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.

According to the passage, which of the following statement is NOT true?

In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech.

I said to my wife, "These showpieces look nice."

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

_______________ the course of the development of different life-forms heredity—which, in plain English, is unconscious memory generated in the first life-form and ______________ through all the different species—is the sole factor in the ____________ of the parent properties; while adaptation to surrounding conditions and circumstances, natural selection in the struggle _____________ existence, and partner selection in the struggle of the males for ____________ are the principal factors in the differentiation of species.

in the first life-form and ______________ through all the

In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech.

The officer said, "I am very busy now".

In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'.

The Hellenistic period covering the period of Mediterranean (1)/ history between the death of Alexander the Great in (2)/ 323 BC and the emergence of the Roman Empire. (3)/ No error (4)

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

Once ______________, it is that time of the year when the examination results season may be just ending and the admissions season is in progress, and marked by a _________________ of two contradictory voices — often from the same people — that rose to deafening ____________ from April to May when the results of various school boards _________________. The first voice __________________ those who succeeded and did wondrously well.

The first voice __________________ those who succeeded and did wondrously well.

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

A system of religious belief; a faith

In the following question, the sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option.

It is ______ for all the students to follow the rules.