GED Reading Comprehension Select Many Practice Test 3

Question-1

The stubborn persistence of child malnutrition in India is one of the tragedies of our time. Many of us have long agonized over this preventable problem, and we continue to ask: why do half of our children not get enough or the right food or adequate care? Even in sub-Saharan Africa, only 30 per cent of the children are malnourished, versus 50 per cent in the South Asia. And this gap exists despite our much higher levels of per capita income, education and even safer water access. One-third of the babies in India are born with low birth weight compared to one-sixth in sub-Saharan Africa. This is heartbreaking given the dramatic improvements in our agriculture, advances in literacy, and great strides in economic growth. For more than 20 years India has even sustained the greatest effort in history to improve nutritional standards, according to UNICEF, through its integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Program. So it is not for lack of effort. Nor is it due to poverty, which has been steadily declining by one per cent a year for two decades. What accounts for this puzzle? In 1996, India’s famous physician nutritionist wrote a ground-breaking article on this called ‘The Asian Enigma’. After considering different factors, including access to food and income and our vegetarianism, he concluded that the lower status of women might be the reason. The link between women’s status and child nutrition seems plausible. In many Indian homes, men eat first; women have to make do with leftover. This is perhaps why 83 cent of women in India suffer from deficiency- anemia versus 40 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. A malnourished mother will give birth to a baby with low birth weight. Moreover, domestic work often forces a mother to delegate the chore of feeding solid food to her baby to older siblings. If women had more control over family income and decisions, they would devote them to better pre- and post-natal care and to their children.
1.Which distressing facts are revealed when we compare the child malnutrition statistics of our country with Sub-Saharan Africa?

A We have better education and economic possibilities.

B. They have 30% children affected with malnutrition versus the 50% of them in South Asia.

C. The drinking water provisions are better off on our edge.

D. We have made more advancement in the agricultural and economic spheres.

E. Only one sixth of their children are underweight at birth.

Answer: ABCDE

Explanation

Explanation: All the options given to us in this question are correct as even if they look prolific factors on the part of Indians, they are distressing facts to be known when compared to a less developed country like Africa. The context of the passage is to see the comparative position of India with respect to Africa on the grounds of child malnutrition. India falls back in this comparison as even though Africa is behind India in its progress rate, it has a better statistic graph to show in this respect.

Question-2

The stubborn persistence of child malnutrition in India is one of the tragedies of our time. Many of us have long agonized over this preventable problem, and we continue to ask: why do half of our children not get enough or the right food or adequate care? Even in sub-Saharan Africa, only 30 per cent of the children are malnourished, versus 50 per cent in the South Asia. And this gap exists despite our much higher levels of per capita income, education and even safer water access. One-third of the babies in India are born with low birth weight compared to one-sixth in sub-Saharan Africa. This is heartbreaking given the dramatic improvements in our agriculture, advances in literacy, and great strides in economic growth. For more than 20 years India has even sustained the greatest effort in history to improve nutritional standards, according to UNICEF, through its integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Program. So it is not for lack of effort. Nor is it due to poverty, which has been steadily declining by one per cent a year for two decades. What accounts for this puzzle? In 1996, India’s famous physician nutritionist wrote a ground-breaking article on this called ‘The Asian Enigma’. After considering different factors, including access to food and income and our vegetarianism, he concluded that the lower status of women might be the reason. The link between women’s status and child nutrition seems plausible. In many Indian homes, men eat first; women have to make do with leftover. This is perhaps why 83 cent of women in India suffer from deficiency- anemia versus 40 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. A malnourished mother will give birth to a baby with low birth weight. Moreover, domestic work often forces a mother to delegate the chore of feeding solid food to her baby to older siblings. If women had more control over family income and decisions, they would devote them to better pre- and post-natal care and to their children.
2. ‘In many Indian homes, men eat first; women have to make do with leftover.’ What all is conveyed by the given statement?

A The love and devotion of the women in Indian households.

B. The cultural and religious bonding.

C. The illogical devotion to serve to other members before eating by self.

D. The male domination in the Indian houses.

E. A glimpse of the cultural restraints thrown on the women.

Answer: BCDE

Explanation

Explanation: The question demands us to logically analyze the statement and then look for the correct options that explain the various aspects of it. The options A and C describe nearly the same aspect but we regard option C as the correct answer as it is a more logical explanation among the two. The rest of the options are also valid logical explanations so are the correct answers.

Question-3

The stubborn persistence of child malnutrition in India is one of the tragedies of our time. Many of us have long agonized over this preventable problem, and we continue to ask: why do half of our children not get enough or the right food or adequate care? Even in sub-Saharan Africa, only 30 per cent of the children are malnourished, versus 50 per cent in the South Asia. And this gap exists despite our much higher levels of per capita income, education and even safer water access. One-third of the babies in India are born with low birth weight compared to one-sixth in sub-Saharan Africa. This is heartbreaking given the dramatic improvements in our agriculture, advances in literacy, and great strides in economic growth. For more than 20 years India has even sustained the greatest effort in history to improve nutritional standards, according to UNICEF, through its integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Program. So it is not for lack of effort. Nor is it due to poverty, which has been steadily declining by one per cent a year for two decades. What accounts for this puzzle? In 1996, India’s famous physician nutritionist wrote a ground-breaking article on this called ‘The Asian Enigma’. After considering different factors, including access to food and income and our vegetarianism, he concluded that the lower status of women might be the reason. The link between women’s status and child nutrition seems plausible. In many Indian homes, men eat first; women have to make do with leftover. This is perhaps why 83 cent of women in India suffer from deficiency- anemia versus 40 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. A malnourished mother will give birth to a baby with low birth weight. Moreover, domestic work often forces a mother to delegate the chore of feeding solid food to her baby to older siblings. If women had more control over family income and decisions, they would devote them to better pre- and post-natal care and to their children.
3. To what all things is the malnutrition of a child connected?

A The malnutrition of the mother.

B. The preoccupation of the mother with domestic tasks.

C. The lack of food supply to the country.

D. The tendency of the mother to eat what is left over after the others have had their meals.

E. The lack of economic and practical control in the hands of the mother.

Answer: ABDE

Explanation

Explanation: The question is centered on the details given in the last part of the passage that centers on the way in which women are facing malnutrition leading to the malnutrition in the children also. The passage tells us that the tendency of the women to eat after their families and be engrossed in their work always, thus being able to devote less time to themselves and children also leads to their malnutrition. The correct answers in the light of these factors are options A, B, D and E.

Question-4

By the mid-nineteenth century, the educated Indian had become sufficiently aware of both his rich historical heritage and the abject state of his current existence. Nostalgia and a sense of racial identity grew as Indians gradually perceived the oppressiveness of alien rule. In the early nineteenth century, Orientalist scholars associated with the Fort William College, Kolkata, helped considerably to unearth several obscure Indian texts and traditions, thereby also creating a new awareness and sensitivity among Indians about their cultural heritage. In the first half of the nineteenth century, particularly in Bengal, patriotism was not grossly inconsistent with an undisguised support for the continuation of the British rule. Bengali writers of his period made repeated references to how the British had ‘rescued’ India from many centuries of ‘tyrannical’ and ‘unprogressive’ Muslim rule. Many people of this time, in fact, made an important distinction between the pragmatic gains to be made from a short-term tutelage under the British rule and a long-term objective of securing independence from it. Though such thoughts ultimately proved to be naive and over-optimistic, in the 1820s and 1830s the advantages of the British rule seemed to outweigh its disadvantages. In a letter written in 1823 to Governor General Lord Amherst, Raja Rammohan Roy (1774-1833) opposed an official move to open a Sanskrit College on the ground that it would produce no positive or progressive influence on the educated Hindu. He felt rather than indulging themselves in abstract metaphysical speculation as was likely to be the result of a purely Sanskritic education, Indians would profit far more by imbibing the best of modern European civilization pragmatism and a rational, scientific outlook. Social usefulness, more than anything else, was now to be the true measure of things. Rammohan’s emphasis on rationality and a commonsense approach to religion led some of his friends and admirers to call him a ‘religious utilitarian’.
4. What were the grounds on which the British rule was considered to be good for Indians in Bengal in the early 19th century?

A The progress that India had made under the British rule.

B. The way in which British rulers had settled themselves into various positions in India.

C. The influence that British rulers had established over the Bengal region since it was their center of rule.

D. Analysis of the benefits associated with the rule and the whole force that would go into getting freedom from it.

E. The freedom it gave to Indians from Muslim rule that was characterized with tyranny and lack of progress.

Answer: ADE

Explanation

Explanation: The question requires us to deeply analyze the facts expressed in the passage in relation to the way in which British rule was being considered beneficial to the Indians and it was asserted to leave the attempts to gain freedom from it. The passage states that it was asserted in Bengal particularly, that India had made immense progress under British rule, and had ended the tyrannical and unprogressive era of Muslim rule for Indians. The answer options that suit to this criterion are A, D and E, which are thus, the correct answers.

Question-5

By the mid-nineteenth century, the educated Indian had become sufficiently aware of both his rich historical heritage and the abject state of his current existence. Nostalgia and a sense of racial identity grew as Indians gradually perceived the oppressiveness of alien rule. In the early nineteenth century, Orientalist scholars associated with the Fort William College, Kolkata, helped considerably to unearth several obscure Indian texts and traditions, thereby also creating a new awareness and sensitivity among Indians about their cultural heritage. In the first half of the nineteenth century, particularly in Bengal, patriotism was not grossly inconsistent with an undisguised support for the continuation of the British rule. Bengali writers of his period made repeated references to how the British had ‘rescued’ India from many centuries of ‘tyrannical’ and ‘unprogressive’ Muslim rule. Many people of this time, in fact, made an important distinction between the pragmatic gains to be made from a short-term tutelage under the British rule and a long-term objective of securing independence from it. Though such thoughts ultimately proved to be naive and over-optimistic, in the 1820s and 1830s the advantages of the British rule seemed to outweigh its disadvantages. In a letter written in 1823 to Governor General Lord Amherst, Raja Rammohan Roy (1774-1833) opposed an official move to open a Sanskrit College on the ground that it would produce no positive or progressive influence on the educated Hindu. He felt rather than indulging themselves in abstract metaphysical speculation as was likely to be the result of a purely Sanskritic education, Indians would profit far more by imbibing the best of modern European civilization pragmatism and a rational, scientific outlook. Social usefulness, more than anything else, was now to be the true measure of things. Rammohan’s emphasis on rationality and a commonsense approach to religion led some of his friends and admirers to call him a ‘religious utilitarian’.
5. The causes of the abject state of Indians in the beginning of 19th century were ………………. and ………………. .

A Prevalence of illiteracy

B. Being oppressed

C. Being under the rule of a foreign country

D. Not having a proper governing system

E. Being unaware of the rich cultural heritage that Indians are blessed with

Answer: BC

Explanation

Explanation: The question requires us to go into the depth of all the given options and then analyze them in the light of the details given in the passage such that we can identify the ones that are correct in relation to it. The options A and D can also be correct answers but we cannot take them in that manner as they do not find a mention in the passage. The last option is incorrect as we see in the very first line of the passage that by the 19th century started, the Indians had become aware of their rich cultural heritage. The correct answers therefore, are options B and C.

Question-6

By the mid-nineteenth century, the educated Indian had become sufficiently aware of both his rich historical heritage and the abject state of his current existence. Nostalgia and a sense of racial identity grew as Indians gradually perceived the oppressiveness of alien rule. In the early nineteenth century, Orientalist scholars associated with the Fort William College, Kolkata, helped considerably to unearth several obscure Indian texts and traditions, thereby also creating a new awareness and sensitivity among Indians about their cultural heritage. In the first half of the nineteenth century, particularly in Bengal, patriotism was not grossly inconsistent with an undisguised support for the continuation of the British rule. Bengali writers of his period made repeated references to how the British had ‘rescued’ India from many centuries of ‘tyrannical’ and ‘unprogressive’ Muslim rule. Many people of this time, in fact, made an important distinction between the pragmatic gains to be made from a short-term tutelage under the British rule and a long-term objective of securing independence from it. Though such thoughts ultimately proved to be naive and over-optimistic, in the 1820s and 1830s the advantages of the British rule seemed to outweigh its disadvantages. In a letter written in 1823 to Governor General Lord Amherst, Raja Rammohan Roy (1774-1833) opposed an official move to open a Sanskrit College on the ground that it would produce no positive or progressive influence on the educated Hindu. He felt rather than indulging themselves in abstract metaphysical speculation as was likely to be the result of a purely Sanskritic education, Indians would profit far more by imbibing the best of modern European civilization pragmatism and a rational, scientific outlook. Social usefulness, more than anything else, was now to be the true measure of things. Rammohan’s emphasis on rationality and a commonsense approach to religion led some of his friends and admirers to call him a ‘religious utilitarian’.
6. What are the connotations that the term ‘religious utilitarian’ carries with it?

A Following a thoroughly practical and logical approach in life.

B. Not being stressful of the beyond-life aspect of religion.

C. Allowing other cultures to impart their values into the one that is being followed primarily.

D. Being an atheist and skeptic about the religious teachings.

E. Stressing on the socially relevant aspect of all things including religion.

Answer: BDE

Explanation

Explanation: The answer requires us to look into the various traits that Raja Rammohan Roy displayed in his life and the account that has been given to us in the last part of the passage. The correct answers with reference to those details are options B, D and E, while the rest two options are wrong as being a religious utilitarian doesn’t refer to being an atheist but to the tendency to make religion more life friendly.

Question-7

One of the major crises facing the country is the looming water shortage. A recent report of the UN has named India among the worst countries for poor quality of water. The report ranks 122 countries according to the quality of their water as well as their ability and commitment to improve the situation. Belgium is considered the worst basically because of the quality of its ground water. Rains failed in most parts of India last year and the vast areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa were in the grip of devastating drought. People without water turn desperate and violent. Villagers in Rajasthan last year attacked the Food Corporation godowns. Worse may be coming. With main polluter refusing to control pollution (America, the world’s greatest polluter, refuses to cooperate with other countries) the world is getting hotter. This means that the great ice shelves (weighing billions of tons) of the Antarctic are collapsing. We cannot even conceptualize the dangerous consequences. Last century, sea levels in Venice rose, by one step of a staircase! This century they are expected to rise by five steps. An additional cause for Venice’s sinking is the draining of underground water table due to industrialization. 7. The water tables in our cities have also been going lower and lower. When ocean level rises, Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean will be the first to go under the waves. Citizens of that country are already migrating to New Zealand. Will citizens of Maldives crowd into Kerala? Will another mass migration from Bangladesh turn West Bengal upside down?
What is the cause behind the staircases drowning in Venice?

A Ground level going down due to earth movements.

B. People lowering the staircases of their houses.

C. The collapse of the Antarctic ice shelves.

D. Global warming due to pollution and other factors.

E. The lack of co-operation on the part of America to control imparting pollutants to the world.

Answer: CDE

Explanation

Explanation: The passage throws light on the water levels displacing themselves under the impact of climatic changes that are in turn, a result of rising pollution worldwide. The reference to the drowning stairs in Venice reflects the rising water levels in the rivers due to the icebergs melting under the impact of pollution and global warming. The correct answers therefore, are options C, D and E.

Question-8

One of the major crises facing the country is the looming water shortage. A recent report of the UN has named India among the worst countries for poor quality of water. The report ranks 122 countries according to the quality of their water as well as their ability and commitment to improve the situation. Belgium is considered the worst basically because of the quality of its ground water. Rains failed in most parts of India last year and the vast areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa were in the grip of devastating drought. People without water turn desperate and violent. Villagers in Rajasthan last year attacked the Food Corporation godowns. Worse may be coming. With main polluter refusing to control pollution (America, the world’s greatest polluter, refuses to cooperate with other countries) the world is getting hotter. This means that the great ice shelves (weighing billions of tons) of the Antarctic are collapsing. We cannot even conceptualize the dangerous consequences. Last century, sea levels in Venice rose, by one step of a staircase! This century they are expected to rise by five steps. An additional cause for Venice’s sinking is the draining of underground water table due to industrialization. The water tables in our cities have also been going lower and lower. When ocean level rises, Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean will be the first to go under the waves. Citizens of that country are already migrating to New Zealand. Will citizens of Maldives crowd into Kerala? Will another mass migration from Bangladesh turn West Bengal upside down?
8. ‘Will citizens of Maldives crowd into Kerala? Will another mass migration from Bangladesh turn West Bengal upside down?’ Which of the following statements explain the connotations of these questions?

A Mass migrations taking place in search of safe places where the impact of global warming can be avoided.

B. The migrations that people take for seeking better life opportunities.

C. The danger of drowning under rising sea levels that many small countries are dreaded with.

D. The increase in the temporary migrations that people take occasionally but leads to the rise in population of host countries.

E. The crowding risks that many countries face in the light of present day water crisis.

Answer: ACE

Explanation

Explanation: The questions posed in the passage are a reference to the various consequences that rising water levels, drowning of landmass and global warming is having on countries. The test-takers are required to analyze the options provided carefully and then reach at the most suitable options in the light of the passage’s contents. The correct options in this respect are options A, C and D. The other two options are incorrect as they are irrelevant to the context that we are considering in the passage.

Question-9

One of the major crises facing the country is the looming water shortage. A recent report of the UN has named India among the worst countries for poor quality of water. The report ranks 122 countries according to the quality of their water as well as their ability and commitment to improve the situation. Belgium is considered the worst basically because of the quality of its ground water. Rains failed in most parts of India last year and the vast areas of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa were in the grip of devastating drought. People without water turn desperate and violent. Villagers in Rajasthan last year attacked the Food Corporation godowns. Worse may be coming. With main polluter refusing to control pollution (America, the world’s greatest polluter, refuses to cooperate with other countries) the world is getting hotter. This means that the great ice shelves (weighing billions of tons) of the Antarctic are collapsing. We cannot even conceptualize the dangerous consequences. Last century, sea levels in Venice rose, by one step of a staircase! This century they are expected to rise by five steps. An additional cause for Venice’s sinking is the draining of underground water table due to industrialization. The water tables in our cities have also been going lower and lower. When ocean level rises, Tuvalu in the Pacific Ocean will be the first to go under the waves. Citizens of that country are already migrating to New Zealand. Will citizens of Maldives crowd into Kerala? Will another mass migration from Bangladesh turn West Bengal upside down?
9. Reason out the factors that lead to people turning ‘desperate and violent’ in conditions when water is not provided to them.

A The fact that life stands above all the forces of the society and culture like law, order and punishment.

B. The need of water being the bare requirement for life to sustain on the planet.

C. The huge suffering that thirst and parched throat causes.

D. The inability to satisfy a basic need for their children.

E. Water being the source of life, starves them more than deprivation of food products.

Answer: ABCDE

Explanation

Explanation: The question and especially the words highlighted bring out the importance that is carried by water in the life of a normal human being. The fact to be considered is that lack of water can bring out the negative sides in a human being, as it is recognized that situations of crisis can lead a man to do acts that can be against the rules of the society, state and humanity also. The options given to us, all bring out the various aspects involved in the usage of these words, thus are all the correct answers.

Question-10

In a recent conference, police officers spoke of their trauma in having to salute and provide guards of honor for ministers with criminal records. More disconcertingly, the nexus between station house officers and politicians ensures that these basic units of police administration are not under the control of the Superintendents of Police in the districts. The criminalization of politics has thus eroded the systemic capacity of the state to maintain law and order but pinnated the entry of organized crime into its governance processes. Naturally, this corrodes the ability of the state to provide security, but creates a milieu propitious for low intensity conflict and high intensity crime. Two issues need immediate redress if this dismal state of affairs is not to deteriorate further. First, a greater understanding needs promotion that India’s essential genius lies in its tradition of tolerance, recognizing multiculturalism as an operating principle of governance, which provides the context for a greater sharing of state authority with the people. Second, the compulsions of coalition and divisive politics wear away political will, flagging the need for some minimum consensus being sought by political parties on recognizing the national interests. Addressing the reform of the deeply flawed electoral financing process is urgent, around which this consensus could be garnered.
10. What have been the effects of criminalization of politics?

A Entry of people with criminal records into the political system.

B. Criminals taking the seats of power in the country’s decisive bodies.

C. Declining capacity of the state authorities to provide security to the citizens.

D. Erosion of the law and order system to perform efficiently.

E. Rising of a state where crime and internal conflicts are on a high.

Answer: CDE

Explanation

Explanation: The passage provided to us throws light on the state of affairs that are highly affected with crime becoming a part of it with the entry of people with criminal backgrounds into it. We are provided with an account of the factors that arise as a result of it and also the possible solution that can be sought for solving this huge problem. The correct answers to the question given to us are contained in the last three options as the passage explains eroding ability of law and order system to perform, its lowering capacity to provide security and criminal activities rise as the resultant factors of this condition. The rest two options explain the term ‘criminalization of politics’ so are the incorrect answers.

Question-11

In a recent conference, police officers spoke of their trauma in having to salute and provide guards of honor for ministers with criminal records. More disconcertingly, the nexus between station house officers and politicians ensures that these basic units of police administration are not under the control of the Superintendents of Police in the districts. The criminalization of politics has thus eroded the systemic capacity of the state to maintain law and order but pinnated the entry of organized crime into its governance processes. Naturally, this corrodes the ability of the state to provide security, but creates a milieu propitious for low intensity conflict and high intensity crime. Two issues need immediate redress if this dismal state of affairs is not to deteriorate further. First, a greater understanding needs promotion that India’s essential genius lies in its tradition of tolerance, recognizing multiculturalism as an operating principle of governance, which provides the context for a greater sharing of state authority with the people. Second, the compulsions of coalition and divisive politics wear away political will, flagging the need for some minimum consensus being sought by political parties on recognizing the national interests. Addressing the reform of the deeply flawed electoral financing process is urgent, around which this consensus could be garnered.
11. How can the present condition be prevented to deteriorate further?

A Adapting a policy to bring about reforms in the electoral system of the country.

B. Recognition of multiculturalism as an important part of Indian system.

C. By introducing a system to prevent criminal minds to enter politics.

D. By bringing about an urge to recognize national benefits other than personal ones among the politicians, along with recognition of Indian culture of tolerance.

E. Arousal of people to not vote for people with criminal records behind them.

Answer: ACD

Explanation

Explanation: The last part of the passage brings before us the various factors that can brought into action so as to prevent the conditions that criminalization of politics has made to rise in India. On the basis of the given information, the correct answers are contained in options A, C and D; the rest two options can also be correct but they are not a part of the passage’s contents so we cannot take them as the correct answers.

Question-12

In a recent conference, police officers spoke of their trauma in having to salute and provide guards of honor for ministers with criminal records. More disconcertingly, the nexus between station house officers and politicians ensures that these basic units of police administration are not under the control of the Superintendents of Police in the districts. The criminalization of politics has thus eroded the systemic capacity of the state to maintain law and order but pinnated the entry of organized crime into its governance processes. Naturally, this corrodes the ability of the state to provide security, but creates a milieu propitious for low intensity conflict and high intensity crime. Two issues need immediate redress if this dismal state of affairs is not to deteriorate further. First, a greater understanding needs promotion that India’s essential genius lies in its tradition of tolerance, recognizing multiculturalism as an operating principle of governance, which provides the context for a greater sharing of state authority with the people. Second, the compulsions of coalition and divisive politics wear away political will, flagging the need for some minimum consensus being sought by political parties on recognizing the national interests. Addressing the reform of the deeply flawed electoral financing process is urgent, around which this consensus could be garnered.
12. The statement ‘India’s essential genius lies in its tradition of tolerance’ conveys that:

A One should have knowledge of the country’s historical heritage.

B. Indians should not be self centered in their approach towards progress.

C. The vast diversity of cultures and religions in India that demands respect to all of them and their concerns.

D. The approach towards various aspects of the country should be based on the national interest and not personal.

E. The personal or communal issues should be kept aside when on a decisive position.

Answer: BCDE

Explanation

Explanation: The requirement of the question is to analyze the significance of the statement mentioned as such and also with respect to the passage’s contents. The statement has been used in the passage in relation to the solutions that can be sought to solve the political criminalization problem, such that to assert the recognition of the vast diversity that should be kept in mind while taking decisions for the country other than personal or communal issues. The correct answers therefore, are options B, C, D and E.

Question-13

The manifestations of poor governance are plainly apparent in India; they are exemplified by the wasteful use of scarce resources, an unresponsive administration at its cutting edges, pervasive corruption at all levels and, of moment to this discussion, little policy coherence to address the problems of national security. These manifestations of misgovernance include the lack of devolution and decent realization of powers, unimaginative dealing with minorities of all descriptions, decay of institutions and a ruling elite basically interested in self-aggrandizement. Only the trappings of democracy, therefore, obtain in the country, not its substance, resulting in a patrimonial form of governance that reflects the feudal character of its governing classes. Indeed, the growing crisis of governance in India is evident from the steady crumbling of its democratic institutions, the increasing alienation of its minority populations from the state and the nexus that has encrusted between the corrupt elements in politics, bureaucracy and business with organized criminal elements. With the state machinery for maintenance of law and order becoming politicized, the citizen’s personal security is prejudiced; assuring this remains the state’s primary duty. Why have governance and security deteriorated so rapidly in India over the years? The systemic answers are a growing polarization of society along several divides – caste, class, community – which has affected both governance and security adversely. An externally inspired pattern of development has conspicuously failed, but has exacerbated these divides. This has spawned a greater centralization of power, though the need of the times is greater devolution and decentralization of administrative and financial powers to the periphery for successfully working the federal principle in India. All this is occurring simultaneously with an information revolution that has enabled the print and electronic media to reach vast segments of the population, spurring the associated revolution of rising expectations, increasing resentments and resultant violence. Above all, the steady criminalization of politics and the politicization of crime deserve far greater notice.
13. Which factors make the adverse conditions of governance in India revealed to us?

A The failing democratic model in various Indian institutions.

B. hrough the equality of status that is provided to all citizens by the democratic model.

C. Rising differences between the treatment of minorities and other groups of citizens.

D. The development of a network between politicians, bureaucracy, business world and criminals.

E. Criminals entering all realms of the country’s functioning.

Answer: ACDE

Explanation

Explanation: The passage provided here throws light on the adverse conditions of the country in the wake of the various kinds of unlikely events taking shape in it. The passage also tells us about the conditions that make these conditions apparent to us like failure of democratic model in its institutions, the differences noticed between the treatment that is offered to its minorities and majority populations and also the development of a union between its important realms of politics, bureaucracy, and business with the criminal world. The options that stand correct as per this explanation are A, C, D and E.

Question-14

The manifestations of poor governance are plainly apparent in India; they are exemplified by the wasteful use of scarce resources, an unresponsive administration at its cutting edges, pervasive corruption at all levels and, of moment to this discussion, little policy coherence to address the problems of national security. These manifestations of misgovernance include the lack of devolution and decent realization of powers, unimaginative dealing with minorities of all descriptions, decay of institutions and a ruling elite basically interested in self-aggrandizement. Only the trappings of democracy, therefore, obtain in the country, not its substance, resulting in a patrimonial form of governance that reflects the feudal character of its governing classes. Indeed, the growing crisis of governance in India is evident from the steady crumbling of its democratic institutions, the increasing alienation of its minority populations from the state and the nexus that has encrusted between the corrupt elements in politics, bureaucracy and business with organized criminal elements. With the state machinery for maintenance of law and order becoming politicized, the citizen’s personal security is prejudiced; assuring this remains the state’s primary duty. Why have governance and security deteriorated so rapidly in India over the years? The systemic answers are a growing polarization of society along several divides – caste, class, community – which has affected both governance and security adversely. An externally inspired pattern of development has conspicuously failed, but has exacerbated these divides. This has spawned a greater centralization of power, though the need of the times is greater devolution and decentralization of administrative and financial powers to the periphery for successfully working the federal principle in India. All this is occurring simultaneously with an information revolution that has enabled the print and electronic media to reach vast segments of the population, spurring the associated revolution of rising expectations, increasing resentments and resultant violence. Above all, the steady criminalization of politics and the politicization of crime deserve far greater notice.
14. How has the advancement in media technology affected the mindsets and behavior of citizens?

A More attempts to seek attention from the governing systems.

B. Rising amount of demonstrations in public places.

C. Rising number of expectations they have from the government.

D. Antagonism on their behalf due to the failures of the administrative systems.

E. Aggressive behavior as a result of dissatisfaction.

Answer: CDE

Explanation

Explanation: The last part of the passage gives a reference to the impact that a media and information revolution has put on the citizens. We are made to focus on the rise in expectations, resentments and thus, violence on the part of the citizens. We realize that as the media industry has made the functioning and various aspects of governing systems apparent before the citizens so as to make them expect more out of the government, feel angry because of its failures that leads to aggression and violence on their behalf. The correct answers thus are contained in options C, D and E.

Question-15

The manifestations of poor governance are plainly apparent in India; they are exemplified by the wasteful use of scarce resources, an unresponsive administration at its cutting edges, pervasive corruption at all levels and, of moment to this discussion, little policy coherence to address the problems of national security. These manifestations of misgovernance include the lack of devolution and decent realization of powers, unimaginative dealing with minorities of all descriptions, decay of institutions and a ruling elite basically interested in self-aggrandizement. Only the trappings of democracy, therefore, obtain in the country, not its substance, resulting in a patrimonial form of governance that reflects the feudal character of its governing classes. Indeed, the growing crisis of governance in India is evident from the steady crumbling of its democratic institutions, the increasing alienation of its minority populations from the state and the nexus that has encrusted between the corrupt elements in politics, bureaucracy and business with organized criminal elements. With the state machinery for maintenance of law and order becoming politicized, the citizen’s personal security is prejudiced; assuring this remains the state’s primary duty. Why have governance and security deteriorated so rapidly in India over the years? The systemic answers are a growing polarization of society along several divides – caste, class, community – which has affected both governance and security adversely. An externally inspired pattern of development has conspicuously failed, but has exacerbated these divides. This has spawned a greater centralization of power, though the need of the times is greater devolution and decentralization of administrative and financial powers to the periphery for successfully working the federal principle in India. All this is occurring simultaneously with an information revolution that has enabled the print and electronic media to reach vast segments of the population, spurring the associated revolution of rising expectations, increasing resentments and resultant violence. Above all, the steady criminalization of politics and the politicization of crime deserve far greater notice.
15. What makes the personal security of the citizens a matter of prime importance?

A The rising criminal activities around the globe.

B. Influence of criminal forces over those that maintain law and order.

C. The increasing intensity of communal violence incidents in the country.

D. Varying interests of citizens belonging to different classes and communities.

E. Entry of politics into forces that maintain law and order.

Answer: BE

Explanation

Explanation: The passage makes a passing reference to the problem of citizen security being a matter of importance for the governing systems due to the fast growing nexus between criminal world and the forces of law and order. The options that stand up to this description are B and E so are the correct answers. The rest of the options given to us are also logically correct, but since we do not find details relevant to them in the passage, we cannot take them as the correct answers.

GED Reading Comprehension Select Many Practice Test 3

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