Reading Comprehension

In context, which version of sentences (9) and (10) best combines them into a single sentence?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Even if Louis Braille died when he was only forty-three years old he succeeded in devising a system of reading and writing for the blind which is now taught all over the world. (2) Braille lost his sight accidentally as a child. (3) Nevertheless, he was able to complete his education at a school for the blind in Paris and become a teacher. (4) In his day, the few books that were available for blind people were printed in big, raised type. (5) The letters used were those of the ordinary alphabet. (6) The reading of such books required immense effort. (7) Not only that, writing was almost impossible for a blind person was still restricted to an alphabet which was extraordinarily difficult to reproduce on paper.

(8) Braille’s idea was to use raised dots instead of letter. (9) He evolved a system which made use of only six dots in all. (10) By various combinations of these dots it not only proved possible to represent each letter in the alphabet but punctuation marks, numbers and musical notations as well. (11) Reading and writing have thus been enormously simplified. (12) The sensitive fingers of a blind person can travel rapidly over the dots: and there is a small machine, something like a typewriter, which enables the blind to write quickly and clearly.

In context, what is the best way to deal with sentence 10?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1] Until the middle of the nineteenth century art had been regarded as a luxury for the rich dilettante; people heard little of it, and thought less. [2]The utensils and furniture of the middle class were fashioned only with a view to utility; there was a popular belief that beautiful things were expensive. [3]Many people have an impression that the more ornate an article is, the more work has been lavished upon it, being never a more erroneous idea. [4]The diligent polish in order to secure nice plain surfaces, or the neat fitting of parts together, is infinitely more difficult than adding a florid casting to conceal clumsy workmanship. [5]Of course certain forms of elaboration involve great pains and labor; but the mere fact that a piece of work is decorated does not show that it has cost any more in time and execution than if it were plain,—frequently many hours have been saved by the device of covering up defects with cheap ornament.
[6]A craft may easily be practiced without art, and still serve its purpose; the alliance of the two is a means of giving pleasure as well as serving utility. [7]People suppose that because a design is artistic, its technical rendering is any the less important, this is a mistake. [8]Frequently curious articles are palmed off on us, and designated as "Arts and Crafts" ornaments, in which neither art nor craft plays its full share. [9]Art does not consist only in original, unusual, or unfamiliar designs; the best art is that which produces designs of grace and appropriateness, whether they are strikingly new or not. [10]One principle for which craftsmen should stand is a respect for their own tools: a frank recognition of the methods and implements employed in constructing any article.
[11]A medieval artist was usually a craftsman as well. [12]He was not content with furnishing designs alone, and then handing them over to men whose hands were trained to their execution, but he took his own designs and carried them out.

Which of the following is most likely to follow sentence 12?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1] Until the middle of the nineteenth century art had been regarded as a luxury for the rich dilettante; people heard little of it, and thought less. [2]The utensils and furniture of the middle class were fashioned only with a view to utility; there was a popular belief that beautiful things were expensive. [3]Many people have an impression that the more ornate an article is, the more work has been lavished upon it, being never a more erroneous idea. [4]The diligent polish in order to secure nice plain surfaces, or the neat fitting of parts together, is infinitely more difficult than adding a florid casting to conceal clumsy workmanship. [5]Of course certain forms of elaboration involve great pains and labor; but the mere fact that a piece of work is decorated does not show that it has cost any more in time and execution than if it were plain,—frequently many hours have been saved by the device of covering up defects with cheap ornament.
[6]A craft may easily be practiced without art, and still serve its purpose; the alliance of the two is a means of giving pleasure as well as serving utility. [7]People suppose that because a design is artistic, its technical rendering is any the less important, this is a mistake. [8]Frequently curious articles are palmed off on us, and designated as "Arts and Crafts" ornaments, in which neither art nor craft plays its full share. [9]Art does not consist only in original, unusual, or unfamiliar designs; the best art is that which produces designs of grace and appropriateness, whether they are strikingly new or not. [10]One principle for which craftsmen should stand is a respect for their own tools: a frank recognition of the methods and implements employed in constructing any article.
[11]A medieval artist was usually a craftsman as well. [12]He was not content with furnishing designs alone, and then handing them over to men whose hands were trained to their execution, but he took his own designs and carried them out.

Which of the following could be added after “not”, in sentence 6 to clarify the relationship between sentences 5 and 6?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1]The popular notion about marriage, that it springs from the same motives, and covers the same human needs is synonymous with love. [2]Like most popular notions this also rests not on actual facts, but on superstition.

[3]Marriage and love have nothing in common. [4]They are as far apart as the poles are; in fact, antagonistic to each other. [5]No doubt some marriages have been the result of love. [6]Not love could assert itself only in marriage; much rather it is because few people can completely outgrow a convention. [7]There are today large numbers of men and women to whom marriage is nothing but a farce, but who submit to marriage for the sake of public opinion. [8]At any rate, while it is true that some marriages are based on love, and while it is equally true that in some cases love continues in married life, I maintain that it does so regardless of marriage, and not because of it.
[9]Marriage is primarily an economic arrangement, an insurance pact. [10]It differs from the ordinary life insurance agreement only in that it is more binding, more exacting. [11]Its returns are insignificantly small compared with the investments. [12]If you take out an insurance policy, dollars and cents must be paid by you. [13] If woman's premium, however, is her husband, she pays for it with her name, her privacy, her self-respect, her very life. [14] Man too pays his toll, but as his sphere is wider, marriage does not limit him as much as woman.

In context, which of the following is the best way to phrase the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)?

A craft may easily be practiced without art, and still serve its purpose; the alliance of the two is a means of giving pleasure as well as serving utility.

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1] Until the middle of the nineteenth century art had been regarded as a luxury for the rich dilettante; people heard little of it, and thought less. [2]The utensils and furniture of the middle class were fashioned only with a view to utility; there was a popular belief that beautiful things were expensive. [3]Many people have an impression that the more ornate an article is, the more work has been lavished upon it, being never a more erroneous idea. [4]The diligent polish in order to secure nice plain surfaces, or the neat fitting of parts together, is infinitely more difficult than adding a florid casting to conceal clumsy workmanship. [5]Of course certain forms of elaboration involve great pains and labor; but the mere fact that a piece of work is decorated does not show that it has cost any more in time and execution than if it were plain,—frequently many hours have been saved by the device of covering up defects with cheap ornament.
[6]A craft may easily be practiced without art, and still serve its purpose; the alliance of the two is a means of giving pleasure as well as serving utility. [7]People suppose that because a design is artistic, its technical rendering is any the less important, this is a mistake. [8]Frequently curious articles are palmed off on us, and designated as "Arts and Crafts" ornaments, in which neither art nor craft plays its full share. [9]Art does not consist only in original, unusual, or unfamiliar designs; the best art is that which produces designs of grace and appropriateness, whether they are strikingly new or not. [10]One principle for which craftsmen should stand is a respect for their own tools: a frank recognition of the methods and implements employed in constructing any article.
[11]A medieval artist was usually a craftsman as well. [12]He was not content with furnishing designs alone, and then handing them over to men whose hands were trained to their execution, but he took his own designs and carried them out.

Which sentence would be the most appropriate to follow sentence 14?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1]The popular notion about marriage, that it springs from the same motives, and covers the same human needs is synonymous with love. [2]Like most popular notions this also rests not on actual facts, but on superstition.

[3]Marriage and love have nothing in common. [4]They are as far apart as the poles are; in fact, antagonistic to each other. [5]No doubt some marriages have been the result of love. [6]Not love could assert itself only in marriage; much rather it is because few people can completely outgrow a convention. [7]There are today large numbers of men and women to whom marriage is nothing but a farce, but who submit to marriage for the sake of public opinion. [8]At any rate, while it is true that some marriages are based on love, and while it is equally true that in some cases love continues in married life, I maintain that it does so regardless of marriage, and not because of it.
[9]Marriage is primarily an economic arrangement, an insurance pact. [10]It differs from the ordinary life insurance agreement only in that it is more binding, more exacting. [11]Its returns are insignificantly small compared with the investments. [12]If you take out an insurance policy, dollars and cents must be paid by you. [13] If woman's premium, however, is her husband, she pays for it with her name, her privacy, her self-respect, her very life. [14] Man too pays his toll, but as his sphere is wider, marriage does not limit him as much as woman.

In context, which of the following is the best way to phrase sentence 13 (reproduced below)?

If woman's premium, however, is her husband, she pays for it with her name, her privacy, her self-respect, her very life.

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1]The popular notion about marriage, that it springs from the same motives, and covers the same human needs is synonymous with love. [2]Like most popular notions this also rests not on actual facts, but on superstition.

[3]Marriage and love have nothing in common. [4]They are as far apart as the poles are; in fact, antagonistic to each other. [5]No doubt some marriages have been the result of love. [6]Not love could assert itself only in marriage; much rather it is because few people can completely outgrow a convention. [7]There are today large numbers of men and women to whom marriage is nothing but a farce, but who submit to marriage for the sake of public opinion. [8]At any rate, while it is true that some marriages are based on love, and while it is equally true that in some cases love continues in married life, I maintain that it does so regardless of marriage, and not because of it.
[9]Marriage is primarily an economic arrangement, an insurance pact. [10]It differs from the ordinary life insurance agreement only in that it is more binding, more exacting. [11]Its returns are insignificantly small compared with the investments. [12]If you take out an insurance policy, dollars and cents must be paid by you. [13] If woman's premium, however, is her husband, she pays for it with her name, her privacy, her self-respect, her very life. [14] Man too pays his toll, but as his sphere is wider, marriage does not limit him as much as woman.

In context which of the following is the best way to phrase the underlined portion of sentence 12 (reproduced below)?

If you take out an insurance policy dollars and cents must be paid by you.

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1]The popular notion about marriage, that it springs from the same motives, and covers the same human needs is synonymous with love. [2]Like most popular notions this also rests not on actual facts, but on superstition.

[3]Marriage and love have nothing in common. [4]They are as far apart as the poles are; in fact, antagonistic to each other. [5]No doubt some marriages have been the result of love. [6]Not love could assert itself only in marriage; much rather it is because few people can completely outgrow a convention. [7]There are today large numbers of men and women to whom marriage is nothing but a farce, but who submit to marriage for the sake of public opinion. [8]At any rate, while it is true that some marriages are based on love, and while it is equally true that in some cases love continues in married life, I maintain that it does so regardless of marriage, and not because of it.
[9]Marriage is primarily an economic arrangement, an insurance pact. [10]It differs from the ordinary life insurance agreement only in that it is more binding, more exacting. [11]Its returns are insignificantly small compared with the investments. [12]If you take out an insurance policy, dollars and cents must be paid by you. [13] If woman's premium, however, is her husband, she pays for it with her name, her privacy, her self-respect, her very life. [14] Man too pays his toll, but as his sphere is wider, marriage does not limit him as much as woman.

Which one of the following, if placed after sentence 12, would be the most effective concluding sentence for the essay?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Even if Louis Braille died when he was only forty-three years old he succeeded in devising a system of reading and writing for the blind which is now taught all over the world. (2) Braille lost his sight accidentally as a child. (3) Nevertheless, he was able to complete his education at a school for the blind in Paris and become a teacher. (4) In his day, the few books that were available for blind people were printed in big, raised type. (5) The letters used were those of the ordinary alphabet. (6) The reading of such books required immense effort. (7) Not only that, writing was almost impossible for a blind person was still restricted to an alphabet which was extraordinarily difficult to reproduce on paper.

(8) Braille’s idea was to use raised dots instead of letter. (9) He evolved a system which made use of only six dots in all. (10) By various combinations of these dots it not only proved possible to represent each letter in the alphabet but punctuation marks, numbers and musical notations as well. (11) Reading and writing have thus been enormously simplified. (12) The sensitive fingers of a blind person can travel rapidly over the dots: and there is a small machine, something like a typewriter, which enables the blind to write quickly and clearly.

Which of the following is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence (1) reproduced below?

Even if Louis Braille died when he was only forty-three years old he succeeded

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Even if Louis Braille died when he was only forty-three years old he succeeded in devising a system of reading and writing for the blind which is now taught all over the world. (2) Braille lost his sight accidentally as a child. (3) Nevertheless, he was able to complete his education at a school for the blind in Paris and become a teacher. (4) In his day, the few books that were available for blind people were printed in big, raised type. (5) The letters used were those of the ordinary alphabet. (6) The reading of such books required immense effort. (7) Not only that, writing was almost impossible for a blind person was still restricted to an alphabet which was extraordinarily difficult to reproduce on paper.

(8) Braille’s idea was to use raised dots instead of letter. (9) He evolved a system which made use of only six dots in all. (10) By various combinations of these dots it not only proved possible to represent each letter in the alphabet but punctuation marks, numbers and musical notations as well. (11) Reading and writing have thus been enormously simplified. (12) The sensitive fingers of a blind person can travel rapidly over the dots: and there is a small machine, something like a typewriter, which enables the blind to write quickly and clearly.

Which of the following is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence (7) reproduced below?

writing was almost impossible for a blind person was still restricted

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Even if Louis Braille died when he was only forty-three years old he succeeded in devising a system of reading and writing for the blind which is now taught all over the world. (2) Braille lost his sight accidentally as a child. (3) Nevertheless, he was able to complete his education at a school for the blind in Paris and become a teacher. (4) In his day, the few books that were available for blind people were printed in big, raised type. (5) The letters used were those of the ordinary alphabet. (6) The reading of such books required immense effort. (7) Not only that, writing was almost impossible for a blind person was still restricted to an alphabet which was extraordinarily difficult to reproduce on paper.

(8) Braille’s idea was to use raised dots instead of letter. (9) He evolved a system which made use of only six dots in all. (10) By various combinations of these dots it not only proved possible to represent each letter in the alphabet but punctuation marks, numbers and musical notations as well. (11) Reading and writing have thus been enormously simplified. (12) The sensitive fingers of a blind person can travel rapidly over the dots: and there is a small machine, something like a typewriter, which enables the blind to write quickly and clearly.

Which is the best version of sentence 1 (reproduced below)?

The popular notion about marriage, that it springs from the same motives, and covers the same human needs is synonymous with love.

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

[1]The popular notion about marriage, that it springs from the same motives, and covers the same human needs is synonymous with love. [2]Like most popular notions this also rests not on actual facts, but on superstition.

[3]Marriage and love have nothing in common. [4]They are as far apart as the poles are; in fact, antagonistic to each other. [5]No doubt some marriages have been the result of love. [6]Not love could assert itself only in marriage; much rather it is because few people can completely outgrow a convention. [7]There are today large numbers of men and women to whom marriage is nothing but a farce, but who submit to marriage for the sake of public opinion. [8]At any rate, while it is true that some marriages are based on love, and while it is equally true that in some cases love continues in married life, I maintain that it does so regardless of marriage, and not because of it.
[9]Marriage is primarily an economic arrangement, an insurance pact. [10]It differs from the ordinary life insurance agreement only in that it is more binding, more exacting. [11]Its returns are insignificantly small compared with the investments. [12]If you take out an insurance policy, dollars and cents must be paid by you. [13] If woman's premium, however, is her husband, she pays for it with her name, her privacy, her self-respect, her very life. [14] Man too pays his toll, but as his sphere is wider, marriage does not limit him as much as woman.

The passage states that Indian corporate houses are not

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

Recently, we have seen many instances of fraud and misuse in the corporate world. Elsewhere, we see corporate governance reforms being enacted with a sense of urgency. It is time to act in India as well — we should not be waiting for problems to occur. We should avoid ‘governance by embarrassment’ and be proactive. What should be done in India? There is need to dwell on the steps that need to be taken, especially from the perspective of corporations and regulatory agencies.
The most important task, it would appear, is revitalising the institution of independent directors. The independent directors of a company should be faithful fiduciaries, protecting the long term interests of shareholders while ensuring fairness to employees, investors, customers, regulators, the government of the land and society. Unfortunately, very often, directors are chosen based on friendship and, sadly, pliability. Therefore, it is appropriate to define what we mean by ‘independent directors’. An independent director is one who will be objective in board decisions. Generally, this independence stems from stature, competence, integrity, character, upbringing, confidence in oneself, openness and, of course, from not having any material income (apart from the director’s fee) derived from the company while he/she is on the board. Today, unfortunately, in the majority of cases, independence is only true on paper. This is the case not just in India, but all over the world. In India, we have seen many instances of legal counsels being appointed to the boards of the company they advise. Such actions will not enhance the independence of the board. Rather, they will become ‘decorative and decorous baubles with no real purpose, as Professor Myles Mace calls it.   
The need of the hour is to strengthen the independence of the board. We have to put in place stringent standards for the independence of the directors. The board should adopt global standards for director -independence, and should disclose how each independent director meets these standards. It is desirable to have a comprehensive report showing the names of the company employees or fellow board members who are related to each director on the board. This report should accompany the annual report of all listed companies.
Another important step is to regularly assess the board members for performance. The assessment should focus on issues like competence, preparation, participation and contribution. Ideally, this evaluation should be performed by a third party. Underperforming directors should be allowed to leave at end of their term in a gentle manner, so that they do not lose face.

According to the passage, which of the following is/are not cited as reason(s) to have independent directors on the board?

a. Independent directors are panacea for all ills. b. Institution of directors is dead and serving no purpose. c. Independent directors are faithful fiduciaries.

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

Recently, we have seen many instances of fraud and misuse in the corporate world. Elsewhere, we see corporate governance reforms being enacted with a sense of urgency. It is time to act in India as well — we should not be waiting for problems to occur. We should avoid ‘governance by embarrassment’ and be proactive. What should be done in India? There is need to dwell on the steps that need to be taken, especially from the perspective of corporations and regulatory agencies.
The most important task, it would appear, is revitalising the institution of independent directors. The independent directors of a company should be faithful fiduciaries, protecting the long term interests of shareholders while ensuring fairness to employees, investors, customers, regulators, the government of the land and society. Unfortunately, very often, directors are chosen based on friendship and, sadly, pliability. Therefore, it is appropriate to define what we mean by ‘independent directors’. An independent director is one who will be objective in board decisions. Generally, this independence stems from stature, competence, integrity, character, upbringing, confidence in oneself, openness and, of course, from not having any material income (apart from the director’s fee) derived from the company while he/she is on the board. Today, unfortunately, in the majority of cases, independence is only true on paper. This is the case not just in India, but all over the world. In India, we have seen many instances of legal counsels being appointed to the boards of the company they advise. Such actions will not enhance the independence of the board. Rather, they will become ‘decorative and decorous baubles with no real purpose, as Professor Myles Mace calls it.   
The need of the hour is to strengthen the independence of the board. We have to put in place stringent standards for the independence of the directors. The board should adopt global standards for director -independence, and should disclose how each independent director meets these standards. It is desirable to have a comprehensive report showing the names of the company employees or fellow board members who are related to each director on the board. This report should accompany the annual report of all listed companies.
Another important step is to regularly assess the board members for performance. The assessment should focus on issues like competence, preparation, participation and contribution. Ideally, this evaluation should be performed by a third party. Underperforming directors should be allowed to leave at end of their term in a gentle manner, so that they do not lose face.

'Governance by embarrassment' seems strongly deprecated by the author because

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question that follows.

Recently, we have seen many instances of fraud and misuse in the corporate world. Elsewhere, we see corporate governance reforms being enacted with a sense of urgency. It is time to act in India as well — we should not be waiting for problems to occur. We should avoid ‘governance by embarrassment’ and be proactive. What should be done in India? There is need to dwell on the steps that need to be taken, especially from the perspective of corporations and regulatory agencies.
The most important task, it would appear, is revitalising the institution of independent directors. The independent directors of a company should be faithful fiduciaries, protecting the long term interests of shareholders while ensuring fairness to employees, investors, customers, regulators, the government of the land and society. Unfortunately, very often, directors are chosen based on friendship and, sadly, pliability. Therefore, it is appropriate to define what we mean by ‘independent directors’. An independent director is one who will be objective in board decisions. Generally, this independence stems from stature, competence, integrity, character, upbringing, confidence in oneself, openness and, of course, from not having any material income (apart from the director’s fee) derived from the company while he/she is on the board. Today, unfortunately, in the majority of cases, independence is only true on paper. This is the case not just in India, but all over the world. In India, we have seen many instances of legal counsels being appointed to the boards of the company they advise. Such actions will not enhance the independence of the board. Rather, they will become ‘decorative and decorous baubles with no real purpose, as Professor Myles Mace calls it.   
The need of the hour is to strengthen the independence of the board. We have to put in place stringent standards for the independence of the directors. The board should adopt global standards for director -independence, and should disclose how each independent director meets these standards. It is desirable to have a comprehensive report showing the names of the company employees or fellow board members who are related to each director on the board. This report should accompany the annual report of all listed companies.
Another important step is to regularly assess the board members for performance. The assessment should focus on issues like competence, preparation, participation and contribution. Ideally, this evaluation should be performed by a third party. Underperforming directors should be allowed to leave at end of their term in a gentle manner, so that they do not lose face.