Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. The suspense over Afghanistan’s presidential elections is finally over. P. They were marred by allegations of widespread fraud, leading to a long deadlock and eventually a fresh audit of votes. Q. It could also reverse the gains in state-building seen in recent years, making it even more vulnerable to the Taliban insurgency. R. Afghanistan and international observers were worried that the impasse could worsen the country’s divisions and further fracture it along ethnic lines. S. Afghans voted in two rounds of elections in April and June to pick a successor to Hamid Karzai.
2. A recount in an election marked by fraud is bound to declare a winner, but the latter’s legitimacy would be in doubt exacerbating the conflict.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Chose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. Chilean flamingo eggs are incubated in the nest for around 30 days before hatching. P. At three days old, the chicks are visible and start to stand on both legs before leaving the nest at around two weeks old. Q. Their beaks are straight when they are born and help them break out the shell and make it easy to feed from their parents. R. The beaks start to bend as they begin to learn how to eat independently. S. The chicks will stay fluffily until around two months old when the feathers will grow in.
2. They will now be able to fly and it’s also around this time when the chicks will be sexed.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. Journalists returning from Gujarat have, by and large, endorsed the verdict. P. Whatever the media may think of Narendra Modi, there’s no doubt that his rhetoric touches a powerful chord among women and youth. Q. However, most concede that the BJP has an edge. R. That few expect the landslide win suggested by the early opinion polls. S. The mood at his well-attended rallies is buoyant.
2. Mr. Modi holds out a powerful, almost hypnotic appeal to the masses.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. War has finally come to Baghdad, heralding one of the most decisive phases of the conflict. P. For instance, it is now clear that the intensity of the present battles, combined with the earlier daily bombardment of the city, have brought a severe humanitarian disaster in their wake. Q. Hospitals in the city are said to be under pressure from the huge number of the casualties, both military and civilian, which are flooding the wards. R. But it can prove to be decisive in more senses than one. S. It is obvious that if the US intended to win any hearts and minds in Baghdad, its task has become doubly difficult.
2. In contrast, Basra was handled with relatively greater sophistication by the British.

Directions: In the question below, the first and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6, respectively. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination from the four alternatives given.

1. When the egg hatches, the caterpillar will start its work and eat the leaf it was born onto. P. Each caterpillar type likes only certain types of leaves. Q. Since it is tiny and cannot travel to a new plant, the caterpillar needs to hatch on the kind of leaf it wants to eat. R. When it starts eating, it instantly starts growing and expanding. S. The mother butterfly needs to lay her eggs on the type of leaf the caterpillar will eat.
2. The skin of a caterpillar does not stretch or grow, so it grows by shedding the outgrown skin several times while growing.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. The worrying thing about Gujarat is that the Sangh Parivar will misread the message of the victory. P. It may conclude that the way ahead is to trample on India’s secular traditions. Q. Instead, it will violate Hinduism’s sacred tradition of tolerance. R. Without the special circumstances that manifested themselves in Gujarat, such a strategy will not provide any electoral success. S. It may forget that the victory would not have happened without the horror of the Godhra massacre.
2. It will end up destroying the stability of the world’s largest democracy.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. India now has close to 700 universities: central, state, private and deemed. P. The extent of specialisation is limited among the Indian universities. Q. In the arts and humanities stream, there is no institute from these two countries in the top 100, whereas in engineering and technology and the physical sciences, their ranks are sometimes higher than their overall ranking. R. This is not so in the universities of Japan or China. S. Barring the private ones, most universities have similar subjects and course structures.
2. The upshot of this is quite clear in the sense that these countries have invested in areas where they are able to get maximum returns.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. Ever since the American adoption of pre-emptive strikes as a legitimate method of ‘self-defence’ against perceived enemies, the idea has been embraced by several countries. P. But, what the US has given itself the right to do is to be denied to all others. Q. As is known, there have been references to pre-emptive action, mainly against the terrorist-training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, by people at various levels in Indian politics and the government. R. It is this specific sentiment which a US State Department spokesman articulated recently when he rejected that any parallels existed between the conditions in Iraq and in the subcontinent. S. The comment followed observations by India’s External Affairs Minister to the effect that India had a case for a pre-emptive strike against Pakistan for the latter’s sponsorship of terrorism in South Asia.
2. However, these have always been at the level of rhetoric and no serious action was ever contemplated.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. Ever since it was beaten in the Lok Sabha election, the Congress has made very little contribution to public life. P. We have seen little of any of this so far. Q. The role of the opposition is not to wait until the government trips up and then alone criticise it. R. This does not mean that it reacts to the government, but that it proactively comes up with alternative suggestions. S. The Congress should now consider itself the Shadow Cabinet.
2. It is to also point out the flaws in policy and make suggestions to the government.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. The reported incursion of hundreds of Chinese troops into Ladakh on Wednesday casts a shadow on President Xi Jinping’s visit to India. P. Mr Xi promised investments of $20 billion in India’s infrastructure and manufacturing sectors over the next five years. Q. This comes soon after Japanese companies pledged to invest $35 billion in India. R. The meaning of such incursions will be debated in the weeks ahead, but the visit has achieved notable economic outcomes. S. This signals a massive change in sentiment just a few months ago when investors were reluctant to commit money to India.
2. This change can set off a virtuous cycle of larger investments leading to higher growth, more jobs, higher incomes and greater consumption — all of which will prompt companies to invest even more.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. There seems to be a serious disconnect between the actions of some of the BJP and RSS cadre and the sentiments of the Prime Minister. P. He has said that Indian Muslims will die for their country, that they will have no truck with subversive elements. Q. There are reports that the BJP’s Amroha unit has decided to felicitate 63 party workers who were jailed after the July 4 riots in Moradabad. R. But, his message seems lost on some of the rank and file in Uttar Pradesh. S. On more than one occasion, Narendra Modi has spoken of his inclusive vision.
   
2. This is clearly an attempt by misguided elements who think that this will be a morale booster for party workers who were booked for rioting, attempt to murder, causing hurt, unlawful assembly, and damaging public and railway property.

Directions: In the question below, the 1^st and the last (correctly ordered) sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in the proper order. Choose the correct combination among the four alternatives given.

1. Gratuitous advice seems in abundance these days when it comes to how women should conduct themselves. P. The latest to add his two bit worth on the subject is singer and national award winner KJ Yesudas. Q. Of course, women in the highly literate state are up in arms against the singer’s remarks. R. The singer who prides himself on his secular credentials feels that women should not provoke men by wearing jeans. S. What must be covered should be covered, is how he so eloquently puts it.
2. Crude though his remarks were, it reflects what many men think when it comes to how women should dress and how they should behave.