Reading Comprehension 28/12/2014

Passage 1:
Once a conflict gets over, aid agencies sanctioned by the World Bank send
study groups instead of requisite personnel. There is a gap of several years
before moving from humanitarian relief to economic development and hence,
political stability. By the time such help arrives the war has restarted. It is
possible to restart economic development through targeted 'quick impact'
initiatives. Most economies in post-conflict countries on based on agriculture.
Providing free packages of seeds, fertilizers and low-cost agricultural tools will
ensure that former soldiers will return to their farms and establish their
livelihood. But the window of opportunity closes quickly and one has to
implement these measures almost immediately.
1. How can economic development be restarted in an impoverished country?
I. Deploying peacekeepers in the country.
II. Restricting number of aid agencies to avoid waste.
III. Long-term studies should be commissioned.
IV. Focussing on agricultural initiatives.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Only III

(d) Only IV

2. What is the benefit of 'Quick Impact' aid?

I. Providing alternative livelihoods to soldiers before war can restart.
II. Free land is given to soldiers.
III. Soldiers earn income from their farms.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) II & III

(c) Only III

(d) I & II

Passage 2:
Water conflicts in India now reach every level; divide every segment of our
society-political parties, states, regions and sub-regions within states,
districts, castes and groups and individual farmers. Water conflicts within and

among many developing countries are also taking a serious turn. Fortunately,
the 'water wars' have not yet materialized. War has taken place, but over oil,
not water. Water is radically altering and affecting political boundaries all over
the world, between as well as within countries. In India, water conflicts are
likely to worsen before they begin to be resolved. Till then they pose a
significant threat to economic growth, security and health of the ecosystem
and the victims are likely to be the poorest of the poor as well as the very
sources of water rivers, wetlands and aquifers.
1. According to the author, which of the following is/are consequences of
water conflicts?
I. Trans-border conflicts between developing countries.
II. Water bodies will remain unused and unaffected till the conflict is resolved.
III. Water conflicts have altered the political boundaries within countries.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) II & III

(c) Only III

(d) I & III

2. Why does the author ask readers not to view conflicts too negatively?
I. Most countries have survived them easily.
II. They bring political parties together.
III. They only affect the grassroot levels.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) II & III

(c) Only III

(d) Neither I, II nor III

Passage 3:
Successfully adjusting to one's environment leads to happiness. War at a
universal level destroys the weaker people, who are the most unable to
adjust to their environment. Thus, war at the universal level puts weaklings
out of their misery and allows more space for their predators to enjoy life in a
better manner. As those actions have to be performed which maximize the
level of happiness of the greatest number, war at a univrsal level should take
place.
1. What response would the author of the above discussion come up with, in
the case of the objection that the weaklings far exceed strong people?

I. He would respond with the statement that the person making the objection
is a weakling.
II. He would respond by saying that weaklings will be miserable, no matter
what happens.
III. He would respond with the statement that the strong would be frustrated
if the weaklings were not destroyed.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) II & III

(c) Only III

(d) II & III

2. The author's discussion would be greatly influenced if he agreed to which

of the following?
I. Technology could change the environment.
II. War at the universal level would be an integral part of the environment.
III. It is possible for the strong to survive without suppressing the weak.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) II & III

(c) Only III

(d) I & III

Passage 4:
The infection caused by swine-origin influenza (H1N1) virus is also referred to
as 'swine flu' as laboratory testing showed that a few genes in this new virus
are similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs. Symptoms of
novel (H1N1) flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, cough,
sore throat, running nose, bodyache, headache, chills and fatigue. One thing
that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than
64 years do not appear to be at increased risk of novel H1N1 infection. The
virus spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people
sufering from this infection. Sometimes, people may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it. There is no vaccine available right
now. There is no way to predict with certainty what the outcome will be for an
individual.
1. The influenza H1N1 is also called swine flu because
(a) the nature of infection in humans is the same as that in pigs
(b) pigs are responsible for the transmission of this virus to humans

(c) it is transmitted by pigs

(d) a few genes in this new virus are similar to the influenza virus infecting
pigs

2. H1N1 virus is different from the seasonal influenza in the sense that
(a) the adults older than 64 years are probably not at increased risk of H1N1
infection
(b) it is not as severe as seasonal influenza
(c) the seasonal influenza virus is not transmitted by pigs
(d) it does not spread from one person to another

Passage 5:
From the emergence of CGI to the long-lasting effects the Sundance Film
Festival has had on Hollywood's view of 'profitable', the entire industry has
undergone a series of remarkable changes. Few examples of film subculture
exemplify this better than Mormon cinema, a subset of the movie making
universe that has met with notable success for a number of interesting
reasons. The first would be the concomitant growth in Mormon audiences. It
is the fourth-largest religious group in the United States. More than half of the
population lives outside of the United States. The fact that an ever-growing
segment of the population is LDS makes for an obvious correlation to the rise
in popularity of LDS cinema. Another factor in the rise of LDS cinema, and
one that dovetails with the increase in Mormon adherents, is the culture tone
of America over the last few years. Driven in part by the geo-political events,
such as 9/11, the war on Iraq as well as by an administration commonly seen
to be focussed on traditional religious mores, American culture has
experienced a turn toward family-friendly films and entertainment. An
example of this turn is the popularity of computer animated show Veggie
Tales. Mormon filmmakers are making films that are free of offensive
language, sexual situations and violence. More importantly, however, is that
Mormor filmmakers have displayed a willingness to play up certain
touchstone values in their films to lend a certain universality rather than
trumpet Mormon theology and culture.
1. Based on the phrasing of the passage, which set of influences would the
author most likely argue have converged to lead to the perceived rise in the
popularity of Mormon cinema?
I. Theological and cultural influences

II. Cultural and political influences

III. Economic and political influences
IV. Cultural and economic influences
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) II & III

(c) Only III

(d) Only IV

2. Which of the following qualities does the author state as the most vital
factor in the increased acceptance of Mormon cinema among mainstream
audiences?
(a) Geopolitical turbulence such as the war in Iraq
(b) Growth in LDS membership, in the US and abroad
(c) Use of general fundamental values over specific religious messages
(d) General culture shift towards more traditional expressions

3. Although relevant in a strictly cultural context, the author's inclusion of

Veggie Tales in this passage could be considered irrelevant to the main
argument for what reason?
I. Veggie Tales is a retelling of Bible stories and is not indicative of a new
trend.
II. Veggie Tales is a television show, ths not relevant to cinema.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I & II

(d) None of these