Mock Questions for English - 3 | English for CLAT PDF Download

Directions: Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Retail inflation, or the inflation rate for consumers, eased to a four-month low of 4.87 per cent in October even as food inflation remained broadly static at 6.6 per cent, data released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on Monday showed. Though this marked the third month of a moderation in inflation, with the latest print, the retail inflation rate has now completed four years of remaining above 4 per cent in the 4+/- 2 per cent band of Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) medium-term inflation target.
Food prices are still being seen as a risk to retail inflation. Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) recorded an inflation rate of 6.61 per cent in October as against 6.62 per cent in September, which was revised up from 6.56 per cent. It had stood at 7.01 per cent in October 2022. Cereals inflation stood at 10.65 per cent in October, continuing to be in double digits for the second month in a row.
There is a growing trend of inflation in egg, fruits, pulses and products, which recorded inflation rates of 9.30 per cent, 9.34 per cent and 18.79 per cent, respectively, in October as against 6.42 per cent, 7.30 per cent and 16.38 per cent in September. Vegetables inflation, however, provided relief by easing to 2.7 per cent in October from 3.39 per cent in September. The decline in retail inflation rate in October was mainly driven by non-food items. Core inflation — non-food, non-fuel segment — eased marginally to 4.4 per cent in October from 4.6 per cent, reflecting weakening of demand, economists said.
Fuel and light group recorded deflation of 0.39 per cent in October as against deflation of 0.11 per cent in September, reflecting the impact of the cut in cooking gas prices and no change in pump prices of diesel and petrol. Miscellaneous inflation, representing services mainly, also moderated to 4.40 per cent in October from 4.77 per cent in the previous month.
The overall retail inflation rate in October was higher at 5.12 per cent in rural areas than 4.62 per cent in urban areas. Food inflation for rural areas was 6.58 per cent in October, lower than 6.63 per cent in urban areas. Going ahead, weak prospects for Kharif harvest and Rabi sowing are expected to impact food prices along with a low base effect which will also push up inflation rate in November. “Going forward, below par monsoon rainfall is likely to have its impact on cereals inflation, this along with pulses inflation is expected to keep food inflation elevated.
Food inflation has potential to push retail inflation higher as witnessed in July and August 2023,” Devendra Kumar Pant, Chief Economist & Senior Director – Public Finance, India Ratings and Research said.
[From an Editorial Published in.. The Indian Express on 14 November 2023 named ‘October retail inflation drops to four-month low of 4.87%’]
Q1: What is the main idea conveyed in the passage?
(a) Food inflation is the primary driver of retail inflation.
(b) Retail inflation in October marked a four-month low.
(c) Core inflation is a significant concern for the Reserve Bank of India.
(d) Weak prospects for Kharif harvest and Rabi sowing are expected to impact food prices.
Ans: (b)
Sol: The main idea of the passage is focused on the retail inflation rate reaching a four-month low in October, as highlighted in the opening sentence. Other details support and provide context to this main idea.

Q2: What can be inferred about the relationship between food prices and retail inflation?
(a) Food prices have a negligible impact on retail inflation.
(b) Food prices are the primary driver of retail inflation.
(c) Core inflation has a more significant impact on retail inflation than food prices.
(d) Retail inflation is not affected by the trends in food prices.
Ans: (b)
Sol: The passage mentions that food prices, especially in categories like cereals, eggs, fruits, and pulses, are considered a risk to retail inflation. This implies that food prices play a crucial role in influencing retail inflation.

Q3: According to the passage, what is the primary reason for the decline in retail inflation rate in October?
(a) Reduction in fuel and light prices
(b) Decrease in the prices of core inflation items
(c) Easing of vegetable prices
(d) Deflation in the miscellaneous inflation category
Ans: (b)
Sol: The passage states that the decline in retail inflation rate in October was mainly driven by non-food items, particularly a marginal easing in core inflation (non-food, non-fuel segment).

Q4: What is a synonym for "elevated" as used in the passage?
(a) Raised
(b) Reduced
(c) Stabilized
(d) Fluctuated
Ans: (a)
Sol: In the context of the passage, "elevated" refers to an increased or raised level of food inflation. Therefore, the synonym is "raised."

Q5: What is the antonym for "moderated" as used in the passage?
(a) Intensified
(b) Stabilized
(c) Reduced
(d) Maintained
Ans: (a)
Sol: The passage mentions that core inflation eased marginally, indicating a decrease or moderation. The antonym for "moderated" is "intensified," meaning an increase or escalation.