Reading Comprehension Questions for SBI Clerk Exam

Reading Comprehension (RC) is a crucial section of the English Language in the SBI Clerk exam. This section assesses a candidate’s ability to read, understand, and interpret a given passage, testing their vocabulary, grammar, and critical thinking skills. With the right preparation, Reading Comprehension questions can significantly boost your overall score.

The Reading Comprehension section is included in both the Preliminary and Mains exams. It evaluates not only the candidate’s reading ability but also their analytical and logical thinking.

Reading Comprehension for SBI Clerk Exam

The topics in RC passages are diverse, ranging from current affairs and social issues to economics and technology. Excelling in this section demonstrates your understanding of complex texts, an essential skill for banking professionals who often deal with reports, policies, and client communications. In this article, we have discussed some of the Reading Comprehension Questions for the SBI Clerk 2024 Exam.

Reading Comprehension Questions for SBI Clerk Exam

Direction (1-7): Read the given passage carefully and answer the following questions. Certain parts have been highlighted to help answer the questions.

The lingering COVID-19 crisis is a good time to revive an issue that is, oddly, slow to come to life in India — universal health care (UHC). Meanwhile, UHC has become a well-accepted objective of public policy around the world. It has even been largely realised in many countries, not only the richer ones (minus the United States) but also a growing number of other countries such as Brazil, China, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Some of them, such as Thailand, made a decisive move towards UHC at a time (20 years ago) when their per capita GDP was no higher than India’s per capita GDP today. The time has come for India — or some Indian States at least — to take the plunge.

The basic idea of UHC is that no one should be deprived of quality health care for the lack of ability to pay. This idea was well expressed — in archaic words perhaps — by Aneurin Bevan, the fiery founder of the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain. “No society,” he said, “can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means.” The same idea inspired the Bhore Committee report of 1946, where a case was made for India to create its own NHS-type health-care system.

In concrete terms, UHC typically relies on one or both of two basic approaches: public service and social insurance. In the first approach, health care is provided as a free public service, just like the services of a fire brigade or public library. If this sounds like socialist thinking, that is what it is. Interestingly, however, this socialist project has worked not only in communist countries such as Cuba but also in the capitalist world (well beyond the United Kingdom). The second approach allows private as well as public provision of health care, but the costs are mostly borne by the social insurance fund(s), not the patient, so the result is similar: everyone has access to quality health care. Social insurance is very different from a private insurance market. The simplest variant is one where insurance is compulsory and universal, financed mainly from general taxation, and run by a single non-profit agency in the public interest. That is how it works in Canada (province-wise), and to varying extents in other countries with “national health insurance” (e.g., Australia and Taiwan).

Q1. What is/are the underlying motive(s) behind Universal health care?

(a) Universal health care program is launched to provide vaccines in every country

(b) Its aim is to make healthcare services available in rural and outskirts areas

(c) UHC is to make medical services accessible to everyone irrespective of his or her paying capability.

(d) All of these

(e)None of these

Q2. According to ‘Aneurin Bevan’, what is the salient component of a country for being civilized?

(a) Any country that is civilized should not depend on other countries for medical supply

(b) In a country, the absence of means should not be the reason for refusing medical aid to anyone

(c) A country should provide medical aid to other countries in case of emergency like pandemic

(d) A country’s government should allocate more funds to boost medical research.

(e)None of these

Q3. What does the first approach of UHC i.e., ‘public service’ imply?

(a)Providing free medical services only

(b)Medical inaccessibility shouldn’t be the reason for mortality

(c)Health care services are provisioned as a free public service

(d) Getting reimbursement of all exorbitant medical tests and medicine

(e)None of these

Q4. Which of the following statements describe(s) the simplest variant of social insurance?

(a) The insurance which is managed by the single non-profit agency

(b) Insurance which is mandatory and common for all

(c) Insurance which is chiefly financed by the tax collected by the government

(d)All of these

(e)None of these

Q5. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE as per the information given in the passage?

(a) Universal Health Care counts on one or two basic approaches

(b) UHC has been considered not only in affluent but in other countries also

(c) Social insurance scheme made quality health services accessible to everyone

(d) Thailand moved towards UHC when its per capita GDP was higher than India’s current GDP

(e)None of these

Q6. Which of the following words is/are synonym of ‘REVIVE’ given in the passage?

(a) reinvigorate

(b) reckless

(c) hailed

(d) convene

(e) All of these

Q7. Which of the following words is an antonym of ‘COMPULSORY’ given in the passage?

(a) enormous

(b) attrition

(c) attain

(d) voluntary

(e) resolute

Directions (8-15): Read the passage carefully and answer the given question based upon that.

The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full-summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green. The people of the village Yorkshire began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten o’clock; in some towns there were so many people that the lottery took two days, but in this village, where there were only about three hundred people, the whole lottery took less than two hours.

The children assembled first, of course. School was recently over for the summer, and the feeling of liberty sat uneasily on most of them. Though they gathered together quietly for a while, then they broke into rowdy behavior, and their talk was still of the classroom and the teacher, of books and reprimands. Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones; Bobby and Harry Jones and Dickie Delacroix—the villagers pronounced this name “Dellacroy”—eventually made a great pile of stones in one corner of the square and guarded it against the raids of the other boys. The girls stood aside, talking among themselves, looking over their shoulders at the boys, and the very small children rolled in the dust or clung to the hands of their older brothers or sisters.

Soon the men began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes. They stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed. The women, wearing faded house dresses and sweaters, came shortly after their menfolk. They greeted one another and exchanged bits of conversation as they went to join their husbands. Soon the women, standing by their husbands, began to call to their children, and the children came reluctantly, having to be called four or five times.

The lottery was conducted—as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program—by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities. He was a round-faced, friendly man and he ran the coal business, and people were sorry for him because he had no children and his wife was a scold. When he arrived in the square, carrying the black wooden box, there was a murmur of conversation among the villagers, and he waved and called. “Little late today, folks. ” The postmaster, Mr. Graves, followed him, carrying a three-legged stool, and the stool was put in the center of the square and Mr. Summers set the black box down on it. Mr. Summers said, “Some of you fellows want to give me a hand?” there was a hesitation before two men, Mr. Martin and his oldest son, Baxter, came forward to hold the box steady on the stool while Mr. Summers stirred up the papers inside it.

Q8. Why the villagers of Yorkshire gathered in square?

(a) As they had a lottery session that was going to be held around 10 o’clock.

(b) As they had an orchestral party to celebrate the village’s centennial anniversary.

(c) As a baron from nearby town was distributing free foods to celebrate the birth of his son.

(d)As the villagers used to gather once in a month to resolve any kind of property dispute.

(e)None of these

Q9. What was the behavior of the children who were assembled in that village?

(a) Though they were noisy at first, but they became quiet hearing the loud greeting of the speaker

(b) They were reluctant to stand there for such a long duration.

(c) They tended to gather together quietly for a while before they broke into boisterous play

(d) They were gathered in a circle and laughing in a hysterical manner

(e) None of these

Q10. Which of the following is TRUE as per the given passage?

(a) Seeing Bobby Martin, other village boys also followed his act of collecting the smoothest and roundest stone.

(b) Dickie Delacroix was being called “Dellacroy” by the villagers.

(c) After exchanging pleasantry, the women joined their husbands in the gathered crowd.

(d)Only (a) and (c)

(e)All of these

Q11. How were the men behaving when they gathered for the lottery?

(a) A stream of excitement was clearly visible among the men as they were discussing the potential of these lotteries.

(b)Throughout the duration, they were standing there quietly.

(c)They were standing there with their wives and watching their children playing in a ruckus manner.

(d)They were standing together, conversing on plants, tractor, taxes, and smiling lightly.

(e)They came in a very small number and were inattentive throughout the duration.

Q12. Which of the following is FALSE about Mr. Summers?

(a)He actively participated in civic activities

(b)Many a times he got cranky on trivial matters.

(c) His wife was a shrew and he had no child.

(d) He owned a coal business.

(e)All are correct

Q13. What was people’s reaction on Mr. summers’s appeal of help during the lottery?

(a)There was a reluctance before Mr. Martin and his son came for help

(b)People started to murmur among themselves as clearly nobody was willing to proceed

(c) There was a visible eagerness among the people as many raised their hands to participate in it.

(d)Only (a) and (b)

(e)None of these

Q14. Which of the given words can replace “profusely” highlighted in the passage?

(a)copiously

(b)timidly

(c)vehemently

(d)spuriously

(e)sporadically

Q15. Which of the following words can be termed as the opposite of “reluctantly” as mentioned in the passage?

(a)aversely

(b)elatedly

(c)deludedly

(d)haggardly

(e)None of these

Directions (16-23): Read the following passage and answer the questions given below. Some words are highlighted to help you answer some of the questions.

No matter where you live, near the coast or hundreds of miles away, there are several things that you can do to keep coral reefs healthy. Many dangers to coral reefs occur directly on the water but many also come from activities that occur on land, even those far from the coast. There are several simple lifestyle changes that anyone can undertake to improve the health of our coral reefs. Practice safe and responsible diving and snorkeling. Avoid touching reefs or anchoring your boat on the reef. Contact with the reef will damage the delicate coral animals, and anchoring on the reef can kill corals, so look for sandy bottom or use moorings, if available. Take a reef-friendly approach to sun protection.

Some ingredients in sunscreen can be harmful to or even kill corals. Inform yourself of safer choices for coral. Better yet, cut down on sunscreen use by wearing a long-sleeved shirt or rash guard to prevent sunburn. Recycle and _______________ of trash properly. Marine debris can be harmful to coral reefs. Recycle your trash at home and on the go, and remember the three R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle). When disposing of trash, do it properly in bins, to avoid trash being blown or washed away into waterways and oceans. On beaches, make sure you leave no trash behind, and never throw or leave any cigarette butts in the sand. You can help keep your rivers and streams clean by volunteering to pick up trash in your community. Check with your local environmental organizations for annual trash clean-ups and make sure to check the annual International Coastal Cleanup.

The overuse of fertilizer on lawns harms water quality because nutrients from the fertilizer are washed into waterways and eventually end up in oceans. These nutrients pollute the water and can harm coral reefs. Instead of driving a car, try to walk, bike, or use public transport more often. If you are planning to buy a car, choose a fuel-efficient vehicle like a hybrid or electric car. Using these cleaner transportation methods can help reduce the number of greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to ocean acidification and increased ocean temperature. More acidic ocean waters impede coral growth and warmer waters cause coral bleaching. Reducing stormwater runoff can help prevent water pollution, reduce flooding, and protect our water resources. Homeowners can install water catchments or rain gardens and use rain barrels to collect rainwater that would otherwise be diverted to a storm drain.

Q16. What precautions does the author suggest when it comes to trash disposal?

(a) To responsibly dispose of it in dumpsters.

(b) To begin flinging trash around one’s surroundings.

(c) To prevent rubbish from flowing into waterways.

(d) Only (a) and (c)

(e) Both (b) and (c)

Q17. According to the passage, how does the overuse of fertilizer harm coral reefs?

(a) Fertilizers react with coral reefs which deteriorate their outer layer

(b) Its contents are washed into the waterways and contaminates the sea

(c) Overfishing has a dramatic effect on the coral reefs

(d) All of these

(e) Only (a) and (b)

Q18. Why does the author suggest choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle?

(a) As it is an eco-friendly mode of transportation.

(b) To cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.

(c) To reduce the amount of acidification in the ocean.

(d) To mitigate the increasing ocean temperature.

(e) All of these

Q19. Based on the information provided in the given passage, which of the following statements is/are correct?

(i) Responsible diving contributes to the health of coral reefs.

(ii) Proper nitrogen supply is important for the survival of coral reefs.

(iii) Coral reefs regenerate very slowly over time.

(a) only (i)

(b) both (i) and (ii)

(c) only (iii)

(d)All (i) (ii) (iii)

(e) None of these

Q20. Choose the most suitable word for the given blank in the passage.

(a) dispose

(b) disregard

(c) divert

(d) delegation

(e) relegate

Q21. Choose the most appropriate synonym of the word ‘DEBRIS’, as highlighted in the given passage.

(a) viable

(b) apropos

(c) germane

(d) detritus

(e) symbolic

Q22. What are some basic lifestyle changes that anyone can make to help our coral reefs stay healthy?

(a) By staying away from coral reefs.

(b) By diving in a safe and responsible manner.

(c) By ensuring no harm to coral animals.

(d) All of these

(e) Only (a) and (b)

Q23. Which of the following statements about coral reefs as described in the given passage is incorrect?

(a) Coral reefs are harmed by excessive fertilizer use.

(b) Coral reefs can be endangered by marine garbage.

(c) Corals may be harmed by sunscreen ingredients.

(d) Coral growth is fostered by acidic ocean waters.

(e) None of these

Directions (24-32): Read the following passage and answer the questions given below.

As the Federal Reserve begins to raise interest rates to tackle the highest inflation the United States has seen in decades, it confronts a growing risk that it will spark a recession in the process. The trade-off faced by the Fed — between price stability and employment — is usually framed in strictly domestic terms. But aggressive efforts to quell inflation in the United States can have major, unpredictable effects around the world, often with long-lasting, negative consequences for countries in the Global South. And the United States will not be immune to worldwide economic trends. The inflation hawks should consider all of this as they figure out how to address rising prices in the United States today.

History is a good guide to how destructive the Fed’s policies can be for the rest of the world. Just look back to the 1980s. After several years of rising prices, President Jimmy Carter appointed Paul Volcker to lead the Fed in 1979. Mr. Volcker raised the federal funds rate — the interest rate that banks charge one another for short-term borrowing and which guides other interest rates — up to nearly 20 percent. By the end of 1982, unemployment had reached 10.8 percent in the United States, but inflation slowed, and Mr. Volcker acquired a mythic status as a farsighted leader unafraid to make tough decisions. That’s why he is cited in so many calls for the Fed to aggressively __________ inflation today.

But the effects of Mr. Volcker’s decisions were felt beyond the United States’ borders. As interests rates rose, debts accrued by foreign countries became more difficult to service. This led to a wave of defaults among countries that had borrowed heavily on international markets in the years before, beginning with Mexico in 1982 and then spreading throughout Latin America and beyond.

In developing countries, the debt crisis that followed the so-called Volcker shock was profoundly traumatic. Across Latin America, it led to a collapse in G.D.P., rising unemployment and skyrocketing levels of poverty, from which the region made a slow and imperfect recovery over the “lost decade” that followed. Even those who claim Mr. Volcker made the right decision admit that he precipitated what may have been the “worst financial disaster the world had ever seen” in Latin America — the consequences of which were even worse than those of the Great Depression. Among heavily indebted states in Africa, the effects were similar. But American policymakers at the time did not give much attention to the global repercussions of their decisions.

Q24. The Volcker shock in 1980s led to –

(a) Increasing debts for many foreign countries

(b) Economic crisis in Latin America and Africa

(c) Mexico defaulting on its international loans

(d) Both (a) and (b)

(e) All are correct

Q25. Which among the given options is not a critical analysis of Volcker’s policies?

(a) His policies were able to quell inflation to a large extent

(b) His policies created a recession in the country

(c) His policies created a global economic crisis in retrospect

(d) His policies included raising of federal funds rates

(e) His policies are widely regarded to be highly perceptive

Q26. Which of the following is/are true with regard to the raising of federal funds rates in the 1980s?

1. The aim of the US authorities was to control the high inflation that was plaguing the country.
2. Paul Volcker’s policies had negative consequences only outside the United States.
3. The subsequent economic decline of other countries further helped restore the American economy.

(a) Only I

(b) Only II

(c) Both I and II

(d) Both I and III

(e) I, II, and III

Q27. Which of the following statement is true according to the passage?

(a) The Federal Reserve System is the central banking system of the United States of America.

(b) The Volcker Shock was an attempt to defeat inflation that the US economy had been unable to shake in the previous decade.

(c) As a result of the rise in federal funds rate in 1980s, countries failed to repay their debts.

(d) The policymakers are aware of their past mistakes and intend to avoid a repetition of history.

(e) None are correct

Q28. What becomes the consequent effect to employment and inflation when federal funds rates are changed?

(a) employment decreases along with increase in inflation

(b) employment decreases along with decrease in inflation

(c) employment increases along with decrease in inflation

(d) both (a) and (b)

(e) both (a) and (c)

Q29. Why does the author call the policymakers of America “inflation hawks”?

(a) As a way of applauding their ruthless and fast actions towards the economy

(b) As an analysis; pointing out how effective their policies are in achieving their end goals

(c) In a neutral tone; to describe their willingness to take effective yet controversial decisions

(d) In a derogatory manner; criticising their actions for their ignorance

(e) None of these

Q30. Which of the following words can suitably replace the blank given in the passage?

(a) inquire

(b) address

(c) tackle

(d) break

(e) catalyse

Q31. Choose the word that is most opposite in meaning to profoundly as given in the context of the passage.

(a) diligently

(b) superficially

(c) diffusely

(d) fluently

(e) solemnly

Q32. Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to precipitated as given in the context of the passage.

(a) inculcate

(b) accelerated

(c) demarcated

(d) emanated

(e) incarcerated

Answers
01	c	02	b	03	c	04	d	05	d
06	a	07	d	08	a	09	c	10	e
11	d	12	b	13	a	14	a	15	b
16	d	17	b	18	a	19	a	20	a
21	d	22	d	23	d	24	e	25	e
26	a	27	c	28	b	29	d	30	c
31	b	32	b

S1. The correct choice is option (c) which can be inferred from the first paragraph which mentions,” The basic idea of UHC is that no one should be deprived of quality health care for the lack of ability to pay.”

S2. The correct choice is option (b) which can be inferred from the second paragraph which mentions,” This idea was well expressed — in archaic words perhaps — by Aneurin Bevan, the fiery founder of the National Health Service (NHS) in Britain. “No society,” he said, “can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means.”

S3. The correct answer can be inferred from the third paragraph which mentions,” In concrete terms, UHC typically relies on one or both of two basic approaches: public service and social insurance. In the first approach, health care is provided as a free public service, just like the services of a fire brigade or public library.”

S4. The correct answer can be inferred from the third paragraph which mentions,” Social insurance is very different from a private insurance market. The simplest variant is one where insurance is compulsory and universal, financed mainly from general taxation, and run by a single non-profit agency in the public interest.”

S5. Option (d) is incorrect as per the passage.

For (a), refer to last paragraph which mentions,” In concrete terms, UHC typically relies on one or both of two basic approaches: public service and social insurance.”

For (b), refer to the first paragraph which mentions,” Meanwhile, UHC has become a well-accepted objective of public policy around the world. It has even been largely realised in many countries, not only the richer ones (minus the United States) but also a growing number of other countries such as Brazil, China, Sri Lanka and Thailand.”

For (c), refer to the last paragraph which mentions,” In concrete terms, UHC typically relies on one or both of two basic approaches: public service and social insurance………The second approach allows private as well as public provision of health care, but the costs are mostly borne by the social insurance fund(s), not the patient, so the result is similar: everyone has access to quality health care.”

For (d), refer to the first paragraph which mentions,” Some of them, such as Thailand, made a decisive move towards UHC at a time (20 years ago) when their per capita GDP was no higher than India’s per capita GDP today”

S6. ‘Recover’ is a synonym of ‘revive’

Revive means give new strength or energy to.

reinvigorate means give new energy or strength to.

reckless means heedless of danger or the consequences of one’s actions; rash or impetuous.

hailed means hail falls.

convene means come or bring together for a meeting or activity; assemble.

S7. ‘Voluntary’ is an antonym of ‘compulsory’

Compulsory means involving or exercising compulsion; coercive.

enormous means very large in size, quantity, or extent.

attrition means wearing away by friction; abrasion.

attain means succeed in achieving (something that one has worked for).

voluntary means done, given, or acting of one’s own free will.

resolute means admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

S8. Ans (a) By referring to the first paragraph of the passage we can conclude that only option (a) is true. For better understanding, refer “The people of the village Yorkshire began to gather in the square, between the post office and the bank, around ten o’clock; in some towns there were so many people that the lottery took two days, but in this village, where there were only about three hundred people, the whole lottery took less than two hours.”

S9. Ans (c) To validate the answer, refer to the second paragraph where it mentions “Though they gathered together quietly for a while, then they broke into rowdy behavior, and their talk was still of the classroom and the teacher, of books and reprimands.”

S10. Ans (e) After going through the passage completely, we can conclude that all the given options are true.

For option (a): Refer to the second paragraph “Bobby Martin had already stuffed his pockets full of stones, and the other boys soon followed his example, selecting the smoothest and roundest stones”

For option (b): Refer to the second paragraph “Bobby and Harry Jones and Dickie Delacroix—the villagers pronounced this name “Dellacroy”………”

For option (c): Refer to the third paragraph “They greeted one another and exchanged bits of conversation as they went to join their husbands.”

S11. Ans (d) To validate the answer, refer to the third paragraph, “Soon the men began to gather, surveying their own children, speaking of planting and rain, tractors and taxes. They stood together, away from the pile of stones in the corner, and their jokes were quiet and they smiled rather than laughed.”

S12. (b) To validate the answer, refer to the last paragraph “The lottery was conducted—as were the square dances, the teen club, the Halloween program—by Mr. Summers, who had time and energy to devote to civic activities. He was a round-faced, friendly man and he ran the coal business, and people were sorry for him because he had no children and his wife was a scold.”

S13. Ans (a) To validate this, refer to the last paragraph where it mentions, “Mr. Summers said, “Some of you fellows want to give me a hand?” there was a hesitation before two men, Mr. Martin and his oldest son, Baxter, came forward to hold the box steady on the stool while Mr. Summers stirred up the papers inside it.”

S14. Ans (a) “profusely” means exhibiting great abundance. Thus, the word that can replace it is “copiously” which means in large quantities.

Timidly: in a manner that shows a lack of courage or confidence.

Vehemently: in a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling.

Spuriously: not being what it purports to be; false or fake.

Sporadically: occasionally or at irregular intervals.

S15. Ans (b) Reluctantly means lack of eagerness. Thus, the word that can be termed as the opposite of it is elatedly which means with eagerness or excitement.

Aversely: having a strong dislike of or opposition to something.

Deludedly: To cause to hold a false belief; deceive thoroughly

Haggardly: looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering.

S16. Ans. (d) Among the given options, only (a) and (c) are correct with reference to the context of the given questions. While option (b) is incoherent. Refer to the fourth line of the second paragraph, “When disposing of trash, do it properly in bins, to avoid trash being blown or washed away into waterways and oceans.”

S17. Ans. (b) Only option (b) is the correct choice. Refer to the starting lines of the third paragraph, “The overuse of fertilizer on lawns harms water quality because nutrients from the fertilizer are washed into waterways and eventually end up in oceans. These nutrients pollute the water and can harm coral reefs.” Option (a) is incoherent and option (c) is not mentioned in the passage.

S18. Ans. (e) All of the given statements are correct with reference to the context of the given question. Refer to the third line of the third paragraph, “If you are planning to buy a car, choose a fuel-efficient vehicle like a hybrid or electric car. Using these cleaner transportation methods can help reduce the number of greenhouse gasses that are emitted into the atmosphere. These emissions contribute to ocean acidification and increased ocean temperature.”

S19. Ans. (a) On referring to the first paragraph thoroughly, we can infer that among the given options, only statement (i) is correct. While the rest of the statements are incorrect with reference to the context of the given question. Statements (ii) and (iii) do not find any reference in the passage.

S20. Ans. (a) Among the given words, dispose fills the blank appropriately

Dispose- get rid of by throwing away or giving or selling to someone else.

Disregard- pay no attention to; ignore.

Divert- cause (someone or something) to change course or turn from one direction to another.

Delegation- the action or process of delegating or being delegated.

Relegate- assign an inferior rank or position to.

S21. Ans. (d) Here, “debris” means scattered pieces of rubbish or remains.

(a) viable – capable of working successfully; feasible.

(b) apropos – very appropriate to a particular situation.

(c) germane – relevant to a subject under consideration.

(d) detritus – waste or debris of any kind.

(e) symbolic – serving as a symbol.

S22. Ans. (d) On referring to the last lines of the first paragraph thoroughly, we can infer that all of the given statements are correct with reference to the context of the given question.

S23. Ans. (d) Among the given options, only statement (d) is incorrect with reference to the context of the given question. While the rest of the statements are correct. Statement (d) is incorrect because more acidic ocean waters impede coral growth as mentioned in the sixth line of the third paragraph.

S24. Ans (e) References for corroborating the truth of all of the statements are as given below:

Statement (a) – Refer to the lines in the third paragraph which state “This led to a wave of defaults among countries that had borrowed heavily on international markets in the years before, beginning with Mexico in 1982 and then spreading throughout Latin America and beyond.”

Statement (b) – Refer to the lines in the fourth paragraph which state “. Across Latin America, it led to a collapse in G.D.P., rising unemployment and skyrocketing levels of poverty, from which the region…” and “Among heavily indebted states in Africa, the effects were similar.”

Statement (c) – Refer to the lines in the third paragraph which state “This led to a wave of defaults among countries that had borrowed heavily on international markets in the years before, beginning with Mexico in 1982 and then spreading throughout Latin America and beyond”

Thus, all statements stand to be correct. Option (e) becomes the resultant answer.

S25. Ans (e) All other options except option (e) are sound analyses. Option (e) is merely an opinion, or more precisely, an observation.

S26. Ans (a) For statement I, refer to the lines in the second paragraph,

“. After several years of rising prices, President Jimmy Carter appointed Paul Volcker to lead the Fed in 1979. Mr. Volcker raised the federal funds rate — the interest rate that banks charge one another for short-term borrowing and which guides other interest rates — up to nearly 20 percent.”

These quoted words specify the President’s desire to restore economic stability by appointing Volcker as the head of the Federal Reserves and connects with his decision to raise interest rate on banks – thus proving that statement I is correct.

For statements II and III, refer to the lines in the first paragraph,

“But aggressive efforts to quell inflation in the United States can have major, unpredictable effects around the world, often with long-lasting, negative consequences for countries in the Global South. And the United States will not be immune to worldwide economic trends”

The quoted text states that global economic crises are bound to hit US economy too. These lines, thus, negate the validity of statements I and II.

Therefore, only statement I is correct.

S27. Ans (c) Statement (a) is not mentioned anywhere in the passage. Thus, option (a) is eliminated.

Statement (b), though correct to a certain degree, suggests a time period of inflation in America, when it suggests to be “the previous decade”. No specific time period is given for that time in the paragraph. Thus option (b), too, is eliminated.

To verify if statement (d) is correct, refer to the first lines of the passage, which state,

“As the Federal Reserve begins to raise interest rates to tackle the highest inflation the United States has seen in decades, it confronts a growing risk that it will spark a recession in the process.”

Also refer to the very last lines of the passage,

“But American policymakers at the time did not give much attention to the global repercussions of their decisions.

These are the only two references in direct judgement of the attitude of the Fed towards the situation. The first statement states the Federal Reserve is well on its way to “spark a recession”. Nowhere is it mentioned that it wishes for a change in policies. It’s just the author who calls for a change — inciting an example from history and concluding that the policymakers of that time were to be held accountable for the crisis in the 1980s.

Statement (c) has direct mentions in the passage. Refer to the lines in the third paragraph, stating,

“This led to a wave of defaults among countries that had borrowed heavily on international markets in the years before…”

Thus, option (c) is the correct answer.

S28. Ans (b) Refer to the lines in the second paragraph,

“Mr. Volcker raised the federal funds rate — the interest rate that banks charge one another for short-term borrowing and which guides other interest rates — up to nearly 20 percent. By the end of 1982, unemployment had reached 10.8 percent in the United States, but inflation slowed…”

The quoted text proves that employment has an inverse relation with the federal funds rate. Increase in the federal funds rates leads to decrease in inflation when no other factors intervene, and so inflation is inversely related to interest rate. Thus, employment and inflation rise or fall together when interests rates are decreased or increased, respectively. That makes only option (b) correct out of all the given options.

S29. Ans (d) The author is critical of the ignorance by American officials and the term “inflation hawks” is meant to be an insult. Thus option (d) is correct.

S30. Ans (c) inquire – ask for information from someone

address – speak to (a person or an assembly)

tackle – make determined efforts to deal with (a problem or difficult task)

break – interrupt (a sequence, course, or continuous state)

catalyse – cause or accelerate (a reaction) by acting as a catalyst

S31. Ans (b) “Profoundly” is defined as “very great or intense”.

diligent – having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties

superficial – existing or occurring at or on the surface

diffuse – spread over a wide area or between a large number of people

fluent – able to express oneself easily and articulately

solemn – formal and dignified

S32. Ans (b) “To precipitate” is defined as “to cause (an event or situation, typically one that is undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely; bring about; cause”

inculcate – instil (an idea, attitude, or habit) by persistent instruction

accelerate – increase in rate, amount, or extent

demarcate – set the boundaries or limits of

emanate – (of a feeling, quality, or sensation) issue or spread out from (a source)

incarcerate – imprison or confine

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