Table of Contents
Direction (1-7): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
The water quality at the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary might be unsafe for avifauna to feed and breed, notes a study that examined different pollution indicators in water. Researchers from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli compared their results with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standards to reach this conclusion. The wildlife sanctuary located in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu spreads across an area of 30 sq. km and comprises sandy coastal, saline swamps and thorn scrub forests around the backwater. Though it is a protected area and a Ramsar site, chemical companies and small-scale shrimp farms around the wetland have started to pose a threat to the biodiversity and ecosystem of the sanctuary. A total of five sampling sites in the sanctuary were chosen for the study. Temperature of the atmosphere and water, and water quality analysis were carried out during the peak bird breeding season.
Atmospheric temperature at a few stations exceeded 36-40 degrees Celsius. “This can affect the egg albumen during the pre-incubation period, thereby providing better growth conditions for baleful microorganisms in the eggs,” says the report published in Marine Pollution Bulletin. The pH and salinity of the waters also exceeded the permissible limits for ecologically sensitive zones. Previous studies have shown that high acidic or high alkaline water can affect the metabolic and developmental activities of wild animals and birds. “There are many salt pans near the sanctuary. This could be increasing the salinity. The chemical companies are also letting out untreated effluents into the waters. All this can have a deteriorating effect on the ecology,” explains RajendranViji, research scholar at the university and first author of the paper. “Previously we used to see thousands of migratory birds, now the numbers have gone down to a few hundreds. The birds are starting to avoid the sanctuary.”
Microbial indicators such as coliform bacteria were also found to be very high at all the five sites. The faecal waste of the birds contains a high level of microbial load besides nitrogen, and this can significantly alter the nutrients in the water. Previous studies have shown that drinking the contaminated water can lead to deformities in birds. Coliform infections in the birds have also been reported to cause a change in their natural behaviour and even affect their long distance migration.
“There are also high chances for the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among the coliform bacteria and we are planning to do more investigation on this,” says Lt. Dr. Shrinithivihahshini N.D, from the Department of Environmental Management at Bharathidasan University and coauthor of the paper. Strict environmental regulations should be imposed and salt pan and other aquaculture practices around the sanctuary should be prohibited. Eco-tourism is also causing disturbances in this area.
Q1. As per the report published in Marine Pollution Bulletin which environmental factors can be a harmful one for the eggs of birds in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary?
(a)The water quality present at the sanctuary
(b) Atmospheric temperature of the sanctuary
(c) The relative humidity present in the environment of sanctuary
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) None of the above
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Q2.Why instead of being a protected area and a Ramsar site, the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary is under threat?
(a) As there is no buffer zone in the sanctuary
(b) Because of the increased human intervention in the area
(c) Being subsumed by the chemical companies and small-scale shrimp farms
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) None of the above
Q3.Out of the followings, which is the reason that might cause harm to the feed and breed of the birds of the habitat?
(a)The quality of the atmospheric air
(b)The amount of the waterfall in the habitat
(c)Both (a) and (b)
(d) The water quality present at the sanctuary
(e) None of the above
Q4. Out of the followings, what could be the reason/s due to which the number of migrating birds has gone down inPoint Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary?
(a)Increased atmospheric temperature to 36-40 degrees Celsius
(b)The pH and salinityof the waters exceeding the permissible limits
(c) Increased Microbial indicators indicating the presence of faecal contamination in the sanctuary
(d)All (a) (b) and (c)
(e) None of the above
Q5. In what ways the increased Microbial indicators such as coliform bacteria can be harmful for the birds living in the particular habitat?
(a)It can cause a considerable decrease in their vision
(b)Drinking the contaminated water can lead to deformities in birds
(c)It can cause a change in their natural behavior and even affect their long distance migration.
(d)Both (b) and (c)
(e) None of the above
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Q6. Which of the following words has a MEANING closer to the word ‘POSE’?
(a) Propitiate
(b) Assuage
(c) Pacify
(d) Constitute
(e) Mollify
Q7. Which of the following words has a MEANING closer to the opposite to the word ‘BALEFUL’?
(a) Banter
(b) Benevolent
(c) Abate
(d) Strut
(e) Swagger
Directions (8-10): In the following questions a part of the sentence is given in bold, it is then followed by three sentences which try to explain the meaning of the idiom/phrase given in bold. Choose the alternative from the three sentences given below each question which explains the meaning of the phrase correctly without altering the meaning of the sentence given as question. If none of the sentences explains the meaning of the highlighted phrase, choose option (e) i.e., “none of these” as your answer choice.
Q8.He was still on tenterhooks waiting for his directors’ decision about the job.
(i)He was still anxiously waiting for his directors’ decision about the job.
(ii)He was still suspiciously waiting for his directors’ decision about the job.
(iii)He was highly passionate for his directors’ decision about the job.
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (i) and (ii)
(c) Both (ii) and (iii)
(d) All of (i), (ii) and (iii)
(e) None of these
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Q9. The guests, packed cheek by jowl, parted as he entered, and suddenly she knew the reason for the party.
(i)The guests, packed closed together, parted as he entered, and suddenly she knew the reason for the party.
(ii)The guests, packed with all the presents with them, parted as he entered, and suddenly she knew the reason for the party.
(iii)The guests, packed in the room, parted as he entered, and suddenly she knew the reason for the party.
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (ii) and (iii)
(c) Only (iii)
(d) Only (ii)
(e) None of these
Q10. He was taken to task for not reporting the problem earlier.
(i) He was upbraided for not reporting the problem earlier.
(ii) He was given in remand for not reporting the problem earlier.
(iii)He was scolded for not reporting the problem earlier.
(a) Only (i)
(b) Both (i) and (ii)
(c) Both (ii) and (iii)
(d) Both (i) and (iii)
(e) None of these
Directions (11-15): Given below are five sentences of a paragraph in a jumbled fashion. Arrange the sentences to form a coherent paragraph and answer the following questions.
(A) Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s cabinet resorted to the power an estimated 50 times in her 14 years.
(B) In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the limitation laid down by the Supreme Court might have placed gentle breaks on exercise of this power, but the Centre continues to wield superior legislative powers, including residuary powers and legislative precedence.
(C) From 1991 till 2016, there have been 32 instances of the exercise of this power — compared to 92 instances in the preceding period.
(D) The fact that it includes 15 instances between 1980 and 1984 after the Supreme Court held federalism a basic feature of the Constitution is quite telling.
(E) Between 1977 and 1996, the power to impose presidential rule was exercised almost 59 times.
Q11. What should be the Last sentence of the sequence?
(a) D
(b) A
(c) B
(d) C
(e) E
Q12. What should be the SECOND sentence of the sequence?
(a) D
(b) A
(c) B
(d) C
(e) E
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Q13. What should be the FOURTH sentence of the final sequence?
(a) A
(b) E
(c) D
(d) B
(e) C
Q14. What should be the THIRD sentence of the final sequence?
(a) D
(b) A
(c) C
(d) B
(e) E
Q15. What should be the FIRST sentence of the final sequence?
(a) C
(b) D
(c) B
(d) E
(e) A
Solutions
S1. Ans. (b)
Sol. The answer to the question can be derived from the very 1st line of the second paragraph.
Though option (a) could also be the answer to the question but as per the question the factor is asked on the basis of the report published by Marine Pollution Bulletin. As mentioned in the very first line off the 2nd paragraph “Atmospheric temperature at a few stations exceeded 36-40 degrees Celsius. “This can affect the egg albumen during the pre-incubation period, thereby providing better growth conditions for harmful microorganisms in the eggs,” says the report published in Marine Pollution Bulletin.” Hence option (b) is the correct answer choice for the given question
S2. Ans. (c)
Sol. As mentioned in the lines off the very 1st paragraph “Though it is a protected area and a Ramsar site, chemical companies and small-scale shrimp farms around the wetland have started to pose a threat to the biodiversity and ecosystem of the sanctuary.” Hence option (c) is the correct answer choice for the given question.
S3. Ans. (d)
Sol. As mentioned in the lines off the very 1st paragraph “The water quality at the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary might be unsafe for avifauna to feed and breed, notes a study that examined different pollution indicators in water.” Hence option (d) is the correct answer choice for the given question.
S4. Ans. (d)
Sol. As mentioned in the lines off the 2nd and 3rd paragraph all the given options (a) (b) and (c) are true. Hence option (d) is the correct answer choice for the given question.
S5. Ans. (d)
Sol. As mentioned in the lines off the second last paragraph “Previous studies have shown that drinking the contaminated water can lead to deformities in birds. Coliform infections in the birds have also been reported to cause a change in their natural behaviour and even affect their long distance migration.” both the given options (b) and (c) fall to be true. Hence option (d) is the correct answer choice for the given question.
S6. Ans. (d)
Sol. ‘POSE’ means present or constitute (a problem or danger).
Assuage- make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense
Propitiate- win or regain the favour of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them
Among the given options, the option (d) has a meaning which is closer to the word ‘pose’ and hence, is the correct answer.
S7. Ans. (b)
Sol. Benevolent- well-meaning and kindly
Banter-the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks
Abate- (of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread
Among the given options, the option (b) has a meaning which is OPPOSITE to the word ‘baleful’ and hence, is the correct answer.
S8. Ans. (b)
Sol. ‘on tenterhooks’ is a phrase which means ‘in a state of suspense or agitation because of uncertainty about a future event.’
Among the given alternatives, (i) and (ii) imparts the correct meaning to the highlighted phrase.
Hence, the option (b) is the correct answer.
S9. Ans. (a)
Sol. The highlighted phrase ‘cheek by jowl’ means ‘close together’
Among the given alternatives, only alternative (i) impart the correct meaning to the highlighted phrase.
Hence, the option (a) is the correct answer.
S10. Ans. (d)
Sol. The meaning of the highlighted phrase ‘taken to task’ is ‘To scold, reprimand, lecture, or hold one accountable for some wrong or error they committed’
Among the given alternatives, both alternative (i) and (iii) impart the correct meaning to the highlighted phrase.
Upbraided- find fault with (someone); scold
Hence, the option (d) is the correct answer.
S11. Ans. (c)
Sol. The correct sequence is ‘EADCB’.
The sentence (E) informs us about the theme of the paragraph which is ‘instances of the exercising of presidential rule between 1977 and 1996’. So, the sentence (E) should be the first sentence of the final paragraph. The sentence (A) informs about how many times such exercising of presidential rule happened during the Prime Ministerial era of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The occurrence of the pronoun ‘it’ in the sentence (D) suggests that there should exists a sentence prior the sentence (A) which would provide the antecedent for the pronoun ‘it’. Among the given sentences, only sentence (A) can provide the antecedent to the pronoun ‘it’ and the antecedent is the resorting to imposing presidential rule during the 14 years when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. So, A-D should be a sub-sequence. Among the sentences (B) and (C), the sentence (C) talks about the time era between 1991 and 2016 and the exercising of the power to impose presidential rule during that time era. The sentence (C) gels well with the sub-sequence A-D, but the sentence (C) should trail the subsequence A-D because the sub-sequence A-D talks about an earlier time while the sentence (C) talks about the latter time. So, we get the sub-sequence ‘ADC’. The sentence (B) talks about an instance of legal battle on the issue and seems to provide a conclusion by informing us about the limitation laid down by the Supreme Court but still the continuance of wielding superior legislative power by the Centre. Hence, the sentence (B) should be the last sentence.
Hence, the correct sequence is ‘EADCB’ and the option (c) is the correct answer.
S12. Ans. (b)
Sol. The correct sequence is ‘EADCB’.
The sentence (E) informs us about the theme of the paragraph which is ‘instances of the exercising of presidential rule between 1977 and 1996’. So, the sentence (E) should be the first sentence of the final paragraph. The sentence (A) informs about how many times such exercising of presidential rule happened during the Prime Ministerial era of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The occurrence of the pronoun ‘it’ in the sentence (D) suggests that there should exists a sentence prior the sentence (A) which would provide the antecedent for the pronoun ‘it’. Among the given sentences, only sentence (A) can provide the antecedent to the pronoun ‘it’ and the antecedent is the resorting to imposing presidential rule during the 14 years when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. So, A-D should be a sub-sequence. Among the sentences (B) and (C), the sentence (C) talks about the time era between 1991 and 2016 and the exercising of the power to impose presidential rule during that time era. The sentence (C) gels well with the sub-sequence A-D, but the sentence (C) should trail the subsequence A-D because the sub-sequence A-D talks about an earlier time while the sentence (C) talks about the latter time. So, we get the sub-sequence ‘ADC’. The sentence (B) talks about an instance of legal battle on the issue and seems to provide a conclusion by informing us about the limitation laid down by the Supreme Court but still the continuance of wielding superior legislative power by the Centre. Hence, the sentence (B) should be the last sentence.
Hence, the correct sequence is ‘EADCB’ and the option (b) is the correct answer.
S13. Ans. (e)
Sol. The correct sequence is ‘EADCB’.
The sentence (E) informs us about the theme of the paragraph which is ‘instances of the exercising of presidential rule between 1977 and 1996’. So, the sentence (E) should be the first sentence of the final paragraph. The sentence (A) informs about how many times such exercising of presidential rule happened during the Prime Ministerial era of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The occurrence of the pronoun ‘it’ in the sentence (D) suggests that there should exists a sentence prior the sentence (A) which would provide the antecedent for the pronoun ‘it’. Among the given sentences, only sentence (A) can provide the antecedent to the pronoun ‘it’ and the antecedent is the resorting to imposing presidential rule during the 14 years when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. So, A-D should be a sub-sequence. Among the sentences (B) and (C), the sentence (C) talks about the time era between 1991 and 2016 and the exercising of the power to impose presidential rule during that time era. The sentence (C) gels well with the sub-sequence A-D, but the sentence (C) should trail the subsequence A-D because the sub-sequence A-D talks about an earlier time while the sentence (C) talks about the latter time. So, we get the sub-sequence ‘ADC’. The sentence (B) talks about an instance of legal battle on the issue and seems to provide a conclusion by informing us about the limitation laid down by the Supreme Court but still the continuance of wielding superior legislative power by the Centre. Hence, the sentence (B) should be the last sentence.
Hence, the correct sequence is ‘EADCB’ and the option (e) is the correct answer.
S14. Ans. (a)
Sol. The correct sequence is ‘EADCB’.
The sentence (E) informs us about the theme of the paragraph which is ‘instances of the exercising of presidential rule between 1977 and 1996’. So, the sentence (E) should be the first sentence of the final paragraph. The sentence (A) informs about how many times such exercising of presidential rule happened during the Prime Ministerial era of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The occurrence of the pronoun ‘it’ in the sentence (D) suggests that there should exists a sentence prior the sentence (A) which would provide the antecedent for the pronoun ‘it’. Among the given sentences, only sentence (A) can provide the antecedent to the pronoun ‘it’ and the antecedent is the resorting to imposing presidential rule during the 14 years when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. So, A-D should be a sub-sequence. Among the sentences (B) and (C), the sentence (C) talks about the time era between 1991 and 2016 and the exercising of the power to impose presidential rule during that time era. The sentence (C) gels well with the sub-sequence A-D, but the sentence (C) should trail the subsequence A-D because the sub-sequence A-D talks about an earlier time while the sentence (C) talks about the latter time. So, we get the sub-sequence ‘ADC’. The sentence (B) talks about an instance of legal battle on the issue and seems to provide a conclusion by informing us about the limitation laid down by the Supreme Court but still the continuance of wielding superior legislative power by the Centre. Hence, the sentence (B) should be the last sentence.
Hence, the correct sequence is ‘EADCB’ and the option (a) is the correct answer.
S15. Ans. (d)
Sol. The correct sequence is ‘EADCB’.
The sentence (E) informs us about the theme of the paragraph which is ‘instances of the exercising of presidential rule between 1977 and 1996’. So, the sentence (E) should be the first sentence of the final paragraph. The sentence (A) informs about how many times such exercising of presidential rule happened during the Prime Ministerial era of Mrs. Indira Gandhi. The occurrence of the pronoun ‘it’ in the sentence (D) suggests that there should exists a sentence prior the sentence (A) which would provide the antecedent for the pronoun ‘it’. Among the given sentences, only sentence (A) can provide the antecedent to the pronoun ‘it’ and the antecedent is the resorting to imposing presidential rule during the 14 years when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. So, A-D should be a sub-sequence. Among the sentences (B) and (C), the sentence (C) talks about the time era between 1991 and 2016 and the exercising of the power to impose presidential rule during that time era. The sentence (C) gels well with the sub-sequence A-D, but the sentence (C) should trail the subsequence A-D because the sub-sequence A-D talks about an earlier time while the sentence (C) talks about the latter time. So, we get the sub-sequence ‘ADC’. The sentence (B) talks about an instance of legal battle on the issue and seems to provide a conclusion by informing us about the limitation laid down by the Supreme Court but still the continuance of wielding superior legislative power by the Centre. Hence, the sentence (B) should be the last sentence.
Hence, the correct sequence is ‘EADCB’ and the option (d) is the correct answer.
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