Directions (1-10): Read the passage given below and then answer the questions given below. Certain words are highlighted in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Recent years have brought minority-owned businesses in the United States unprecedented opportunities as well as new and significant risks. Civil rights activists have long argued that one of the principle reasons why Blacks, Hispanics, and other minority groups have difficulty establishing themselves in business is that they lack access to the sizable orders and subcontracts that are generated by large companies. Now Congress, in apparent agreement, has required by law that businesses awarded federal contracts of more than 500,000 USD do their best to find minority subcontractors and record their efforts to do so on forms filed with the government. Indeed, some federal and local agencies have gone so far as to set specific percentage goals for apportioning parts of public works contracts to minority enterprises. Corporate response appears to have been substantial. According to figures collected in 1977, the total of corporate with minority businesses rose from 77 USD million in 1972 to 1 USD billion in 1977. The projected total of corporate contracts with minority business for the early 1980's are estimated to be over 53 billion per year with no letup anticipated in the next decade.
Promising as it is for minority businesses, this increased patronage poses dangers for them, too. First, minority firms risk expanding too fast and overextending themselves financially, since most are small concerns and, unlike large business; they often need to make substantial investments in new plants, staff, equipment, and the like in order to perform work subcontracted to them. If, thereafter, their subcontracts are for some reason reduced, such firms can face potentially crippling fixed expenses. The word of corporate purchasing can be frustrating for small entrepreneurs who get requests for elaborate formal estimates and bids. Both consume valuable time and resources, and a small company's efforts must soon result in orders, or both the morale and the financial health of the business will suffer.
A second risk is that White-owned companies may seek to cash in on the increasing apportionments through formation of joint ventures with minority-owned concerns. Of course, in many instances there are legitimate reasons for joint ventures; clearly , White and minority enterprises can team up to acquire business that neither could acquire alone. But civil rights groups and minority business owners have complained to Congress about minorities being set up as 'fronts' with White backing, rather than being accepted as full partners in legitimate joint ventures.
Third, a minority enterprise that secures the business of one large corporate customer often run the danger of becoming-and remaining dependent. Even in the best of circumstances, fierce competition from larger, more established companies makes it difficult for small concerns to broaden their customer bases: when such firms have nearly guaranteed orders from a single corporate benefactor, they may truly have to struggle against complacency arising from their current success.
1. What is the primary purpose of the passage?
a) Present a commonplace idea and its inaccuracies
b) Describe a situation and its potential risks
c) Propose a temporary solution to a problem
d) Analyze a frequent source of disagreement
e) Explore the implications of a finding
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- Answer:b
2. Which of the following questions can be answered from the information supplied by the passage?
a) What federal agencies have set percentage goals for the use of the minority-owned businesses in public works contracts?
b) To which government agencies must businesses awarded federal contracts report their efforts to find minority subcontractors?
c) How widespread is the use of minority-owned concerns as 'fronts' by White backers seeking to obtain subcontracts?
d) How many more minority-owned businesses were there in 1977 than in 1972?
e) What is one set of conditions under which a small business might find itself financially overextended?
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- Answer:e
3. According to the passage, which is that one disadvantage under which minority-owned businesses have traditionally laboured?
a) Been especially vulnerable to government mismanagement of the economy
b) Been denied bank loans at rates comparable to those afforded larger competitors
c) Not had sufficient opportunity to secure business created by large corporations
d) Not been able to advertise in those media that reach large numbers of potential customers
e) Not had adequate representation in the centres of government power
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- Answer:c
4. The passage suggests that the failure of a small business to have its bids for subcontracts might cause it to
a) Experience frustration financially and morally
b) Face potentially crippling fixed expenses
c) Have to record its efforts on forms filed with the government
d) Increase its spending with minority subcontractors
e) Revise its procedure for making bids for federal contracts and subcontracts
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- Answer:a
5. According to the author what should be done by a minority-owned concern that does the greater part of its business with one large corporate customer?
a) Avoid competition with larger, more established concerns by not expanding
b) Concentrate on securing even more business from that corporation
c) Try it expand its customer base to avoid becoming dependent on the corporation.
d) Pass on some of the work to be done for the corporation to other minority-owned concerns
e) Use its influence with the corporation to promote subcontracting with other minority concerns
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- Answer:c
6. What can be inferred from the passage about the percentage goals set by 'some federal and local agencies' when compared with the requirements of law?
a) More popular with large corporations
b) More specific
c) Less controversial
d) Less expensive to enforce
e) Easier to comply with
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- Answer:b
7. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the author's assertion that, in the 1970's, corporate response to federal requirements was substantial?
a) Corporate contracts with minority-owned businesses totalled 2 USD billion in 1979
b) Between 1970 and 1972, corporate contracts with minority-owned businesses declined by 25 percent
c) The figures collected in 1977 underrepresented the extent of corporate contracts with minority-owned businesses
d) The estimate of corporate spending with minority-owned businesses in 1980 is approximately 10 USD million too high
e) The 1.1 USD billion represented the same percentage of total corporate spending in 1977 as did 77 USD million in 1972.
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- Answer:e
8. The author would most likely agree with which of the following statements about the corporate response to working with minority subcontractors?
a) Annoyed by the proliferation of 'front' organizations, corporations are likely to reduce their efforts to work with minority-owned subcontractors in the near future.
b) Although corporations showed considerable interest in working with minority businesses in the 1970's, their aversion to government paperwork, made them reluctant to pursue many government contracts
c) The significant response of corporations in the 1970's likely to be sustained and conceivably be increased throughout the 1980's
d) Although corporation are eager to cooperate with minority-owned businesses, a shortage of capital in the 1970's made substantial response impossible
e) The enormous corporate response has all but eliminated the dangers of overexpansion that used to plague small minority-owned businesses
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- Answer:c
9. Which of the following is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to 'patronage'?
a) Support
b) Business
c) Corporation Effort
d) Collaboration
e) None of the above
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- Answer:2
10. Which of the following is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to 'complacency'?
a) Anxiety
b) Helplessness
c) Victory
d) Satisfaction
e) None of the above
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- Answer:d
Directions (11-14): A statement with one blank is given below. Choose the set of words from the given options which can be used to fill the given blank.
11. At magic hour, when the sun has gone but the light has not, armies of ______ themselves from the Banyan trees in the old graveyard and drift across the city like smoke.
i. Bears part
ii. Flying foxes unhinge
iii. Bees tirelessly toil
a) Only i
b) Only ii
c) Only iii
d) Both i and ii
e) Both i and iii
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- Answer:b
12. He also saw me through the entire process, going so far as to credit me for the SIM card that did not arrive and this was after _____ outright chicanery and many hours on the phone during what had become my wretched new job.
i. A farrago of miscommunication
ii. A dash of invariably
iii. Ferreting out
a) Both I and II
b) Both II and III
c) Both I and III
d) Only I
e) All of these
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- Answer:c
13. When Katya refused to lie to her parents about where she was spending the night, she was completely ostracized by her usually loyal friends, who had _____ before.
i. never rebuffed her
ii. never shunned her
iii. never spunned her
a) Only I
b) Only II
c) Both I and II
d) Both II and III
e) All I, II and III
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- Answer:e
14. You cannot become a certified teacher without completing the ______ assignment.
I. Prerequisite student teaching
II. Required pupil tutoring
III. Optional student referral
a) Only I
b) Only II
c) Only I and II
d) Only II and III
e) All of these
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- Answer:c
Directions (15-20): In each of the following questions some words are in bold. They may not be in the correct position. Out of the given options choose the option that indicates the interchanging given bold words and makes a meaningful sentence. If all the given bold words are appropriate choose option e as your answer.
15. Twitter Inc on Monday, November 29, 2021, promoted (A) company insider (B) and technology replace (C) Parag Agrawal to head (D) Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey.
a) A-D
b) A-B
c) A-C
d) C-D
e) All are correct
- View Answer
- Answer:d
16. The social (A) media networking platform joins(B) tech giants Apple, Amazon and Alphabet in tapping (C) a company insider (D) for the top job.
a) A-D
b) A-B
c) A-C
d) C-D
e) All are correct
- View Answer
- Answer:e
17. The heavily mutated (A) Omicron coronavirus variant (B) is likely to spread internationally and poses (C) a very high risk of infection surges (D) that could have “severe consequences” in some places, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
a) A-D
b) A-B
c) A-C
d) C-D
e) All are correct
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- Answer:e
18. The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it cannot (A) wait for fugitive (B) businessman Vijay Mallya “forever” and listed the contempt (C) hearing in a sentence (D) case against him on January 18.
a) A-D
b) A-B
c) A-C
d) C-D
e) All are correct
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- Answer:d
19. “We have sufficiently (A) waited for him (B) to come. That is enough... We cannot wait forever (C),” Justice U.U. Lalit addressed (D) the Centre.
a) A-D
b) A-B
c) A-C
d) C-D
e) All are correct
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- Answer:e
20 The recent (A) announcement by the Prime Minister that the Union Government would seek (B) to prompted (C) the three Farm Laws in the winter session of Parliament has repeal (D) diverse reactions.
a) A-D
b) A-B
c) A-C
d) C-D
e) All are correct
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- Answer:d
Directions (21-30): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words/phrases are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word/phrase in each case.
Our big ___ (21) ___ between the investments in fossils fuels and those in wind power, solar cells, and geothermal energy is that latter will supply energy in___ (22) ___ These “wells” will never run dry. if money spent on oil in one year were___ (23) ___ in wind turbines, the electricity generated would be enough to___ (24) ___ one-fifth of the world’s needs. Investments in the infrastructure for the new energy economy, which would eventually have to be made when fossils fuels reserves___ (25) ___ will obviously be huge. These include the transmission lines that___ (26) ___ wind farms with electricity consumers, and the pipe lines that link hydrogen supply sources with end-users. To a substantial degree, the infrastructure for the___ (27) ___ energy sources-the transmission lines from electricity from coal and the pipe-lines for natural gas can be used in the energy economy as well. The local pipeline distribution network in various cities for natural gas can easily be___ (28) ___ to hydrogen distributions system. for developing countries, the new energy sources___ (29) ___ to reduce dependence on imported oil, freeing up capital for investment in domestic energy sources, ___ (30) ___ very few countries have their own oil fields, most have wind and solar energy. in terms of economic expansion and job generation, these new energy technologies are a godsend.
21. a) Argument
b) change
c) exception
d) issue
e) difference
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- Answer:e
22. a) infinity
b) perpetuity
c) extension
d) reality
e) renewability
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- Answer:b
23. a) dissipated
b) applied
c) drawn
d) invested
e) given
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- Answer: d
24. a) involve
b) meet
c) attract
d) complete
e) cater
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- Answer: b
25. a) deplete
b) expand
c) terminate
d) sustain
e) cease
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- Answer:a
26. a) provide
b) include
c) connect
d) support
e) links
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- Answer:c
27. a) existing
b) new
c) latest
d) old
e) renewable
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- Answer:a
28. a) supplied
b) dispersed
c) provided
d) converted
e) used
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- Answer:d
29. a) predict
b) promise
c) pursue
d) expects
e) created
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- Answer: b
30. a) despite
b) As
c) owing to
d) Unless
e) Although
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- Answer: e
Directions (31-35): Rearrange the following eight sentences A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H in a proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
A. Therefore, the duty of the advocate is to do his best for his client.
B. That rests with the judge, and it is ultimately for the judges to decide which side is right, and how justice should prevail.
C. When he was asked what he thought of an advocate supporting a cause which he knew to be bad, Johnson’s answer was that the advocate did not know it to be good or bad till the judge determined it for him and for others.
D. But, He must do so fairly, and without concealing from it anything that it is his duty to divulge.
E. There is a belief that an advocate’s function consists, for the most part, of showing white as black and black as white.
F. He is, after all, the client’s mouthpiece, and he must put before the court all aspects of the case which are favourable to his client.
G. The only answer that one can give to this popular misconception is the famous answer that Johnson gave to Boswell.
H. But he is not concerned with the final result.
31. Which of the following will be the FIRST sentence in the passage?
a) C
b) E
c) F
d) G
e) B
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- Answer: b
32. Which of the following will be the FIFTH sentence in the passage?
a) F
b) G
c) D
d) C
e) H
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- Answer: a
33. Which of the following will be the THIRD sentence in the passage?
a) A
b) D
c) F
d) C
e) H
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- Answer: d
34. Which of the following will be the FOURTH sentence in the passage?
a) F
b) C
c) E
d) D
e) A
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- Answer: e
35. Which of the following will be SEVENTH sentence in the passage?
a) D
b) B
c) H
d) A
e) C
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- Answer: c
Directions (36-40): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E). (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)
36. He was angry with me (A) / because he thought my (B) / remark was (C) / aimed before him. (D) / No error (E)
a) a
b) b
c) c
d) d
e) No Error
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- Answer: d
37. I trust you will (A) / show forbearance to me (B) / a few minutes more (C) / so that I can finish this work. (D) / No error (E)
a) a
b) b
c) c
d) d
e) No Error
- View Answer
- Answer: d
38. We are all short-sighted (A) / and very often but see one side of the matter. (B) / Our views are not extended (C) / to all that has a connection with it. (D) / No error (E)
a) a
b) b
c) c
d) d
e) No Error
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- Answer: d
39. The judge asked the man (A) / if the bag he had lost (B) / contain five thousand rupees. (C) / The man replied that it did. (D) / No error (E)
a) a
b) b
c) c
d) d
e) No Error
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- Answer: c
40. The ground outside the village, (A) / abounding with frogs and snakes, (B) / the enemies of mankind, (C) / is soft and marshy. (D) / No Error (E)
a) a
b) b
c) c
d) d
e) No Error
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- Answer: e
Directions (41-50): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them, while answering some of the questions.
Anyone who shops knows the cost of food is on the rise. Our grocery bills rise because the prices of key staple are on an upward trend that shows no sign of abating. When food suddenly costs more, those who can least afford it get hit hardest. On average, Canadians spend less than ten percent of their income on food. However, people living in poverty spend 50 percent and the poorest as much as 75 percent of their income on food. When prices mushroom, these people must do without, and it is women who most frequently eat last and least. The current global food situation is very serious and hence, we need to understand the reasons for such a dramatic increase in food prices in a short period.
It is argued that increases in energy costs are resulting in cost push inflation but the contribution of energy costs to overall costs in agriculture may not explain the huge increase in food prices.
Related to the current elevated energy prices, there has been a diversion of corn and edible oils to bio-fuels, which is significantly influenced by policy mandates. Very clearly this diversion to bio-fuels is a policy induced new reality, which coincided with price escalation in precisely those products and hence, is noteworthy.
The financialization of commodity trade and current extraordinary conditions in global financial markets could have influenced the spurt in prices. The recent reductions in interest rates in the U.S. and the injection of liquidity have resulted in investors seeking new avenues such as commodity markets, in view of the turbulence in financial markets and the low returns in treasuries. The relatively easy liquidity and low interest rates, by themselves, make holding of inventories attractive and thus induce greater volatility in commodity markets. The weakening of the U.S. dollar is also advanced as a reason for the recent volatility in commodity markets, including food items. It is evident that this phenomenon is now also coinciding with the across the board rise in food prices.
In brief, while there are demand and supply side pressures on food items, there is considerable merit in the argument that the recent extraordinary increases in food prices are closely linked to public policy responses to high energy costs in advanced economies, and the turbulence in financial markets and financial institutions. It is said that the impact of such policy induced diversion of food to bio-fuels is significant at this juncture and reflects a preference to fill the fuel tanks of automobiles rather than fill the empty stomachs of people. Similarly, it is sometimes held that the weight accorded to financial stability in public policy may now be at the expense of stability in real sector – especially of sensitive commodities like food. At the same time, there is a general consensus that public policy in regard to food in many economies around the world has not provided adequate incentive to farmers to increase the supply of food and other agricultural products to comfortably match the growing demand over the medium term.
41. The passage lays emphasis on which of the following theme(s)?
(A) The abysmally throwaway prices offered for food commodities.
(B) The worldwide acute shortage of food commodities.
(C) Promoting the use of bio-fuel for automobiles.
a) A only
b) B only
c) C only
d) All the three
e) None of these
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- Answer: b
42. In what way are bio-fuels responsible for the increasing cost of food?
(A) It is a policy mandated to use bio-fuel in place of petroleum products especially in developing countries.
(B) Certain food commodities are being used for manufacturing alternative fuels.
(C) The low cost of bio-fuels has created fluctuation in prices of other agricultural commodities.
a) A only
b) B only
c) C only
d) A and B only
e) None of these
- View Answer
- Answer: b
43. Which of the following situation(s) has/have prompted investors to look towards commodity markets?
(A) Low interest rates in the U.S.
(B) Easy liquidity
(C) Volatility in commodity prices
a) A and B only
b) B and C only
c) A and C only
d) All the three
e) None of theses
- View Answer
- Answer: a
44. Which of the following shows a cause-effect relationship between its two components?
a) Reduction in interest rates and abundance of food commodities
b) Reduction in energy prices and increase in food commodity prices.
c) Turbulence in financial markets and escalation in production of food commodities.
d) Dipping of U.S. dollar value and volatility in commodity markets
e) Injection of liquidity and the drop in investor confidence.
- View Answer
- Answer: d
45. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(A) At present the demand for food items exceeds the supply.
(B) Fuel production has been given higher priority than caring for the millions who are starving.
(C) Farmers have not been motivated to increase their production of food.
a) A and B only
b) B and C only
c) A and C only
d) None of these
e) All A, B & C
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- Answer: e
46. Which of the following can be a remedy for the global situation mentioned in the passage?
(A) Reducing the production of cars and thereby the demand for energy.
(B) Inducing farmers to increase their food and other agricultural products.
(C) Increasing the prices of food items to compensate farmers for their losses.
a) A only
b) A and B only
c) B only
d) B and C only
e) None of these
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- Answer: c
47. Which of the following statements is TRUE in the context of the passage?
a) Commodity markets have become erratic due to easy liquidity and low interest rate.
b) Governments of many countries have begun paying better prices for food commodities to ensure their farmers are taken care of.
c) Farmers in developing countries have to compulsorily produce a certain quantity of bio-fuels annually.
d) The financialization of commodity trade has resulted in a dip in prices of food products.
e) The weakening of other currencies against the US dollar has resulted in high fuel prices.
- View Answer
- Answer: a
48. Which of the following statements is FALSE in the context of the passage?
(A) Unusual conditions in global financial markets have aggravated the food price.
(B) The policy induced diversion of food to bio-fuels does not reflect that preference has been given to fuelling vehicles and not to feeding the hungry.
(C) The weight accorded to financial stability in public policy will be at the cost of stability in the real sector.
a) A and B only
b) B and C only
c) B only
d) C only
e) None of these
- View Answer
- Answer: c
49. Which of the following best explains the phrase ‘this phenomenon’ as used in the fourth paragraph of the passage?
a) Volatility in commodity markets which has led to hoarding
b) Escalation in food prices caused by high interest rates
c) Easy liquidity because of lack of investment in America
d) Weakening of the US dollar and consequent variability in commodity markets
e) Fluctuation in energy prices and outdated public policy.
- View Answer
- Answer: d
50. Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage.
VOLATILITY
a) agitation
b) effervescence
c) optimism
d) disparity
e) steady
- View Answer
-
Answer: e
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