Directions for the following 7 (seven) items:
Read the following six passage and answer the items that follow. Your answers to these items should be based on the passage only.
Passage-1
What stands in the way of the widespread and careful adoption of Genetic Modification (GM) technology is an 'Intellectual Property Rights' regime that seeks to create private monopolies for such technologies. If GM technology is largely corporate driven, it seeks to maximize profits and that too in the short run. That is why corporations make major investments for herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops. Such properties have only a short window, as soon enough, pests and weeds will evolve to overcome such resistance. This suits the corporations. The National Farmers Commission pointed out that priority must be given in genetic modification to the incorporation of genes that can help impart resistance to drought, salinity and other stresses.
Which one of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial message conveyed by the above passage?
Public research institutions should take the lead in GM technology and prioritise the technology agenda.
Developing countries should raise this issue in WTO and ensure the abolition of Intellectual Property Rights.
Private corporations should not be allowed to do agribusiness in India,particularly the seed business.
Present Indian circumstances do not favour the cultivation of genetically modified crops.
The passage highlights the problems associated with private, corporate-driven Genetic Modification (GM) technology, primarily due to the 'Intellectual Property Rights' regime. It points out that corporate interests lead to short-term profit maximization, focusing on traits like herbicide tolerance and pest resistance, which have limited efficacy. The National Farmers Commission's recommendation for GM technology to focus on traits like drought and salinity resistance provides a contrast to the current corporate approach. The question asks for the most logical, rational, and crucial message conveyed by the passage.
Correct Option: A) Public research institutions should take the lead in GM technology and prioritise the technology agenda.
This option directly addresses the core issue raised in the passage. The passage criticizes the current corporate-driven GM technology, which is focused on short-term profits and creates products (like herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops) that have a short lifespan. It contrasts this with the National Farmers Commission's recommendation to prioritize genes for resistance to drought, salinity, and other stresses, which are long-term societal needs. This implies that the agenda for GM technology should be set by public interest, not corporate profit. Therefore, public research institutions taking the lead and prioritizing the technology agenda (e.g., for drought resistance) is the most logical and crucial message.
On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. The issue of the effects of natural calamities on agriculture is not given due consideration by GM technology companies.
2. In the long run, GM technology will not be able to solve agricultural problems arising due to global warming.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
The problem states that the passage says corporations invest mainly in herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops for short-term profit, while the National Farmers Commission wants priority given to genes that resist drought, salinity and other stresses. This means that we must check whether each assumption follows from this contrast, without turning the passage's criticism of corporations into a verdict on GM technology itself. We will test each assumption against the relevant lines of the passage.
Examine statement 1 (The issue of the effects of natural calamities on agriculture is not given due consideration by GM technology companies):
Examine statement 2 (In the long run, GM technology will not be able to solve agricultural problems arising due to global warming):
Combine the results: Only assumption 1 is supported by the passage.
Correct Option: A) 1 only — GM companies focus on herbicide and pest resistance for short-term profit and neglect stresses like drought and salinity, but the passage suggests GM technology can address such problems if priorities change.
Passage-2
Most invasive species are neither terribly successful nor very harmful. Britain's invasive plants are not widespread, not spreading especially quickly, and often less of a nuisance than vigorous natives such as bracken. The arrival of new species almost always increases biological diversity in a region; in many cases, a flood of newcomers drives no native species to extinction. One reason is that invaders tend to colonise disturbed habitats like polluted lakes and post-industrial wasteland, where little else lives. They are nature's opportunists.
Which one of the following is the most logical and rational inference that can be made from the above passage?
Invasive species should be used to rehabilitate desert areas and wastelands of a country.
Laws against the introduction of foreign plants are unnecessary.
Sometimes, the campaigns against foreign plants are pointless.
Foreign plants should be used to increase the biodiversity of a country.
The question asks for the most logical and rational inference from the provided passage. We need to analyze the passage carefully to understand its main argument about invasive species and then evaluate each option against that argument.
Correct Option: C) Sometimes, the campaigns against foreign plants are pointless. This option directly reflects the passage's main argument that many invasive species are not very harmful, widespread, or problematic, implying that efforts to combat them might sometimes be unnecessary or misdirected.
Passage-3
Diarrhoeal deaths among Indian children. are mostly due to food and water contamination. Use of contaminated groundwater and unsafe chemicals in agriculture, poor hygiene in storage and handling of food items to food cooked and distributed in unhygienic surroundings; there are myriad factors that need regulation and monitoring. People need to have awareness of adulteration and ways of complaining to the relevant authorities. Surveillance of food-borne diseases involves a number of government agencies and entails a good training of inspection staff. Considering the proportion of the urban population that depends on street food for its daily meals, investing in training and education of street vendors is of great significance.
On the basis of the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:
1. Food safety is a complex issue that calls for a multipronged solution.
2. Great investments need to be made in developing the manpower for surveillance and training.
3. India needs to make sufficient legislation for governing food processing industry.
Which of the above assumptions is/are valid?
The task is to identify which of the given assumptions can be logically inferred from the provided passage. We need to analyze each assumption against the text to see if it is directly supported or implied by the information given.
The passage lists numerous factors contributing to diarrhoeal deaths: "contaminated groundwater and unsafe chemicals in agriculture, poor hygiene in storage and handling of food items to food cooked and distributed in unhygienic surroundings." It also mentions the need for "regulation and monitoring," "awareness of adulteration," "complaining to the relevant authorities," "surveillance of food-borne diseases involving a number of government agencies," and "training and education of street vendors." This wide array of issues and suggested solutions clearly indicates that food safety is complex and requires multiple approaches. Thus, Assumption 1 is valid.
The passage states, "Surveillance of food-borne diseases involves a number of government agencies and entails a good training of inspection staff." It further emphasizes, "investing in training and education of street vendors is of great significance." The words "good training" and "great significance" for investment in training directly support the idea that significant investment in manpower development (for surveillance and training) is needed. Thus, Assumption 2 is valid.
While the passage mentions "regulation and monitoring," it does not specifically discuss the "food processing industry" or the need for new/sufficient "legislation" for it. The issues highlighted are broader (agriculture, storage, street food, general hygiene). The passage focuses more on implementation, awareness, and training rather than the creation of new laws for a specific sector like food processing. Therefore, this assumption goes beyond the scope of the information provided in the passage. Thus, Assumption 3 is not valid.
Based on the analysis, assumptions 1 and 2 are valid.
Correct Option: A) 1 and 2 only
Passage-4
The interests of working and poor people have historically been neglected in the planning of our cities. Our cities are increasingly intolerant, unsafe and unlivable places for large numbers of citizens and yet we continue to plan via the old ways the static Development Plan that draws exclusively from technical expertise, distanced from people's live experiences and needs, and actively excluding large number of people, places, activities and practices that are an integral part of the city.
The passage seems to argue
against the monopoly of builders and the interests of elite groups.
against the need for global and smart cities.
in favour of planning cities mainly for working class and poor people.
in favour of participation of peoples' groups in city planning.
The passage criticizes current city planning methods for neglecting the interests of working and poor people, being 'distanced from people's live experiences and needs,' and 'actively excluding large number of people.' It suggests that the 'old ways' of planning, relying solely on 'technical expertise,' are problematic. The question asks what the passage seems to argue in favor of, based on these criticisms.
Correct Option: D) in favour of participation of peoples' groups in city planning.
Passage-5
A vast majority of Indians are poor, with barely 10 percent employed in the organised sector. We are being convinced that vigorous economic growth is generating substantial employment. But this is not so. When our economy was growing at 3 percent per year. employment in the organised sector was growing at 2 percent per year. As the economy began to grow at 7 8 percent per year, the rate of growth of employment in the organised sector actually declined to 1 percent per year.
The above passage seems to imply that:
1. most of modern economic growth is .based on technological progress.
2. much of modern Indian economy does not nurture sufficient symbiotic relationship with labour-intensive,natural resource-based livelihoods.
3. service sector in India is not very labour-intensive.
4. literate rural population is not willing to enter organised sector.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1 and 2 only
3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 3 only
1, 2, 3 and 4
The question asks us to identify the correct implications from the given passage about India's economic growth and employment in the organised sector. We need to analyze each statement in light of the information provided in the passage.
C) 1, 2 and 3 only
Statements 1, 2, and 3 are all plausible implications derived from the passage's core message about jobless growth in the organised sector despite high economic growth rates.
Passage-6
India has banking correspondents, who help bring people in the hinterland into the banking fold. For them to succeed, banks cannot crimp on costs. They also cannot afford to ignore investing in financial education and literacy. Banking correspondents are way too small to be viewed as a systemic risk. Yet India's banking regulator has restricted them to serving only one bank, perhaps to prevent arbitrage. Efforts at banking outreach may succeed only if there are better incentives at work for such last-mile workers and also those providers who ensure not just basic bank accounts but also products such as accident and life insurance and micro pension schemes.
Which one of the following is the most logical, rational and crucial inference that can be derived from the above passage?
Efforts to bring people in India's hinterland into the banking system are not successful.
For meaningful financial inclusion, India's banking system needs more number of banking correspondents and other such last-mile workers.
Meaningful financial inclusion in India requires that banking correspondents have diverse skills.
Better banking outreach would be impossible unless each banking correspondent is allowed to serve a number of banks.
The question asks for the most logical, rational, and crucial inference from the provided passage. We need to analyze each sentence of the passage to understand the core issues and proposed solutions related to banking correspondents and financial inclusion in India.
C) Meaningful financial inclusion in India requires that banking correspondents have diverse skills. This is the most logical and crucial inference because the passage explicitly states that banks need to invest in "financial education and literacy" for BCs, and that successful outreach requires BCs to offer "not just basic bank accounts but also products such as accident and life insurance and micro pension schemes." To offer these varied products, BCs must necessarily possess diverse skills and knowledge.
What is X in the sequence
132, 129, 124, 117, 106, 93, X?
To find the missing number X in the sequence, we need to identify the pattern of differences between consecutive terms. This often involves looking for arithmetic progressions, geometric progressions, or patterns in the differences themselves.
The differences are \(3, 5, 7, 11, 13\).
The sequence of differences \(3, 5, 7, 11, 13\) is a sequence of prime numbers in ascending order, skipping \(2\). The next prime number after \(13\) is \(17\).
The next difference should be \(17\). So, to find X, we subtract \(17\) from the last given term, \(93\).
\[ X = 93 - 17 \]
\[ X = 76 \]
Correct Option: C) 76
The problem involves a faulty clock that gains time. We need to calculate the total time elapsed from when the clock was set correctly until it shows a specific time, determine how much time the faulty clock has gained during this period, and then subtract the gained time from the faulty clock's reading to find the actual correct time.
Let's re-evaluate the first method's calculation for time gained. The problem states the clock moves 10 minutes fast in every 24 hours of actual time. This means that when 24 hours of actual time pass, the faulty clock shows \(24 \text{ hours} + 10 \text{ minutes}\). It's crucial to distinguish between actual time and faulty clock time.
Let \(T_A\) be the actual time elapsed and \(T_F\) be the time shown by the faulty clock.
We are given that when \(T_A = 24\) hours, the faulty clock shows an additional 10 minutes. So, the faulty clock's rate is faster than the actual rate.
The ratio of the faulty clock's speed to the actual clock's speed is:
\[ \text{Ratio} = \frac{24 \text{ hours} + 10 \text{ minutes}}{24 \text{ hours}} = \frac{24 \frac{1}{6} \text{ hours}}{24 \text{ hours}} = \frac{\frac{145}{6}}{24} = \frac{145}{144} \]The faulty clock shows 58 hours. Let the actual time elapsed be \(x\) hours.
\[ \frac{58}{x} = \frac{145}{144} \]\[ x = \frac{58 \times 144}{145} \]\[ x = \frac{2 \times 144}{5} \]\[ x = \frac{288}{5} \]\[ x = 57.6 \text{ hours} \]So, when the faulty clock shows 58 hours, only 57.6 hours have actually passed.
The starting time was Monday 8:00 a.m. Adding 57.6 hours to this time:
57.6 hours = 2 days and 9.6 hours.
Monday 8:00 a.m. + 2 days = Wednesday 8:00 a.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. + 9.6 hours = Wednesday 8:00 a.m. + 9 hours 36 minutes.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. + 9 hours 36 minutes = Wednesday 5:36 p.m.
This matches the calculation where the clock is 24 minutes fast.
The amount of time the faulty clock is ahead is \(58 - 57.6 = 0.4\) hours, which is \(0.4 \times 60 = 24\) minutes.
So, when the faulty clock shows 6:00 p.m., the correct time is 24 minutes earlier.
6:00 p.m. - 24 minutes = 5:36 p.m.
A) 5:36 p.m. is the correct time after accounting for the clock running fast.
To determine how a proper fraction changes when its numerator and denominator are increased by the same positive quantity, we can use algebraic representation and compare the original fraction with the new one. A proper fraction is one where the numerator is less than the denominator.
Let the original proper fraction be \(\frac{a}{b}\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are positive integers and \(a < b\).
Let the positive quantity by which the numerator and denominator are increased be \(k\), where \(k > 0\).
The new fraction will be \(\frac{a+k}{b+k}\).
To compare the original fraction \(\frac{a}{b}\) with the new fraction \(\frac{a+k}{b+k}\), we can consider their difference or cross-multiply.
Let's compare \(\frac{a}{b}\) and \(\frac{a+k}{b+k}\) by cross-multiplication. We compare \(a(b+k)\) with \(b(a+k)\).
Expand both expressions:
Now, we compare \(ab + ak\) with \(ab + bk\). Since \(ab\) is common on both sides, we need to compare \(ak\) with \(bk\).
Since \(k > 0\), we can divide both \(ak\) and \(bk\) by \(k\) without changing the inequality direction. So, we compare \(a\) with \(b\).
We know that for a proper fraction, \(a < b\).
Therefore, \(ak < bk\).
This implies \(ab + ak < ab + bk\).
Since \(a(b+k) < b(a+k)\), it means \[\frac{a}{b} < \frac{a+k}{b+k}\].
Thus, the new fraction is always greater than the original fraction.
B) always greater than the original fraction
A) always less than the original fraction — This is incorrect. As shown in the step-by-step explanation, the new fraction is greater than the original one for a proper fraction.
C) always equal to the original fraction — This would only be true if \(ak = bk\), which implies \(a=b\). But for a proper fraction, \(a < b\).
D) such that nothing can be claimed definitely — This is incorrect because we can definitively establish an inequality between the original and new fractions.