psychology as a science is only concerned with behaviour

  5. physics is a study of inanimate objects, while psychology is the study of animate beings

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): The author is trying to draw convergence, not differences, between these two. Option (2): The very existence of two options that are exactly antonymous is a pointer to the answer. The traditional view is given in the first paragraph: "Many psychologists, especially those of the behaviorist school, tend to adopt what is essentially a materialistic position". This contrasts with the modern view: "matter less and less material". The author’s purpose is to show that psychology and physics really are in tune. Option (3): This covers only one part of the passage. Hence, it should be ruled out. Option (4): It is self-contradictory and not mentioned in the passage. Option (5): It isn’t referred to in the passage.

Multiple choice
  1. Modern physics patronises old fashioned materialism.

  2. Old fashioned materialism advocates modern physics.

  3. Old fashioned materialism is completely relinquished by modern physics.

  4. Old fashioned materialism receives little support from modern physics.

  5. Recent scholars advocate replacing physics with materialism.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): From the second paragraph, it is clear that modern physics does not support materialism. Option (2): It is contrary to the facts mentioned in the passage. Option (3): It is an extreme statement; ‘completely’ makes it incorrect. Option (4): This can be derived from: “But this position cannot be called materialistic, if, as seems to be the case, physics does not assume the existence of matter.” Option (5): Not referred to in the passage.

Multiple choice

The passage implies all of the following about Meth addiction except:

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

It triggers dopamine production in the brain and gives a high that can last much more than the traditional drugs, depending upon the method of abuse and the quantity used.

Not to be confused with Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Crystal Meth, or Crystal, as it is known on the street is arguably the most addictive drug on the planet. The chemical, Dopamine, which controls the sensations of pleasure and reward in the human brain, is quite similar in structure to both Meth and Cocaine. The effect of Meth however, is accentuated by its relatively higher absorbability, for comparable doses, than amphetamines, and its longer lasting effects and its even more harmful effects on the brain. What started its life as a prescription drug for attention deficit disorder, narcolepsy and obesity, has now had a metamorphosis into an addictive drug with serious, often fatal consequences.

What adds to its potential for abuse is the ease with which it can be abused, the user can simply dissolve it in water and ingest it orally, or snort it like cocaine, or, for a faster rush and high, smoke it. Smoking helps it absorb into the brain faster and the feeling of euphoria thus generated is what drives users back to the drug time and again. It has also been known to be abused by inserting in the anus or the urethra. Addicts often abuse it in a binging pattern by repeating doses of the drug as and when the effects start to wear off. Because the drug takes up to or more than twelve hours to get half metabolized out of the system, the potential for death due to overdose is very high. Even in small doses, the short term effects of Meth usage usually include wakefulness, high alertness levels, lower fatigue, depressed appetite and heightened libido. Other side effects include cardiovascular problems, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure and hyperthermia. Overdose, like usage in the binging pattern, can lead to convulsions or death. Unlike Cocaine, which blocks re-uptakes of Dopamine, Meth triggers excess production of the hormone in the brain, which in turn is thought to be responsible for the drug’s deleterious effects on the nerve terminals in the brain. Long term abuse can and often is triggered by the development of tolerance to the pleasure giving effects of the drug, and this in turn can turn the recreational user into an addict. The event can trigger long term and irreversible changes in the brain chemistry and trigger a host of psychotic symptoms including hallucinations, delusions and paranoid behavior which can last for years after substance abuse has been discontinued. Recent studies show that even after two years of cessation of drug abuse, some brain functions of former addicts do not return to normal, which gives weight to the theory that the long term effects of the abuse might be irreversible. In pregnant and nursing women, the drug has been known to permeate through the placenta to the embryo and even to secrete with the mother’s milk.

  1. Binging overdose, caused by failure of the body to rid itself of the drug, can result in death.

  2. The drug works by inducing feelings of intense ecstasy in the user.

  3. The drug can take up to twenty four hours to metabolize out of the human body.

  4. Long term side effects of Meth abuse are possibly immitigable.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is mentioned hence it's not the answer. 'Overdose, like usage in…lead to convulsions or death'. (2) is mentioned, hence it's not the answer. 'The chemical, Dopamine…..harmful effects on the brain'. (3) Not mentioned, hence the correct answer. The passage mentions the drug taking up to twelve hours to half metabolize out of the system. This doesn't necessarily mean it'll completely metabolize in twenty four hours. (4): Mentioned in the passage. 'Recent studies show…the abuse might be irreversible'. (5): Alluded to in the passage. 'The event can trigger…abuse has been discontinued'.

Multiple choice
  1. The books bestow endless human values and intellect in all.

  2. The books lend the goodness of boundless morality to their readers.

  3. The books propel humans to work as the protagonists with utmost rectitude.

  4. The intellect, knowledge, and judiciousness instilled by the books are priceless.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): The lines do not only talk about human values. Option (2): The lines do not only talk about morality. Option (3): It is not mentioned in the passage. Thus it can be safely eliminated. Option (4): It can be inferred from “For if it is wisdom ……… bought? Option (5): The option is too general.

Multiple choice
  1. One cannot hide one's ignorance when one comes face to face with books.

  2. Ignorance punctuates the wisdom of human beings when it is exposed to learning

  3. Engrossed in reading, we discover our own ignorance and come across our intellect.

  4. The dubious aspects of knowledge that lay bare our conscience.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): It is not the question of not hiding, but of no guilt feeling on exposure to books. Option (2): This does not propagate the meaning of the given phrase. Ignorance does not punctuate wisdom. Option (3): This can be inferred from 'We must consider ………. without feeling shame”. Option (4): These lines talk about books and not conscience. Thus the option is eliminated. Option (5): The option is irrelevant to the passage. Thus it can be safely eliminated.

Multiple choice

What has united people of different ideologies in contemporary America?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

In the mid-term elections this year, the focus has shifted from individual bashing to issue based bashing and for once, both the parties – the Democrats and the Republicans, have agreed upon an issue that they both want to take to the cleaners. Surprisingly however, both the parties are blaming each other for the present fiasco and the target is the same- the biggest trade partner of the USA, and also its biggest creditor- People’s Republic of China. What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered, the issue of trade relations and other issues- real and imagined- with China has suddenly taken the centre stage in the electoral campaigning with the xenophobes on both sides of the political divide pointing accusing fingers at each other for putting national interest in harm’s way. The situation has been further exacerbated by a futuristic advertisement that has been brought out by a citizen’s forum called Citizens Against Government Waste in which a Chinese professor is shown addressing a group of Chinese students in Beijing in the year 2030 and explaining why great nations like Ancient Rome, The British Empire, and The United States failed. Talking of misguided American policies the professor says that since they- the Americans- owed most of their debt to the Chinese, now they- the citizens of USA, work for them- the citizens of China. While the ordinary citizens are divided in their opinion about the authenticity of the facts claimed in the advert, with reactions as diverse as chalk and cheese, there is no doubt that the advert has touched a very raw nerve indeed. Acting as a catalyst, the so called advert of the season has brought into sharp focus the American trade policies and the public perception about the same. Jingoism has taken on a more rabid, more vocal avatar- fanned by the developments on the electoral front.

Incumbents and challengers on both the sides have suddenly found a new horse to flog and the speech writers and the think-tanks on both the sides are busy trying to find out in minutest detail anything and everything that they can pin on the other side with respect to them having sold the nation down the river and to the Chinese. It is hardly new for the political aspirants in any nation blame someone in another country for their nation’s woes but this time around, for the first time perhaps, the fall guy is common for both the sides and he also happens to own increasing stakes in the nation. It is not a Vietnam, where apart from lives of thousands of GIs and lots of money, nothing much was at stake. For the sake of sanity and reason, one hopes that the present tirades will be brushed under the carpet once the electioneering is over and also that the Chinese will be reacting with equanimity on all the rhetoric being thrown around as the relations between the two super powers are already strained over the stubborn refusal of the Chinese on the issue of currency revaluation and the increasing protectionism being seen as a part of the new United States policy. In a sign of the times, in a recent poll, more than fifty percent of the Americans polled said that they believed that free trade had been harmful for the country.

  1. A sentiment of protecting indigenous trade and industry from foreign competition

  2. A heart-on-the-sleeve reawakening of excessive nationalism

  3. A sudden realization that their status as world’s superpower is at risk

  4. Mass hysteria following discovery of a convenient scapegoat

  5. Public perception being played upon by an inflammatory advertisement

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect; trade protectionism is a sentiment that has emerged as a fall-out of the current economic scenario. (2) Incorrect; jingoism is a fall-out of the advert and the current scenario, not the cause for it. (3) Incorrect; though the emergence of China is implicit, it’s not the main cause as can be seen from ‘What was being considered a howitzer….suddenly taken the centre stage’. (4): Correct; rabble rousing and mass hysteria has suddenly turned China into enemy no. 1.  (5): Incorrect; the advert is just one of the prompts for this issue to have snowballed.

Multiple choice

Why does the author contrast the current situation with a historical precedent?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

In the mid-term elections this year, the focus has shifted from individual bashing to issue based bashing and for once, both the parties – the Democrats and the Republicans, have agreed upon an issue that they both want to take to the cleaners. Surprisingly however, both the parties are blaming each other for the present fiasco and the target is the same- the biggest trade partner of the USA, and also its biggest creditor- People’s Republic of China. What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered, the issue of trade relations and other issues- real and imagined- with China has suddenly taken the centre stage in the electoral campaigning with the xenophobes on both sides of the political divide pointing accusing fingers at each other for putting national interest in harm’s way. The situation has been further exacerbated by a futuristic advertisement that has been brought out by a citizen’s forum called Citizens Against Government Waste in which a Chinese professor is shown addressing a group of Chinese students in Beijing in the year 2030 and explaining why great nations like Ancient Rome, The British Empire, and The United States failed. Talking of misguided American policies the professor says that since they- the Americans- owed most of their debt to the Chinese, now they- the citizens of USA, work for them- the citizens of China. While the ordinary citizens are divided in their opinion about the authenticity of the facts claimed in the advert, with reactions as diverse as chalk and cheese, there is no doubt that the advert has touched a very raw nerve indeed. Acting as a catalyst, the so called advert of the season has brought into sharp focus the American trade policies and the public perception about the same. Jingoism has taken on a more rabid, more vocal avatar- fanned by the developments on the electoral front.

Incumbents and challengers on both the sides have suddenly found a new horse to flog and the speech writers and the think-tanks on both the sides are busy trying to find out in minutest detail anything and everything that they can pin on the other side with respect to them having sold the nation down the river and to the Chinese. It is hardly new for the political aspirants in any nation blame someone in another country for their nation’s woes but this time around, for the first time perhaps, the fall guy is common for both the sides and he also happens to own increasing stakes in the nation. It is not a Vietnam, where apart from lives of thousands of GIs and lots of money, nothing much was at stake. For the sake of sanity and reason, one hopes that the present tirades will be brushed under the carpet once the electioneering is over and also that the Chinese will be reacting with equanimity on all the rhetoric being thrown around as the relations between the two super powers are already strained over the stubborn refusal of the Chinese on the issue of currency revaluation and the increasing protectionism being seen as a part of the new United States policy. In a sign of the times, in a recent poll, more than fifty percent of the Americans polled said that they believed that free trade had been harmful for the country.

  1. To compare the effect of the two events on national psyche

  2. To highlight the difference in military prowess of the two opponents

  3. To underline how traumatic events can sometimes unite a nation

  4. To accentuate how xenophobia can have tremendous repercussions

  5. To underscore how easy it is to malign a nation for one’s own nation’s transgressions

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect; the author compares the stakes, not the effects. (2) Incorrect; military power is irrelevant to the passage. (3) Incorrect; the author tries to draw attention towards the possible grave repercussions of the atmosphere of mistrust. (4): Correct; the author tries to underline the fact that the Chinese have much more clout in American internal matters as compared to the Vietnam fiasco where the enemy’s centre of influence was thousands of miles away. (5): Incorrect; the comparison is drawn to highlight China’s influence.

Multiple choice

Why does the author use the expression, “What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered” when talking about the issue in question?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage:

In the mid-term elections this year, the focus has shifted from individual bashing to issue based bashing and for once, both the parties – the Democrats and the Republicans, have agreed upon an issue that they both want to take to the cleaners. Surprisingly however, both the parties are blaming each other for the present fiasco and the target is the same- the biggest trade partner of the USA, and also its biggest creditor- People’s Republic of China. What was being considered a howitzer that sputtered, the issue of trade relations and other issues- real and imagined- with China has suddenly taken the centre stage in the electoral campaigning with the xenophobes on both sides of the political divide pointing accusing fingers at each other for putting national interest in harm’s way. The situation has been further exacerbated by a futuristic advertisement that has been brought out by a citizen’s forum called Citizens Against Government Waste in which a Chinese professor is shown addressing a group of Chinese students in Beijing in the year 2030 and explaining why great nations like Ancient Rome, The British Empire, and The United States failed. Talking of misguided American policies the professor says that since they- the Americans- owed most of their debt to the Chinese, now they- the citizens of USA, work for them- the citizens of China. While the ordinary citizens are divided in their opinion about the authenticity of the facts claimed in the advert, with reactions as diverse as chalk and cheese, there is no doubt that the advert has touched a very raw nerve indeed. Acting as a catalyst, the so called advert of the season has brought into sharp focus the American trade policies and the public perception about the same. Jingoism has taken on a more rabid, more vocal avatar- fanned by the developments on the electoral front.

Incumbents and challengers on both the sides have suddenly found a new horse to flog and the speech writers and the think-tanks on both the sides are busy trying to find out in minutest detail anything and everything that they can pin on the other side with respect to them having sold the nation down the river and to the Chinese. It is hardly new for the political aspirants in any nation blame someone in another country for their nation’s woes but this time around, for the first time perhaps, the fall guy is common for both the sides and he also happens to own increasing stakes in the nation. It is not a Vietnam, where apart from lives of thousands of GIs and lots of money, nothing much was at stake. For the sake of sanity and reason, one hopes that the present tirades will be brushed under the carpet once the electioneering is over and also that the Chinese will be reacting with equanimity on all the rhetoric being thrown around as the relations between the two super powers are already strained over the stubborn refusal of the Chinese on the issue of currency revaluation and the increasing protectionism being seen as a part of the new United States policy. In a sign of the times, in a recent poll, more than fifty percent of the Americans polled said that they believed that free trade had been harmful for the country.

  1. To emphasize that it was a tragedy waiting to happen

  2. To state that a non-issue was blown out of proportion

  3. To opine that the issue had been expected to remain on the back burner

  4. To say that most Americans had no idea about the seriousness of the issue

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(1) Incorrect; the fact that the author says that China needs to keep its composure underscores that it is not a tragedy. (2) Incorrect; the fact that USA owes a lot of money to China means that the topic is important, but perhaps not catastrophic. (3) Correct; sputtering means 'faltering or stumbling' which means that the issue hadn't been expected to gather steam. (4): Incorrect; the fact that an advert about it is being called the advert of the season conveys that Americans knew of the issue. (5): Incorrect; the author doesn't say that the issue needs resolution, just that Chinese need to show patience.

Multiple choice
  1. has educational facilities

  2. has excellent learning environment

  3. reflects the exceptional achievements of its government

  4. imitates life outside the classroom learning environment

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage states that classrooms are 'microcosms of society, mirroring its strengths and ills alike.' A microcosm is a smaller version that represents the larger whole. Therefore, a classroom as a microcosm imitates or reflects life outside the classroom.