SO 30

 IBPS SO 30

Exhort

Meaning: To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.

Example: The teacher exhorted the students to study regularly.

Synonyms: Urge, Encourage, Advise

Antonyms: Discourage, Dissuade, Deter

Denounce

Meaning: To publicly declare something to be wrong or evil.

Example: The leaders denounced corruption in the system.

Synonyms: Condemn, Criticize, Blame

Antonyms: Approve, Praise, Support

Conquer

Meaning: To overcome and take control of a place or people by use of force.

Example: They managed to conquer the fear of failure.

Synonyms: Defeat, Overcome, Subdue

Antonyms: Surrender, Yield, Lose

Abscond

Meaning: To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest.

Example: The cashier absconded with the company funds.

Synonyms: Flee, Escape, Bolt

Antonyms: Stay, Remain, Endure

Whopping

Meaning: Extremely large.

Example: She won a whopping amount in the lottery.

Synonyms: Huge, Enormous, Massive

Antonyms: Tiny, Small, Petite

Blimp

Meaning: A type of airship without an internal supporting framework.

Example: A blimp flew over the stadium during the match.

Synonyms: Airship, Dirigible, Balloon

Antonyms: N/A, N/A, N/A

Diffusion

Meaning: The spreading of something more widely.

Example: The diffusion of ideas helped society progress.

Synonyms: Spread, Dissemination, Propagation

Antonyms: Concentration, Condensation, Collection

Pamper

Meaning: To indulge with every attention and comfort.

Example: Parents often pamper their youngest child.

Synonyms: Indulge, Spoil, Coddle

Antonyms: Neglect, Ignore, Overlook

Indict

Meaning: To formally accuse of or charge with a serious crime.

Example: The grand jury decided to indict the suspect.

Synonyms: Accuse, Charge, Prosecute

Antonyms: Acquit, Exonerate, Absolve

Summon

Meaning: To call upon to appear, especially for a specific purpose.

Example: The principal summoned the student to her office.

Synonyms: Call, Request, Convene

Antonyms: Dismiss, Send away, Disperse

Incendiary

Meaning: Designed to cause fires; tending to stir up conflict.

Example: His incendiary speech led to protests.

Synonyms: Inflammatory, Provocative, Agitating

Antonyms: Calming, Soothing, Pacifying

Meticulous

Meaning: Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

Example: She was meticulous in organizing her notes.

Synonyms: Careful, Precise, Thorough

Antonyms: Careless, Negligent, Sloppy

Stickling

Meaning: Insisting on a strict adherence to rules or details.

Example: He was stickling about punctuality in the office.

Synonyms: Exacting, Fastidious, Fussy

Antonyms: Easygoing, Lenient, Casual

Painstaking

Meaning: Done with great care and thoroughness.

Example: The artist's painstaking work impressed everyone.

Synonyms: Diligent, Careful, Meticulous

Antonyms: Careless, Hasty, Negligent

Scruples

Meaning: A feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality of an action.

Example: He had no scruples about lying for his benefit.

Synonyms: Hesitation, Doubt, Qualms

Antonyms: Confidence, Certainty, Assurance

Erudition

Meaning: The quality of having or showing great knowledge or learning.

Example: Her erudition in literature was admirable.

Synonyms: Scholarship, Knowledge, Learning

Antonyms: Ignorance, Illiteracy, Unawareness

Celestial

Meaning: Positioned in or relating to the sky or outer space.

Example: They admired the celestial bodies through a telescope.

Synonyms: Heavenly, Astronomical, Divine

Antonyms: Earthly, Terrestrial, Worldly

Astral

Meaning: Relating to or resembling the stars.

Example: They believed in astral projection during meditation.

Synonyms: Stellar, Celestial, Starry

Antonyms: Terrestrial, Earthly, Grounded

Helix

Meaning: An object having a three-dimensional spiral shape.

Example: DNA has a double helix structure.

Synonyms: Spiral, Coil, Twist

Antonyms: Straight, Linear, Uncoiled

Braid

Meaning: To interlace three or more strands of hair or material.

Example: She braided her hair before going to school.

Synonyms: Plait, Twist, Weave

Antonyms: Untangle, Unravel, Loosen

Angelic

Meaning: Exceptionally beautiful, innocent, or kind.

Example: The child had an angelic smile.

Synonyms: Heavenly, Innocent, Pure

Antonyms: Wicked, Evil, Sinful

Infernal

Meaning: Relating to hell; irritating and 

tiresome.

Example: The infernal noise made it hard to focus.

Synonyms: Hellish, Diabolical, Fiendish

Antonyms: Heavenly, Angelic, Divine

RECAP GRID

Exhort | Denounce | Conquer | Abscond | Whopping | Blimp

Diffusion | Pamper | Indict | Summon | Incendiary | Meticulous

Stickling | Painstaking | Scruples | Erudition | Celestial | Astral

Helix | Braid | Angelic | Infernal

CGL 73

Anglophobia

Meaning: Fear or dislike of England or English people

Example: His anglophobia prevented him from enjoying English literature.

Synonyms: xenophobia, bias, prejudice

Antonyms: Anglophilia, admiration, fondness

Acarophobia

Meaning: Fear of mites or small insects

Example: Her acarophobia made it difficult to walk through grassy fields.

Synonyms: entomophobia, insectophobia, phobia

Antonyms: bravery, fearlessness, courage

Acerophobia

Meaning: Fear of sourness

Example: Because of acerophobia, he avoided citrus fruits.

Synonyms: phobia, fear, aversion

Antonyms: liking, fondness, preference

Anthophobia

Meaning: Fear of flowers

Example: His anthophobia kept him from attending garden parties.

Synonyms: phobia, fear, floraphobia

Antonyms: fondness, love, affection

Extempore

Meaning: Spoken or done without preparation

Example: He gave an extempore speech during the event.

Synonyms: impromptu, spontaneous, unrehearsed

Antonyms: prepared, planned, rehearsed

Exonerate

Meaning: To clear from blame

Example: The evidence helped to exonerate him from the charges.

Synonyms: absolve, acquit, vindicate

Antonyms: blame, accuse, incriminate

Indelible

Meaning: Cannot be removed or forgotten

Example: The experience left an indelible mark on her memory.

Synonyms: permanent, lasting, unforgettable

Antonyms: erasable, temporary, forgetful

Ephemeral

Meaning: Lasting for a very short time

Example: Fame is often ephemeral.

Synonyms: temporary, transient, fleeting

Antonyms: permanent, lasting, enduring

Inept

Meaning: Having or showing no skill

Example: His inept handling of the situation worsened the issue.

Synonyms: clumsy, incompetent, awkward

Antonyms: competent, skilled, adept

Idealist

Meaning: A person guided by ideals rather than practicality

Example: She was an idealist who believed in a perfect world.

Synonyms: dreamer, visionary, romantic

Antonyms: realist, pragmatist, cynic

Egalitarian

Meaning: Believing in equal rights for all people

Example: He was known for his egalitarian views.

Synonyms: equal, democratic, fair

Antonyms: elitist, unequal, biased

Necrophobia

Meaning: Fear of dead things or death

Example: His necrophobia prevented him from attending funerals.

Synonyms: phobia, fear, tanatophobia

Antonyms: bravery, fearlessness, calm

Claustrophobia

Meaning: Fear of confined spaces

Example: She avoided elevators due to her claustrophobia.

Synonyms: phobia, fear, agoraphobia

Antonyms: comfort, ease, fearlessness

Ophiophobia

Meaning: Fear of snakes

Example: His ophiophobia made hiking difficult.

Synonyms: phobia, fear, herpetophobia

Antonyms: bravery, fearlessness, courage

Cogent

Meaning: Clear, logical, and convincing

Example: She presented a cogent argument.

Synonyms: convincing, persuasive, compelling

Antonyms: weak, unconvincing, flimsy

Myriad

Meaning: A countless or extremely great number

Example: There are a myriad of stars in the sky.

Synonyms: innumerable, countless, many

Antonyms: few, limited, scarce

Megalomaniac

Meaning: One who is obsessed with power

Example: The dictator was a megalomaniac.

Synonyms: tyrant, dictator, autocrat

Antonyms: humble, modest, meek

Monomania

Meaning: Excessive concentration on a single idea

Example: His monomania with chess affected his social life.

Synonyms: obsession, fixation, preoccupation

Antonyms: balance, diversity, variety

Mythomania

Meaning: Excessive or abnormal tendency to lie

Example: Her mythomania made it hard to trust her.

Synonyms: lying, falsehood, fabrication

Antonyms: honesty, truthfulness, integrity

Nymphomania

Meaning: Excessive sexual desire in women

Example: Nymphomania is often misunderstood in society.

Synonyms: hypersexuality, erotomania, lust

Antonyms: modesty, chastity, restraint

Tilling

Meaning: Preparing land for growing crops

Example: Farmers spend hours tilling the soil.

Synonyms: plowing, cultivating, turning

Antonyms: neglecting, abandoning, ignoring

Scorn

Meaning: Feeling or expressing contempt

Example: He spoke with scorn about corruption.

Synonyms: contempt, disdain, derision

Antonyms: respect, admiration, praise

Profane

Meaning: Not respectful of religious practice

Example: The film was criticized for being profane.

Synonyms: irreverent, blasphemous, sacrilegious

Antonyms: reverent, pious, sacred

Slight

Meaning: Insult or treat with disrespect

Example: She felt the comment was a slight to her efforts.

Synonyms: insult, snub, affront

Antonyms: praise, compliment, respect

Debut

Meaning: First public appearance

Example: Her debut album was a success.

Synonyms: introduction, launch, premiere

Antonyms: retirement, withdrawal, exit

Variable

Meaning: Not consistent; liable to change

Example: Weather is highly variable in this region.

Synonyms: changeable, fluctuating, unstable

Antonyms: constant, stable, fixed

Recap: Vocabulary Grid

Anglophobia

Acarophobia

Acerophobia

Anthophobia

Extempore

Exonerate

Indelible

Ephemer

al

Inept

Idealist

Egalitarian

Necrophobia

Claustrophobia

Ophiophobia

Cogent

Myriad

Megalomaniac

Monomania

Mythomania

Nymphomania

Tilling

Scorn

Profane

Slight

Debut

Nouns Sentence Improvement-2

 51.Her luggages were lost during the trip.

52.The criteria for admission was strict.

53.The committee have decided to resign.

54.The staff is reporting late every day.

55.Her luggages were lost during the trip.

56.Much advices were provided by the mentor.

57.Few informations were missing from the report.

58.Cattles are grazing in the field.

59.Her luggages were lost during the trip.

60.The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.

61.His works is admired by many.

62.Her luggages were lost during the trip.

63.There are many baggages to move.

64.The committee have decided to resign.

65.There are several beautiful sceneries in this area.

66.She gave me an useful advice.

67.The poetries of the author are touching.

68.Her luggages were lost during the trip.

69.Few informations were missing from the report.

70.The datas were analyzed carefully.

71.He shared his knowledges with us.

72.The committee have decided to resign.

73.The poetries of the author are touching.

74.The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.

75.The furniture in the house are new.

76.These furnitures are quite old.

77.The datas were analyzed carefully.

78.These furnitures are quite old.

79.The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.

80.She gave me many informations about the course.

81.The poetries of the author are touching.

82.The furniture in the house are new.

83.There are many baggages to move.

84.The poetries of the author are touching.

85.Few informations were missing from the report.

86.The committee have decided to resign.

87.She gave me an useful advice.

88.The furniture in the house are new.

89.Cattles are grazing in the field.

90.She gave me many informations about the course.

91.Cattles are grazing in the field.

92.He bought new equipments for his lab.

93.He shared his knowledges with us.

94.The furniture in the house are new.

95.The datas were analyzed carefully.

96.There are many baggages to move.

97.The staff is reporting late every day.

98.The staff is reporting late every day.

99.His works is admired by

 many.

100.Much advices were provided by the mentor.

Nouns Sentence Improvement -1

 Nouns Sentence Improvement-1

1.The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.

2.She gave me many informations about the course.

3.The furniture in the house are new.

4.He shared his knowledges with us.

5.Much advices were provided by the mentor.

6.Her luggages were lost during the trip.

7.The committee have decided to resign.

8.These furnitures are quite old.

9.There are several beautiful sceneries in this area.

10.The news are not confirmed yet.

11.He bought new equipments for his lab.

12.Few informations were missing from the report.

13.The staff is reporting late every day.

14.The poetries of the author are touching.

15.She gave me an useful advice.

16.There are many baggages to move.

17.Cattles are grazing in the field.

18.His works is admired by many.

19.The datas were analyzed carefully.

20.The criteria for admission was strict.

21.The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.

22.There are several beautiful sceneries in this area.

23.Few informations were missing from the report.

24.Much advices were provided by the mentor.

25.Much advices were provided by the mentor.

26.These furnitures are quite old.

27.The furniture in the house are new.

28.Her luggages were lost during the trip.

29.Few informations were missing from the report.

30.The committee have decided to resign.

31.He bought new equipments for his lab.

32.He shared his knowledges with us.

33.The furniture in the house are new.

34.Few informations were missing from the report.

35.These furnitures are quite old.

36.These furnitures are quite old.

37.The furniture in the house are new.

38.She gave me many informations about the course.

39.The committee have decided to resign.

40.There are several beautiful sceneries in this area.

41.He shared his knowledges with us.

42.She gave me an useful advice.

43.There are several beautiful sceneries in this area.

44.The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.

45.He bought new equipments for his lab.

46.Few informations were missing from the report.

47.He bought new equipments for his lab.

48.He bought new equipments for his lab.

49.These furnitures are quite old.

50.She gave me an useful advice.

Pronoun Errors

 1.Everyone reacts to the ups and downs of money in their life.

2.There are mafia-style bosses who encourage people to mutilate his children so the children will be more effective beggars.

3.There is a natural law of abundance which pervade the entire universe, but it will not flow through a doorway of belief in lack and limitation.

4.“One of the worst enemies that sets the platform for developing a poverty mindset is your background.

5.There is no one book that can predict the future, simply because the future is malleable and not cast in stone

6.The whole planet is one giant, living, breathing cell, with all their working parts linked in symbiosis.

7.Those who complain and get distressed are the ones who believes in the sense of possession and expectation

8.Our mission in life is not to change the world – our mission is to change ourself.

9.Every profession has his own ride in terms of nature, hierarchy or intensity of the job.

10.Anyone with half an afternoon at their disposal could find the same material free of charge on the internet.

11.When an investment is made, its prospects must be so good that placing a rather large proportion of one’s total funds in such a single situation will not seem excessively risky.

12.Growth can only happen through periods of discomfort. No one has achieved greatness by staying in their comfort zone.

13.One of the most important commitment in a family or a business is never to bad-mouth.

14.The liquid spray contains a mix of chemicals that tells the other lobster about its size, sex, health, and mood.

15.Ordinary folks with no financial education can be wealthy if they have a handful of behavioral skills that has nothing to do with formal measures of intelligence.

16.Any program which involves complete investment of all capital at all times is certain to fail unless the amount of it is extremely small.

Verb Common Errors

1. A man is literally what he thinks, his character was the complete sum of all his thoughts.

2.We create rules inside our head for how people should behaved. When people break the rules, we resent them. 

3.Two topics impacts everyone, whether you are interested in them or not: health and money.

4.We learn our biggest lessons when things gets rough.

5.Uncertainty itself is neither sweet nor sour; rather, it intensifies the flavor that already there.

6.Gratitude will effect your essential perspective of attitude toward life.

7.It is doubtful whether Homo sapiens will still been around a thousand years from now.

8.To be clear, you’re not going to learn how to execute trades, come up with trade ideas, read charts, or recognizing fundamentals here.

9.The looming, emotional power of the future can sometimes a source of torment and depression 

10.Over the millennia, animals who must co-habited with others in the same territories have in consequence learned many tricks to establish dominance.

11.History's most grandiose accomplishments can sometimes had the most banal of origins.

12.Even in the wake of the recent housing meltdown, most people would advocated the purchase of the upgraded homestead over the ticket to outer space. 

13.How you feels about failure will to a very large degree define your growth and your life trajectory

14.Just breathing and smiling can makes us very happy, because when we breathe consciously we recover ourselves completely and encounter life in the present moment.

15.On Jan 1, 1947, Only one family in fifteen was been able to find and afford a Christmas turkey for the holiday season just past in London.

16.In theory people should made investment decisions based on their goals and the characteristics of the investment options available to them at the time.

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

Test -2 key

Test-2 key

1)4   2)3

3)Answer: Option A

Explanation:

The first sentence says that women's boxing has not been recognized as an Olympic sport. Sentence A follows with the idea that the IBA is campaigning towards including it in the 2008 Olympics. Taking up boxing as a profession or getting a government job as mentioned in sentences B and C cannot be a great 'dream' to be fulfilled which is the idea stated in the last sentence.

4)  Answer is B. The paragraph describes 19th century Japan and Second World War Germany to highlight the fact that technological change results in a “lumpy and bumpy” world where old and new technologies co-exist, piling on top of each other. 

This idea is best captured by option (B). Technologies layer and stack and endure over time.

Option (A) talks of factors other than “efficiency” driving technological change. This is unrelated to the rest of the paragraph.

Option (C) states that “the best ideas” do not necessarily become popular right away. The paragraph does not describe any “great ideas” and say that these were unpopular when they were first introduced.

Option (D) states that innovations do not spread at the same rate; some are adopted slowly while some catch on quickly. The paragraph given, however, does not relate to this idea. 

5) The paragraph describes populists as "allergic to reflection" and naturally "kinetic". Why kinetic? Because they do not like to pause and think through details. Instead, they simply insist that there are simple solutions to complex problems, and that these solutions are held back from the public by the "elite".

Now, let us consider the options to see which sentence fits best in the given paragraph.

Option A states that populists point out the problems in "accepted political wisdom". It is not clear what this accepted wisdom is from the paragraph. Nor does the paragraph describe how populists position themselves against conventional political ideas. So, this is not a good option to start the given paragraph.

Option B says that populists are catalysts for political change. Now, the paragraph is not about political change brought about by populists. The paragraph only argues that populists insist on simple solutions to complex problems. That populists accelerate change is not the main idea of the paragraph. So, this option too is ruled out.

According to option C, populists survive by "staying in motion". This relates to the idea of populists being "naturally kinetic" and not pausing for thought. The paragraph argues that populists do not like to reflect; instead of thinking through problems, they facilely insist on simple solutions to problems. Option C fits well in the given paragraph.

Option D states that populists pit people against an "intransigent" elite. But the paragraph does not build on the idea that populists project the elite as unbending. In fact, the paragraph does not even group the elite as a single unit, but as an assortment: "saboteurs", "enemies of the people" and even "consumers of carrot cake" form the "metropolitan elite". So, D is not a good option to complete the given paragraph.

The question is " Choose the Sentence that completes the Paragraph "

Hence, the answer is Sentence C

Rearrangement  order(6-10)

Becafd

11. b as a batsaman

12.a fast(there is no word called fastly in English)

13. b in rescuing

14. b better than

15. c behaved nicely

16. b firing at the crowd

17. c least arrogant

18. a use supposing or if not both

19. a have been free (not are free)

20. c filmmakers

21.5

22.5

23.3

24.1

25.4

26.5

27.1

28.3

29.3

30.1

Test-2

Test-2

Odd Man Out(1-2)

1)1. As India looks to increase the number of cities, our urban planning must factor in potential natural disasters and work out contingencies in advance.

2. Authorities must revise data and upgrade infrastructure and mitigation plans even if their local area hasn't been visited by a natural calamity yet.

3. Extreme temperatures, droughts, and forest fires have more than doubled since 1980.

4. There is no denying the fact that our baseline normal weather is changing.

5. It 1s no longer a question of whether we will be hit by nature's fury but rather when.

2)1. Much has been recently discovered about the development of songs in birds.

2. some species are restricted to a single song learned by all individuals, others have a range of songs.

3. The most important auditory stimuli for the birds are the sounds of other birds.

4. or all bird species there is a prescribed path to development of the final song,

5. A bird begins ·Nith the subsong, passes through plastic song, until it achieves the species song.

 Para Completion(3-5)

3). Women's boxing is yet to be recognized as an Olympic support,--------------. If that happens the dream of most of the tough girls may come true.

(A) The International Boxing Association has been campaigning to include it as an event in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

(B) Though boxing is a very tough sport many women are seen willing to take up professional boxing now a days.

(c) Even some state governments are now willing to employ the women pugilists.

·         A. Only A

·         B. A and C

·         C. Only B

·         D. B and C

·         E. All the three

4)____________________________________________.For instance, 19th-century Japan was a world where steam and sail, railroads and rickshaws all shared common space. Industrial revolutions were distributed unequally in place and time. In the Second World War, the most common transport for the German army wasn’t tanks and other motorized vehicles but horses. The technological world wasn’t flat. This is the world, still, today. It is lumpy and bumpy, with old and new technologies accumulating on top of and beside each other.

A.  Throughout history, imperatives besides efficiency have driven technological change.

B.  As they layer and stack, technologies persist over time.

C. The best ideas do not necessarily become popular right away.

D. Some innovations spread slowly, while others do so quickly.

E.  None.

5)_________________________________.They are allergic to reflection and are naturally kinetic. They despise policy detail, nuance and pauses for thought. The essence of populism is not democracy, but the insistence that there are simple solutions to complex problems – solutions that are withheld from the public by a metropolitan elite of “saboteurs”, “enemies of the people” and consumers of carrot cake.


A.  Populists point to tears in the fabric of accepted political wisdom.

B.  Populists are catalysts for political change.

C. Populists survive by staying in motion.

D. Populists pit the people against intransigent elite

E.  None.

Rearrangement (6-10)

a)It is a general term used to describe over 200 individuals.

b) The abnormal cells grow without any control, invade through normal tissue barriers and reproduce indefinitely.

c) The word ‘cancer’ comes from Latin, meaning a crab.

d) These characteristics include development within any tissue of a malignant growth.

e) A Tumor was called cancer because of swollen veins around the area resembling a crab’s limbs.

f) These diseases progress differently over a period of time and share certain characteristics.

Error Location(11-20)

11. Avinash is not so (a)/ good a batsman to (b)/ be selected for the national cricket team. (c)/ No Error (d)

12. He ran so fastly (a)/ that he reached (b)/ the destination in just two minutes. (c)/ No Error (d)

13. The fireman could not (a)/ succeed in rescue the (b)/ child although they could put out the fire. (c)/ No Error (d)

14. Anjali’s performance in the (a)/ drama was best than (b)/ Deepali’s but not as good as Vaishali’s. (c)/ No Error (d)

15. Although he is usually (a)/ rude with everyone (b)/ he behaved nice with all of us today. (c)/ No Error (d)

16. The police man (a)/ started firing the crowd(b)/ when the striking workers got violent. (c)/ No Error (d)

17. Of all the friends (a)/ I have had, he is the most helpful (b)/ and less arrogant. (c)/ No Error (d)

18. Supposing if you (a)/ are arrested (b)/ what will you do? (c)/ No Error (d)

.19.Although we are free (a)/ for the last fortyfive years or so (b)/ yet we continue to be economically backward. (c)/ No Error (d)

20. Satyajit Ray, who conceived, co-authored (a)/, and directed a number of good films, was (b) one of India’s most talented film maker. (c)/ No Error (d)

Cloze Test(21-30)

Hundreds of plants and animals are (21) every day due to deforestation and urbanization. What might happen if this continues in the future? The last mass extinction of plant and animal species occurred 65 million years ago with the dinosaurs. In all, five mass extinctions have occurred and scientists (22) earth is in the sixth mass extinction. The world as it is now is threatened, including people, who are responsible for earth's (23). Pesticides contaminating water; overharvesting of animals and plants; air pollution; illegal fishing and the clearing of land are direct results of urbanization and deforestation. People have (24) and damaged almost half of earth's land, at a very unsustainable rate. 

 Global warming is having a serious impact as well. A six- degree Celsius increase in global temperature killed 95% of all species on Earth 251 million years ago. An increase of six- degree Celsius is forecast this century if a change is not made to (25) the damage done to earth. Humans will be one of the 95% of species lost. Noticeable, changes of global warming include migration (26) and the change in season timings. Migrating birds are migrating earlier which in turn is causing them to hatch eggs and (27) young earlier than they did at the beginning of this century. While this is just the tip of the iceberg many other (28) regarding the extinction of plant and animal species need addressing. It is more important now than ever before to pull our heads out of the sand and make changes for the (29) of the earth. Future generations are (30), as they are a species as well. 

21. 1) killing 

    2) alive  

    3) born 

    4) left 

    5) lost

22. 1) speak 

    2) told 

    3) estimation 

    4) believe  

    5) consider 

23. 1) shape

    2) development  

    3) deterioration 

    4) warmth  

    5) expansion  

24. 1) altered

2) created  

    3) produced 

    4) made  

    5) brought  

25. 1) void 

     2) dissipate 

     3) augment 

     4) reverse  

     5) increase  

26. 1) delay 

    2) birds  

    3) slowdown

    4) hasten 

    5) acceleration  

27. 1) spare  

    2) bear  

    3) destroy 

    4) amend  

    5) generation  

28. 1) animals  

    2) difficulty  

    3) issues 

    4) humans  

    5) problem  

29. 1) extinction 

    2) better  

    3) wealth 

    4) stigma  

    5) demand  

30. 1) endangered  

      2) threaten  

      3) evaluated  

      4) living  

      5) compared