Direction: In the following passage, some of the words are missing. Find suitable words from the options given below these questions to make the paragraph meaningful.
With an increase in the application of crop-protection chemicals, Soya bean has seen a massive jump in ___D___ cost. Given a jump in input costs, cultivation costs have gone up in multiples. The total cost of cultivation for wheat rose three times from 2004-05 to 2012-13. While traditionally the blame is cast on the ___E___ local moneylender, NCRB data highlight that 2,474 of the 3,000 farmers who were reported to have committed suicide in 2015 had loans from local banks, while those who had loans from moneylenders were just 9. 8 percent of the total. Maharashtra reported 1,293 such suicides for ___F___ , while Karnataka had 946. Meanwhile, farmers in Punjab are ___G___ to have an outstanding debt of Rs. 69,355 crores.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank D A. distribution B. pesticide C. marginal D. maintenance E. storage
Correct answer: B. pesticide
Explanation:
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “pesticide”. Here’s why:
“Pesticide” is directly related to crop protection chemicals, which are mentioned in the sentence. The cost associated with the use of pesticides is likely to have increased significantly due to their rising application in modern agriculture.
Why the other options are not correct:
A. “Distribution” refers to the process of delivering or spreading something, which doesn’t fit the context of the cost increase related to crop protection chemicals.
C. “Marginal” refers to something small or insignificant, which doesn’t capture the idea of a significant increase in cost.
D. “Maintenance” refers to the act of keeping something in good condition, which doesn’t fit the context of crop protection costs.
E. “Storage” refers to keeping things in a safe place, which is unrelated to the increase in crop protection chemical costs.
Thus, “pesticide” (option B) is the best choice, as it directly correlates with the rising costs of crop protection chemicals.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank E A. ambiguous B. guileless C. devious D. usurious E. autonomous
Correct answer: D. usurious
Explanation:
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “usurious”. Here’s why:
“Usurious” refers to charging excessively high interest rates, which fits the context of blaming a moneylender for the financial burden on farmers. Historically, moneylenders have been criticized for charging high-interest rates, which can lead to debt traps.
Why the other options are not correct:
A. “Ambiguous” means unclear or open to multiple interpretations, which doesn’t fit the context of describing a moneylender’s behavior.
B. “Guileless” means innocent or without deceit, which is the opposite of what is being described in the context of moneylenders exploiting farmers.
C. “Devious” means dishonest or tricky, but it doesn’t specifically refer to the practice of charging high interest rates.
E. “Autonomous” means independent or self-governing, which does not relate to the financial behavior of a moneylender.
Thus, “usurious” (option D) is the best choice, as it directly refers to the practice of charging excessively high interest rates, which is the context here.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank F A. loans B. indebtedness C. famine D. monsoon E. illness
Correct answer: A. loans
Explanation:
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “loans”. Here’s why:
“Loans” fits the context because it directly relates to the debts that farmers may have accumulated, and the NCRB data highlights the financial struggles leading to suicides, which are often linked to loan burdens.
Why the other options are not correct:
B. “Indebtedness” refers to the state of owing money, but it doesn’t fit as neatly as “loans,” which is more specific in the context of financial hardship.
C. “Famine” refers to a widespread scarcity of food, which is unrelated to the issue of farmer suicides caused by financial stress.
D. “Monsoon” refers to seasonal rains, which could impact agriculture but doesn’t directly link to the context of financial issues and loans.
E. “Illness” refers to health problems, which is not the primary issue here, as the focus is on financial hardship due to loans.
Thus, “loans” (option A) is the best choice, as it directly ties to the financial context described in the sentence.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank G A. supposed B. criticized C. estimated D. expected E. sanctioned
Correct answer: C. estimated
Explanation:
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “estimated”. Here’s why:
“Estimated” fits in the context as it suggests that the outstanding debt of Rs. 69,355 crores is an approximation or calculated figure. In such financial contexts, it is common to provide an estimate of a total amount rather than a precise figure.
Why the other options are not correct:
A. “Supposed” means assumed, but it doesn’t convey the calculation or approximation of the debt as effectively as “estimated” does.
B. “Criticized” refers to disapproval, which does not fit the context of talking about an outstanding debt.
D. “Expected” refers to something anticipated, which is not the most suitable term here since it implies an outcome that is awaited rather than a calculated figure.
E. “Sanctioned” means approved or authorized, which doesn’t align with the context of calculating or determining debt.
Thus, “estimated” (option C) is the best choice, as it conveys the idea of an approximate amount for the outstanding debt.
Direction: In the following passage, some of the words are missing. Find suitable words from the options given below these questions to make the paragraph meaningful.
This year, the world’s largest democracy, India, and the biggest country by ___A___, Russia, are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between them. Russia continues to be among India’s major politico-diplomatic and defence partner nations. While India has ___B___ separate strategic partnership pacts with more than two dozen countries, the Indian and Russian governments in December 2010 ___C___ their bilateral ‘Strategic Partnership’ to what they termed a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. ” The New Delhi-based ___D___ ‘Foundation for National Security Research’, which did a comparative assessment of India’s strategic partnerships — meaning, ‘political-diplomatic, defence and economic cooperation’ (during the 10-year period prior to November 2011), had said, “Russia emerges as the most important strategic partner of India (followed by the U. S., France, the U. K., Germany, and Japan in that order). ” The November 2011 report found that Russia had provided strong political and diplomatic support to India and helped enormously in building India’s defense capability. However, it warned that the “economic content of the (India-Russia) partnership is extremely weak,” and recommended that “urgent and ___E___ steps need to be taken to improve economic relations if this (India-Russia) partnership is to be sustained and made durable.”
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank A A. Population B. Density C. Area D. Democracy E. Economy
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “Area”. Here’s why:
“Area” is the most logical choice because Russia is the largest country in the world by land area, and the sentence is comparing India to Russia in terms of size. The word “population” would not fit here as India has a much larger population than Russia, and “density” refers to the concentration of people in an area, which isn’t the intended comparison.
Why the other options are not correct:
A. “Population” is incorrect because India has a much larger population than Russia.
B. “Density” refers to the population density, which is not the focus here since the comparison is about the size of the countries.
D. “Democracy” doesn’t fit in the context of comparing geographical aspects of the countries.
E. “Economy” refers to the financial system of a country, which doesn’t fit when discussing the physical size comparison.
Thus, “Area” (option C) is the best choice, as it directly refers to Russia being the largest country by land area.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank B A. Inked B. Considered C. Contemplated D. Refuted E. Revoked
Correct answer: A. Inked
Explanation:
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “Inked”. Here’s why:
“Inked” is commonly used in the context of signing or formalizing agreements, making it the best choice when referring to the establishment of strategic partnership pacts between India and other countries.
Why the other options are not correct:
B. “Considered” means thought about or regarded, but it doesn’t imply formalizing or finalizing the partnerships.
C. “Contemplated” means thought about deeply but not acted upon, which doesn’t align with the idea of having actual agreements in place.
D. “Refuted” means disproved, which doesn’t make sense in the context of establishing pacts.
E. “Revoked” means canceled or invalidated, which contradicts the idea of forming new pacts.
Thus, “Inked” (option A) is the best choice, as it conveys the idea of formalizing and signing strategic partnerships.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank C A. Called B. Elevated C. Refreshed D. Nullified E. Revived
Correct answer: B. Elevated
Explanation:
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “Elevated”. Here’s why:
“Elevated” fits well in the context, as it suggests that the India-Russia bilateral “Strategic Partnership” was upgraded or raised to a higher level, becoming a “Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.” This conveys the idea of strengthening or enhancing the relationship between the two countries.
Why the other options are not correct:
A. “Called” is too vague and doesn’t convey the idea of improving or raising the level of the partnership.
C. “Refreshed” refers to something being renewed but doesn’t capture the idea of increasing the status or importance of the partnership.
D. “Nullified” means canceled or invalidated, which is the opposite of strengthening or elevating a partnership.
E. “Revived” suggests bringing something back to life or re-establishing it, but it doesn’t indicate the formal elevation of the partnership to a special status.
Thus, “Elevated” (option B) is the best choice, as it effectively conveys the strengthening and enhancement of the India-Russia partnership.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank D A. NGO B. Startup C. Personnel D. Think tank E. Avenue
Correct answer: D. Think tank
Explanation:
The most appropriate word to fill in the blank is “Think tank”. Here’s why:
“Think tank” refers to a research institute or organization that provides expert advice and analysis on various topics, which fits the context of an entity conducting a comparative assessment of India’s strategic partnerships. The reference to a “Foundation for National Security Research” suggests a group focused on policy analysis, fitting the description of a think tank.
Why the other options are not correct:
A. “NGO” refers to a non-governmental organization, typically focused on social or humanitarian work, which doesn’t align with the focus of national security research.
B. “Startup” refers to a newly established business, which doesn’t fit the context of research and strategic partnership assessments.
C. “Personnel” refers to employees or staff, which doesn’t make sense in the context of an organization focused on research or policy analysis.
E. “Avenue” refers to a way or means to achieve something, but it doesn’t match the idea of a research-focused entity.
Thus, “Think tank” (option D) is the best choice, as it is an organization that conducts research and provides expertise on strategic and policy matters.
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank E A. Various B. Precarious C. Vigorous D. Minuscule E. Exhilarating
Correct answer: C. Vigorous
Explanation:
Let’s reconsider the context for the word “vigorous.”
“Vigorous” means strong, energetic, and forceful, which could indeed describe the steps that need to be taken to improve economic relations. In this case, the sentence suggests that these steps need to be urgent and forceful, and “vigorous” would work to imply the kind of proactive and powerful actions needed to strengthen economic ties between India and Russia.
Why the other options are not correct:
A. “Various” refers to different types or kinds, which doesn’t fit the context of needing specific, focused action.
B. “Precarious” refers to something unstable or risky, which is a possible fit, but the sentence requires more of a description of the actions needed (strong and forceful), not the situation itself.
D. “Minuscule” means very small, which does not fit the context of needing major and impactful action.
E. “Exhilarating” refers to something exciting, which is not appropriate in this context, as the issue at hand is serious and requires improvement, not excitement.
Thus, “Vigorous” (option C) is indeed a good choice, as it describes the type of action needed to improve the economic relations
