Questions

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

The conclusion of World Trade Organization’s 11th biennial ministerial conference at Buenos Aires was worrisome. From an Indian standpoint, there was no loss as status quo continues in the most important issue: the right to continue the food security programme by using support prices. But the inability of the negotiators to reach even one substantive outcome suggests that WTO’s efficacy is under question. As a 164-country multilateral organisation dedicated to crafting rules of trade through consensus, WTO represents the optimal bet for developing countries such as India. Strengthening WTO is in India’s best interest.

Perhaps the biggest threat to WTO’s efficacy today is the attitude of the US. The world’s largest economy appears to have lost faith in the organisation and has begun to undermine one of its most successful segments, the dispute redressal mechanism. This is significant as the US has been directly involved in nearly half of all cases brought to WTO. Separately, large groups of countries decided to pursue negotiations on e-commerce, investment facilitation and removal of trade obstacles for medium and small scale industries. By itself this should not weaken WTO. But it comes at a time when there is growing frustration with gridlock at WTO.

India did well to defend its position on its food security programme. The envisaged reform package which will see a greater use of direct cash transfers to beneficiaries will be in sync with what developed countries do. But it’s important for India to enhance its efforts to reinvigorate WTO. In this context, India’s plan to organise a meeting of some countries early next year is a step in the right direction. WTO represents the best available platform to accommodate interests of a diverse set of nations. Therefore, India should be at the forefront of moves to fortify it.

Which of the following is the most successful segments of the WTO mentioned in the passage?

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

to chew someone out

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best substitute of the words/sentence.

Transfix or pierce with a sharp instrument

Which among the following crop is a major Kharif Crop of India?

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph.

P- The aim must be to ensure that our country does not experience either paucity or a-surfeit of trained manpower in any specific segment of our economy.
Q- When we set about the task of higher education, we should be absolutely clear in our perception of the goals of education in the specific context of our nation’s
development.
R- No doubt, one of the important aims of education would be to create the required range and nature of trained manpower assessed to be needed by different
sectors of national growth.
S- The entire educational apparatus must be geared progressively to fulfill the requirements of different phases of our growth in every sector primary, secondary and
tertiary.

In the following question, four words are given out of which one word is incorrectly spelt. Select the incorrectly spelt word.

The conversion of hard water into soft water by boiling or adding calcium hydroxide is called _______.

In Microsoft Excel, left arrow key stroke leads to ____________ cell movement on spreadsheet