Questions

Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.

Genetic variation is the cornerstone of evolution, without which there can be no natural selection, and so a low genetic diversity decreases the ability of a species to survive and reproduce, explains lead author Yoshan Moodley, Professor at the Department of Zoology, University of Venda in South Africa.

Two centuries ago, the black rhinoceros – which roamed much of sub Saharan Africa – had 64 different genetic lineages; but today only 20 of these lineages remain, says the paper. The species is now restricted to five countries, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Genetically unique populations that once existed in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Mozambique, Malawi and Angola have disappeared. The origins of the 'genetic erosion' coincided with colonial rule in Africa and the popularity of big game hunting. From the second half of the 20th century, however, poaching for horns has dramatically depleted their population and genetic diversity, especially in Kenya and Tanzania.

Sub Sharan Africa has lost how many black rhino genetic lineages in 200 years?

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in correct order.

P: But our behavior, ‘good’ or ‘bad’, certainly shapes our persona and determines our personality.
Q: If one is helpful, polite and considerate in one’s actions towards fellow-beings, one is known as a kind person.
R: The converse is equally true and a mean, rude and selfish person is regarded as bad.
S: Growing urbanisation and lack of roots in any given place have made us increasingly indifferent to the feelings of others and led us to adopt an apathetic attitude to most things.

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in correct order.

P - Kohli, along with Deepika and Ranveer, has led the ascent of millennials to the top of the rankings.
Q - For the first time a female sportsperson has made it to the top 15.
R - This year saw PV Sindhu make an entry at 15.
S - Former captain Dhoni slipped from 9th place last year to 13th this year.

Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.

Everyone expected Mary Zophres to win for her retro-revival Technicolor clothes in La La Land — the eventual winner, Colleen Atwood for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, seemed surprised too. But as other awards began to slip away from the well-reviewed musical, a theme could be teased out. What is Fantastic Beasts if not a plea for equal treatment of people, magical or otherwise? Then, Arrival, a film about the inherent benignity of aliens (read immigrants) won for Best Sound Editing. Hacksaw Ridge, which is, in a way, an anti-guns movie, won in two categories. Fences, about an African-American father who fears racial discrimination, took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Earlier, Moonlight, featuring two minority communities (black and gay), won for Best Supporting Actor. This turned out to be one of those years the Oscar voter was underestimated. As a majority of voters are actors, there was the tendency to think they'd reward La La Land, a celebration of creation: the heroine wants to make movies, the hero wants to make jazz. It looked like the year of The Artist all over again.

Which movie for sure won two awards?

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.

(It is no good to cry) over past failures.

How many molecules are present in one mole of water?

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.

I had (a few) eggs in the fridge, so we need to go to the market to buy them.

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence.

If a person (studied) the history of the Maratha empire, he would have wondered how a small warrior tribe could have challenged the mighty Mughals.