Directions for the following 8 (Eight) items:
Read the following two passages and answer the items that follow each passage. Your answers to these items should be based on the passage only.
Passage - 1
The subject of democracy has become severely muddled because of the way the rhetoric surrounding it has been used in recent years. There is, increasingly, an oddly confused dichotomy between those who want to 'impose' democracy on countries in the democracy on countries in the non-Western world(in these countries' 'own interest', of course) and those who are opposed to such 'imposition'(because of the respect for the countries' 'own ways'). But the entire language of 'imposition', used by both sides, is extraordinarily inappropriate since is extraordinarily inappropriate since it makes the implicit assumption that democracy belongs exclusively to the West, taking it to be a quintessentially 'western' idea which has originated and flourished only in the West.
But the thesis and the pessimism it generates about the possibility of democratic hard to justify. There were several experiments in local democracy in ancient India. Instead, in understanding the roots of democracy in the world, we have to take an interest in the history of people participation and public reasoning in different parts of the world, we have to take an interest in the history of people participation and public reasoning in different parts of the world. We have to look beyond thinking of democracy only in terms of European and American evolution. We would fail to understand the pervasive demands for participatory living, on which Aristotle spoke with fan-reaching insight, if we take democracy to be a kind of a specialized cultural product of the West.
It cannot, of course, be doubted that the institutional structure of the contemporary practice of democracy is largely the product of European and American experience over the last few centuries. This is extremely important to recognize since these developments in institutional formats were immensely innovative and ultimately effective. There can be little doubt that there is a major 'Western' achievement here.
Which of the following is closest to the view of democracy as mentioned in the above passage?
The subject of democracy is a muddle due to a desire a portray it as a Western concept, 'alien' to non-Western countries.
The language of imposition of democracy is inappropriate. There is, however, a need to consider this concept in the backdrop of culture of 'own ways' of non-Western society.
While democracy is not essentially a Western idea belonging exclusively to the West, the institutional structure of current democratic practices has been their contribution.
None of the statements (a), (b) and ( c) given above is correct.
The question asks to identify the statement that is closest to the view of democracy presented in the passage. We need to carefully read the passage and synthesize its main arguments regarding the origin and nature of democracy.
Correct Option: C) While democracy is not essentially a Western idea belonging exclusively to the West, the institutional structure of current democratic practices has been their contribution.
This statement perfectly captures the nuanced view presented in the passage. The first part, "democracy is not essentially a Western idea belonging exclusively to the West," aligns with the passage's argument against the 'quintessentially Western' assumption and its mention of ancient Indian democracy. The second part, "the institutional structure of current democratic practices has been their contribution," directly reflects the passage's acknowledgment of the "major 'Western' achievement" in developing the "institutional structure of the contemporary practice of democracy."
With reference to the passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Many of the non-Western countries are unable to have democracy because they take democracy to be a specialized cultural product of the West.
2. Western countries are always trying to impose democracy on non-Western countries.
Which of the above is/are valid assumption/assumptions?
The question asks to identify valid assumptions based on a given passage (which is not provided here). In such 'assumptions' questions, we must determine if the statements are implied or taken for granted by the passage. Without the passage, we must evaluate if these statements are universally true or commonly accepted facts that would logically precede or underpin any discussion about democracy in Western and non-Western countries. If the statements are not universally true or cannot be logically assumed without specific textual support, they are not valid assumptions.
D) Neither 1 nor 2. Both statements make strong, generalized claims that are not universally true and would require explicit support or strong implication from a passage to be considered valid assumptions. Without the passage, we cannot assume them.
Passage - 2
Corporate governance is based on principles such as conducting the business with all integrity and fairness, being transparent with regard to all transactions, making all the necessary disclosures and decisions, complying with all the laws of the land, accountability and responsibility towards the stakeholders and commitment to conducting business in an ethical manner. Another point which is highlighted on corporate governance is the need for those in control to be able to distinguish between what are personal and corporate funds while managing a company.
Fundamentally, there is a level of confidence that is associated with a company that is known to have good corporate governance. The presence of an active group of independent directors on the board contributes a great deal towards ensuring confidence in the market. Corporate governance is known to be one of the criteria that foreign institutional investors are increasingly depending on when deciding on which companies to invest in. It is also known to have a positive influence on the share price of the company. Having a clean image on the corporate governance front could also make it easier for companies to source capital at more reasonable costs. Unfortunately, corporate governance often becomes the centre of discussion only after the exposure of a large scam.
According to the passage, which of the following should be the practice/practices in good corporate governance?
1. Companies should always comply with labour and tax laws of the land.
2. Every company in the country should have a government representative as one of the independent directors on the board to ensure transparency.
3. The manager of a company should never invest his personal funds in the company.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The question asks to identify practices that align with good corporate governance as described in the provided passage. We need to evaluate each statement against the information given in the passage.
Correct Option: A) 1 only
Statement 1 is directly supported by the passage's mention of "complying with all the laws of the land" as a core principle of corporate governance.
According to the passage, which of the following is/are the major benefit/benefits of good corporate governance?
1. Good corporate governance leads to increase in share price of the company.
2. A company with good corporate governance always increases its business turnover rapidly.
3. Good corporate governance is the main criterion for foreign institutional investors when they decide to buy a company.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
The question asks to identify the major benefit(s) of good corporate governance based on the given statements. We need to evaluate each statement individually to determine its validity in the context of corporate governance.
Correct Option: A) 1 only
Statement 1 is accurate because good corporate governance builds investor trust and confidence, which positively impacts share prices.
Passage - 3
Malnutrition most commonly occurs between the ages of six months and two years. This happens despite the child's food requirements being less than that of an older child. Malnutrition is often attributed to poverty, but it has been found that even in households where adults eat adequate quantities of food, more than 50 per cent of children-under-five do not consume enough food. The child's dependence on someone else to feed him/her is primarily responsible for the malnutrition. Very often the mother is working and the responsibility of feeding the young child is left to an older sibling. It is therefore crucial to increase awareness regarding the child's food needs and how to satisfy them.
According to the passage, malnutrition in children can be reduced
if the children have regular intake of food.
after they cross the age of five.
if the food needs of younger children are known.
if the responsibility of feeding younger children is given to adults.
The question asks how malnutrition in children can be reduced, according to the provided passage. We need to carefully read the passage and identify the key reasons for malnutrition and the suggested solutions or implications for reduction.
According to the author, poverty is not the main cause of malnutrition, but the fact that
1. taking care of younger ones is not a priority for working mothers.
2. Awareness of nutritional needs is not propagated by the Public Health authorities.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
The question asks us to identify, based on the author's perspective, which of the given statements represents a cause of malnutrition, assuming poverty is not the main cause. We need to evaluate each statement individually to see if it aligns with the implied author's view.
A) 1 only. Statement 1, "taking care of younger ones is not a priority for working mothers," presents a plausible alternative cause for malnutrition, shifting the focus from poverty to childcare practices and priorities within the household. This aligns with the structure of the question, which seeks reasons for malnutrition other than poverty.
Passage - 4
A number of empirical studies find that farmers are risk-averse; though only moderately in many cases. There is also evidence to show that farmers' risk aversion results in cropping patterns and input use designed to reduce risk rather than to maximize income. Farmers adopt a number of strategies to manage and cope with agricultural risks. These include practices like crop and field diversification, non-farm employment, storage of stocks and strategic migration of family members. There are also institutions ranging from share tenancy to kinship, extended family and informal credit agencies. One major obstacle to risk sharing by farmers is that the same type of risks can affect a large number of farmers in the region. Empirical studies show that the traditional methods are not adequate. Hence there is a need for policy interventions, especially measures that cut across geographical regions.
Policies may aim at tackling agricultural risks directly or indirectly. Examples of risk-specific policies are crop insurance, price stabilization and the development of varieties resistant to pests and diseases. Policies which affect risk indirectly are irrigation, subsidized credit and access to information. No single risk-specific policy is sufficient to reduce risk and is without side-effects, whereas policies not specific to risk influence the general situation and affect risks only indirectly. Crop insurance, as a policy measure to tackle agricultural risk directly, deserves careful consideration in the Indian context and in many other developing countries - because the majority of farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture and in many areas yield variability is the predominant cause of their income instability.
The need for policy intervention to mitigate risks in agriculture is because
farmers do not know how to mitigate.
farmers do not know how to mitigate risks.
the methods adopted by farmers and existing risk sharing institution are not adequate.
majority of farmers depend on rain-fed agriculture.
The question asks for the reason behind the need for policy intervention to mitigate risks in agriculture, based on the provided passage. We need to carefully read the passage to identify the specific reasons mentioned for policy intervention.
Correct Option: C) the methods adopted by farmers and existing risk sharing institution are not adequate.
The question asks what observation emerges from a given passage (which is not provided here but is implied to discuss agricultural risk and policy interventions). To answer this, we must infer the main conclusion or a strong implication regarding agricultural risk management based on the options provided.
B) No single risk-specific policy is sufficient to reduce agricultural risk. This option reflects the complex and multi-dimensional nature of agricultural risks. Factors like weather variability, market price fluctuations, pest outbreaks, and policy changes all contribute to risk. A single policy, no matter how well-designed, is unlikely to cover all these aspects comprehensively. Effective risk management typically requires a combination of policies and strategies.
Consider the following statements:
(i) A primary group is relatively smaller in size.
(ii) Intimacy is an essential characteristic of a primary group.
(iii) A family may be an example of a primary group.
In the light of the above statements, which one of the following is true?
All families are primary groups.
All primary groups are families.
A group of smaller size is always a primary group.
Members of a primary group know each other intimately.
The question asks to identify the true statement based on the characteristics of primary groups. We need to evaluate each given statement and option in the context of sociological definitions of primary groups.
D) Members of a primary group know each other intimately. This statement is a direct consequence and defining characteristic of a primary group, as highlighted by statement (ii) which says "Intimacy is an essential characteristic of a primary group." Primary groups are characterized by close, personal, and enduring relationships where members have deep knowledge and emotional bonds with each other.
To find who gets the smallest amount, we need to express the amount of money each friend receives in terms of a single variable. We can then compare these expressions to determine the smallest value.
Let the amount of money B gets be \(x\).
From the statement "A gets one less than B", we can write A's amount as:
\[ A = x - 1 \]From the statement "D gets 3 more than B", we can write D's amount as:
\[ D = x + 3 \]From the statement "C gets 5 more than D", we can substitute the expression for D's amount:
\[ C = D + 5 \] \[ C = (x + 3) + 5 \] \[ C = x + 8 \]Now we have the amounts for all four friends in terms of \(x\):
To find the smallest amount, we compare these expressions. Since \(x\) represents a positive amount of money, we can see that:
Therefore, the order from smallest to largest is: \(A < B < D < C\).
The smallest amount is \(x - 1\), which corresponds to A.
A) A gets the smallest amount, which is \(x - 1\).