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

to get up on the wrong side of the bed

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.

We also need to work towards a re-engineering of procedures. It __________________ that fear of being scrutinised by the office of the Central Vigilance Commissioner has _________________ loan officers in the public sector into inaction. It is _______________ no use having a publicly-owned banking ___________ that does not extend credit to sound projects on grounds of __________________ scrutiny.

It __________________ that fear of being scrutinised by the office

Which of the following can be used as a weapon of war and conflict?

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'.
While he went beside (1)/ with our decisions, we were (2)/ never sure he totally agreed. (3)/No Error (4)

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

The professor told the class, "Ice floats on water".

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.

If there is a subject of really ______________ interest and utility, it is the art of writing and speaking one's own language ___________. It is the basis of culture, as we all know; but it is infinitely more _________ that, it is the basis of business. ___________ salesman can sell anything unless he can explain the merits of his goods in effective language, or can write ___________ advertisement equally effective, or present his ideas, and the facts, in a letter.

can write ___________ advertisement equally

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'.

I was taken by surprise (A)/when I came(B)/face to face with my school friend.(C)/No error(D)