ENGLISH

A stout old lady was walking with her basket down the middle of a street in Petrograd to the great confusion of the traffic and no small peril to herself, It was pointed out to her that the pavement was the place for foot-passengers, but she replied, “I’m going to walk where I like, We’ve got liberty now”, It did not occur to the dear lady that if liberty entitled the foot-passenger to walk down the middle of the road it also entitled the taxi-driver to drive on the pavement, and that the end of such liberty would be universal chaos, Everything would be getting in everybody else’s way and nobody would get anywhere, Individual liberty would have become social anarchy. 1. It was pointed out to the lady that she should walk on the pavement because she wasa) a pedestrianb) carrying a basketc) stoutd) an old lady 2. The lady refused to move from the middle of the street becausea) she was not afraid of being killedb) she felt that she is entitled to do whatever she likedc) she did not like walking on the pavementd) she was confused 3. The old lady failed to realize thata) she was not really freeb) her liberty was not unlimitedc) she was an old persond) roads are made for motor vehicles only   ABB    

It was already late when we set out for the next town, which according to the map was about fifteen kilometers away on the other side of the hills, There we felt that we would find a bed for the night. Darkness fell soon after we left the village, but luckily we met no one as we drove swiftly along the narrow winding road that led to the hills, As we climbed higher, it became colder and rain began to fall, making it difficult at times to see the road, I asked John, my companion, to drive more slowly, After we had travelled for about twenty Kilometers, there was still no sign of the town which was marked on the map, We were beginning to get worried, Then without warning, the car stopped and we found we had run out of petrol. 1. The author asked John to drive more slowly becausea) the road led to the hillsb) John was an inexperienced driverc) the road was not clearly visibled) they were in wilderness 2. The travelers set out for the town although it was getting dark becausea) they were in a hurryb) the next town was a short distance away and was a hill-resortc) they were in wildernessd) the next town was a short distance away and promised a goo and rest for the night 3. The travelers were worried after twenty kilometers becausea) it was a lonely countrysideb) they probably feared of having lost their wayc) the rain began to falld) it was getting colder as they drove   CDB  

Seven-year-old Jim came home from the park without his new bicycle. “An old man and a little boy borrowed it”, he explained. “They are going to bring it back at four o’clock”. His parents were upset that he had given his expensive new bicycle, but were secretly proud of his kindness and faith. Came four o’clock, no bicycle. The parents were anxious. But at 4:30, the door bell rang, and there stood a happy man and a boy, with the bicycle and a box of chocolates. Jim suddenly disappeared into his bedroom, and then came running out. “All right”, he said, after examining the bicycle. “You can have your watch back!” 1. When Jim came home without his bicycle, his parentsa) were angry with himb) were worriedc) did not feel concernedd) were eager to meet the old man and the little boy 2. Jim returned the watch to the old man and the little boy becausea) they gave him chocolates.b) his father was proud of him.c) he was satisfied with the condition of his bicycle.d) they were late only by 30 minutes.   BC    

The miseries of the world cannot be cured by physical help only. Until man’s nature changes, his physical needs will always arise, and miseries will always be felt, and no amount of physical help will remove them completely. The only solution of the problem is to make mankind pure. Ignorance is the mother of evil and of all the misery we see. Let men have light, let them be pure and spiritually strong and educated; then alone will misery cease in the world. We may convert every house in the country into a charitable asylum, we may fill land with hospitals, but human misery will continue until man’s character changes. 1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is most likely to be true as the reason for real miseries?a) The poor economic and social condition prevailing in society.b) The refusal on the part of man to change his society.c) absence of physical and material help from his society.d) Ever increasing physical needs due to changing social structure. 2. With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made:1. The author gives primary importance to physical and material help ill eradicating human misery.2. Charitable homes, hospitals, etc. can remove human misery to a great extent.Which of the assumptions is/are valid?a) 1 onlyb) 2 onlyc) Both 1 and 2d) Neither 1 or 2   BD    

The law in many parts of the world increasingly restricts the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses. The simplest and often the most economically sound practice returns the material to the land as semisolid manure or as sprayed slurry. This dilutes its concentration in the environment to what might have occurred In a more primitive and sustainable type of agriculture and converts pollutant into fertilizer. Soil microorganisms decompose the organic components of sewage and slurry and most of the mineral nutrients become available to be absorbed again by the vegetation. The excess input of nutrients, both nitrogen and phosphorus – based, from agricultural runoff (and human sewage) has caused many ‘healthy’ oligotrophic lakes (low nutrient concentrations, low plant productivity with abundant water weeds, and clear water) to change to eutrophic condition where high nutrient inputs lead to high phytoplankton productivity (sometimes dominated by bloom-forming toxic species). This makes and, in the worst situations, leads to anoxia and fish kills; so called cultural eutrophication. Thus, important ecosystem services are lost, including the provisioning service of wild-caught fish and the cultural services associated with recreation. The process of cultural eutrophication of lakes has been understood for some time. But only recently did scientist notice huge ‘dead zones’ in the oceans near river outlets, particularly those draining large catchment areas such as the Mississippi in North America and the Yangtze in China. The nutrient-enriched water flows through steams, rivers and lakes, and eventually to the estuary and ocean where the ecological impact may be huge, killing virtually all invertebrates and fish in areas up to 70,000 km2in extent. More than 150 sea areas worldwide are now regularly starved of oxygen as a result of decomposition of algal blooms, fuelled particularly by nitrogen from agricultural runoff of fertilizers and sewage from large cities. Oceanic dead zones are typically associated with industrialized nations and usually lie off countries that subsidize their agriculture, encouraging farmers to increase productivity and use more fertilizer. 1. According to the passage, why should the discharge of agricultural slurry into watercourses be restricted?1. Losing nutrients in this way is not a good practice economically.2. Watercourses do not contain the microorganisms that can decompose organic components of agricultural slurry.3. The discharge may lead to the eutrophication of water bodies.Select the correct answer using the code given below,a) 1 onlyb) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 and 3 onlyd) 1, 2 and 3 2. The passage refers to the conversion of “pollutant to fertilizer”. What is pollutant and what is fertilizer in this context?a) Decomposed organic component of slurry is pollutant and microorganisms in soil constitute fertilizer.b) Discharged agricultural slurry is pollutant and decomposed slurry in soil is fertilizer.c) Sprayed slurry is pollutant and watercourse is fertilizer.d) None of the above expression is correct in the context. 3. According to the passage, what are the effects of indiscriminate use of fertilizers?1. Addition of pollutants to the soil and water.2. Destruction of decomposer microorganisms in soil.3. Nutrient enrichment of water bodies.4. Creation of algal blooms.Select the correct answer from the codes given below:a) 1, 2 and 3 onlyb) 1, 3 and 4 onlyc) 2 and 4 onlyd) 1, 2, 3 and 4 4. What is/are the characteristics of a water body with cultural eutrophication?1. Loss of ecosystem services2. Loss of flora and fauna3. Loss of mineral nutrientsSelect the correct answer using the code given below:a) 1 onlyb) 1 and 2 only c) 2 and 3 onlyd) 1, 2 and 3 5. What is the central theme of this passage?a) Appropriate legislation is essential to protect the environment.b) Modern agriculture is responsible for the destruction of environment.c) Improper waste disposal from agriculture can destroy the aquatic ecosystems.d) Use of chemical fertilizers is undesirable in agriculture.   CBBBC    

Passage Crude mineral oil comes out of the earth as a thick brown or black liquid with a strong smell, It is a complex mixture of many different substances, each with its own individual qualities, Most of them are combinations of hydrogen and carbon in varying proportions, Such hydrocarbons are also found in other forms such as bitumen, asphalt and natural gas, Mineral oil originates from the carcasses of tiny animals and from plants that live in the sea, Over millions of years, these dead creatures form large deposits under the sea-bed; and ocean currents cover them with a blanket of sand and silt. As this mineral hardens, it becomes sedimentary rock and effectively shuts out the oxygen so preventing the complete decomposition of the marine deposits underneath. The layers of sedimentary rock become thicker and heavier, Their pressure produces into crude oil in a process that is still going on today. 1. Mineral oil deposits under the sea do not get completely decomposed because theya) are constantly washed by the ocean currentb) become rock and prevent oxygen from entering themc) Contain a mixture of hydrogen and carbon.d) are carcasses of organisms lying in saline conditions. 2. Sedimentary rock leads to the formation of oil deposits becausea) there are no saline conditions below it.b) it allows some dissolved oxygen to enter the dead organic matter below it.c) Weight of overlying sediment layers causes the production of heat.d) it contains the substances catalyze the chemical reactions required to change dead organisms into oil.   BC    

Passage Financial markets in India have acquired greater depth and liquidity over the years, Steady reforms since 1991 have led to growing linkage ad integration of the Indian economy and its financial system with the global economy, and weak global economic financial markets therefore, have had their impact on the emerging market economies. Sovereign risk concerns, particularly in the Euro area, affected financial markets for the greater part of the year, with the contagion of Greece’s sovereign debt problem spreading to India and other economies by way of higher-than-normal levels of volatility. The funding constraints in international financial markets could impact both the availability and cost of foreign funding for banks and corporates. Since the India financial system is bank dominated, bank’s ability to withstand stress is critical to overall financial stability. Indian banks, however, remain robust, notwithstanding a decline in capital to risk-weighted assets ratio and a rise in non-performing asset levels in the recent past. Capital adequacy levels remain above the regulatory requirements. The financial market infrastructure continues to function without any major disruption. With further globalization, consolidation, deregulation and diversification of the financial system, the banking business may become more complex and riskier. Issues like risk and liquidity management and enhancing skill therefore assume greater significance. 1. According to the passage, the financial markets in the emerging market economies including India had the adverse impact in recent years due to1. weak global economic prospects2. uncertainties in the international financial markets.3. sovereign risk concerns in the Euro area.4. bad monsoons and the resultant crop loss.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:a) 1 and 2 onlyb) 1, 2 and 3c) 2 and 3 onlyd) 2, 3 and 4 only 2. The Indian financial markets are affected by global changes mainly due to thea) increased inflow of remittances from abroad.b) enormous Increase in the foreign exchange reserves.c) Growing global linkages and integration of the Indian financial markets.d) Contagion of Greece’s sovereign debt problem. 3. According to the passage, in the Indian financial system, banks’ ability to withstand stress is critical to ensure overall financial stability because Indian financial system isa) controlled by the Government of India.b) less integrated with banks.c) controlled by Reserve Bank of India.d) dominated by banks. 4. Risk and liquidity management assumes more importance in the Indian banking system in future due to1. further globalization.2. more consolidation and deregulation of the financial system.3. further diversification of the financial system.4. more financial inclusion In the economySelect the correct answer using the code given below:a) 1, 2 and 3b) 2, 3 and 4c) 1 and 2 onlyd) 3 and 4 only     BCDA    

A number of empirical studies find that farmers’ risk-averse, though only moderately in many cases. There is also evidence to show that farmer’s risk aversion results in cropping patterns and input use designed to reduce risk rather than to maximize income. Farmers adopt a number of strategies to manage and cope with agricultural risks. These include practices like crop and field diversification, non-farm employment of family members. There are also institutions ranging from share tenancy to kinship, extended family and informal credit agencies. One major obstacle to risk sharing by farmers is that the same type of risks can affect a large number of farmers in the region. Empirical studies show that the traditional methods are not adequate. Hence there is a need for policy interventions, especially measures that cut across geographical regions. Policies may aim to tackling agricultural risks directly or indirectly. Examples of risk-specific policies are crop insurance, price stabilization and the development of varieties resistant to pests and diseases. Policies which affect risk indirectly are irrigation, subsidized credit and access to information. No single risk-specific policy is sufficient to reduce risk and is without side-effects, whereas policies not specific to risk influence the general situation and affect risks only indirectly. Crop insurance, as a policy measure to tackle agricultural risk directly, deserves careful consideration in the Indian context and in many other developing countries because the majority of farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture and in many areas yield variability is the predominant cause of their income instability. 1. The need for policy intervention to mitigate risks in agriculture is becausea) Farmers are extremely risk-averse.b) Farmers do not know how to mitigate risks.c) The methods adopted by farmers and existing risk sharing institutions are not adequate.d) Majority of farms depend on rain-fed agriculture. 2. Which of the following observations emerges from the above passage?a) One can identify a single policy that can reduce risk without any side effect.b) No single risk-specific policy is sufficient to reduce agricultural risk.c) Policies which affect risk indirectly can eliminate it.d) Government’s policy intervention can mitigate agricultural risk completely.   CB  

Malnutrition most commonly occurs between the ages of six months and two years, This happens despite the child’s food requirements being less than that of an older child, Malnutrition is often attributed to poverty, but it has been found that even in households where adults eat adequate quantities of food, more than 50 per cent of children-under-five do not consume enough food, The child’s dependence on someone else to feed him/her is primarily responsible for the malnutrition, Very often the mother is working and the responsibility of feeding the young child is left to an older sibling, It is therefore crucial to increase awareness regarding the child’s food needs and how to satisfy them. 1. According to the passage, malnutrition in children can be reduceda) if the children have regular intake of food.b) after they cross the age of five.c) if the food needs of younger children are knownd) if the responsibility of feeding younger children is given to adults. 2. According to the author, poverty is not the main cause of malnutrition, but the fact that1. taking care of younger ones is not a priority for working mothers.2. awareness of nutritional needs is not propagated by the Public Health authorities.Select the correct answer using the codes given belowa) 1 onlyb) 2 onlyc) Both 1 and 2d) Neither 1 nor 2   CA

Corporate governance is based on principles such as conducting the business with all integrity and fairness, being transparent with regard to all transactions, making all the necessary disclosures and decisions, complying with all the laws of the land, accountability and responsibility towards the stakeholders and commitment to conducting business In an ethical manner, Another point which is highlighted on corporate governance is the need for those in control to be able to distinguish between what are personal and corporate funds while managing a company. Fundamentally, there is a level of confidence that is associated with a active group of independent directors on the board contributes a great deal towards ensuring confidence In the market. Corporate governance is known to be one of the criteria that foreign institutional investors are increasingly depending on when deciding on which companies to invest in. It is also known to have a positive influence on the share price of the company, Having a clean image on the corporate governance front could also make it easier for companies to source capital at more reasonable costs, Unfortunately, corporate governance often becomes the centre of discussion only after the exposure of a large scam. 1. According to the passage, which of the following should be the practice/practices in good corporate governance?1. Companies should always comply with labour and tax laws of the land.2. Every company in the country should have a government representative as one of the independent directors on the board to ensure transparency.3. The manager of a company should never invest his personal funds in the company. Select the correct answer using the codes given below:a) 1 onlyb) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 and 3 onlyd) 1, 2 and 3 2. According to the passage, which of the following is/are the major benefit/benefits of good corporate governance?1, Good corporate governance leads to Increase In share price of the company.2, A company with good corporate governance always increases its business turnover rapidly.3, Good corporate governance is the main criterion for foreign institutional investors when they decide to buy a company.Select the correct answer using the codes given below:a) 1 onlyb) 2 and 3 onlyc) 1 and 3 onlyd) 1, 2 and 3   AA