English Quiz IBPS Clerk Prelims 2019 for 3rd of October

IBPS Clerk Prelims English Quiz

Directions (1-7): Read the following passage and answer the following questions based on the given passage.
India is among the first countries to set up a specialized agency for the development of research and human resources in the biotechnology sector. More than three decades later, it is imperative to ask: has the biotechnology sector lived up to its promise? Or was it all faux optimism? More importantly, is the sector poised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with, if not beat, the IT sector in creating jobs for the future? One needs to go beyond the traditional indicators such as the numbers of institutions formed, students and scientists, trained, and the number of patents filed to judge the sector’s performance, and its impact on the economy and society as a whole.

Modern biotechnological research is expensive. It requires a highly trained and skilled workforce and access to expensive instruments. So far, most of the high-quality research output has come from a handful of institutions with better scientific infrastructure. The rest, which forms the bulk of the research publications, is of mediocre quality. This is primarily due to a “publish or perish” culture that incentivizes numbers over quality. Over the years, the focus of research has slowly shifted from fundamental to applied research. Why has India not produced another Jagadish Chandra Bose or G.N. Ramachandran despite the biotechnology research budget growing several folds? The fruits of applied research will only come when we start investing in basic research without asking for quick returns. While continuing and increasing the share of funding in basic research, the government should encourage and incentivize the private sector to invest substantially in applied research. Compared to the developed economies (the United States), biotechnology research in India is mainly funded by the public exchequer. Unless the private sector starts supporting applied research and engages with academic institutions, the innovation in applied and translational biotechnology will be minimal.

Let us look at the creation of human resources and jobs in the biotechnology sector. In India, unlike the IT sector, a large pool of the English-speaking workforce, low wages of scientists (compared to the developed economies) and a sizeable institutional research base have not helped create more jobs in biotechnology. There may be several possible reasons. Biotechnology research often requires access to laboratories with high-end scientific infrastructure, the supply of expensive chemicals and reagents with minimum shipping time between the supplier and the user, and a disciplined work culture and documentation practice due to regulatory and intellectual property filing requirement. Additionally, unlike the products and solutions from the IT industry, biotechnology products and solutions often require ethical and regulatory clearance, making the process long, expensive and cumbersome.

As the nature of the work in the biotechnology sector is specialized, most jobs are filled with experienced and skilled scientists leaving the demand for young and inexperienced ones low. In a global marketplace, having a large number of young professionals hungry to work at meager wage coupled with the need of large corporations in the West to get work done cheaper created some of the large IT companies in India.

Q1. As per the given passage, what should be the standards to check whether biotechnology has lived up to its promise or not?
(a) Number of institutions established and trained students and scientists
(b) Patents files thus judging performance of sector and its impact on economy as well as society.
(c) Development status of research and human resources
(d) both (a) and (b)
(e) None of these

S1. Ans. (d)
Sol. Referring to the introductory paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘One needs to go beyond the traditional indicators such as the numbers of institutions formed, students and scientists, trained, and the number of patents filed to judge the sector’s performance, and its impact on the economy and society as a whole.’ Thus, option (d) is the right answer choice.

Q2. In what terms, the phrase ‘publish or perish’ is used in the given passage?
(a) A saying to describe pressure on institutions to get succeed thus resulting into mediocre quality research publications in bulk. They compromise with quality over numbers.
(b) Formation of research publication in bulk.
(c) Shifting of focused research from fundamental to applied method.
(d) Growth of biotechnology budget for research in manifold ways.
(e) None of these

S2. Ans. (a)
Sol. Referring to the second paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘Modern biotechnological research is expensive. It requires a highly trained and skilled workforce and access to expensive instruments. So far, most of the high-quality research output has come from a handful of institutions with better scientific infrastructure. The rest, which forms the bulk of the research publications, is of mediocre quality. This is primarily due to a “publish or perish” culture that incentivizes numbers over quality.’ Basically, the literal meaning of ‘publish or perish’ is that is is ‘an alliterative saying describing the pressure to publish academic work in order to succeed in an academic career’. Since option (a) describes best the meaning of this phrase in the context of given passage, it is the right answer choice.

Q3. According to the author of the given passage, how applied research will become fruitful?
(a) Investment in right direction for a right amount of time.
(b) Investing on basic research without hoping for quick returns.
(c) Focusing on fundamental research instead of applied research.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
(e) None of these

S3. Ans. (b)
Sol. Referring to the second paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘The fruits of applied research will only come when we start investing in basic research without asking for quick returns.’. Hence, option (b) is the right answer choice.

Q4. How government should invest in applied research significantly?
(a) Encouragement and incentivization of private sector along with constant and share of funding in the direction of basic research.
(b) Employing latest technologies and boosting research methods.
(c) Not expecting quick returns and investing blind-folded.
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(e) None of these.

S4. Ans. (a)
Sol. Referring to the second paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘While continuing and increasing the share of funding in basic research, the government should encourage and incentivize the private sector to invest substantially in applied research.’

Q5. How minimization of innovation in applied and translational biotechnology can be minimized?
(a) Through funding bio-technology sector by the public exchequer.
(b) Private sector begin to support applied research and engaging with academic institutions at the same time.
(c) Enhancing public sector reach through manifold schemes.
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) None of these

S5. Ans. (b)
Sol. Referring to the second paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘Unless the private sector starts supporting applied research and engages with academic institutions, the innovation in applied and translational biotechnology will be minimal.’

Q6. What is/are the reason/reasons behind failure of biotechnology in creating jobs?
(a) Access to laboratories with high-end specific infrastructure
(b) Supply of expensive chemicals and reagents delivered in minimum shipping time
(c) Disciplined work culture and proper documentation
(d) Need ethical and regulatory clearance thus making the process of products and solutions long, cumbersome and expensive.
(e) All of the above.

S6. Ans. (e)
Sol. Referring to the third paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘Biotechnology research often requires access to laboratories with high-end scientific infrastructure, the supply of expensive chemicals and reagents with minimum shipping time between the supplier and the user, and a disciplined work culture and documentation practice due to regulatory and intellectual property filing requirement. Additionally, unlike the products and solutions from the IT industry, biotechnology products and solutions often require ethical and regulatory clearance, making the process long, expensive and cumbersome.’

Q7. Why the demand of young and inexperienced people is low in biotechnology sector?
(a) Being a specialized field, biotechnology sector needs highly experienced and well-skilled scientists.
(b) It lacks proper research and funding by the government.
(c) There are many loopholes in the hiring process of employees in this sector.
(d) Both (c) and (d)
(e) None of these

S7. Ans. (a)
Sol. Referring to the fourth paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘As the nature of the work in the biotechnology sector is specialized, most jobs are filled with experienced and skilled scientists leaving the demand for young and inexperienced ones low.’

Directions (8-15): Read the following passage and answer the following questions based on the given passage.

Kerala Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar has called for a concerted movement by affected States against the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which would be “detrimental” to the agriculture sector in the country.
Besides affecting the plantation sector, the proposed agreement will have far-reaching consequences on the dairying, agriculture and fishery sectors as it would lead to flow of cash crops, milk products, rubber, and tea from other countries, Sunil Kumar said.
The Centre is set to sign the RCEP agreement in November, but it should consult the affected States before reaching a final agreement, the Minister said while addressing the 80th annual general meeting of the Association of Planters of Kerala (APK).
Challenges

This issue, coupled with climate change, is having an impact on plantations and the sector cannot go forward by depending solely on cash crops. The Minister also offered to extend the Kerala government’s proposal of strawberry cultivation on 100 hectares to the plantation sector to help them diversify the crop pattern.

According to RM Nagappan, Upasi president, the plantation commodities will be a significant loser under the RCEP agreement and a further reduction in tariff could only worsen the trade deficit in plantation commodities. While there may be compulsive reasons for the Centre to go in for trade agreements with other nations, the interests of the domestic plantation industry should be taken care of, especially since a large number of people depend on this sector, he said.

Upasi has requested that plantation commodities be kept under the exclusion list under the proposed RCEP, as otherwise, it would have serious implications for the labor-intensive agro-industry. Earlier, addressing the AGM, BP Kariappa, Chairman, APK, sought the Kerala government’s help to enlarge the definition of plantation crops in the Land Reforms Act so as to make the plantation sector a thriving, financially viable, ecologically sustainable, environment friendly and bio-industry in the State.

The legacy of the Land Reforms Act limits plantations from achieving their full potential and the land utilization order hampers the sector’s abilities to shift from one plantation crop to another. He pointed out that the land utilization orders of the 1960s have outlived their utility and are having a throttling effect on agricultural development in the State.

He noted that plantations of the future should be of multi-crop in nature, which enhances the biodiversity and economic returns of the grower. Such cultivation practices will conserve and strengthen the flora and fauna and the soil, water, and air. It will also create skilled employment opportunities, he added. “To implement such a policy change, tremendous political willpower is required,” he said and requested the Minister to revisit enactments that are detrimental to the growth and development of the agriculture sector.

Q8. What would be detrimental to the agriculture sector according to the given passage?
(a) An intensive and determined movement by affected states against RCEP.
(b) Imposing an adverse effect on the affected states without acknowledging their individual issues.
(c) Revisiting the enactment of RCEP
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) None of these

S8. Ans. (a)
Sol. Referring to the introductory paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘Kerala Agriculture Minister VS Sunil Kumar has called for a concerted movement by affected States against the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which would be “detrimental” to the agriculture sector in the country.’

Q9. On which sectors and how the proposed agreement will cast its effect besides affecting plantation sector?
(a) Far-reaching consequences on the dairying, agriculture and fishery sectors leading flow of cash crops, milk products, rubber, and tea from other nations.
(b) Refusal to consult the affected states before employing enactments to the agreement.
(c) Proper authorization of policies in the RCEP agreement.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
(e) None of these

S9. Ans. (a)
Sol. Referring to the introductory paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘Besides affecting the plantation sector, the proposed agreement will have far-reaching consequences on the dairying, agriculture and fishery sectors as it would lead to flow of cash crops, milk products, rubber, and tea from other countries, Sunil Kumar said.’

Q10. What the agriculture minister has offered to enable diversification of crop pattern?
(a) Reducing dependence of plantation sector on cash crops.
(b) Coupling of the states’ issues with regular climate change.
(c) Offering extension of strawberry cultivation proposal on 100 hectares to the plantation sector.
(d) Both (b) and (a)
(e) None of these

S10. Ans. (c)
Sol. Referring to the second paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘The Minister also offered to extend the Kerala government’s proposal of strawberry cultivation on 100 hectares to the plantation sector to help them diversify the crop pattern.’

Q11. According to the Upasi President, what are the factors that could possibly worsen the trade deficit in plantation commodities?
(a) The plantation commodities will be a significant loser under the RCEP agreement.
(b) Further reduction of tariff
(c) Ignorance of issues that are affecting different states
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) None of these

S11. Ans. (d)
Sol. Referring to the third paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘According to RM Nagappan, Upasi president, the plantation commodities will be a significant loser under the RCEP agreement and a further reduction in tariff could only worsen the trade deficit in plantation commodities.’

Q12. Why interests of plantation industry should be kept in mind while going for trade relations with other nations?
(a) Due to the dependence of large number of people on plantation industry.
(b) Going for trade agreements with other countries.
(c) Compulsions leading the government to compromise with the enactments under RCEP
(d) Both (b) and (c)
(e) None of these

S12. Ans. (a)
Sol. Referring to the third paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘While there may be compulsive reasons for the Centre to go in for trade agreements with other nations, the interests of the domestic plantation industry should be taken care of, especially since a large number of people depend on this sector, he said.’

Q13. As per the given passage, why plantation commodities are requested to be kept in exclusion list under RCEP?
(a) It would have serious implicatioms for labor-intensive agriculture industry.
(b) Plantation commodities will not be beneficial for the agriculture industry.
(c) The labors in agriculture industry will not be able to earn their livelihood.
(d) Both (c) and (d)
(e) None of these

S13. Ans. (a)
Sol. Referring to the fourth paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘Upasi has requested that plantation commodities be kept under the exclusion list under the proposed RCEP, as otherwise, it would have serious implications for the labor-intensive agro-industry.’

Q14. What were the aims behind getting Kerala government’s help for broadening the definition of plantation crops as given in the Land Reforms Act?
(a) Making plantation sector a thriving and financially viable sector
(b) Creating a plantation sector which is ecologically sustainable, environment friendly and bio-industry in the State.
(c) Removing all the hurdles that are coming down the way of a eco-friendly plantation field.
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) None of these

S14. Ans. (d)
Sol. Referring to the fourth paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘Earlier, addressing the AGM, BP Kariappa, Chairman, APK, sought the Kerala government’s help to enlarge the definition of plantation crops in the Land Reforms Act so as to make the plantation sector a thriving, financially viable, ecologically sustainable, environment friendly and bio-industry in the State.’

Q15. What are benefits of multi-crop natured plantations in future as noted by BP Kariappa, Chairman of APK?
(a) It enhances the bio-diversity and paves ways for growth of economic returns.
(b) Multi natured crop plantation will enable conservation and strengthening of the Flora and Fauna as well as the soil and water.
(c) This kind of cultivation will open opportunities for skilled employment.
(d) All (a), (b) and (c)
(e) None of these

S15. Ans. (d)
Sol. Referring to the last paragraph of the given passage, the right answer can be inferred from the lines, ‘He noted that plantations of the future should be of multi-crop in nature, which enhances the biodiversity and economic returns of the grower. Such cultivation practices will conserve and strengthen the flora and fauna and the soil, water, and air. It will also create skilled employment opportunities, he added.’

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