Reading Comprehension Passage: 60 | 100 RC`s for Government Exams Preparation - Bank Exams PDF Download

Ridicule (Verb):
subject to contemptuous and dismissive language or behaviour.
Ex. His theory was ridiculed and dismissed.
Synonyms: deride, mock, laugh at, hold up to shame, jeer at, jibe at, sneer at, show up, treat with contempt, scorn, make fun of, poke fun at, make jokes about, laugh to scorn, be sarcastic about, etc.
Options A and B can be synonymous with the given word. But the passage mentions “a laughing matter” which supports “make fun of” as the correct answer. Other options are not related to ridicule as synonyms. 
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Moot (Verb):
To raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility).
Ex. The scheme was first mooted last October.
Synonyms: raise, bring up, broach, mention, put forward, introduce, present, propose, suggest, submit, etc.
As mentioned above the verb “moot” means "to raise (a question or topic) for discussion or suggest (an idea or possibility)", "Put forward" hence is the best choice out of the given options.
Option D is hence the correct answer.

Instrumental (Adjective):
serving as a means of pursuing an aim.
Ex. The Society was instrumental in bringing about legislation.
Ex. He was instrumental in developing new diagnostic procedures.
Synonyms: influential, contributory; helpful, of help/assistance, significant, important, contribute to, etc.
As it is clear, the word “instrumental” means ‘useful' or 'helpful’, only option D is opposite in meaning to the given word.
Option D is hence the correct answer.

1st para, last sentence and 2nd para, 1st sentence.
Then why did the ex finance minister P. Chidambaram want to set up a bank exclusively for women customers and run by women?
One reason could be political. 
3rd para, 1st sentence.
Beyond politics, as a symbol of women’s empowerment, this is not a laughing matter or an idea to ridicule, but translating this into success is no easy job.
Last para, last sentence.
Professional urban women do not need a bank of their own but rural women, particularly in those pockets of India which are fraught with casteism and gender discrimination, will find in it an oasis.
The author mentions that at least one reason behind this move is ‘political’ but if implemented with proper changes in the structure it could be an ‘oasis’ to the rural women. It thus confirms that the author is critical about the motive behind the move but believes that it has potential of really helping out women if certain issues are taken care of by the government.
Option A is hence the correct answer.

1st paragraph.
The Guardian in 2013 cited one question that the entrance examination paper for a trainee program at Merrill Lynch in 1972 had: “When you meet a woman, what interests you most about her?” The correct answer was beauty. Those who thought intelligence, were given low marks. There was, of course, no question on what interests one the most when meeting a man. This (the way answers were evaluated) is gender discrimination at its worst in the financial sector.
It can be clearly inferred from the above two underlined parts that Merrill Lynch was working in the financial sector.
Option E is hence the correct answer.

Last para, 3rd sentence.
At a parallel level, we also need to address two structural issues—women must have right to property (otherwise they can’t offer collateral for a loan) and get adequately involved in formal economy through jobs and entrepreneurship.
The above reference clearly supports what has been stated in option C.
Option C is hence the correct answer.

Paragraph 5.
Ahead of Tanzania, Pakistan had set up First Women Bank Ltd. Late prime minister Benazir Bhutto was instrumental in establishing this to meet the needs of women entrepreneurs. It commenced business in December 1989, with five leading public sector banks—National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Ltd, Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd, United Bank Ltd and Allied Bank Ltd—holding 90% stake and the government the rest. After 23 years of existence, the bank has about 60,000 women customers, handled by 600 employees spread over 41 branches over 24 locations. The only other example of a special vehicle for women is Women’s World Banking, Savings and Loans Co. Ltd. Starting operations in 1998, it has seven branches in Ghana. It’s an affiliate of the Women’s World Banking global organization that has a network of microfinance institutions and banks working to help low-income entrepreneurs around the world.
All the given banks are mentioned as banks from Pakistan in the fifth paragraph of the passage.
Option E is hence the correct answer.

Last paragraph, 2nd sentence.
If our government is serious about this project, it must see that this bank goes beyond taking deposits and giving loans and becomes a vehicle for changing attitudes about women and their money, taking care of other things such as education, vocational training, etc and help in empowering women by educating them about self-finance.
The Ideas mentioned in all the options can be inferred from the reference given above.
Option E is hence the correct answer.

Fraught (Adjective):
(of a situation or course of action) filled with (something undesirable).
Ex. Marketing any new product is fraught with danger.
Synonyms:  full of, filled with, swarming with, bristling with, charged with, loaded with, brimming with, etc.
As it evident the meaning of the word “fraught” is 'filled with' and its antonym must be ‘void (completely empty).
Option A is hence the correct answer.

Meagre (Adjective):
(of something provided or available) lacking in quantity or quality.
Ex. They were forced to supplement their meagre earnings.
Synonyms: inadequate, scanty, scant, paltry, limited, restricted, modest, insufficient, sparse, spare, deficient, negligible, etc.
As it is evident that the word “meagre” means ‘small, inadequate or poor’ and only “abundant” which means ‘plentiful, large in number’ is its antonym.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.