Reading Comprehension

Find out a word from the passage which has the same meaning as 'an outstanding example or achievement’:

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

It was a very sunny morning in the month of May when Robin Hood started walking with a brave and bold attitude. He was taking his steps briskly. He was on his way to a town called Nottingham to attend a fair. He was going there to test his bowing skills with the best bowmen in the fair. Though he was only seventeen, he had no peer in the whole of England in archery. That’s why Robin was very hopeful of winning the Sheriff’s prize that included a purse of gold. While he was strolling along, he only thought of the contest he was going to take part in. After walking a long distance, he came out of the woods of Sherwood Forest into a clear area with mosses all around.

Find the word in the passage which means the same as ‘an unusual, exciting and a daring experience’.

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

The book 'The Water Babies’ tells the story of Tom, a poor chimney boy, who works for a cruel master named Grimes. Tom’s work always keeps him covered with soot and dirt. While cleaning chimneys in a country house, he climbs into a beautiful white bedroom and sees a sleeping girl who is as clean as an angel. The girl wakes up, sees Tom and screams. Feeling ashamed, Tom runs away to a small stream to have a wash. He jumps into the stream and falls into a very cozy sleep. Tom wakes up being reborn as a water baby. He then has many adventures and meets a lot of interesting creatures. He then sees the sea for the first time and meets those unusual fish, the salmon.

Why is Tom covered with soot and dirt?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

The book 'The Water Babies’ tells the story of Tom, a poor chimney boy, who works for a cruel master named Grimes. Tom’s work always keeps him covered with soot and dirt. While cleaning chimneys in a country house, he climbs into a beautiful white bedroom and sees a sleeping girl who is as clean as an angel. The girl wakes up, sees Tom and screams. Feeling ashamed, Tom runs away to a small stream to have a wash. He jumps into the stream and falls into a very cozy sleep. Tom wakes up being reborn as a water baby. He then has many adventures and meets a lot of interesting creatures. He then sees the sea for the first time and meets those unusual fish, the salmon.

Why was Robin hopeful of winning the prize?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

It was a very sunny morning in the month of May when Robin Hood started walking with a brave and bold attitude. He was taking his steps briskly. He was on his way to a town called Nottingham to attend a fair. He was going there to test his bowing skills with the best bowmen in the fair. Though he was only seventeen, he had no peer in the whole of England in archery. That’s why Robin was very hopeful of winning the Sheriff’s prize that included a purse of gold. While he was strolling along, he only thought of the contest he was going to take part in. After walking a long distance, he came out of the woods of Sherwood Forest into a clear area with mosses all around.

What did Robin Hood start walking with?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

It was a very sunny morning in the month of May when Robin Hood started walking with a brave and bold attitude. He was taking his steps briskly. He was on his way to a town called Nottingham to attend a fair. He was going there to test his bowing skills with the best bowmen in the fair. Though he was only seventeen, he had no peer in the whole of England in archery. That’s why Robin was very hopeful of winning the Sheriff’s prize that included a purse of gold. While he was strolling along, he only thought of the contest he was going to take part in. After walking a long distance, he came out of the woods of Sherwood Forest into a clear area with mosses all around.

While he was strolling along, what did Robin think of?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

It was a very sunny morning in the month of May when Robin Hood started walking with a brave and bold attitude. He was taking his steps briskly. He was on his way to a town called Nottingham to attend a fair. He was going there to test his bowing skills with the best bowmen in the fair. Though he was only seventeen, he had no peer in the whole of England in archery. That’s why Robin was very hopeful of winning the Sheriff’s prize that included a purse of gold. While he was strolling along, he only thought of the contest he was going to take part in. After walking a long distance, he came out of the woods of Sherwood Forest into a clear area with mosses all around.

Writer's perspective seems limited to

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.

There is a reference in the passage to a phenomenon which applies to the whole world and is not unique to India alone. It is

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.

Which philosophy, according to the author, does not represent a mere passing phase?

1. The philosophy that existed at Bhitargaon in Northern India in the fifth century.
2. The philosophy represented by monuments at Ellora and Elephanta.
3. A brick temple with a tower, but with a true arch over the doorway.
4. Philosophy of architectural excellence by carving monoliths out of living stones.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

From the seventeenth century onward India witnessed the development of its classical architecture in stone. Uptill now the extant architectural remains had overwhelmingly been in the form of monoliths, caves, and buildings cut out of living rock. This mode of architecture continued to create its great monuments at Ellora and Elephanta. But the emphasis was now on stone-block construction.
In the fifth century, Bhitargaon in Northern India had represented a philosophy: a brick temple with a tower, but with a true arch over the doorway. It proved, however, to represent a mere passing phase. The arch, vault and dome, as well as mortar cement, remained strangers to Indian masons till the thirteenth century. As a result, when they built on a large scale, they were obliged either to have towering roofs, the walls tapering to meet at top, or to instal thick pillars, in order to bear the weight of heavy beams. Recourse had then to be taken to using larger and larger solid stone blocks. The inevitable effect of the resulting massiveness was sought to be relieved by a profusion of sculpture with which these structures were increasingly endowed.
The Brahmanical temple constitutes the principal product of this tradition of monumental architecture. Its sanctuary comprised the cella, containing the idol or symbol of the deity and the spire over it. A pillared hall was attached to the sanctuary, with sometimes an intermediate chamber, transepts and porch. Jain temples followed a similar plan.
Two styles, the so-called ‘Indo-Aryan’ (Northern) and ‘Dravidian’ (Southern) have been discerned within this broad tradition of temple architecture. The ‘Aryan’ shikarasare simple ribbed spires, the ‘Dravidian’, terraced towers; the ‘Aryan’ roofs tend to be flat or pyramidal, the ‘Dravidian’, more commonly globular. Both these styles are present in early Chalukya architecture of the Deccan. At Ellora, in Maharashtra, was created the greatest building in India ever cut out of living rock. Cutting down vertically a rectangular space of rock, over 90 m. by 53 m. in area, the shikara being so carved as to be about 30.5 m. high, the rock-cutters scrupulously followed the design of a stone-structured building, with ‘Dravidian’ features.

'Extant architectural remains' in the opening paragraph of the passage refers to

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

From the seventeenth century onward India witnessed the development of its classical architecture in stone. Uptill now the extant architectural remains had overwhelmingly been in the form of monoliths, caves, and buildings cut out of living rock. This mode of architecture continued to create its great monuments at Ellora and Elephanta. But the emphasis was now on stone-block construction.
In the fifth century, Bhitargaon in Northern India had represented a philosophy: a brick temple with a tower, but with a true arch over the doorway. It proved, however, to represent a mere passing phase. The arch, vault and dome, as well as mortar cement, remained strangers to Indian masons till the thirteenth century. As a result, when they built on a large scale, they were obliged either to have towering roofs, the walls tapering to meet at top, or to instal thick pillars, in order to bear the weight of heavy beams. Recourse had then to be taken to using larger and larger solid stone blocks. The inevitable effect of the resulting massiveness was sought to be relieved by a profusion of sculpture with which these structures were increasingly endowed.
The Brahmanical temple constitutes the principal product of this tradition of monumental architecture. Its sanctuary comprised the cella, containing the idol or symbol of the deity and the spire over it. A pillared hall was attached to the sanctuary, with sometimes an intermediate chamber, transepts and porch. Jain temples followed a similar plan.
Two styles, the so-called ‘Indo-Aryan’ (Northern) and ‘Dravidian’ (Southern) have been discerned within this broad tradition of temple architecture. The ‘Aryan’ shikarasare simple ribbed spires, the ‘Dravidian’, terraced towers; the ‘Aryan’ roofs tend to be flat or pyramidal, the ‘Dravidian’, more commonly globular. Both these styles are present in early Chalukya architecture of the Deccan. At Ellora, in Maharashtra, was created the greatest building in India ever cut out of living rock. Cutting down vertically a rectangular space of rock, over 90 m. by 53 m. in area, the shikara being so carved as to be about 30.5 m. high, the rock-cutters scrupulously followed the design of a stone-structured building, with ‘Dravidian’ features.

The passage is about

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

Multinational companies need to take a cue from the indigenous companies, and from the work culture of the successful ones. Parameters and practices perfected over a period of time in other, more mature markets need to be administered with a huge pinch of salt. The second most populous nation in the world deserves a strategy that is nation-centric.
The multinationals also need to empower the grassroots contact points of the company. In India, a manager who cannot take a call on his own loses respect very fast, and the dealers or customers he deals with are more likely to bypass him completely the next time over. Also, the need to decentralize research and innovation is paramount. With managerial talent in short supply, a focus on promoting merit has to be inculcated. This also means that the local managers should have an equal chance to grow in a transparent environment. 
Setting ambitious targets is just the beginning. The belief comes in only when the domestic workforce sees visits by the global management team. Involvement signals intent and that inculcates belief. India is a very hands-on economy, and companies here cannot be run by remote control.
Cost-effectiveness is another important criterion. In this humongous, and one of the biggest emerging economies, a product without the bells and whistles, but with core competence, is more likely to capture the market than a premium product, but the price strategy has to be based on driving large volumes.

Which of the following suggestions for courting success in the local context does not find mention in the passage?

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

Multinational companies need to take a cue from the indigenous companies, and from the work culture of the successful ones. Parameters and practices perfected over a period of time in other, more mature markets need to be administered with a huge pinch of salt. The second most populous nation in the world deserves a strategy that is nation-centric.
The multinationals also need to empower the grassroots contact points of the company. In India, a manager who cannot take a call on his own loses respect very fast, and the dealers or customers he deals with are more likely to bypass him completely the next time over. Also, the need to decentralize research and innovation is paramount. With managerial talent in short supply, a focus on promoting merit has to be inculcated. This also means that the local managers should have an equal chance to grow in a transparent environment. 
Setting ambitious targets is just the beginning. The belief comes in only when the domestic workforce sees visits by the global management team. Involvement signals intent and that inculcates belief. India is a very hands-on economy, and companies here cannot be run by remote control.
Cost-effectiveness is another important criterion. In this humongous, and one of the biggest emerging economies, a product without the bells and whistles, but with core competence, is more likely to capture the market than a premium product, but the price strategy has to be based on driving large volumes.

g scenarios will fuel the author's concern about global warming, EXCEPT

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
Scientists and environmentalists estimate that at the present rate of global warming, our planet will have heated up by nearly two degree centigrade by the end of the century. Even if we stopped all greenhouse gas emissions immediately, the pollutants in the atmosphere will drive up the global temperature by around half a degree.  If allowed to run unchecked, the global warming will impact even the permafrost at the poles. Permafrost refers to the perennially frozen part of earth in the Tundra and Polar Regions. At some places, the permafrost is just a few meters thick, while at others, it extends to depths of hundreds of meters. It is feared that in the eventuality of the melting of the polar caps, the poles will turn into a giant carbon-dioxide generation zone. The permanent freeze keeps the carbon inert but at higher temperatures, carbon will react with oxygen present in the air to form oxides. The non-existent flora of the tundra will not be enough to absorb a sufficient quantity of the greenhouse gases that are expected to be released when the polar ice-caps melt. However, keeping in view the grandiose declarations of the policy makers, who are setting ambitious targets for cutting greenhouse emissions without coming out with a plan that puts their money where their plan is, it is highly unlikely that we will halt, much less reverse, the timeline for an appointment with Armageddon. It would mean that emission cuts of the level un-thought of till today will have to be achieved to halt any further increase in global warming.

What is a suitable heading for the passage?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
Scientists and environmentalists estimate that at the present rate of global warming, our planet will have heated up by nearly two degree centigrade by the end of the century. Even if we stopped all greenhouse gas emissions immediately, the pollutants in the atmosphere will drive up the global temperature by around half a degree.  If allowed to run unchecked, the global warming will impact even the permafrost at the poles. Permafrost refers to the perennially frozen part of earth in the Tundra and Polar Regions. At some places, the permafrost is just a few meters thick, while at others, it extends to depths of hundreds of meters. It is feared that in the eventuality of the melting of the polar caps, the poles will turn into a giant carbon-dioxide generation zone. The permanent freeze keeps the carbon inert but at higher temperatures, carbon will react with oxygen present in the air to form oxides. The non-existent flora of the tundra will not be enough to absorb a sufficient quantity of the greenhouse gases that are expected to be released when the polar ice-caps melt. However, keeping in view the grandiose declarations of the policy makers, who are setting ambitious targets for cutting greenhouse emissions without coming out with a plan that puts their money where their plan is, it is highly unlikely that we will halt, much less reverse, the timeline for an appointment with Armageddon. It would mean that emission cuts of the level un-thought of till today will have to be achieved to halt any further increase in global warming.