Directions
(1-15): Read the following passage carefully and answer these questions.
Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while
answering some of the questions.
(1-15): Read the following passage carefully and answer these questions.
Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while
answering some of the questions.
Rural India
face serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc. – these
are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and
other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology
in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture;
which also provides sustenance to over half the country’s population. The
“Green Revolution” of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in
various agricultural research institutions. Which some fault the Green
Revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through
overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in
certain pockets of the country.
face serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc. – these
are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and
other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology
in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture;
which also provides sustenance to over half the country’s population. The
“Green Revolution” of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in
various agricultural research institutions. Which some fault the Green
Revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through
overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in
certain pockets of the country.
In rural
India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and
technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form).
The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural
areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far
lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology
are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce power consumption of pumps are
vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or
largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize-through
technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of
total arable land), given employment and incomes, but at present deployment of
technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold-chains for transportation to
market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly,
fruits and vegetables-but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with
an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all; the farmer, the
end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural
barriers are holding back investments.
India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and
technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form).
The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural
areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far
lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology
are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce power consumption of pumps are
vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or
largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize-through
technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of
total arable land), given employment and incomes, but at present deployment of
technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold-chains for transportation to
market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly,
fruits and vegetables-but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with
an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all; the farmer, the
end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural
barriers are holding back investments.
Power is a
key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses.
Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a
decentralized manner. However this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big
way, with emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and
low cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural
areas. The bullock-cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice.
Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution?
Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc.,
are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through technology
mobile phones, which is a proven technology; however the challenge to ensure
connectivity remains. Thus there is a pressing need for technology as currently
economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive
market in rural India.
key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses.
Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a
decentralized manner. However this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big
way, with emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and
low cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural
areas. The bullock-cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice.
Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution?
Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc.,
are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through technology
mobile phones, which is a proven technology; however the challenge to ensure
connectivity remains. Thus there is a pressing need for technology as currently
economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive
market in rural India.
Q1.
According to the author, which of the following is/are the problem/s facing
India’s rural population?
According to the author, which of the following is/are the problem/s facing
India’s rural population?
(A)
Unavailability of healthcare facilities.
Unavailability of healthcare facilities.
(B) The
technological advancements which have been borrowed from abroad have not been
suitably adapted to the Indian scenario.
technological advancements which have been borrowed from abroad have not been
suitably adapted to the Indian scenario.
(C) Lack of
awareness about the importance of utilizing technology in the agricultural
sector.
awareness about the importance of utilizing technology in the agricultural
sector.
(a) Only (A)
(b) Only (C)
(c) Both (A)
& (B)
& (B)
(d) Both (A)
& (C)
& (C)
(e) None of
these
these
Q2. Which of
the following is not an impact of the Green Revolution?
the following is not an impact of the Green Revolution?
(a) Over
utilization of water resources
utilization of water resources
(b)
Application of scientific research only in demonstration farms
Application of scientific research only in demonstration farms
(c) Wealth
creation restricted to certain areas
creation restricted to certain areas
(d) Damage
caused to land by inordinate use to fertilizers
caused to land by inordinate use to fertilizers
(e) Supply
of wheat surpassed demand
of wheat surpassed demand
Q3. Why is
there no motivation to reduce power consumption?
there no motivation to reduce power consumption?
(a) Freely
available renewable sources of energy
available renewable sources of energy
(b)
Government will have to subsidize the cost technology required to reduce power
consumption.
Government will have to subsidize the cost technology required to reduce power
consumption.
(c) Power distribution
has been decentralized.
has been decentralized.
(d) The cost
of implementing power saving technology is exorbitant for the customer.
of implementing power saving technology is exorbitant for the customer.
(e) None of
these
these
Q4. What
effect will the implementation of post harvest technologies such as cold
storages have?
effect will the implementation of post harvest technologies such as cold
storages have?
(a)
Regulatory procedures will have to be more stringent.
Regulatory procedures will have to be more stringent.
(b) Prices
of commodities like fruits and vegetables will fall since there is no wastage
from spoilage.
of commodities like fruits and vegetables will fall since there is no wastage
from spoilage.
(c) Incomes
of rural population will fall.
of rural population will fall.
(d)
Pollution of the environment.
Pollution of the environment.
(e) None of
these
these
Q5. The
author’s main objective in writing the passage is to
author’s main objective in writing the passage is to
(a) censure
scientists for not undertaking research
scientists for not undertaking research
(b)
criticize farmers for not utilizing experimental, low cost post harvesting
technology
criticize farmers for not utilizing experimental, low cost post harvesting
technology
(c) exhort
the government to subsidise the cost of utilizing technology
the government to subsidise the cost of utilizing technology
(d) promote
a second green revolution
a second green revolution
(e) advocate
broadening the scope of research and use of technology in agriculture.
broadening the scope of research and use of technology in agriculture.
Q6. Which of
the following is not true in the context of the passage?
the following is not true in the context of the passage?
(A) In
recent times the benefits of science and technology have not been felt in
agriculture.
recent times the benefits of science and technology have not been felt in
agriculture.
(B) The
current means of rural transportation are ideal i.e. low cost and
non-polluting.
current means of rural transportation are ideal i.e. low cost and
non-polluting.
(C)
Agriculture provides livelihood to over 50 percent of the Indian population.
Agriculture provides livelihood to over 50 percent of the Indian population.
(a) Both (A)
& (B)
& (B)
(b) Only (B)
(c) Only (C)
(d) Both (A)
& (C)
& (C)
(e) None of
these
these
Q7. What has
hampered investment in post harvest technologies?
hampered investment in post harvest technologies?
(a) Cost of
implementing such technology is higher than the returns
implementing such technology is higher than the returns
(b) No
tangible benefits to technology suppliers
tangible benefits to technology suppliers
(c)
Obstacles from statutory authorities
Obstacles from statutory authorities
(d) Rapid
economic growth has drawn investors away from agriculture to more commercially
viable sectors.
economic growth has drawn investors away from agriculture to more commercially
viable sectors.
(e) None of
these
these
Q8. What is
the role of mobile technology in the rural economy?
the role of mobile technology in the rural economy?
(A) It will
not play a large role since the technology is largely untested.
not play a large role since the technology is largely untested.
(B) It
provides opportunities for farmers to manipulate commodity prices.
provides opportunities for farmers to manipulate commodity prices.
(C) It will
largely be beneficial since such technology is cheap.
largely be beneficial since such technology is cheap.
(a) Both (A)
& (C)
& (C)
(b) Only (A)
(c) Both (B)
& (C)
& (C)
(d) Only (B)
(e) None of
these
these
Q9. Which of
the following is currently not a threat to the rural economy?
the following is currently not a threat to the rural economy?
(A)
Inadequate rural infrastructure such as roads.
Inadequate rural infrastructure such as roads.
(B)
Excessive utilisation of technology.
Excessive utilisation of technology.
(C)
Fluctuating power supply.
Fluctuating power supply.
(a) Only (C)
(b) Only (A)
(c) Both (B)
& (C)
& (C)
(d) Only (B)
(e) None of
these
these
Q10. Which
of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage?
of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage?
(A) About 33
percent of arable land in India is irrigated.
percent of arable land in India is irrigated.
(B) There is
hardly any motivation to utilize technology to optimize water usage among
farmers.
hardly any motivation to utilize technology to optimize water usage among
farmers.
(C) Climatic
information can easily be made available to farmers.
information can easily be made available to farmers.
(a) All (A),
(B) & (C)
(B) & (C)
(b) Both (A)
& (B)
& (B)
(c) Only (A)
(d) Both (B)
& (C)
& (C)
(e) None of
these
these
Directions
(11-13): Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
printed in bold as used in the passage.
(11-13): Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
printed in bold as used in the passage.
Q11. Marginal
(a) Austere
(b) Severe
(c)
Detrimental
Detrimental
(d) Adverse
(e)
Insignificant
Insignificant
Q12. Fault
(a) Defect
(b) Offend
(c)
Imperfect
Imperfect
(d) Blame
(e) Sin
Q13. Dire
(a)
Pessimistic
Pessimistic
(b) Alarming
(c) Futile
(d)
Frightened
Frightened
(e)
Fraudulent
Fraudulent
Directions
(14-15): Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word printed
in bold as sued in the passage.
(14-15): Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word printed
in bold as sued in the passage.
Q14.
Potential
Potential
(a) Unlikely
(b)
Incapable
Incapable
(c) Unable
(d)
Ineffective
Ineffective
(e) Inherent
Q15.
Iniquitous
Iniquitous
(a) Immoral
(b) Godly
(c) Virtuous
(d) Right
(e) Just
Solutions
S1. Ans.(a)
Sol. Only (A)
S2. Ans.(b)
Sol. Application of scientific
research only in demonstration farms
research only in demonstration farms
S3. Ans.(a)
Sol. Freely available renewable
sources of energy
sources of energy
S4. Ans.(e)
Sol. None of these
S5. Ans.(e)
Sol. advocate broadening the scope of
research and use of technology in agriculture.
research and use of technology in agriculture.
S6. Ans.(b)
Sol. Only (B)
S7. Ans.(c)
Sol. Obstacles from statutory
authorities
authorities
S8. Ans.(e)
Sol. None of these
S9. Ans.(d)
Sol. Only (B)
S10. Ans.(e)
Sol. None of
these
these
S11. Ans.(e)
Sol. Marginal-minor and not important;
not central.
not central.
S12. Ans.(d)
Sol. fault-responsibility for an
accident or misfortune.
accident or misfortune.
S13. Ans.(b)
Sol. dire-extremely serious or urgent.
S14. Ans.(d)
Sol. Potential-having or showing the
capacity to develop into something in the future.
capacity to develop into something in the future.
S15. Ans.(c)
Sol. Iniquitous-grossly unfair and
morally wrong.
morally wrong.
