The Bistupur-Sakchi corner needs a speed-breaker. Loyola school children cross this intersection, on their way to the school, and many a times do not check out for traffic. I get to read regular reports of cars and other vehicles hitting children. I know that speed-breakers are irritating for drivers, and I know that children cannot be protected from every danger, but this is one of the worst intersections in town. There needs to be a speed-breaker so that vehicles have to slow down and the children be made safer.
Q. No. 1:
Which of the following arguments is used in the above passage?
A :
Analogy - comparing the intersection to something dangerous.
B :
Emotive - referring to the safety of children to get people interested.
C :
Statistical analysis - noting the number of children hit by vehicles.
D :
Personalization - telling the story of one child‟s near accident at the intersection.
Answer: B The argument is "emotive". In order to attract people's attention it talks about the safety of school going children, which is an emotive issue with most people. But we can also arrive at this answer by eliminating other options. The number of children has not been mentioned, therefore, it is not statistical as mentioned in option C. No example or story of an injured child has been narrated in the paragraph; therefore, option D can also be eliminated. The argument is not an analogy either as mentioned in option A. If the intersection was really "dangerous" it would have been so for everyone, not just for school children. Hence, the correct answer is option B.
Q. No. 2:
According to a recent research conducted by the district road planning department, ten percent students come with parents in cars, twenty percent students use auto-rickshaws, twenty percent students use taxis, forty percent students use the school buses and ten percent students live in the hostel inside the school. Which of the following is true about the above paragraph?
A :
It extends speaker's argument using analogy.
B :
It extends the speaker's argument using statistical data.
C :
It contradicts the speaker‟s argument using statistical data.
D :
It concludes speaker's argument by using personalization.
Answer: C The numbers mentioned in the paragraph show that no kids walk down to school. Therefore they do not cross the intersection on foot. Most of them come to school with their parents by car or are ferried by buses, autos or taxis. Therefore, it contradicts the earlier statement by using data or statistics. Thus, it neither extends the arguments as mentioned in options A or B, neither does it conclude the argument as mentioned in option D. That makes statement C the only correct statement.
History, if viewed as a repository not merely of anecdotes or chronology, could produce a decisive transformation in the image of science by which we are now possessed. That image has previously been drawn, even by scientists themselves, mainly from the study of finished scientific achievements as these are recorded in the classics and, more recently, in the textbooks from which each new scientific generation learns to practice its trade.
Q. No. 1:
Which of the following best summarizes the above paragraph?
A :
Scientific achievements are recorded in classics and text books
B :
History of science can be inferred from finished scientific achievement
C :
Different ways of looking at history can produce altogether different knowledge
Answer: C The author speaks about “decisive transformation in the image of science.” He further iterates, “That image has been drawn mainly from the study of finished scientific achievements.” Options A and B do not mention how this “decisive transformation” in the image of science is to be achieved. Option C conforms to the concept of producing a transformation in that “image”, or, producing different perspectives on scientific knowledge by focusing on different angles of history. Therefore, statement C could be a likely answer. However, on checking options D it can be confirmed. 'Textbooks may be biased' in option D is an opinion and cannot be a summary for this passage..
Q. No. 2:
Which of the following statements is the author most likely to agree with?
A :
History of science presents a scientific way of looking at scientific developments and thus contributes to progress in science.
B :
History of science should contain only the chronology of the scientific achievements.
C :
More number of scientific theories results in more number of publications, which benefits publishers.
D :
History of science can present multiple interpretations to people regarding the process of scientific developments.
Answer: D Option A underlies scientific progress, which in a way may be implied from the passage, but the passage mentions more about looking at history from a new angle than on looking at it from a scientific angle, although that may help. Option B is a limited concept. Also, it goes against what author believes in, "…not merely of anecdotes or chronology…" Option C speaks about quantity of publications which has not been mentioned in the passage. It is only option D which speaks about „multiple interpretations‟ or multiple views. Hence, the correct answer is option D.
Goodricke Group Ltd is planning to give top priority to core competence of production and marketing of tea in 2007. The company intends to increase the production of orthodox varieties of tea. Goodricke is planning to invest Rs. 10 crore to modernise the factories. The company has announced a net profit of Rs. 5.49 crore for 2006 as against Rs. 3.76 crore in 2005.
Q. No. 1:
Which of the following can be deduced from the caselet?
A :
Production and marketing is core competence of Goodricke Group.
B :
Increase in production of existing products enhances core competence.
C :
Core competence can be used for furthering company's interests.
Answer: C We are looking at deduction here. Option A is a restatement and though it is tempting to take it into consideration, it should be eliminated as the question is about inferring by applying logic. Option B takes only production into account and therefore, is only partially correct. The company has been making profits so far and thus, it may be deduced that planning for priority on core competence can further the company's interests as mentioned in option C. Option D cannot be deduced because the link between core competence and modernization has not been shown in the passage.
Q. No. 2:
The author reflects on the concept of Blue Ocean Strategy. He explains that this concept delivers an instinctive framework for developing uncontested market space and making the competition irrelevant. The author remarks that Blue Ocean Strategy is about having the best mix of attributes that result in creation of uncontested market space and high growth, and not about being the best.
The above paragraph appears to be an attempt at
A :
defining Blue Ocean strategy.
B :
developing the framework for Blue Ocean strategy.
C :
reviewing an article or a book on Blue Ocean strategy.
D :
highlighting how Blue Ocean strategy leads to better returns.
Answer: C The paragraph mentions “author” and the author's opinions about “Blue Ocean Strategy”. Therefore, the passage does not concern itself with the definition of “Blue Ocean Strategy” as mentioned in option A or in developing the framework for this strategy as mentioned in option B or in highlighting how the implementation of the strategy leads to better returns as mentioned in option D. Rather, the passage is about what a certain author thinks about “Blue Ocean Strategy”. It is most likely a review of a book or an article as mentioned in option C. Another hint is that the passage states “The author reflects on” which perhaps signifies that the author has just read something about the strategy and then goes on to give his opinion of it. Hence, the correct answer is option C.
The Yoga system is divided into two principal parts – Hatha and Raja Yoga. Hatha Yoga deals principally with the physiological part of man with a view to establish his health and train his will. The processes prescribed to arrive at this end are so difficult that only a few resolute souls go through all the stages denounced by all the philosophers. The most illustrious Shankaracharya has remarked in his treatise called Aparokshanubhuti that “the system of Hatha Yoga was intended for those whose worldly desires are not pacified or uprooted.”
Q. No. 1:
Which one of the following, if true, most substantially strengthens the idea given in the passage?
A :
The percentage of people in a given ashram practising Raja Yoga is more than the percentage of people practising Hatha Yoga.
B :
The number of people in a given ashram practising Raja Yoga is more than the number of people practising Hatha Yoga.
C :
The number of Yoga schools teaching Raja Yoga is more than the number of Yoga schools teaching Hatha Yoga.
D :
The percentage of students who have successfully learnt Raja Yoga is more than the percentage of students who have successfully learnt Hatha Yoga.
Answer: D The argument states Hata Yoga to be a difficult practice and it also vociferously mentions that 'Hata Yoga' can be sustained by a few resolute souls. The argument also says with certainty that philosophers do not encourage the practice as it has had its toll in the past. Therefore if we consider the facts mentioned in statement D to be truepercentage of successful practitioners of 'Raja Yoga' is higher than that of the practitioners of 'Hata Yoga', the argument would be strengthened. All the other options talk of people currently practicing “raja Yoga” which does not affect the argument as the discussion is about successful completion of the practice.
Q. No. 2:
Which of the following option best reflects Shankaracharya’s comments on Hatha Yoga?
A :
Hatha Yoga is for those whose worldly desires are not placated.
B :
Hatha Yoga has disastrous consequences for Yoga practitioners.
C :
Practised under the guidance of experts, Hatha Yoga is better than Raja Yoga for some people.
D :
Hatha Yoga is ill-suited for people with strong worldly desires
Answer: A Option A reiterates what is stated by Shankaracharya, making it the correct answer. Statements B and C are not specific to the comments of Shankaracharya. Statement D is contrary to Sankaracharya's comments.
In Hume’s eyes productive labour was the greatest asset of a country, and foreign trade was valuable because it enabled a nation to use more and more varied labour than would otherwise be possible. But commerce was of mutual advantage to the nations involved, not a benefit to one and injury to other. “The increase of riches and commerce in any one nation,” added Hume, “instead of hurting, commonly, promotes the riches and commerce of all its neighbours.” “The emulation in rival nations serves… to keep industry alive in all of them.”
Q. No. 1:
The importance of foreign trade, in eyes of Hume, was due to that:
A :
it allowed the employment of surplus labour in a nation.
B :
it allowed the diversion of labour to export oriented industries
C :
it allowed varied application of labour force in a nation
D :
it allowed application of varied labour force in a nation
Answer: D Statement D is a reiteration of Hume's view mentioned in the argument. Options A and B are not specific to Hume's view. Option C mentions 'varied application' whereas Hume's view is about application of 'varied labour' making it incorrect.
Q. No. 2:
As per Hume, free trade between nations was made advantageous by the outcome of:
A :
mutual increase in riches and commerce.
B :
emulation of industrial activity by different nations
C :
affable promotion of industrial activity among nations
D :
productive employment of labour in different nations
Answer: A Statement A is a reiteration of Hume's view mentioned in the argument- “commerce was of mutual advantage to the nations involved”. All the other options are too broad.
Q. No. 78:
Nature lovers are attracted to forests and nature parks. Just look at the number of people visiting the Corbett national park.
Which of the following exhibits a pattern of reasoning least dissimilar to the one exhibited in the argument above?
A :
Defence personnel who are trained in extremely rigorous procedures often end up as dysfunctional members of the society. Hence if an officer is not trained rigorously, such an officer is more likely to be useful to the society.
B :
This machinery has increased the work efficiency of the workers. As a result, some of these workers are surplus to the company.
C :
Fleas must thrive in a warm environment. During warm weather my dog suffers from fleas more so than during cooler weather.
D :
Cigarette smoking is known to cause lung cancer in some people. However, most victims of lung cancer live in regions where smoking is uncommon
Answer: C The method of reasoning used in the argument is arriving at a general conclusion from specific data. The author uses 'large number of visitors to the Corbett national park' to conclude that Nature lovers like to visit forests and natural parks. C follows the same method of reasoning as it draws a general conclusion from a specific example.