<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe 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 the land with hospitals, but human misery will continue until man’s character changes. (2013) <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Q1. According to the passage, which of the following statements is most likely to be true as the reason for man’s miseries?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n(a) The poor economic and social conditions prevailing in society <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) The refusal on the part of man to change his character <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) The absence of physical and material help from his society <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) Ever increasing physical’ needs due to changing social structure<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (b)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe persistence of human reluctance to alter one’s character contributes to the suffering experienced by humanity. The passage distinctly asserts that the alleviation of human suffering is contingent upon individuals modifying their character traits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Q2. With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made. <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. The author gives primary importance to physical and material help in eradicating human misery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Charitable homes, hospitals, etc. can remove human misery to a great extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which of the assumption(s) is\/are valid?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n(a) Only 1 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) Only 2 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) Both 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (d)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAccording to the passage, neither assumption (1) nor (2) holds true. It asserts that solely offering physical and material assistance will not suffice in eliminating human suffering unless there is a transformation in human character. Moreover, it is emphasized that the establishment of hospitals and charitable institutions alone will not result in the eradication of human suffering unless there is a fundamental shift in human character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Passage<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe subject of democracy has become severely muddled because of the way the rhetoric surrounding it has been used in recent years. There is, increasingly, an oddly confused dichotomy between those who want to ‘impose’ democracy on countries in the non-Western world (in these countries’ ‘own interest’, of course) and those, who are opposed to such ‘imposition’ (because of the respect for the countries’ ‘own ways’). But the entire language of ‘imposition’, used by both sides, is extraordinarily inappropriate since it makes the implicit assumption that democracy belongs exclusively to the West, taking it to be a quintessentially ‘Western’ idea which has originated and flourished only in the West. But the thesis and the pessimism it generates about the possibility of democratic practice in the world would be extremely hard to justify There were several experiments in local democracy in ancient India. Indeed, in understanding the roots of democracy in the world, we have to take an interest in the history of people participation and public reasoning in different parts of the world. We have to look beyond chinking of democracy only in terms of European and American evolution. We would fail to understand the pervasive demands for participatory living, on which Aristotle spoke with far-reaching insight, if we take democracy to be a kind of a specialised cultural product of the West. It cannot, of course, be doubted that the institutional structure of the contemporary practice of democracy is largely the product of European and American experience over the last few centuries. This is extremely important to recognise since these developments in institutional formats were immensely innovative and ultimately effective. There can be little doubt that there is a major ‘Western’ achievement here. (2013)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Q3. Which of the following is closest to the view of democracy as mentioned in the above passage? <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n(a) The subject of democracy is a muddle due to a desire to portray it as a Western concept, ‘alien’ to non-Western countries <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) The language or imposition of democracy is inappropriate. There is, however, a need to consider this concept in the backdrop of culture of ‘own ways’ of non-Western society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) While democracy is not essentially a Western idea belonging exclusively to the West, the institutional structure of current democratic practices has been their contribution <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) None of the above<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (c)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe passage suggests that democracy isn’t inherently Western, despite the fact that its institutional framework has predominantly evolved in Western contexts. While democracy isn’t intrinsically tied to the West, the current institutional framework of democratic governance largely stems from Western contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Passage<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMalnutrition 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 food that even in households where adults at adequate quantities of food, more than 50% of children-under-five do not consume enough food. The child’s dependencies 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. (2013)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Q4. According to the passage, malnutrition in children can be reduced<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n(a) if the children have regular intake of food <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) after they cross the age of five <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) if the food needs of younger children are known <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) if the responsibility of feeding younger children is given to adults <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (c)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe concluding statement of the passage explicitly indicates that addressing malnutrition is feasible when the dietary requirements of children are properly understood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Q5. According to the author, poverty is not the main cause of malnutrition but the fact that <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n1. taking care of younger ones is not a priority for working mothers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. awareness of nutritional needs is not propagated by the public health authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n(a) Only 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) Only 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) Both 1 and 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (a)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nStatement (1) is accurate as it reflects the common practice of older siblings assuming caretaking responsibilities for young children in households where mothers are employed. However, there is no reference in the passage to public health authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Passage<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nA number of empirical studies find that farmers are risk averse, though only moderately in many cases. There is also evidence to show that farmers risk aversion results in cropping patterns and input use designed to reduce risk rather than to maximise 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, storage of stocks and strategic migration of family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Policies may aim at tackling agricultural risks directly or indirectly. Examples of risk-specific policies are crop insurance, price stabilisation and the development of varieties resistant to pests and diseases. Policies which affect risk indirectly are irrigation, subsidised credit and access to information. No single risk specific policy is sufficient t specific to reduce risk and is without side – effects, whereas policies not specific to risk influence the general situation and affect risks onl 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 ariculture and in man areas yield variability is the predominant cause of their income instability. (2013)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Q6. The need for policy intervention to mitigate risks in agriculture is because<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n(a) farmers are extremely risk-averse <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) farmers do not know how to mitigate risks <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) the methods adopted by farmers and existing risk sharing institutions are not adequate<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) majority of farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (c)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAccording to the passage, policy intervention to address risks in agriculture is deemed necessary due to the inadequacy of the methods employed by farmers and the existing institutions for risk sharing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Q7. Which of the following observations emerges from the above passage? <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n(a) One can identify a single policy that can reduce risk without any side-effect <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) No single risk-specific policy is sufficient to reduce agricultural risk<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) Policies which affect risk indirectly can eliminate it <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) Government’s policy intervention can mitigate agricultural risk completely<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (b)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nStatement (b) is indeed accurate, as the passage previously elucidates the limitations of relying solely on a single policy to mitigate risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Passage<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCrude 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 heat, which transforms the tiny carcasses into crude oil in a process that is still going on today. (2013)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Q8. Mineral oil deposits under the sea do not get completely decomposed because they<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n(a) are constantly washed by the ocean currents<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) become rock and prevent oxygen from entering them <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) contain a mixture of hydrogen and carbon <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) are carcasses of organisms lying in saline conditions<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (b)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMineral oil deposits beneath the ocean floor undergo incomplete decomposition as they solidify into rock formations, inhibiting the penetration of oxygen. This lack of oxygen prevents full decomposition from occurring. Over time, the organic matter within the sedimentary rocks undergoes transformation into crude oil under the influence of pressure and heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Q9. Sedimentary rock leads to the formation of oil deposits because<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n(a) there are no saline conditions below it <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) it allows some dissolved oxygen to enter the dead organic matter below it <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(c) weight of overlying sediment layers causes the production of heat <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(d) it contains the substances that catalyse the chemical reactions required to change dead organisms into oil<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Ans. (c)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe passage explicitly states that the heat generated within the sedimentary rocks facilitates the transformation of organic carcasses into crude oil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Passage<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n