Directions (1-8): Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/ phrases are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
It’s half past four on a sweltering afternoon in Jodhpur. At the end of a narrow lane in the walled city a metal gate seems to close off a dilapidated monument. Walk through it though, and a series of steps leads you into a well the size of a large swimming pool. There are arches above the well at regular intervals and it’s easy to sense, from the surrounding air, that the water runs cold. A group of young men are splashing about inside, occasionally emerging with handfuls of dirt or stray pieces of garbage that they place at the top of the steps. They have been working for days and through their efforts, the water inside seems clean, almost luminescent.
Satayanarayanjikabawari, the small stepwell named after the temple next to it, is one of hundreds of similar structures, all part of an ancient network of water storage that the city of Jodhpur was once famous for, but now lie neglected. On this afternoon, the young men from the colony around the Stepwell are participating in an initiative started by a local environmental activist, Rajesh Joshi, to clean and revive some of them.“The old city of Jodhpur has over 200 Stepwells and they were built from around the 6th century onward as part of an incredibly sophisticated water architecture,” he explains. During the little rain that the region receives between June and September water is diverted from canals built on the hilly outskirts of the city to man-made tanks or talabs. It then seeps into the ground, raising the water table and recharging an intricate network of aquifers that were built deep, with steps narrowing down to the well to minimise the water that could evaporate. All that changed after 1996, when the Indira Gandhi canal brought water from the Sutlej River in Punjab and the government started supplying piped water to households. “Earlier people had to collect water from the Stepwells with buckets but once piped water came there was suddenly a surfeit and then people no longer cared. They started using the Stepwells to just dump garbage,” says Dhananjaya Singh, whose family owns a hotel in Jodhpur and is involved in the restoration of the Toorjikajhalra, another Stepwell in the old city.
The surfeit, however, didn’t last. Mr. Singh says that over the past few years water from the canal only supplies some households once in two or three days. That, and the constant possibility that Punjab could one day decide to terminate the water supply, made Mr. Singh and others think seriously about making the walled city at least, self-sufficient for water consumption. Cleaning and recharging the Stepwells, he says, is the first step toward that. Since most of them have fallen into disuse, Stepwells are often seen as archaic structures that are not factored into modern town planning.
In an upscale housing colony called Umaid Heritage on the outskirts of the city, a Jodhpur-based architect, AnuMridul, is attempting an experiment to change that by creating a modern interpretation of a bawari.A 900-foot-long structure with endless panels of interlocking beams and pillars, it is the first new stepwell created in over a century and Mr. Mridul says it can hold up to 17.5 million litres of water. Once operational, it will be used primarily for rainwater harvesting. Mr. Mridul says the idea of building a stepwell rather than relying solely on tanks was motivated by the recognition that the State had a falling water table and the government was struggling to supply water through the canal. The model, he says, can be emulated in other parts of the country even if it is not built on the same scale as the Umaid project. “All you need is a natural slope to build a Stepwell or otherwise, water can be lifted from different parts. Like the way in which the ancient system in Jodhpur connected all parts of the water architecture, city planners can look at incorporating Stepwells into the existing networks,” he says.
Beyond Jodhpur, districts of western Rajasthan suffer from acute drinking water shortages as they receive only about 200 mm of rainfall per year. Water-restoring structures such as the rainwater tanks and talabs have fallen into disuse given the over-reliance on the government.“Successive governments promise pipelines and other things because politics in this region is played out through water. So what we are trying to do is teach people to be more self-sufficient,” says Kanupriya Harish, head of the JalBhagirati Foundation, an NGO that works to optimise management of scarce water resources. She adds that despite the acknowledgment by the State government that rainwater harvesting is vital — Chief Minister VasundharaRaje in January this year launched the JalSwavlambanYojna to promote the use of rainwater accumulated through traditional methods — implementation on the ground remains slow.
Q1. Which statement(s) is /are true regarding Stepwells?
(i) Water is diverted from canals built on the hilly outskirts of the city to man-made tanks or talabs.
(ii) Since it’s working is complex it can’t be be emulated in all parts of the country.
(iii)State government is unconcerned and is not promoting the use of traditional methods of rain water harvesting and are only concentrating on modern methods.
(a) Only (iii).
(b) Both (i) and (iii).
(c) Only (ii).
(d) Only (i).
(e) None of these.
Q2. What can be the most suitable title for the passage?
(a) The last drop.
(b) Stepwell : the best method for rain water harvesting.
(c) Conservation: Lessons from ancient India.
(d) Need for water conservation.
(e) Saving water in Jodhpur.
Q3. Why residents of Jodhpur think there is a need for self sufficient water consumption system?
(a)So as to promote the use of rainwater accumulated through traditional methods.
(b) As the government is not serious towards the acute shortages of the water.
(c) Because the ones built in ancient India are not good enough.
(d) Modern technologies are not of any use in rainwater harvesting and people are suffering due to it.
(e)As there is a possibility that Punjab could one day decide to terminate the water supply.
Q4. Why intricate network of aquifers were built deep?
(a)So that it can’t be harmed by the environmental conditions outside.
(b)So as to save it from the garbage disposals so that it can be pure.
(c)So as to minimise the water that could evaporate.
(d)Because the ancient people weren’t technically sound.
(e)Since that there can be less wastage of water.
Q5. What was the main reason because of which people of Jodhpur ‘no longer cared’?
(a)Because the water was in abundance in Jodhpur earlier.
(b)Because they thought tanks and talabs were sufficient in fulfilling their requirements.
(c)Because government didn’t promote the use of rainwater accumulated through traditional methods.
(d)They were helpless as they didn’t know how they could have conserved it so they were used to it.
(e)Indira Gandhi canal brought water from the Sutlej River and people no longer had to carry the buckets from well
Q6. At present which of the following statement is true regarding the efforts of the Residents of Jodhpur in water conservation in this passage?
(a)They do not care about the cleanliness and purity of water though they are concerned about conserving it.
(b)They are not in favour of use of rainwater accumulated through traditional methods.
(c)They haven’t taken any step towards building new Stepwells as many think it is not viable in modern times.
(d)Many residents are taking the initiative themselves and are contributing in cleansing of the Well and are concerned the modern interpretation of a Bawari in upscale housing colony called Umaid Heritage is an example of this.
(e)NGO’s that works to optimise management of scarce water resources are not doing enough to teach the residents of Jodhpur how to conserve water.
Q7. Choose the word/group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
SWELTERING
(a)Benumbed.
(b)Shivering
(c)Searing
(d)Frigid.
(e)Blizzard.
Q8. Choose the word/group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
SURFEIT
(a)Scarcity
(b)Deficient.
(c)Dearth
(d)Plethora
(e)Necessity
Directions (9-15): Select the phrase/connector (STARTERS) from the given three options which can be used to form a single sentence from the two sentences given below, implying the same meaning as expressed in the statements.
Q9.
(I) The oil markets await further updates on the resumption of supplies from Saudi Arabia.
(II)The oil markets will nevertheless be nervous as any retaliatory measures by Saudi Arabia and its allies will keep the market on tenterhooks .
(i) Nevertheless the oil markets await further updates………….
(ii)Since the oil markets await further updates…………..
(iii) While the oil markets await further updates…………..
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (iii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Both (ii) and (iii)
(e) All of these
Q10.
(I) The parties had suggested that mediation could continue.
(II) The Supreme Court continues to hear the Ayodhya dispute appeals.
(i) Even though the parties had suggested…………..
(ii)The Supreme Court said the parties………………
(iii) Even if the parties said…………………….
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Only (iii)
(d) Both (ii) and (iii)
(e) All of these
Q11.
(I) Israel established diplomatic ties with China at the same time as with India
(II) Israel and china’s relations have been primarily limited to the economic realm due to the American embargo on selling sophisticated weapons systems to Beijing
(i) While Israel established diplomatic ties……………
(ii)Though Israel established diplomatic ties……………
(iii) Israel established diplomatic ties………………
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (iii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Both (ii) and (iii)
(e) All of these
Q12. (I) Some economists question whether linking wage rates to a better inflation index will be sufficient.
(II) The government is planning to link MGNREGA wages to a better inflation index.
(i) Considering the fact that the government is…………
(ii) Given that the government is…………
(iii) Some economists question whether………..
(a) Only (i)
(b) Only (iii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Both (ii) and (iii)
(e) All of these
Q13. (I) India carried out a successful test of an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon.
(II) India launched an interceptor missile from the Balasore range in Odisha to hit a live satellite in Low Earth Orbit.
(i) Shortly before noon on March 27, India carried…
(ii) By launching an interceptor missile…
(iii) Because India carried out a…
(a) Both (i) and (iii)
(b) Only (ii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) None of these
(e) All of (i), (ii) and (iii)
Q14. (I) The Central government has decided to suspend trade across the Line of Control between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
(II) The decision is bad in conception and comes at a particularly fraught time.
(i) The Central government’s decision to suspend …
(ii) Besides the Central government has decided…
(iii) Because the decision is bad in conception…
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (ii) and (iii)
(c) Both (i) and (ii)
(d) Only (iii)
(e) None of these
Q15. (I) A 2-2 result for CSK after four away matches is not bad, considering the team has been unbeatable on home soil
(II) The last few matches have highlighted a problem the team has been facing since the start of the season — lack of runs at the top
(i) As a 2-2 result for CSK…
(ii) While a 2-2 result for CSK…
(iii) Because the last few matches have highlighted…
(a) Both (i) and (iii)
(b) Only (iii)
(c) Only (ii)
(d) Only (i)
(e) None of these
Solutions
S1. Ans.(d)
Sol. Refer to the paragraph 2 of the passage ”water is diverted from canals built on the hilly outskirts of the city to man-made tanks or talabs”.
S2. Ans.(c)
Sol. The title is the most suitable in comparison to other.
S3. Ans.(e)
Sol. Refer to the 3rd paragraph ”the constant possibility that Punjab could one day decide to terminate the water supply,”
S4. Ans.(c)
Sol. Refer to the 2nd paragraph of the passage ”with steps narrowing down to the well to minimise the water that could evaporate”.
S5. Ans.(e)
Sol. Refer to the 2nd paragraph of the passage ”All that changed after 1996, when the Indira Gandhi canal brought water from the Sutlej River in Punjab and the government started supplying piped water to households”.
S6. Ans.(d)
Sol. Refer to the 1st paragraph ”a group of young men are splashing about inside, occasionally emerging with handfuls of dirt or stray pieces of garbage that they place at the top of the steps” and Mr. Mridul is trying to make a new Stepwell.
S7. Ans.(c)
Sol. Sweltering means uncomfortably hot, searing is the most similar in meaning.
S8. Ans.(d)
Sol. Surfeit means an excessive amount of something, plethora is the word most similar in meaning.
S9. Ans. (b)
Sol. Only the third starter can be used to frame a meaningful sentence without altering the exact meaning of the given sentences. However, it is not possible to construct a contextual sentence using other two starters. Hence option (b) is the correct choice.
(iii) While the oil markets await further updates on the resumption of supplies from Saudi Arabia, they will nevertheless be nervous as any retaliatory measures by Saudi Arabia and its allies will keep the market on tenterhooks.
S10. Ans. (a)
Sol. Only second starter can be used to frame a meaningful sentence without altering the exact meaning of the given sentences. However, it is not possible to construct a contextual sentence using the other two starter. Hence option (a) is the correct choice.
(i) Even though the parties had suggested that mediation could continue, the Supreme Court continues to hear the Ayodhya dispute appeals.
S11. Ans. (c)
Sol. Both the starters (i) and (ii) can be used to frame a meaningful sentence without altering the exact meaning of the given sentences. However, it is not possible to construct a contextual sentence using the third starter. Hence option (c) is the correct choice.
(i) While Israel established diplomatic ties with China at the same time as with India, their relations have been primarily limited to the economic realm due to the American embargo on selling sophisticated weapons systems to Beijing.
(ii) Though Israel established diplomatic ties with China at the same time as with India, their relations have been primarily limited to the economic realm due to the American embargo on selling sophisticated weapons systems to Beijing.
S12. Ans. (c)
Sol. Both (i) and (ii) starters can be used to frame a meaningful sentence without altering the exact meaning of the given sentences. Hence option (c) is the correct choice.
(i) Considering the fact that the government is planning to link MGNREGA wages to a better inflation index, some economists question whether linking wage rates to a better inflation index will be sufficient.
(ii) Given that the government is planning to link MGNREGA wages to a better inflation index, some economists question whether linking wage rates to a better inflation index will be sufficient.
S13. Ans. (c)
Sol. Among the given starters, the starters (i) and (ii) successfully connect the sentences (I) and (II) and forms a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence.
Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.
‘Shortly before noon on March 27, India carried out a successful test of an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon, launching an interceptor
missile from the Balasore range in Odisha to hit a live satellite in Low Earth Orbit.’
‘By Launching an interceptor missile from the Balasore range in Odisha to hit a live satellite in Low Earth Orbit, India carried out a successful test of an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon’
S14. Ans. (a)
Sol. Among the given starters, the starters (i) successfully connect the sentence (I) and (II), making a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence.
(II) is not a reason for (I), so the starter ‘because’ can’t be used. Nor ‘beside’ can be used because (II) reflects the opinion of a person about (I)
Hence, option (a) is the correct answer.
‘The Central government’s decision to suspend trade across the Line of Control between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is bad in conception, and comes at a particularly fraught time.’
S15. Ans. (c)
Sol. (I) and (II) contrast each other, so ‘while’ can be used for connecting (I) and (II). Because neither (I) nor (II) is a reason for another, ‘because’ and ‘as’ can’t be used as starters.
Among the given starters, the starter (ii) successfully connect the sentence (I) and (II) to make a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence.
Hence, option (c) is the correct answer.
‘While a 2-2 result for CSK after four away matches is not bad, considering the team has been unbeatable on home soil, the last few matches have highlighted a problem the team has been facing since the start of the season — lack of runs at the top.’
Click Here to Register for Bank Exams 2021 Preparation Material
English Language Quiz For Bank Foundatio...
English Language Quiz For Bank Mains Exa...
