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 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, 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.

The child looked up at her teacher, obviously afraid that she would further __________ her.

The amount of Rs. 10,000 after 2 years, compounded annually with the rate of interest being 10% per annum during the first year and 12% per annum during the second year, would be (in rupees)

In which year, was the Noble Peace Prize jointly given to Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai?

Who is the author of the book titled "Walking With The Comrades"?

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.

To begin______, let us ask ___________ such an appellation, assuming it has only positive___________, was ever deserved in a city like Bengaluru. At the risk__________ earning the well-shaped wrath of fellow Bengalureans, let me explain that______ for a "peacefull" past apart, it would be difficult to assert that "Asia's Silicon Valley" had even a history of toleration of difference.

let us ask ___________ such an appellation

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

The professor _______________ over just one point for full two hours.