Reading Comprehension

Why was the Kancheepuram saree industry on the brink of extinction?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

The silk industry in Kancheepuram is one of the fastest growing industries in India. The industry currently employs more than 30,000 weavers in the art of saree making. This was not the scenario in the past. The industry had to compete with the synthetic fiber industry in many aspects. One of the major drawbacks of the silk industry in Kancheepuram was the lack of support from technology. The industry was on the brink of extinction due to the obsolescence of the designs and design making procedures. This is because, design adds splendor to a saree and forms an integral part of its exquisiteness. The recent developments in the designing field show the introduction of computerized Jacquard borders in Kancheepuram silk saree. The use of new technologies has not only helped in creating new and complex designs but also reduced the time involved in the process. There has been an increase in the exports.

What do we glean about the current situation of the Kancheepuram silk saree industry?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

The silk industry in Kancheepuram is one of the fastest growing industries in India. The industry currently employs more than 30,000 weavers in the art of saree making. This was not the scenario in the past. The industry had to compete with the synthetic fiber industry in many aspects. One of the major drawbacks of the silk industry in Kancheepuram was the lack of support from technology. The industry was on the brink of extinction due to the obsolescence of the designs and design making procedures. This is because, design adds splendor to a saree and forms an integral part of its exquisiteness. The recent developments in the designing field show the introduction of computerized Jacquard borders in Kancheepuram silk saree. The use of new technologies has not only helped in creating new and complex designs but also reduced the time involved in the process. There has been an increase in the exports.

According to the passage, what is the most basic part of the saree making process that lends the saree its splendour?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

The silk industry in Kancheepuram is one of the fastest growing industries in India. The industry currently employs more than 30,000 weavers in the art of saree making. This was not the scenario in the past. The industry had to compete with the synthetic fiber industry in many aspects. One of the major drawbacks of the silk industry in Kancheepuram was the lack of support from technology. The industry was on the brink of extinction due to the obsolescence of the designs and design making procedures. This is because, design adds splendor to a saree and forms an integral part of its exquisiteness. The recent developments in the designing field show the introduction of computerized Jacquard borders in Kancheepuram silk saree. The use of new technologies has not only helped in creating new and complex designs but also reduced the time involved in the process. There has been an increase in the exports.

How has the use of new technologies helped the saree industry of Kancheepuram?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

The silk industry in Kancheepuram is one of the fastest growing industries in India. The industry currently employs more than 30,000 weavers in the art of saree making. This was not the scenario in the past. The industry had to compete with the synthetic fiber industry in many aspects. One of the major drawbacks of the silk industry in Kancheepuram was the lack of support from technology. The industry was on the brink of extinction due to the obsolescence of the designs and design making procedures. This is because, design adds splendor to a saree and forms an integral part of its exquisiteness. The recent developments in the designing field show the introduction of computerized Jacquard borders in Kancheepuram silk saree. The use of new technologies has not only helped in creating new and complex designs but also reduced the time involved in the process. There has been an increase in the exports.

Where did the common law system of India originate from?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

Law in India has evolved from religious prescription to the current constitutional and legal system we have today, traversing through secular legal systems and the common law. India has a recorded legal history starting from the Vedic ages and some sort of civil law system may have been in place during the Bronze Age and the Indus Valley civilization. Law as a matter of religious prescriptions and philosophical discourse has an illustrious history in India. Emanating from the Vedas, the Upanishads and other religious texts, it was a fertile field enriched by practitioners from different Hindu philosophical schools and later by Jains and Buddhists. Secular law in India varied widely from region to region and from ruler to ruler. Court systems for civil and criminal matters were essential features of many ruling dynasties of ancient India. The common law system – a system of law based on recorded judicial precedents- came to India with the British East India Company.

What can be an appropriate heading for the given passage?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

Law in India has evolved from religious prescription to the current constitutional and legal system we have today, traversing through secular legal systems and the common law. India has a recorded legal history starting from the Vedic ages and some sort of civil law system may have been in place during the Bronze Age and the Indus Valley civilization. Law as a matter of religious prescriptions and philosophical discourse has an illustrious history in India. Emanating from the Vedas, the Upanishads and other religious texts, it was a fertile field enriched by practitioners from different Hindu philosophical schools and later by Jains and Buddhists. Secular law in India varied widely from region to region and from ruler to ruler. Court systems for civil and criminal matters were essential features of many ruling dynasties of ancient India. The common law system – a system of law based on recorded judicial precedents- came to India with the British East India Company.

What does the passage mean by the phrase ‘fertile field’?

Directions: Read the following short passage and answer the question. 

Law in India has evolved from religious prescription to the current constitutional and legal system we have today, traversing through secular legal systems and the common law. India has a recorded legal history starting from the Vedic ages and some sort of civil law system may have been in place during the Bronze Age and the Indus Valley civilization. Law as a matter of religious prescriptions and philosophical discourse has an illustrious history in India. Emanating from the Vedas, the Upanishads and other religious texts, it was a fertile field enriched by practitioners from different Hindu philosophical schools and later by Jains and Buddhists. Secular law in India varied widely from region to region and from ruler to ruler. Court systems for civil and criminal matters were essential features of many ruling dynasties of ancient India. The common law system – a system of law based on recorded judicial precedents- came to India with the British East India Company.

Why do environmentalists call the ANWR, the 'biological heart of Alaska'?( Passage I)

Passage – I 

When the numbers start going up here, you can bet the pressure gauge rises here also. It is pressure to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, known as ANWR, has been off limits since 1980 to any oil exploration without Congressional approval. Alaska's Sen. Frank Murkowski says it's time for Congress to reconsider. Sen. Frank Murkowski says, “ANWR becomes one of the reasonable alternatives and consequently we want to pursue it.” **Environmentalists call the ANWR the biological heart of Alaska, and compare it to the Serengeti plains of Africa for the diversity of wildlife. They say, put an oil field here and you will destroy it forever. Bruce Hamilton of the Sierra Club says, “We’re going to sacrifice something that we should be passing on to our grandchil

dren as a national heritage, in order to have a quick fix of oil for six months and if you really want additional oil there are better ways to do it through conservation.” Alaska ships 10 percent of its oil to Asia, but pet

roleum producers say the percentage is too small to affect U.S. supplies or prices. When gas prices soar there’s a rally cry by the oil industry. They say, “Open the refuge and drill and the U.S. would no longer be over a barrel.” Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute says, by using oil from ANWR, “It has been estimated through the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that we could replace the same amount of oil that we are importing through Saudi Arabia for the next 30 years.” As the oil industry dreams of vast pools of crude beneath the Arctic tundra, environmentalists say their dream is to get President Clinton to declare the ANWR a national monument. This is the only surefire way, they say, to keep the refuge wild and free.

** Senator Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources commercial.

Passage – II

Secretary “Bruce Babbit” responds to the proposed legislation

I strongly oppose legislation introduced in the Senate today to open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. President Clinton has shown great leadership by announcing his intention to veto past Congressional attempts to circumvent the wishes of millions of Americans nationwide who oppose the degradation of their national treasure. These Americans and the Clinton/Gore Administration have made it clear again and again: we will protect this last undeveloped fragment of America's arctic coastline for the thousands of caribou, polar bears, swans, snow geese, musk oxen and countless other species who use it to birth and shelter their young. There is a time and a place for oil exploration in Alaska, and we have permitted environmentally sensitive oil exploration in a large area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, an area set aside for that purpose. There is a big difference between the designation of a National Petroleum Reserve and a National Wildlife Refuge but some in Congress consistently fail to recognise this fact. So today I am recommending that President Clinton oppose any further Republican Congressional attempts to use legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

Look at the selection of comments in Passage II by Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt. What is his opinion of the proposed legislation by Senator Murkowski?

Passage – I 

When the numbers start going up here, you can bet the pressure gauge rises here also. It is pressure to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, known as ANWR, has been off limits since 1980 to any oil exploration without Congressional approval. Alaska's Sen. Frank Murkowski says it's time for Congress to reconsider. Sen. Frank Murkowski says, “ANWR becomes one of the reasonable alternatives and consequently we want to pursue it.” **Environmentalists call the ANWR the biological heart of Alaska, and compare it to the Serengeti plains of Africa for the diversity of wildlife. They say, put an oil field here and you will destroy it forever. Bruce Hamilton of the Sierra Club says, “We’re going to sacrifice something that we should be passing on to our grandchil

dren as a national heritage, in order to have a quick fix of oil for six months and if you really want additional oil there are better ways to do it through conservation.” Alaska ships 10 percent of its oil to Asia, but pet

roleum producers say the percentage is too small to affect U.S. supplies or prices. When gas prices soar there’s a rally cry by the oil industry. They say, “Open the refuge and drill and the U.S. would no longer be over a barrel.” Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute says, by using oil from ANWR, “It has been estimated through the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that we could replace the same amount of oil that we are importing through Saudi Arabia for the next 30 years.” As the oil industry dreams of vast pools of crude beneath the Arctic tundra, environmentalists say their dream is to get President Clinton to declare the ANWR a national monument. This is the only surefire way, they say, to keep the refuge wild and free.

** Senator Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources commercial.

Passage – II

Secretary “Bruce Babbit” responds to the proposed legislation

I strongly oppose legislation introduced in the Senate today to open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. President Clinton has shown great leadership by announcing his intention to veto past Congressional attempts to circumvent the wishes of millions of Americans nationwide who oppose the degradation of their national treasure. These Americans and the Clinton/Gore Administration have made it clear again and again: we will protect this last undeveloped fragment of America's arctic coastline for the thousands of caribou, polar bears, swans, snow geese, musk oxen and countless other species who use it to birth and shelter their young. There is a time and a place for oil exploration in Alaska, and we have permitted environmentally sensitive oil exploration in a large area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, an area set aside for that purpose. There is a big difference between the designation of a National Petroleum Reserve and a National Wildlife Refuge but some in Congress consistently fail to recognise this fact. So today I am recommending that President Clinton oppose any further Republican Congressional attempts to use legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

In Passage I, Senator Murkowski says oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is _____.

Passage – I 

When the numbers start going up here, you can bet the pressure gauge rises here also. It is pressure to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, known as ANWR, has been off limits since 1980 to any oil exploration without Congressional approval. Alaska's Sen. Frank Murkowski says it's time for Congress to reconsider. Sen. Frank Murkowski says, “ANWR becomes one of the reasonable alternatives and consequently we want to pursue it.” **Environmentalists call the ANWR the biological heart of Alaska, and compare it to the Serengeti plains of Africa for the diversity of wildlife. They say, put an oil field here and you will destroy it forever. Bruce Hamilton of the Sierra Club says, “We’re going to sacrifice something that we should be passing on to our grandchil

dren as a national heritage, in order to have a quick fix of oil for six months and if you really want additional oil there are better ways to do it through conservation.” Alaska ships 10 percent of its oil to Asia, but pet

roleum producers say the percentage is too small to affect U.S. supplies or prices. When gas prices soar there’s a rally cry by the oil industry. They say, “Open the refuge and drill and the U.S. would no longer be over a barrel.” Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute says, by using oil from ANWR, “It has been estimated through the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that we could replace the same amount of oil that we are importing through Saudi Arabia for the next 30 years.” As the oil industry dreams of vast pools of crude beneath the Arctic tundra, environmentalists say their dream is to get President Clinton to declare the ANWR a national monument. This is the only surefire way, they say, to keep the refuge wild and free.

** Senator Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources commercial.

Passage – II

Secretary “Bruce Babbit” responds to the proposed legislation

I strongly oppose legislation introduced in the Senate today to open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. President Clinton has shown great leadership by announcing his intention to veto past Congressional attempts to circumvent the wishes of millions of Americans nationwide who oppose the degradation of their national treasure. These Americans and the Clinton/Gore Administration have made it clear again and again: we will protect this last undeveloped fragment of America's arctic coastline for the thousands of caribou, polar bears, swans, snow geese, musk oxen and countless other species who use it to birth and shelter their young. There is a time and a place for oil exploration in Alaska, and we have permitted environmentally sensitive oil exploration in a large area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, an area set aside for that purpose. There is a big difference between the designation of a National Petroleum Reserve and a National Wildlife Refuge but some in Congress consistently fail to recognise this fact. So today I am recommending that President Clinton oppose any further Republican Congressional attempts to use legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

What is the reason to be opposed by the speaker to use ANWR for oil drilling?

Passage – I 

When the numbers start going up here, you can bet the pressure gauge rises here also. It is pressure to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, known as ANWR, has been off limits since 1980 to any oil exploration without Congressional approval. Alaska's Sen. Frank Murkowski says it's time for Congress to reconsider. Sen. Frank Murkowski says, “ANWR becomes one of the reasonable alternatives and consequently we want to pursue it.” **Environmentalists call the ANWR the biological heart of Alaska, and compare it to the Serengeti plains of Africa for the diversity of wildlife. They say, put an oil field here and you will destroy it forever. Bruce Hamilton of the Sierra Club says, “We’re going to sacrifice something that we should be passing on to our grandchil

dren as a national heritage, in order to have a quick fix of oil for six months and if you really want additional oil there are better ways to do it through conservation.” Alaska ships 10 percent of its oil to Asia, but pet

roleum producers say the percentage is too small to affect U.S. supplies or prices. When gas prices soar there’s a rally cry by the oil industry. They say, “Open the refuge and drill and the U.S. would no longer be over a barrel.” Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute says, by using oil from ANWR, “It has been estimated through the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that we could replace the same amount of oil that we are importing through Saudi Arabia for the next 30 years.” As the oil industry dreams of vast pools of crude beneath the Arctic tundra, environmentalists say their dream is to get President Clinton to declare the ANWR a national monument. This is the only surefire way, they say, to keep the refuge wild and free.

** Senator Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources commercial.

Passage – II

Secretary “Bruce Babbit” responds to the proposed legislation

I strongly oppose legislation introduced in the Senate today to open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. President Clinton has shown great leadership by announcing his intention to veto past Congressional attempts to circumvent the wishes of millions of Americans nationwide who oppose the degradation of their national treasure. These Americans and the Clinton/Gore Administration have made it clear again and again: we will protect this last undeveloped fragment of America's arctic coastline for the thousands of caribou, polar bears, swans, snow geese, musk oxen and countless other species who use it to birth and shelter their young. There is a time and a place for oil exploration in Alaska, and we have permitted environmentally sensitive oil exploration in a large area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, an area set aside for that purpose. There is a big difference between the designation of a National Petroleum Reserve and a National Wildlife Refuge but some in Congress consistently fail to recognise this fact. So today I am recommending that President Clinton oppose any further Republican Congressional attempts to use legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

When you would be considered to have developed a mental weakness?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

Even–minded endurance is called 'titiksha' in Sanskrit. I have practised this mental neutrality. I have sat and meditated all night long in icy water, in bitterly cold weather. Similarly, I have sat from morning till evening on the burning hot sands of India. I gained great mental strength by doing so. When you have practised such self–discipline, your mind becomes impervious to all disturbing circumstances. If you think you can't do something, your mind is a slave. Free yourself. I don't mean that you should be rash. Try to rise above disturbances gradually. Endurance is what you must have. Whatever may be your trouble, make a supreme effort to remedy it without worry; and until it is resolved, practice titiksha. Isn't this practical wisdom? If you are young and strong, then as you gradually strengthen your will and mind you can practised more rigid methods of self–discipline as I did. If you are thinking that the w inter weather is coming and you are bound to catch cold, you are not developing mental strength.  You have already committed yourself to certain weakness. When you feel you are susceptible to catching a cold, mentally resist it. This is the right mental attitude. In your heart, sincerely do your best at all times, but without anxiety. Worry only paralyses your efforts. If you do your best, God will reach down his hand to help you.

If you do not acknowledge weakness in the face of troubles, and if you refuse to worry about your problems, you will find out how much more successful, peaceful, and happy you are. Make this affirmation daily. I will be neither lazy nor feverishly active. In every challenge of life I shall do my best without worrying about the future.

Don't grieve for what you don't have. The most materially successful man may have the greatest worries and unhappiness. In contrast, I have seen in humble little huts and caves in India men who were true monarchs. The earthy throne of one such saint was a dried grass mat. He wore only a little loincloth. Such are the real kings of the earth. Some of them have no food, nothing at all; they are richer than the world's millionaires. In biting cold weather, I saw one saint in the Himalayas who had nothing on. Won't you catch cold? I said. Sweetly he answered, If I am warm with God's love, how can I feel the cold? Saints like him are greater than any crowned king. If without food, without any visible means of security, such men can be like kings, peaceful and without worry, why can't you?

What is closest to the meaning of 'veto' in line 2 of passage II?

Passage – I 

When the numbers start going up here, you can bet the pressure gauge rises here also. It is pressure to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, known as ANWR, has been off limits since 1980 to any oil exploration without Congressional approval. Alaska's Sen. Frank Murkowski says it's time for Congress to reconsider. Sen. Frank Murkowski says, “ANWR becomes one of the reasonable alternatives and consequently we want to pursue it.” **Environmentalists call the ANWR the biological heart of Alaska, and compare it to the Serengeti plains of Africa for the diversity of wildlife. They say, put an oil field here and you will destroy it forever. Bruce Hamilton of the Sierra Club says, “We’re going to sacrifice something that we should be passing on to our grandchil

dren as a national heritage, in order to have a quick fix of oil for six months and if you really want additional oil there are better ways to do it through conservation.” Alaska ships 10 percent of its oil to Asia, but pet

roleum producers say the percentage is too small to affect U.S. supplies or prices. When gas prices soar there’s a rally cry by the oil industry. They say, “Open the refuge and drill and the U.S. would no longer be over a barrel.” Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute says, by using oil from ANWR, “It has been estimated through the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that we could replace the same amount of oil that we are importing through Saudi Arabia for the next 30 years.” As the oil industry dreams of vast pools of crude beneath the Arctic tundra, environmentalists say their dream is to get President Clinton to declare the ANWR a national monument. This is the only surefire way, they say, to keep the refuge wild and free.

** Senator Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources commercial.

Passage – II

Secretary “Bruce Babbit” responds to the proposed legislation

I strongly oppose legislation introduced in the Senate today to open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. President Clinton has shown great leadership by announcing his intention to veto past Congressional attempts to circumvent the wishes of millions of Americans nationwide who oppose the degradation of their national treasure. These Americans and the Clinton/Gore Administration have made it clear again and again: we will protect this last undeveloped fragment of America's arctic coastline for the thousands of caribou, polar bears, swans, snow geese, musk oxen and countless other species who use it to birth and shelter their young. There is a time and a place for oil exploration in Alaska, and we have permitted environmentally sensitive oil exploration in a large area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, an area set aside for that purpose. There is a big difference between the designation of a National Petroleum Reserve and a National Wildlife Refuge but some in Congress consistently fail to recognise this fact. So today I am recommending that President Clinton oppose any further Republican Congressional attempts to use legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

What according to the passage is a practical wisdom?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.

Even–minded endurance is called 'titiksha' in Sanskrit. I have practised this mental neutrality. I have sat and meditated all night long in icy water, in bitterly cold weather. Similarly, I have sat from morning till evening on the burning hot sands of India. I gained great mental strength by doing so. When you have practised such self–discipline, your mind becomes impervious to all disturbing circumstances. If you think you can't do something, your mind is a slave. Free yourself. I don't mean that you should be rash. Try to rise above disturbances gradually. Endurance is what you must have. Whatever may be your trouble, make a supreme effort to remedy it without worry; and until it is resolved, practice titiksha. Isn't this practical wisdom? If you are young and strong, then as you gradually strengthen your will and mind you can practised more rigid methods of self–discipline as I did. If you are thinking that the w inter weather is coming and you are bound to catch cold, you are not developing mental strength.  You have already committed yourself to certain weakness. When you feel you are susceptible to catching a cold, mentally resist it. This is the right mental attitude. In your heart, sincerely do your best at all times, but without anxiety. Worry only paralyses your efforts. If you do your best, God will reach down his hand to help you.

If you do not acknowledge weakness in the face of troubles, and if you refuse to worry about your problems, you will find out how much more successful, peaceful, and happy you are. Make this affirmation daily. I will be neither lazy nor feverishly active. In every challenge of life I shall do my best without worrying about the future.

Don't grieve for what you don't have. The most materially successful man may have the greatest worries and unhappiness. In contrast, I have seen in humble little huts and caves in India men who were true monarchs. The earthy throne of one such saint was a dried grass mat. He wore only a little loincloth. Such are the real kings of the earth. Some of them have no food, nothing at all; they are richer than the world's millionaires. In biting cold weather, I saw one saint in the Himalayas who had nothing on. Won't you catch cold? I said. Sweetly he answered, If I am warm with God's love, how can I feel the cold? Saints like him are greater than any crowned king. If without food, without any visible means of security, such men can be like kings, peaceful and without worry, why can't you?

Why the speaker has talked about National Petroleum Reserve in Passage II?

Passage – I 

When the numbers start going up here, you can bet the pressure gauge rises here also. It is pressure to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge, known as ANWR, has been off limits since 1980 to any oil exploration without Congressional approval. Alaska's Sen. Frank Murkowski says it's time for Congress to reconsider. Sen. Frank Murkowski says, “ANWR becomes one of the reasonable alternatives and consequently we want to pursue it.” **Environmentalists call the ANWR the biological heart of Alaska, and compare it to the Serengeti plains of Africa for the diversity of wildlife. They say, put an oil field here and you will destroy it forever. Bruce Hamilton of the Sierra Club says, “We’re going to sacrifice something that we should be passing on to our grandchil

dren as a national heritage, in order to have a quick fix of oil for six months and if you really want additional oil there are better ways to do it through conservation.” Alaska ships 10 percent of its oil to Asia, but pet

roleum producers say the percentage is too small to affect U.S. supplies or prices. When gas prices soar there’s a rally cry by the oil industry. They say, “Open the refuge and drill and the U.S. would no longer be over a barrel.” Mark Rubin of the American Petroleum Institute says, by using oil from ANWR, “It has been estimated through the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that we could replace the same amount of oil that we are importing through Saudi Arabia for the next 30 years.” As the oil industry dreams of vast pools of crude beneath the Arctic tundra, environmentalists say their dream is to get President Clinton to declare the ANWR a national monument. This is the only surefire way, they say, to keep the refuge wild and free.

** Senator Murkowski is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources commercial.

Passage – II

Secretary “Bruce Babbit” responds to the proposed legislation

I strongly oppose legislation introduced in the Senate today to open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. President Clinton has shown great leadership by announcing his intention to veto past Congressional attempts to circumvent the wishes of millions of Americans nationwide who oppose the degradation of their national treasure. These Americans and the Clinton/Gore Administration have made it clear again and again: we will protect this last undeveloped fragment of America's arctic coastline for the thousands of caribou, polar bears, swans, snow geese, musk oxen and countless other species who use it to birth and shelter their young. There is a time and a place for oil exploration in Alaska, and we have permitted environmentally sensitive oil exploration in a large area of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska, an area set aside for that purpose. There is a big difference between the designation of a National Petroleum Reserve and a National Wildlife Refuge but some in Congress consistently fail to recognise this fact. So today I am recommending that President Clinton oppose any further Republican Congressional attempts to use legislation to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.