Passage-3

Agriculture dominates change in India through its causal links with factor and product markets. It employs 60 per cent of the labour force and contributes 26 per cent of the gross domestic product. In the poorer states, its contribution to the domestic product is close to 40 per cent. Low productivity in agriculture has led to the concentration of the poor in this sector. Due to the sheer size of the agricultural economy and the importance of its major products (cereals) in the diets of the poor, gains in agricultural productivity have significant potential impact  on poverty. Theoretically, it is possible to reduce poverty as well as expand the domestic market for industry by raising labour productivity in agriculture and spreading its gains among the low-income groups. Modelling of the linkages between agricultural and industrial growth has shown that a 10 per cent increase in agricultural output would increase industrial output by 5 per cent and urban workers would benefit by both increased industrial employment and price deflation. However, there is an asymmetry of adjustments in the demand and supply of agricultural goods. An increase in non-agricultural production would lead to an immediate increase in demand for intermediate and final agricultural goods, whereas supply-side adjustments involving reallocation of resources and net additional investment for capacity expansion take a much longer period. There is a widely held view that in a large country like India, the demand stimulus for industrialisation would come mainly from agriculture with less social and economic costs.

 Interdependencies in food and labour market are important for the development process. An upward shift in the food supply curve would simultaneously result in an upward shift in the labour demand curve. The magnitude of the interdependence depends on the technique of production causing the shifts in the food supply curve. Similarly, an upward shift in the labour supply curve shifts up the food demand curve. The extent of interdependence between the forces of labour supply and food demand depends on the employment-output elasticity and the income elasticity of demand for food. The recent estimate of the employment-output elasticity in agriculture is around 0.5, income elasticity of food is in the range of 0.55-0.60 and that for cereals is 0.25-0.30. The other important inter-dependency, which plays a crucial role in inducing indirect employment, is that between food and other sectors through demand linkages. Since food accounts for a major share in the budget of the poor and any reduction in the food price leaves a significant proportion of income for other items, a lower food price stimulates employment in industrial and service sectors. On the other hand, an increase in the food price would increase the wage costs of industrial products and hence the prices of industrial products. In the absence of adjustments through exports, it would result in demand deficiency. Clearly, the most favourable situation in India is one in which labour demand outpaces its supply and food supply outpaces its demand.

Wage rates cannot fall below a certain minimum determined by the costs of subsistence living and the labour supply curve turns elastic at the subsistence wage rate. Demographic pressure cannot push the wage rate below the subsistence level. People would be willing to starve rather than work unless the energy expended in physical work is compensated by the energy provided by food. Foodgrain price usually determines the subsistence wage rate in agricultural as well as in the urban informal sector since foodgrains account for about four-fifth of the calorie intake of the poor.

Q1. Which of the following, according to the passage, signifies influence of agricultural products on poverty? (I) Higher labour productivity in agriculture reduces poverty. (II) Agricultural product is the main constituent of the food of the poor. (III) Agriculture output spurs industrial growth which ultimately helps the poor.

 (a) (I) and (II) only (b) (II) and (III) only (c) (I) and (III) only (d) All (I), (II) and (III)  e)None

Q2. Which of the following, according to the passage, benefits the urban workers get from increased agricultural production? (I) Urban workers get agricultural products at a cheaper rate. (II) Urban workers get more job offers in the agricultural sectors. (III) Urban workers get more job offers in the industrial sectors. (a) None (b) (I) and (II) only (c) (II) and (III) only (d) (I) and (III) only (e) All (I), (II) and (III)

Q3. Which of the following is meant by "the labour supply curve turns elastic at the 

subsistence wage rate" as used in the passage? (a) People refuse to work at the minimum wage rate (b) People still work at the minimum wage rate (c) People are eager to work at the minimum wage rate (d) People have no option but to work at the minimum wage rate (e) None of these

Q4. Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage? (a) Increase in labour productivity in agriculture can reduce poverty (b) Agricultural sector can provide the impetus for greater industrialization at lower cost (c) Increase in food supply will increase the demand for labour forces (d) Concentration of low income group people is relatively higher in the non-agricultural sector (e) All are true

Q5. Which of the following in addition to employment-output elasticity, according to the passage, creates indirect employment? (a) Inter-linkage of demand of food and other sectors. (b) Inter-dependence of forces of labour supply and food demand. (c) Income elasticity of demand for food. (d) All of these (e) None of these  

Q6. Which of the following, according to the passage, can lead to demand deficiency in India? (a) Widespread import of food grains (b) Oversupply of agricultural products (c) Increase in prices of industrial products (d) Foresight in gauging the demand-supply of labour (e) None of these

Q7. Which of the following, according to the passage, is the cause for increase in food supply? (a) Less demand by the industrial sector. (b) Bumper food production due to adequate monsoon. (c) Change in technique of food production. (d) Not mentioned in the passage. (e) None of these

 Q8. Which of the following has the same meaning as the word 'sheer' as used in the passage? (a) simple (b) undiluted (c) mere (d) outright (e) unassisted

Q9. Which of the following has the same meaning as the word 'deflation' as used in the passage? (a) reduction (b) index (c) inflation (d) improvement (e) diffusion

Q10. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning of the word 'interdependence' as used in the passage? (a) correlated (b) dependence (c) independence (d) relativity (e) interrelated

Passage-2 Key

Passage -2 Key

1.. Ans.(c) Sol. There are good reasons why the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference, part of a 14-nation process begun in 2011 to facilitate the development and security of Afghanistan, is so named. The Heart of Asia process thus remains critical to forging cooperation to realise Afghanistan’s potential to be a vibrant Asian “hub”.

2. Ans.(d) Sol. The case Mr. Ghani made was clear: progress and development in Afghanistan are meaningless and unsustainable without peace, and peace is contingent on Pakistan ending support to terror groups such the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

3. Ans.(a) Sol. Refer Last Para, ‘As a result, the measures India and Afghanistan have envisaged in order to avoid Pakistan, such as land trade from the Chabahar port and a dedicated air corridor between Delhi and Kabul, may prove to be insufficient by the time they are put in place…’

4. Ans.(b) Sol. This is the relevant theme for this passage. 

 5. Ans.(d) Sol. Today it is also a focal point for the region’s biggest challenge of terrorism; some of the farreaching battles against al-Qaeda, Islamic State, etc. will be decided on the battlegrounds of Afghanistan.

 6. Ans.(c) Sol. ‘As a result, the measures India and Afghanistan have envisaged in order to avoid Pakistan, such as land trade from the Chabahar port and a dedicated air corridor between Delhi and Kabul…’

 7. Ans.(a) Sol. ‘In tandem, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi focussed their concerns on cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan…’

 8. Ans.(b) Sol. Option is not true, because according to the passage Mr. Ghani has stressed on the fact that to attain peace in Afghanistan it is important that Pakistan stop supporting terror groups. Refer Para 1.

 9. Ans.(e) Sol. Refer Para 1, ‘…on Pakistan ending support to terror groups such the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba.’

 10. Ans.(d) Sol. Refer Para 2, ‘A lack of engagement may, in the short term, yield some pressure on Pakistan’s leadership to act, as it did briefly after the Pathankot attack. But in the long run it may deplete the two countries of their limited leverage as Pakistan’s neighbours. It may, for all the affirmations of mutual ties, also succeed in driving more obstacles to trade between India and Afghanistan.’

 11. Ans.(a) Sol. Contingent means occurring or existing only if (certain circumstances) are the case; dependent on.

 12. Ans.(c) Sol. Ally means a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose.

 13. Ans.(d) Sol. Affirmation is the action or process of affirming something which is state emphatically or publicly. Denial is its antonym.

 14. Ans.(b) Sol. Envisage means to contemplate or conceive of as a possibility or a desirable future event. 

15. Ans.(b) Sol. Forging refers to create (something) strong, enduring, or successful. Establish is its synonym.

Passage-2

There are good reasons why the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference, part of a 14-nation process begun in 2011 to facilitate the development and security of Afghanistan, is so named. The obvious one is geographical, as Afghanistan lies at the junction of Central, South and East Asia, and also of the ancient trading routes from China and India to Europe. Today it is also a focal point for the region’s biggest challenge of terrorism; some of the far-reaching battles against al-Qaeda, Islamic State, etc. will be decided on the battlegrounds of Afghanistan. For India, putting terror centre stage at the Heart of Asia declaration in Amritsar was thus timely and necessary. In tandem, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi focussed their concerns on cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, something even Pakistan’s traditional allies at the conference, including China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Turkey, found difficult to counter. The case Mr. Ghani made was clear: progress and development in Afghanistan are meaningless and unsustainable without peace, and peace is contingent on Pakistan ending support to terror groups such the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba. He dared Pakistan to use its proposed development grant to Afghanistan to fight terror on its own soil.

 However, if every window for engagement with Pakistan is closed for India and Afghanistan, the two countries must closely consider what their next step will be. A lack of engagement may, in the short term, yield some pressure on Pakistan’s leadership to act, as it did briefly after the Pathankot attack. But in the long run it may deplete the two countries of their limited leverage as Pakistan’s neighbours. It may, for all the affirmations of mutual ties, also succeed in driving more obstacles to trade between India and Afghanistan. In the past year, the cornering of Pakistan by its South Asian neighbours has only yielded deeper ties for Islamabad with Beijing and Moscow, pushed Kabul closer to Central Asia, and moved New Delhi towards multilateral groupings to the east and south. As a result, the measures India and Afghanistan have envisaged in order to avoid Pakistan, such as land trade from the Chabahar port and a dedicated air corridor between Delhi and Kabul, may prove to be insufficient by the time they are put in place, even as Afghanistan is connected more closely via a rail line from China’s Yiwu and Tehran. The Heart of Asia process thus remains critical to forging cooperation to realise Afghanistan’s potential to be a vibrant Asian “hub”.

Q1. What according to the author was the initial agenda for the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference? (a) To strategically invade the intruders of peace and to rage war against terrorism (b) To make Afghanistan from the Asian ‘Hub’ to the trading central between East Asia and Europe (c) To bring out Afghanistan’s potential as Asian ‘Hub’ and to facilitate development and security in Afghanistan. (d) To plan the strategy of utilizing it’s potential as the focal point of terrorism and attack Pakistan (e) All of the above were included in the agenda of the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference 

 Q2. In Mr. Ghani’s view, what is mandatory for sustainable development and to attain peace in Afghanistan? (a) To rage war again Pakistan and bring this terrorism to a full stop (b) To join hands with Haqqani and Lashkar-eTaiba (c) India should invade Pakistan for betterment of neighbouring countries (d) Pakistan should end its support to terror groups (e) India and Afghanistan needs to cease all sorts of trade and link with Pakistan

 Q3. According to the author; is lack of engagement with Pakistan a good option in the long run? (a) No, because the measures India and Afghanistan have taken may prove to be insufficient by the time they are put in place. (b) No, because this may lead to more trade difficulties among all countries of middle and south east Asia. (c) Yes, because that is the only sure shot solution to get over with terrorism. (d) Yes, as Pakistan is not willing to stop supporting terror groups and by secluding it with international ties, cross-border terrorism will come to a halt. (e) No, because China and Central Asia have other plans to deal with the situation.

 Q4. What is the theme for this passage? (a) The Heart of Asia against Pakistan (b) Afghanistan amidst cross-border terrorism (c) The prevalent issue of Terrorism by Pakistan (d) India and Afghanistan against their neighbour (e) India befriends Afghanistan

Q5. In the given passage, why Afghanistan is being considered as the ‘focal point’ of 

terrorism? (a) New terror groups are being formed in Afghanistan and fighting in India. (b)al-Qaeda and Islamic state operate through Afghanistan and are funded by its government (c) Pakistan and Afghanistan support groups such as Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba (d) Many battles against big terror groups are fought on the battlegrounds of Afghanistan. (e) All of the above statements are the reason for Afghanistan being considered as the ‘focal point’ of terrorism.

 Q6. What are the measures foreseen by India and Afghanistan to avoid their neighbouring country?  (a) Including Russia and Europe to tackle the situation. (b) Forging cooperation to realise Afghanistan’s potential to be a vibrant Asian “hub”. (c) Starting land trade from the Chabahar port and a dedicated air corridor between Delhi and Kabul (d) Deepening ties of Islamabad with Beijing and Moscow and, pushing Kabul closer to Central Asia (e) Driving more obstacles to trade between India and Afghanistan.

 Q7. Which major issue was discussed by President of Afghanistan and the Prime Minister of India? (a) Cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan (b) Strengthening ties between India and Afghanistan (c) Putting pressure on Pakistan for all its wrong deeds (d) Measures to avaid another attack like the Pathankot attack (e) Including China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to the Heart of Asia treaty

 Q8. Which among the following statement is not true according to the passage? (a) Lack of engagement , in the short term, yield some pressure on Pakistan’s leadership to act on the current scenario of cross-border terrorism. (b) Pakistan ending support to terror group such as the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba will not be of much influence in the situation of cross-border terrorism. (c) Afghanistan is the focal point for the region’s biggest challenge of terrorism. (d) Cornering of Pakistan by its South Asian neighbours has only yielded deeper ties for Islamabad with Beijing and Moscow. (e)India and Afghanistan are planning for better interconnectivity such as land trade from the Chabahar port and a dedicated air corridor between Delhi and Kabul.

 Q9. Why Pakistan is being considered as the breeding ground for cross-border terrorism? (a) Pakistan is initiating World War III (b) Pakistan’s allies are supporting it in ceasing trade with India and Afghanistan (c) Pakistan has opposed the ‘Heart of Asia’ conference (d) Islamabad has close ties with Bejing and Moscow. (e) Pakistan is providing support to terror groups such the Haqqani network and Lashkare-Taiba.

 Q10. According to the author, what impact will it have if India and Afghanistan cease engagement with Pakistan? (a) A lack of engagement may, in the short term, yield some pressure on Pakistan’s leadership to act (b) In the long run, such initiative may succeed in driving more obstacles to trade between India and Afghanistan. (c) It will definitely put pressure on Pakistan to surrender it’s terror groups, and it will be a measure confirming peace among international borders. (d) Both (a) and (b) (e) All of the above 

 Q11. Which of the following words is SIMILAR in the meaning of the word ‘contingent’ as used in the passage?   (a) Conditional (b) Versatile (c) Shabby (d) Inductive (e) Casual

 Q12. Which of the following words is OPPOSITE in the meaning of the word ‘allies’ as used in the passage?   (a) Fragile (b) Associate (c) Opponent (d) Dependent (e) Establishment

 Q13. Which of the following words is OPPOSITE in the meaning of the word ‘affirmations’ as used in the passage?   (a) Proclaim (b) Declaration (c) Assertion (d) Denial (e) Enemy

 Q14. Which of the following words is SIMILAR in meaning of the word ‘envisaged’ as used in the passage?   (a) Rage (b) Foresee (c) Turmoil (d) Cautious (e) Erode

 Q15. Which of the following words is SIMILAR in meaning of the word ‘forging’ as used in the passage?   (a) Caucus (b) Establish (c) Parley (d) Disband (e) Disapprove

Passage-1 Key

 

Passage-1 Key

1. Ans.(b) Sol. It is mentioned in the passage that Cyber Security means protecting data, networks, programs and other information from unauthorized or unintended access, destruction or change.

 2. Ans.(c) Sol. The reason mentioned in the paragraph for cyber threats is “due to negligence and vulnerabilities, or unintentional accidents.”

  3. Ans.(c) Sol. information shared by an individual for socializing purposes can be distorted and can be used for malignant purpose

 4. Ans.(d) Sol. Opening email attachments that carry the virus, clicking malicious links or websites or unintentionally downloading a dangerous program

 5. Ans.(b) Sol. The appropriate title for the given passage would be ‘Cybercrime and hacking’.

 6. Ans.(d) Sol. malicious- characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm. vitriolic-filled with bitter criticism or malice. hence, these two words are synonyms to each other.

 7. Ans.(d) Sol. Felonious-relating to or involved in crime. hence illegal and Felonious are synonyms to each other.

 8. Ans.(a) Sol. accredit-(of an official body) give authority or sanction to (someone or something) when recognized standards have been met. hence, accredit and unauthorized are antonyms to each other.

 9. Ans.(a) Sol. malapropos-in an inopportune or inappropriate way. hence, malapropos and appropriate are antonyms.

 10. Ans.(c) Sol. fortuitously- Happening by accident or chance. Hence, fortuitously and unintentional are synonyms to each other.

Passage -1

Directions (1-10): Read the following paragraph. Some of the words have been highlighted in bold. Answer the questions based on this paragraph.

The internet has become the integral part of today’s generation of people; from communicating through instant messages and emails to banking, travelling, studying and shopping, internet has touched every aspect of life. With the growing use of the internet by people, protecting important information has become a necessity.  A computer that is not having appropriate security controls can be infected with malicious logic and thus any type of information can be accessed in moments. Number of infected Web Pages and malicious websites can be seen every day that infects the computer and allow hackers to gain illegal access to other computer systems. Hacking of important data, network outages, computer viruses and other cyber related threats affect our lives that range from minor inconvenience to serious incidents. Cyber threats can be caused due to negligence and vulnerabilities, or unintentional accidents. The main objectives of such type of system attackers or hackers are to steal confidential information, to make illegal monetary transactions, to destroy or to change data and the like. System attackers can be terrorists, crackers or recreational hackers. They have a variety of tools that can harm or infect the computer; usually they use malicious logic or virus to gain unauthorized access to a computer. Opening email attachments that carry the virus, clicking malicious links or websites or unintentionally downloading a dangerous program are common ways through which a computer can be infected and data can be stolen.

As the number of data networks, digital applications, as well as internet and mobile users are growing, so do the chances of cyber exploitation and cyber crimes. Even a small mistake in securing data or bad social networking can prove to be extremely dangerous. If accounts are not properly secured, it makes easier for hackers or unauthorized users to spread viruses or social engineered attacks that are designed to steal data and even money. Such types of issues highlight the need for cyber security as an essential approach in protecting and preventing data from being used inappropriately.

 In simple language, Cyber Security or Information technology security means protecting data,networks, programs and other information from unauthorized or unintended access, destruction or change. It encompasses all the mechanisms and processes that protect digital equipment, information and records from illegal or unintended access, manipulation or destruction. In today’s dynamic environment, cyber security has become vital for individuals and families, as well as organizations (such as military, government, business houses, educational and financial institutions, corporations and others) that collect and store a wide range of confidential data on computers and transmit that to other computers across different networks. For families, protection of children and family members from cyber crime has become substantially important. For an individual, protecting information that could impact social life as well as personal finance is essential.

The internet has provided a wide array of learning opportunities, but there are risks too. Photos, videos and other personal information shared by an individual on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter can be inappropriately used by others may lead to serious and even life-threatening incidents. Social networking sites have become the most popular medium for sharing information and connecting with other people. But these sites have created varied opportunities for cybercrimes, compromised personal identities and information leakage. Therefore, it is important for individuals to understand how to protect against cyber threats, and must also comprehend the difference between virtual and real world. One should learn how to protect computers and personal information from being hacked and should engage in appropriate online behaviour in order to eliminate changes of cyber threats and thereby creating a safer online environment.

 Q1. According to the author what does the cyber security means?

(a) Cyber Security means the dispersion of important data and devise a structural engineering that allow easy flow of information (b) Cyber Security means protecting data, networks, programs and other information from unauthorized or unintended access, destruction or change. (c) Cyber Security means the blocking of all the websites that are available in free domain (d) Cyber Security means the Hacking of important data, network outages, computer viruses and other cyber related threats affect our lives that range from minor inconvenience to serious incidents. (e) None of the above

 Q2. According to the author, what is the main reasons behind cyber threats?

 (a) the unknown person with malice  (b) due to intelligence, veneration and intentional threats. (c) due to negligence and vulnerabilities, or unintentional accidents. (d) by communicating through instant messages and emails to banking, travelling, studying and shopping on internet (e) None of the above

 Q3. What is the downside of Social media, according to the author?

 (a) the long hours usage of social media could affect an individual mentally and become the victim of depression (b) by sharing sensitive information, one can be vulnerable to sudden outburst of emotions (c) information shared by an individual for socializing purposes can be distorted and can be used for malignant purpose. (d) the social media owners can steal the information and sell this information for monetary purposes (e) None of the above

 Q4.  According to this passage, how the virus gets into the computers?

 (a) by saving data and clicking on the desktop (b) by opening a document file in the search history (c) by texting online and receiving files on social media platforms (d) Opening email attachments that carry the virus, clicking malicious links or websites or unintentionally downloading a dangerous program (e) None of the above

 Q5. What will be the apt title for this passage? (a) life hacks (b) Cybercrime and hacking (c) technology and its advantages (d) technological advances (e) The impact of social media

 Q6. In the following question, find the word that is most similar in the meaning to the word ‘malicious’? (a) benefactor (b) benign (c) benevolent (d) vitriolic (e) vituperate

 Q7. In the following question, find the word that is most similar in the meaning to the word “illegal”? (a) symposium (b) chagrin (c) chauvinistic (d) Felonious (e) charlatan

 Q8. In the following question, find the word that is opposite in the meaning to the word “unauthorized”? (a) accredit (b) unaccredited (c) inadmissible (d) increment (e) liaison

Q9. In the following question, find the word that is opposite in the meaning to the word “appropriate”? (a) malapropos (b) opportunely (c) sequestrate (d) usurp (e) commandeer

 Q10. In the following question, find the word that is most similar in the meaning to the word “unintentional”? (a) despotic (b) harbinger (c) fortuitously (d) immaculate (e) innocuous