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Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.Q. The primary purpose of the author is to- a)provide a compelling argument for treating others with respect.
- b)narrate the story of a mischievous boy and his followers.
- c)narrate the story of a kind village boy and his callow attitude.
- d)narrate the story of two brothers and their struggles.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.
Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.
Q. The primary purpose of the author is to
a)
provide a compelling argument for treating others with respect.
b)
narrate the story of a mischievous boy and his followers.
c)
narrate the story of a kind village boy and his callow attitude.
d)
narrate the story of two brothers and their struggles.
|
Shraddha Chavan answered |
Explanation:
Narration of a mischievous boy and his followers:
The primary purpose of the author in this passage is to narrate the story of Phatik Chakravorti, the ringleader among the boys of the village, and his mischievous plan to shift a heavy log. The author describes how Phatik and his friends come up with a plan to move the log as a prank, with the expectation of causing amusement and surprise to the owner of the log.
Introduction of Makhan:
The story takes an interesting turn when Phatik's younger brother, Makhan, unexpectedly sits on the log and refuses to move despite Phatik's threats. This introduces a conflict in the narrative as Phatik must now figure out how to handle the situation and maintain his authority among his followers.
Phatik's reaction:
Phatik's initial reaction is anger towards Makhan for disrupting their plan. He threatens to thrash Makhan if he does not move, but his courage falters when it comes to carrying out the threat. This showcases Phatik's dilemma and his struggle to assert his dominance in front of his friends.
Resolution of the conflict:
Phatik cleverly decides to roll the log with Makhan on it, as a way to embarrass his brother and entertain his followers. However, this decision leads to unforeseen consequences as Makhan gets hurt in the process, highlighting the repercussions of Phatik's actions.
Overall, the author's main focus is on narrating the mischievous behavior of Phatik and his followers, as well as the consequences of their actions, especially in relation to Phatik's younger brother Makhan. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of reckless behavior and the importance of considering the well-being of others.
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.Q. The use of the word 'specie' in the passage denotes- a)food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.
- b)tax on tea and other essential commodities to cover the costs of war.
- c)money for payment of salaries and for purchase of supplies.
- d)animals such as horses, mules and cattle.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.
The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.
The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.
The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.
When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”
There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.
This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.
Q. The use of the word 'specie' in the passage denotes
a)
food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.
b)
tax on tea and other essential commodities to cover the costs of war.
c)
money for payment of salaries and for purchase of supplies.
d)
animals such as horses, mules and cattle.
|
Nandini Iyer answered |
The passage clearly mentions 'shipment of v ast sums of specie' both as pay for soldiers and others and also 'for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.' Thus it can be inferred that 'specie' here means money, to be used for payments of salaries and for the purchase of supplies. Thus, option (c) is the correct answer.
In large part as a consequence of the feminist movement, historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in various periods. Although much has been accomplished for the modern period, premodern cultures have proved more difficult: sources are restricted in number, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory. Thus it is not particularly surprising that some earlier scholarship concerning such cultures has so far gone unchallenged. An example is Johann Bachofen's 1861 treatise on Amazons, women-ruled societies of questionable existence contemporary with ancient Greece.Starting from the premise that mythology and legend preserve at least a nucleus of historical art, Bachofen argued that women were dominant in many ancient societies. His work was based on a comprehensive survey of references in the ancient sources to Amazonian and other societies with matrilineal customs - societies in which descent and property rights are traced through the female line. Some support for his theory can be found in evidence such as that drawn from Herodotus, the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C., who speaks of an Amazonian society, the Sauromatae, where the women hunted and fought in wars. A woman in this society was not allowed to marry until she had killed a person in battle.Nonetheless, this assumption that the first recorders of ancient myths have preserved facts is problematic.If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons, it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact - real Amazonian societies - but rather to offer moral lessons on the supposed outcome of women's rule in their own society.The Amazons were often characterized, for example, as the equivalents of giants and centaurs, enemies to be slain by Greek heroes. Their customs were presented not as those of a respectable society, but as the very antithesis of ordinary Greek practices.Thus I would argue, the purpose of accounts of the Amazons for their male Greek recorders is didactic, to teach both male and female Greeks that all-female groups, formed by withdrawal from traditional society, are destructive and dangerous. Myths about the Amazons were used in arguments for the male dominated status quo, in which groups composed exclusively of either sex were not permitted to segregate themselves permanently from society. Bachofen was thus misled in his reliance on myths for information about the status of women. Social documents like gravestones, wills and marriage contracts will probably tell contemporary historians most about women in the ancient world. Studies of such documents have already began to show how mistaken we are when we try to derive our picture of the ancient world exclusively from literary sources especially myths.Q. The author suggests that the main reason for the persisting influence of Bachofen's work is that- a)feminists have shown little interest in ancient societies.
- b)Bachofen's knowledge of Amazonian culture is unparalled.
- c)reliable information about the ancient world is difficult to acquire.
- d)ancient societies show the best evidence of women in positions of power.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
In large part as a consequence of the feminist movement, historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in various periods. Although much has been accomplished for the modern period, premodern cultures have proved more difficult: sources are restricted in number, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory. Thus it is not particularly surprising that some earlier scholarship concerning such cultures has so far gone unchallenged. An example is Johann Bachofen's 1861 treatise on Amazons, women-ruled societies of questionable existence contemporary with ancient Greece.
Starting from the premise that mythology and legend preserve at least a nucleus of historical art, Bachofen argued that women were dominant in many ancient societies. His work was based on a comprehensive survey of references in the ancient sources to Amazonian and other societies with matrilineal customs - societies in which descent and property rights are traced through the female line. Some support for his theory can be found in evidence such as that drawn from Herodotus, the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C., who speaks of an Amazonian society, the Sauromatae, where the women hunted and fought in wars. A woman in this society was not allowed to marry until she had killed a person in battle.
Nonetheless, this assumption that the first recorders of ancient myths have preserved facts is problematic.
If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons, it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact - real Amazonian societies - but rather to offer moral lessons on the supposed outcome of women's rule in their own society.
The Amazons were often characterized, for example, as the equivalents of giants and centaurs, enemies to be slain by Greek heroes. Their customs were presented not as those of a respectable society, but as the very antithesis of ordinary Greek practices.
Thus I would argue, the purpose of accounts of the Amazons for their male Greek recorders is didactic, to teach both male and female Greeks that all-female groups, formed by withdrawal from traditional society, are destructive and dangerous. Myths about the Amazons were used in arguments for the male dominated status quo, in which groups composed exclusively of either sex were not permitted to segregate themselves permanently from society. Bachofen was thus misled in his reliance on myths for information about the status of women. Social documents like gravestones, wills and marriage contracts will probably tell contemporary historians most about women in the ancient world. Studies of such documents have already began to show how mistaken we are when we try to derive our picture of the ancient world exclusively from literary sources especially myths.
Q. The author suggests that the main reason for the persisting influence of Bachofen's work is that
a)
feminists have shown little interest in ancient societies.
b)
Bachofen's knowledge of Amazonian culture is unparalled.
c)
reliable information about the ancient world is difficult to acquire.
d)
ancient societies show the best evidence of women in positions of power.
|
Keerthana Iyer answered |
Difficulties in acquiring reliable information about the ancient world
- The author suggests that the persisting influence of Bachofen's work is mainly due to the challenges in obtaining accurate information about ancient societies.
- Sources from premodern cultures are limited, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory, making it hard to determine the true status of women in those periods.
- This lack of reliable information has led to some earlier scholarship, like Bachofen's, going unchallenged.
Ancient myths as unreliable sources
- Bachofen based his work on a belief that mythology and legend contain historical truths, but the author argues that ancient Greek descriptions of societies like the Amazons were not meant to be factual.
- Ancient Greek accounts of the Amazons were likely intended to serve as moral lessons rather than accurate representations of real societies.
- The myths about the Amazons were used to reinforce the male-dominated status quo by portraying all-female groups as destructive and dangerous.
Importance of social documents in historical research
- The author suggests that social documents like gravestones, wills, and marriage contracts provide more reliable information about women in the ancient world than myths.
- Studies of such documents have already begun to shed light on the status and roles of women in ancient societies.
- Relying solely on literary sources, especially myths, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccuracies about the past.
- The author suggests that the persisting influence of Bachofen's work is mainly due to the challenges in obtaining accurate information about ancient societies.
- Sources from premodern cultures are limited, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory, making it hard to determine the true status of women in those periods.
- This lack of reliable information has led to some earlier scholarship, like Bachofen's, going unchallenged.
Ancient myths as unreliable sources
- Bachofen based his work on a belief that mythology and legend contain historical truths, but the author argues that ancient Greek descriptions of societies like the Amazons were not meant to be factual.
- Ancient Greek accounts of the Amazons were likely intended to serve as moral lessons rather than accurate representations of real societies.
- The myths about the Amazons were used to reinforce the male-dominated status quo by portraying all-female groups as destructive and dangerous.
Importance of social documents in historical research
- The author suggests that social documents like gravestones, wills, and marriage contracts provide more reliable information about women in the ancient world than myths.
- Studies of such documents have already begun to shed light on the status and roles of women in ancient societies.
- Relying solely on literary sources, especially myths, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccuracies about the past.
A recent incident precipitated the crisis in the already distressed sector. The Supreme Court's 24 October 2019 (Union of India v Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India) ruling ordered the telecom companies to pay up all that they owed in the form of levies, arrears, penalties and interest payments penalties through the last 15 years. The dispute was on how to calculate the gross adjusted revenues from which the government levies a tax. The companies contended that only their revenues arising out of their use of spectrum be considered. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), however, also included all their indirect earnings that form the adjusted gross revenue (AGR). This would include, for example, dividends and revenue from sale of handsets that are bundled with services, interest income, scrap sale or even rental income. The Supreme Court upheld the DoT's view in its October order.This definition of AGR spikes up the arrears, penalties and interest payments to a value close to Rs. 92,000 crore to be paid by the telecom firms in three months.This value, in an industry that is already saddled with a huge debt, is a matter of serious concern. While Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Idea have to pay Rs. 29,000 crore and Rs. 33,000 crore respectively, Reliance Jio, which is a new entrant, needs to pay Rs. 13,000 crore, due to its purchase of Reliance communication’s liabilities. Vodafone-Idea's cash reserves do not even match up to the penalty amount, making it seriously consider closing down. Vodafone-Idea reported a loss of almost Rs. 50,000 crore in the quarter ending in September 2019 (compared with Rs. 5,000 crore last year in the same quarter). This is, by many accounts, the largest loss by an Indian company.Airtel's story is also woeful, reporting a loss of Rs. 23,000 crore.These numbers are staggeringly high, enough to break a company down. Price wars in the last two years had led to a considerable bleeding of the incumbents already.Vodafone-Idea's future seems uncertain. Since the company owes huge debts to public banks, and has a number of dependent vendors, a ripple effect may hurt the overall economy. Lawmakers are genuinely worried and companies are trying hard to strike a deal with the government. A committee of secretaries was formed to consider a relief package for the beleaguered industry.They have granted a two-year moratorium on the spectrum payments, offering some cash flow relief, but do not touch the Supreme Court-imposed penalty.Estimates reveal that this package does not make much of a difference. Conversations on the bailout have begun.While this may not be a good sign, there is a need to dig deeper.Q. What was the dispute which was rectified by the Supreme Court in the judgement?- a)The liability of the companies to pay the tax levied on them.
- b)The methodology of computing the gross adjusted revenues which was taxed.
- c)The period in which the levies, arrears, penalties etc. would have to be paid.
- d)The rationality of the quantum of tax levied on the companies.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
A recent incident precipitated the crisis in the already distressed sector. The Supreme Court's 24 October 2019 (Union of India v Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India) ruling ordered the telecom companies to pay up all that they owed in the form of levies, arrears, penalties and interest payments penalties through the last 15 years. The dispute was on how to calculate the gross adjusted revenues from which the government levies a tax. The companies contended that only their revenues arising out of their use of spectrum be considered. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), however, also included all their indirect earnings that form the adjusted gross revenue (AGR). This would include, for example, dividends and revenue from sale of handsets that are bundled with services, interest income, scrap sale or even rental income. The Supreme Court upheld the DoT's view in its October order.
This definition of AGR spikes up the arrears, penalties and interest payments to a value close to Rs. 92,000 crore to be paid by the telecom firms in three months.
This value, in an industry that is already saddled with a huge debt, is a matter of serious concern. While Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Idea have to pay Rs. 29,000 crore and Rs. 33,000 crore respectively, Reliance Jio, which is a new entrant, needs to pay Rs. 13,000 crore, due to its purchase of Reliance communication’s liabilities. Vodafone-Idea's cash reserves do not even match up to the penalty amount, making it seriously consider closing down. Vodafone-Idea reported a loss of almost Rs. 50,000 crore in the quarter ending in September 2019 (compared with Rs. 5,000 crore last year in the same quarter). This is, by many accounts, the largest loss by an Indian company.
Airtel's story is also woeful, reporting a loss of Rs. 23,000 crore.
These numbers are staggeringly high, enough to break a company down. Price wars in the last two years had led to a considerable bleeding of the incumbents already.
Vodafone-Idea's future seems uncertain. Since the company owes huge debts to public banks, and has a number of dependent vendors, a ripple effect may hurt the overall economy. Lawmakers are genuinely worried and companies are trying hard to strike a deal with the government. A committee of secretaries was formed to consider a relief package for the beleaguered industry.
They have granted a two-year moratorium on the spectrum payments, offering some cash flow relief, but do not touch the Supreme Court-imposed penalty.
Estimates reveal that this package does not make much of a difference. Conversations on the bailout have begun.
While this may not be a good sign, there is a need to dig deeper.
Q. What was the dispute which was rectified by the Supreme Court in the judgement?
a)
The liability of the companies to pay the tax levied on them.
b)
The methodology of computing the gross adjusted revenues which was taxed.
c)
The period in which the levies, arrears, penalties etc. would have to be paid.
d)
The rationality of the quantum of tax levied on the companies.
|
Nishanth Verma answered |
Dispute rectified by the Supreme Court:
Methodology of computing the gross adjusted revenues which was taxed:
- The dispute between the telecom companies and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) was regarding the calculation of gross adjusted revenues (AGR) from which the government levies a tax.
- The companies contended that only their revenues arising out of their use of spectrum should be considered.
- However, the DoT included all indirect earnings such as dividends, revenue from sale of handsets, interest income, scrap sale, and rental income in the AGR.
- The Supreme Court upheld the DoT's view in its October order, which led to a significant increase in the amount of levies, arrears, penalties, and interest payments owed by the telecom firms.
While the rhetoric of collective responsibility to achieve "ambitious outcomes" in terms of climate action to address the "climate emergency" stands questioned in the 25th Conference of Parties, the grim realities of the inequalities between countries and the evasion of responsibilities and commitments by the developed countries point towards the fundamental role and continued importance of the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change that remains wider in its scope and broader in its vision than the Paris Agreement.The developed countries are also seeking to manipulate the science policy interface in an attempt to sideline the equity and climate justice-related perspectives of the developing countries.The 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the annual climate summit of the countries that are signatories to the Convention, recently concluded at Madrid in December 2019. Instead of being hailed as a milestone, almost universally, it has been held to be a failure. A remarkable range of opinions appears to concur on this view, from the United Nations Secretary General to a number of governments, including the European Union and some of the small island states, and a range of nongovernmental organizations, including some of the biggest international players.Referring to the year-long wave of public action preceding COP25, especially by students and youth in the developed countries, this narrative of failure has held all countries responsible for the lack of "ambitious" outcomes adequate to dealing with the "climate emergency." While some accounts have justifiably noted the role of the United States in the overall outcome, others have also targeted Brazil, and China, and even India by innuendo. This narrative of collective responsibility for the outcome has dominated the global media too and has been uncritically echoed in the national media in countries like India.But if COP25 was indeed the failure it is perhaps justifiably held to be, why indeed did it fail and what precisely was the anatomy of the failure? Despite the incessant rhetoric of "ambition" to face the "climate emergency," why indeed were the outcomes so meagre, and where does the responsibility lie?Unfortunately, the understanding of the challenge of global warming has been made considerably more difficult by the widespread tendency to ignore the reality of the grossly unequal world in which we live. The UNFCCC recognizes this in its explicit articulation of the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities as the basis for climate action, and thus, calls on the developed countries to take the lead. However, all too often the argument is made that these principles and their implementation in the differentiation between developed and developing countries in climate action has somehow become outdated.Q. Which of the following did not hail the 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a failure?- a)United Nations Secretary General
- b)European Union
- c)International Monetary Fund
- d)Non-Governmental Organizations
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
While the rhetoric of collective responsibility to achieve "ambitious outcomes" in terms of climate action to address the "climate emergency" stands questioned in the 25th Conference of Parties, the grim realities of the inequalities between countries and the evasion of responsibilities and commitments by the developed countries point towards the fundamental role and continued importance of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change that remains wider in its scope and broader in its vision than the Paris Agreement.
The developed countries are also seeking to manipulate the science policy interface in an attempt to sideline the equity and climate justice-related perspectives of the developing countries.
The 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the annual climate summit of the countries that are signatories to the Convention, recently concluded at Madrid in December 2019. Instead of being hailed as a milestone, almost universally, it has been held to be a failure. A remarkable range of opinions appears to concur on this view, from the United Nations Secretary General to a number of governments, including the European Union and some of the small island states, and a range of nongovernmental organizations, including some of the biggest international players.
Referring to the year-long wave of public action preceding COP25, especially by students and youth in the developed countries, this narrative of failure has held all countries responsible for the lack of "ambitious" outcomes adequate to dealing with the "climate emergency." While some accounts have justifiably noted the role of the United States in the overall outcome, others have also targeted Brazil, and China, and even India by innuendo. This narrative of collective responsibility for the outcome has dominated the global media too and has been uncritically echoed in the national media in countries like India.
But if COP25 was indeed the failure it is perhaps justifiably held to be, why indeed did it fail and what precisely was the anatomy of the failure? Despite the incessant rhetoric of "ambition" to face the "climate emergency," why indeed were the outcomes so meagre, and where does the responsibility lie?
Unfortunately, the understanding of the challenge of global warming has been made considerably more difficult by the widespread tendency to ignore the reality of the grossly unequal world in which we live. The UNFCCC recognizes this in its explicit articulation of the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities as the basis for climate action, and thus, calls on the developed countries to take the lead. However, all too often the argument is made that these principles and their implementation in the differentiation between developed and developing countries in climate action has somehow become outdated.
Q. Which of the following did not hail the 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a failure?
a)
United Nations Secretary General
b)
European Union
c)
International Monetary Fund
d)
Non-Governmental Organizations
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Option (c) is the correct answer as IMF does not find mention in the list of organizations which have hailed the 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a failure. All the other options are incorrect as they are mentioned in the passage as organizations which have termed the convention as a failure.
Select the most appropriate Antonym of the given word.
Hostile- a)Amiable
- b)Aid
- c)Sad
- d)Biased
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Select the most appropriate Antonym of the given word.
Hostile
Hostile
a)
Amiable
b)
Aid
c)
Sad
d)
Biased
|
|
Sarthak Mukherjee answered |
Understanding the Term "Hostile"
The word "hostile" refers to an attitude or behavior that is unfriendly, antagonistic, or aggressive. It often implies a willingness to oppose or harm others, creating a negative and confrontational environment.
Identifying the Antonym
To find an appropriate antonym, we look for a word that conveys the opposite meaning. The options provided are:
- a) Amiable
- b) Aid
- c) Sad
- d) Biased
Analysis of Each Option
- Amiable: This term describes someone who is friendly, pleasant, and good-natured. It directly counters the negativity associated with "hostile," making it the most fitting antonym.
- Aid: While this word implies assistance or support, it does not specifically represent an opposite of "hostile." It focuses more on the action of helping rather than the attitude.
- Sad: This word describes an emotional state but does not relate to hostility or friendliness. It is not an antonym.
- Biased: This term refers to a tendency to favor one side over another. While it can imply unfairness, it does not inherently convey hostility or friendliness.
Conclusion
Given the analysis, "amiable" stands out as the best antonym for "hostile." It embodies a welcoming and friendly disposition, effectively contrasting with the aggressive nature of hostility. Therefore, option 'A' is indeed the correct answer.
The word "hostile" refers to an attitude or behavior that is unfriendly, antagonistic, or aggressive. It often implies a willingness to oppose or harm others, creating a negative and confrontational environment.
Identifying the Antonym
To find an appropriate antonym, we look for a word that conveys the opposite meaning. The options provided are:
- a) Amiable
- b) Aid
- c) Sad
- d) Biased
Analysis of Each Option
- Amiable: This term describes someone who is friendly, pleasant, and good-natured. It directly counters the negativity associated with "hostile," making it the most fitting antonym.
- Aid: While this word implies assistance or support, it does not specifically represent an opposite of "hostile." It focuses more on the action of helping rather than the attitude.
- Sad: This word describes an emotional state but does not relate to hostility or friendliness. It is not an antonym.
- Biased: This term refers to a tendency to favor one side over another. While it can imply unfairness, it does not inherently convey hostility or friendliness.
Conclusion
Given the analysis, "amiable" stands out as the best antonym for "hostile." It embodies a welcoming and friendly disposition, effectively contrasting with the aggressive nature of hostility. Therefore, option 'A' is indeed the correct answer.
India’s delicately balanced current account wouldn’t be the only major casualty of costlier crude oil: Local travelers now have to pay more to fly within the country as expensive jet fuel propels airlines to raise domestic fares that had tracked global energy prices to plunge to record lows last year.Higher consumer fares in January reflect the persistent rise in aviation-fuel prices, which increased 8% on-month in November at the New Delhi airport, the country’s busiest. After a brief lull in December, prices firmed in January and February, breaching the levels of 2015 when the cycle of declines began.The trend has led carriers to pass additional fuel costs on to consumers, many of whom switched to airlines after the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed in 2016. A senior executive at Jet Airways, India’s second-biggest airline by market share, said that the airline has recently revived the practice of levying a fuel surcharge - a fare component linked to movements in jet fuel prices - on domestic flights.“We used to charge between Rs 100 and Rs 300 depending on short- and long haul sectors. Now we charge as much as Rs 700,” he added. Jet-fuel is the biggest cost item for Indian carriers.Prices of petroleum products began rising since the spring after the 2015-16 winter witnessed record lows for crude oil, with global prices breaching $30 a barrel on their way down to levels not seen since the 1980s.However, after a period of consolidation that analysts believed would have put many shale oil producers out of business, global crude oil prices began firming and have now stabilized around $55 a barrel, a level that some believe would be maintained over the medium term.Airlines had clubbed fuel surcharge with the base fare component in 2015 after an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation regulator.No-frills carrier SpiceJet has separated the two components over the last six months, although the fuel surcharge hasn’t been increased yet, said a spokesperson.Travel company executives said overall fares have increased in January. According to data on Makemytrip, the country’s biggest online travel portal, average fares dropped in November and December but rose in January. Ticket prices for the Delhi-Mumbai sector rose to Rs 4,266 in January, compared with Rs 3,908 the same month last year, Rs 4,914 on the MumbaiBangalore sector compared with Rs 4,573 a year earlier, and Rs 4,473 on the Mumbai-Chennai route, compared with Rs 3,784 last January. Rival Cleartrip noticed divergent trends that showed those booking early stood to benefit. Last year, spot-booking fares too had fallen drastically.“An analysis of the last three months of airfare data for the top 20 air travel sectors reveals that the increased cost to airlines, contributed by the fuel prices surge and the rupee’s depreciation, has resulted in a 15% increase in airfares for a booking window of 0-14 days,” said Samyukth Sridharan, president and chief operating officer of Cleartrip. “At the same time, we see that the airlines have been quite aggressive in offering deals to passengers who plan in advance, reflected in a 21% year on-year drop in fares on an average for travel bookings made over 14 days in advance.”Last year, airlines had offered substantial discounts across sectors and made attractive offers for ticket-buyers who planned their travel in advance, resulting in lower yields. To be sure, the industry’s ability to charge more will depend on the direction in aviation fuel prices and seasonal changes in air-travel demand.“February and March are lean months, and the airlines may not have room to increase so much. But there will be increases subsequently if jet fuel prices continue their climb,” said a senior executive of a budget carrier.Q. According to the passage, why have many passengers switched to air travel post 2016?- a)A number of foreign airlines started operating in the domestic sector.
- b)The government recently started an LTC scheme for officers where the latter can reimburse their fares.
- c)After the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed.
- d)After the safety record of airlines vastly improved.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
India’s delicately balanced current account wouldn’t be the only major casualty of costlier crude oil: Local travelers now have to pay more to fly within the country as expensive jet fuel propels airlines to raise domestic fares that had tracked global energy prices to plunge to record lows last year.
Higher consumer fares in January reflect the persistent rise in aviation-fuel prices, which increased 8% on-month in November at the New Delhi airport, the country’s busiest. After a brief lull in December, prices firmed in January and February, breaching the levels of 2015 when the cycle of declines began.
The trend has led carriers to pass additional fuel costs on to consumers, many of whom switched to airlines after the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed in 2016. A senior executive at Jet Airways, India’s second-biggest airline by market share, said that the airline has recently revived the practice of levying a fuel surcharge - a fare component linked to movements in jet fuel prices - on domestic flights.
“We used to charge between Rs 100 and Rs 300 depending on short- and long haul sectors. Now we charge as much as Rs 700,” he added. Jet-fuel is the biggest cost item for Indian carriers.
Prices of petroleum products began rising since the spring after the 2015-16 winter witnessed record lows for crude oil, with global prices breaching $30 a barrel on their way down to levels not seen since the 1980s.
However, after a period of consolidation that analysts believed would have put many shale oil producers out of business, global crude oil prices began firming and have now stabilized around $55 a barrel, a level that some believe would be maintained over the medium term.
Airlines had clubbed fuel surcharge with the base fare component in 2015 after an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation regulator.
No-frills carrier SpiceJet has separated the two components over the last six months, although the fuel surcharge hasn’t been increased yet, said a spokesperson.
Travel company executives said overall fares have increased in January. According to data on Makemytrip, the country’s biggest online travel portal, average fares dropped in November and December but rose in January. Ticket prices for the Delhi-Mumbai sector rose to Rs 4,266 in January, compared with Rs 3,908 the same month last year, Rs 4,914 on the MumbaiBangalore sector compared with Rs 4,573 a year earlier, and Rs 4,473 on the Mumbai-Chennai route, compared with Rs 3,784 last January. Rival Cleartrip noticed divergent trends that showed those booking early stood to benefit. Last year, spot-booking fares too had fallen drastically.
“An analysis of the last three months of airfare data for the top 20 air travel sectors reveals that the increased cost to airlines, contributed by the fuel prices surge and the rupee’s depreciation, has resulted in a 15% increase in airfares for a booking window of 0-14 days,” said Samyukth Sridharan, president and chief operating officer of Cleartrip. “At the same time, we see that the airlines have been quite aggressive in offering deals to passengers who plan in advance, reflected in a 21% year on-year drop in fares on an average for travel bookings made over 14 days in advance.”
Last year, airlines had offered substantial discounts across sectors and made attractive offers for ticket-buyers who planned their travel in advance, resulting in lower yields. To be sure, the industry’s ability to charge more will depend on the direction in aviation fuel prices and seasonal changes in air-travel demand.
“February and March are lean months, and the airlines may not have room to increase so much. But there will be increases subsequently if jet fuel prices continue their climb,” said a senior executive of a budget carrier.
Q. According to the passage, why have many passengers switched to air travel post 2016?
a)
A number of foreign airlines started operating in the domestic sector.
b)
The government recently started an LTC scheme for officers where the latter can reimburse their fares.
c)
After the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed.
d)
After the safety record of airlines vastly improved.
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Refer to the first sentence of the third paragraph where the answer is given. The other options are out of scope.
Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.Q. What would be the suitable title for the given passage?- a)The Homecoming
- b)A Mischief Planned
- c)Perils of Fame
- d)Phatik and His Philosophy
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.
Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.
Q. What would be the suitable title for the given passage?
a)
The Homecoming
b)
A Mischief Planned
c)
Perils of Fame
d)
Phatik and His Philosophy
|
Shalini Patel answered |
The entire passage is about a planned mischief and this is found in option (b). The other options don't capture the central idea of the passage. They either are too broad or beyond the scope of the passage.
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.Q. Why did John Edward Hollister Montagu need money?- a)Because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay much.
- b)Because the previous earl did not give away much of the family wealth.
- c)Because he needed money to maintain the old family estate.
- d)Because the other earls had busied themselves with more stately things.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.
But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.
Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.
It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.
Q. Why did John Edward Hollister Montagu need money?
a)
Because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay much.
b)
Because the previous earl did not give away much of the family wealth.
c)
Because he needed money to maintain the old family estate.
d)
Because the other earls had busied themselves with more stately things.
|
|
Nandini Iyer answered |
Option (c) is the right answer as it is mentioned in the passage, in line numbers 13 and 14.
Ahmedabad’s Sunday market that sells waste is this 35-year-old artist’s most liked hunting ground. That’s where he picks saw-blades, printer toners, monitors, busted VCDs and hard disks, video players and other castaway gems.
Back in home, he dismantles his treasure of scrap and segregates it into big pieces (the videoplayer’s outer case), mid-sized (the insides of a hard disk) and small pieces (innards of a mobile).
This is art you can get up, close and personal with. The works grab the viewer’s attention at several levels.
Aesthetically, the creations themselves - such as Frivolity which uses feathers and terracotta diyas painted in dark fossil green that give it a strange life - appeal in a live-and-kicking sort of way.
Look a little closer and hey, you spot a zipper. Then it’s a journey all your own. Your eyes identify hairpins, spray spouts that hairdressers use, paper clips, thread, computer ribbons and the insides of everything from watches to the sliding metal bits that support drawers.
You can almost hear the words whirring.
So Hashissh, constructed from paper clips, backpack clips, a shining CD and twirled thread, may invite you to study its water-blue, pinks and green or Nelumbeshwar may beckon, bathed in acrylic pink and grey-black. But once you’re standing in front of a piece, you spot the zips and the hairpins. Then you simply visually dismantle Har’s work and rebuild it all over again. Zoom in, zoom out. It’s great fun.
Visualising the colour of his work demands a lot of attention, says Har. “During creation, the material is all differently coloured. So there’s a red switch next to a white panel next to a black clip. It can be distracting. I don’t sketch, so I have to keep a sharp focus on the final look I am working towards.”
As his work evolved, Har discovered laser-cutting on a visit to a factory where he had gone to sand-blast one of his pieces. Hooked by the zingy shapes laser-cutting offered, Har promptly used it to speed up a scooter and lend an unbearable lightness of being to a flighty auto rickshaw, his latest works.
The NID-trained animation designer’s scrap quest was first inspired by a spider in his bathroom in Chennai when he was a teenager. He used a table-tennis ball (for the head), a bigger plastic ball (for the body) and twisted clothes hangers to form the legs. His next idea was to create a crab, and his mother obligingly brought one home from the market so that he could study and copy it.
Winning the first Art Positive fellowship offered by Bajaj Capital Arthouse last year gave Har the confidence to believe that he could make it as an artist or ‘aesthete’ as he likes to call himself.
Q. Which of the following statements cannot be inferred from the passage?
- a)Har is a NID-trained animation designer.
- b)Har doesn’t sketch as using a lot of colours distracts and shifts the focus away from the final look.
- c)Har’s artwork magically transports the viewers to another world.
- d)Har’s mother supported his teenage passion of designing scrap.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Ahmedabad’s Sunday market that sells waste is this 35-year-old artist’s most liked hunting ground. That’s where he picks saw-blades, printer toners, monitors, busted VCDs and hard disks, video players and other castaway gems.
Back in home, he dismantles his treasure of scrap and segregates it into big pieces (the videoplayer’s outer case), mid-sized (the insides of a hard disk) and small pieces (innards of a mobile).
This is art you can get up, close and personal with. The works grab the viewer’s attention at several levels.
Aesthetically, the creations themselves - such as Frivolity which uses feathers and terracotta diyas painted in dark fossil green that give it a strange life - appeal in a live-and-kicking sort of way.
Look a little closer and hey, you spot a zipper. Then it’s a journey all your own. Your eyes identify hairpins, spray spouts that hairdressers use, paper clips, thread, computer ribbons and the insides of everything from watches to the sliding metal bits that support drawers.
You can almost hear the words whirring.
So Hashissh, constructed from paper clips, backpack clips, a shining CD and twirled thread, may invite you to study its water-blue, pinks and green or Nelumbeshwar may beckon, bathed in acrylic pink and grey-black. But once you’re standing in front of a piece, you spot the zips and the hairpins. Then you simply visually dismantle Har’s work and rebuild it all over again. Zoom in, zoom out. It’s great fun.
Visualising the colour of his work demands a lot of attention, says Har. “During creation, the material is all differently coloured. So there’s a red switch next to a white panel next to a black clip. It can be distracting. I don’t sketch, so I have to keep a sharp focus on the final look I am working towards.”
As his work evolved, Har discovered laser-cutting on a visit to a factory where he had gone to sand-blast one of his pieces. Hooked by the zingy shapes laser-cutting offered, Har promptly used it to speed up a scooter and lend an unbearable lightness of being to a flighty auto rickshaw, his latest works.
The NID-trained animation designer’s scrap quest was first inspired by a spider in his bathroom in Chennai when he was a teenager. He used a table-tennis ball (for the head), a bigger plastic ball (for the body) and twisted clothes hangers to form the legs. His next idea was to create a crab, and his mother obligingly brought one home from the market so that he could study and copy it.
Winning the first Art Positive fellowship offered by Bajaj Capital Arthouse last year gave Har the confidence to believe that he could make it as an artist or ‘aesthete’ as he likes to call himself.
Q. Which of the following statements cannot be inferred from the passage?
a)
Har is a NID-trained animation designer.
b)
Har doesn’t sketch as using a lot of colours distracts and shifts the focus away from the final look.
c)
Har’s artwork magically transports the viewers to another world.
d)
Har’s mother supported his teenage passion of designing scrap.
|
Pragati Patel answered |
Understanding the Correct Answer: Option C
The passage provides a comprehensive overview of Har's artistic journey and methods, but it does not imply that his artwork has a magical quality that transports viewers to another world.
Key Points Supporting the Answer
- Literal Interpretation: The passage describes Har's work as engaging and visually captivating, but it does not suggest a fantastical or transformative experience. Instead, it highlights the meticulous detail and the viewer's active engagement in exploring the pieces.
- Focus on Materials: Har's art is centered around the use of scrap materials and their aesthetic value. The excitement comes from recognizing everyday objects within his creations, rather than a magical experience.
- Viewer Interaction: The passage emphasizes how viewers can dismantle and rebuild their understanding of the artwork visually. This interaction is grounded in reality, focusing on observation rather than transcendental experiences.
- Artistic Intent: Har's intention, as explained, revolves around creating art from scrap, which he meticulously crafts. While the art may evoke thoughts and emotions, the description does not elevate it to a magical realm.
Conclusion
In summary, while the other statements reflect direct information or reasonable inferences from the text, option C introduces an interpretation that goes beyond what the passage conveys. It inaccurately attributes a sense of magic to Har's artwork, which is not supported by the text's content. Thus, option C is the correct answer as it cannot be inferred from the passage.
The passage provides a comprehensive overview of Har's artistic journey and methods, but it does not imply that his artwork has a magical quality that transports viewers to another world.
Key Points Supporting the Answer
- Literal Interpretation: The passage describes Har's work as engaging and visually captivating, but it does not suggest a fantastical or transformative experience. Instead, it highlights the meticulous detail and the viewer's active engagement in exploring the pieces.
- Focus on Materials: Har's art is centered around the use of scrap materials and their aesthetic value. The excitement comes from recognizing everyday objects within his creations, rather than a magical experience.
- Viewer Interaction: The passage emphasizes how viewers can dismantle and rebuild their understanding of the artwork visually. This interaction is grounded in reality, focusing on observation rather than transcendental experiences.
- Artistic Intent: Har's intention, as explained, revolves around creating art from scrap, which he meticulously crafts. While the art may evoke thoughts and emotions, the description does not elevate it to a magical realm.
Conclusion
In summary, while the other statements reflect direct information or reasonable inferences from the text, option C introduces an interpretation that goes beyond what the passage conveys. It inaccurately attributes a sense of magic to Har's artwork, which is not supported by the text's content. Thus, option C is the correct answer as it cannot be inferred from the passage.
Modern science has provided us a universal method by which we may study and master any subject. As applied to an art, this method has proved highly successful in the case of music. It has not been applied to language because there was a well fixed method of language study in existence long before modern science was even dreamed of, and that ancient method has held on with wonderful tenacity. The great fault with it is that it was invented to apply to languages entirely different from our own. Latin grammar and Greek grammar were mechanical systems of endings by which the relationships of words were indicated. Of course the relationship of words was at bottom logical, but the mechanical form was the chief thing to be learned. Our language depends wholly (or very nearly so) on arrangement of words, and the key is the logical relationship. A man who knows all the forms of the Latin or Greek language can write it with substantial accuracy; but the man who would master the English language must go deeper, he must master the logic of sentence structure or word relations. We must begin our study at just the opposite end from the Latin or Greek; but our teachers of language have balked at a complete reversal of method, the power of custom and time has been too strong, and in the matter of grammar we are still the slaves of the ancient world. As for spelling, the irregularities of our language seem to have driven us to one sole method, memorizing: and to memorize every word in a language is an appalling task. Our rhetoric we have inherited from the middle ages, from scholiasts, refiners, and theological logicians, a race of men who got their living by inventing distinctions and splitting hairs. The fact is, prose has had a very low place in the literature of the world until within a century; all that was worth saying was said in poetry, which the rhetoricians were forced to leave severely alone, or in oratory, from which all their rules were derived; and since written prose language became a universal possession through the printing press and the newspaper we have been too busy to invent a new rhetoric.
Q. What has been described as a horrifying task in the passage?- a)Memorising all the words.
- b)Memorising the spelling of all the words.
- c)Going deeper to learn the English language.
- d)Learning the ancient languages.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Modern science has provided us a universal method by which we may study and master any subject. As applied to an art, this method has proved highly successful in the case of music. It has not been applied to language because there was a well fixed method of language study in existence long before modern science was even dreamed of, and that ancient method has held on with wonderful tenacity. The great fault with it is that it was invented to apply to languages entirely different from our own. Latin grammar and Greek grammar were mechanical systems of endings by which the relationships of words were indicated. Of course the relationship of words was at bottom logical, but the mechanical form was the chief thing to be learned. Our language depends wholly (or very nearly so) on arrangement of words, and the key is the logical relationship. A man who knows all the forms of the Latin or Greek language can write it with substantial accuracy; but the man who would master the English language must go deeper, he must master the logic of sentence structure or word relations. We must begin our study at just the opposite end from the Latin or Greek; but our teachers of language have balked at a complete reversal of method, the power of custom and time has been too strong, and in the matter of grammar we are still the slaves of the ancient world. As for spelling, the irregularities of our language seem to have driven us to one sole method, memorizing: and to memorize every word in a language is an appalling task. Our rhetoric we have inherited from the middle ages, from scholiasts, refiners, and theological logicians, a race of men who got their living by inventing distinctions and splitting hairs. The fact is, prose has had a very low place in the literature of the world until within a century; all that was worth saying was said in poetry, which the rhetoricians were forced to leave severely alone, or in oratory, from which all their rules were derived; and since written prose language became a universal possession through the printing press and the newspaper we have been too busy to invent a new rhetoric.
Q. What has been described as a horrifying task in the passage?
Q. What has been described as a horrifying task in the passage?
a)
Memorising all the words.
b)
Memorising the spelling of all the words.
c)
Going deeper to learn the English language.
d)
Learning the ancient languages.
|
Priya Chavan answered |
Explaining the Answer:
Memorising the spelling of all the words
- The passage mentions that the irregularities of the English language have led to the task of spelling being a horrifying one.
- English spelling is known for its inconsistencies and lack of strict rules, making it challenging to memorize the spelling of all words.
- This task is described as appalling because it requires individuals to remember the specific spelling of each word, without clear patterns or guidelines to follow.
Therefore, the answer "Memorising the spelling of all the words" is the correct choice as it aligns with the challenges posed by English spelling as described in the passage.
Direction: Read the passage and answer the following questions.
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertusburg.) Every major power in Europe participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.
The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.
The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.
The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £1,072,783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.
When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”
There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.
This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.Which one(s) of the following would possibly NOT be reason(s) for the prosperity of British colonies in America?
1. The colonies produced more ships and steel than Britain.
2. Transfer of large sums of money from Britain to the colonies.
3. The colonies contributed money and troops to the war effort.
4. Britain imposed tax on import of tea into the colonies.
5. Britain had a very high public debt at the end of the war.- a)Only 2
- b)1, 3 and 4
- c)1, 3, 4 and 5
- d)2 and 5
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Direction: Read the passage and answer the following questions.
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertusburg.) Every major power in Europe participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.
The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.
The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.
The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £1,072,783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.
When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”
There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.
This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertusburg.) Every major power in Europe participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.
The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.
The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.
The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £1,072,783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.
When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”
There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.
This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.
Which one(s) of the following would possibly NOT be reason(s) for the prosperity of British colonies in America?
1. The colonies produced more ships and steel than Britain.
2. Transfer of large sums of money from Britain to the colonies.
3. The colonies contributed money and troops to the war effort.
4. Britain imposed tax on import of tea into the colonies.
5. Britain had a very high public debt at the end of the war.
1. The colonies produced more ships and steel than Britain.
2. Transfer of large sums of money from Britain to the colonies.
3. The colonies contributed money and troops to the war effort.
4. Britain imposed tax on import of tea into the colonies.
5. Britain had a very high public debt at the end of the war.
a)
Only 2
b)
1, 3 and 4
c)
1, 3, 4 and 5
d)
2 and 5
|
Pritam Shah answered |
Explanation of the Correct Answer: Option C
The prosperity of the British colonies in America can be attributed to several factors, but not all of the listed options contribute positively to this prosperity. Let's analyze each option.
1. The colonies produced more ships and steel than Britain.
- This statement indicates a shift in economic power, suggesting that the colonies became self-sufficient and economically robust, which negatively impacts Britain's economic status. Hence, this would not be a reason for prosperity for the colonies.
2. Transfer of large sums of money from Britain to the colonies.
- This is a significant factor contributing to colonial prosperity. The financial support from Britain allowed colonies to thrive economically during and after the war.
3. The colonies contributed money and troops to the war effort.
- While this reflects the colonies’ involvement, it does not directly indicate prosperity. The contribution itself did not lead to economic gain for the colonies, making it an irrelevant reason for their prosperity.
4. Britain imposed tax on import of tea into the colonies.
- This tax would actually hinder prosperity, as it placed an additional financial burden on the colonies. Thus, it cannot be considered a factor for their prosperity.
5. Britain had a very high public debt at the end of the war.
- Britain's debt situation would lead to increased taxation and financial strain on the colonies, thus not contributing positively to the colonies' prosperity.
In summary, options 1, 3, 4, and 5 do not align with the reasons for the prosperity of the colonies, making option C the correct choice.
The prosperity of the British colonies in America can be attributed to several factors, but not all of the listed options contribute positively to this prosperity. Let's analyze each option.
1. The colonies produced more ships and steel than Britain.
- This statement indicates a shift in economic power, suggesting that the colonies became self-sufficient and economically robust, which negatively impacts Britain's economic status. Hence, this would not be a reason for prosperity for the colonies.
2. Transfer of large sums of money from Britain to the colonies.
- This is a significant factor contributing to colonial prosperity. The financial support from Britain allowed colonies to thrive economically during and after the war.
3. The colonies contributed money and troops to the war effort.
- While this reflects the colonies’ involvement, it does not directly indicate prosperity. The contribution itself did not lead to economic gain for the colonies, making it an irrelevant reason for their prosperity.
4. Britain imposed tax on import of tea into the colonies.
- This tax would actually hinder prosperity, as it placed an additional financial burden on the colonies. Thus, it cannot be considered a factor for their prosperity.
5. Britain had a very high public debt at the end of the war.
- Britain's debt situation would lead to increased taxation and financial strain on the colonies, thus not contributing positively to the colonies' prosperity.
In summary, options 1, 3, 4, and 5 do not align with the reasons for the prosperity of the colonies, making option C the correct choice.
India’s delicately balanced current account wouldn’t be the only major casualty of costlier crude oil: Local travelers now have to pay more to fly within the country as expensive jet fuel propels airlines to raise domestic fares that had tracked global energy prices to plunge to record lows last year.Higher consumer fares in January reflect the persistent rise in aviation-fuel prices, which increased 8% on-month in November at the New Delhi airport, the country’s busiest. After a brief lull in December, prices firmed in January and February, breaching the levels of 2015 when the cycle of declines began.The trend has led carriers to pass additional fuel costs on to consumers, many of whom switched to airlines after the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed in 2016. A senior executive at Jet Airways, India’s second-biggest airline by market share, said that the airline has recently revived the practice of levying a fuel surcharge - a fare component linked to movements in jet fuel prices - on domestic flights.“We used to charge between Rs 100 and Rs 300 depending on short- and long haul sectors. Now we charge as much as Rs 700,” he added. Jet-fuel is the biggest cost item for Indian carriers.Prices of petroleum products began rising since the spring after the 2015-16 winter witnessed record lows for crude oil, with global prices breaching $30 a barrel on their way down to levels not seen since the 1980s.However, after a period of consolidation that analysts believed would have put many shale oil producers out of business, global crude oil prices began firming and have now stabilized around $55 a barrel, a level that some believe would be maintained over the medium term.Airlines had clubbed fuel surcharge with the base fare component in 2015 after an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation regulator.No-frills carrier SpiceJet has separated the two components over the last six months, although the fuel surcharge hasn’t been increased yet, said a spokesperson.Travel company executives said overall fares have increased in January. According to data on Makemytrip, the country’s biggest online travel portal, average fares dropped in November and December but rose in January. Ticket prices for the Delhi-Mumbai sector rose to Rs 4,266 in January, compared with Rs 3,908 the same month last year, Rs 4,914 on the MumbaiBangalore sector compared with Rs 4,573 a year earlier, and Rs 4,473 on the Mumbai-Chennai route, compared with Rs 3,784 last January. Rival Cleartrip noticed divergent trends that showed those booking early stood to benefit. Last year, spot-booking fares too had fallen drastically.“An analysis of the last three months of airfare data for the top 20 air travel sectors reveals that the increased cost to airlines, contributed by the fuel prices surge and the rupee’s depreciation, has resulted in a 15% increase in airfares for a booking window of 0-14 days,” said Samyukth Sridharan, president and chief operating officer of Cleartrip. “At the same time, we see that the airlines have been quite aggressive in offering deals to passengers who plan in advance, reflected in a 21% year on-year drop in fares on an average for travel bookings made over 14 days in advance.”Last year, airlines had offered substantial discounts across sectors and made attractive offers for ticket-buyers who planned their travel in advance, resulting in lower yields. To be sure, the industry’s ability to charge more will depend on the direction in aviation fuel prices and seasonal changes in air-travel demand.“February and March are lean months, and the airlines may not have room to increase so much. But there will be increases subsequently if jet fuel prices continue their climb,” said a senior executive of a budget carrier.Q. Out of the following options, which of the following comes closest in meaning to the word “breach”?- a)Brevity
- b)Bastion
- c)Benediction
- d)Infringe
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
India’s delicately balanced current account wouldn’t be the only major casualty of costlier crude oil: Local travelers now have to pay more to fly within the country as expensive jet fuel propels airlines to raise domestic fares that had tracked global energy prices to plunge to record lows last year.
Higher consumer fares in January reflect the persistent rise in aviation-fuel prices, which increased 8% on-month in November at the New Delhi airport, the country’s busiest. After a brief lull in December, prices firmed in January and February, breaching the levels of 2015 when the cycle of declines began.
The trend has led carriers to pass additional fuel costs on to consumers, many of whom switched to airlines after the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed in 2016. A senior executive at Jet Airways, India’s second-biggest airline by market share, said that the airline has recently revived the practice of levying a fuel surcharge - a fare component linked to movements in jet fuel prices - on domestic flights.
“We used to charge between Rs 100 and Rs 300 depending on short- and long haul sectors. Now we charge as much as Rs 700,” he added. Jet-fuel is the biggest cost item for Indian carriers.
Prices of petroleum products began rising since the spring after the 2015-16 winter witnessed record lows for crude oil, with global prices breaching $30 a barrel on their way down to levels not seen since the 1980s.
However, after a period of consolidation that analysts believed would have put many shale oil producers out of business, global crude oil prices began firming and have now stabilized around $55 a barrel, a level that some believe would be maintained over the medium term.
Airlines had clubbed fuel surcharge with the base fare component in 2015 after an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation regulator.
No-frills carrier SpiceJet has separated the two components over the last six months, although the fuel surcharge hasn’t been increased yet, said a spokesperson.
Travel company executives said overall fares have increased in January. According to data on Makemytrip, the country’s biggest online travel portal, average fares dropped in November and December but rose in January. Ticket prices for the Delhi-Mumbai sector rose to Rs 4,266 in January, compared with Rs 3,908 the same month last year, Rs 4,914 on the MumbaiBangalore sector compared with Rs 4,573 a year earlier, and Rs 4,473 on the Mumbai-Chennai route, compared with Rs 3,784 last January. Rival Cleartrip noticed divergent trends that showed those booking early stood to benefit. Last year, spot-booking fares too had fallen drastically.
“An analysis of the last three months of airfare data for the top 20 air travel sectors reveals that the increased cost to airlines, contributed by the fuel prices surge and the rupee’s depreciation, has resulted in a 15% increase in airfares for a booking window of 0-14 days,” said Samyukth Sridharan, president and chief operating officer of Cleartrip. “At the same time, we see that the airlines have been quite aggressive in offering deals to passengers who plan in advance, reflected in a 21% year on-year drop in fares on an average for travel bookings made over 14 days in advance.”
Last year, airlines had offered substantial discounts across sectors and made attractive offers for ticket-buyers who planned their travel in advance, resulting in lower yields. To be sure, the industry’s ability to charge more will depend on the direction in aviation fuel prices and seasonal changes in air-travel demand.
“February and March are lean months, and the airlines may not have room to increase so much. But there will be increases subsequently if jet fuel prices continue their climb,” said a senior executive of a budget carrier.
Q. Out of the following options, which of the following comes closest in meaning to the word “breach”?
a)
Brevity
b)
Bastion
c)
Benediction
d)
Infringe
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Infringe means to actively break the terms of something.
In large part as a consequence of the feminist movement, historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in various periods. Although much has been accomplished for the modern period, premodern cultures have proved more difficult: sources are restricted in number, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory. Thus it is not particularly surprising that some earlier scholarship concerning such cultures has so far gone unchallenged. An example is Johann Bachofen's 1861 treatise on Amazons, women-ruled societies of questionable existence contemporary with ancient Greece.Starting from the premise that mythology and legend preserve at least a nucleus of historical art, Bachofen argued that women were dominant in many ancient societies. His work was based on a comprehensive survey of references in the ancient sources to Amazonian and other societies with matrilineal customs - societies in which descent and property rights are traced through the female line. Some support for his theory can be found in evidence such as that drawn from Herodotus, the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C., who speaks of an Amazonian society, the Sauromatae, where the women hunted and fought in wars. A woman in this society was not allowed to marry until she had killed a person in battle.Nonetheless, this assumption that the first recorders of ancient myths have preserved facts is problematic.If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons, it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact - real Amazonian societies - but rather to offer moral lessons on the supposed outcome of women's rule in their own society.The Amazons were often characterized, for example, as the equivalents of giants and centaurs, enemies to be slain by Greek heroes. Their customs were presented not as those of a respectable society, but as the very antithesis of ordinary Greek practices.Thus I would argue, the purpose of accounts of the Amazons for their male Greek recorders is didactic, to teach both male and female Greeks that all-female groups, formed by withdrawal from traditional society, are destructive and dangerous. Myths about the Amazons were used in arguments for the male dominated status quo, in which groups composed exclusively of either sex were not permitted to segregate themselves permanently from society. Bachofen was thus misled in his reliance on myths for information about the status of women. Social documents like gravestones, wills and marriage contracts will probably tell contemporary historians most about women in the ancient world. Studies of such documents have already began to show how mistaken we are when we try to derive our picture of the ancient world exclusively from literary sources especially myths.Q. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the myths recorded by the ancient Greeks?I. They sometimes included portrayals of women holding positions of power.II. They some times contained elaborate explanations of inheritance customs.III. They comprised almost all of the material available to historians about ancient Greece.- a)I only
- b)III only
- c)I and III only
- d)II and III only
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
In large part as a consequence of the feminist movement, historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in various periods. Although much has been accomplished for the modern period, premodern cultures have proved more difficult: sources are restricted in number, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory. Thus it is not particularly surprising that some earlier scholarship concerning such cultures has so far gone unchallenged. An example is Johann Bachofen's 1861 treatise on Amazons, women-ruled societies of questionable existence contemporary with ancient Greece.
Starting from the premise that mythology and legend preserve at least a nucleus of historical art, Bachofen argued that women were dominant in many ancient societies. His work was based on a comprehensive survey of references in the ancient sources to Amazonian and other societies with matrilineal customs - societies in which descent and property rights are traced through the female line. Some support for his theory can be found in evidence such as that drawn from Herodotus, the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C., who speaks of an Amazonian society, the Sauromatae, where the women hunted and fought in wars. A woman in this society was not allowed to marry until she had killed a person in battle.
Nonetheless, this assumption that the first recorders of ancient myths have preserved facts is problematic.
If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons, it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact - real Amazonian societies - but rather to offer moral lessons on the supposed outcome of women's rule in their own society.
The Amazons were often characterized, for example, as the equivalents of giants and centaurs, enemies to be slain by Greek heroes. Their customs were presented not as those of a respectable society, but as the very antithesis of ordinary Greek practices.
Thus I would argue, the purpose of accounts of the Amazons for their male Greek recorders is didactic, to teach both male and female Greeks that all-female groups, formed by withdrawal from traditional society, are destructive and dangerous. Myths about the Amazons were used in arguments for the male dominated status quo, in which groups composed exclusively of either sex were not permitted to segregate themselves permanently from society. Bachofen was thus misled in his reliance on myths for information about the status of women. Social documents like gravestones, wills and marriage contracts will probably tell contemporary historians most about women in the ancient world. Studies of such documents have already began to show how mistaken we are when we try to derive our picture of the ancient world exclusively from literary sources especially myths.
Q. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the myths recorded by the ancient Greeks?
I. They sometimes included portrayals of women holding positions of power.
II. They some times contained elaborate explanations of inheritance customs.
III. They comprised almost all of the material available to historians about ancient Greece.
a)
I only
b)
III only
c)
I and III only
d)
II and III only
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Statement I is can be inferred from the second paragraph. II is not mentioned at all in the passage.
III contradicts the third paragraph. Hence (a).
Poetry is an art form that has survived for thousands and thousands of years. We study it in school, and we hear quotes from poems scattered throughout our life.But do we ever truly make meaning of it? Does it even matter? My answer to you is yes it does. Reading poetry and or writing poetry can drastically improve your life.Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of writing because it takes the English language, a language we believe we know, and transforms it. The pattern of the sentences sounds new and melodious. It is truly another language exclusively for the writer and the reader. No poem can be read in the same way, because the words mean something different to each of us. For this reason, many find poetry an elusive art form. However, the issue in understanding poetry lies in how you read poetry.Anyone who writes poetry can attest, you have to write it with an open heart. So, as a reader, we must do the same. Opening your heart to poetry is the only way to get fulfillment from it.From a writer's perspective, writing poetry can be equally elusive as reading poetry. When I first started writing poetry, the advice I always heard was practice, find your voice, keep a journal. I did all these things but still my poems were flat and inert. What was I missing? I poured over poems by Angelou, Shakespeare, Austen, and Wilde looking for a pattern, something I could emulate. This was the problem. I was unwilling to open my heart. I thought poetry could be a mask I could craft. But no matter how beautiful I made it; it would never come to life. It would never fit on another person's face. It did not ever fit on mine.My first poem that came alive was written in the dark late at night. Vulnerability was the key. Poetry is about expressing those thoughts and feelings we keep the most suppressed. We must be honest with ourselves about what we feel in order to write anything worth reading. It's stopping and grabbing a thought by the tail and pulling it up into our conscious mind. It's trying to express the beauty, and wonder we see. It's about connecting our hearts and our minds to ourselves and our surroundings.It's about finding peace.So, reach for the pen, and let go of those things that have been burdening your freedom. Read poetry with your heart and let it affect you. The answer to our questions about the meaning of life, and the purpose of pain were written in poems. They have always been there.Q. According to the writer, what makes a poem worth reading?- a)The use of rhyming scheme in a contained manner
- b)The honesty of the poet about his thoughts and opinions
- c)The vulnerable state of the poet
- d)The open mindedness of the poet
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Poetry is an art form that has survived for thousands and thousands of years. We study it in school, and we hear quotes from poems scattered throughout our life.
But do we ever truly make meaning of it? Does it even matter? My answer to you is yes it does. Reading poetry and or writing poetry can drastically improve your life.
Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of writing because it takes the English language, a language we believe we know, and transforms it. The pattern of the sentences sounds new and melodious. It is truly another language exclusively for the writer and the reader. No poem can be read in the same way, because the words mean something different to each of us. For this reason, many find poetry an elusive art form. However, the issue in understanding poetry lies in how you read poetry.
Anyone who writes poetry can attest, you have to write it with an open heart. So, as a reader, we must do the same. Opening your heart to poetry is the only way to get fulfillment from it.
From a writer's perspective, writing poetry can be equally elusive as reading poetry. When I first started writing poetry, the advice I always heard was practice, find your voice, keep a journal. I did all these things but still my poems were flat and inert. What was I missing? I poured over poems by Angelou, Shakespeare, Austen, and Wilde looking for a pattern, something I could emulate. This was the problem. I was unwilling to open my heart. I thought poetry could be a mask I could craft. But no matter how beautiful I made it; it would never come to life. It would never fit on another person's face. It did not ever fit on mine.
My first poem that came alive was written in the dark late at night. Vulnerability was the key. Poetry is about expressing those thoughts and feelings we keep the most suppressed. We must be honest with ourselves about what we feel in order to write anything worth reading. It's stopping and grabbing a thought by the tail and pulling it up into our conscious mind. It's trying to express the beauty, and wonder we see. It's about connecting our hearts and our minds to ourselves and our surroundings.
It's about finding peace.
So, reach for the pen, and let go of those things that have been burdening your freedom. Read poetry with your heart and let it affect you. The answer to our questions about the meaning of life, and the purpose of pain were written in poems. They have always been there.
Q. According to the writer, what makes a poem worth reading?
a)
The use of rhyming scheme in a contained manner
b)
The honesty of the poet about his thoughts and opinions
c)
The vulnerable state of the poet
d)
The open mindedness of the poet
|
Sahil Menon answered |
The Essence of Poetry
The writer emphasizes that the worth of a poem lies in the honesty of the poet about their thoughts and emotions. This perspective is crucial for several reasons:
Connection Through Vulnerability
- Poems that resonate with readers often stem from a place of vulnerability.
- When poets express their true feelings, they create an authentic connection that invites readers to engage with the work on a deeper emotional level.
Honesty as a Catalyst
- The writer argues that poetry should not be a crafted mask but a genuine reflection of the self.
- Honest expression allows readers to see the raw, unfiltered experiences of the poet, fostering empathy and understanding.
Personal Interpretation
- Poetry is subjective; each reader interprets a poem through their unique lens.
- The honesty in a poet's work creates a shared experience, making it easier for readers to connect their own feelings to the poem.
Finding Meaning
- The writer suggests that the answers to life's profound questions often lie within the emotional truths expressed in poetry.
- When poets write honestly, they tap into universal themes of love, pain, and existence, making their work timeless and relatable.
In summary, the writer champions the idea that a poem becomes worthwhile when it embodies the honesty of the poet's thoughts and feelings. This authenticity not only enriches the reading experience but also fosters a genuine connection between the poet and the reader.
The writer emphasizes that the worth of a poem lies in the honesty of the poet about their thoughts and emotions. This perspective is crucial for several reasons:
Connection Through Vulnerability
- Poems that resonate with readers often stem from a place of vulnerability.
- When poets express their true feelings, they create an authentic connection that invites readers to engage with the work on a deeper emotional level.
Honesty as a Catalyst
- The writer argues that poetry should not be a crafted mask but a genuine reflection of the self.
- Honest expression allows readers to see the raw, unfiltered experiences of the poet, fostering empathy and understanding.
Personal Interpretation
- Poetry is subjective; each reader interprets a poem through their unique lens.
- The honesty in a poet's work creates a shared experience, making it easier for readers to connect their own feelings to the poem.
Finding Meaning
- The writer suggests that the answers to life's profound questions often lie within the emotional truths expressed in poetry.
- When poets write honestly, they tap into universal themes of love, pain, and existence, making their work timeless and relatable.
In summary, the writer champions the idea that a poem becomes worthwhile when it embodies the honesty of the poet's thoughts and feelings. This authenticity not only enriches the reading experience but also fosters a genuine connection between the poet and the reader.
Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.Q. It can be inferred from the passage that- a)a planned mischief may get the concerned persons into trouble.
- b)it is better to be a meditating philosopher than to be a prankster.
- c)Makhan and Pathik got into a confrontation.
- d)Phatik hated his brother but was afraid of their parents.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.
Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.
Q. It can be inferred from the passage that
a)
a planned mischief may get the concerned persons into trouble.
b)
it is better to be a meditating philosopher than to be a prankster.
c)
Makhan and Pathik got into a confrontation.
d)
Phatik hated his brother but was afraid of their parents.
|
|
Swati Verma answered |
Option (a) is ruled out because the paragraph doesn't talk about Phatik and his followers getting into trouble. Option (b) is vague and irrelevant. Option (d) is ruled out because their parents are not mentioned. But it is clear from the story that Makhan and Phatik were in disagreement as Makhan was trying to spoil Phatik's plan.
Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.Q. It can be inferred from the last sentence that- a)Makhan was an extremely intelligent boy.
- b)Makhan was fearless.
- c)Makhan was unaware of the consequence of his action.
- d)Makhan didn't realize his mistake.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Phatik Chakravorti was the ringleader among the boys of the village. A new mischief got into his head. There was a heavy log lying on the mud-flat of the river waiting to be shaped into a mast for a boat. He decided that they should all work together to shift the log by main force from its place and roll it away. The owner of the log would be angry and surprised, and they would all enjoy the fun. Every one seconded the proposal, and it was carried unanimously.
But just as the fun was about to begin, Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, sauntered up, and sat down on the log in front of them all without a word. The boys were puzzled for a moment. He was pushed, rather timidly, by one of the boys and told to get up but he remained quite unconcerned. He appeared like a young philosopher meditating on the futility of games.
Phatik was furious. "Makhan," he cried, "if you don't get down this minute I'll thrash you!" Makhan only moved to a more comfortable position. Now, if Phatik was to keep his regal dignity before the public, it was clear he ought to carry out his threat. But his courage failed him at the crisis. His fertile brain, however, rapidly seized upon a new manoeuvre which would discomfit his brother and afford his followers an added amusement. He gave the word of command to roll the log and Makhan over together. Makhan heard the order, and made it a point of honour to stick on. But he overlooked the fact, like those who attempt earthly fame in other matters, that there was peril in it.
Q. It can be inferred from the last sentence that
a)
Makhan was an extremely intelligent boy.
b)
Makhan was fearless.
c)
Makhan was unaware of the consequence of his action.
d)
Makhan didn't realize his mistake.
|
|
Krish Kapoor answered |
Understanding the Context
In the passage, Phatik and the other boys are planning a mischievous act of moving a heavy log, but Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, disrupts their plans by sitting on the log. This creates a conflict between the desire for fun and the unexpected presence of Makhan.
Analysis of Makhan's Actions
- Defiance Against Authority:
Makhan chooses to sit on the log despite his brother's threats, indicating a sense of pride or stubbornness.
- Misjudgment of Risks:
While Makhan demonstrates bravery by refusing to move, he fails to recognize the potential danger of remaining on the log. This aligns with the idea that he is unaware of the consequences of his action.
Why Option C is Correct
- Lack of Awareness:
The statement "he overlooked the fact" suggests that Makhan did not fully comprehend the risks involved in sticking to his position on the log. His determination to remain seated, despite the impending action of rolling the log, highlights his ignorance of the possible outcomes.
- Contrast with Fearlessness:
While Makhan's actions could be seen as fearless, the key issue here is not his bravery but his lack of understanding about the situation. Thus, it is more accurate to conclude that he was unaware of the consequences rather than simply being fearless.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct inference is that Makhan was unaware of the consequences of his action, as he stubbornly insisted on remaining on the log, not realizing the potential danger involved in doing so.
In the passage, Phatik and the other boys are planning a mischievous act of moving a heavy log, but Makhan, Phatik's younger brother, disrupts their plans by sitting on the log. This creates a conflict between the desire for fun and the unexpected presence of Makhan.
Analysis of Makhan's Actions
- Defiance Against Authority:
Makhan chooses to sit on the log despite his brother's threats, indicating a sense of pride or stubbornness.
- Misjudgment of Risks:
While Makhan demonstrates bravery by refusing to move, he fails to recognize the potential danger of remaining on the log. This aligns with the idea that he is unaware of the consequences of his action.
Why Option C is Correct
- Lack of Awareness:
The statement "he overlooked the fact" suggests that Makhan did not fully comprehend the risks involved in sticking to his position on the log. His determination to remain seated, despite the impending action of rolling the log, highlights his ignorance of the possible outcomes.
- Contrast with Fearlessness:
While Makhan's actions could be seen as fearless, the key issue here is not his bravery but his lack of understanding about the situation. Thus, it is more accurate to conclude that he was unaware of the consequences rather than simply being fearless.
Conclusion
In summary, the correct inference is that Makhan was unaware of the consequences of his action, as he stubbornly insisted on remaining on the log, not realizing the potential danger involved in doing so.
That the doctrines connected with the name of Mr Darwin are altering our principles has become a sort of commonplace thing to say. And moral principles are said to share in this general transformation. Now, to pass by other subjects, I do not see why Darwinism need change our ultimate moral ideas. It was not to modify our conception of the end, either for the community, or the individual, unless we have been holding views, which long before Darwin were out of date. As to the principles of ethics I perceive, in short, no sign of revolution. Darwinism has indeed helped many to truer conception of the end, but I cannot admit that it has either originated or modified that conception.And yet in ethics Darwinism after all perhaps may be revolutionary, it may lead not to another view about the end, but to a different way of regarding the relative importance of the means. For in the ordinary moral creed those means seem estimated on no rational principle.Our creed appears rather to be an irrational mixture of jarring elements. We have the moral code of Christianity, accepted in part; rejected practically by all save a few fanatics. But we do not realise how in its very principle the Christian ideals are false. And when we reject this code for another and in part a sounder morality, we are in the same condition of blindness and of practical confusion. It is here that Darwinism, with all the tendencies we may group under that name, seems destined to intervene. It will make itself felt, I believe, more and more effectually. It may force on us in some points a correction of our moral views, and a return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal. I propose to illustrate here these general statements by some remarks on Punishment.Darwinism, I have said, has not even modified our ideas of the Chief Good. We may take that as - the welfare of the community realised in its members. There is, of course, a question as to meaning to be given to welfare.We may identify that with mere pleasure, or gain with mere system, or may rather view both as inseparable aspects of perfection and individuality. And the extent and nature of the community would once more be a subject for some discussion. But we are forced to enter on these controversies here. We may leave welfare undefined, and for present purpose need not distinguish the community from the state. The welfare of this whole exists, of course, nowhere outside the individuals, and the individuals again have rights and duties only as members in the whole.Q. According to the author, the moral code of Christianity- a)is dragged and frittered away by some people.
- b)is in danger due to opposition of Darwinism.
- c)is followed by a vast majority of people.
- d)is not followed by most people.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
That the doctrines connected with the name of Mr Darwin are altering our principles has become a sort of commonplace thing to say. And moral principles are said to share in this general transformation. Now, to pass by other subjects, I do not see why Darwinism need change our ultimate moral ideas. It was not to modify our conception of the end, either for the community, or the individual, unless we have been holding views, which long before Darwin were out of date. As to the principles of ethics I perceive, in short, no sign of revolution. Darwinism has indeed helped many to truer conception of the end, but I cannot admit that it has either originated or modified that conception.
And yet in ethics Darwinism after all perhaps may be revolutionary, it may lead not to another view about the end, but to a different way of regarding the relative importance of the means. For in the ordinary moral creed those means seem estimated on no rational principle.
Our creed appears rather to be an irrational mixture of jarring elements. We have the moral code of Christianity, accepted in part; rejected practically by all save a few fanatics. But we do not realise how in its very principle the Christian ideals are false. And when we reject this code for another and in part a sounder morality, we are in the same condition of blindness and of practical confusion. It is here that Darwinism, with all the tendencies we may group under that name, seems destined to intervene. It will make itself felt, I believe, more and more effectually. It may force on us in some points a correction of our moral views, and a return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal. I propose to illustrate here these general statements by some remarks on Punishment.
Darwinism, I have said, has not even modified our ideas of the Chief Good. We may take that as - the welfare of the community realised in its members. There is, of course, a question as to meaning to be given to welfare.
We may identify that with mere pleasure, or gain with mere system, or may rather view both as inseparable aspects of perfection and individuality. And the extent and nature of the community would once more be a subject for some discussion. But we are forced to enter on these controversies here. We may leave welfare undefined, and for present purpose need not distinguish the community from the state. The welfare of this whole exists, of course, nowhere outside the individuals, and the individuals again have rights and duties only as members in the whole.
Q. According to the author, the moral code of Christianity
a)
is dragged and frittered away by some people.
b)
is in danger due to opposition of Darwinism.
c)
is followed by a vast majority of people.
d)
is not followed by most people.
|
Milan Datta answered |
Explanation:
Understanding the Author's View on the Moral Code of Christianity:
- The author mentions that the moral code of Christianity is accepted in part but practically rejected by most individuals.
- The author believes that the Christian ideals are false in their very principle.
- It is suggested that the Christian moral code is not followed by the majority of people, except for a few fanatics.
Therefore, based on the author's perspective, the correct answer is option 'D' - "is not followed by most people." The author implies that the moral code of Christianity is not widely adhered to in practice, leading to a practical rejection of its principles by a large portion of society.
Understanding the Author's View on the Moral Code of Christianity:
- The author mentions that the moral code of Christianity is accepted in part but practically rejected by most individuals.
- The author believes that the Christian ideals are false in their very principle.
- It is suggested that the Christian moral code is not followed by the majority of people, except for a few fanatics.
Therefore, based on the author's perspective, the correct answer is option 'D' - "is not followed by most people." The author implies that the moral code of Christianity is not widely adhered to in practice, leading to a practical rejection of its principles by a large portion of society.
Directions: Read the following passage carefully:
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century, with far-reaching implications for the environment, economies, and human societies. The Earth’s climate has been undergoing significant changes over the past century, with rising global temperatures being one of the most noticeable trends. Scientists attribute this warming primarily to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The effects of climate change are widespread and can be observed in various aspects of life. One of the most visible impacts is the increase in extreme weather events. Heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, threatening communities and causing significant economic damage. For instance, agricultural productivity is being disrupted by changing rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, while coastal cities are facing the threat of flooding due to rising sea levels caused by the melting of polar ice caps.
Beyond the environmental impacts, climate change also poses serious risks to human health. Rising temperatures contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, such as malaria and dengue, by expanding the range of mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. Moreover, air pollution, which is linked to burning fossil fuels, has been identified as a major cause of respiratory diseases, affecting millions of people globally.
Addressing climate change requires global cooperation and immediate action. Governments, industries, and individuals must work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and adopt more sustainable practices. While the challenges are immense, there is hope that with collective efforts, we can mitigate the worst effects of climate change and build a more resilient and sustainable future.
In conclusion, climate change is a complex issue that demands urgent attention. It is not just an environmental concern but a global challenge that affects every aspect of life on Earth. Only through cooperative action and sustained efforts can we hope to address this crisis and secure a better future for generations to come.Which of the following is an observable effect of climate change mentioned in the passage?- a)Increased crop yield
- b)Decreased rainfall in all regions
- c)More frequent extreme weather events
- d)Rising global temperatures
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Directions: Read the following passage carefully:
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of the 21st century, with far-reaching implications for the environment, economies, and human societies. The Earth’s climate has been undergoing significant changes over the past century, with rising global temperatures being one of the most noticeable trends. Scientists attribute this warming primarily to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The effects of climate change are widespread and can be observed in various aspects of life. One of the most visible impacts is the increase in extreme weather events. Heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, threatening communities and causing significant economic damage. For instance, agricultural productivity is being disrupted by changing rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, while coastal cities are facing the threat of flooding due to rising sea levels caused by the melting of polar ice caps.
The effects of climate change are widespread and can be observed in various aspects of life. One of the most visible impacts is the increase in extreme weather events. Heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, threatening communities and causing significant economic damage. For instance, agricultural productivity is being disrupted by changing rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, while coastal cities are facing the threat of flooding due to rising sea levels caused by the melting of polar ice caps.
Beyond the environmental impacts, climate change also poses serious risks to human health. Rising temperatures contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, such as malaria and dengue, by expanding the range of mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects. Moreover, air pollution, which is linked to burning fossil fuels, has been identified as a major cause of respiratory diseases, affecting millions of people globally.
Addressing climate change requires global cooperation and immediate action. Governments, industries, and individuals must work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and adopt more sustainable practices. While the challenges are immense, there is hope that with collective efforts, we can mitigate the worst effects of climate change and build a more resilient and sustainable future.
In conclusion, climate change is a complex issue that demands urgent attention. It is not just an environmental concern but a global challenge that affects every aspect of life on Earth. Only through cooperative action and sustained efforts can we hope to address this crisis and secure a better future for generations to come.
Which of the following is an observable effect of climate change mentioned in the passage?
a)
Increased crop yield
b)
Decreased rainfall in all regions
c)
More frequent extreme weather events
d)
Rising global temperatures
|
Disha Singh answered |
Observable Effects of Climate Change
Climate change is manifesting in numerous ways, and one of the most significant observable effects is the increase in extreme weather events.
Understanding the Answer
- The passage specifically states that extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts, are becoming "more frequent and intense."
- This increase poses threats to communities and results in substantial economic damage, as highlighted in the text.
Comparison with Other Options
- Option A: Increased crop yield - The passage discusses disruptions to agricultural productivity rather than increases, making this option incorrect.
- Option B: Decreased rainfall in all regions - The passage mentions changing rainfall patterns but does not assert that all regions experience decreased rainfall; thus, this option is misleading.
- Option D: Rising global temperatures - While this statement is true and mentioned in the passage, it is not an observable effect in the same way that extreme weather events are. It is more of a trend or underlying cause rather than a direct observable impact.
Conclusion
Therefore, option C is correct as it directly corresponds to an observable effect of climate change discussed in the passage, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address these growing challenges.
Climate change is manifesting in numerous ways, and one of the most significant observable effects is the increase in extreme weather events.
Understanding the Answer
- The passage specifically states that extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, storms, floods, and droughts, are becoming "more frequent and intense."
- This increase poses threats to communities and results in substantial economic damage, as highlighted in the text.
Comparison with Other Options
- Option A: Increased crop yield - The passage discusses disruptions to agricultural productivity rather than increases, making this option incorrect.
- Option B: Decreased rainfall in all regions - The passage mentions changing rainfall patterns but does not assert that all regions experience decreased rainfall; thus, this option is misleading.
- Option D: Rising global temperatures - While this statement is true and mentioned in the passage, it is not an observable effect in the same way that extreme weather events are. It is more of a trend or underlying cause rather than a direct observable impact.
Conclusion
Therefore, option C is correct as it directly corresponds to an observable effect of climate change discussed in the passage, emphasizing the urgent need for action to address these growing challenges.
Ahmedabad’s Sunday market that sells waste is this 35-year-old artist’s most liked hunting ground. That’s where he picks saw-blades, printer toners, monitors, busted VCDs and hard disks, video players and other castaway gems.Back in home, he dismantles his treasure of scrap and segregates it into big pieces (the videoplayer’s outer case), mid-sized (the insides of a hard disk) and small pieces (innards of a mobile).This is art you can get up, close and personal with. The works grab the viewer’s attention at several levels.Aesthetically, the creations themselves - such as Frivolity which uses feathers and terracotta diyas painted in dark fossil green that give it a strange life - appeal in a live-and-kicking sort of way.Look a little closer and hey, you spot a zipper. Then it’s a journey all your own. Your eyes identify hairpins, spray spouts that hairdressers use, paper clips, thread, computer ribbons and the insides of everything from watches to the sliding metal bits that support drawers.You can almost hear the words whirring.So Hashissh, constructed from paper clips, backpack clips, a shining CD and twirled thread, may invite you to study its water-blue, pinks and green or Nelumbeshwar may beckon, bathed in acrylic pink and grey-black. But once you’re standing in front of a piece, you spot the zips and the hairpins. Then you simply visually dismantle Har’s work and rebuild it all over again. Zoom in, zoom out. It’s great fun.Visualising the colour of his work demands a lot of attention, says Har. “During creation, the material is all differently coloured. So there’s a red switch next to a white panel next to a black clip. It can be distracting. I don’t sketch, so I have to keep a sharp focus on the final look I am working towards.”As his work evolved, Har discovered laser-cutting on a visit to a factory where he had gone to sand-blast one of his pieces. Hooked by the zingy shapes laser-cutting offered, Har promptly used it to speed up a scooter and lend an unbearable lightness of being to a flighty auto rickshaw, his latest works.The NID-trained animation designer’s scrap quest was first inspired by a spider in his bathroom in Chennai when he was a teenager. He used a table-tennis ball (for the head), a bigger plastic ball (for the body) and twisted clothes hangers to form the legs. His next idea was to create a crab, and his mother obligingly brought one home from the market so that he could study and copy it.Winning the first Art Positive fellowship offered by Bajaj Capital Arthouse last year gave Har the confidence to believe that he could make it as an artist or ‘aesthete’ as he likes to call himself.Q. According to the author, what makes Har ’s art fun?- a)Har’s finished artwork uses unique pieces of scrap to bring alive his art.
- b)Har’s artwork is meant for observers who can comprehend the message in his art.
- c)Har’s finished artwork offers the viewer the choice of different views.
- d)Har’s finished artwork has an animated aspect to it.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Ahmedabad’s Sunday market that sells waste is this 35-year-old artist’s most liked hunting ground. That’s where he picks saw-blades, printer toners, monitors, busted VCDs and hard disks, video players and other castaway gems.
Back in home, he dismantles his treasure of scrap and segregates it into big pieces (the videoplayer’s outer case), mid-sized (the insides of a hard disk) and small pieces (innards of a mobile).
This is art you can get up, close and personal with. The works grab the viewer’s attention at several levels.
Aesthetically, the creations themselves - such as Frivolity which uses feathers and terracotta diyas painted in dark fossil green that give it a strange life - appeal in a live-and-kicking sort of way.
Look a little closer and hey, you spot a zipper. Then it’s a journey all your own. Your eyes identify hairpins, spray spouts that hairdressers use, paper clips, thread, computer ribbons and the insides of everything from watches to the sliding metal bits that support drawers.
You can almost hear the words whirring.
So Hashissh, constructed from paper clips, backpack clips, a shining CD and twirled thread, may invite you to study its water-blue, pinks and green or Nelumbeshwar may beckon, bathed in acrylic pink and grey-black. But once you’re standing in front of a piece, you spot the zips and the hairpins. Then you simply visually dismantle Har’s work and rebuild it all over again. Zoom in, zoom out. It’s great fun.
Visualising the colour of his work demands a lot of attention, says Har. “During creation, the material is all differently coloured. So there’s a red switch next to a white panel next to a black clip. It can be distracting. I don’t sketch, so I have to keep a sharp focus on the final look I am working towards.”
As his work evolved, Har discovered laser-cutting on a visit to a factory where he had gone to sand-blast one of his pieces. Hooked by the zingy shapes laser-cutting offered, Har promptly used it to speed up a scooter and lend an unbearable lightness of being to a flighty auto rickshaw, his latest works.
The NID-trained animation designer’s scrap quest was first inspired by a spider in his bathroom in Chennai when he was a teenager. He used a table-tennis ball (for the head), a bigger plastic ball (for the body) and twisted clothes hangers to form the legs. His next idea was to create a crab, and his mother obligingly brought one home from the market so that he could study and copy it.Winning the first Art Positive fellowship offered by Bajaj Capital Arthouse last year gave Har the confidence to believe that he could make it as an artist or ‘aesthete’ as he likes to call himself.
Q. According to the author, what makes Har ’s art fun?
a)
Har’s finished artwork uses unique pieces of scrap to bring alive his art.
b)
Har’s artwork is meant for observers who can comprehend the message in his art.
c)
Har’s finished artwork offers the viewer the choice of different views.
d)
Har’s finished artwork has an animated aspect to it.
|
Geetika Tiwari answered |
Understanding the Fun in Har's Art
Har's art is considered fun primarily because it offers viewers the opportunity to engage with the artwork in a dynamic and interactive way. Let's break down why option 'C' is the correct answer.
Multiple Perspectives
- Har's artwork invites viewers to explore different aspects and layers.
- As mentioned in the passage, viewers can "zoom in, zoom out," which allows them to visually dismantle and reconstruct the artwork in their mind.
- This interactive experience transforms the act of viewing into a personal journey, making it enjoyable and engaging.
Visual Discovery
- The presence of everyday objects like zippers, hairpins, and clips encourages viewers to make personal connections with the material.
- As they discover these items, it sparks curiosity and prompts them to reflect on their meanings and stories, adding depth to the viewing experience.
Creative Engagement
- The playful element of visually dismantling and rebuilding Har’s work allows for a unique interaction that goes beyond passive observation.
- This creativity in engagement means that each viewer may interpret and experience the art differently, further enhancing the enjoyment.
Conclusion
In summary, Har's art is fun because it allows viewers to engage with the artwork through exploration and personal interpretation, making it a multifaceted experience rather than a static one. This emphasis on interaction and discovery is why option 'C' stands out as the most fitting answer regarding what makes Har's art enjoyable.
Har's art is considered fun primarily because it offers viewers the opportunity to engage with the artwork in a dynamic and interactive way. Let's break down why option 'C' is the correct answer.
Multiple Perspectives
- Har's artwork invites viewers to explore different aspects and layers.
- As mentioned in the passage, viewers can "zoom in, zoom out," which allows them to visually dismantle and reconstruct the artwork in their mind.
- This interactive experience transforms the act of viewing into a personal journey, making it enjoyable and engaging.
Visual Discovery
- The presence of everyday objects like zippers, hairpins, and clips encourages viewers to make personal connections with the material.
- As they discover these items, it sparks curiosity and prompts them to reflect on their meanings and stories, adding depth to the viewing experience.
Creative Engagement
- The playful element of visually dismantling and rebuilding Har’s work allows for a unique interaction that goes beyond passive observation.
- This creativity in engagement means that each viewer may interpret and experience the art differently, further enhancing the enjoyment.
Conclusion
In summary, Har's art is fun because it allows viewers to engage with the artwork through exploration and personal interpretation, making it a multifaceted experience rather than a static one. This emphasis on interaction and discovery is why option 'C' stands out as the most fitting answer regarding what makes Har's art enjoyable.
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.Q. What can be said about the exact point of time 'meat and bread' came to be called a Sandwich?- a)It is purposely kept hidden.
- b)It is part of esoteric knowledge.
- c)It is not openly acknowledged.
- d)It is not specifically known.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.
But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.
Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.
It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.
Q. What can be said about the exact point of time 'meat and bread' came to be called a Sandwich?
a)
It is purposely kept hidden.
b)
It is part of esoteric knowledge.
c)
It is not openly acknowledged.
d)
It is not specifically known.
|
Prasenjit Malik answered |
Historical Ambiguity of the Sandwich
The exact moment when meat and bread became known as a "sandwich" is shrouded in mystery. Here’s an exploration of why this is the case:
Vagueness in Historical Records
- The origins of the sandwich are not clearly documented.
- Various anecdotes exist about the fourth Earl of Sandwich and his connection to the dish.
Multiple Theories
- Several theories suggest different scenarios for how the sandwich got its name:
- A gambling Earl too busy to eat properly.
- A war hero prioritizing efficiency in meals.
- Practical instructions for soldiers needing portable food.
Historical Context
- While food resembling sandwiches has existed since ancient times (e.g., Babylon), the specific naming remains uncertain.
- The timeline and exact circumstances surrounding the adoption of the term are vague.
Cultural Evolution
- The term "sandwich" evolved over time and was popularized through various means.
- Despite the uncertainty, the legacy of the Earl of Sandwich endures.
Conclusion
- This lack of clarity indicates that the precise origin of the term "sandwich" is not explicitly known.
- It highlights how history can be subject to interpretation and myth-making, leaving us without a definitive answer.
In summary, the exact point in history when meat and bread became known as a sandwich is indeed "not specifically known," reflecting the complexities of cultural evolution and historical documentation.
The exact moment when meat and bread became known as a "sandwich" is shrouded in mystery. Here’s an exploration of why this is the case:
Vagueness in Historical Records
- The origins of the sandwich are not clearly documented.
- Various anecdotes exist about the fourth Earl of Sandwich and his connection to the dish.
Multiple Theories
- Several theories suggest different scenarios for how the sandwich got its name:
- A gambling Earl too busy to eat properly.
- A war hero prioritizing efficiency in meals.
- Practical instructions for soldiers needing portable food.
Historical Context
- While food resembling sandwiches has existed since ancient times (e.g., Babylon), the specific naming remains uncertain.
- The timeline and exact circumstances surrounding the adoption of the term are vague.
Cultural Evolution
- The term "sandwich" evolved over time and was popularized through various means.
- Despite the uncertainty, the legacy of the Earl of Sandwich endures.
Conclusion
- This lack of clarity indicates that the precise origin of the term "sandwich" is not explicitly known.
- It highlights how history can be subject to interpretation and myth-making, leaving us without a definitive answer.
In summary, the exact point in history when meat and bread became known as a sandwich is indeed "not specifically known," reflecting the complexities of cultural evolution and historical documentation.
That the doctrines connected with the name of Mr Darwin are altering our principles has become a sort of commonplace thing to say. And moral principles are said to share in this general transformation. Now, to pass by other subjects, I do not see why Darwinism need change our ultimate moral ideas. It was not to modify our conception of the end, either for the community, or the individual, unless we have been holding views, which long before Darwin were out of date. As to the principles of ethics I perceive, in short, no sign of revolution. Darwinism has indeed helped many to truer conception of the end, but I cannot admit that it has either originated or modified that conception.And yet in ethics Darwinism after all perhaps may be revolutionary, it may lead not to another view about the end, but to a different way of regarding the relative importance of the means. For in the ordinary moral creed those means seem estimated on no rational principle.Our creed appears rather to be an irrational mixture of shaking elements. We have the moral code of Christianity, accepted in part; rejected practically by all save a few fanatics. But we do not realise how in its very principle the Christian ideals are false. And when we reject this code for another and in part a sounder morality, we are in the same condition of blindness and of practical confusion. It is here that Darwinism, with all the tendencies we may group under that name, seems destined to intervene. It will make itself felt, I believe, more and more effectually. It may force on us in some points a correction of our moral views, and a return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal. I propose to illustrate here these general statements by some remarks on Retribution.Darwinism, I have said, has not even modified our ideas of the Chief Good. We may take that as - the welfare of the community realised in its members. There is, of course, a question as to meaning to be given to welfare.We may identify that with mere pleasure, or gain with mere system, or may rather view both as inseparable aspects of perfection and individuality. And the extent and nature of the community would once more be a subject for some discussion. But we are forced to enter on these controversies here. We may leave welfare undefined, and for present purpose need not distinguish the community from the state. The welfare of this whole exists, of course, nowhere outside the individuals, and the individuals again have rights and duties only as members in the whole.Q. It is implied in the passage that- a)a Hellenic ideal is not a proper substitute of the Christian ideal.
- b)what mankind needs is a Hellenic ideal rather than a Christian one.
- c)Darwinism is more Christian than Hellenic.
- d)fanatics do not understand what Darwinism really is.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
That the doctrines connected with the name of Mr Darwin are altering our principles has become a sort of commonplace thing to say. And moral principles are said to share in this general transformation. Now, to pass by other subjects, I do not see why Darwinism need change our ultimate moral ideas. It was not to modify our conception of the end, either for the community, or the individual, unless we have been holding views, which long before Darwin were out of date. As to the principles of ethics I perceive, in short, no sign of revolution. Darwinism has indeed helped many to truer conception of the end, but I cannot admit that it has either originated or modified that conception.
And yet in ethics Darwinism after all perhaps may be revolutionary, it may lead not to another view about the end, but to a different way of regarding the relative importance of the means. For in the ordinary moral creed those means seem estimated on no rational principle.
Our creed appears rather to be an irrational mixture of shaking elements. We have the moral code of Christianity, accepted in part; rejected practically by all save a few fanatics. But we do not realise how in its very principle the Christian ideals are false. And when we reject this code for another and in part a sounder morality, we are in the same condition of blindness and of practical confusion. It is here that Darwinism, with all the tendencies we may group under that name, seems destined to intervene. It will make itself felt, I believe, more and more effectually. It may force on us in some points a correction of our moral views, and a return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal. I propose to illustrate here these general statements by some remarks on Retribution.
Darwinism, I have said, has not even modified our ideas of the Chief Good. We may take that as - the welfare of the community realised in its members. There is, of course, a question as to meaning to be given to welfare.
We may identify that with mere pleasure, or gain with mere system, or may rather view both as inseparable aspects of perfection and individuality. And the extent and nature of the community would once more be a subject for some discussion. But we are forced to enter on these controversies here. We may leave welfare undefined, and for present purpose need not distinguish the community from the state. The welfare of this whole exists, of course, nowhere outside the individuals, and the individuals again have rights and duties only as members in the whole.
Q. It is implied in the passage that
a)
a Hellenic ideal is not a proper substitute of the Christian ideal.
b)
what mankind needs is a Hellenic ideal rather than a Christian one.
c)
Darwinism is more Christian than Hellenic.
d)
fanatics do not understand what Darwinism really is.
|
|
Roshni Desai answered |
Explanation of Option B
The passage discusses the potential impact of Darwinism on ethical principles, particularly in relation to the Christian moral code and the possibility of reverting to Hellenic ideals. Here’s a breakdown of why option B is the correct answer:
Darwinism's Role in Moral Transformation
- The author suggests that Darwinism may not change the concept of the Chief Good (the welfare of the community) but can influence our understanding of the means to achieve it.
- This influence might lead to a re-evaluation of moral principles, potentially steering society away from Christian ideals toward a Hellenic perspective.
Contrast Between Ideals
- The passage implies that while the Christian moral code is partly accepted, it is often rejected or misunderstood by many, leading to confusion in moral reasoning.
- Hellenic ideals, which are associated with a more rational and possibly secular approach to ethics, are presented as a potential alternative that can clarify moral principles.
Implication of a Need for Hellenic Ideals
- By stating that Darwinism could lead to a "return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal," the author emphasizes the idea that modern ethics might benefit from these ancient principles.
- This suggests that what mankind needs is indeed a Hellenic ideal, which can provide a more coherent moral framework compared to the fragmented acceptance of Christian ethics.
In summary, option B posits that the evolution of ethical thought, influenced by Darwinism, favors a shift towards Hellenic ideals as a necessary alternative to the complexities of the Christian moral framework.
The passage discusses the potential impact of Darwinism on ethical principles, particularly in relation to the Christian moral code and the possibility of reverting to Hellenic ideals. Here’s a breakdown of why option B is the correct answer:
Darwinism's Role in Moral Transformation
- The author suggests that Darwinism may not change the concept of the Chief Good (the welfare of the community) but can influence our understanding of the means to achieve it.
- This influence might lead to a re-evaluation of moral principles, potentially steering society away from Christian ideals toward a Hellenic perspective.
Contrast Between Ideals
- The passage implies that while the Christian moral code is partly accepted, it is often rejected or misunderstood by many, leading to confusion in moral reasoning.
- Hellenic ideals, which are associated with a more rational and possibly secular approach to ethics, are presented as a potential alternative that can clarify moral principles.
Implication of a Need for Hellenic Ideals
- By stating that Darwinism could lead to a "return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal," the author emphasizes the idea that modern ethics might benefit from these ancient principles.
- This suggests that what mankind needs is indeed a Hellenic ideal, which can provide a more coherent moral framework compared to the fragmented acceptance of Christian ethics.
In summary, option B posits that the evolution of ethical thought, influenced by Darwinism, favors a shift towards Hellenic ideals as a necessary alternative to the complexities of the Christian moral framework.
Nuisance (from archaic nocence, through Fr. noisance, nuisance, from Lat. nocere, "to hurt") is a common law tort. It means that which causes offence, annoyance, trouble or injury. A nuisance can be either public (also "common") or private. A public nuisance was defined by English scholar Sir J. F. Stephen as, "an act not warranted by law, or an omission to discharge a legal duty, which act or omission obstructs or causes inconvenience or damage to the public in the exercise of rights common to all Her Majesty's subjects".Private nuisance is the interference with the right of specific people. Nuisance is one of the oldest causes of action known to the common law, with cases framed in nuisance going back almost to the beginning of recorded time. Under the common law, persons in possession of real property (land owners, lease holders etc.) are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their lands. However this doesn't include visitors or those who aren't considered to have an interest in the land. If a neighbour interferes with that quiet enjoyment, either by creating smells, sounds, pollution or any other hazard that extends past the boundaries of the property, the affected party may make a claim in nuisance.The boundaries of the tort are potentially unclear, due to the public/private nuisance divide, and existence of the rule in Rylands v Fletcher. Writers such as John Murphy at Lancaster University have popularised the idea that Rylands forms a separate, though related, tort. This is still an issue for debate, and is rejected by others (the primary distinction in Rylands concerns 'escapes onto land', and so it may be argued that the only difference is the nature of the nuisance, not the nature of the civil wrong.) In summation, Nuisance means an unlawful interference with a person's enjoyment of property. Property rights in the land is necessary for an action in Private nuisance.Private nuisance is an obstruction to the right of private parties. Public nuisance is an obstruction to the right of public in general.Q. Murugan incorporated a company named Murugan Metal Mart (MMM). MMM generates a great amount of metal waste during the course of repairing and maintenance of plant and machinery. MMM dumps the metal waste in a nearby place assuming nobody will notice. Dumping however backfires sometimes.For example once MMM tried dumping the waste on the road adjacent to the business premise it ended up blocking it partly causing difficulty to vehicle users and passersby. Can the road users in general sue MMM for the private nuisance?- a)Yes, the road is a public property no one can be excluded from its use.
- b)No, the road was blocked in part.
- c)No, the road users cannot sue for the private nuisance.
- d)Yes, MMM has violated the environmental norms interfering in the enjoyment of the road use.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Nuisance (from archaic nocence, through Fr. noisance, nuisance, from Lat. nocere, "to hurt") is a common law tort. It means that which causes offence, annoyance, trouble or injury. A nuisance can be either public (also "common") or private. A public nuisance was defined by English scholar Sir J. F. Stephen as, "an act not warranted by law, or an omission to discharge a legal duty, which act or omission obstructs or causes inconvenience or damage to the public in the exercise of rights common to all Her Majesty's subjects".
Private nuisance is the interference with the right of specific people. Nuisance is one of the oldest causes of action known to the common law, with cases framed in nuisance going back almost to the beginning of recorded time. Under the common law, persons in possession of real property (land owners, lease holders etc.) are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their lands. However this doesn't include visitors or those who aren't considered to have an interest in the land. If a neighbour interferes with that quiet enjoyment, either by creating smells, sounds, pollution or any other hazard that extends past the boundaries of the property, the affected party may make a claim in nuisance.
The boundaries of the tort are potentially unclear, due to the public/private nuisance divide, and existence of the rule in Rylands v Fletcher. Writers such as John Murphy at Lancaster University have popularised the idea that Rylands forms a separate, though related, tort. This is still an issue for debate, and is rejected by others (the primary distinction in Rylands concerns 'escapes onto land', and so it may be argued that the only difference is the nature of the nuisance, not the nature of the civil wrong.) In summation, Nuisance means an unlawful interference with a person's enjoyment of property. Property rights in the land is necessary for an action in Private nuisance.
Private nuisance is an obstruction to the right of private parties. Public nuisance is an obstruction to the right of public in general.
Q. Murugan incorporated a company named Murugan Metal Mart (MMM). MMM generates a great amount of metal waste during the course of repairing and maintenance of plant and machinery. MMM dumps the metal waste in a nearby place assuming nobody will notice. Dumping however backfires sometimes.For example once MMM tried dumping the waste on the road adjacent to the business premise it ended up blocking it partly causing difficulty to vehicle users and passersby. Can the road users in general sue MMM for the private nuisance?
a)
Yes, the road is a public property no one can be excluded from its use.
b)
No, the road was blocked in part.
c)
No, the road users cannot sue for the private nuisance.
d)
Yes, MMM has violated the environmental norms interfering in the enjoyment of the road use.
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Correct Answer is (c)
Road users have no locus claiming breach of the enjoyment/obstruction of the road in the suit for Private nuisance. Principle states “Private nuisance is an obstruction to the right of private parties”. In the given facts road users are not private parties.
Beauty is a valuable commodity in our image-obsessed society, so it's not surprising that Miss Indias and Miss Worlds make headlines. These young women aren't just beautiful; they're most often thin too. But Chloe Marshall, the 2008 Miss England runner-up, was size 16 ("full figured" or "ample," to put it politely) and therefore made even more news. A full-figured beauty pageant finalist creating a stop-the-press moment highlights the fact that larger women are not usually considered "the fairest of them all." Indeed, pick up a magazine or newspaper on any other day and the message is loud and clear -thin is in.With the average woman hovering around a size 14 or above, the comparison is odious. A recent survey revealed only six percent of women aged 18 to 64 were "very satisfied" with their looks. That leaves 94 percent of women critical of their appearance. In other words, the majority of the women sitting with you in the metro this morning woke up feeling judgmental and negative about their looks. "If every woman in the world woke up, slapped herself on the head and said: 'I'm happy with who I am,' entire economies would collapse," says Jane Caro, an award-winning advertising writer.The media is often portrayed as the bogeyman in the body-image debate, but experts say it's only part of the picture. Paxton notes women are getting messages from family from an early age. The way in which parents view their bodies impacts their children's attitudes. "A mother who is always dieting or being critical of her body is sending a clear message to her daughters," says Tiggemann. "That sense of body dissatisfaction is passed on." The anti-obesity push is also unhelpful. "It's shifted the focus away from health and onto weight and looks," she says. "It's perpetuating the notion that fat is bad, thin is good, and thinner is better." And it's a notion that has recently been proved to be untrue.Q. Which of the following is the author most likely to agree with?A. Beauty is given great importance in today's society.B. Only a few women are happy the way they look.C. Media is considered the Lilliputian character that is responsible for the body-image debate.- a)A and B
- b)A and C
- c)B and C
- d)All follow
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Beauty is a valuable commodity in our image-obsessed society, so it's not surprising that Miss Indias and Miss Worlds make headlines. These young women aren't just beautiful; they're most often thin too. But Chloe Marshall, the 2008 Miss England runner-up, was size 16 ("full figured" or "ample," to put it politely) and therefore made even more news. A full-figured beauty pageant finalist creating a stop-the-press moment highlights the fact that larger women are not usually considered "the fairest of them all." Indeed, pick up a magazine or newspaper on any other day and the message is loud and clear -thin is in.
With the average woman hovering around a size 14 or above, the comparison is odious. A recent survey revealed only six percent of women aged 18 to 64 were "very satisfied" with their looks. That leaves 94 percent of women critical of their appearance. In other words, the majority of the women sitting with you in the metro this morning woke up feeling judgmental and negative about their looks. "If every woman in the world woke up, slapped herself on the head and said: 'I'm happy with who I am,' entire economies would collapse," says Jane Caro, an award-winning advertising writer.
The media is often portrayed as the bogeyman in the body-image debate, but experts say it's only part of the picture. Paxton notes women are getting messages from family from an early age. The way in which parents view their bodies impacts their children's attitudes. "A mother who is always dieting or being critical of her body is sending a clear message to her daughters," says Tiggemann. "That sense of body dissatisfaction is passed on." The anti-obesity push is also unhelpful. "It's shifted the focus away from health and onto weight and looks," she says. "It's perpetuating the notion that fat is bad, thin is good, and thinner is better." And it's a notion that has recently been proved to be untrue.
Q. Which of the following is the author most likely to agree with?
A. Beauty is given great importance in today's society.
B. Only a few women are happy the way they look.
C. Media is considered the Lilliputian character that is responsible for the body-image debate.
a)
A and B
b)
A and C
c)
B and C
d)
All follow
|
Bhavana Das answered |
Analysis of the Author's Agreement
The question asks which statements the author is likely to agree with based on the provided passage.
Statement A: Beauty is given great importance in today's society.
- The author begins by mentioning that beauty is a "valuable commodity" in an "image-obsessed society." This clearly indicates that the author believes beauty holds significant importance in contemporary culture.
Statement B: Only a few women are happy the way they look.
- While the passage mentions that only six percent of women are "very satisfied" with their looks, it does not explicitly state that the author agrees with the notion that "only a few women" are happy. The focus is more on the prevalent dissatisfaction rather than categorizing it as a few.
Statement C: Media is considered the Lilliputian character that is responsible for the body-image debate.
- The author acknowledges that the media plays a role in the body image debate but also emphasizes that it's not the sole factor. The mention of familial influences suggests the author does not see the media as the primary or only culprit.
Conclusion
- Given this analysis, the author is most likely to agree with Statement A. The emphasis on the significance of beauty in society aligns with the author's perspective. Statements B and C are less supported, as the author does not explicitly endorse them.
Thus, the correct answer is option A.
The question asks which statements the author is likely to agree with based on the provided passage.
Statement A: Beauty is given great importance in today's society.
- The author begins by mentioning that beauty is a "valuable commodity" in an "image-obsessed society." This clearly indicates that the author believes beauty holds significant importance in contemporary culture.
Statement B: Only a few women are happy the way they look.
- While the passage mentions that only six percent of women are "very satisfied" with their looks, it does not explicitly state that the author agrees with the notion that "only a few women" are happy. The focus is more on the prevalent dissatisfaction rather than categorizing it as a few.
Statement C: Media is considered the Lilliputian character that is responsible for the body-image debate.
- The author acknowledges that the media plays a role in the body image debate but also emphasizes that it's not the sole factor. The mention of familial influences suggests the author does not see the media as the primary or only culprit.
Conclusion
- Given this analysis, the author is most likely to agree with Statement A. The emphasis on the significance of beauty in society aligns with the author's perspective. Statements B and C are less supported, as the author does not explicitly endorse them.
Thus, the correct answer is option A.
Modern science has provided us a universal method by which we may study and master any subject. As applied to an art, this method has proved highly successful in the case of music. It has not been applied to language because there was a well fixed method of language study in existence long before modern science was even dreamed of, and that ancient method has held on with wonderful tenacity. The great fault with it is that it was invented to apply to languages entirely different from our own. Latin grammar and Greek grammar were mechanical systems of endings by which the relationships of words were indicated. Of course the relationship of words was at bottom logical, but the mechanical form was the chief thing to be learned. Our language depends wholly (or very nearly so) on arrangement of words, and the key is the logical relationship. A man who knows all the forms of the Latin or Greek language can write it with substantial accuracy; but the man who would master the English language must go deeper, he must master the logic of sentence structure or word relations. We must begin our study at just the opposite end from the Latin or Greek; but our teachers of language have balked at a complete reversal of method, the power of custom and time has been too strong, and in the matter of grammar we are still the slaves of the ancient world. As for spelling, the irregularities of our language seem to have driven us to one sole method, memorizing: and to memorize every word in a language is an appalling task. Our rhetoric we have inherited from the middle ages, from scholiasts, refiners, and theological logicians, a race of men who got their living by inventing distinctions and splitting hairs. The fact is, prose has had a very low place in the literature of the world until within a century; all that was worth saying was said in poetry, which the rhetoricians were forced to leave severely alone, or in oratory, from which all their rules were derived; and since written prose language became a universal possession through the printing press and the newspaper we have been too busy to invent a new rhetoric.
Q. Which of the following can be said to be true about languages like Latin and Greek?- a)These languages stress upon logical relationship rather than mechanical form.
- b)A person who knows all forms of these two languages, can write them with accuracy.
- c)These languages cannot be mastered since they are fixed method of language study.
- d)A person can master these languages even if he does not master the logic of word relations.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Modern science has provided us a universal method by which we may study and master any subject. As applied to an art, this method has proved highly successful in the case of music. It has not been applied to language because there was a well fixed method of language study in existence long before modern science was even dreamed of, and that ancient method has held on with wonderful tenacity. The great fault with it is that it was invented to apply to languages entirely different from our own. Latin grammar and Greek grammar were mechanical systems of endings by which the relationships of words were indicated. Of course the relationship of words was at bottom logical, but the mechanical form was the chief thing to be learned. Our language depends wholly (or very nearly so) on arrangement of words, and the key is the logical relationship. A man who knows all the forms of the Latin or Greek language can write it with substantial accuracy; but the man who would master the English language must go deeper, he must master the logic of sentence structure or word relations. We must begin our study at just the opposite end from the Latin or Greek; but our teachers of language have balked at a complete reversal of method, the power of custom and time has been too strong, and in the matter of grammar we are still the slaves of the ancient world. As for spelling, the irregularities of our language seem to have driven us to one sole method, memorizing: and to memorize every word in a language is an appalling task. Our rhetoric we have inherited from the middle ages, from scholiasts, refiners, and theological logicians, a race of men who got their living by inventing distinctions and splitting hairs. The fact is, prose has had a very low place in the literature of the world until within a century; all that was worth saying was said in poetry, which the rhetoricians were forced to leave severely alone, or in oratory, from which all their rules were derived; and since written prose language became a universal possession through the printing press and the newspaper we have been too busy to invent a new rhetoric.
Q. Which of the following can be said to be true about languages like Latin and Greek?
Q. Which of the following can be said to be true about languages like Latin and Greek?
a)
These languages stress upon logical relationship rather than mechanical form.
b)
A person who knows all forms of these two languages, can write them with accuracy.
c)
These languages cannot be mastered since they are fixed method of language study.
d)
A person can master these languages even if he does not master the logic of word relations.
|
Priyanka Sharma answered |
Option (a) is incorrect since the passage says that the ancient languages (Greek and Latin) were mechanical systems. It is the modern language that depends upon logical relationships. Options (c) and (d) are incorrect because the passage does not tell us if and how the ancient languages can be mastered. Option (b) can be directly inferred from the passage. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.
Ahmedabad’s Sunday market that sells waste is this 35-year-old artist’s most liked hunting ground. That’s where he picks saw-blades, printer toners, monitors, busted VCDs and hard disks, video players and other castaway gems.Back in home, he dismantles his treasure of scrap and segregates it into big pieces (the videoplayer’s outer case), mid-sized (the insides of a hard disk) and small pieces (innards of a mobile).This is art you can get up, close and personal with. The works grab the viewer’s attention at several levels.Aesthetically, the creations themselves - such as Frivolity which uses feathers and terracotta diyas painted in dark fossil green that give it a strange life - appeal in a live-and-kicking sort of way.Look a little closer and hey, you spot a zipper. Then it’s a journey all your own. Your eyes identify hairpins, spray spouts that hairdressers use, paper clips, thread, computer ribbons and the insides of everything from watches to the sliding metal bits that support drawers.You can almost hear the words whirring.So Hashissh, constructed from paper clips, backpack clips, a shining CD and twirled thread, may invite you to study its water-blue, pinks and green or Nelumbeshwar may beckon, bathed in acrylic pink and grey-black. But once you’re standing in front of a piece, you spot the zips and the hairpins. Then you simply visually dismantle Har’s work and rebuild it all over again. Zoom in, zoom out. It’s great fun.Visualising the colour of his work demands a lot of attention, says Har. “During creation, the material is all differently coloured. So there’s a red switch next to a white panel next to a black clip. It can be distracting. I don’t sketch, so I have to keep a sharp focus on the final look I am working towards.”As his work evolved, Har discovered laser-cutting on a visit to a factory where he had gone to sand-blast one of his pieces. Hooked by the zingy shapes laser-cutting offered, Har promptly used it to speed up a scooter and lend an unbearable lightness of being to a flighty auto rickshaw, his latest works.The NID-trained animation designer’s scrap quest was first inspired by a spider in his bathroom in Chennai when he was a teenager. He used a table-tennis ball (for the head), a bigger plastic ball (for the body) and twisted clothes hangers to form the legs. His next idea was to create a crab, and his mother obligingly brought one home from the market so that he could study and copy it.Winning the first Art Positive fellowship offered by Bajaj Capital Arthouse last year gave Har the confidence to believe that he could make it as an artist or ‘aesthete’ as he likes to call himself.Q. What does the word 'aQ. What does the word 'aesthete' as used in the passage mean?- a)One's sensibility towards art
- b)A lover of art and beautiful things
- c)A nick name
- d)An aspiring artist
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Ahmedabad’s Sunday market that sells waste is this 35-year-old artist’s most liked hunting ground. That’s where he picks saw-blades, printer toners, monitors, busted VCDs and hard disks, video players and other castaway gems.
Back in home, he dismantles his treasure of scrap and segregates it into big pieces (the videoplayer’s outer case), mid-sized (the insides of a hard disk) and small pieces (innards of a mobile).
This is art you can get up, close and personal with. The works grab the viewer’s attention at several levels.
Aesthetically, the creations themselves - such as Frivolity which uses feathers and terracotta diyas painted in dark fossil green that give it a strange life - appeal in a live-and-kicking sort of way.
Look a little closer and hey, you spot a zipper. Then it’s a journey all your own. Your eyes identify hairpins, spray spouts that hairdressers use, paper clips, thread, computer ribbons and the insides of everything from watches to the sliding metal bits that support drawers.
You can almost hear the words whirring.
So Hashissh, constructed from paper clips, backpack clips, a shining CD and twirled thread, may invite you to study its water-blue, pinks and green or Nelumbeshwar may beckon, bathed in acrylic pink and grey-black. But once you’re standing in front of a piece, you spot the zips and the hairpins. Then you simply visually dismantle Har’s work and rebuild it all over again. Zoom in, zoom out. It’s great fun.
Visualising the colour of his work demands a lot of attention, says Har. “During creation, the material is all differently coloured. So there’s a red switch next to a white panel next to a black clip. It can be distracting. I don’t sketch, so I have to keep a sharp focus on the final look I am working towards.”
As his work evolved, Har discovered laser-cutting on a visit to a factory where he had gone to sand-blast one of his pieces. Hooked by the zingy shapes laser-cutting offered, Har promptly used it to speed up a scooter and lend an unbearable lightness of being to a flighty auto rickshaw, his latest works.
The NID-trained animation designer’s scrap quest was first inspired by a spider in his bathroom in Chennai when he was a teenager. He used a table-tennis ball (for the head), a bigger plastic ball (for the body) and twisted clothes hangers to form the legs. His next idea was to create a crab, and his mother obligingly brought one home from the market so that he could study and copy it.
Winning the first Art Positive fellowship offered by Bajaj Capital Arthouse last year gave Har the confidence to believe that he could make it as an artist or ‘aesthete’ as he likes to call himself.
Q. What does the word 'a
Q. What does the word 'aesthete' as used in the passage mean?
a)
One's sensibility towards art
b)
A lover of art and beautiful things
c)
A nick name
d)
An aspiring artist
|
Rahul Desai answered |
Understanding the Term "Aesthete"
The term "aesthete" is used in the passage to describe Har, the artist, and carries a specific meaning related to art appreciation.
Definition of Aesthete
- An "aesthete" refers to someone who has a deep appreciation for art and beauty.
- It encompasses not just an understanding of artistic elements but also an emotional and intellectual engagement with art.
Context in the Passage
- Har identifies himself as an "aesthete," which suggests that his work is not merely a profession but a passion driven by his sensibility towards art.
- This self-identification implies that he values creativity and the beauty found in unconventional materials, which aligns with his artistic approach of using scrap and waste.
Why Option B is Correct
- Option B, "A lover of art and beautiful things," accurately captures the essence of the term "aesthete."
- The other options do not encapsulate the full breadth of what it means to be an aesthete:
- Option A focuses on sensibility, which is part of it but not the complete definition.
- Option C, "A nick name," is incorrect as it has no relation to Har's identity as an artist.
- Option D, "An aspiring artist," implies someone who is still in the early stages of their artistic journey, which does not reflect Har's established identity.
In summary, Har’s self-identification as an "aesthete" indicates his profound love for art and beauty, making option B the correct choice.
The term "aesthete" is used in the passage to describe Har, the artist, and carries a specific meaning related to art appreciation.
Definition of Aesthete
- An "aesthete" refers to someone who has a deep appreciation for art and beauty.
- It encompasses not just an understanding of artistic elements but also an emotional and intellectual engagement with art.
Context in the Passage
- Har identifies himself as an "aesthete," which suggests that his work is not merely a profession but a passion driven by his sensibility towards art.
- This self-identification implies that he values creativity and the beauty found in unconventional materials, which aligns with his artistic approach of using scrap and waste.
Why Option B is Correct
- Option B, "A lover of art and beautiful things," accurately captures the essence of the term "aesthete."
- The other options do not encapsulate the full breadth of what it means to be an aesthete:
- Option A focuses on sensibility, which is part of it but not the complete definition.
- Option C, "A nick name," is incorrect as it has no relation to Har's identity as an artist.
- Option D, "An aspiring artist," implies someone who is still in the early stages of their artistic journey, which does not reflect Har's established identity.
In summary, Har’s self-identification as an "aesthete" indicates his profound love for art and beauty, making option B the correct choice.
British filmmaker Richard Curtis has written iconic popcultural classics like Mr. Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. His directorial debut, Love Actually, remains a rare film that at once parodies, celebrates, and reclaims, storytelling's most bastardised genre. But Curtis' most accomplished movie has everything and nothing to do with his reputation as the King of (Romantic) Comedy.About Time (2013), starring Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson in a breakthrough role, cleverly weaponises its maker's stature. It counts on the fact that we anticipate an innovative (buzzword: time travel) but typically breezy love story. But the girl-boy arc fades into the background, and the film subverts our expectations by instead morphing into a deeply contemplative and winning tragedy about human nature. Curtis virtually uses his own career as a smokescreen to transform About Time into an affecting ode to closure and its elastic relationship with time. Early in the film, a retired James (Bill Nighy) informs his son Tim, a boy on the verge of big-city adulthood, that the men of the family possess the power to travel back in time. Naturally, at first, Tim abuses this cosmic gift like any red-blooded, teething male hero would - to find, and refine, his pursuit of love. He meets Mary, an American girl, and manipulates time in a manner that compels her to fall for him. You'd imagine any writer at this point would be tempted to use time travel as the pivot to continue navigating the cross-cultural politics of companionship. But Curtis refrains from old-school gimmickry. He designs the narrative device as a trigger that forces Tim's conflict to be conceived in the personal chasm that separates selfishness from selflessness: The selfishness of love from the selflessness of family.Tim's story gets us thinking: do some of us subconsciously fail to sustain romantic relationships because we're unwilling to snap that umbilical cord? Do we postpone marriage - a family, children, onwardness -to preserve the fading remnants of our family? To keep our history accessible? The film's lyrical circularity exposes an uncomfortable truth about life - that romance is inherently an act of self-preservation. That loving someone, often, is a mechanism aimed at leaving something - and some times - behind. We choose to get consumed by life so that its origins are exhumed no more. For every child Tim has, the more irrevocably he drifts away from his own childhood. Every birth is inextricably linked to his rebirth. For each milestone he crosses as a life partner, the rules of time travel - a cinematic allegory for the texture of remembrance - force him to live rather than relive. Love is, after all, the emotional manifestation of the precise moment the future decides to break up with the past.Q. As mentioned in the passage, the word "subverts" means- a)corrupts
- b)alters
- c)rejects
- d)influences
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
British filmmaker Richard Curtis has written iconic popcultural classics like Mr. Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. His directorial debut, Love Actually, remains a rare film that at once parodies, celebrates, and reclaims, storytelling's most bastardised genre. But Curtis' most accomplished movie has everything and nothing to do with his reputation as the King of (Romantic) Comedy.
About Time (2013), starring Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson in a breakthrough role, cleverly weaponises its maker's stature. It counts on the fact that we anticipate an innovative (buzzword: time travel) but typically breezy love story. But the girl-boy arc fades into the background, and the film subverts our expectations by instead morphing into a deeply contemplative and winning tragedy about human nature. Curtis virtually uses his own career as a smokescreen to transform About Time into an affecting ode to closure and its elastic relationship with time. Early in the film, a retired James (Bill Nighy) informs his son Tim, a boy on the verge of big-city adulthood, that the men of the family possess the power to travel back in time. Naturally, at first, Tim abuses this cosmic gift like any red-blooded, teething male hero would - to find, and refine, his pursuit of love. He meets Mary, an American girl, and manipulates time in a manner that compels her to fall for him. You'd imagine any writer at this point would be tempted to use time travel as the pivot to continue navigating the cross-cultural politics of companionship. But Curtis refrains from old-school gimmickry. He designs the narrative device as a trigger that forces Tim's conflict to be conceived in the personal chasm that separates selfishness from selflessness: The selfishness of love from the selflessness of family.
Tim's story gets us thinking: do some of us subconsciously fail to sustain romantic relationships because we're unwilling to snap that umbilical cord? Do we postpone marriage - a family, children, onwardness -to preserve the fading remnants of our family? To keep our history accessible? The film's lyrical circularity exposes an uncomfortable truth about life - that romance is inherently an act of self-preservation. That loving someone, often, is a mechanism aimed at leaving something - and some times - behind. We choose to get consumed by life so that its origins are exhumed no more. For every child Tim has, the more irrevocably he drifts away from his own childhood. Every birth is inextricably linked to his rebirth. For each milestone he crosses as a life partner, the rules of time travel - a cinematic allegory for the texture of remembrance - force him to live rather than relive. Love is, after all, the emotional manifestation of the precise moment the future decides to break up with the past.
Q. As mentioned in the passage, the word "subverts" means
a)
corrupts
b)
alters
c)
rejects
d)
influences
|
|
Prateek Jain answered |
Understanding the Word "Subverts"
The passage discusses Richard Curtis's film "About Time" and indicates how the narrative subverts expectations. To understand the meaning of "subverts," let's break down its implications within the context of the film.
Definition of "Subverts"
- General Meaning: To subvert means to undermine or overthrow an established system or expectation. It implies a shift from what is anticipated to something that challenges or alters that expectation.
Context in the Passage
- Film Expectations: The film initially presents itself as a typical romantic comedy, focusing on a love story involving time travel.
- Narrative Shift: Instead of following the conventional romantic arc, "About Time" subverts this expectation by exploring deeper themes of family, selflessness, and the complexities of human relationships.
Why "Corrupts" is Not Correct
- Misinterpretation: The choice of "corrupts" implies a negative alteration or degradation, which does not align with the film's intent. "About Time" does not degrade romantic storytelling; rather, it enriches it by adding layers of meaning.
Conclusion
- Correct Understanding: In the context of the passage, "subverts" refers to altering the expected narrative flow of the film in a way that invites deeper reflection on love and life. Thus, the correct interpretation is that it changes or challenges expectations rather than corrupting them.
This understanding highlights the film's innovative approach to storytelling, demonstrating how it can transform a familiar genre into a profound exploration of human nature.
The passage discusses Richard Curtis's film "About Time" and indicates how the narrative subverts expectations. To understand the meaning of "subverts," let's break down its implications within the context of the film.
Definition of "Subverts"
- General Meaning: To subvert means to undermine or overthrow an established system or expectation. It implies a shift from what is anticipated to something that challenges or alters that expectation.
Context in the Passage
- Film Expectations: The film initially presents itself as a typical romantic comedy, focusing on a love story involving time travel.
- Narrative Shift: Instead of following the conventional romantic arc, "About Time" subverts this expectation by exploring deeper themes of family, selflessness, and the complexities of human relationships.
Why "Corrupts" is Not Correct
- Misinterpretation: The choice of "corrupts" implies a negative alteration or degradation, which does not align with the film's intent. "About Time" does not degrade romantic storytelling; rather, it enriches it by adding layers of meaning.
Conclusion
- Correct Understanding: In the context of the passage, "subverts" refers to altering the expected narrative flow of the film in a way that invites deeper reflection on love and life. Thus, the correct interpretation is that it changes or challenges expectations rather than corrupting them.
This understanding highlights the film's innovative approach to storytelling, demonstrating how it can transform a familiar genre into a profound exploration of human nature.
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.Q. What is 'humankind's greatest lazy meal'?- a)Meat and bread
- b)The Sandwich
- c)Cheese and bread
- d)Sauce and bread
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.
But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.
Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.
It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.
Q. What is 'humankind's greatest lazy meal'?
a)
Meat and bread
b)
The Sandwich
c)
Cheese and bread
d)
Sauce and bread
|
|
Nandini Iyer answered |
Option (b) is the right answer as it is mentioned in the passage, in line number 10.
That the doctrines connected with the name of Mr Darwin are altering our principles has become a sort of commonplace thing to say. And moral principles are said to share in this general transformation. Now, to pass by other subjects, I do not see why Darwinism need change our ultimate moral ideas. It was not to modify our conception of the end, either for the community, or the individual, unless we have been holding views, which long before Darwin were out of date. As to the principles of ethics I perceive, in short, no sign of revolution. Darwinism has indeed helped many to truer conception of the end, but I cannot admit that it has either originated or modified that conception.And yet in ethics Darwinism after all perhaps may be revolutionary, it may lead not to another view about the end, but to a different way of regarding the relative importance of the means. For in the ordinary moral creed those means seem estimated on no rational principle.Our creed appears rather to be an irrational mixture of jarring elements. We have the moral code of Christianity, accepted in part; rejected practically by all save a few fanatics. But we do not realise how in its very principle the Christian ideals are false. And when we reject this code for another and in part a sounder morality, we are in the same condition of blindness and of practical confusion. It is here that Darwinism, with all the tendencies we may group under that name, seems destined to intervene. It will make itself felt, I believe, more and more effectually. It may force on us in some points a correction of our moral views, and a return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal. I propose to illustrate here these general statements by some remarks on Punishment.Darwinism, I have said, has not even modified our ideas of the Chief Good. We may take that as - the welfare of the community realised in its members. There is, of course, a question as to meaning to be given to welfare.We may identify that with mere pleasure, or gain with mere system, or may rather view both as inseparable aspects of perfection and individuality. And the extent and nature of the community would once more be a subject for some discussion. But we are forced to enter on these controversies here. We may leave welfare undefined, and for present purpose need not distinguish the community from the state. The welfare of this whole exists, of course, nowhere outside the individuals, and the individuals again have rights and duties only as members in the whole.Q. According to the author, the doctrines of Mr Darwin- a)have changed our physical and moral principles.
- b)have to be re-evaluated to correct the faults endemic in them.
- c)do not have to change our moral ideas.
- d)are actually new versions of old moral rules.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
That the doctrines connected with the name of Mr Darwin are altering our principles has become a sort of commonplace thing to say. And moral principles are said to share in this general transformation. Now, to pass by other subjects, I do not see why Darwinism need change our ultimate moral ideas. It was not to modify our conception of the end, either for the community, or the individual, unless we have been holding views, which long before Darwin were out of date. As to the principles of ethics I perceive, in short, no sign of revolution. Darwinism has indeed helped many to truer conception of the end, but I cannot admit that it has either originated or modified that conception.
And yet in ethics Darwinism after all perhaps may be revolutionary, it may lead not to another view about the end, but to a different way of regarding the relative importance of the means. For in the ordinary moral creed those means seem estimated on no rational principle.
Our creed appears rather to be an irrational mixture of jarring elements. We have the moral code of Christianity, accepted in part; rejected practically by all save a few fanatics. But we do not realise how in its very principle the Christian ideals are false. And when we reject this code for another and in part a sounder morality, we are in the same condition of blindness and of practical confusion. It is here that Darwinism, with all the tendencies we may group under that name, seems destined to intervene. It will make itself felt, I believe, more and more effectually. It may force on us in some points a correction of our moral views, and a return to a non-Christian and perhaps a Hellenic ideal. I propose to illustrate here these general statements by some remarks on Punishment.
Darwinism, I have said, has not even modified our ideas of the Chief Good. We may take that as - the welfare of the community realised in its members. There is, of course, a question as to meaning to be given to welfare.
We may identify that with mere pleasure, or gain with mere system, or may rather view both as inseparable aspects of perfection and individuality. And the extent and nature of the community would once more be a subject for some discussion. But we are forced to enter on these controversies here. We may leave welfare undefined, and for present purpose need not distinguish the community from the state. The welfare of this whole exists, of course, nowhere outside the individuals, and the individuals again have rights and duties only as members in the whole.
Q. According to the author, the doctrines of Mr Darwin
a)
have changed our physical and moral principles.
b)
have to be re-evaluated to correct the faults endemic in them.
c)
do not have to change our moral ideas.
d)
are actually new versions of old moral rules.
|
|
Roshni Desai answered |
Understanding the Author's Perspective on Darwinism
The author asserts that Darwinism does not necessitate a change in our moral ideas. Here’s a detailed breakdown of this viewpoint:
1. No Change in Ultimate Moral Ideas
- The author argues that Darwinism does not modify our conception of the end goal for individuals or communities.
- The idea of the "Chief Good" remains focused on the welfare of the community realized in its individual members.
2. Ethical Principles Remain Stable
- The author observes that the principles of ethics are not undergoing a revolution due to Darwinism.
- While Darwinism may enhance our understanding of the end, it does not originate or alter the fundamental moral concepts.
3. The Role of Darwinism in Means, Not Ends
- Darwinism might revolutionize our understanding of the means to achieve moral ends rather than changing the ends themselves.
- The author notes that current moral creeds often mix irrational elements, which Darwinism could help clarify.
4. Potential for Correction
- The author suggests that Darwinism could compel us to reevaluate our moral views, potentially leading to a non-Christian or Hellenic ideal.
- However, this does not equate to a fundamental change in our ultimate moral ideas.
Conclusion
- The correct answer, therefore, is option 'C': Darwinism does not have to change our moral ideas. The emphasis lies on understanding and potentially correcting the means of achieving moral ends while maintaining the established moral framework.
The author asserts that Darwinism does not necessitate a change in our moral ideas. Here’s a detailed breakdown of this viewpoint:
1. No Change in Ultimate Moral Ideas
- The author argues that Darwinism does not modify our conception of the end goal for individuals or communities.
- The idea of the "Chief Good" remains focused on the welfare of the community realized in its individual members.
2. Ethical Principles Remain Stable
- The author observes that the principles of ethics are not undergoing a revolution due to Darwinism.
- While Darwinism may enhance our understanding of the end, it does not originate or alter the fundamental moral concepts.
3. The Role of Darwinism in Means, Not Ends
- Darwinism might revolutionize our understanding of the means to achieve moral ends rather than changing the ends themselves.
- The author notes that current moral creeds often mix irrational elements, which Darwinism could help clarify.
4. Potential for Correction
- The author suggests that Darwinism could compel us to reevaluate our moral views, potentially leading to a non-Christian or Hellenic ideal.
- However, this does not equate to a fundamental change in our ultimate moral ideas.
Conclusion
- The correct answer, therefore, is option 'C': Darwinism does not have to change our moral ideas. The emphasis lies on understanding and potentially correcting the means of achieving moral ends while maintaining the established moral framework.
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.Q. Which of the following definitions best explains the word 'lineage', as used in the passage?- a)A familial pedigree
- b)A filial progeny
- c)An ancestral problem
- d)An undefined pattern
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
There have been 11 earls of Sandwich. The first, bestowed the title in 1660, was a celebrated British naval commander. Others have been politicians, statesmen, authors, and supporters of the arts. They were important people.
But even now, all anyone seems to know about this proud lineage is that one of them as it turns out, the fourth one, born in 1718 apparently had a liking for meat and bread, or maybe cheese and bread, and he ate it while playing poker because he was a degenerate gambler unable to stop for a meal, or he ate it because he was so busy being a war hero that he had no time for a knife and fork, or he instructed his soldiers to eat it because it traveled well, or you know what? It doesn't matter. Nobody is quite sure what happened, but we can all agree that, although meat and bread were entered into the historical record as far back as Babylon, humankind's greatest lazy meal became known as the Earl of Sandwich's domain, and so it's been sandwiches all the way down.
Everyone has to be known for something. But the earls busied themselves with more stately things, until the current earl, whose actual name is John Edward Hollister Montagu, needed money to maintain the old family estate, because carrying a fancy title today doesn't pay nearly as much as it did 300 years ago, and a previous earl gave away much of the family wealth. And so hold your noses, ye ghosts of olde: It was time to cash in on the family name, to finally cede history to the hoi polloi.
It was time to open up a sandwich shop, and call it Earl of Sandwich.
Q. Which of the following definitions best explains the word 'lineage', as used in the passage?
a)
A familial pedigree
b)
A filial progeny
c)
An ancestral problem
d)
An undefined pattern
|
|
Kiran Khanna answered |
Understanding Lineage
The term "lineage" refers to the line of descent from an ancestor. In the context of the passage, it specifically relates to the historical succession of the Earls of Sandwich.
Why Option A is Correct
- Familial Pedigree:
- This definition emphasizes the family tree or ancestry of individuals. In the passage, the lineage of the Earls of Sandwich is highlighted as a proud historical background, which aligns perfectly with the concept of a familial pedigree.
- Context of the Passage:
- The passage discusses the significance of the Earls of Sandwich and their historical contributions. It mentions their roles as naval commanders, politicians, and supporters of the arts, which are all part of their familial lineage.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Filial Progeny (Option B):
- This term focuses on children or descendants specifically, rather than the broader ancestral line. The passage covers more than just immediate descendants, making this option less fitting.
- Ancestral Problem (Option C):
- This phrasing is unclear and does not align with the idea of lineage. It suggests a complication or difficulty within the family history, which is not the intent of the passage.
- Undefined Pattern (Option D):
- This option does not relate to the concept of lineage. It implies a lack of clarity or structure, which contradicts the well-defined history of the Earls of Sandwich presented in the text.
In summary, "lineage" in the passage refers to the sequence of earls and their historical significance, making option A the best choice.
The term "lineage" refers to the line of descent from an ancestor. In the context of the passage, it specifically relates to the historical succession of the Earls of Sandwich.
Why Option A is Correct
- Familial Pedigree:
- This definition emphasizes the family tree or ancestry of individuals. In the passage, the lineage of the Earls of Sandwich is highlighted as a proud historical background, which aligns perfectly with the concept of a familial pedigree.
- Context of the Passage:
- The passage discusses the significance of the Earls of Sandwich and their historical contributions. It mentions their roles as naval commanders, politicians, and supporters of the arts, which are all part of their familial lineage.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Filial Progeny (Option B):
- This term focuses on children or descendants specifically, rather than the broader ancestral line. The passage covers more than just immediate descendants, making this option less fitting.
- Ancestral Problem (Option C):
- This phrasing is unclear and does not align with the idea of lineage. It suggests a complication or difficulty within the family history, which is not the intent of the passage.
- Undefined Pattern (Option D):
- This option does not relate to the concept of lineage. It implies a lack of clarity or structure, which contradicts the well-defined history of the Earls of Sandwich presented in the text.
In summary, "lineage" in the passage refers to the sequence of earls and their historical significance, making option A the best choice.
British filmmaker Richard Curtis has written iconic popcultural classics like Mr. Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. His directorial debut, Love Actually, remains a rare film that at once parodies, celebrates, and reclaims, storytelling's most bastardised genre. But Curtis' most accomplished movie has everything and nothing to do with his reputation as the King of (Romantic) Comedy.About Time (2013), starring Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson in a breakthrough role, cleverly weaponises its maker's stature. It counts on the fact that we anticipate an innovative (buzzword: time travel) but typically breezy love story. But the girl-boy arc fades into the background, and the film subverts our expectations by instead morphing into a deeply contemplative and winning tragedy about human nature. Curtis virtually uses his own career as a smokescreen to transform About Time into an affecting ode to closure and its elastic relationship with time. Early in the film, a retired James (Bill Nighy) informs his son Tim, a boy on the verge of big-city adulthood, that the men of the family possess the power to travel back in time. Naturally, at first, Tim abuses this cosmic gift like any red-blooded, teething male hero would - to find, and refine, his pursuit of love. He meets Mary, an American girl, and manipulates time in a manner that compels her to fall for him. You'd imagine any writer at this point would be tempted to use time travel as the pivot to continue navigating the cross-cultural politics of companionship. But Curtis refrains from old-school gimmickry. He designs the narrative device as a trigger that forces Tim's conflict to be conceived in the personal chasm that separates selfishness from selflessness: The selfishness of love from the selflessness of family.Tim's story gets us thinking: do some of us subconsciously fail to sustain romantic relationships because we're unwilling to snap that umbilical cord? Do we postpone marriage - a family, children, onwardness -to preserve the fading remnants of our family? To keep our history accessible? The film's lyrical circularity exposes an uncomfortable truth about life - that romance is inherently an act of self-preservation. That loving someone, often, is a mechanism aimed at leaving something - and some times - behind. We choose to get consumed by life so that its origins are exhumed no more. For every child Tim has, the more irrevocably he drifts away from his own childhood. Every birth is inextricably linked to his rebirth. For each milestone he crosses as a life partner, the rules of time travel - a cinematic allegory for the texture of remembrance - force him to live rather than relive. Love is, after all, the emotional manifestation of the precise moment the future decides to break up with the past.Q. Which genre has been referred as to as the 'most bastardised genre' initially in the passage?- a)Romance
- b)Self-Improvement
- c)Comedy
- d)Romantic Comedy
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
British filmmaker Richard Curtis has written iconic popcultural classics like Mr. Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. His directorial debut, Love Actually, remains a rare film that at once parodies, celebrates, and reclaims, storytelling's most bastardised genre. But Curtis' most accomplished movie has everything and nothing to do with his reputation as the King of (Romantic) Comedy.
About Time (2013), starring Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson in a breakthrough role, cleverly weaponises its maker's stature. It counts on the fact that we anticipate an innovative (buzzword: time travel) but typically breezy love story. But the girl-boy arc fades into the background, and the film subverts our expectations by instead morphing into a deeply contemplative and winning tragedy about human nature. Curtis virtually uses his own career as a smokescreen to transform About Time into an affecting ode to closure and its elastic relationship with time. Early in the film, a retired James (Bill Nighy) informs his son Tim, a boy on the verge of big-city adulthood, that the men of the family possess the power to travel back in time. Naturally, at first, Tim abuses this cosmic gift like any red-blooded, teething male hero would - to find, and refine, his pursuit of love. He meets Mary, an American girl, and manipulates time in a manner that compels her to fall for him. You'd imagine any writer at this point would be tempted to use time travel as the pivot to continue navigating the cross-cultural politics of companionship. But Curtis refrains from old-school gimmickry. He designs the narrative device as a trigger that forces Tim's conflict to be conceived in the personal chasm that separates selfishness from selflessness: The selfishness of love from the selflessness of family.
Tim's story gets us thinking: do some of us subconsciously fail to sustain romantic relationships because we're unwilling to snap that umbilical cord? Do we postpone marriage - a family, children, onwardness -to preserve the fading remnants of our family? To keep our history accessible? The film's lyrical circularity exposes an uncomfortable truth about life - that romance is inherently an act of self-preservation. That loving someone, often, is a mechanism aimed at leaving something - and some times - behind. We choose to get consumed by life so that its origins are exhumed no more. For every child Tim has, the more irrevocably he drifts away from his own childhood. Every birth is inextricably linked to his rebirth. For each milestone he crosses as a life partner, the rules of time travel - a cinematic allegory for the texture of remembrance - force him to live rather than relive. Love is, after all, the emotional manifestation of the precise moment the future decides to break up with the past.
Q. Which genre has been referred as to as the 'most bastardised genre' initially in the passage?
a)
Romance
b)
Self-Improvement
c)
Comedy
d)
Romantic Comedy
|
|
Ashwin Iyer answered |
Understanding the Term 'Bastardised Genre'
In the passage, the term "most bastardised genre" refers specifically to the genre of romantic comedy. This genre has been often criticized for its clichés and formulaic storytelling, leading to a perception that it lacks originality and depth.
Reasons for the Classification
- Overused Tropes: Romantic comedies frequently rely on predictable plotlines, such as love at first sight, misunderstandings, and happy endings, which can feel repetitive and uninspired.
- Commercialization: Many romantic comedies prioritize box office success over artistic expression, resulting in movies that cater to audience expectations rather than innovate within the genre.
- Parody and Celebration: Richard Curtis's films, including "Love Actually," both parody and celebrate this genre, highlighting its flaws while also showcasing its emotional appeal.
About Time's Subversion
- Deeper Themes: Unlike typical romantic comedies, "About Time" transcends the genre by focusing on themes of family, selflessness, and the passage of time, ultimately providing a more profound narrative.
- Character Development: The protagonist's journey shifts from romantic pursuits to personal growth, challenging the audience’s expectations of a conventional romantic comedy.
Conclusion
In summary, while romantic comedy is traditionally viewed as a "bastardised genre" due to its clichés and formulaic nature, Richard Curtis's work, particularly in "About Time," showcases how it can evolve into a more contemplative and layered exploration of human relationships, thereby reclaiming its value in cinematic storytelling.
In the passage, the term "most bastardised genre" refers specifically to the genre of romantic comedy. This genre has been often criticized for its clichés and formulaic storytelling, leading to a perception that it lacks originality and depth.
Reasons for the Classification
- Overused Tropes: Romantic comedies frequently rely on predictable plotlines, such as love at first sight, misunderstandings, and happy endings, which can feel repetitive and uninspired.
- Commercialization: Many romantic comedies prioritize box office success over artistic expression, resulting in movies that cater to audience expectations rather than innovate within the genre.
- Parody and Celebration: Richard Curtis's films, including "Love Actually," both parody and celebrate this genre, highlighting its flaws while also showcasing its emotional appeal.
About Time's Subversion
- Deeper Themes: Unlike typical romantic comedies, "About Time" transcends the genre by focusing on themes of family, selflessness, and the passage of time, ultimately providing a more profound narrative.
- Character Development: The protagonist's journey shifts from romantic pursuits to personal growth, challenging the audience’s expectations of a conventional romantic comedy.
Conclusion
In summary, while romantic comedy is traditionally viewed as a "bastardised genre" due to its clichés and formulaic nature, Richard Curtis's work, particularly in "About Time," showcases how it can evolve into a more contemplative and layered exploration of human relationships, thereby reclaiming its value in cinematic storytelling.
INDIA-PAKISTAN relations have witnessed a series of lows since the January 2016 Pathankot terror attack, which had happened barely a week after PM Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to extend birthday wishes to then premier Nawaz Sharif. The ties deteriorated so sharply last year after the Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot airstrikes that India did not even invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Modi's swearing-in, even as Sharif had attended the ceremony when the NDA-I government took charge in 2014. The abrogation of Article 370 and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act have further riled the neighbour. Amid the prolonged chill, the prospect of a thaw has emerged, with India deciding to invite Imran Khan for the annual meeting of the council of heads of government of the China-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) later this year. While the SCO charter stipulates that the host can't leave out any member country, India has the opportunity to use the international platform to re-engage with Pakistan.Once the invitation is extended, the onus will be on Imran to be present himself to reciprocate the diplomatic overture or send one of his ministers.Q. What can be inferred from the statement "PM Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to extend birthday wishes to then premier Nawaz Sharif".- a)Modi had personal relations with Nawaz Sharif.
- b)India had better relations with Pakistan in 2014 visa-a-vis the current situation.
- c)India had worse relations with Pakistan in 2014 as compared to the current situation.
- d)Nawaz Sharif had also invited Narendra Modi on his birthday.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
INDIA-PAKISTAN relations have witnessed a series of lows since the January 2016 Pathankot terror attack, which had happened barely a week after PM Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to extend birthday wishes to then premier Nawaz Sharif. The ties deteriorated so sharply last year after the Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot airstrikes that India did not even invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Modi's swearing-in, even as Sharif had attended the ceremony when the NDA-I government took charge in 2014. The abrogation of Article 370 and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act have further riled the neighbour. Amid the prolonged chill, the prospect of a thaw has emerged, with India deciding to invite Imran Khan for the annual meeting of the council of heads of government of the China-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) later this year. While the SCO charter stipulates that the host can't leave out any member country, India has the opportunity to use the international platform to re-engage with Pakistan.
Once the invitation is extended, the onus will be on Imran to be present himself to reciprocate the diplomatic overture or send one of his ministers.
Q. What can be inferred from the statement "PM Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to extend birthday wishes to then premier Nawaz Sharif".
a)
Modi had personal relations with Nawaz Sharif.
b)
India had better relations with Pakistan in 2014 visa-a-vis the current situation.
c)
India had worse relations with Pakistan in 2014 as compared to the current situation.
d)
Nawaz Sharif had also invited Narendra Modi on his birthday.
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Shalini Patel answered |
(a) is incorrect as it cannot be inferred from the passage, (d) is incorrect because of the same reason. (c) is incorrect because India and Pakistan had better relations due to the fact that Modi visited Lahore and Nawaz attended the swearing-in ceremony of Modi. Hence (b) is correct.
With an aim to check flow of black money and evasion of taxes through stock market, market regulator SEBI has decided to impose hefty penalty on brokers facilitating such transactions from tomorrow. The regulator recently came across a loophole in its existing regulations, which was being abused by stock brokers for facilitating tax evasion and flow of black money through fictitious trades in lieu of hefty commissions. To remove this anomaly, SEBI has asked stock exchanges to penalise the brokers transferring trades from one trading account to another after terming them as ‘punching’ errors. The penalty could be as high as 2% of the value of shares traded in the ‘wrong’ account, as per new rules coming into effect from August 1.In a widely-prevalent, but secretly operated practice, the people looking to evade taxes approach certain brokers to show losses in their stock trading accounts, so that their earnings from other sources are not taxed. These brokers are also approached by people looking to show their black money as earnings made through stock market. In exchange for a commission, generally 5-10% of the total amount, these brokers show desired profits or losses in the accounts of their clients after transferring trades from other accounts, created for such purposes only.The brokers generally keep conducting both ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ trades in these fictitious accounts so that they can be used accordingly when approached by such clients.In the market parlance, these deals are known as profit or loss shopping. While profit is purchased to show black money as earnings from the market, the losses are purchased to avoid tax on earnings from other sources.As the transfer of trades is not allowed from one account to the other in general cases, the brokers show the trades conducted in their own fictitious accounts as ‘punching’ errors. The regulations allow transfer of trades in the cases of genuine errors, as at times ‘punching’ or placing of orders can be made for a wrong client. To check any abuse of this rule, SEBI has asked the bourses to put in place a robust mechanism to identify whether the errors are genuine or not. At the same time, the bourses have been asked to levy penalty on the brokers transferring their non-institutional trades from one account to the other. The penalty would be 1% of the traded value in wrong account, if such trades are up to 5% of the broker’s total non-institutional turnover in a month. The penalty would be 2% of trade value in wrong account, if such transactions exceed 5% of total monthly turnover in a month.Q. What is a ‘punching error' as per the passage?- a)Transferring trade generally from one trading account to another.
- b)Trades conducted in fictitious accounts to evade taxes.
- c)Placing of order for a wrong client.
- d)Transferring trade in the profit or loss account of the clients.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
With an aim to check flow of black money and evasion of taxes through stock market, market regulator SEBI has decided to impose hefty penalty on brokers facilitating such transactions from tomorrow. The regulator recently came across a loophole in its existing regulations, which was being abused by stock brokers for facilitating tax evasion and flow of black money through fictitious trades in lieu of hefty commissions. To remove this anomaly, SEBI has asked stock exchanges to penalise the brokers transferring trades from one trading account to another after terming them as ‘punching’ errors. The penalty could be as high as 2% of the value of shares traded in the ‘wrong’ account, as per new rules coming into effect from August 1.
In a widely-prevalent, but secretly operated practice, the people looking to evade taxes approach certain brokers to show losses in their stock trading accounts, so that their earnings from other sources are not taxed. These brokers are also approached by people looking to show their black money as earnings made through stock market. In exchange for a commission, generally 5-10% of the total amount, these brokers show desired profits or losses in the accounts of their clients after transferring trades from other accounts, created for such purposes only.
The brokers generally keep conducting both ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ trades in these fictitious accounts so that they can be used accordingly when approached by such clients.
In the market parlance, these deals are known as profit or loss shopping. While profit is purchased to show black money as earnings from the market, the losses are purchased to avoid tax on earnings from other sources.
As the transfer of trades is not allowed from one account to the other in general cases, the brokers show the trades conducted in their own fictitious accounts as ‘punching’ errors. The regulations allow transfer of trades in the cases of genuine errors, as at times ‘punching’ or placing of orders can be made for a wrong client. To check any abuse of this rule, SEBI has asked the bourses to put in place a robust mechanism to identify whether the errors are genuine or not. At the same time, the bourses have been asked to levy penalty on the brokers transferring their non-institutional trades from one account to the other. The penalty would be 1% of the traded value in wrong account, if such trades are up to 5% of the broker’s total non-institutional turnover in a month. The penalty would be 2% of trade value in wrong account, if such transactions exceed 5% of total monthly turnover in a month.
Q. What is a ‘punching error' as per the passage?
a)
Transferring trade generally from one trading account to another.
b)
Trades conducted in fictitious accounts to evade taxes.
c)
Placing of order for a wrong client.
d)
Transferring trade in the profit or loss account of the clients.
|
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Nandini Iyer answered |
The answer can be inferred from the first and the last paragraph of the passage. A punching error happens when something ordered by client X is mistakenly placed in client Y's account. According to the passage, many stockbrokers use the excuse of "punching errors" to transfer funds to fictitious accounts. So, a punching error by definition is not a transfer of funds to a fictitious account. It is simply used as an excuse by tax evaders in some cases.
This eliminates options (a), (b) and (d). Option (c) is the correct answer.
British filmmaker Richard Curtis has written iconic popcultural classics like Mr. Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. His directorial debut, Love Actually, remains a rare film that at once parodies, celebrates, and reclaims, storytelling's most bastardised genre. But Curtis' most accomplished movie has everything and nothing to do with his reputation as the King of (Romantic) Comedy.
About Time (2013), starring Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson in a breakthrough role, cleverly weaponises its maker's stature. It counts on the fact that we anticipate an innovative (buzzword: time travel) but typically breezy love story. But the girl-boy arc fades into the background, and the film subverts our expectations by instead morphing into a deeply contemplative and winning tragedy about human nature. Curtis virtually uses his own career as a smokescreen to transform About Time into an affecting ode to closure and its elastic relationship with time. Early in the film, a retired James (Bill Nighy) informs his son Tim, a boy on the verge of big-city adulthood, that the men of the family possess the power to travel back in time. Naturally, at first, Tim abuses this cosmic gift like any red-blooded, teething male hero would - to find, and refine, his pursuit of love. He meets Mary, an American girl, and manipulates time in a manner that compels her to fall for him. You'd imagine any writer at this point would be tempted to use time travel as the pivot to continue navigating the cross-cultural politics of companionship. But Curtis refrains from old-school gimmickry. He designs the narrative device as a trigger that forces Tim's conflict to be conceived in the personal chasm that separates selfishness from selflessness: The selfishness of love from the selflessness of family.
Tim's story gets us thinking: do some of us subconsciously fail to sustain romantic relationships because we're unwilling to snap that umbilical cord? Do we postpone marriage - a family, children, onwardness -to preserve the fading remnants of our family? To keep our history accessible? The film's lyrical circularity exposes an uncomfortable truth about life - that romance is inherently an act of self-preservation. That loving someone, often, is a mechanism aimed at leaving something - and some times - behind. We choose to get consumed by life so that its origins are exhumed no more. For every child Tim has, the more irrevocably he drifts away from his own childhood. Every birth is inextricably linked to his rebirth. For each milestone he crosses as a life partner, the rules of time travel - a cinematic allegory for the texture of remembrance - force him to live rather than relive. Love is, after all, the emotional manifestation of the precise moment the future decides to break up with the past.
Q. How did Curtis refrain from following the usual story arc?
- a)He used an innovative concept to revisualize a typical boy-meets-girl romance in a fun and breezy way.
- b)He made Tim abuse the cosmic gift of time travel like any red-blooded, teething male hero which led to various comic situations.
- c)He created a conflict in Tim's mind that separates selfishness from selflessness and used the various instances in the movie to explain this narrative.
- d)He used time travel to analyze the various elements of human nature and companionship.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
British filmmaker Richard Curtis has written iconic popcultural classics like Mr. Bean, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and Bridget Jones's Diary. His directorial debut, Love Actually, remains a rare film that at once parodies, celebrates, and reclaims, storytelling's most bastardised genre. But Curtis' most accomplished movie has everything and nothing to do with his reputation as the King of (Romantic) Comedy.
About Time (2013), starring Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson in a breakthrough role, cleverly weaponises its maker's stature. It counts on the fact that we anticipate an innovative (buzzword: time travel) but typically breezy love story. But the girl-boy arc fades into the background, and the film subverts our expectations by instead morphing into a deeply contemplative and winning tragedy about human nature. Curtis virtually uses his own career as a smokescreen to transform About Time into an affecting ode to closure and its elastic relationship with time. Early in the film, a retired James (Bill Nighy) informs his son Tim, a boy on the verge of big-city adulthood, that the men of the family possess the power to travel back in time. Naturally, at first, Tim abuses this cosmic gift like any red-blooded, teething male hero would - to find, and refine, his pursuit of love. He meets Mary, an American girl, and manipulates time in a manner that compels her to fall for him. You'd imagine any writer at this point would be tempted to use time travel as the pivot to continue navigating the cross-cultural politics of companionship. But Curtis refrains from old-school gimmickry. He designs the narrative device as a trigger that forces Tim's conflict to be conceived in the personal chasm that separates selfishness from selflessness: The selfishness of love from the selflessness of family.
Tim's story gets us thinking: do some of us subconsciously fail to sustain romantic relationships because we're unwilling to snap that umbilical cord? Do we postpone marriage - a family, children, onwardness -to preserve the fading remnants of our family? To keep our history accessible? The film's lyrical circularity exposes an uncomfortable truth about life - that romance is inherently an act of self-preservation. That loving someone, often, is a mechanism aimed at leaving something - and some times - behind. We choose to get consumed by life so that its origins are exhumed no more. For every child Tim has, the more irrevocably he drifts away from his own childhood. Every birth is inextricably linked to his rebirth. For each milestone he crosses as a life partner, the rules of time travel - a cinematic allegory for the texture of remembrance - force him to live rather than relive. Love is, after all, the emotional manifestation of the precise moment the future decides to break up with the past.
Q. How did Curtis refrain from following the usual story arc?
a)
He used an innovative concept to revisualize a typical boy-meets-girl romance in a fun and breezy way.
b)
He made Tim abuse the cosmic gift of time travel like any red-blooded, teething male hero which led to various comic situations.
c)
He created a conflict in Tim's mind that separates selfishness from selflessness and used the various instances in the movie to explain this narrative.
d)
He used time travel to analyze the various elements of human nature and companionship.
|
|
Swati Verma answered |
Option (b) is the correct answer as it explains as to 'how' Curtis circumvents the usual story arc by not over-emphasizing on the usual expectations from movies based on time travel.
Option (a) contradicts the information provided in the passage, while the other options are irrelevant.
Beauty is a valuable commodity in our image-obsessed society, so it's not surprising that Miss Indias and Miss Worlds make headlines. These young women aren't just beautiful; they're most often thin too. But Chloe Marshall, the 2008 Miss England runner-up, was size 16 ("full figured" or "ample," to put it politely) and therefore made even more news. A full-figured beauty pageant finalist creating a stop-the-press moment highlights the fact that larger women are not usually considered "the fairest of them all." Indeed, pick up a magazine or newspaper on any other day and the message is loud and clear -thin is in.With the average woman hovering around a size 14 or above, the comparison is odious. A recent survey revealed only six percent of women aged 18 to 64 were "very satisfied" with their looks. That leaves 94 percent of women critical of their appearance. In other words, the majority of the women sitting with you in the metro this morning woke up feeling judgmental and negative about their looks. "If every woman in the world woke up, slapped herself on the head and said: 'I'm happy with who I am,' entire economies would collapse," says Jane Caro, an award-winning advertising writer.The media is often portrayed as the bogeyman in the body-image debate, but experts say it's only part of the picture. Paxton notes women are getting messages from family from an early age. The way in which parents view their bodies impacts their children's attitudes. "A mother who is always dieting or being critical of her body is sending a clear message to her daughters," says Tiggemann. "That sense of body dissatisfaction is passed on." The anti-obesity push is also unhelpful. "It's shifted the focus away from health and onto weight and looks," she says. "It's perpetuating the notion that fat is bad, thin is good, and thinner is better." And it's a notion that has recently been proved to be untrue.Q. Which of the following is the synonym of the word "odious"?- a)fair
- b)acceptable
- c)inevitable
- d)disgusting
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Beauty is a valuable commodity in our image-obsessed society, so it's not surprising that Miss Indias and Miss Worlds make headlines. These young women aren't just beautiful; they're most often thin too. But Chloe Marshall, the 2008 Miss England runner-up, was size 16 ("full figured" or "ample," to put it politely) and therefore made even more news. A full-figured beauty pageant finalist creating a stop-the-press moment highlights the fact that larger women are not usually considered "the fairest of them all." Indeed, pick up a magazine or newspaper on any other day and the message is loud and clear -thin is in.
With the average woman hovering around a size 14 or above, the comparison is odious. A recent survey revealed only six percent of women aged 18 to 64 were "very satisfied" with their looks. That leaves 94 percent of women critical of their appearance. In other words, the majority of the women sitting with you in the metro this morning woke up feeling judgmental and negative about their looks. "If every woman in the world woke up, slapped herself on the head and said: 'I'm happy with who I am,' entire economies would collapse," says Jane Caro, an award-winning advertising writer.
The media is often portrayed as the bogeyman in the body-image debate, but experts say it's only part of the picture. Paxton notes women are getting messages from family from an early age. The way in which parents view their bodies impacts their children's attitudes. "A mother who is always dieting or being critical of her body is sending a clear message to her daughters," says Tiggemann. "That sense of body dissatisfaction is passed on." The anti-obesity push is also unhelpful. "It's shifted the focus away from health and onto weight and looks," she says. "It's perpetuating the notion that fat is bad, thin is good, and thinner is better." And it's a notion that has recently been proved to be untrue.
Q. Which of the following is the synonym of the word "odious"?
a)
fair
b)
acceptable
c)
inevitable
d)
disgusting
|
|
Rajesh Gupta answered |
'Odious' means arousing or deserving hatred. Hence, its synonym is disgusting, rendering option (d) the correct answer.
The Constitution of India ensured woman an equal position with man in regard to her rights and responsibilities. Inheritance and other laws were enacted to safeguard her and to give her economic and psychological stability. We see how fragile legislation can be when it is not backed by sturdy and passionate human beings who ensure that legislation is translated into action.In the last few years we find an erosion of woman's position not only in India but all over the world.There is a growing materialism and an increasing fundamentalism which seeks to entangle women through an emphasis on tradition, heritage, custom, the Sastras, religious texts and so push her centuries back through a man-made social code that limits woman's initiative, creativity and growth.With the explosion in technology in computer literacy and in increasing search for extending areas of artificial intelligence, new challenges have appeared on the horizon. Labour based on the male physique which dominated employment and defined a woman's role for centuries is being replaced by skill and intelligence oriented systems for creating wealth. It is possible in the coming decades to erase discrimination based on gender, but in India to introduce such systems that render the human beings less and less important in the production, processes, when seen against a scenario of exploding population, of growing unemployment, can only accentuate tension and conflict. As of today no social, economic and psychological solutions to the problem of employment are available. Reservations for women remain valid on paper. The woman remains a victim.Economic freedom and the independence that arises from it is essential for women. We have to ensure through field studies, through education, through right use of franchise, through an observing eye and ear to unravel this knot of employment for women. This is only possible with the right use of technology and the examination and strengthening of existing technologies.A growing fundamentalism is evident in the horrors that have been perpetrated on women. We are aware how through TV, radio, advertising, magazines, visual and language traps are set up in which woman inevitably falls.This is further accentuated through an educational system, through outdated values and through a close-box culture which binds woman to her manmade role as daughter, wife and mother, so that she exists only in relation to man. In our culture the woman has no independent existence.Can we create a new agenda for woman based on skill, creativity, knowledge, austerity, compassion and responsibility?Q. How does growing unemployment in India come in the way of upliftment of women?- a)It aggravates the tension and conflict being faced with respect to employment.
- b)There are no special reservations for women.
- c)It makes the use of modern techniques which are gender based.
- d)Human beings have become less important in the present industrial world.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
The Constitution of India ensured woman an equal position with man in regard to her rights and responsibilities. Inheritance and other laws were enacted to safeguard her and to give her economic and psychological stability. We see how fragile legislation can be when it is not backed by sturdy and passionate human beings who ensure that legislation is translated into action.
In the last few years we find an erosion of woman's position not only in India but all over the world.
There is a growing materialism and an increasing fundamentalism which seeks to entangle women through an emphasis on tradition, heritage, custom, the Sastras, religious texts and so push her centuries back through a man-made social code that limits woman's initiative, creativity and growth.
With the explosion in technology in computer literacy and in increasing search for extending areas of artificial intelligence, new challenges have appeared on the horizon. Labour based on the male physique which dominated employment and defined a woman's role for centuries is being replaced by skill and intelligence oriented systems for creating wealth. It is possible in the coming decades to erase discrimination based on gender, but in India to introduce such systems that render the human beings less and less important in the production, processes, when seen against a scenario of exploding population, of growing unemployment, can only accentuate tension and conflict. As of today no social, economic and psychological solutions to the problem of employment are available. Reservations for women remain valid on paper. The woman remains a victim.
Economic freedom and the independence that arises from it is essential for women. We have to ensure through field studies, through education, through right use of franchise, through an observing eye and ear to unravel this knot of employment for women. This is only possible with the right use of technology and the examination and strengthening of existing technologies.
A growing fundamentalism is evident in the horrors that have been perpetrated on women. We are aware how through TV, radio, advertising, magazines, visual and language traps are set up in which woman inevitably falls.
This is further accentuated through an educational system, through outdated values and through a close-box culture which binds woman to her manmade role as daughter, wife and mother, so that she exists only in relation to man. In our culture the woman has no independent existence.
Can we create a new agenda for woman based on skill, creativity, knowledge, austerity, compassion and responsibility?
Q. How does growing unemployment in India come in the way of upliftment of women?
a)
It aggravates the tension and conflict being faced with respect to employment.
b)
There are no special reservations for women.
c)
It makes the use of modern techniques which are gender based.
d)
Human beings have become less important in the present industrial world.
|
|
Mira Joshi answered |
It is given in the third paragraph - "It is possible in the coming decades to erase discrimination based on gender, but in India to introduce such systems that render the human beings less and less important in the production processes, when seen against a scenario of exploding population, of growing unemployment, can only accentuate tension and conflict."
While the rhetoric of collective responsibility to achieve "ambitious outcomes" in terms of climate action to address the "climate emergency" stands questioned in the 25th Conference of Parties, the grim realities of the inequalities between countries and the evasion of responsibilities and commitments by the developed countries point towards the fundamental role and continued importance of the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change that remains wider in its scope and broader in its vision than the Paris Agreement.The developed countries are also seeking to manipulate the science policy interface in an attempt to sideline the equity and climate justice-related perspectives of the developing countries.The 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the annual climate summit of the countries that are signatories to the Convention, recently concluded at Madrid in December 2019. Instead of being hailed as a milestone, almost universally, it has been held to be a failure. A remarkable range of opinions appears to concur on this view, from the United Nations Secretary General to a number of governments, including the European Union and some of the small island states, and a range of nongovernmental organizations, including some of the biggest international players.Referring to the year-long wave of public action preceding COP25, especially by students and youth in the developed countries, this narrative of failure has held all countries responsible for the lack of "ambitious" outcomes adequate to dealing with the "climate emergency." While some accounts have justifiably noted the role of the United States in the overall outcome, others have also targeted Brazil, and China, and even India by innuendo. This narrative of collective responsibility for the outcome has dominated the global media too and has been uncritically echoed in the national media in countries like India.But if COP25 was indeed the failure it is perhaps justifiably held to be, why indeed did it fail and what precisely was the anatomy of the failure? Despite the incessant rhetoric of "ambition" to face the "climate emergency," why indeed were the outcomes so meagre, and where does the responsibility lie?Unfortunately, the understanding of the challenge of global warming has been made considerably more difficult by the widespread tendency to ignore the reality of the grossly unequal world in which we live. The UNFCCC recognizes this in its explicit articulation of the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities as the basis for climate action, and thus, calls on the developed countries to take the lead. However, all too often the argument is made that these principles and their implementation in the differentiation between developed and developing countries in climate action has somehow become outdated.Q. With reference to the passage, what is the meaning of the term 'signatories'?- a)The nations which have bound themselves under a convention.
- b)The ambassadors and dignitaries representing the nations at a convention.
- c)The officials who have drafted the convention.
- d)The heads of state who have signed the treaty.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
While the rhetoric of collective responsibility to achieve "ambitious outcomes" in terms of climate action to address the "climate emergency" stands questioned in the 25th Conference of Parties, the grim realities of the inequalities between countries and the evasion of responsibilities and commitments by the developed countries point towards the fundamental role and continued importance of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change that remains wider in its scope and broader in its vision than the Paris Agreement.
The developed countries are also seeking to manipulate the science policy interface in an attempt to sideline the equity and climate justice-related perspectives of the developing countries.
The 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the annual climate summit of the countries that are signatories to the Convention, recently concluded at Madrid in December 2019. Instead of being hailed as a milestone, almost universally, it has been held to be a failure. A remarkable range of opinions appears to concur on this view, from the United Nations Secretary General to a number of governments, including the European Union and some of the small island states, and a range of nongovernmental organizations, including some of the biggest international players.
Referring to the year-long wave of public action preceding COP25, especially by students and youth in the developed countries, this narrative of failure has held all countries responsible for the lack of "ambitious" outcomes adequate to dealing with the "climate emergency." While some accounts have justifiably noted the role of the United States in the overall outcome, others have also targeted Brazil, and China, and even India by innuendo. This narrative of collective responsibility for the outcome has dominated the global media too and has been uncritically echoed in the national media in countries like India.
But if COP25 was indeed the failure it is perhaps justifiably held to be, why indeed did it fail and what precisely was the anatomy of the failure? Despite the incessant rhetoric of "ambition" to face the "climate emergency," why indeed were the outcomes so meagre, and where does the responsibility lie?
Unfortunately, the understanding of the challenge of global warming has been made considerably more difficult by the widespread tendency to ignore the reality of the grossly unequal world in which we live. The UNFCCC recognizes this in its explicit articulation of the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities as the basis for climate action, and thus, calls on the developed countries to take the lead. However, all too often the argument is made that these principles and their implementation in the differentiation between developed and developing countries in climate action has somehow become outdated.
Q. With reference to the passage, what is the meaning of the term 'signatories'?
a)
The nations which have bound themselves under a convention.
b)
The ambassadors and dignitaries representing the nations at a convention.
c)
The officials who have drafted the convention.
d)
The heads of state who have signed the treaty.
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Option (a) is the correct answer as 'signatory' does not refer to an individual but a nation which has signed and promised to follow the provisions of the convention.
Why on Earth is it taking so long for the world's richest countries to take action on climate change? For a partial answer, we can look back to the controversy that started a decade ago this November, which came to be known as Climategate. In a 2010 paper in the journal Environmental Values, the sociologist Brigitte Nerlich looked at what happened.Climategate began with the leaking of emails sent to and from climate scientists at the University of East Anglia, in the UK. The leaked file included more than 1,000 emails, but climate skeptics quickly seized on just a few of them: some messages in which scientists debated the publication of potentially flawed work, and some others in which they discussed adjusting data using a "trick"-a piece of mathematical jargon that commentators misinterpreted as an effort to deceive the public.In the U.S. and UK, conservative bloggers quickly latched onto the messages as proof of dishonesty among climate scientists. Nerlich writes that they effectively reached their audiences with a few specific phrases. One of these was the word "climategate" itself apparently first used by conservative UK writer James Delingpole. The -gate suffix, referring back to Watergate, is a familiar method used by partisans and members of the media to indicate a serious scandal.Looking at the messaging in blog posts about climategate, Nerlich found that another common theme was "science as a religion." Climate change deniers accused environmentalists and scientists of irrationally clinging to their belief in human-made climate change in the face of what they saw as evidence that it was a hoax. "The Global Warming religion is as virulent and insidious as all mind-bending cults of absolute certitude, and yet it has become mainstream orthodoxy and infallible spirituality faster than any faith-based cult in history," as one blogger put it.Nerlich notes that, when it comes to scientists' levels of certainty, climate change deniers wanted to have it both ways. Any hint of uncertainty-which is almost always a factor in scientific analyses, especially concerning predictions about complex systems-was presented as a reason not to believe that change was happening at all. But too much certainty became proof that scientists were no longer operating from evidence, but instead trying to justify a cult-like faith.Ultimately, Climategate was shown to be a fabrication.In April 2010, an independent panel cleared the climate scientists of any wrongdoing in the leaked messages.Yet the controversy apparently succeeded in changing public opinion, at least temporarily. In February of 2010, the Guardian reported that, in the previous year, the proportion of British adults who believed that climate change was "definitely" a reality had dropped from 44 to 31 percent.Q. Which one of the following can replace the phrase "absolute certitude" as used in the fourth paragraph?- a)complete stupidity
- b)total distrust
- c)unquestioning belief
- d)tentative conviction
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
Why on Earth is it taking so long for the world's richest countries to take action on climate change? For a partial answer, we can look back to the controversy that started a decade ago this November, which came to be known as Climategate. In a 2010 paper in the journal Environmental Values, the sociologist Brigitte Nerlich looked at what happened.
Climategate began with the leaking of emails sent to and from climate scientists at the University of East Anglia, in the UK. The leaked file included more than 1,000 emails, but climate skeptics quickly seized on just a few of them: some messages in which scientists debated the publication of potentially flawed work, and some others in which they discussed adjusting data using a "trick"-a piece of mathematical jargon that commentators misinterpreted as an effort to deceive the public.
In the U.S. and UK, conservative bloggers quickly latched onto the messages as proof of dishonesty among climate scientists. Nerlich writes that they effectively reached their audiences with a few specific phrases. One of these was the word "climategate" itself apparently first used by conservative UK writer James Delingpole. The -gate suffix, referring back to Watergate, is a familiar method used by partisans and members of the media to indicate a serious scandal.
Looking at the messaging in blog posts about climategate, Nerlich found that another common theme was "science as a religion." Climate change deniers accused environmentalists and scientists of irrationally clinging to their belief in human-made climate change in the face of what they saw as evidence that it was a hoax. "The Global Warming religion is as virulent and insidious as all mind-bending cults of absolute certitude, and yet it has become mainstream orthodoxy and infallible spirituality faster than any faith-based cult in history," as one blogger put it.
Nerlich notes that, when it comes to scientists' levels of certainty, climate change deniers wanted to have it both ways. Any hint of uncertainty-which is almost always a factor in scientific analyses, especially concerning predictions about complex systems-was presented as a reason not to believe that change was happening at all. But too much certainty became proof that scientists were no longer operating from evidence, but instead trying to justify a cult-like faith.
Ultimately, Climategate was shown to be a fabrication.
In April 2010, an independent panel cleared the climate scientists of any wrongdoing in the leaked messages.
Yet the controversy apparently succeeded in changing public opinion, at least temporarily. In February of 2010, the Guardian reported that, in the previous year, the proportion of British adults who believed that climate change was "definitely" a reality had dropped from 44 to 31 percent.
Q. Which one of the following can replace the phrase "absolute certitude" as used in the fourth paragraph?
a)
complete stupidity
b)
total distrust
c)
unquestioning belief
d)
tentative conviction
|
Tanuja Kapoor answered |
Certitude means absolute conviction or unquestioning belief in something.
This has reference to the view held by a climate skeptic blogger who commented "…as all mind bending cults of absolute certitude". Cults are groups (usually religious) that have extreme beliefs based on blind faith. This makes answer choice (c) the correct answer.
Incorrect Answers
(a) - Though one may consider cults are completely stupid, the reference cults here is to explain faith without any form of evidence. The climate skeptics believe that climate change is a hoax and those who believe in climate change, believed in that without any evidence.
(b) - cult members do not have distrust; in fact, it is quite the opposite - they exhibit blind trust.
(d) - "tentative" is a wrong word - absolute cannot be tentative.
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.Q. "Gipson described this British largesse…" What is the largesse that Gipson is referring to?- a)The contribution of troops by Britain to the war
- b)The contribution of money by Britain to the war
- c)The imposition of tax on tea imported into the colonies
- d)Payment of war expenses by Britain, to its colonies in America
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.
The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.
The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.
The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.
When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”
There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.
This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.
Q. "Gipson described this British largesse…" What is the largesse that Gipson is referring to?
a)
The contribution of troops by Britain to the war
b)
The contribution of money by Britain to the war
c)
The imposition of tax on tea imported into the colonies
d)
Payment of war expenses by Britain, to its colonies in America
|
|
Nandini Iyer answered |
The passage clearly refers to the reimbursement of £1,072, 783 by Britain to its colonies, on account of their contribution to the war effort, as 'this British largesse'. Thus, option (d) is the correct answer.
INDIA-PAKISTAN relations have witnessed a series of lows since the January 2016 Pathankot terror attack, which had happened barely a week after PM Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to extend birthday wishes to then premier Nawaz Sharif. The ties deteriorated so sharply last year after the Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot airstrikes that India did not even invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Modi's swearing-in, even as Sharif had attended the ceremony when the NDA-I government took charge in 2014. The abrogation of Article 370 and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act have further riled the neighbour. Amid the prolonged chill, the prospect of a thaw has emerged, with India deciding to invite Imran Khan for the annual meeting of the council of heads of government of the China-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) later this year. While the SCO charter stipulates that the host can't leave out any member country, India has the opportunity to use the international platform to re-engage with Pakistan.Once the invitation is extended, the onus will be on Imran to be present himself to reciprocate the diplomatic overture or send one of his ministers.Q. According to the passage, what was the effect of abrogation of Article 370?- a)It did not affect the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan
- b)Both Pakistan and China are miffed by it.
- c)Pakistan was miffed by it and it has had a negative impact.
- d)It made it necessary to invite Pakistan to the SCO summit..
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
INDIA-PAKISTAN relations have witnessed a series of lows since the January 2016 Pathankot terror attack, which had happened barely a week after PM Narendra Modi made a surprise stopover in Lahore to extend birthday wishes to then premier Nawaz Sharif. The ties deteriorated so sharply last year after the Pulwama terror attack and the Balakot airstrikes that India did not even invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Modi's swearing-in, even as Sharif had attended the ceremony when the NDA-I government took charge in 2014. The abrogation of Article 370 and the enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act have further riled the neighbour. Amid the prolonged chill, the prospect of a thaw has emerged, with India deciding to invite Imran Khan for the annual meeting of the council of heads of government of the China-dominated Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) later this year. While the SCO charter stipulates that the host can't leave out any member country, India has the opportunity to use the international platform to re-engage with Pakistan.
Once the invitation is extended, the onus will be on Imran to be present himself to reciprocate the diplomatic overture or send one of his ministers.
Q. According to the passage, what was the effect of abrogation of Article 370?
a)
It did not affect the bilateral relations between India and Pakistan
b)
Both Pakistan and China are miffed by it.
c)
Pakistan was miffed by it and it has had a negative impact.
d)
It made it necessary to invite Pakistan to the SCO summit..
|
|
Shalini Patel answered |
(a) is incorrect because the passage states that Article 370 riled the neighbour. (b) is incorrect because in the passage there is no mention of China being miffed by abrogation of Article 370. (c) is correct as the passage clearly talks about Pakistan. (d) is incorrect because SCO charter stipulates inviting all neighbours for the summit.
India’s delicately balanced current account wouldn’t be the only major casualty of costlier crude oil: Local travelers now have to pay more to fly within the country as expensive jet fuel propels airlines to raise domestic fares that had tracked global energy prices to plunge to record lows last year.Higher consumer fares in January reflect the persistent rise in aviation-fuel prices, which increased 8% on-month in November at the New Delhi airport, the country’s busiest. After a brief lull in December, prices firmed in January and February, breaching the levels of 2015 when the cycle of declines began.The trend has led carriers to pass additional fuel costs on to consumers, many of whom switched to airlines after the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed in 2016. A senior executive at Jet Airways, India’s second-biggest airline by market share, said that the airline has recently revived the practice of levying a fuel surcharge - a fare component linked to movements in jet fuel prices - on domestic flights.“We used to charge between Rs 100 and Rs 300 depending on short- and long haul sectors. Now we charge as much as Rs 700,” he added. Jet-fuel is the biggest cost item for Indian carriers.Prices of petroleum products began rising since the spring after the 2015-16 winter witnessed record lows for crude oil, with global prices breaching $30 a barrel on their way down to levels not seen since the 1980s.However, after a period of consolidation that analysts believed would have put many shale oil producers out of business, global crude oil prices began firming and have now stabilized around $55 a barrel, a level that some believe would be maintained over the medium term.Airlines had clubbed fuel surcharge with the base fare component in 2015 after an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation regulator.No-frills carrier SpiceJet has separated the two components over the last six months, although the fuel surcharge hasn’t been increased yet, said a spokesperson.Travel company executives said overall fares have increased in January. According to data on Makemytrip, the country’s biggest online travel portal, average fares dropped in November and December but rose in January. Ticket prices for the Delhi-Mumbai sector rose to Rs 4,266 in January, compared with Rs 3,908 the same month last year, Rs 4,914 on the MumbaiBangalore sector compared with Rs 4,573 a year earlier, and Rs 4,473 on the Mumbai-Chennai route, compared with Rs 3,784 last January. Rival Cleartrip noticed divergent trends that showed those booking early stood to benefit. Last year, spot-booking fares too had fallen drastically.“An analysis of the last three months of airfare data for the top 20 air travel sectors reveals that the increased cost to airlines, contributed by the fuel prices surge and the rupee’s depreciation, has resulted in a 15% increase in airfares for a booking window of 0-14 days,” said Samyukth Sridharan, president and chief operating officer of Cleartrip. “At the same time, we see that the airlines have been quite aggressive in offering deals to passengers who plan in advance, reflected in a 21% year on-year drop in fares on an average for travel bookings made over 14 days in advance.”Last year, airlines had offered substantial discounts across sectors and made attractive offers for ticket-buyers who planned their travel in advance, resulting in lower yields. To be sure, the industry’s ability to charge more will depend on the direction in aviation fuel prices and seasonal changes in air-travel demand.“February and March are lean months, and the airlines may not have room to increase so much. But there will be increases subsequently if jet fuel prices continue their climb,” said a senior executive of a budget carrier.Q. As per the passage, what is meant by fuel surcharge?- a)A tax which is imposed by the oil producing countries.
- b)10% of the original cost of production of aviation fuel.
- c)A tax levied by oil companies.
- d)A fare component linked to jet fuel prices
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
India’s delicately balanced current account wouldn’t be the only major casualty of costlier crude oil: Local travelers now have to pay more to fly within the country as expensive jet fuel propels airlines to raise domestic fares that had tracked global energy prices to plunge to record lows last year.
Higher consumer fares in January reflect the persistent rise in aviation-fuel prices, which increased 8% on-month in November at the New Delhi airport, the country’s busiest. After a brief lull in December, prices firmed in January and February, breaching the levels of 2015 when the cycle of declines began.
The trend has led carriers to pass additional fuel costs on to consumers, many of whom switched to airlines after the gap between air and upper-class train fares narrowed in 2016. A senior executive at Jet Airways, India’s second-biggest airline by market share, said that the airline has recently revived the practice of levying a fuel surcharge - a fare component linked to movements in jet fuel prices - on domestic flights.
“We used to charge between Rs 100 and Rs 300 depending on short- and long haul sectors. Now we charge as much as Rs 700,” he added. Jet-fuel is the biggest cost item for Indian carriers.
Prices of petroleum products began rising since the spring after the 2015-16 winter witnessed record lows for crude oil, with global prices breaching $30 a barrel on their way down to levels not seen since the 1980s.
However, after a period of consolidation that analysts believed would have put many shale oil producers out of business, global crude oil prices began firming and have now stabilized around $55 a barrel, a level that some believe would be maintained over the medium term.
Airlines had clubbed fuel surcharge with the base fare component in 2015 after an advisory from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the country’s aviation regulator.
No-frills carrier SpiceJet has separated the two components over the last six months, although the fuel surcharge hasn’t been increased yet, said a spokesperson.
Travel company executives said overall fares have increased in January. According to data on Makemytrip, the country’s biggest online travel portal, average fares dropped in November and December but rose in January. Ticket prices for the Delhi-Mumbai sector rose to Rs 4,266 in January, compared with Rs 3,908 the same month last year, Rs 4,914 on the MumbaiBangalore sector compared with Rs 4,573 a year earlier, and Rs 4,473 on the Mumbai-Chennai route, compared with Rs 3,784 last January. Rival Cleartrip noticed divergent trends that showed those booking early stood to benefit. Last year, spot-booking fares too had fallen drastically.
“An analysis of the last three months of airfare data for the top 20 air travel sectors reveals that the increased cost to airlines, contributed by the fuel prices surge and the rupee’s depreciation, has resulted in a 15% increase in airfares for a booking window of 0-14 days,” said Samyukth Sridharan, president and chief operating officer of Cleartrip. “At the same time, we see that the airlines have been quite aggressive in offering deals to passengers who plan in advance, reflected in a 21% year on-year drop in fares on an average for travel bookings made over 14 days in advance.”
Last year, airlines had offered substantial discounts across sectors and made attractive offers for ticket-buyers who planned their travel in advance, resulting in lower yields. To be sure, the industry’s ability to charge more will depend on the direction in aviation fuel prices and seasonal changes in air-travel demand.
“February and March are lean months, and the airlines may not have room to increase so much. But there will be increases subsequently if jet fuel prices continue their climb,” said a senior executive of a budget carrier.
Q. As per the passage, what is meant by fuel surcharge?
a)
A tax which is imposed by the oil producing countries.
b)
10% of the original cost of production of aviation fuel.
c)
A tax levied by oil companies.
d)
A fare component linked to jet fuel prices
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Refer to the last sentence of the third paragraph for the answer.
While the rhetoric of collective responsibility to achieve "ambitious outcomes" in terms of climate action to address the "climate emergency" stands questioned in the 25th Conference of Parties, the grim realities of the inequalities between countries and the evasion of responsibilities and commitments by the developed countries point towards the fundamental role and continued importance of the United Nations FrameworkConvention on Climate Change that remains wider in its scope and broader in its vision than the Paris Agreement.The developed countries are also seeking to manipulate the science policy interface in an attempt to sideline the equity and climate justice-related perspectives of the developing countries.The 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the annual climate summit of the countries that are signatories to the Convention, recently concluded at Madrid in December 2019. Instead of being hailed as a milestone, almost universally, it has been held to be a failure. A remarkable range of opinions appears to concur on this view, from the United Nations Secretary General to a number of governments, including the European Union and some of the small island states, and a range of nongovernmental organizations, including some of the biggest international players.Referring to the year-long wave of public action preceding COP25, especially by students and youth in the developed countries, this narrative of failure has held all countries responsible for the lack of "ambitious" outcomes adequate to dealing with the "climate emergency." While some accounts have justifiably noted the role of the United States in the overall outcome, others have also targeted Brazil, and China, and even India by innuendo. This narrative of collective responsibility for the outcome has dominated the global media too and has been uncritically echoed in the national media in countries like India.But if COP25 was indeed the failure it is perhaps justifiably held to be, why indeed did it fail and what precisely was the anatomy of the failure? Despite the incessant rhetoric of "ambition" to face the "climate emergency," why indeed were the outcomes so meagre, and where does the responsibility lie?Unfortunately, the understanding of the challenge of global warming has been made considerably more difficult by the widespread tendency to ignore the reality of the grossly unequal world in which we live. The UNFCCC recognizes this in its explicit articulation of the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities as the basis for climate action, and thus, calls on the developed countries to take the lead. However, all too often the argument is made that these principles and their implementation in the differentiation between developed and developing countries in climate action has somehow become outdated.Q. Why has the author held countries responsible for the failure of COP25?- a)There has been inadequacy of diligent efforts from the nations towards climate emergencies.
- b)The countries have kept their financial needs over the environmental issues.
- c)The developing nations have shifted the blame towards developed nations and vice versa.
- d)Many countries have rescinded from environmental conventions recently.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
While the rhetoric of collective responsibility to achieve "ambitious outcomes" in terms of climate action to address the "climate emergency" stands questioned in the 25th Conference of Parties, the grim realities of the inequalities between countries and the evasion of responsibilities and commitments by the developed countries point towards the fundamental role and continued importance of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change that remains wider in its scope and broader in its vision than the Paris Agreement.
The developed countries are also seeking to manipulate the science policy interface in an attempt to sideline the equity and climate justice-related perspectives of the developing countries.
The 25th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the annual climate summit of the countries that are signatories to the Convention, recently concluded at Madrid in December 2019. Instead of being hailed as a milestone, almost universally, it has been held to be a failure. A remarkable range of opinions appears to concur on this view, from the United Nations Secretary General to a number of governments, including the European Union and some of the small island states, and a range of nongovernmental organizations, including some of the biggest international players.
Referring to the year-long wave of public action preceding COP25, especially by students and youth in the developed countries, this narrative of failure has held all countries responsible for the lack of "ambitious" outcomes adequate to dealing with the "climate emergency." While some accounts have justifiably noted the role of the United States in the overall outcome, others have also targeted Brazil, and China, and even India by innuendo. This narrative of collective responsibility for the outcome has dominated the global media too and has been uncritically echoed in the national media in countries like India.
But if COP25 was indeed the failure it is perhaps justifiably held to be, why indeed did it fail and what precisely was the anatomy of the failure? Despite the incessant rhetoric of "ambition" to face the "climate emergency," why indeed were the outcomes so meagre, and where does the responsibility lie?
Unfortunately, the understanding of the challenge of global warming has been made considerably more difficult by the widespread tendency to ignore the reality of the grossly unequal world in which we live. The UNFCCC recognizes this in its explicit articulation of the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities as the basis for climate action, and thus, calls on the developed countries to take the lead. However, all too often the argument is made that these principles and their implementation in the differentiation between developed and developing countries in climate action has somehow become outdated.
Q. Why has the author held countries responsible for the failure of COP25?
a)
There has been inadequacy of diligent efforts from the nations towards climate emergencies.
b)
The countries have kept their financial needs over the environmental issues.
c)
The developing nations have shifted the blame towards developed nations and vice versa.
d)
Many countries have rescinded from environmental conventions recently.
|
|
Neha Sharma answered |
Option (a) is the correct answer as it has been stated in the passage that all countries are responsible for the failure of COP25 as they have showed lack of ambitious outcomes adequate to dealing with the climate emergency.
In large part as a consequence of the feminist movement, historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in various periods. Although much has been accomplished for the modern period, premodern cultures have proved more difficult: sources are restricted in number, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory. Thus it is not particularly surprising that some earlier scholarship concerning such cultures has so far gone unchallenged. An example is Johann Bachofen's 1861 treatise on Amazons, women-ruled societies of questionable existence contemporary with ancient Greece.Starting from the premise that mythology and legend preserve at least a nucleus of historical art, Bachofen argued that women were dominant in many ancient societies. His work was based on a comprehensive survey of references in the ancient sources to Amazonian and other societies with matrilineal customs - societies in which descent and property rights are traced through the female line. Some support for his theory can be found in evidence such as that drawn from Herodotus, the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C., who speaks of an Amazonian society, the Sauromatae, where the women hunted and fought in wars. A woman in this society was not allowed to marry until she had killed a person in battle.Nonetheless, this assumption that the first recorders of ancient myths have preserved facts is problematic.If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons, it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact - real Amazonian societies - but rather to offer moral lessons on the supposed outcome of women's rule in their own society.The Amazons were often characterized, for example, as the equivalents of giants and centaurs, enemies to be slain by Greek heroes. Their customs were presented not as those of a respectable society, but as the very antithesis of ordinary Greek practices.Thus I would argue, the purpose of accounts of the Amazons for their male Greek recorders is didactic, to teach both male and female Greeks that all-female groups, formed by withdrawal from traditional society, are destructive and dangerous. Myths about the Amazons were used in arguments for the male dominated status quo, in which groups composed exclusively of either sex were not permitted to segregate themselves permanently from society. Bachofen was thus misled in his reliance on myths for information about the status of women. Social documents like gravestones, wills and marriage contracts will probably tell contemporary historians most about women in the ancient world. Studies of such documents have already began to show how mistaken we are when we try to derive our picture of the ancient world exclusively from literary sources especially myths.Q. Which of the following is presented in the passage as evidence supporting the author's view of the ancient Greek's description of the Amazons?- a)The requirement that Sauromatae women kill in battle before marrying.
- b)The failure of historians to verify that women were never governors of ancient societies.
- c)The classing of Amazons with giants and centaurs.
- d)The well-established unreliability of Herodotus as a source of information about ancient societies.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
In large part as a consequence of the feminist movement, historians have focused a great deal of attention in recent years on determining more accurately the status of women in various periods. Although much has been accomplished for the modern period, premodern cultures have proved more difficult: sources are restricted in number, fragmentary, difficult to interpret, and often contradictory. Thus it is not particularly surprising that some earlier scholarship concerning such cultures has so far gone unchallenged. An example is Johann Bachofen's 1861 treatise on Amazons, women-ruled societies of questionable existence contemporary with ancient Greece.
Starting from the premise that mythology and legend preserve at least a nucleus of historical art, Bachofen argued that women were dominant in many ancient societies. His work was based on a comprehensive survey of references in the ancient sources to Amazonian and other societies with matrilineal customs - societies in which descent and property rights are traced through the female line. Some support for his theory can be found in evidence such as that drawn from Herodotus, the Greek historian of the fifth century B.C., who speaks of an Amazonian society, the Sauromatae, where the women hunted and fought in wars. A woman in this society was not allowed to marry until she had killed a person in battle.
Nonetheless, this assumption that the first recorders of ancient myths have preserved facts is problematic.
If one begins by examining why ancients refer to Amazons, it becomes clear that ancient Greek descriptions of such societies were meant not so much to represent observed historical fact - real Amazonian societies - but rather to offer moral lessons on the supposed outcome of women's rule in their own society.
The Amazons were often characterized, for example, as the equivalents of giants and centaurs, enemies to be slain by Greek heroes. Their customs were presented not as those of a respectable society, but as the very antithesis of ordinary Greek practices.
Thus I would argue, the purpose of accounts of the Amazons for their male Greek recorders is didactic, to teach both male and female Greeks that all-female groups, formed by withdrawal from traditional society, are destructive and dangerous. Myths about the Amazons were used in arguments for the male dominated status quo, in which groups composed exclusively of either sex were not permitted to segregate themselves permanently from society. Bachofen was thus misled in his reliance on myths for information about the status of women. Social documents like gravestones, wills and marriage contracts will probably tell contemporary historians most about women in the ancient world. Studies of such documents have already began to show how mistaken we are when we try to derive our picture of the ancient world exclusively from literary sources especially myths.
Q. Which of the following is presented in the passage as evidence supporting the author's view of the ancient Greek's description of the Amazons?
a)
The requirement that Sauromatae women kill in battle before marrying.
b)
The failure of historians to verify that women were never governors of ancient societies.
c)
The classing of Amazons with giants and centaurs.
d)
The well-established unreliability of Herodotus as a source of information about ancient societies.
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Neha Sharma answered |
Refer to the sentence, "the Amazons…...the equivalents of giants and centaurs" of the third paragraph. Hence (c).
The unanimous ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on Thursday, on the prevention of alleged acts of genocide against Rohingya Muslims has finally pinned legal responsibility on Myanmar's government for the military's large-scale excesses of 2017. The court has further emphasised that an estimated 600,000 Rohingya resident in Myanmar still remained highly vulnerable to attacks from the security forces. The ruling vindicates findings by the UN and human rights groups on the prevalence of hate speech, mass atrocities of rape and extra-judicial killings, and torching of villages in Myanmar's Rakhine province, leading to the forced migration of thousands to Bangladesh. The ruling pertains to the Gambia's suit on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), alleging that the brutalities by the defence services amounted to crimes of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention. Arguing the defence in person during the three-day public hearings last month, Ms. Suu Kyi, who was elected in 2016, insisted that the 2017 violence was proportionate to the threat of insurgency. She even questioned the Gambia's standing to bring the suit, saying that there was no bilateral dispute.Rejecting the ICJ's ruling, Myanmar's Foreign Ministry has accused rights groups of presenting the Court with a distorted picture of the prevailing situation. In a statement, it defended the army's action as a legitimate response to violations of the law by the insurgent Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. However, the above claim is at odds with the findings this week of an Independent Commission of Enquiry established by the government.The Commission acknowledged that war crimes had indeed been committed during the military campaign, when about 900 people were killed. But there was nothing to back the assertions of gang-rape, or evidence to presume any intent of genocide, it held. Although it could take years before the court pronounces the final verdict in the genocide case, Thursday's injunction is an important victory for the refugees languishing in Bangladeshi camps. It empowers the UN Security Council to prevail upon Myanmar to take appropriate measures for the rehabilitation and repatriation of displaced communities. As the biggest regional player, China could play a constructive role to ensure a speedy return to normalcy in its neighbourhood. India has its own interests in an amicable resolution of Myanmar's internal dispute. Above all, finding closure to the current dispute would mark the completion of Myanmar's return to civilian rule.Q. An act which causes death and is done with the intention of causing death, or with the intention of causing such injury as is reasonably likely to lead to death, amounts to murder. Culpable homicide is not murder if it is committed without premeditation in a sudden fight in the heat of passion. A fight breaks out between fans of Calcutta Club Riders (CCR) and Punjab Maharajas Tigers (PMT) to decide which team is the second last in the tournament. A CCR fan smashes a bottle of beer on to a PMT fan's face. The PMT fan, bleeding, takes the broken bottle and stabs the CCR fan, thereby killing him. What offence if any has been committed?- a)The PMT fan is guilty of murder.
- b)The CCR fan is guilty of murder.
- c)The PMT fan is guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
- d)The PMT fan is not guilty.
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?
The unanimous ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), on Thursday, on the prevention of alleged acts of genocide against Rohingya Muslims has finally pinned legal responsibility on Myanmar's government for the military's large-scale excesses of 2017. The court has further emphasised that an estimated 600,000 Rohingya resident in Myanmar still remained highly vulnerable to attacks from the security forces. The ruling vindicates findings by the UN and human rights groups on the prevalence of hate speech, mass atrocities of rape and extra-judicial killings, and torching of villages in Myanmar's Rakhine province, leading to the forced migration of thousands to Bangladesh. The ruling pertains to the Gambia's suit on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), alleging that the brutalities by the defence services amounted to crimes of genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention. Arguing the defence in person during the three-day public hearings last month, Ms. Suu Kyi, who was elected in 2016, insisted that the 2017 violence was proportionate to the threat of insurgency. She even questioned the Gambia's standing to bring the suit, saying that there was no bilateral dispute.
Rejecting the ICJ's ruling, Myanmar's Foreign Ministry has accused rights groups of presenting the Court with a distorted picture of the prevailing situation. In a statement, it defended the army's action as a legitimate response to violations of the law by the insurgent Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army. However, the above claim is at odds with the findings this week of an Independent Commission of Enquiry established by the government.
The Commission acknowledged that war crimes had indeed been committed during the military campaign, when about 900 people were killed. But there was nothing to back the assertions of gang-rape, or evidence to presume any intent of genocide, it held. Although it could take years before the court pronounces the final verdict in the genocide case, Thursday's injunction is an important victory for the refugees languishing in Bangladeshi camps. It empowers the UN Security Council to prevail upon Myanmar to take appropriate measures for the rehabilitation and repatriation of displaced communities. As the biggest regional player, China could play a constructive role to ensure a speedy return to normalcy in its neighbourhood. India has its own interests in an amicable resolution of Myanmar's internal dispute. Above all, finding closure to the current dispute would mark the completion of Myanmar's return to civilian rule.
Q. An act which causes death and is done with the intention of causing death, or with the intention of causing such injury as is reasonably likely to lead to death, amounts to murder. Culpable homicide is not murder if it is committed without premeditation in a sudden fight in the heat of passion. A fight breaks out between fans of Calcutta Club Riders (CCR) and Punjab Maharajas Tigers (PMT) to decide which team is the second last in the tournament. A CCR fan smashes a bottle of beer on to a PMT fan's face. The PMT fan, bleeding, takes the broken bottle and stabs the CCR fan, thereby killing him. What offence if any has been committed?
a)
The PMT fan is guilty of murder.
b)
The CCR fan is guilty of murder.
c)
The PMT fan is guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
d)
The PMT fan is not guilty.
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Priyanka Sharma answered |
Correct Answer is (c)
The PMT fan killed in the heat of the sudden quarrel.
He was no longer defending himself.
Incorrect Answers
None of the other options sets out views that are consistent with those of the author in the passage above.
Poetry is an art form that has survived for thousands and thousands of years. We study it in school, and we hear quotes from poems scattered throughout our life.But do we ever truly make meaning of it? Does it even matter? My answer to you is yes it does. Reading poetry and or writing poetry can drastically improve your life.Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of writing because it takes the English language, a language we believe we know, and transforms it. The pattern of the sentences sounds new and melodious. It is truly another language exclusively for the writer and the reader. No poem can be read in the same way, because the words mean something different to each of us. For this reason, many find poetry an elusive art form. However, the issue in understanding poetry lies in how you read poetry.Anyone who writes poetry can attest, you have to write it with an open heart. So, as a reader, we must do the same. Opening your heart to poetry is the only way to get fulfillment from it.From a writer's perspective, writing poetry can be equally elusive as reading poetry. When I first started writing poetry, the advice I always heard was practice, find your voice, keep a journal. I did all these things but still my poems were flat and inert. What was I missing? I poured over poems by Angelou, Shakespeare, Austen, and Wilde looking for a pattern, something I could emulate. This was the problem. I was unwilling to open my heart. I thought poetry could be a mask I could craft. But no matter how beautiful I made it; it would never come to life. It would never fit on another person's face. It did not ever fit on mine.My first poem that came alive was written in the dark late at night. Vulnerability was the key. Poetry is about expressing those thoughts and feelings we keep the most suppressed. We must be honest with ourselves about what we feel in order to write anything worth reading. It's stopping and grabbing a thought by the tail and pulling it up into our conscious mind. It's trying to express the beauty, and wonder we see. It's about connecting our hearts and our minds to ourselves and our surroundings.It's about finding peace.So, reach for the pen, and let go of those things that have been burdening your freedom. Read poetry with your heart and let it affect you. The answer to our questions about the meaning of life, and the purpose of pain were written in poems. They have always been there.Q. As mentioned in the passage, "nuances" most nearly means- a)artistic tone
- b)subtle faults
- c)deep rooted mistakes
- d)delicate meanings
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Poetry is an art form that has survived for thousands and thousands of years. We study it in school, and we hear quotes from poems scattered throughout our life.
But do we ever truly make meaning of it? Does it even matter? My answer to you is yes it does. Reading poetry and or writing poetry can drastically improve your life.
Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of writing because it takes the English language, a language we believe we know, and transforms it. The pattern of the sentences sounds new and melodious. It is truly another language exclusively for the writer and the reader. No poem can be read in the same way, because the words mean something different to each of us. For this reason, many find poetry an elusive art form. However, the issue in understanding poetry lies in how you read poetry.
Anyone who writes poetry can attest, you have to write it with an open heart. So, as a reader, we must do the same. Opening your heart to poetry is the only way to get fulfillment from it.
From a writer's perspective, writing poetry can be equally elusive as reading poetry. When I first started writing poetry, the advice I always heard was practice, find your voice, keep a journal. I did all these things but still my poems were flat and inert. What was I missing? I poured over poems by Angelou, Shakespeare, Austen, and Wilde looking for a pattern, something I could emulate. This was the problem. I was unwilling to open my heart. I thought poetry could be a mask I could craft. But no matter how beautiful I made it; it would never come to life. It would never fit on another person's face. It did not ever fit on mine.
My first poem that came alive was written in the dark late at night. Vulnerability was the key. Poetry is about expressing those thoughts and feelings we keep the most suppressed. We must be honest with ourselves about what we feel in order to write anything worth reading. It's stopping and grabbing a thought by the tail and pulling it up into our conscious mind. It's trying to express the beauty, and wonder we see. It's about connecting our hearts and our minds to ourselves and our surroundings.
It's about finding peace.
So, reach for the pen, and let go of those things that have been burdening your freedom. Read poetry with your heart and let it affect you. The answer to our questions about the meaning of life, and the purpose of pain were written in poems. They have always been there.
Q. As mentioned in the passage, "nuances" most nearly means
a)
artistic tone
b)
subtle faults
c)
deep rooted mistakes
d)
delicate meanings
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Shalini Patel answered |
Option (d) is correct as in the context of the passage "nuances" means a very small difference in the meaning behind poetry.
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.Q. Which of the following is the author most likely to agree with?- a)The 'Great War for the Empire' was the first war in human history to be fought on a global scale.
- b)The factors that led to the 'Great War for the Empire' are complex.
- c)The only beneficiaries from the conflict were the British colonies that emerged as an economic powerhouse after the war.
- d)Britain was following a well-established rule of war when it reimbursed its colonies for their contribution to the war effort.
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.
The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.
The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.
The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.
When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”
There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.
This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.
Q. Which of the following is the author most likely to agree with?
a)
The 'Great War for the Empire' was the first war in human history to be fought on a global scale.
b)
The factors that led to the 'Great War for the Empire' are complex.
c)
The only beneficiaries from the conflict were the British colonies that emerged as an economic powerhouse after the war.
d)
Britain was following a well-established rule of war when it reimbursed its colonies for their contribution to the war effort.
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Nandini Iyer answered |
Option (a) is incorrect since, though the passage says that the war was fought on a global scale, there is no mention that it was the first war to be so fought. Option (c) is incorrect since Britain too benefited from the war as it was 'ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada.' The passage clearly states that Britain's reimbursement of part of the war expenses to its colonies was viewed as 'unprecedented'. Thus it is not possible that such a practice was a 'well-established rule'. Thus, option (d) is also incorrect. The passage states that the explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable. In light of this statement, option (b) is the correct answer.
Poetry is an art form that has survived for thousands and thousands of years. We study it in school, and we hear quotes from poems scattered throughout our life.But do we ever truly make meaning of it? Does it even matter? My answer to you is yes it does. Reading poetry and or writing poetry can drastically improve your life.Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of writing because it takes the English language, a language we believe we know, and transforms it. The pattern of the sentences sounds new and melodious. It is truly another language exclusively for the writer and the reader. No poem can be read in the same way, because the words mean something different to each of us. For this reason, many find poetry an elusive art form. However, the issue in understanding poetry lies in how you read poetry.Anyone who writes poetry can attest, you have to write it with an open heart. So, as a reader, we must do the same. Opening your heart to poetry is the only way to get fulfillment from it.From a writer's perspective, writing poetry can be equally elusive as reading poetry. When I first started writing poetry, the advice I always heard was practice, find your voice, keep a journal. I did all these things but still my poems were flat and inert. What was I missing? I poured over poems by Angelou, Shakespeare, Austen, and Wilde looking for a pattern, something I could emulate. This was the problem. I was unwilling to open my heart. I thought poetry could be a mask I could craft. But no matter how beautiful I made it; it would never come to life. It would never fit on another person's face. It did not ever fit on mine.My first poem that came alive was written in the dark late at night. Vulnerability was the key. Poetry is about expressing those thoughts and feelings we keep the most suppressed. We must be honest with ourselves about what we feel in order to write anything worth reading. It's stopping and grabbing a thought by the tail and pulling it up into our conscious mind. It's trying to express the beauty, and wonder we see. It's about connecting our hearts and our minds to ourselves and our surroundings.It's about finding peace.So, reach for the pen, and let go of those things that have been burdening your freedom. Read poetry with your heart and let it affect you. The answer to our questions about the meaning of life, and the purpose of pain were written in poems. They have always been there.Q. Which of the following correctly mentions the demerit of emulating others in writing poetry?- a)Such poetry lacks the ability to relate to others
- b)Such poetry is repetitive and confusing
- c)Such poetry requires creative usage and imagination
- d)Such poetry could potentially lead to sheer success
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Poetry is an art form that has survived for thousands and thousands of years. We study it in school, and we hear quotes from poems scattered throughout our life.
But do we ever truly make meaning of it? Does it even matter? My answer to you is yes it does. Reading poetry and or writing poetry can drastically improve your life.
Poetry is one of the most powerful forms of writing because it takes the English language, a language we believe we know, and transforms it. The pattern of the sentences sounds new and melodious. It is truly another language exclusively for the writer and the reader. No poem can be read in the same way, because the words mean something different to each of us. For this reason, many find poetry an elusive art form. However, the issue in understanding poetry lies in how you read poetry.
Anyone who writes poetry can attest, you have to write it with an open heart. So, as a reader, we must do the same. Opening your heart to poetry is the only way to get fulfillment from it.
From a writer's perspective, writing poetry can be equally elusive as reading poetry. When I first started writing poetry, the advice I always heard was practice, find your voice, keep a journal. I did all these things but still my poems were flat and inert. What was I missing? I poured over poems by Angelou, Shakespeare, Austen, and Wilde looking for a pattern, something I could emulate. This was the problem. I was unwilling to open my heart. I thought poetry could be a mask I could craft. But no matter how beautiful I made it; it would never come to life. It would never fit on another person's face. It did not ever fit on mine.
My first poem that came alive was written in the dark late at night. Vulnerability was the key. Poetry is about expressing those thoughts and feelings we keep the most suppressed. We must be honest with ourselves about what we feel in order to write anything worth reading. It's stopping and grabbing a thought by the tail and pulling it up into our conscious mind. It's trying to express the beauty, and wonder we see. It's about connecting our hearts and our minds to ourselves and our surroundings.
It's about finding peace.
So, reach for the pen, and let go of those things that have been burdening your freedom. Read poetry with your heart and let it affect you. The answer to our questions about the meaning of life, and the purpose of pain were written in poems. They have always been there.
Q. Which of the following correctly mentions the demerit of emulating others in writing poetry?
a)
Such poetry lacks the ability to relate to others
b)
Such poetry is repetitive and confusing
c)
Such poetry requires creative usage and imagination
d)
Such poetry could potentially lead to sheer success
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Shalini Patel answered |
Option ( a) is correct as the author employs metaphors to convey the point of relating to others.
Putting on someone else's poetry as a mask is a metaphor for being able to relate to others. Options (b), (c) and (d) are incorrect as they make assumptions that are not a part of the passage.
The area that makes up what the French refer to as "le Midi", is, generally speaking, the most popular tourist region in France and needs little introduction. It consists of the French Mediterranean coastline and its hinterland, from the Italian to the Spanish borders, and is made up of two French regions, PACA or Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur to the east of the Rhone, and Languedoc Roussillon to the west of the Rhone.The coastal region is very busy in Summer and travelling to the south of France by car on a summer Saturday can be a nightmare experience; but the region has masses to offer, in terms of climate, history, and landscape. The French Riviera ("la Côte d'Azur") is a small part of the south of France, the thin coastal strip from around Cassis (east of Marseille) in the west to the Italian border in the east. It is a coastline that gets very crowded in summer, though on account of the rocky coastline, there are still some quiet and peaceful spots to be found.However much of the actual coast of the French Riviera is fairly heavily built up in many parts, and accommodation is expensive, particularly in the most famous resorts like St. Tropez, Cannes or Nice. The mountainous hinterland, on the other hand, the "Alpes de Haute Provence" the "Hautes Alpes" the "Alpes Maritimes", is very attractive, with its small villages and towns, many of them perched precariously on hillsides or beside trickling rivers that become raging torrents in the springtime. The southern Alps are different from the northern Alps - drier, more rocky, and less crowded.Briançon, capital of the High Alps department, is the highest small city in Europe.Those who do not want to spend their holidays being mass-grilled on a beach will prefer areas inland from the coastal strip, notably to the hills and mountains of Provence, with their dry landscapes and deep river gorges and valleys, or the valleys of the Cevennes, more wooded and rural, or the inland areas of the Languedoc.The historic area of Provence (which used to include land to the west of the Rhone as well as the east) has a lot of historic cities, such as Avignon with its famous bridge, Arles with its Roman remains, the Camargue, and the university town of Aix en Provence.Q. Which of the following people are most likely to choose the hills over coasts and beaches?- a)People who live near the beaches
- b)People who are looking for cooler climates
- c)People who are natives to the hilly areas
- d)People who believe that beaches are very dry
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
The area that makes up what the French refer to as "le Midi", is, generally speaking, the most popular tourist region in France and needs little introduction. It consists of the French Mediterranean coastline and its hinterland, from the Italian to the Spanish borders, and is made up of two French regions, PACA or Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur to the east of the Rhone, and Languedoc Roussillon to the west of the Rhone.
The coastal region is very busy in Summer and travelling to the south of France by car on a summer Saturday can be a nightmare experience; but the region has masses to offer, in terms of climate, history, and landscape. The French Riviera ("la Côte d'Azur") is a small part of the south of France, the thin coastal strip from around Cassis (east of Marseille) in the west to the Italian border in the east. It is a coastline that gets very crowded in summer, though on account of the rocky coastline, there are still some quiet and peaceful spots to be found.
However much of the actual coast of the French Riviera is fairly heavily built up in many parts, and accommodation is expensive, particularly in the most famous resorts like St. Tropez, Cannes or Nice. The mountainous hinterland, on the other hand, the "Alpes de Haute Provence" the "Hautes Alpes" the "Alpes Maritimes", is very attractive, with its small villages and towns, many of them perched precariously on hillsides or beside trickling rivers that become raging torrents in the springtime. The southern Alps are different from the northern Alps - drier, more rocky, and less crowded.
Briançon, capital of the High Alps department, is the highest small city in Europe.
Those who do not want to spend their holidays being mass-grilled on a beach will prefer areas inland from the coastal strip, notably to the hills and mountains of Provence, with their dry landscapes and deep river gorges and valleys, or the valleys of the Cevennes, more wooded and rural, or the inland areas of the Languedoc.
The historic area of Provence (which used to include land to the west of the Rhone as well as the east) has a lot of historic cities, such as Avignon with its famous bridge, Arles with its Roman remains, the Camargue, and the university town of Aix en Provence.
Q. Which of the following people are most likely to choose the hills over coasts and beaches?
a)
People who live near the beaches
b)
People who are looking for cooler climates
c)
People who are natives to the hilly areas
d)
People who believe that beaches are very dry
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Shalini Patel answered |
Option (b) is correct as the passage mentions that those who are "mass-grilled on a beach will prefer areas inland from the coastal strip, notably to the hills and mountains". Thus, the factor in consideration is the weather. All other options are incorrect as they do not mention this particular detail about the weather as the deciding factor.
In the wake of the varying forms which the idea of the end of history has taken, the intellectual history of disillusionment and resignation has been countered with a Leftist framework. But, with almost 10 million nonwhite people in the EU, the rising number of impoverished masses in Brazil, or in South Asia, as well as the problems of health and illiteracy, the Left has a formidable task before it; issues concerning economic deprivation, the brutalisation of workers, increasing spending on nuclear enhancement and the need for all ethnic minorities to explicitly feature in a pluralistic vision needs to be the foundation of any reinvention of the Left.The long drawn out economic and political tensions, for instance, in Latin America have moved the Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro and Evo Morales trio towards an international agenda for social reconstruction within which socialism does not need to be replaced but must be put forward as a programme to salvage a world from inequality and the abuse of power, especially the hegemony of the White House. They have together constructed a progressive alliance, insisting on a collective leadership that endorses the rich diversity of radical and socialist traditions.In a drastically damaged world in which received political ideologies have been exhausted, anti-imperialist agenda and far-reaching remedies have been initiated in Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela to check the erratic play of market forces. Chavez has been particularly hard hitting through his move of cutting off oil supplies to the US and his unquestionable allegiance with Castro. He has not hesitated to build trade relations with China and to back Iran's nuclear ambitions. The dream of an anti-imperialist union has finally come true by the induction of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Chile into the club headed by Castro and Chavez, and underpinned by the age-old vision for a strong Leftist opposition to the interventionist policies of the U.S. Inspired by great heroes like Simon Bolivar and Che Guevara, Chavez has been fighting for regional integration and a society that bases itself on the ideology of the new South American Left.Q. What has Chavez been struggling for?- a)To build the ideology of South American Left and bring about regional integration.
- b)To maintain a relation of engagement with the US
- c)To correct the economic imbalance
- d)To gain immense power through the use of oil money.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
In the wake of the varying forms which the idea of the end of history has taken, the intellectual history of disillusionment and resignation has been countered with a Leftist framework. But, with almost 10 million nonwhite people in the EU, the rising number of impoverished masses in Brazil, or in South Asia, as well as the problems of health and illiteracy, the Left has a formidable task before it; issues concerning economic deprivation, the brutalisation of workers, increasing spending on nuclear enhancement and the need for all ethnic minorities to explicitly feature in a pluralistic vision needs to be the foundation of any reinvention of the Left.
The long drawn out economic and political tensions, for instance, in Latin America have moved the Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro and Evo Morales trio towards an international agenda for social reconstruction within which socialism does not need to be replaced but must be put forward as a programme to salvage a world from inequality and the abuse of power, especially the hegemony of the White House. They have together constructed a progressive alliance, insisting on a collective leadership that endorses the rich diversity of radical and socialist traditions.
In a drastically damaged world in which received political ideologies have been exhausted, anti-imperialist agenda and far-reaching remedies have been initiated in Bolivia, Cuba and Venezuela to check the erratic play of market forces. Chavez has been particularly hard hitting through his move of cutting off oil supplies to the US and his unquestionable allegiance with Castro. He has not hesitated to build trade relations with China and to back Iran's nuclear ambitions. The dream of an anti-imperialist union has finally come true by the induction of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, Peru and Chile into the club headed by Castro and Chavez, and underpinned by the age-old vision for a strong Leftist opposition to the interventionist policies of the U.S. Inspired by great heroes like Simon Bolivar and Che Guevara, Chavez has been fighting for regional integration and a society that bases itself on the ideology of the new South American Left.
Q. What has Chavez been struggling for?
a)
To build the ideology of South American Left and bring about regional integration.
b)
To maintain a relation of engagement with the US
c)
To correct the economic imbalance
d)
To gain immense power through the use of oil money.
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Mira Joshi answered |
Refer to the last sentence of the third paragraph. "…Chavez has been fighting for regional integration and a society that bases itself on the ideology of the new South American Left". So, option (a) is the correct answer.
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.Q. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?- a)The rivalry between Britain and France for control of the New World led to the ‘Great War for the Empire.’
- b)The war was fought because Britain wanted to conquer Canada.
- c)Britain joined the war hoping to clear its public debt through the spoils of war.
- d)Britain acquired suzerainty over Canada at the end of the war.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
When the "Great War for the Empire" (often incorrectly referred to as the "Seven Years War") ended in 1763, Great Britain was deeply in debt, but was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada. The war itself had been conducted on a global scale, including the French and Indian Wars in North America, and it took two separate treaties to terminate hostilities (the treaty of Paris and the treaty of Hubertus burg.) Every major power inEurope participated in the war, and on a vast geographical scale that included hostilities along the African Coast, in Central and North America, India and the Philippines, all at great expense to the participants.
The explanations of the origins of the War are exceptionally intricate and unmemorable.
The Great War included our French and Indian War, which pitted Britain against France in the New World.
The colonists, especially from Massachusetts and Connecticut, contributed money and troops to the effort and after the war Britain reimbursed the colonies £ 1,072, 783, a third of which went to Massachusetts in light of its proportionately greater contribution. This roughly halved the war debts of the Colonies. Gipson described this British largesse as “unprecedented” in the sense that it was apparently the first time in modern history that a parent state reimbursed its colonies for such expenditures. On the other hand, Britain evidently imposed a one shilling per pound tax on tea imported into the American colonies.
When the smoke of war cleared, Britain's public debt was a then staggering sum of £146,000,000, and called for annual interest payments of £4,700,000 which left the British citizenry “with little prospect of reducing the heavy load of taxation.” On the other hand, the War had brought “unprecedented prosperity” to the colonies, even great fortunes, because of the “shipment of vast sums of . . . specie from England to America, not only as pay for the soldiers, teamsters, army pioneers, bateau-men, and others, but also for the purchase at good prices of enormous quantities of food, supplies and other things needed for carrying on the war.”
There were other effects as well, all of which presented some peril for Britain; the American colonies soon emerged as an economic powerhouse, soon out producing Britain in, ships and steel because of its natural advantages. In Great Britain, in the 1760’s there was almost a 100% face value tax on imported tea.
This was comprised of a 25% import tax on face value plus an additional excise of 25% plus 1 shilling per pound for tea sold for domestic consumption.
Q. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
a)
The rivalry between Britain and France for control of the New World led to the ‘Great War for the Empire.’
b)
The war was fought because Britain wanted to conquer Canada.
c)
Britain joined the war hoping to clear its public debt through the spoils of war.
d)
Britain acquired suzerainty over Canada at the end of the war.
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Nandini Iyer answered |
The passage states that at the end of the war Britain 'was ceded some first rate real estate, namely Canada.' From this it can be inferred that Britain acquired political control over Canada.
Thus, option (d) is the correct answer.
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CUET Mock Test: Commerce Subjects 2026
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