CDS Exam (I)- 2021 - English Defence Question Paper

COMPREHENSION
Directions (Next 10 Questions): In this section you have two short passages. After each passage, you will find some items based on the passage. Read the passages and answer the items based on them. You are required to select your answers based on the content of the passage and opinion of the author only.

PASSAGE (Next 5 Questions)
Conventional education makes independent thinking extremely difficult. Conformity leads to mediocrity. To be different from the group or to resist environment is not easy and is often risky as long as we worship success. The urge to be successful, which is the pursuit of reward whether in the materials or in the so-called spiritual sphere, the search for inward or outward security, the desire for comfort - this whole process smothers discontent, put an end to spontaneity and breed fear; and fear blocks the intelligent understanding of life. With increasing age, dullness of mind and heart sets in.
In seeking comfort, we generally find a quiet corner in life where there is a minimum of conflict, and then we are afraid to step out of that seclusion. This fear of life, this fear of struggle and of a new experience, kills in us the spirit of adventure; our whole upbringing and education have made us afraid to be different from our neighbour, afraid to think contrary to the established pattern of society, falsely respectful of authority and tradition.
Fortunately, there are a few who are in earnest, who are willing to examine our human problems without the prejudice of the right or of the left; but in the vast majority of us, there is no real spirit of discontent, or revolt. When we yield uncomprehendingly to environment, any spirit of revolt that may have had died down, and our responsibilities soon put an end to it.

Why does conventional education make independent thinking extremely difficult?

Worshipping success leads to

Why do most people want to find a quiet corner in life?

Which word in the passage means 'bias'?

The word "uncomprehendingly" in the passage means

PASSAGE (Next 5 Questions)
Noise is a common problem in both urban and rural areas, traffic noise in particular. Trees and shrubs are not only visually attractive but also can make effective noise barriers. Therefore when space permits we have to plant more trees and shrubs in areas where there is noise problem. By doing this noise can be reduced by six decibels over a distance of 30 metres.
The only thing we have to keep in mind is that the planting should be particularly dense; the trees which have dense foliage and relatively vertical orientation of arrangements should be planted. It will completely screen the source of noise. If there is any gap in barrier it will still allow noise to penetrate. Single layer of trees is worthless as a noise barrier. Due to inter-reflection, multi-rows of trees are more effective. The planted trees must be taller. We can reduce noise level by 1.5 decibels with each additional 3 feet of tree height.
When the opportunity to use trees is restricted a combination of shrubs and tall grass can be used. Instead of tarmac or gravel surfaces soft grass ground cover is preferable. It will absorb noise rather than reflect it. Rows of trees, shrubs, crotons, ground covering plants, climbers and their flowers not only reduce noise and provide a beautiful backyard they also help block wind, provide shade, and absorb traffic pollution.

What distance a good number of trees can cover in reducing noise?

Trees can reduce noise only when

'Single layer of trees is worthless as a noise barrier.' Why?

Higher the trees

How do shrubs and tall grass reduce noise?