Reading Comprehension

By saying “this really isn’t the biggest issue faced by India”, the writer is saying that

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and choose the best answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

At this time, the economy of India is facing a very difficult time. We have been witnessing slow growth along with a shrinking industrial base for the past two months. Wholesale price inflation has risen to 5.8% and the rupee has been sharply losing its value. Currently it is valued at approximately 60 rupees to 1 U.S. dollar, where two years ago it was valued at approximately 50 to 1. This has led to increasing prices in raw materials and fuel which is passed on to the consumer. As such, pretty much all Indians have much to be concerned about as well as be upset over. However, this really isn’t the biggest issue that is faced by India. The driving force behind these issues is what is at stake and poses as the nation’s biggest challenge.
This driving force is corruption as well as other dishonest behavior from our leaders. It cuts across party lines and is ubiquitously eating away at the moral fabric of society. As a result, the ordinary person is left feeling confused and in a state of despair. Even worse, it breeds a sense of apathy among the common man; but much worse than this, it engenders a feeling of complacency. This sense of complacency further encourages the behavior and motives behind corruption. As is evident, the economy is not doing well, but if we can look beyond this fact to the eroding values that is held by the different factions within the government, we should begin to understand that the reason why the economy is not doing well is due to the failure of trust held by those in power.
So far, the outlook on the economy is not good. Conditions are bleak and any growth is hampered by a slowdown as well as a devaluation of the rupee. However, this gloomy and pessimistic outlook is not proportionate and is fueled largely by the disenchantment with politics as usual.

In “It cuts across party lines and is ubiquitously eating away at the moral fabric of society”, the word "ubiquitously” in this context means

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and choose the best answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

At this time, the economy of India is facing a very difficult time. We have been witnessing slow growth along with a shrinking industrial base for the past two months. Wholesale price inflation has risen to 5.8% and the rupee has been sharply losing its value. Currently it is valued at approximately 60 rupees to 1 U.S. dollar, where two years ago it was valued at approximately 50 to 1. This has led to increasing prices in raw materials and fuel which is passed on to the consumer. As such, pretty much all Indians have much to be concerned about as well as be upset over. However, this really isn’t the biggest issue that is faced by India. The driving force behind these issues is what is at stake and poses as the nation’s biggest challenge.
This driving force is corruption as well as other dishonest behavior from our leaders. It cuts across party lines and is ubiquitously eating away at the moral fabric of society. As a result, the ordinary person is left feeling confused and in a state of despair. Even worse, it breeds a sense of apathy among the common man; but much worse than this, it engenders a feeling of complacency. This sense of complacency further encourages the behavior and motives behind corruption. As is evident, the economy is not doing well, but if we can look beyond this fact to the eroding values that is held by the different factions within the government, we should begin to understand that the reason why the economy is not doing well is due to the failure of trust held by those in power.
So far, the outlook on the economy is not good. Conditions are bleak and any growth is hampered by a slowdown as well as a devaluation of the rupee. However, this gloomy and pessimistic outlook is not proportionate and is fueled largely by the disenchantment with politics as usual.

The essential significance of India’s economic problems lies in the fact that

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and choose the best answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

At this time, the economy of India is facing a very difficult time. We have been witnessing slow growth along with a shrinking industrial base for the past two months. Wholesale price inflation has risen to 5.8% and the rupee has been sharply losing its value. Currently it is valued at approximately 60 rupees to 1 U.S. dollar, where two years ago it was valued at approximately 50 to 1. This has led to increasing prices in raw materials and fuel which is passed on to the consumer. As such, pretty much all Indians have much to be concerned about as well as be upset over. However, this really isn’t the biggest issue that is faced by India. The driving force behind these issues is what is at stake and poses as the nation’s biggest challenge.
This driving force is corruption as well as other dishonest behavior from our leaders. It cuts across party lines and is ubiquitously eating away at the moral fabric of society. As a result, the ordinary person is left feeling confused and in a state of despair. Even worse, it breeds a sense of apathy among the common man; but much worse than this, it engenders a feeling of complacency. This sense of complacency further encourages the behavior and motives behind corruption. As is evident, the economy is not doing well, but if we can look beyond this fact to the eroding values that is held by the different factions within the government, we should begin to understand that the reason why the economy is not doing well is due to the failure of trust held by those in power.
So far, the outlook on the economy is not good. Conditions are bleak and any growth is hampered by a slowdown as well as a devaluation of the rupee. However, this gloomy and pessimistic outlook is not proportionate and is fueled largely by the disenchantment with politics as usual.

Which of the following is the most appropriate title of the passage?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and choose the best answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

At this time, the economy of India is facing a very difficult time. We have been witnessing slow growth along with a shrinking industrial base for the past two months. Wholesale price inflation has risen to 5.8% and the rupee has been sharply losing its value. Currently it is valued at approximately 60 rupees to 1 U.S. dollar, where two years ago it was valued at approximately 50 to 1. This has led to increasing prices in raw materials and fuel which is passed on to the consumer. As such, pretty much all Indians have much to be concerned about as well as be upset over. However, this really isn’t the biggest issue that is faced by India. The driving force behind these issues is what is at stake and poses as the nation’s biggest challenge.
This driving force is corruption as well as other dishonest behavior from our leaders. It cuts across party lines and is ubiquitously eating away at the moral fabric of society. As a result, the ordinary person is left feeling confused and in a state of despair. Even worse, it breeds a sense of apathy among the common man; but much worse than this, it engenders a feeling of complacency. This sense of complacency further encourages the behavior and motives behind corruption. As is evident, the economy is not doing well, but if we can look beyond this fact to the eroding values that is held by the different factions within the government, we should begin to understand that the reason why the economy is not doing well is due to the failure of trust held by those in power.
So far, the outlook on the economy is not good. Conditions are bleak and any growth is hampered by a slowdown as well as a devaluation of the rupee. However, this gloomy and pessimistic outlook is not proportionate and is fueled largely by the disenchantment with politics as usual.

According to the author, what is the major weakness of the present examination system?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

Which of the following factors is responsible for children's dislike of learning?

(1) Rigid, logical, systematic organisation of syllabus (2) Teaching methodology which does not focus on text books (3) Examination pattern which rewards rote learning

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

Why do teachers focus on ‘scoring’ topics?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

What is the drawback of teacher's training course?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

Which of the following is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

Which of the following is essential to improve the quality of education?

1. Focus on encouraging educational systems like International Baccalaureate
2. Reducing the number of examinations students have to take
3. Lowering the cut offs for expensive colleges so that all students have access

   Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

   The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
   The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

Why is the International Baccalaureate gaining popularity?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.

What will be the impact of having an interactive syllabus?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question given below it.

The main idea conveyed by the report is that our children do not get a chance to enjoy learning at school because the syllabi are irrationally organised, teaching is text book centered and the system of examinations instills fear and encourages mechanical repetition. Text books developed along the lines of reconceptualised syllabi can attempt to integrate positive values, life skills, aesthetic sensibility and concern for the environment. They are interactive and make a conscious effort to point both children and the teachers towards other sources of learning such as neighbourhood, nature etc. In addition two parallel challenges deserve attention. The first is examination reforms. Rigid indifference to individual differences is the major flaw of the present system. From the quality of questions to the manner of evaluation, it favours drilled preparedness and ignores independent thought while the unrealistically high cut offs in coveted colleges are a further sign of systemic inefficiency. It is hardly surprising that the very thought of examinations makes the young depressed. Moreover practices of splitting unified topics into arbitrary bits carrying small marks value encourage teachers to concentrate on scoring topics overlooking the importance of perspective and overall understanding. Little surprise that many elite high-fee schools are opting for International Baccalaureate not because it offers status with its global certification but for its flexibility and respect for individual differences in learning.
The second area is teacher training which suffers from obsolete notions. Most teachers are trained mainly to cover the syllabus in a mechanical exam-oriented manner. By insisting that every child move at the same pace in all subjects teachers encourage rote learning and ridicule for those who fall behind. Teacher training whether for nursery or secondary school teachers should be embedded in courses, which have the capacity to develop both the teacher's personality and perspective on society by linking subject learning with reflective and creative project work. The ultimate responsibility lies with universities and institutes of higher learning to ensure the quality of all teachers. Initiatives to improve the content of teacher training courses will ensure utilisation of desolate university campuses during summer vacations which conceal an enormous waste of infrastructure and expertise. The quality of education is a reflection of the quality of teachers and major improvements in their training and working conditions will motivate the young to pursue a teaching career and determine how India fares in the pursuit of economic and social development in the years to come.