Reading Comprehension for SBI PO Prelims: 8th June 2018

Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below them. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

Venezuelan protesters failed last year to force President Nicolás Maduro to step down in the midst of an economic and humanitarian crisis. After his emphatic victory in Sunday’s presidential elections, they have to reconcile themselves to his rule for another six-year term. The embattled Mr. Maduro won the poll with 68% of the vote, and with a turnout of less than 50%, according to the election commission. Potential challengers to Mr. Maduro, Hugo Chávez’s protégé and successor, are either in detention or barred from the contest after they organised mass protests against his government, alleging brutal misrule and economic mismanagement. An umbrella coalition of opposition parties and activist groups, the Broad Front for a Free Venezuela, had called on the people to boycott what they said was as a sham exercise. Mr. Maduro’s closest rival, Henri Falcón, alleged fraud and demanded a fresh ballot. It is highly unlikely that demands for a re-poll will be countenanced by the Maduro regime. But it is clear that the shrinking democratic space has exerted a toll on the polity overall. 

The Venezuelan health system has all but collapsed. A Minister who expressed concern over the high incidence of certain diseases that were believed to have been eradicated was sacked promptly last year. The collapse of the medical system is particularly shocking, given the emphasis on health care in Chavez’s commodity-driven growth model. Inflation has hit 13,000%, and the economy is set to contract further. It is hard to believe that Venezuela, with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, was considered Latin America’s wealthiest country not so long ago.

Venezuelans have been leaving the country to escape shortages of rations and the rampant unrest. The UN estimates that each day 4,000 Venezuelans are making it across to Colombia. There is talk of a concerted international response to the Venezuelan crisis after Mr. Maduro’s re-election, especially further sanctions by the U.S. and possibly the European Union. But there are moral and practical limits to these measures against a country that is gripped by a systemic crisis — and the humanitarian costs of sanctions must not be ignored. In any case, Venezuela’s oil production has been falling steadily, and analysts do not expect that an embargo on its exports would have the desired impact. Mr. Maduro may be part of Venezuela’s problem. But he can be a big part of the solution as well. He could make a beginning by ceding democratic space for dissent both within and outside his party, and by rolling back the country’s confrontational foreign policy. Blaming the West alone for Venezuela’s economic crisis will not get him very far.

Q1. As per the passage, why did the challengers organize mass protests against Maduro’s Government?

(a) The government did not come up with a sufficient voter turnout. 

(b) The government abolished the facilities for certain minority communities in the region. 

(c) The government was alleged of brutal governance and improper management of economic affairs. 

(d) The government was alleged of improper management of the laws of the constitution. 

(e) None of the Above

Q2. Which of the following statements is/are incorrect in context with the passage?

(I) Henri Falcón was a rival of Maduro in the election process. 

(II) Venezuela is considered the wealthiest country of Latin America. 

(III) Imposing a ban on Venezuela’s exports can provide desired results. 

(a) Only (I)

(b) Only (II)

(c) Both (I) and (II)

(d) Both (II) and (III)

(e) All are correct. 

Q3. What is the most appropriate title for the passage? 

(a) Marugo’s Government

(b) Impacts of Inflation in Venezuela

(c) The Venezuelan Crisis

(d) Venezuela: After re-election

(e) Venezuela: Declining Democracy

Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct in context with the passage?

(I) There is a demand for a re-poll and will be supported by the present regime. 

(II) A minister who expressed concern over certain diseases, that were assumed to be eradicated, was alleviated above his post. 

(III) Venezuelans have been leaving the country and moving towards Colombia owing to the unrest in the country. 

(a) Only (I)

(b) Only (III)

(c) Both (I) and (II)

(d) Both (II) and (III)

(e) All are correct. 

Q5. What is expected for the economy of Venezuela with respect to the prevalent scenario depicted in the passage?

(a) Economy is set to decline as a result of high inflation. 

(b) Economy is set to expand and inflation is expected to decline. 

(c) Economy will get a high boost the coming future.

(d) Economy is expected to grow at a considerable rate.

(e) None of the Above

Q6. Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the following word given in bold in the passage

BRUTAL

(a) tame

(b) sophisticated

(c) polished

(d) Callous

(e) Courteous

Q7. Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the following word given in bold in the passage

COUNTENANCE

(a) censure

(b) Dissuade

(c) Condone

(d) disagree

(e) hinder

Q8. Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the following word given in bold in the passage

SACK

(a) Engage

(b) terminate

(c) persuade

(d) Hire

(e) alleviate

Q9. Choose the word which is most opposite to the following word given in bold in the passage

RAMPANT

(a) prevalent

(b) rife

(c) Restrained

(d) unbridles

(e) boisterous

Q10. Choose the word which is most opposite to the following word given in bold in the passage

EMBARGO

(a) Assistance

(b) Ban

(c) Restraint

(d) Impediment

(e) prolific

Directions (11-15):In each of the following sentence, there are two blank spaces. Below each sentence, there are five options and each blank is to be filled with the same word given below to make the sentence correct. Fill up the sentences with the correct word.

Q11. (I) The bloodiest and most ……………. struggle of the day raged here.

(II) Another reason for Tim’s ………………. behavior is believed to be Katy’s substance abuse problems.

(a) amenable

(b) submissive

(c) pliant

(d) Obstinate

(e) agreeable

Q12. (I) Patriotism is inexorable and, like all ………… monsters, demands all or nothing.

(II) When his mind was set he was inexorable, ………., without scruple.

(a) insatiable

(b) pleased

(c) deprived 

(d) fulfilled

(e) serving

Q13. (I) Take caution, or he might …………you back into that harmful relationship.

(II) At one point, the phantasmagoric saboteur briefly metamorphosizes into Adolf Hitler whilst trying to…………. Joe into neglecting his duties.

(a) disenchant

(b) escape

(c) refuse

(d) beguile

(e) sabotage

Q14. (I) When free from ideological ………………… and legacy dilemmas, states can pursue their self-interest with a free hand.

(II) The boss has turned down our request to expand the Research and Development Department due to financial …………………

(a) deterrent

(b) hindrance

(c) liberty

(d) constraints

(e) assignment

Q15. (I) According to a number of teachers, the biggest ………………. to working in a small town is the low salary paid to educators

(II) The cost of research equipment was an………………… to the university’s project.

(a) assistance

(b) strength

(c) liberation

(d) allowance

(e) impediment

S15. Ans.(e)

Sol. Impediment: a hindrance or obstruction in doing something.

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