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.

Why was the WTO’s 11th binennial ministerial conference worrisome?

What is the proper term for a skeletal joint?

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

Which of the following phrases (i), (ii), and (iii) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold letters to make the sentence grammatically correct? Choose the best option among the five given alternatives that reflect the correct use of phrase in the context of the grammatically correct sentence. If the sentence is correct as it is, mark (E) i.e., "No correction required" as the answer.

My father told me that all the labor and effort one puts in to the professional front is meant to make life easier and therefore any professional success coming at the cost of personal happiness is pointless.
i. one puts at the professional front is meant to make life
ii. one puts onto the professional front is meant to make life
iii. one who puts into the professional front is meant to make life

In the following question, out of the given four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.

Argus eyed

Which of the metals has the maximum thermal conductivity?

Macroeconomics is the study of

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- On the earth, liquid forms and solid forms (ice/snow) predominate.
Q- The water cycle has two distinct branches the atmospheric branch and the terrestrial branch.
R- Water plays a versatile role in the functioning of the biosphere.
S- In the atmospheric, water exists mainly in gaseous form.