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Reading Comprehension

Description: practice questions
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: reading comprehension Reading Comprehension
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Why does the author say ‘We are a nation of the hypocrites’? How is it demonstrated, if at all?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.

  1. We have given ourselves a massive constitution that we cannot handle.

  2. Articles of the constitution are mere embellishments.

  3. Those taking oath by the constitution violate it the most.

  4. Those tasked to govern do not govern and deliver.

  5. People from all walks of life are victims of neglect and unconcern.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

(1) There is no gain in saying the fact that the author is preoccupied with the idea of a constitution that, according to him, has failed to deliver. Massive size of the constitution may be a factor, but that clearly does not demonstrate that ' We are a nation of the hypocrites’. (2) A hypocrite is he/she who says one thing and means or does quite the opposite. When the author says that some of the articles of the constitution are mere embellishments, he draws attention to this hypocritical positioning taken by those tasked to govern. Since this is practised routinely, it is hypocrisy of the worst kind. Even though this does not appear to apply universally, this is what the author seems to demonstrate. (3) This sounds like an exaggerated statement even though it is possible that a great number of people take oath by the constitution and violate it. Such violators can be called anything but hypocrites. (4) Failure of governance is no doubt a big issue here. This does not however demonstrate that we are a nation of the hypocrites. (5) This can be attributed to mis-governance or mal-governance, not to being hypocrite.

While referring to the Uniform Civil Code, the author uses the expression ‘the part of the constitution they seemingly venerate’. What does this suggest? (I) It suggests that all articles of the constitution are held with the same degree of esteem. (II) It suggests that the respect the politicians show to the constitution is not real or genuine. (III) It suggests that the Uniform Civil Code is the part of the same constitution which they publicly eulogize and venerate.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.

  1. Only (I)

  2. Only (II)

  3. Only (III)

  4. Both (I) and (II)

  5. Both (II) and (III)


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

(I) All articles are not shown the same degree of acceptance and that is the grouse of the author. (II) Apparently, the respect shown to the constitution is only for demonstration. There does not appear to be real and genuine respect for this instrumentality. (III) By attacking the hypocrisy of those in power who would not touch the Uniform Civil Code, the author seems to remind them that this article too comes from the same constitution that they so much eulogize and venerate.

The article leads to the conclusion that the author is

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.

  1. highly critical of things having gone wrong after independence.

  2. self-introspective about what independent India could have done.

  3. critical that the policy of reservation has been prolonged.

  4. not satisfied with Nehru’s explanation.

  5. hugely disturbed by what has happened in post-independent India.


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

(1) The author points to things that have gone wrong after independence. Criticism means weighing of positives and negatives and coming to a conclusion. That does not appear to be the case here. (2) There is an element of self-introspection, but nothing of great importance. (3) The policy of reservation has indeed elicited strong disapproval of the author. But this is not the only element the author is unhappy about. (4) Nehru’s explanation only further invigorates the author to make an in-depth study of whatever went wrong in the country after independence. (5) There are many things in post independent India that has dismayed the author. In fact, much of what is occurring in the country has been disturbing him.

What is the central theme of this passage?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.

  1. Essence of democracy

  2. Lack of governance

  3. Failure of the Constitution

  4. Reservation policy

  5. Uniform Civil Code


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

(1) When an author visits and revisits the same issue a number of times, he is drawing readers attention to the central theme. Essence of democracy is the central theme of this passage as the author devotes major part of his energy on this point alone. (2) One of the important elements, but not the central theme. (3) Yet another important ingredient with which the author is preoccupied, but not the central theme as it is just briefly alluded in the course of discussion. (4) One of the very important factors that the author attributes to lack of governance, excellence and growth of merit, etc., but clearly not the central theme. (5) This is alluded to merely by way of an example, not the central theme.

Which of the following is one of the conclusions the author appears to have drawn?

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

After India became independent, one angry citizen asked Nehru as to what the difference was between the regime they had overthrown and the one they had ushered in. That he was able to speak to the prime minister of the nation in this manner was the difference between the two regimes, Nehru replied, politely.
What Nehru said was the essence of democracy. In a democracy, one should be able to voice one’s concern on any matter without fear or favor. As long as this element is present, there is no danger to democracy.
After over half a century if we are able to give an affirmative answer to this question, we may claim to be on the right track. If not, something is definitely amiss. But mere expression of it is not enough unless it seems to have been heard where it was intended to be heard in the first place; and is not merely heard, but necessary remedial action is taken wherever and whenever feasible and desirable. In other words, in a democracy public opinion should matter without exception.

A kind of ennui appears to have gripped everyone. Lack of governance during the past six decades and the growing unconcern displayed by those at the helm and the failings of the various pillars of democracy have added to this ennui. Ordinary citizens are not just victims of neglect and unconcern, even the judiciary has been suffering from the same kind of neglect and unconcern. 
We are a nation of hypocrites. On one hand, we make a demonstration of our allegiance to the constitution, while on the other we keep trampling over it whenever it suits us. We have more than 400 Articles in our constitution (it began with 395 Articles and has steadily been growing in number). One thought that since all articles are the product of the same constitution, all of them would carry equal weight, or would at least have the same degree of importance. But no, that is not the position. Some articles continue to be treated with complete disregard. For instance, most of the articles under Part IV, especially 44, 45, 46, 47 and 49 remain as mere embellishments. Talk of the Uniform Civil Code for citizens, many politicians will be up in arms as if it was blasphemous to talk about it; as if it was not a part of the constitution they seemingly VENERATE.

When will the time be ripe? With the kind of politicians lurking around, it is anybody’s guess if the time will ever be ripe. Indeed many politicians in private admit that reservation has done a great deal of harm to the nation in as much as it kept merit from surfacing in full bloom. I do not know if reservation on the basis of caste is allowed in any part of the world. I also do not know if considerations other than merit (nepotism excepted) are of any consequence in any part of the world. Is it not self-condemnation of those who led the country this long and failed to meet the basic requirements of the people and the nation? These people have much to answer to for the present ills.

  1. India is plagued with various ills.

  2. People’s voice is not heard.

  3. Reservation has not served India’s cause.

  4. Independent India is not different from British India.

  5. The constitution has failed to deliver.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

(1) One may infer this from the passage, but it’s too general and vague and not a conclusion drawn by the author himself. (2) No such clear position is taken by the author. (3) There is a definite indication towards that. The author seems sanguine that the policy of reservation has failed to serve the desired purpose. (4) Although, the author is dismayed by the post-independence India, no conclusions can be drawn that he treats India at par with the British India. (5) It is not the failure of the constitution as such, but the failure of the political class to uniformly implement the provisions of the constitution and that draws the ire of the author.

Which of the following is not true according to the author?

  1. Whatever impacted the Euro zone impacted the whole world
    1. Financial sector crisis of the US left the world economy in tatters
    2. US and Euro zones are the two economic superpowers of the world
    3. Sovereign debt crisis is the worst crisis to have hit the world

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

The global economy has witnessed two macro economic crises in the last three years shattering the entire gamut of economic growth parameters across the world. Crisis number one is the banking crisis after the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008 and crisis number two is the on-going sovereign debt crisis of the European Union. The commonality between the two is that they originated in two major economic super power zones: the first one in USA and the second one in EU and thereafter percolated to other parts of the world impacting the growth forces of the world economy. However, the two are different in nature in as much as the US crisis originated from financial sector fall out popularly known as the sub-prime crisis and the EU sovereign debt crisis originated from fiscal fallout. Much has already been written about the financial sector crisis of US. The Sovereign debt crisis of EU is still like hot potato and therefore more pertinent for a detailed discussion.
The crux of the EU sovereign debt crisis was rooted in the Greek debt crisis. The Greek economy was one of the fastest growing economies in the euro zone from 2000 to 2007; during that period it grew at an annual rate of 4.2% as foreign capital flooded the country. A strong economy and falling bond yields allowed the government to run large structural deficits. Successive governments for years had been customarily running large deficits to Finance public sector jobs, pensions, and other social benefits. Since 1993 the ratio of debt to GDP had remained above 100%. After the introduction of euro in January 2001, Greece was initially able to borrow due to the lower interest rates government bonds commanded. Many member countries including Greece borrowed from the rest of the world, especially from the member nations, huge sums by issuing sovereign securities deliberately keeping yields low. But it failed to repay the coupon and the principal when the securities became due for redemption. To obfuscate the simmering problem from public gaze, it further borrowed issuing fresh securities.
The Greek government bond market relied on foreign investors, with some estimates suggesting that up to 70% of Greek government bonds were held externally. The late-2000s financial crisis that began in 2007 made a severe impact on Greece. Two of the country’s largest industries are tourism and shipping, and both were badly affected by the downturn with revenues falling 15% in 2009. Estimated tax evasion costs the Greek government over $20 billion per year.
As the majority of outstanding debt of Greece is held by other member nations, default of Greece resulted in loss to the member countries. Greece’s debt crisis led to instability in euro, the common currency of EU. There are fears of public debt crises spreading to other EU nations. After the fiscal crisis of Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain also suffered the similar crisis, though to a lesser extent. To stem the rot, European leaders announced a $1 trillion bailout package in collaboration with IMF. EU Finance ministers pledged to tighten penalties on countries with runaway fiscal deficits. One of the problems facing the euro countries is the disagreement between Greece and the trio of rescuers, EU, IMF and ECB, over the conditions of bail out. The bail-out package will be available subject to the condition that the beneficiary country will have to go for fiscal austerity in terms of reducing fiscal deficit. This could lead to the imposition of additional taxation and curbing corruption and tax evasion. The measures will lead to tje cooling down of industrial growth and increasing of unemployment. Hence, the public at large in Greece are up in arms against the conditions of the second bail-out package. (Excerpted from PNB Monthly Review of Jan 12)

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2 and 3

  3. Only 1, 2 and 3

  4. Only 1, 2 and 4

  5. All of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

(1) There is no ruling out the possibility. But that at best can be one of the conclusions that can be drawn from the write-up. That is not the statement of the author. (2) It left an indelible mark on the world economy, almost shattering the economy. But not the surest statement of the author. (3) Without doubt, these two are considered to be the economic super powers of the world. The author has made a clear statement to that effect. (4) The subprime crisis impacted the world badly and so did sovereign debt crisis. Both had the same kind of impact. It would be difficult to say which one could tilt towards being labeled as the worst crisis to have hit the world.

According to the author, what of the following cannot be attributed as the chief reason for this sovereign debt crisis originating in Greece?

  1. Reliance of Greek government bonds on foreign investors and its failure to redeem the bonds contributed to this crisis in the main.
  2. It originated in Greece because its economy was one of the fastest growing economies of the world.
  3. Greece had incurred huge losses in tourism and shipping and was unable to honour its external debt commitments.
  4. It originated in Greece because this sovereign debt crisis was actually rooted in the Greek debt crisis.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

The global economy has witnessed two macro economic crises in the last three years shattering the entire gamut of economic growth parameters across the world. Crisis number one is the banking crisis after the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008 and crisis number two is the on-going sovereign debt crisis of the European Union. The commonality between the two is that they originated in two major economic super power zones: the first one in USA and the second one in EU and thereafter percolated to other parts of the world impacting the growth forces of the world economy. However, the two are different in nature in as much as the US crisis originated from financial sector fall out popularly known as the sub-prime crisis and the EU sovereign debt crisis originated from fiscal fallout. Much has already been written about the financial sector crisis of US. The Sovereign debt crisis of EU is still like hot potato and therefore more pertinent for a detailed discussion.
The crux of the EU sovereign debt crisis was rooted in the Greek debt crisis. The Greek economy was one of the fastest growing economies in the euro zone from 2000 to 2007; during that period it grew at an annual rate of 4.2% as foreign capital flooded the country. A strong economy and falling bond yields allowed the government to run large structural deficits. Successive governments for years had been customarily running large deficits to Finance public sector jobs, pensions, and other social benefits. Since 1993 the ratio of debt to GDP had remained above 100%. After the introduction of euro in January 2001, Greece was initially able to borrow due to the lower interest rates government bonds commanded. Many member countries including Greece borrowed from the rest of the world, especially from the member nations, huge sums by issuing sovereign securities deliberately keeping yields low. But it failed to repay the coupon and the principal when the securities became due for redemption. To obfuscate the simmering problem from public gaze, it further borrowed issuing fresh securities.
The Greek government bond market relied on foreign investors, with some estimates suggesting that up to 70% of Greek government bonds were held externally. The late-2000s financial crisis that began in 2007 made a severe impact on Greece. Two of the country’s largest industries are tourism and shipping, and both were badly affected by the downturn with revenues falling 15% in 2009. Estimated tax evasion costs the Greek government over $20 billion per year.
As the majority of outstanding debt of Greece is held by other member nations, default of Greece resulted in loss to the member countries. Greece’s debt crisis led to instability in euro, the common currency of EU. There are fears of public debt crises spreading to other EU nations. After the fiscal crisis of Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain also suffered the similar crisis, though to a lesser extent. To stem the rot, European leaders announced a $1 trillion bailout package in collaboration with IMF. EU Finance ministers pledged to tighten penalties on countries with runaway fiscal deficits. One of the problems facing the euro countries is the disagreement between Greece and the trio of rescuers, EU, IMF and ECB, over the conditions of bail out. The bail-out package will be available subject to the condition that the beneficiary country will have to go for fiscal austerity in terms of reducing fiscal deficit. This could lead to the imposition of additional taxation and curbing corruption and tax evasion. The measures will lead to tje cooling down of industrial growth and increasing of unemployment. Hence, the public at large in Greece are up in arms against the conditions of the second bail-out package. (Excerpted from PNB Monthly Review of Jan 12)

  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 1 and 3 only

  3. 2, 3 and 4 only

  4. 3 and 4 only

  5. None of the above


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

(1) There are various factors that led to this crisis originating in Greece. That it was rooted in the Greek debt crisis is a fact, but certainly not the chief reason. (2) It was one of the fastest growing economies was also a fact, but that was not the chief reason why it originated in Greece. It partially answers the question. (3) This was the result of the crisis. This can be called the consequence of what happened to the economy of Greece because of the policies they pursued, not the chief reason for the crisis itself. (4) Almost 70% of government bonds were subscribed to by the foreign investors. With the government failing to redeem them, the crisis deepened and that became sovereign debt crisis. As this happened in Greece, the crisis originated there.

Bothcrises impacted the world economy in no uncertain terms. Both originated from economy related issues. Yet, both are different because

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

The global economy has witnessed two macro economic crises in the last three years shattering the entire gamut of economic growth parameters across the world. Crisis number one is the banking crisis after the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008 and crisis number two is the on-going sovereign debt crisis of the European Union. The commonality between the two is that they originated in two major economic super power zones: the first one in USA and the second one in EU and thereafter percolated to other parts of the world impacting the growth forces of the world economy. However, the two are different in nature in as much as the US crisis originated from financial sector fall out popularly known as the sub-prime crisis and the EU sovereign debt crisis originated from fiscal fallout. Much has already been written about the financial sector crisis of US. The Sovereign debt crisis of EU is still like hot potato and therefore more pertinent for a detailed discussion.
The crux of the EU sovereign debt crisis was rooted in the Greek debt crisis. The Greek economy was one of the fastest growing economies in the euro zone from 2000 to 2007; during that period it grew at an annual rate of 4.2% as foreign capital flooded the country. A strong economy and falling bond yields allowed the government to run large structural deficits. Successive governments for years had been customarily running large deficits to Finance public sector jobs, pensions, and other social benefits. Since 1993 the ratio of debt to GDP had remained above 100%. After the introduction of euro in January 2001, Greece was initially able to borrow due to the lower interest rates government bonds commanded. Many member countries including Greece borrowed from the rest of the world, especially from the member nations, huge sums by issuing sovereign securities deliberately keeping yields low. But it failed to repay the coupon and the principal when the securities became due for redemption. To obfuscate the simmering problem from public gaze, it further borrowed issuing fresh securities.
The Greek government bond market relied on foreign investors, with some estimates suggesting that up to 70% of Greek government bonds were held externally. The late-2000s financial crisis that began in 2007 made a severe impact on Greece. Two of the country’s largest industries are tourism and shipping, and both were badly affected by the downturn with revenues falling 15% in 2009. Estimated tax evasion costs the Greek government over $20 billion per year.
As the majority of outstanding debt of Greece is held by other member nations, default of Greece resulted in loss to the member countries. Greece’s debt crisis led to instability in euro, the common currency of EU. There are fears of public debt crises spreading to other EU nations. After the fiscal crisis of Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain also suffered the similar crisis, though to a lesser extent. To stem the rot, European leaders announced a $1 trillion bailout package in collaboration with IMF. EU Finance ministers pledged to tighten penalties on countries with runaway fiscal deficits. One of the problems facing the euro countries is the disagreement between Greece and the trio of rescuers, EU, IMF and ECB, over the conditions of bail out. The bail-out package will be available subject to the condition that the beneficiary country will have to go for fiscal austerity in terms of reducing fiscal deficit. This could lead to the imposition of additional taxation and curbing corruption and tax evasion. The measures will lead to tje cooling down of industrial growth and increasing of unemployment. Hence, the public at large in Greece are up in arms against the conditions of the second bail-out package. (Excerpted from PNB Monthly Review of Jan 12)

  1. they originated at two different places and at two different times

  2. while one was a financial sector crisis, the other was a fiscal crisis

  3. they were super powers in their individual ways that encompassed the world

  4. both impacted the world economy, but with different intensity

  5. both of them were fiscal crisis


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

(1) They are different, but not because of place or time. (2) "The fundamental difference lay in one being a financial sector crisis known as sub-prime crisis and the other being sovereign debt crisis attributable to fiscal failure. Both of them impacted the world economy in no uncertain terms." These lines provide the answer. (3) No denying the fact that they are superpowers whose failure impacted the whole world of economy. But that does not explain the difference between them. (4) "The fundamental difference lay in one being a financial sector crisis known as sub-prime crisis and the other being sovereign debt crisis attributable to fiscal failure. Both of them impacted the world economy in no uncertain terms." These lines provide the answer.  

Why did this crisis which was essentially the Greek debt crisis spread to other countries and become sovereign debt crisis? (a) Most of these countries that were affected by sovereign debt crisis were the members of Euro Zone. (b) Most of these countries that were affected by sovereign debt crisis used the common currency Euro. (c) Most of these countries borrowed from one another and failed in unison when it came to redeeming their bonds they had borrowed against. (d) It is no longer possible to live in isolation. Although the crisis originated in Greece, it spread to other countries because they were all economically interlinked.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

The global economy has witnessed two macro economic crises in the last three years shattering the entire gamut of economic growth parameters across the world. Crisis number one is the banking crisis after the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008 and crisis number two is the on-going sovereign debt crisis of the European Union. The commonality between the two is that they originated in two major economic super power zones: the first one in USA and the second one in EU and thereafter percolated to other parts of the world impacting the growth forces of the world economy. However, the two are different in nature in as much as the US crisis originated from financial sector fall out popularly known as the sub-prime crisis and the EU sovereign debt crisis originated from fiscal fallout. Much has already been written about the financial sector crisis of US. The Sovereign debt crisis of EU is still like hot potato and therefore more pertinent for a detailed discussion.
The crux of the EU sovereign debt crisis was rooted in the Greek debt crisis. The Greek economy was one of the fastest growing economies in the euro zone from 2000 to 2007; during that period it grew at an annual rate of 4.2% as foreign capital flooded the country. A strong economy and falling bond yields allowed the government to run large structural deficits. Successive governments for years had been customarily running large deficits to Finance public sector jobs, pensions, and other social benefits. Since 1993 the ratio of debt to GDP had remained above 100%. After the introduction of euro in January 2001, Greece was initially able to borrow due to the lower interest rates government bonds commanded. Many member countries including Greece borrowed from the rest of the world, especially from the member nations, huge sums by issuing sovereign securities deliberately keeping yields low. But it failed to repay the coupon and the principal when the securities became due for redemption. To obfuscate the simmering problem from public gaze, it further borrowed issuing fresh securities.
The Greek government bond market relied on foreign investors, with some estimates suggesting that up to 70% of Greek government bonds were held externally. The late-2000s financial crisis that began in 2007 made a severe impact on Greece. Two of the country’s largest industries are tourism and shipping, and both were badly affected by the downturn with revenues falling 15% in 2009. Estimated tax evasion costs the Greek government over $20 billion per year.
As the majority of outstanding debt of Greece is held by other member nations, default of Greece resulted in loss to the member countries. Greece’s debt crisis led to instability in euro, the common currency of EU. There are fears of public debt crises spreading to other EU nations. After the fiscal crisis of Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain also suffered the similar crisis, though to a lesser extent. To stem the rot, European leaders announced a $1 trillion bailout package in collaboration with IMF. EU Finance ministers pledged to tighten penalties on countries with runaway fiscal deficits. One of the problems facing the euro countries is the disagreement between Greece and the trio of rescuers, EU, IMF and ECB, over the conditions of bail out. The bail-out package will be available subject to the condition that the beneficiary country will have to go for fiscal austerity in terms of reducing fiscal deficit. This could lead to the imposition of additional taxation and curbing corruption and tax evasion. The measures will lead to tje cooling down of industrial growth and increasing of unemployment. Hence, the public at large in Greece are up in arms against the conditions of the second bail-out package. (Excerpted from PNB Monthly Review of Jan 12)

  1. Only (a) and (b) are correct.

  2. Only (b) and (c) are correct.

  3. Only (c) and (d) are correct.

  4. All of the above are correct

  5. None of the above are correct


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

All these options can be easily inferred from the passage

What, according to the passage, is not an obstacle in the way of a bail-out package?

  1. Imposition of additional taxation.
  2. Imposition of fiscal austerity.
  3. Reducing of fiscal deficit.
  4. Curbing of corruption and tax evasion.

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:

The global economy has witnessed two macro economic crises in the last three years shattering the entire gamut of economic growth parameters across the world. Crisis number one is the banking crisis after the fall of Lehman Brothers in 2008 and crisis number two is the on-going sovereign debt crisis of the European Union. The commonality between the two is that they originated in two major economic super power zones: the first one in USA and the second one in EU and thereafter percolated to other parts of the world impacting the growth forces of the world economy. However, the two are different in nature in as much as the US crisis originated from financial sector fall out popularly known as the sub-prime crisis and the EU sovereign debt crisis originated from fiscal fallout. Much has already been written about the financial sector crisis of US. The Sovereign debt crisis of EU is still like hot potato and therefore more pertinent for a detailed discussion.
The crux of the EU sovereign debt crisis was rooted in the Greek debt crisis. The Greek economy was one of the fastest growing economies in the euro zone from 2000 to 2007; during that period it grew at an annual rate of 4.2% as foreign capital flooded the country. A strong economy and falling bond yields allowed the government to run large structural deficits. Successive governments for years had been customarily running large deficits to Finance public sector jobs, pensions, and other social benefits. Since 1993 the ratio of debt to GDP had remained above 100%. After the introduction of euro in January 2001, Greece was initially able to borrow due to the lower interest rates government bonds commanded. Many member countries including Greece borrowed from the rest of the world, especially from the member nations, huge sums by issuing sovereign securities deliberately keeping yields low. But it failed to repay the coupon and the principal when the securities became due for redemption. To obfuscate the simmering problem from public gaze, it further borrowed issuing fresh securities.
The Greek government bond market relied on foreign investors, with some estimates suggesting that up to 70% of Greek government bonds were held externally. The late-2000s financial crisis that began in 2007 made a severe impact on Greece. Two of the country’s largest industries are tourism and shipping, and both were badly affected by the downturn with revenues falling 15% in 2009. Estimated tax evasion costs the Greek government over $20 billion per year.
As the majority of outstanding debt of Greece is held by other member nations, default of Greece resulted in loss to the member countries. Greece’s debt crisis led to instability in euro, the common currency of EU. There are fears of public debt crises spreading to other EU nations. After the fiscal crisis of Greece, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and Spain also suffered the similar crisis, though to a lesser extent. To stem the rot, European leaders announced a $1 trillion bailout package in collaboration with IMF. EU Finance ministers pledged to tighten penalties on countries with runaway fiscal deficits. One of the problems facing the euro countries is the disagreement between Greece and the trio of rescuers, EU, IMF and ECB, over the conditions of bail out. The bail-out package will be available subject to the condition that the beneficiary country will have to go for fiscal austerity in terms of reducing fiscal deficit. This could lead to the imposition of additional taxation and curbing corruption and tax evasion. The measures will lead to tje cooling down of industrial growth and increasing of unemployment. Hence, the public at large in Greece are up in arms against the conditions of the second bail-out package. (Excerpted from PNB Monthly Review of Jan 12)

  1. 1 and 2 only

  2. 1, 2 and 3 only

  3. 1, 3 and 4 only

  4. 3 and 4 only

  5. All of the above


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

(1) Imposition of additional taxation would be one of the consequences of the bail-out package. (2) In order that economy is put back on the rail, it would be necessary to impose fiscal austerity and give up the profligacy that caused it all. (3) Reduction in fiscal deficit will follow if fiscal discipline is imposed. (4) If bail-out package is implemented in right earnest, curbing of corruption and tax evasion would be one of the corollaries.

The author has described it as an approach derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky. It is

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:


For teachers of a second language, the role of grammar instruction in the classroom has been a perennial subject of debate and has undergone many changes over the years. For example, the once well-respected traditional methods that relied on extensive drilling and memorization of grammar evoked a backlash in the 1970s, which resulted in new methods that excluded grammar instruction in favour of ‘natural’ communication in the classroom. Nevertheless, the topic of grammar remained a live issue, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s, research in the classroom reported positive results for grammar instruction. Even so, the communicative methods had an enduring effect, and the traditional methods of teaching grammar did not return; instead, techniques were developed whereby students would be able to ‘notice’ grammar, often spontaneously in the course of a communicative lesson, and especially if the grammatical problem impeded comprehension. In this way, learners would notice and learn the pattern of grammatical rules for themselves. This new way of looking at grammar instruction has come to be known as language awareness, among other designations. This article will discuss the background and rationale of language awareness, and will introduce a few of the techniques that teachers can use to help students discover grammatical relationships and improve their learning of English. 
Traditional grammar instruction, as it was commonly called, was criticised for its long-winded teacher explanations, its drills and drudgery, and its boring and banal exercises. In the 1970s, new teaching methods appeared that replaced grammar exercises with meaningful communicative environments. In general, the goal was to mirror the way a person learned his or her first language, an approach that was derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky (1965), who pointed out that humans are endowed with a language acquisition device that enables them to acquire whatever language they are exposed to. Accordingly, our ‘organ of language’ extracts the rules of the target language from the data of performance, and this innate schema comprises ‘linguistic universities’ which are part of our generic inheritance.
Chomsky’s theories revolutionized the field of linguistics, and had a dramatic impact on language teaching as well. The basic assumption underpinning the communicative approach is that language is made in the mind and is internal, a process that generates what Chomsky (1986) refers to as I-language. This suggests that language cannot be acquired by putting learners through a series of linguistic hoops, which is the approach found in the traditional grammar book, and what Chomsky calls E-language, language external to the learner. Based on these theories, ‘nativists’ argued against explicit grammatical instruction in favour of the naturalistic discovery of the target language’s rule system. In the early 1980s, Krashen (1981) proclaimed that exposure to comprehensible input in a stress-free environment was the primary condition for successful second language acquisition. However, at the same time this was being propagated, a number of researchers were investigating on the effect of formal instruction on second language acquisition. Long (1983), for instance, in an extensive review of the empirical research, found that certain types of instruction did make a significant difference and hence one could no longer accept the nativist argument that the effects of grammar teaching appear to be peripheral and fragile.

  1. the way a person learned his or her first language

  2. the effect of formal instruction on second language acquisition

  3. the naturalistic discovery of the target language’s rule system

  4. the realization that grammatical problem impeded comprehension

  5. the new way of learning grammar through a process called ‘language awareness’


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

(1) According  to the author, the way a person learned his or her first language is derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky. (2) This refers to what Krashen proclaimed about the exposure to comprehensible input in a stress-free environment. (3) This was one of the arguments propounded by the ‘nativists’ based on Chomsky’s theory. (4) This realization was one of the premises which prompted Chomsky to propound his theory. (5) Language awareness indeed became an important tool for learning grammar in a new way, but clearly it is not an approach derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky.

According to the author, the I-language is

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:


For teachers of a second language, the role of grammar instruction in the classroom has been a perennial subject of debate and has undergone many changes over the years. For example, the once well-respected traditional methods that relied on extensive drilling and memorization of grammar evoked a backlash in the 1970s, which resulted in new methods that excluded grammar instruction in favour of ‘natural’ communication in the classroom. Nevertheless, the topic of grammar remained a live issue, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s, research in the classroom reported positive results for grammar instruction. Even so, the communicative methods had an enduring effect, and the traditional methods of teaching grammar did not return; instead, techniques were developed whereby students would be able to ‘notice’ grammar, often spontaneously in the course of a communicative lesson, and especially if the grammatical problem impeded comprehension. In this way, learners would notice and learn the pattern of grammatical rules for themselves. This new way of looking at grammar instruction has come to be known as language awareness, among other designations. This article will discuss the background and rationale of language awareness, and will introduce a few of the techniques that teachers can use to help students discover grammatical relationships and improve their learning of English. 
Traditional grammar instruction, as it was commonly called, was criticised for its long-winded teacher explanations, its drills and drudgery, and its boring and banal exercises. In the 1970s, new teaching methods appeared that replaced grammar exercises with meaningful communicative environments. In general, the goal was to mirror the way a person learned his or her first language, an approach that was derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky (1965), who pointed out that humans are endowed with a language acquisition device that enables them to acquire whatever language they are exposed to. Accordingly, our ‘organ of language’ extracts the rules of the target language from the data of performance, and this innate schema comprises ‘linguistic universities’ which are part of our generic inheritance.
Chomsky’s theories revolutionized the field of linguistics, and had a dramatic impact on language teaching as well. The basic assumption underpinning the communicative approach is that language is made in the mind and is internal, a process that generates what Chomsky (1986) refers to as I-language. This suggests that language cannot be acquired by putting learners through a series of linguistic hoops, which is the approach found in the traditional grammar book, and what Chomsky calls E-language, language external to the learner. Based on these theories, ‘nativists’ argued against explicit grammatical instruction in favour of the naturalistic discovery of the target language’s rule system. In the early 1980s, Krashen (1981) proclaimed that exposure to comprehensible input in a stress-free environment was the primary condition for successful second language acquisition. However, at the same time this was being propagated, a number of researchers were investigating on the effect of formal instruction on second language acquisition. Long (1983), for instance, in an extensive review of the empirical research, found that certain types of instruction did make a significant difference and hence one could no longer accept the nativist argument that the effects of grammar teaching appear to be peripheral and fragile.

  1. a series of linguistic hoops

  2. the communicative approach

  3. internal to the learner

  4. external to the learner

  5. explicit grammatical instruction


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

(1) This specifically refers to what the author elsewhere says ‘drills and drudgery’ and ‘boring and banal exercises’ of traditional methods of learning grammar. (2) I-language, as it is explained by the author, stems from the communicative approach. The essential ingredient is missing here. (3) Language made in mind and internal to the learner is the sum and substance of what the author calls I-language. (4) External to the learner is what the author calls ‘drills and drudgery’ of the traditional methods of learning grammar. (5) This is propagated by Chomsky as E-language.

According to the author, the language awareness is

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:


For teachers of a second language, the role of grammar instruction in the classroom has been a perennial subject of debate and has undergone many changes over the years. For example, the once well-respected traditional methods that relied on extensive drilling and memorization of grammar evoked a backlash in the 1970s, which resulted in new methods that excluded grammar instruction in favour of ‘natural’ communication in the classroom. Nevertheless, the topic of grammar remained a live issue, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s, research in the classroom reported positive results for grammar instruction. Even so, the communicative methods had an enduring effect, and the traditional methods of teaching grammar did not return; instead, techniques were developed whereby students would be able to ‘notice’ grammar, often spontaneously in the course of a communicative lesson, and especially if the grammatical problem impeded comprehension. In this way, learners would notice and learn the pattern of grammatical rules for themselves. This new way of looking at grammar instruction has come to be known as language awareness, among other designations. This article will discuss the background and rationale of language awareness, and will introduce a few of the techniques that teachers can use to help students discover grammatical relationships and improve their learning of English. 
Traditional grammar instruction, as it was commonly called, was criticised for its long-winded teacher explanations, its drills and drudgery, and its boring and banal exercises. In the 1970s, new teaching methods appeared that replaced grammar exercises with meaningful communicative environments. In general, the goal was to mirror the way a person learned his or her first language, an approach that was derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky (1965), who pointed out that humans are endowed with a language acquisition device that enables them to acquire whatever language they are exposed to. Accordingly, our ‘organ of language’ extracts the rules of the target language from the data of performance, and this innate schema comprises ‘linguistic universities’ which are part of our generic inheritance.
Chomsky’s theories revolutionized the field of linguistics, and had a dramatic impact on language teaching as well. The basic assumption underpinning the communicative approach is that language is made in the mind and is internal, a process that generates what Chomsky (1986) refers to as I-language. This suggests that language cannot be acquired by putting learners through a series of linguistic hoops, which is the approach found in the traditional grammar book, and what Chomsky calls E-language, language external to the learner. Based on these theories, ‘nativists’ argued against explicit grammatical instruction in favour of the naturalistic discovery of the target language’s rule system. In the early 1980s, Krashen (1981) proclaimed that exposure to comprehensible input in a stress-free environment was the primary condition for successful second language acquisition. However, at the same time this was being propagated, a number of researchers were investigating on the effect of formal instruction on second language acquisition. Long (1983), for instance, in an extensive review of the empirical research, found that certain types of instruction did make a significant difference and hence one could no longer accept the nativist argument that the effects of grammar teaching appear to be peripheral and fragile.

  1. a phenomenon called ‘notice’ grammar

  2. a new way of looking at grammar instruction

  3. a language acquisition device

  4. an enduring effect of the communicative methods

  5. the effect of formal instruction on second language acquisition


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

(1) Very close to being called notice grammar. It does not wholly answer the question. (2) It is indeed a new way of looking at grammar instruction and is demonstrably referred to as language awareness. This is one of the designations the author has used to describe it. (3) This is one of the devices, Chomsky’s theory suggests, humans are endowed with which enables them to learn the language they are exposed to. (4) The aspect is different and does not relate to language awareness. (5) Not related to the question at hand.

The approach of the writer of this passage appears to be to

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:


For teachers of a second language, the role of grammar instruction in the classroom has been a perennial subject of debate and has undergone many changes over the years. For example, the once well-respected traditional methods that relied on extensive drilling and memorization of grammar evoked a backlash in the 1970s, which resulted in new methods that excluded grammar instruction in favour of ‘natural’ communication in the classroom. Nevertheless, the topic of grammar remained a live issue, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s, research in the classroom reported positive results for grammar instruction. Even so, the communicative methods had an enduring effect, and the traditional methods of teaching grammar did not return; instead, techniques were developed whereby students would be able to ‘notice’ grammar, often spontaneously in the course of a communicative lesson, and especially if the grammatical problem impeded comprehension. In this way, learners would notice and learn the pattern of grammatical rules for themselves. This new way of looking at grammar instruction has come to be known as language awareness, among other designations. This article will discuss the background and rationale of language awareness, and will introduce a few of the techniques that teachers can use to help students discover grammatical relationships and improve their learning of English. 
Traditional grammar instruction, as it was commonly called, was criticised for its long-winded teacher explanations, its drills and drudgery, and its boring and banal exercises. In the 1970s, new teaching methods appeared that replaced grammar exercises with meaningful communicative environments. In general, the goal was to mirror the way a person learned his or her first language, an approach that was derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky (1965), who pointed out that humans are endowed with a language acquisition device that enables them to acquire whatever language they are exposed to. Accordingly, our ‘organ of language’ extracts the rules of the target language from the data of performance, and this innate schema comprises ‘linguistic universities’ which are part of our generic inheritance.
Chomsky’s theories revolutionized the field of linguistics, and had a dramatic impact on language teaching as well. The basic assumption underpinning the communicative approach is that language is made in the mind and is internal, a process that generates what Chomsky (1986) refers to as I-language. This suggests that language cannot be acquired by putting learners through a series of linguistic hoops, which is the approach found in the traditional grammar book, and what Chomsky calls E-language, language external to the learner. Based on these theories, ‘nativists’ argued against explicit grammatical instruction in favour of the naturalistic discovery of the target language’s rule system. In the early 1980s, Krashen (1981) proclaimed that exposure to comprehensible input in a stress-free environment was the primary condition for successful second language acquisition. However, at the same time this was being propagated, a number of researchers were investigating on the effect of formal instruction on second language acquisition. Long (1983), for instance, in an extensive review of the empirical research, found that certain types of instruction did make a significant difference and hence one could no longer accept the nativist argument that the effects of grammar teaching appear to be peripheral and fragile.

  1. sing a requiem for the traditional method of teaching grammar

  2. favour natural communication in the classroom

  3. replace traditional method with communicative method

  4. propagate the theory that the traditional method has outlived its utility

  5. bring out the best of the traditional methods of teaching grammar


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

(1) It sounds harsh, though there is an inclination towards that. (2) Though he seems to favour natural communication in the classroom, yet that clearly is not indicative of the approach of the writer. (3) Seems inclined to show the positives of the communicative method, but falls short of seeking replacement because the utility of the proposed method is yet to be fully accepted by the student/teacher community. (4) There is no denying the fact that the writer propagates the theory that the traditional method has outlived its utility and that there is need for exploring ways and means of teaching grammar in different ways so that it serves the student community. (5) He is out to find fault with the traditional method of teaching grammar. That is the angst of this article.

What the author wittingly or unwittingly concludes is that

Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:


For teachers of a second language, the role of grammar instruction in the classroom has been a perennial subject of debate and has undergone many changes over the years. For example, the once well-respected traditional methods that relied on extensive drilling and memorization of grammar evoked a backlash in the 1970s, which resulted in new methods that excluded grammar instruction in favour of ‘natural’ communication in the classroom. Nevertheless, the topic of grammar remained a live issue, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s, research in the classroom reported positive results for grammar instruction. Even so, the communicative methods had an enduring effect, and the traditional methods of teaching grammar did not return; instead, techniques were developed whereby students would be able to ‘notice’ grammar, often spontaneously in the course of a communicative lesson, and especially if the grammatical problem impeded comprehension. In this way, learners would notice and learn the pattern of grammatical rules for themselves. This new way of looking at grammar instruction has come to be known as language awareness, among other designations. This article will discuss the background and rationale of language awareness, and will introduce a few of the techniques that teachers can use to help students discover grammatical relationships and improve their learning of English. 
Traditional grammar instruction, as it was commonly called, was criticised for its long-winded teacher explanations, its drills and drudgery, and its boring and banal exercises. In the 1970s, new teaching methods appeared that replaced grammar exercises with meaningful communicative environments. In general, the goal was to mirror the way a person learned his or her first language, an approach that was derived from the linguistic theory of Chomsky (1965), who pointed out that humans are endowed with a language acquisition device that enables them to acquire whatever language they are exposed to. Accordingly, our ‘organ of language’ extracts the rules of the target language from the data of performance, and this innate schema comprises ‘linguistic universities’ which are part of our generic inheritance.
Chomsky’s theories revolutionized the field of linguistics, and had a dramatic impact on language teaching as well. The basic assumption underpinning the communicative approach is that language is made in the mind and is internal, a process that generates what Chomsky (1986) refers to as I-language. This suggests that language cannot be acquired by putting learners through a series of linguistic hoops, which is the approach found in the traditional grammar book, and what Chomsky calls E-language, language external to the learner. Based on these theories, ‘nativists’ argued against explicit grammatical instruction in favour of the naturalistic discovery of the target language’s rule system. In the early 1980s, Krashen (1981) proclaimed that exposure to comprehensible input in a stress-free environment was the primary condition for successful second language acquisition. However, at the same time this was being propagated, a number of researchers were investigating on the effect of formal instruction on second language acquisition. Long (1983), for instance, in an extensive review of the empirical research, found that certain types of instruction did make a significant difference and hence one could no longer accept the nativist argument that the effects of grammar teaching appear to be peripheral and fragile.

  1. those learning their mother tongue have no issues with grammar

  2. grammar is the biggest problem with those learning English

  3. those learning any language as second language have an issue with grammar

  4. learning through drills and banal exercises is a waste of time and energy

  5. grammar is not essential for learning of a language, much less for learning English


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

(1) The author begins by referring to the perennial debate on the methodologies of imparting lessons on grammar of a second language. This clearly shows that it is the second language and not the first language (mother tongue) which poses the problem of teaching grammar. Perhaps, the author had not quite meant it, but unwittingly subscribed to it. (2) In fact, this is what the author is driving at. But having made the opening remark of the kind, the impression given is that he talks about any and every language that is not the mother of the learner. That however is not the focal point of the article. (3) Since the author finally settles down on English, it would be difficult to say if he would apply this doctrine on other languages as well. (4) Does not quite conclude that way. But yes, the author shows his bias against learning through drills and banal exercises. (5) Incorrect. Grammar is essential, but not the traditional grammar that has been taught in the classroom.

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