With the availability of technology channels, it is acknowledged by banks that customers have

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

It is likely that banks would put an end to their fixation with traditional way of interacting with customers. In many developed countries, the number of branches and branch usage has declined with the use of new technologies such as ATM (Automated Teller Machine), PTM (Personal Teller Machine) and other electronic channels. Personal Teller Machine uses video to connect to a bank employee in a remote call centre. With the availability of technology channels, banks recognise that customers have wider options in terms of accessing banking services wherever and whenever they desire.

 As a result, banks are attempting to differentiate in terms of superior customer service and the provision of new delivery channels. Alternate channels have impacted the usage of various products. As a result, the contribution of electronic products has increased in non-cash payments and settlement services. The study of non-cash payments like debit cards, online bill payments and automated clearing house payments, indicate that usage of non-cash payments depends on the infrastructure that is in place, end user education and user preferences. Despite the efforts to increase usage of electronic products, even in countries like Germany, 82 per cent of all transactions are still conducted in cash.

At a time when newer forms of electronic payments are present, banks are rediscovering branch networks. Even the pure internet players like ING Direct operate in small number of retail locations from where they can discuss matters with customers. Meanwhile, traditional brick and mortar institutions have invested heavily in digitization and technology. As a result, branch personnel are freed up for sales and advisory services. Banks are also investing in new interior design and interactive technology to encourage customers into branches after pushing them to use remote channels. For example, at Umpqua Bank free Umpqua branded coffee is offered and computer terminals are provided to surf the internet for better customer experience. Employees place a chocolate on a silver tray while presenting a bank receipt. The number of branches of the bank has increased from 5 in 1995 to 155 in 2006. These innovations are likely to make digital merchandising an essential tool for financial institutions. Banks are also learning from other industries like retailers to improve cross selling. Dynamic cubicles are placed in which customers can linger, browse and shop for new products, while employees are trained like retailers by offering on-boarding services. Priority is given to functionality over design, thus offering three methods to reduce waiting time which are central waiting points, queuing system and a decentralized waiting system. The intention is to serve 93 per cent of employees in 5 minutes. Branches have been designed with open plan layouts, touch screen displays, coffee bars and children’s play centres. The scheme has encouraged additional new retail customers to open accounts.

Banks are increasingly resorting to open plan layouts, touch screen displays, coffee bars and children's play centres in order to

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

It is likely that banks would put an end to their fixation with traditional way of interacting with customers. In many developed countries, the number of branches and branch usage has declined with the use of new technologies such as ATM (Automated Teller Machine), PTM (Personal Teller Machine) and other electronic channels. Personal Teller Machine uses video to connect to a bank employee in a remote call centre. With the availability of technology channels, banks recognise that customers have wider options in terms of accessing banking services wherever and whenever they desire.

 As a result, banks are attempting to differentiate in terms of superior customer service and the provision of new delivery channels. Alternate channels have impacted the usage of various products. As a result, the contribution of electronic products has increased in non-cash payments and settlement services. The study of non-cash payments like debit cards, online bill payments and automated clearing house payments, indicate that usage of non-cash payments depends on the infrastructure that is in place, end user education and user preferences. Despite the efforts to increase usage of electronic products, even in countries like Germany, 82 per cent of all transactions are still conducted in cash.

At a time when newer forms of electronic payments are present, banks are rediscovering branch networks. Even the pure internet players like ING Direct operate in small number of retail locations from where they can discuss matters with customers. Meanwhile, traditional brick and mortar institutions have invested heavily in digitization and technology. As a result, branch personnel are freed up for sales and advisory services. Banks are also investing in new interior design and interactive technology to encourage customers into branches after pushing them to use remote channels. For example, at Umpqua Bank free Umpqua branded coffee is offered and computer terminals are provided to surf the internet for better customer experience. Employees place a chocolate on a silver tray while presenting a bank receipt. The number of branches of the bank has increased from 5 in 1995 to 155 in 2006. These innovations are likely to make digital merchandising an essential tool for financial institutions. Banks are also learning from other industries like retailers to improve cross selling. Dynamic cubicles are placed in which customers can linger, browse and shop for new products, while employees are trained like retailers by offering on-boarding services. Priority is given to functionality over design, thus offering three methods to reduce waiting time which are central waiting points, queuing system and a decentralized waiting system. The intention is to serve 93 per cent of employees in 5 minutes. Branches have been designed with open plan layouts, touch screen displays, coffee bars and children’s play centres. The scheme has encouraged additional new retail customers to open accounts.

What is the central theme of the passage?

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

It is likely that banks would put an end to their fixation with traditional way of interacting with customers. In many developed countries, the number of branches and branch usage has declined with the use of new technologies such as ATM (Automated Teller Machine), PTM (Personal Teller Machine) and other electronic channels. Personal Teller Machine uses video to connect to a bank employee in a remote call centre. With the availability of technology channels, banks recognise that customers have wider options in terms of accessing banking services wherever and whenever they desire.

 As a result, banks are attempting to differentiate in terms of superior customer service and the provision of new delivery channels. Alternate channels have impacted the usage of various products. As a result, the contribution of electronic products has increased in non-cash payments and settlement services. The study of non-cash payments like debit cards, online bill payments and automated clearing house payments, indicate that usage of non-cash payments depends on the infrastructure that is in place, end user education and user preferences. Despite the efforts to increase usage of electronic products, even in countries like Germany, 82 per cent of all transactions are still conducted in cash.

At a time when newer forms of electronic payments are present, banks are rediscovering branch networks. Even the pure internet players like ING Direct operate in small number of retail locations from where they can discuss matters with customers. Meanwhile, traditional brick and mortar institutions have invested heavily in digitization and technology. As a result, branch personnel are freed up for sales and advisory services. Banks are also investing in new interior design and interactive technology to encourage customers into branches after pushing them to use remote channels. For example, at Umpqua Bank free Umpqua branded coffee is offered and computer terminals are provided to surf the internet for better customer experience. Employees place a chocolate on a silver tray while presenting a bank receipt. The number of branches of the bank has increased from 5 in 1995 to 155 in 2006. These innovations are likely to make digital merchandising an essential tool for financial institutions. Banks are also learning from other industries like retailers to improve cross selling. Dynamic cubicles are placed in which customers can linger, browse and shop for new products, while employees are trained like retailers by offering on-boarding services. Priority is given to functionality over design, thus offering three methods to reduce waiting time which are central waiting points, queuing system and a decentralized waiting system. The intention is to serve 93 per cent of employees in 5 minutes. Branches have been designed with open plan layouts, touch screen displays, coffee bars and children’s play centres. The scheme has encouraged additional new retail customers to open accounts.

What prompts the author to say, ‘As a result, banks are attempting to differentiate in terms of superior customer service and the provision of new delivery channels’?

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

It is likely that banks would put an end to their fixation with traditional way of interacting with customers. In many developed countries, the number of branches and branch usage has declined with the use of new technologies such as ATM (Automated Teller Machine), PTM (Personal Teller Machine) and other electronic channels. Personal Teller Machine uses video to connect to a bank employee in a remote call centre. With the availability of technology channels, banks recognise that customers have wider options in terms of accessing banking services wherever and whenever they desire.

 As a result, banks are attempting to differentiate in terms of superior customer service and the provision of new delivery channels. Alternate channels have impacted the usage of various products. As a result, the contribution of electronic products has increased in non-cash payments and settlement services. The study of non-cash payments like debit cards, online bill payments and automated clearing house payments, indicate that usage of non-cash payments depends on the infrastructure that is in place, end user education and user preferences. Despite the efforts to increase usage of electronic products, even in countries like Germany, 82 per cent of all transactions are still conducted in cash.

At a time when newer forms of electronic payments are present, banks are rediscovering branch networks. Even the pure internet players like ING Direct operate in small number of retail locations from where they can discuss matters with customers. Meanwhile, traditional brick and mortar institutions have invested heavily in digitization and technology. As a result, branch personnel are freed up for sales and advisory services. Banks are also investing in new interior design and interactive technology to encourage customers into branches after pushing them to use remote channels. For example, at Umpqua Bank free Umpqua branded coffee is offered and computer terminals are provided to surf the internet for better customer experience. Employees place a chocolate on a silver tray while presenting a bank receipt. The number of branches of the bank has increased from 5 in 1995 to 155 in 2006. These innovations are likely to make digital merchandising an essential tool for financial institutions. Banks are also learning from other industries like retailers to improve cross selling. Dynamic cubicles are placed in which customers can linger, browse and shop for new products, while employees are trained like retailers by offering on-boarding services. Priority is given to functionality over design, thus offering three methods to reduce waiting time which are central waiting points, queuing system and a decentralized waiting system. The intention is to serve 93 per cent of employees in 5 minutes. Branches have been designed with open plan layouts, touch screen displays, coffee bars and children’s play centres. The scheme has encouraged additional new retail customers to open accounts.

The author says, '...banks are rediscovering branch networks.' What is he trying to suggest?

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

It is likely that banks would put an end to their fixation with traditional way of interacting with customers. In many developed countries, the number of branches and branch usage has declined with the use of new technologies such as ATM (Automated Teller Machine), PTM (Personal Teller Machine) and other electronic channels. Personal Teller Machine uses video to connect to a bank employee in a remote call centre. With the availability of technology channels, banks recognise that customers have wider options in terms of accessing banking services wherever and whenever they desire.

 As a result, banks are attempting to differentiate in terms of superior customer service and the provision of new delivery channels. Alternate channels have impacted the usage of various products. As a result, the contribution of electronic products has increased in non-cash payments and settlement services. The study of non-cash payments like debit cards, online bill payments and automated clearing house payments, indicate that usage of non-cash payments depends on the infrastructure that is in place, end user education and user preferences. Despite the efforts to increase usage of electronic products, even in countries like Germany, 82 per cent of all transactions are still conducted in cash.

At a time when newer forms of electronic payments are present, banks are rediscovering branch networks. Even the pure internet players like ING Direct operate in small number of retail locations from where they can discuss matters with customers. Meanwhile, traditional brick and mortar institutions have invested heavily in digitization and technology. As a result, branch personnel are freed up for sales and advisory services. Banks are also investing in new interior design and interactive technology to encourage customers into branches after pushing them to use remote channels. For example, at Umpqua Bank free Umpqua branded coffee is offered and computer terminals are provided to surf the internet for better customer experience. Employees place a chocolate on a silver tray while presenting a bank receipt. The number of branches of the bank has increased from 5 in 1995 to 155 in 2006. These innovations are likely to make digital merchandising an essential tool for financial institutions. Banks are also learning from other industries like retailers to improve cross selling. Dynamic cubicles are placed in which customers can linger, browse and shop for new products, while employees are trained like retailers by offering on-boarding services. Priority is given to functionality over design, thus offering three methods to reduce waiting time which are central waiting points, queuing system and a decentralized waiting system. The intention is to serve 93 per cent of employees in 5 minutes. Branches have been designed with open plan layouts, touch screen displays, coffee bars and children’s play centres. The scheme has encouraged additional new retail customers to open accounts.

What is the author's purpose in writing this passage?

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

Stress has very ancient origin, starting from the pre-historic times. This reference, however, need not be taken to hint that today’s important people have any connection whatsoever to prehistoric men. The very thought is demeaning! The allusion occurs only because the way corporate honchos react to stress is reminiscent of the way Homo sapiens circa 5 mn BC reacted to their stress situations. No connection, whatsoever, just historical reference. So, the pre-historic man, when suddenly faced with, say, a wild bear, experienced a surge of blood pressure, faster heart rate, a tautness of muscles, a rush of adrenaline, release of cortisol in the blood and formation of acid in the stomach to digest food in a jiffy and create glucose and energy. These physiological changes in the body helped the pre-historic fellow out there to respond quickly and strongly to the threat from the grizzly and helped him either flatten the beast’s skull or to sprint away at top speed! As he fought the bear, all these physio-chemical changes and release were used to good effect by the club-wielding caveman, who then, perhaps dragged the bear to his cave and asked his mate to make a teeny-weeny wrap-around skirt for herself from the skin of the animal and a loincloth for him.  
Medically speaking, whenever living beings perceived threat, they quickly released hormones that helped them to survive. These hormones increased heart rate and blood pressure, delivering more oxygen and blood sugar to give more energy and power to important muscles. Acid poured into the stomach to convert any food left there into energy quickly. All these physiological changes helped them to run faster and fight harder. Sweating helped cool the muscles. Blood from surface was moved to the core of their bodies, making the muscles more efficient and reducing blood loss in case of injury. The hormones focussed their attention on the threat, excluding everything else. This response was necessary whenever a living being faced physical threat. Making good use of these physiological changes, human being survived and thrived. He thrived, in fact, so well that he became a threat for the wild animals.
So, when man killed sufficient number of bears and other such dreadful beasts, the animals decided to move away from this ferocious being called man and retired peacefully to forests and jungles where they would only be killed by such animals that would not make loincloths out of them. Man gradually settled in settlements made by him. But his blood longed for the physical challenges of yore. He could not keep without fighting for long, and therefore started fighting his fellows. A long series of battles and wars ensued, ensuring man’s name to be remembered and commemorated in history. These physical challenges were aided and abetted by mental ones where one party had to outmanoeuvre the other through cunning. Victory received the old heady feeling of dragging the beast to the cave for the wrap-around skirt.
Then came the time when fighting physically was considered below dignity in certain human circles.  But human being still liked to fight. The desire for challenge and for winning over difficulties and adversaries is innate to human nature. Slowly, physical battles were becoming history, so, human beings created what they loved. They created someone or something to fight with; they created challenges, when they were already not there. They loved the adrenaline rush. So eventually, commercial, financial, psychological and other such warfare became fashionable among the educated class.

What is the underlying idea of the passage?

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

Stress has very ancient origin, starting from the pre-historic times. This reference, however, need not be taken to hint that today’s important people have any connection whatsoever to prehistoric men. The very thought is demeaning! The allusion occurs only because the way corporate honchos react to stress is reminiscent of the way Homo sapiens circa 5 mn BC reacted to their stress situations. No connection, whatsoever, just historical reference. So, the pre-historic man, when suddenly faced with, say, a wild bear, experienced a surge of blood pressure, faster heart rate, a tautness of muscles, a rush of adrenaline, release of cortisol in the blood and formation of acid in the stomach to digest food in a jiffy and create glucose and energy. These physiological changes in the body helped the pre-historic fellow out there to respond quickly and strongly to the threat from the grizzly and helped him either flatten the beast’s skull or to sprint away at top speed! As he fought the bear, all these physio-chemical changes and release were used to good effect by the club-wielding caveman, who then, perhaps dragged the bear to his cave and asked his mate to make a teeny-weeny wrap-around skirt for herself from the skin of the animal and a loincloth for him.  
Medically speaking, whenever living beings perceived threat, they quickly released hormones that helped them to survive. These hormones increased heart rate and blood pressure, delivering more oxygen and blood sugar to give more energy and power to important muscles. Acid poured into the stomach to convert any food left there into energy quickly. All these physiological changes helped them to run faster and fight harder. Sweating helped cool the muscles. Blood from surface was moved to the core of their bodies, making the muscles more efficient and reducing blood loss in case of injury. The hormones focussed their attention on the threat, excluding everything else. This response was necessary whenever a living being faced physical threat. Making good use of these physiological changes, human being survived and thrived. He thrived, in fact, so well that he became a threat for the wild animals.
So, when man killed sufficient number of bears and other such dreadful beasts, the animals decided to move away from this ferocious being called man and retired peacefully to forests and jungles where they would only be killed by such animals that would not make loincloths out of them. Man gradually settled in settlements made by him. But his blood longed for the physical challenges of yore. He could not keep without fighting for long, and therefore started fighting his fellows. A long series of battles and wars ensued, ensuring man’s name to be remembered and commemorated in history. These physical challenges were aided and abetted by mental ones where one party had to outmanoeuvre the other through cunning. Victory received the old heady feeling of dragging the beast to the cave for the wrap-around skirt.
Then came the time when fighting physically was considered below dignity in certain human circles.  But human being still liked to fight. The desire for challenge and for winning over difficulties and adversaries is innate to human nature. Slowly, physical battles were becoming history, so, human beings created what they loved. They created someone or something to fight with; they created challenges, when they were already not there. They loved the adrenaline rush. So eventually, commercial, financial, psychological and other such warfare became fashionable among the educated class.

What, according to the writer, was the chief reason that impelled man to shift from physical fight to the mental ones?

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

Stress has very ancient origin, starting from the pre-historic times. This reference, however, need not be taken to hint that today’s important people have any connection whatsoever to prehistoric men. The very thought is demeaning! The allusion occurs only because the way corporate honchos react to stress is reminiscent of the way Homo sapiens circa 5 mn BC reacted to their stress situations. No connection, whatsoever, just historical reference. So, the pre-historic man, when suddenly faced with, say, a wild bear, experienced a surge of blood pressure, faster heart rate, a tautness of muscles, a rush of adrenaline, release of cortisol in the blood and formation of acid in the stomach to digest food in a jiffy and create glucose and energy. These physiological changes in the body helped the pre-historic fellow out there to respond quickly and strongly to the threat from the grizzly and helped him either flatten the beast’s skull or to sprint away at top speed! As he fought the bear, all these physio-chemical changes and release were used to good effect by the club-wielding caveman, who then, perhaps dragged the bear to his cave and asked his mate to make a teeny-weeny wrap-around skirt for herself from the skin of the animal and a loincloth for him.  
Medically speaking, whenever living beings perceived threat, they quickly released hormones that helped them to survive. These hormones increased heart rate and blood pressure, delivering more oxygen and blood sugar to give more energy and power to important muscles. Acid poured into the stomach to convert any food left there into energy quickly. All these physiological changes helped them to run faster and fight harder. Sweating helped cool the muscles. Blood from surface was moved to the core of their bodies, making the muscles more efficient and reducing blood loss in case of injury. The hormones focussed their attention on the threat, excluding everything else. This response was necessary whenever a living being faced physical threat. Making good use of these physiological changes, human being survived and thrived. He thrived, in fact, so well that he became a threat for the wild animals.
So, when man killed sufficient number of bears and other such dreadful beasts, the animals decided to move away from this ferocious being called man and retired peacefully to forests and jungles where they would only be killed by such animals that would not make loincloths out of them. Man gradually settled in settlements made by him. But his blood longed for the physical challenges of yore. He could not keep without fighting for long, and therefore started fighting his fellows. A long series of battles and wars ensued, ensuring man’s name to be remembered and commemorated in history. These physical challenges were aided and abetted by mental ones where one party had to outmanoeuvre the other through cunning. Victory received the old heady feeling of dragging the beast to the cave for the wrap-around skirt.
Then came the time when fighting physically was considered below dignity in certain human circles.  But human being still liked to fight. The desire for challenge and for winning over difficulties and adversaries is innate to human nature. Slowly, physical battles were becoming history, so, human beings created what they loved. They created someone or something to fight with; they created challenges, when they were already not there. They loved the adrenaline rush. So eventually, commercial, financial, psychological and other such warfare became fashionable among the educated class.

Which of the following can definitely not be inferred from the passage?

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

Stress has very ancient origin, starting from the pre-historic times. This reference, however, need not be taken to hint that today’s important people have any connection whatsoever to prehistoric men. The very thought is demeaning! The allusion occurs only because the way corporate honchos react to stress is reminiscent of the way Homo sapiens circa 5 mn BC reacted to their stress situations. No connection, whatsoever, just historical reference. So, the pre-historic man, when suddenly faced with, say, a wild bear, experienced a surge of blood pressure, faster heart rate, a tautness of muscles, a rush of adrenaline, release of cortisol in the blood and formation of acid in the stomach to digest food in a jiffy and create glucose and energy. These physiological changes in the body helped the pre-historic fellow out there to respond quickly and strongly to the threat from the grizzly and helped him either flatten the beast’s skull or to sprint away at top speed! As he fought the bear, all these physio-chemical changes and release were used to good effect by the club-wielding caveman, who then, perhaps dragged the bear to his cave and asked his mate to make a teeny-weeny wrap-around skirt for herself from the skin of the animal and a loincloth for him.  
Medically speaking, whenever living beings perceived threat, they quickly released hormones that helped them to survive. These hormones increased heart rate and blood pressure, delivering more oxygen and blood sugar to give more energy and power to important muscles. Acid poured into the stomach to convert any food left there into energy quickly. All these physiological changes helped them to run faster and fight harder. Sweating helped cool the muscles. Blood from surface was moved to the core of their bodies, making the muscles more efficient and reducing blood loss in case of injury. The hormones focussed their attention on the threat, excluding everything else. This response was necessary whenever a living being faced physical threat. Making good use of these physiological changes, human being survived and thrived. He thrived, in fact, so well that he became a threat for the wild animals.
So, when man killed sufficient number of bears and other such dreadful beasts, the animals decided to move away from this ferocious being called man and retired peacefully to forests and jungles where they would only be killed by such animals that would not make loincloths out of them. Man gradually settled in settlements made by him. But his blood longed for the physical challenges of yore. He could not keep without fighting for long, and therefore started fighting his fellows. A long series of battles and wars ensued, ensuring man’s name to be remembered and commemorated in history. These physical challenges were aided and abetted by mental ones where one party had to outmanoeuvre the other through cunning. Victory received the old heady feeling of dragging the beast to the cave for the wrap-around skirt.
Then came the time when fighting physically was considered below dignity in certain human circles.  But human being still liked to fight. The desire for challenge and for winning over difficulties and adversaries is innate to human nature. Slowly, physical battles were becoming history, so, human beings created what they loved. They created someone or something to fight with; they created challenges, when they were already not there. They loved the adrenaline rush. So eventually, commercial, financial, psychological and other such warfare became fashionable among the educated class.

Which of the following amply sums up the gist of the passage?

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

Stress has very ancient origin, starting from the pre-historic times. This reference, however, need not be taken to hint that today’s important people have any connection whatsoever to prehistoric men. The very thought is demeaning! The allusion occurs only because the way corporate honchos react to stress is reminiscent of the way Homo sapiens circa 5 mn BC reacted to their stress situations. No connection, whatsoever, just historical reference. So, the pre-historic man, when suddenly faced with, say, a wild bear, experienced a surge of blood pressure, faster heart rate, a tautness of muscles, a rush of adrenaline, release of cortisol in the blood and formation of acid in the stomach to digest food in a jiffy and create glucose and energy. These physiological changes in the body helped the pre-historic fellow out there to respond quickly and strongly to the threat from the grizzly and helped him either flatten the beast’s skull or to sprint away at top speed! As he fought the bear, all these physio-chemical changes and release were used to good effect by the club-wielding caveman, who then, perhaps dragged the bear to his cave and asked his mate to make a teeny-weeny wrap-around skirt for herself from the skin of the animal and a loincloth for him.  
Medically speaking, whenever living beings perceived threat, they quickly released hormones that helped them to survive. These hormones increased heart rate and blood pressure, delivering more oxygen and blood sugar to give more energy and power to important muscles. Acid poured into the stomach to convert any food left there into energy quickly. All these physiological changes helped them to run faster and fight harder. Sweating helped cool the muscles. Blood from surface was moved to the core of their bodies, making the muscles more efficient and reducing blood loss in case of injury. The hormones focussed their attention on the threat, excluding everything else. This response was necessary whenever a living being faced physical threat. Making good use of these physiological changes, human being survived and thrived. He thrived, in fact, so well that he became a threat for the wild animals.
So, when man killed sufficient number of bears and other such dreadful beasts, the animals decided to move away from this ferocious being called man and retired peacefully to forests and jungles where they would only be killed by such animals that would not make loincloths out of them. Man gradually settled in settlements made by him. But his blood longed for the physical challenges of yore. He could not keep without fighting for long, and therefore started fighting his fellows. A long series of battles and wars ensued, ensuring man’s name to be remembered and commemorated in history. These physical challenges were aided and abetted by mental ones where one party had to outmanoeuvre the other through cunning. Victory received the old heady feeling of dragging the beast to the cave for the wrap-around skirt.
Then came the time when fighting physically was considered below dignity in certain human circles.  But human being still liked to fight. The desire for challenge and for winning over difficulties and adversaries is innate to human nature. Slowly, physical battles were becoming history, so, human beings created what they loved. They created someone or something to fight with; they created challenges, when they were already not there. They loved the adrenaline rush. So eventually, commercial, financial, psychological and other such warfare became fashionable among the educated class.

The writer fears that the planet earth is perched on the brink of a disaster because

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

The world economy continues to be in a state of turmoil. The hope of a global economic recovery looks distant with the crisis not abating in the Europe, the US economy still in slow motion, and the persistent contraction in Japan. The declining growth rates in China, India and Brazil – the poster nations of the emerging world – are also a cause of significant concern. Global unemployment rates have surged this year. Governments across the world are confronted with dwindling revenue and more vociferous demands for economic stimuli.
The problems, however, are far more deep rooted. After more than a century of economic progress, we live in a significantly unequal world. The UN Human Development Report data, a barometer of the world’s real progress, suggests that nearly 2 billion people in the world still live in multi-dimensional poverty. By this measure, more than 600 million people in India are severely deprived. Recent CECD studies reiterate that income inequalities have actually widened in the last 30 years in a majority of advanced nations as well as emerging economies.
And that is not all. The race for unbridled material growth has left a planet seriously depleted of environmental resources and perched on the brink of a disaster. The world’s ecological footprint suggests that consumption of natural resources every year is one and a half times more than the earth’s capacity to regenerate. At this rate, the world will bequeath future generations a barren planet in less than 30 years from now.
India has not been impervious to the global contagions of either the recession or the baggage of unsustainable development. One-third of the world’s poor live in India. With 17% of the world population, India accounts for only 2.4% of the global land mass, 4% of the world’s freshwater resources and 1% of the global forest resources. The list of core challenges is therefore significantly intimidating. Poverty alleviation, livelihood creation, food security, water availability and access, provision of education and healthcare, energy security, infrastructure creation, environment replenishment are all issues that need urgent attention.
The recent economic slowdown in India is therefore a concern, because it limits the capacity to tackle these enormous developmental challenges. The widening fiscal and current account deficits, persistently high and sticky inflation, coupled with a depleted appetite for investment, continue to stifle early economic recovery. The imbroglio on several important long-term policy issues is only adding fuel to this fire. The lack of consensus on issues like GST is particularly disconcerting given the well-acknowledged benefits of such a system in terms of tax buoyancy, collection efficiency and facilitation of one common market for India. It is imperative that urgent solutions are found to break this policy impasse and signal a growth impetus that can once again rebuild confidence in the economy.

What, according to the writer, are the governments across the world confronted with?

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

The world economy continues to be in a state of turmoil. The hope of a global economic recovery looks distant with the crisis not abating in the Europe, the US economy still in slow motion, and the persistent contraction in Japan. The declining growth rates in China, India and Brazil – the poster nations of the emerging world – are also a cause of significant concern. Global unemployment rates have surged this year. Governments across the world are confronted with dwindling revenue and more vociferous demands for economic stimuli.
The problems, however, are far more deep rooted. After more than a century of economic progress, we live in a significantly unequal world. The UN Human Development Report data, a barometer of the world’s real progress, suggests that nearly 2 billion people in the world still live in multi-dimensional poverty. By this measure, more than 600 million people in India are severely deprived. Recent CECD studies reiterate that income inequalities have actually widened in the last 30 years in a majority of advanced nations as well as emerging economies.
And that is not all. The race for unbridled material growth has left a planet seriously depleted of environmental resources and perched on the brink of a disaster. The world’s ecological footprint suggests that consumption of natural resources every year is one and a half times more than the earth’s capacity to regenerate. At this rate, the world will bequeath future generations a barren planet in less than 30 years from now.
India has not been impervious to the global contagions of either the recession or the baggage of unsustainable development. One-third of the world’s poor live in India. With 17% of the world population, India accounts for only 2.4% of the global land mass, 4% of the world’s freshwater resources and 1% of the global forest resources. The list of core challenges is therefore significantly intimidating. Poverty alleviation, livelihood creation, food security, water availability and access, provision of education and healthcare, energy security, infrastructure creation, environment replenishment are all issues that need urgent attention.
The recent economic slowdown in India is therefore a concern, because it limits the capacity to tackle these enormous developmental challenges. The widening fiscal and current account deficits, persistently high and sticky inflation, coupled with a depleted appetite for investment, continue to stifle early economic recovery. The imbroglio on several important long-term policy issues is only adding fuel to this fire. The lack of consensus on issues like GST is particularly disconcerting given the well-acknowledged benefits of such a system in terms of tax buoyancy, collection efficiency and facilitation of one common market for India. It is imperative that urgent solutions are found to break this policy impasse and signal a growth impetus that can once again rebuild confidence in the economy.

Which of the following, according to the author, is the most intimidating core challenge facing India?

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

The world economy continues to be in a state of turmoil. The hope of a global economic recovery looks distant with the crisis not abating in the Europe, the US economy still in slow motion, and the persistent contraction in Japan. The declining growth rates in China, India and Brazil – the poster nations of the emerging world – are also a cause of significant concern. Global unemployment rates have surged this year. Governments across the world are confronted with dwindling revenue and more vociferous demands for economic stimuli.
The problems, however, are far more deep rooted. After more than a century of economic progress, we live in a significantly unequal world. The UN Human Development Report data, a barometer of the world’s real progress, suggests that nearly 2 billion people in the world still live in multi-dimensional poverty. By this measure, more than 600 million people in India are severely deprived. Recent CECD studies reiterate that income inequalities have actually widened in the last 30 years in a majority of advanced nations as well as emerging economies.
And that is not all. The race for unbridled material growth has left a planet seriously depleted of environmental resources and perched on the brink of a disaster. The world’s ecological footprint suggests that consumption of natural resources every year is one and a half times more than the earth’s capacity to regenerate. At this rate, the world will bequeath future generations a barren planet in less than 30 years from now.
India has not been impervious to the global contagions of either the recession or the baggage of unsustainable development. One-third of the world’s poor live in India. With 17% of the world population, India accounts for only 2.4% of the global land mass, 4% of the world’s freshwater resources and 1% of the global forest resources. The list of core challenges is therefore significantly intimidating. Poverty alleviation, livelihood creation, food security, water availability and access, provision of education and healthcare, energy security, infrastructure creation, environment replenishment are all issues that need urgent attention.
The recent economic slowdown in India is therefore a concern, because it limits the capacity to tackle these enormous developmental challenges. The widening fiscal and current account deficits, persistently high and sticky inflation, coupled with a depleted appetite for investment, continue to stifle early economic recovery. The imbroglio on several important long-term policy issues is only adding fuel to this fire. The lack of consensus on issues like GST is particularly disconcerting given the well-acknowledged benefits of such a system in terms of tax buoyancy, collection efficiency and facilitation of one common market for India. It is imperative that urgent solutions are found to break this policy impasse and signal a growth impetus that can once again rebuild confidence in the economy.

The most fallacious argument about the passage would be that

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

The world economy continues to be in a state of turmoil. The hope of a global economic recovery looks distant with the crisis not abating in the Europe, the US economy still in slow motion, and the persistent contraction in Japan. The declining growth rates in China, India and Brazil – the poster nations of the emerging world – are also a cause of significant concern. Global unemployment rates have surged this year. Governments across the world are confronted with dwindling revenue and more vociferous demands for economic stimuli.
The problems, however, are far more deep rooted. After more than a century of economic progress, we live in a significantly unequal world. The UN Human Development Report data, a barometer of the world’s real progress, suggests that nearly 2 billion people in the world still live in multi-dimensional poverty. By this measure, more than 600 million people in India are severely deprived. Recent CECD studies reiterate that income inequalities have actually widened in the last 30 years in a majority of advanced nations as well as emerging economies.
And that is not all. The race for unbridled material growth has left a planet seriously depleted of environmental resources and perched on the brink of a disaster. The world’s ecological footprint suggests that consumption of natural resources every year is one and a half times more than the earth’s capacity to regenerate. At this rate, the world will bequeath future generations a barren planet in less than 30 years from now.
India has not been impervious to the global contagions of either the recession or the baggage of unsustainable development. One-third of the world’s poor live in India. With 17% of the world population, India accounts for only 2.4% of the global land mass, 4% of the world’s freshwater resources and 1% of the global forest resources. The list of core challenges is therefore significantly intimidating. Poverty alleviation, livelihood creation, food security, water availability and access, provision of education and healthcare, energy security, infrastructure creation, environment replenishment are all issues that need urgent attention.
The recent economic slowdown in India is therefore a concern, because it limits the capacity to tackle these enormous developmental challenges. The widening fiscal and current account deficits, persistently high and sticky inflation, coupled with a depleted appetite for investment, continue to stifle early economic recovery. The imbroglio on several important long-term policy issues is only adding fuel to this fire. The lack of consensus on issues like GST is particularly disconcerting given the well-acknowledged benefits of such a system in terms of tax buoyancy, collection efficiency and facilitation of one common market for India. It is imperative that urgent solutions are found to break this policy impasse and signal a growth impetus that can once again rebuild confidence in the economy.

Which of the following, according to the writer, is the most pressing problem the world could face in a not very distant future?

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

The world economy continues to be in a state of turmoil. The hope of a global economic recovery looks distant with the crisis not abating in the Europe, the US economy still in slow motion, and the persistent contraction in Japan. The declining growth rates in China, India and Brazil – the poster nations of the emerging world – are also a cause of significant concern. Global unemployment rates have surged this year. Governments across the world are confronted with dwindling revenue and more vociferous demands for economic stimuli.
The problems, however, are far more deep rooted. After more than a century of economic progress, we live in a significantly unequal world. The UN Human Development Report data, a barometer of the world’s real progress, suggests that nearly 2 billion people in the world still live in multi-dimensional poverty. By this measure, more than 600 million people in India are severely deprived. Recent CECD studies reiterate that income inequalities have actually widened in the last 30 years in a majority of advanced nations as well as emerging economies.
And that is not all. The race for unbridled material growth has left a planet seriously depleted of environmental resources and perched on the brink of a disaster. The world’s ecological footprint suggests that consumption of natural resources every year is one and a half times more than the earth’s capacity to regenerate. At this rate, the world will bequeath future generations a barren planet in less than 30 years from now.
India has not been impervious to the global contagions of either the recession or the baggage of unsustainable development. One-third of the world’s poor live in India. With 17% of the world population, India accounts for only 2.4% of the global land mass, 4% of the world’s freshwater resources and 1% of the global forest resources. The list of core challenges is therefore significantly intimidating. Poverty alleviation, livelihood creation, food security, water availability and access, provision of education and healthcare, energy security, infrastructure creation, environment replenishment are all issues that need urgent attention.
The recent economic slowdown in India is therefore a concern, because it limits the capacity to tackle these enormous developmental challenges. The widening fiscal and current account deficits, persistently high and sticky inflation, coupled with a depleted appetite for investment, continue to stifle early economic recovery. The imbroglio on several important long-term policy issues is only adding fuel to this fire. The lack of consensus on issues like GST is particularly disconcerting given the well-acknowledged benefits of such a system in terms of tax buoyancy, collection efficiency and facilitation of one common market for India. It is imperative that urgent solutions are found to break this policy impasse and signal a growth impetus that can once again rebuild confidence in the economy.