Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Today, while social conservative critics at times bemoan this state of affairs, suggesting that dependence on the state breeds social isolation and loneliness, studies show that the elderly themselves appear to benefit. Not only do the elderly in Sweden and the other Nordic countries report higher degrees of happiness, but they are also more satisfied with their social networks. This research furthermore points to what is the essence of the Swedish theory of love, namely that social relations are voluntary, not ascribed – based not on duty but on free choice.
An appropriate example is the logic underpinning the Swedish tax code. In 1971, joint taxation was eliminated in favour of strict individual taxation. The idea was that at a time when women began to flock to the labour market, joint taxation presented an obstacle in the form of a negative incentive. If a woman began to earn money, her income would be added to that of the husband, and in an era of progressive taxation that meant the woman’s income effectively would be subject to a higher tax. Add to this that before the 1970s there was no universal, tax-financed childcare yet in Sweden, meaning that such care – without which it would be impossible for both husband and wife to work – had to be paid for privately, a costly proposition.
The introduction of strict individual taxation – there was no option to select joint taxation – and, over time, universal daycare, created the conditions for women to enter the workforce en masse. This in turn gave them the economic independence without which talk of gender equality would only amount to rhetoric. These reforms, to which can be added the world’s first law criminalising the spanking of children, even at home, and the legalising of gender-neutral marriage, meant that the family became more and more of a voluntary society, rather than the old-fashioned traditional family characterised by patriarchal power relations. To be sure, these reforms, which one perceptive writer has referred to as a ‘bloodless revolution’, created opposition. One group called the Family Campaign collected some 60,000 signatures from irate housewives and religious conservatives to protest the new tax law. But, generally, support far exceeded opposition and the days of the Swedish housewife were indeed numbered.
Q. What was the primary reason behind eliminating joint taxation in Sweden in 1971?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Today, while social conservative critics at times bemoan this state of affairs, suggesting that dependence on the state breeds social isolation and loneliness, studies show that the elderly themselves appear to benefit. Not only do the elderly in Sweden and the other Nordic countries report higher degrees of happiness, but they are also more satisfied with their social networks. This research furthermore points to what is the essence of the Swedish theory of love, namely that social relations are voluntary, not ascribed – based not on duty but on free choice.
An appropriate example is the logic underpinning the Swedish tax code. In 1971, joint taxation was eliminated in favour of strict individual taxation. The idea was that at a time when women began to flock to the labour market, joint taxation presented an obstacle in the form of a negative incentive. If a woman began to earn money, her income would be added to that of the husband, and in an era of progressive taxation that meant the woman’s income effectively would be subject to a higher tax. Add to this that before the 1970s there was no universal, tax-financed childcare yet in Sweden, meaning that such care – without which it would be impossible for both husband and wife to work – had to be paid for privately, a costly proposition.
The introduction of strict individual taxation – there was no option to select joint taxation – and, over time, universal daycare, created the conditions for women to enter the workforce en masse. This in turn gave them the economic independence without which talk of gender equality would only amount to rhetoric. These reforms, to which can be added the world’s first law criminalising the spanking of children, even at home, and the legalising of gender-neutral marriage, meant that the family became more and more of a voluntary society, rather than the old-fashioned traditional family characterised by patriarchal power relations. To be sure, these reforms, which one perceptive writer has referred to as a ‘bloodless revolution’, created opposition. One group called the Family Campaign collected some 60,000 signatures from irate housewives and religious conservatives to protest the new tax law. But, generally, support far exceeded opposition and the days of the Swedish housewife were indeed numbered.
Q. What drove the implementation of strict individual taxation in Sweden?
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Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Today, while social conservative critics at times bemoan this state of affairs, suggesting that dependence on the state breeds social isolation and loneliness, studies show that the elderly themselves appear to benefit. Not only do the elderly in Sweden and the other Nordic countries report higher degrees of happiness, but they are also more satisfied with their social networks. This research furthermore points to what is the essence of the Swedish theory of love, namely that social relations are voluntary, not ascribed – based not on duty but on free choice.
An appropriate example is the logic underpinning the Swedish tax code. In 1971, joint taxation was eliminated in favour of strict individual taxation. The idea was that at a time when women began to flock to the labour market, joint taxation presented an obstacle in the form of a negative incentive. If a woman began to earn money, her income would be added to that of the husband, and in an era of progressive taxation that meant the woman’s income effectively would be subject to a higher tax. Add to this that before the 1970s there was no universal, tax-financed childcare yet in Sweden, meaning that such care – without which it would be impossible for both husband and wife to work – had to be paid for privately, a costly proposition.
The introduction of strict individual taxation – there was no option to select joint taxation – and, over time, universal daycare, created the conditions for women to enter the workforce en masse. This in turn gave them the economic independence without which talk of gender equality would only amount to rhetoric. These reforms, to which can be added the world’s first law criminalising the spanking of children, even at home, and the legalising of gender-neutral marriage, meant that the family became more and more of a voluntary society, rather than the old-fashioned traditional family characterised by patriarchal power relations. To be sure, these reforms, which one perceptive writer has referred to as a ‘bloodless revolution’, created opposition. One group called the Family Campaign collected some 60,000 signatures from irate housewives and religious conservatives to protest the new tax law. But, generally, support far exceeded opposition and the days of the Swedish housewife were indeed numbered.
Q. Which of the following statements contradicts the notion that the Swedish tax code played a role in promoting women's economic independence?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Today, while social conservative critics at times bemoan this state of affairs, suggesting that dependence on the state breeds social isolation and loneliness, studies show that the elderly themselves appear to benefit. Not only do the elderly in Sweden and the other Nordic countries report higher degrees of happiness, but they are also more satisfied with their social networks. This research furthermore points to what is the essence of the Swedish theory of love, namely that social relations are voluntary, not ascribed – based not on duty but on free choice.
An appropriate example is the logic underpinning the Swedish tax code. In 1971, joint taxation was eliminated in favour of strict individual taxation. The idea was that at a time when women began to flock to the labour market, joint taxation presented an obstacle in the form of a negative incentive. If a woman began to earn money, her income would be added to that of the husband, and in an era of progressive taxation that meant the woman’s income effectively would be subject to a higher tax. Add to this that before the 1970s there was no universal, tax-financed childcare yet in Sweden, meaning that such care – without which it would be impossible for both husband and wife to work – had to be paid for privately, a costly proposition.
The introduction of strict individual taxation – there was no option to select joint taxation – and, over time, universal daycare, created the conditions for women to enter the workforce en masse. This in turn gave them the economic independence without which talk of gender equality would only amount to rhetoric. These reforms, to which can be added the world’s first law criminalising the spanking of children, even at home, and the legalising of gender-neutral marriage, meant that the family became more and more of a voluntary society, rather than the old-fashioned traditional family characterised by patriarchal power relations. To be sure, these reforms, which one perceptive writer has referred to as a ‘bloodless revolution’, created opposition. One group called the Family Campaign collected some 60,000 signatures from irate housewives and religious conservatives to protest the new tax law. But, generally, support far exceeded opposition and the days of the Swedish housewife were indeed numbered.
Q. According to the passage, what fundamental idea characterizes the Swedish theory of love?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Today, while social conservative critics at times bemoan this state of affairs, suggesting that dependence on the state breeds social isolation and loneliness, studies show that the elderly themselves appear to benefit. Not only do the elderly in Sweden and the other Nordic countries report higher degrees of happiness, but they are also more satisfied with their social networks. This research furthermore points to what is the essence of the Swedish theory of love, namely that social relations are voluntary, not ascribed – based not on duty but on free choice.
An appropriate example is the logic underpinning the Swedish tax code. In 1971, joint taxation was eliminated in favour of strict individual taxation. The idea was that at a time when women began to flock to the labour market, joint taxation presented an obstacle in the form of a negative incentive. If a woman began to earn money, her income would be added to that of the husband, and in an era of progressive taxation that meant the woman’s income effectively would be subject to a higher tax. Add to this that before the 1970s there was no universal, tax-financed childcare yet in Sweden, meaning that such care – without which it would be impossible for both husband and wife to work – had to be paid for privately, a costly proposition.
The introduction of strict individual taxation – there was no option to select joint taxation – and, over time, universal daycare, created the conditions for women to enter the workforce en masse. This in turn gave them the economic independence without which talk of gender equality would only amount to rhetoric. These reforms, to which can be added the world’s first law criminalising the spanking of children, even at home, and the legalising of gender-neutral marriage, meant that the family became more and more of a voluntary society, rather than the old-fashioned traditional family characterised by patriarchal power relations. To be sure, these reforms, which one perceptive writer has referred to as a ‘bloodless revolution’, created opposition. One group called the Family Campaign collected some 60,000 signatures from irate housewives and religious conservatives to protest the new tax law. But, generally, support far exceeded opposition and the days of the Swedish housewife were indeed numbered.
Q. How did the introduction of strict individual taxation and universal daycare impact women in Sweden?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Supporting women in tech has been my ongoing aim as a woman tech founder. Thus, I am excited to see an increase in women’s participation in the workforce. According to a study conducted by 451 Research in 2022, women comprise 34% of the Indian IT workforce. Further, India has achieved a 50:50 gender balance in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
However, the same study reports only 51% of women are recruited for entry-level positions. The numbers drop to 25% of women in management positions, and only 1% hold C-suite positions. There is a significant gender gap in employment and leadership opportunities, wages, and workplace perception, among other things.
The current situation requires immediate change that can only be achieved through reordering internal departments, and corporate policies and revamping the business ecosystem. However, the aim to enhance the participation of women in the tech industry will remain incomplete without adequately representing women in policymaking. Though the government has introduced many initiatives (like The Startup India Program) targeting up-skilling and reskilling, education, and finance management for women, exposing them to international markets and trade is necessary.
More initiatives to neutralise the prevailing gender inequality in industries like IT and BFSI are required to create an impartial and prejudice-free work environment. To continue its economic growth, India requires two things –first, stronger entrepreneurial contributions, and second, equal opportunities for men and women to compete for and win projects based on abilities and merit.
Underrepresentation of women in tech roles not only widens the gender gap but also limits the scope of companies to sustain themselves in a competitive market. Going by McKinsey and Company’s ‘Why Diversity Matters’ report, businesses prioritising gender diversity achieve superior financial returns than those failing to promote gender equality. Companies must widen their talent pools in a competitive market dominated by skill gaps through a better gender equality approach.
Unfortunately, engineering and core STEM jobs are still seen as male-dominated professions keeping women away from the numerous opportunities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics. Adding insult to injury, the prevalence of bias in the tech industry worsens the situation. Whether conscious or unconscious, such biases often lead to subtle discrimination with damaging consequences for women employees and businesses. Owing to this, deserving women candidates are excluded from projects, promotions, and leadership opportunities.
Q. Which of the following statements most accurately summarizes the central theme of the passage?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Supporting women in tech has been my ongoing aim as a woman tech founder. Thus, I am excited to see an increase in women’s participation in the workforce. According to a study conducted by 451 Research in 2022, women comprise 34% of the Indian IT workforce. Further, India has achieved a 50:50 gender balance in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
However, the same study reports only 51% of women are recruited for entry-level positions. The numbers drop to 25% of women in management positions, and only 1% hold C-suite positions. There is a significant gender gap in employment and leadership opportunities, wages, and workplace perception, among other things.
The current situation requires immediate change that can only be achieved through reordering internal departments, and corporate policies and revamping the business ecosystem. However, the aim to enhance the participation of women in the tech industry will remain incomplete without adequately representing women in policymaking. Though the government has introduced many initiatives (like The Startup India Program) targeting up-skilling and reskilling, education, and finance management for women, exposing them to international markets and trade is necessary.
More initiatives to neutralise the prevailing gender inequality in industries like IT and BFSI are required to create an impartial and prejudice-free work environment. To continue its economic growth, India requires two things –first, stronger entrepreneurial contributions, and second, equal opportunities for men and women to compete for and win projects based on abilities and merit.
Underrepresentation of women in tech roles not only widens the gender gap but also limits the scope of companies to sustain themselves in a competitive market. Going by McKinsey and Company’s ‘Why Diversity Matters’ report, businesses prioritising gender diversity achieve superior financial returns than those failing to promote gender equality. Companies must widen their talent pools in a competitive market dominated by skill gaps through a better gender equality approach.
Unfortunately, engineering and core STEM jobs are still seen as male-dominated professions keeping women away from the numerous opportunities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics. Adding insult to injury, the prevalence of bias in the tech industry worsens the situation. Whether conscious or unconscious, such biases often lead to subtle discrimination with damaging consequences for women employees and businesses. Owing to this, deserving women candidates are excluded from projects, promotions, and leadership opportunities.
Q. According to the passage, what is a necessary condition for India to sustain its economic growth?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Supporting women in tech has been my ongoing aim as a woman tech founder. Thus, I am excited to see an increase in women’s participation in the workforce. According to a study conducted by 451 Research in 2022, women comprise 34% of the Indian IT workforce. Further, India has achieved a 50:50 gender balance in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
However, the same study reports only 51% of women are recruited for entry-level positions. The numbers drop to 25% of women in management positions, and only 1% hold C-suite positions. There is a significant gender gap in employment and leadership opportunities, wages, and workplace perception, among other things.
The current situation requires immediate change that can only be achieved through reordering internal departments, and corporate policies and revamping the business ecosystem. However, the aim to enhance the participation of women in the tech industry will remain incomplete without adequately representing women in policymaking. Though the government has introduced many initiatives (like The Startup India Program) targeting up-skilling and reskilling, education, and finance management for women, exposing them to international markets and trade is necessary.
More initiatives to neutralise the prevailing gender inequality in industries like IT and BFSI are required to create an impartial and prejudice-free work environment. To continue its economic growth, India requires two things –first, stronger entrepreneurial contributions, and second, equal opportunities for men and women to compete for and win projects based on abilities and merit.
Underrepresentation of women in tech roles not only widens the gender gap but also limits the scope of companies to sustain themselves in a competitive market. Going by McKinsey and Company’s ‘Why Diversity Matters’ report, businesses prioritising gender diversity achieve superior financial returns than those failing to promote gender equality. Companies must widen their talent pools in a competitive market dominated by skill gaps through a better gender equality approach.
Unfortunately, engineering and core STEM jobs are still seen as male-dominated professions keeping women away from the numerous opportunities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics. Adding insult to injury, the prevalence of bias in the tech industry worsens the situation. Whether conscious or unconscious, such biases often lead to subtle discrimination with damaging consequences for women employees and businesses. Owing to this, deserving women candidates are excluded from projects, promotions, and leadership opportunities.
Q. What inference can be drawn from the information provided in the passage?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Supporting women in tech has been my ongoing aim as a woman tech founder. Thus, I am excited to see an increase in women’s participation in the workforce. According to a study conducted by 451 Research in 2022, women comprise 34% of the Indian IT workforce. Further, India has achieved a 50:50 gender balance in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
However, the same study reports only 51% of women are recruited for entry-level positions. The numbers drop to 25% of women in management positions, and only 1% hold C-suite positions. There is a significant gender gap in employment and leadership opportunities, wages, and workplace perception, among other things.
The current situation requires immediate change that can only be achieved through reordering internal departments, and corporate policies and revamping the business ecosystem. However, the aim to enhance the participation of women in the tech industry will remain incomplete without adequately representing women in policymaking. Though the government has introduced many initiatives (like The Startup India Program) targeting up-skilling and reskilling, education, and finance management for women, exposing them to international markets and trade is necessary.
More initiatives to neutralise the prevailing gender inequality in industries like IT and BFSI are required to create an impartial and prejudice-free work environment. To continue its economic growth, India requires two things –first, stronger entrepreneurial contributions, and second, equal opportunities for men and women to compete for and win projects based on abilities and merit.
Underrepresentation of women in tech roles not only widens the gender gap but also limits the scope of companies to sustain themselves in a competitive market. Going by McKinsey and Company’s ‘Why Diversity Matters’ report, businesses prioritising gender diversity achieve superior financial returns than those failing to promote gender equality. Companies must widen their talent pools in a competitive market dominated by skill gaps through a better gender equality approach.
Unfortunately, engineering and core STEM jobs are still seen as male-dominated professions keeping women away from the numerous opportunities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics. Adding insult to injury, the prevalence of bias in the tech industry worsens the situation. Whether conscious or unconscious, such biases often lead to subtle discrimination with damaging consequences for women employees and businesses. Owing to this, deserving women candidates are excluded from projects, promotions, and leadership opportunities.
Q. What is the meaning of the word "prevalence" as used in the passage?
Directions: Kindly read the passage carefully and answer the questions given beside.
Supporting women in tech has been my ongoing aim as a woman tech founder. Thus, I am excited to see an increase in women’s participation in the workforce. According to a study conducted by 451 Research in 2022, women comprise 34% of the Indian IT workforce. Further, India has achieved a 50:50 gender balance in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
However, the same study reports only 51% of women are recruited for entry-level positions. The numbers drop to 25% of women in management positions, and only 1% hold C-suite positions. There is a significant gender gap in employment and leadership opportunities, wages, and workplace perception, among other things.
The current situation requires immediate change that can only be achieved through reordering internal departments, and corporate policies and revamping the business ecosystem. However, the aim to enhance the participation of women in the tech industry will remain incomplete without adequately representing women in policymaking. Though the government has introduced many initiatives (like The Startup India Program) targeting up-skilling and reskilling, education, and finance management for women, exposing them to international markets and trade is necessary.
More initiatives to neutralise the prevailing gender inequality in industries like IT and BFSI are required to create an impartial and prejudice-free work environment. To continue its economic growth, India requires two things –first, stronger entrepreneurial contributions, and second, equal opportunities for men and women to compete for and win projects based on abilities and merit.
Underrepresentation of women in tech roles not only widens the gender gap but also limits the scope of companies to sustain themselves in a competitive market. Going by McKinsey and Company’s ‘Why Diversity Matters’ report, businesses prioritising gender diversity achieve superior financial returns than those failing to promote gender equality. Companies must widen their talent pools in a competitive market dominated by skill gaps through a better gender equality approach.
Unfortunately, engineering and core STEM jobs are still seen as male-dominated professions keeping women away from the numerous opportunities in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and robotics. Adding insult to injury, the prevalence of bias in the tech industry worsens the situation. Whether conscious or unconscious, such biases often lead to subtle discrimination with damaging consequences for women employees and businesses. Owing to this, deserving women candidates are excluded from projects, promotions, and leadership opportunities.
Q. Which of the following cannot be inferred from the passage?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
I first saw the leopard when I was crossing the small stream at the bottom of the hill. The ravine was so deep that for most of the day it remained in shadow. This encouraged many birds and animals to emerge from cover during the hours of daylight. Few people ever passed that way. As a result, the ravine had become a little haven of wildlife, one of the few natural sanctuaries left near Mussoorie.
It was early April and the wild roses were flowering. I walked down to the stream almost every day, after two or three hours of writing.
Nearly every morning, and sometimes during the day, I heard the cry of the barking deer. And in the evening, walking through the forest, I disturbed parties of khaleej pheasant. As I had not come to take anything from the jungle, the birds and animals soon grew accustomed to my face. After some time, my approach did not disturb them. But one evening, as I passed, I heard them chattering in the trees, and I was not the cause of their excitement.
As I crossed the stream a shower of pebbles came rattling down the steep hillside, and I looked up to see a sinewy orange-gold leopard poised on a rock about 20 feet above me.
It was not looking towards me, but had its head thrust attentively forward in the direction of the ravine. It must have sensed my presence, though, because slowly it turned its head to look down at me. It seemed a little puzzled at my presence there; when, to give myself courage, I clapped my hands sharply, the leopard sprang away into the thickets, making no sound as it melted into the shadows.
One day I found the remains of a barking deer, which had been partially eaten. I wondered why the leopard had not hidden the remains of his meal, and decided it must have been disturbed while eating. Then, climbing the hill, I met a party of shikaris. Leopard-skins, they told me, were selling in Delhi at over a thousand rupees each! Of course there was a ban on the export of skins, but they gave me to understand that there were ways and means …
I thanked them for their information and walked on, feeling uneasy. The shikaris had seen the carcass of the deer, and they had seen the leopard's pug marks, and they kept coming to the forest. Almost every evening I heard their guns banging away; for they were ready to fire at almost anything.
"There's a leopard about," they always told me. "You should carry a gun."
"I don't have one," I said.
[Excerpted from A Time For All Things: Collected Essays and Sketches by Ruskin Bond, written over a period of 60 years; published by Speaking Tiger, New Delhi]
Q. What did the author learn from the shikaris he met while climbing the hill?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
I first saw the leopard when I was crossing the small stream at the bottom of the hill. The ravine was so deep that for most of the day it remained in shadow. This encouraged many birds and animals to emerge from cover during the hours of daylight. Few people ever passed that way. As a result, the ravine had become a little haven of wildlife, one of the few natural sanctuaries left near Mussoorie.
It was early April and the wild roses were flowering. I walked down to the stream almost every day, after two or three hours of writing.
Nearly every morning, and sometimes during the day, I heard the cry of the barking deer. And in the evening, walking through the forest, I disturbed parties of khaleej pheasant. As I had not come to take anything from the jungle, the birds and animals soon grew accustomed to my face. After some time, my approach did not disturb them. But one evening, as I passed, I heard them chattering in the trees, and I was not the cause of their excitement.
As I crossed the stream a shower of pebbles came rattling down the steep hillside, and I looked up to see a sinewy orange-gold leopard poised on a rock about 20 feet above me.
It was not looking towards me, but had its head thrust attentively forward in the direction of the ravine. It must have sensed my presence, though, because slowly it turned its head to look down at me. It seemed a little puzzled at my presence there; when, to give myself courage, I clapped my hands sharply, the leopard sprang away into the thickets, making no sound as it melted into the shadows.
One day I found the remains of a barking deer, which had been partially eaten. I wondered why the leopard had not hidden the remains of his meal, and decided it must have been disturbed while eating. Then, climbing the hill, I met a party of shikaris. Leopard-skins, they told me, were selling in Delhi at over a thousand rupees each! Of course there was a ban on the export of skins, but they gave me to understand that there were ways and means …
I thanked them for their information and walked on, feeling uneasy. The shikaris had seen the carcass of the deer, and they had seen the leopard's pug marks, and they kept coming to the forest. Almost every evening I heard their guns banging away; for they were ready to fire at almost anything.
"There's a leopard about," they always told me. "You should carry a gun."
"I don't have one," I said.
[Excerpted from A Time For All Things: Collected Essays and Sketches by Ruskin Bond, written over a period of 60 years; published by Speaking Tiger, New Delhi]
Q. What encouraged birds and animals to emerge from cover in the ravine during the day?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
I first saw the leopard when I was crossing the small stream at the bottom of the hill. The ravine was so deep that for most of the day it remained in shadow. This encouraged many birds and animals to emerge from cover during the hours of daylight. Few people ever passed that way. As a result, the ravine had become a little haven of wildlife, one of the few natural sanctuaries left near Mussoorie.
It was early April and the wild roses were flowering. I walked down to the stream almost every day, after two or three hours of writing.
Nearly every morning, and sometimes during the day, I heard the cry of the barking deer. And in the evening, walking through the forest, I disturbed parties of khaleej pheasant. As I had not come to take anything from the jungle, the birds and animals soon grew accustomed to my face. After some time, my approach did not disturb them. But one evening, as I passed, I heard them chattering in the trees, and I was not the cause of their excitement.
As I crossed the stream a shower of pebbles came rattling down the steep hillside, and I looked up to see a sinewy orange-gold leopard poised on a rock about 20 feet above me.
It was not looking towards me, but had its head thrust attentively forward in the direction of the ravine. It must have sensed my presence, though, because slowly it turned its head to look down at me. It seemed a little puzzled at my presence there; when, to give myself courage, I clapped my hands sharply, the leopard sprang away into the thickets, making no sound as it melted into the shadows.
One day I found the remains of a barking deer, which had been partially eaten. I wondered why the leopard had not hidden the remains of his meal, and decided it must have been disturbed while eating. Then, climbing the hill, I met a party of shikaris. Leopard-skins, they told me, were selling in Delhi at over a thousand rupees each! Of course there was a ban on the export of skins, but they gave me to understand that there were ways and means …
I thanked them for their information and walked on, feeling uneasy. The shikaris had seen the carcass of the deer, and they had seen the leopard's pug marks, and they kept coming to the forest. Almost every evening I heard their guns banging away; for they were ready to fire at almost anything.
"There's a leopard about," they always told me. "You should carry a gun."
"I don't have one," I said.
[Excerpted from A Time For All Things: Collected Essays and Sketches by Ruskin Bond, written over a period of 60 years; published by Speaking Tiger, New Delhi]
Q. What is the meaning of the word "sinewy" as used in the passage?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
I first saw the leopard when I was crossing the small stream at the bottom of the hill. The ravine was so deep that for most of the day it remained in shadow. This encouraged many birds and animals to emerge from cover during the hours of daylight. Few people ever passed that way. As a result, the ravine had become a little haven of wildlife, one of the few natural sanctuaries left near Mussoorie.
It was early April and the wild roses were flowering. I walked down to the stream almost every day, after two or three hours of writing.
Nearly every morning, and sometimes during the day, I heard the cry of the barking deer. And in the evening, walking through the forest, I disturbed parties of khaleej pheasant. As I had not come to take anything from the jungle, the birds and animals soon grew accustomed to my face. After some time, my approach did not disturb them. But one evening, as I passed, I heard them chattering in the trees, and I was not the cause of their excitement.
As I crossed the stream a shower of pebbles came rattling down the steep hillside, and I looked up to see a sinewy orange-gold leopard poised on a rock about 20 feet above me.
It was not looking towards me, but had its head thrust attentively forward in the direction of the ravine. It must have sensed my presence, though, because slowly it turned its head to look down at me. It seemed a little puzzled at my presence there; when, to give myself courage, I clapped my hands sharply, the leopard sprang away into the thickets, making no sound as it melted into the shadows.
One day I found the remains of a barking deer, which had been partially eaten. I wondered why the leopard had not hidden the remains of his meal, and decided it must have been disturbed while eating. Then, climbing the hill, I met a party of shikaris. Leopard-skins, they told me, were selling in Delhi at over a thousand rupees each! Of course there was a ban on the export of skins, but they gave me to understand that there were ways and means …
I thanked them for their information and walked on, feeling uneasy. The shikaris had seen the carcass of the deer, and they had seen the leopard's pug marks, and they kept coming to the forest. Almost every evening I heard their guns banging away; for they were ready to fire at almost anything.
"There's a leopard about," they always told me. "You should carry a gun."
"I don't have one," I said.
[Excerpted from A Time For All Things: Collected Essays and Sketches by Ruskin Bond, written over a period of 60 years; published by Speaking Tiger, New Delhi]
Q. What made the author believe that the animals in the ravine were not alarmed by his presence?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
I first saw the leopard when I was crossing the small stream at the bottom of the hill. The ravine was so deep that for most of the day it remained in shadow. This encouraged many birds and animals to emerge from cover during the hours of daylight. Few people ever passed that way. As a result, the ravine had become a little haven of wildlife, one of the few natural sanctuaries left near Mussoorie.
It was early April and the wild roses were flowering. I walked down to the stream almost every day, after two or three hours of writing.
Nearly every morning, and sometimes during the day, I heard the cry of the barking deer. And in the evening, walking through the forest, I disturbed parties of khaleej pheasant. As I had not come to take anything from the jungle, the birds and animals soon grew accustomed to my face. After some time, my approach did not disturb them. But one evening, as I passed, I heard them chattering in the trees, and I was not the cause of their excitement.
As I crossed the stream a shower of pebbles came rattling down the steep hillside, and I looked up to see a sinewy orange-gold leopard poised on a rock about 20 feet above me.
It was not looking towards me, but had its head thrust attentively forward in the direction of the ravine. It must have sensed my presence, though, because slowly it turned its head to look down at me. It seemed a little puzzled at my presence there; when, to give myself courage, I clapped my hands sharply, the leopard sprang away into the thickets, making no sound as it melted into the shadows.
One day I found the remains of a barking deer, which had been partially eaten. I wondered why the leopard had not hidden the remains of his meal, and decided it must have been disturbed while eating. Then, climbing the hill, I met a party of shikaris. Leopard-skins, they told me, were selling in Delhi at over a thousand rupees each! Of course there was a ban on the export of skins, but they gave me to understand that there were ways and means …
I thanked them for their information and walked on, feeling uneasy. The shikaris had seen the carcass of the deer, and they had seen the leopard's pug marks, and they kept coming to the forest. Almost every evening I heard their guns banging away; for they were ready to fire at almost anything.
"There's a leopard about," they always told me. "You should carry a gun."
"I don't have one," I said.
[Excerpted from A Time For All Things: Collected Essays and Sketches by Ruskin Bond, written over a period of 60 years; published by Speaking Tiger, New Delhi]
Q. What can be deduced from the shikaris' reaction when the author mentioned the leopard skin trade?
Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
There are believed to be at least 125 million speakers of English in India, which makes it the world's second-largest English-speaking country. This is reason enough for you to sit up and read this section, but the unique cultural differences between Indian English and our western mother tongue are, I think, utterly fascinating. I cannot hope but to skate blissfully along the surface of this deepest of linguistic oceans (how's that for a seasonal mix?), but I would like to share some of its historical roots.
English in India is usually associated with the British Raj, but Indian English as we know it today is an entirely different creature. Once recognised as the ruling language of the starch-shirted elite, Indian English now represents the unique socio-cultural mechanisms of this diverse, multilingual country. The sub-dialects vary according to region and the speaker's mother tongue. Numerous options and possibilities can be placed before 'English', and a completely different kind of hybrid and accent persists from state to state. One's linguistic background is made prominent by one's English. Delightfully, it is easy for one's ear to be spoiled by the mellifluousness of Indian English. The speaker's intention is, in the utterance, to define a word in as tangible a manner as possible. The r's are hard, and words like 'summer' are spoken as 'sum-mer'. On the other hand, this need for emphasis can also lead to a sense of anxiety about not relaying one's politeness in professional mails.
In June 2018, Shashi Tharoor wrote a piece for the Week and made a bold announcement: that in his college days, he had invented the word 'prepone'. Two columns later, Tharoor started his new piece with an apology for this 'immodest thought'. In truth, the very first use of the word 'prepone' is credited in 1913 to a J. J. D. Trenor in the New York Times. Tharoor's mistake is understandable, as the word is not as prevalent abroad as it is in India. Tharoor's two columns launch into interesting facts about the Indian English phenomenon. He notes the comical difference between 'mugging' in India and abroad. While Google would say that mugging means to be robbed in a public place, or to, as an actor, make great big comical faces, for Indians the word is popularly used by students to refer to cramming before an exam. And if they then tell you they 'passed out' of college? Congratulate them, because all that mugging has paid off. 'Passing out' is simply the Indian English way of saying 'I graduated', rather than the American or British English way of implying that after one too many keggers or drinks parties you will never graduate at all.
[Extracted with edits and revisions from the Introduction of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style: The UK Edition by Benjamin Dreyer; published by Random House]
Q. What does the author suggest about the term 'prepone'?
Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
There are believed to be at least 125 million speakers of English in India, which makes it the world's second-largest English-speaking country. This is reason enough for you to sit up and read this section, but the unique cultural differences between Indian English and our western mother tongue are, I think, utterly fascinating. I cannot hope but to skate blissfully along the surface of this deepest of linguistic oceans (how's that for a seasonal mix?), but I would like to share some of its historical roots.
English in India is usually associated with the British Raj, but Indian English as we know it today is an entirely different creature. Once recognised as the ruling language of the starch-shirted elite, Indian English now represents the unique socio-cultural mechanisms of this diverse, multilingual country. The sub-dialects vary according to region and the speaker's mother tongue. Numerous options and possibilities can be placed before 'English', and a completely different kind of hybrid and accent persists from state to state. One's linguistic background is made prominent by one's English. Delightfully, it is easy for one's ear to be spoiled by the mellifluousness of Indian English. The speaker's intention is, in the utterance, to define a word in as tangible a manner as possible. The r's are hard, and words like 'summer' are spoken as 'sum-mer'. On the other hand, this need for emphasis can also lead to a sense of anxiety about not relaying one's politeness in professional mails.
In June 2018, Shashi Tharoor wrote a piece for the Week and made a bold announcement: that in his college days, he had invented the word 'prepone'. Two columns later, Tharoor started his new piece with an apology for this 'immodest thought'. In truth, the very first use of the word 'prepone' is credited in 1913 to a J. J. D. Trenor in the New York Times. Tharoor's mistake is understandable, as the word is not as prevalent abroad as it is in India. Tharoor's two columns launch into interesting facts about the Indian English phenomenon. He notes the comical difference between 'mugging' in India and abroad. While Google would say that mugging means to be robbed in a public place, or to, as an actor, make great big comical faces, for Indians the word is popularly used by students to refer to cramming before an exam. And if they then tell you they 'passed out' of college? Congratulate them, because all that mugging has paid off. 'Passing out' is simply the Indian English way of saying 'I graduated', rather than the American or British English way of implying that after one too many keggers or drinks parties you will never graduate at all.
[Extracted with edits and revisions from the Introduction of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style: The UK Edition by Benjamin Dreyer; published by Random House]
Q. Which of the following most accurately conveys the central theme of the passage?
Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
There are believed to be at least 125 million speakers of English in India, which makes it the world's second-largest English-speaking country. This is reason enough for you to sit up and read this section, but the unique cultural differences between Indian English and our western mother tongue are, I think, utterly fascinating. I cannot hope but to skate blissfully along the surface of this deepest of linguistic oceans (how's that for a seasonal mix?), but I would like to share some of its historical roots.
English in India is usually associated with the British Raj, but Indian English as we know it today is an entirely different creature. Once recognised as the ruling language of the starch-shirted elite, Indian English now represents the unique socio-cultural mechanisms of this diverse, multilingual country. The sub-dialects vary according to region and the speaker's mother tongue. Numerous options and possibilities can be placed before 'English', and a completely different kind of hybrid and accent persists from state to state. One's linguistic background is made prominent by one's English. Delightfully, it is easy for one's ear to be spoiled by the mellifluousness of Indian English. The speaker's intention is, in the utterance, to define a word in as tangible a manner as possible. The r's are hard, and words like 'summer' are spoken as 'sum-mer'. On the other hand, this need for emphasis can also lead to a sense of anxiety about not relaying one's politeness in professional mails.
In June 2018, Shashi Tharoor wrote a piece for the Week and made a bold announcement: that in his college days, he had invented the word 'prepone'. Two columns later, Tharoor started his new piece with an apology for this 'immodest thought'. In truth, the very first use of the word 'prepone' is credited in 1913 to a J. J. D. Trenor in the New York Times. Tharoor's mistake is understandable, as the word is not as prevalent abroad as it is in India. Tharoor's two columns launch into interesting facts about the Indian English phenomenon. He notes the comical difference between 'mugging' in India and abroad. While Google would say that mugging means to be robbed in a public place, or to, as an actor, make great big comical faces, for Indians the word is popularly used by students to refer to cramming before an exam. And if they then tell you they 'passed out' of college? Congratulate them, because all that mugging has paid off. 'Passing out' is simply the Indian English way of saying 'I graduated', rather than the American or British English way of implying that after one too many keggers or drinks parties you will never graduate at all.
[Extracted with edits and revisions from the Introduction of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style: The UK Edition by Benjamin Dreyer; published by Random House]
Q. What is the meaning of the word 'skate' as it is used in the passage?
Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
There are believed to be at least 125 million speakers of English in India, which makes it the world's second-largest English-speaking country. This is reason enough for you to sit up and read this section, but the unique cultural differences between Indian English and our western mother tongue are, I think, utterly fascinating. I cannot hope but to skate blissfully along the surface of this deepest of linguistic oceans (how's that for a seasonal mix?), but I would like to share some of its historical roots.
English in India is usually associated with the British Raj, but Indian English as we know it today is an entirely different creature. Once recognised as the ruling language of the starch-shirted elite, Indian English now represents the unique socio-cultural mechanisms of this diverse, multilingual country. The sub-dialects vary according to region and the speaker's mother tongue. Numerous options and possibilities can be placed before 'English', and a completely different kind of hybrid and accent persists from state to state. One's linguistic background is made prominent by one's English. Delightfully, it is easy for one's ear to be spoiled by the mellifluousness of Indian English. The speaker's intention is, in the utterance, to define a word in as tangible a manner as possible. The r's are hard, and words like 'summer' are spoken as 'sum-mer'. On the other hand, this need for emphasis can also lead to a sense of anxiety about not relaying one's politeness in professional mails.
In June 2018, Shashi Tharoor wrote a piece for the Week and made a bold announcement: that in his college days, he had invented the word 'prepone'. Two columns later, Tharoor started his new piece with an apology for this 'immodest thought'. In truth, the very first use of the word 'prepone' is credited in 1913 to a J. J. D. Trenor in the New York Times. Tharoor's mistake is understandable, as the word is not as prevalent abroad as it is in India. Tharoor's two columns launch into interesting facts about the Indian English phenomenon. He notes the comical difference between 'mugging' in India and abroad. While Google would say that mugging means to be robbed in a public place, or to, as an actor, make great big comical faces, for Indians the word is popularly used by students to refer to cramming before an exam. And if they then tell you they 'passed out' of college? Congratulate them, because all that mugging has paid off. 'Passing out' is simply the Indian English way of saying 'I graduated', rather than the American or British English way of implying that after one too many keggers or drinks parties you will never graduate at all.
[Extracted with edits and revisions from the Introduction of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style: The UK Edition by Benjamin Dreyer; published by Random House]
Q. What is the reason for the author's reference to Tharoor's columns that present intriguing details about Indian English?
Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question.
There are believed to be at least 125 million speakers of English in India, which makes it the world's second-largest English-speaking country. This is reason enough for you to sit up and read this section, but the unique cultural differences between Indian English and our western mother tongue are, I think, utterly fascinating. I cannot hope but to skate blissfully along the surface of this deepest of linguistic oceans (how's that for a seasonal mix?), but I would like to share some of its historical roots.
English in India is usually associated with the British Raj, but Indian English as we know it today is an entirely different creature. Once recognised as the ruling language of the starch-shirted elite, Indian English now represents the unique socio-cultural mechanisms of this diverse, multilingual country. The sub-dialects vary according to region and the speaker's mother tongue. Numerous options and possibilities can be placed before 'English', and a completely different kind of hybrid and accent persists from state to state. One's linguistic background is made prominent by one's English. Delightfully, it is easy for one's ear to be spoiled by the mellifluousness of Indian English. The speaker's intention is, in the utterance, to define a word in as tangible a manner as possible. The r's are hard, and words like 'summer' are spoken as 'sum-mer'. On the other hand, this need for emphasis can also lead to a sense of anxiety about not relaying one's politeness in professional mails.
In June 2018, Shashi Tharoor wrote a piece for the Week and made a bold announcement: that in his college days, he had invented the word 'prepone'. Two columns later, Tharoor started his new piece with an apology for this 'immodest thought'. In truth, the very first use of the word 'prepone' is credited in 1913 to a J. J. D. Trenor in the New York Times. Tharoor's mistake is understandable, as the word is not as prevalent abroad as it is in India. Tharoor's two columns launch into interesting facts about the Indian English phenomenon. He notes the comical difference between 'mugging' in India and abroad. While Google would say that mugging means to be robbed in a public place, or to, as an actor, make great big comical faces, for Indians the word is popularly used by students to refer to cramming before an exam. And if they then tell you they 'passed out' of college? Congratulate them, because all that mugging has paid off. 'Passing out' is simply the Indian English way of saying 'I graduated', rather than the American or British English way of implying that after one too many keggers or drinks parties you will never graduate at all.
[Extracted with edits and revisions from the Introduction of Dreyer's English: An Utterly Correct Guide to Clarity and Style: The UK Edition by Benjamin Dreyer; published by Random House]
Q. How does Indian English differ from Western English, as mentioned in the passage?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
Might science in its true form stand a chance in India after all? In a welcome move, the Centre has put forth for discussion a draft science, technology and innovation policy under which it would buy in bulk subscriptions of all important scientific journals around the world and make their content freely accessible in India. This move could have positive and far-reaching implications for the pursuit of science and education in the country. For one, publicly-funded research will become legally available to students, members of the scientific community as well as other citizens, a privilege that was hitherto hard to come by given the prohibitive costs of science journals. There are reportedly over 3,000-4,000 high-impact scientific journals, most of which are so expensive that they become the single-biggest item of cost for even prominent institutes. The lack of access to these publications hindered the stimulation of ideas in scientific research. It is to be hoped that the open data policy promotes ground-breaking research, fostering a scientific temper in the process. This is of critical importance, given the concern that the present dispensation is eager to propagate unsubstantiated claims and belief as 'science'. No less than the prime minister is on record eulogizing ancient India for its accomplishments in genetic research. Second, removing the barriers to quality scientific material and journals would also boost the prospects of pure research in a country where bright minds are increasingly turning away from a career in research on account of the lack of grant opportunities and research avenues.
The draft policy also stipulates that women form at least 30 per cent of all decision-making bodies. It is no secret that the pursuit of science — a vocation of reason — is mired in all kinds of social prejudice. Skewed gender representation is one example of the biases. In 2018, women made up a meagre 14 per cent of 2.8 lakh scientists, engineers and technologists employed in India's research and development institutes. This discrimination is not merely an ethical blot. Lopsided gender and community representation is known to blunt cutting-edge technology. For instance, recruitment systems based on artificial intelligence have been found to discriminate against job applicants with female names. Free access and fair representation would also be consistent with India's constitutional ideals, which uphold education and equality in all spheres of public life to be fundamental to the health of a democracy.
[Extracted from an Editorial, published in The Telegraph]
Q. According to the passage, why is it important to have fair gender representation in decision-making bodies related to science?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
Might science in its true form stand a chance in India after all? In a welcome move, the Centre has put forth for discussion a draft science, technology and innovation policy under which it would buy in bulk subscriptions of all important scientific journals around the world and make their content freely accessible in India. This move could have positive and far-reaching implications for the pursuit of science and education in the country. For one, publicly-funded research will become legally available to students, members of the scientific community as well as other citizens, a privilege that was hitherto hard to come by given the prohibitive costs of science journals. There are reportedly over 3,000-4,000 high-impact scientific journals, most of which are so expensive that they become the single-biggest item of cost for even prominent institutes. The lack of access to these publications hindered the stimulation of ideas in scientific research. It is to be hoped that the open data policy promotes ground-breaking research, fostering a scientific temper in the process. This is of critical importance, given the concern that the present dispensation is eager to propagate unsubstantiated claims and belief as 'science'. No less than the prime minister is on record eulogizing ancient India for its accomplishments in genetic research. Second, removing the barriers to quality scientific material and journals would also boost the prospects of pure research in a country where bright minds are increasingly turning away from a career in research on account of the lack of grant opportunities and research avenues.
The draft policy also stipulates that women form at least 30 per cent of all decision-making bodies. It is no secret that the pursuit of science — a vocation of reason — is mired in all kinds of social prejudice. Skewed gender representation is one example of the biases. In 2018, women made up a meagre 14 per cent of 2.8 lakh scientists, engineers and technologists employed in India's research and development institutes. This discrimination is not merely an ethical blot. Lopsided gender and community representation is known to blunt cutting-edge technology. For instance, recruitment systems based on artificial intelligence have been found to discriminate against job applicants with female names. Free access and fair representation would also be consistent with India's constitutional ideals, which uphold education and equality in all spheres of public life to be fundamental to the health of a democracy.
[Extracted from an Editorial, published in The Telegraph]
Q. Which of the following choices accurately reflects the requirements outlined in the new draft policy?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
Might science in its true form stand a chance in India after all? In a welcome move, the Centre has put forth for discussion a draft science, technology and innovation policy under which it would buy in bulk subscriptions of all important scientific journals around the world and make their content freely accessible in India. This move could have positive and far-reaching implications for the pursuit of science and education in the country. For one, publicly-funded research will become legally available to students, members of the scientific community as well as other citizens, a privilege that was hitherto hard to come by given the prohibitive costs of science journals. There are reportedly over 3,000-4,000 high-impact scientific journals, most of which are so expensive that they become the single-biggest item of cost for even prominent institutes. The lack of access to these publications hindered the stimulation of ideas in scientific research. It is to be hoped that the open data policy promotes ground-breaking research, fostering a scientific temper in the process. This is of critical importance, given the concern that the present dispensation is eager to propagate unsubstantiated claims and belief as 'science'. No less than the prime minister is on record eulogizing ancient India for its accomplishments in genetic research. Second, removing the barriers to quality scientific material and journals would also boost the prospects of pure research in a country where bright minds are increasingly turning away from a career in research on account of the lack of grant opportunities and research avenues.
The draft policy also stipulates that women form at least 30 per cent of all decision-making bodies. It is no secret that the pursuit of science — a vocation of reason — is mired in all kinds of social prejudice. Skewed gender representation is one example of the biases. In 2018, women made up a meagre 14 per cent of 2.8 lakh scientists, engineers and technologists employed in India's research and development institutes. This discrimination is not merely an ethical blot. Lopsided gender and community representation is known to blunt cutting-edge technology. For instance, recruitment systems based on artificial intelligence have been found to discriminate against job applicants with female names. Free access and fair representation would also be consistent with India's constitutional ideals, which uphold education and equality in all spheres of public life to be fundamental to the health of a democracy.
[Extracted from an Editorial, published in The Telegraph]
Q. Which of the following statements accurately reflects information about the new policy as conveyed in the provided passage?
(A) Publicly-funded institution libraries will be open to the general public with appropriate security measures.
(B) The policy acknowledges and tackles the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
(C) The promotion of a dual recruitment policy will be advocated in all governing bodies and funding agencies engaged in scientific advancement.
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
Might science in its true form stand a chance in India after all? In a welcome move, the Centre has put forth for discussion a draft science, technology and innovation policy under which it would buy in bulk subscriptions of all important scientific journals around the world and make their content freely accessible in India. This move could have positive and far-reaching implications for the pursuit of science and education in the country. For one, publicly-funded research will become legally available to students, members of the scientific community as well as other citizens, a privilege that was hitherto hard to come by given the prohibitive costs of science journals. There are reportedly over 3,000-4,000 high-impact scientific journals, most of which are so expensive that they become the single-biggest item of cost for even prominent institutes. The lack of access to these publications hindered the stimulation of ideas in scientific research. It is to be hoped that the open data policy promotes ground-breaking research, fostering a scientific temper in the process. This is of critical importance, given the concern that the present dispensation is eager to propagate unsubstantiated claims and belief as 'science'. No less than the prime minister is on record eulogizing ancient India for its accomplishments in genetic research. Second, removing the barriers to quality scientific material and journals would also boost the prospects of pure research in a country where bright minds are increasingly turning away from a career in research on account of the lack of grant opportunities and research avenues.
The draft policy also stipulates that women form at least 30 per cent of all decision-making bodies. It is no secret that the pursuit of science — a vocation of reason — is mired in all kinds of social prejudice. Skewed gender representation is one example of the biases. In 2018, women made up a meagre 14 per cent of 2.8 lakh scientists, engineers and technologists employed in India's research and development institutes. This discrimination is not merely an ethical blot. Lopsided gender and community representation is known to blunt cutting-edge technology. For instance, recruitment systems based on artificial intelligence have been found to discriminate against job applicants with female names. Free access and fair representation would also be consistent with India's constitutional ideals, which uphold education and equality in all spheres of public life to be fundamental to the health of a democracy.
[Extracted from an Editorial, published in The Telegraph]
Q. What is the author's attitude in the provided passage?
Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.
Might science in its true form stand a chance in India after all? In a welcome move, the Centre has put forth for discussion a draft science, technology and innovation policy under which it would buy in bulk subscriptions of all important scientific journals around the world and make their content freely accessible in India. This move could have positive and far-reaching implications for the pursuit of science and education in the country. For one, publicly-funded research will become legally available to students, members of the scientific community as well as other citizens, a privilege that was hitherto hard to come by given the prohibitive costs of science journals. There are reportedly over 3,000-4,000 high-impact scientific journals, most of which are so expensive that they become the single-biggest item of cost for even prominent institutes. The lack of access to these publications hindered the stimulation of ideas in scientific research. It is to be hoped that the open data policy promotes ground-breaking research, fostering a scientific temper in the process. This is of critical importance, given the concern that the present dispensation is eager to propagate unsubstantiated claims and belief as 'science'. No less than the prime minister is on record eulogizing ancient India for its accomplishments in genetic research. Second, removing the barriers to quality scientific material and journals would also boost the prospects of pure research in a country where bright minds are increasingly turning away from a career in research on account of the lack of grant opportunities and research avenues.
The draft policy also stipulates that women form at least 30 per cent of all decision-making bodies. It is no secret that the pursuit of science — a vocation of reason — is mired in all kinds of social prejudice. Skewed gender representation is one example of the biases. In 2018, women made up a meagre 14 per cent of 2.8 lakh scientists, engineers and technologists employed in India's research and development institutes. This discrimination is not merely an ethical blot. Lopsided gender and community representation is known to blunt cutting-edge technology. For instance, recruitment systems based on artificial intelligence have been found to discriminate against job applicants with female names. Free access and fair representation would also be consistent with India's constitutional ideals, which uphold education and equality in all spheres of public life to be fundamental to the health of a democracy.
[Extracted from an Editorial, published in The Telegraph]
Q. Which of the following choices accurately captures the message conveyed by the author?
Directions: Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given beside.
So far, we have all read about the Earth having four layers. Shockingly, it has now been revealed that there may well be a fifth layer. New insights about the deepest parts of Earth’s inner core have been unveiled through seismic waves produced by earthquakes, which have been studied by a team of researchers from the Australian National University and published in the journal Nature Communications.
Scientists examined how seismic waves travel through the Earth’s inner core, and they believe this has provided evidence of a distinct layer within it called the [1]. They conducted their analysis using data from over 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or greater that occurred in the past decade. According to the researchers, “Earth’s inner core (IC), which accounts for less than 1% of the Earth’s volume, is a time capsule of our planet’s history.”
According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, there is a new layer in the Earth’s inner core that takes the form of a solid, metallic sphere situated at the core’s center. It is not molten, it is solid. In the study, the researchers examined the anisotropy of the iron-nickel alloy that makes up the Earth’s inner core. The researchers found that seismic waves were bouncing at various angles near the Earth’s center repeatedly.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from: “Shocking! Earthquakes reveal new layer in Earth’s core-the HIDDEN 5th layer”, Hindustan Times Tech]
Q. What is the capital of Argentina?
Directions: Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given beside.
So far, we have all read about the Earth having four layers. Shockingly, it has now been revealed that there may well be a fifth layer. New insights about the deepest parts of Earth’s inner core have been unveiled through seismic waves produced by earthquakes, which have been studied by a team of researchers from the Australian National University and published in the journal Nature Communications.
Scientists examined how seismic waves travel through the Earth’s inner core, and they believe this has provided evidence of a distinct layer within it called the [1]. They conducted their analysis using data from over 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or greater that occurred in the past decade. According to the researchers, “Earth’s inner core (IC), which accounts for less than 1% of the Earth’s volume, is a time capsule of our planet’s history.”
According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, there is a new layer in the Earth’s inner core that takes the form of a solid, metallic sphere situated at the core’s center. It is not molten, it is solid. In the study, the researchers examined the anisotropy of the iron-nickel alloy that makes up the Earth’s inner core. The researchers found that seismic waves were bouncing at various angles near the Earth’s center repeatedly.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from: “Shocking! Earthquakes reveal new layer in Earth’s core-the HIDDEN 5th layer”, Hindustan Times Tech]
Q. Which type of seismic waves contributed to scientists' comprehension of the Earth's internal structure?
Directions: Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given beside.
So far, we have all read about the Earth having four layers. Shockingly, it has now been revealed that there may well be a fifth layer. New insights about the deepest parts of Earth’s inner core have been unveiled through seismic waves produced by earthquakes, which have been studied by a team of researchers from the Australian National University and published in the journal Nature Communications.
Scientists examined how seismic waves travel through the Earth’s inner core, and they believe this has provided evidence of a distinct layer within it called the [1]. They conducted their analysis using data from over 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or greater that occurred in the past decade. According to the researchers, “Earth’s inner core (IC), which accounts for less than 1% of the Earth’s volume, is a time capsule of our planet’s history.”
According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, there is a new layer in the Earth’s inner core that takes the form of a solid, metallic sphere situated at the core’s center. It is not molten, it is solid. In the study, the researchers examined the anisotropy of the iron-nickel alloy that makes up the Earth’s inner core. The researchers found that seismic waves were bouncing at various angles near the Earth’s center repeatedly.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from: “Shocking! Earthquakes reveal new layer in Earth’s core-the HIDDEN 5th layer”, Hindustan Times Tech]
Q. What is the term for the upper section of the mantle?
Directions: Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given beside.
So far, we have all read about the Earth having four layers. Shockingly, it has now been revealed that there may well be a fifth layer. New insights about the deepest parts of Earth’s inner core have been unveiled through seismic waves produced by earthquakes, which have been studied by a team of researchers from the Australian National University and published in the journal Nature Communications.
Scientists examined how seismic waves travel through the Earth’s inner core, and they believe this has provided evidence of a distinct layer within it called the [1]. They conducted their analysis using data from over 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or greater that occurred in the past decade. According to the researchers, “Earth’s inner core (IC), which accounts for less than 1% of the Earth’s volume, is a time capsule of our planet’s history.”
According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, there is a new layer in the Earth’s inner core that takes the form of a solid, metallic sphere situated at the core’s center. It is not molten, it is solid. In the study, the researchers examined the anisotropy of the iron-nickel alloy that makes up the Earth’s inner core. The researchers found that seismic waves were bouncing at various angles near the Earth’s center repeatedly.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from: “Shocking! Earthquakes reveal new layer in Earth’s core-the HIDDEN 5th layer”, Hindustan Times Tech]
Q. Who is the current Secretary-General of the United Nations?
Directions: Study the following information carefully and answer the questions given beside.
So far, we have all read about the Earth having four layers. Shockingly, it has now been revealed that there may well be a fifth layer. New insights about the deepest parts of Earth’s inner core have been unveiled through seismic waves produced by earthquakes, which have been studied by a team of researchers from the Australian National University and published in the journal Nature Communications.
Scientists examined how seismic waves travel through the Earth’s inner core, and they believe this has provided evidence of a distinct layer within it called the [1]. They conducted their analysis using data from over 200 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6 or greater that occurred in the past decade. According to the researchers, “Earth’s inner core (IC), which accounts for less than 1% of the Earth’s volume, is a time capsule of our planet’s history.”
According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications, there is a new layer in the Earth’s inner core that takes the form of a solid, metallic sphere situated at the core’s center. It is not molten, it is solid. In the study, the researchers examined the anisotropy of the iron-nickel alloy that makes up the Earth’s inner core. The researchers found that seismic waves were bouncing at various angles near the Earth’s center repeatedly.
[Extracted, with edits and revisions, from: “Shocking! Earthquakes reveal new layer in Earth’s core-the HIDDEN 5th layer”, Hindustan Times Tech]
Q. Recently, researchers have validated the presence of Earth's fifth layer, which consists of:
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