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iOEL - VII (SilverZone) Olympiad (Class - 10)

Attempted 0/50 Correct 0 Score 0

Directions: Choose the best option to complete the given sentence.

His family does not have enough funds to _______.

  1. get on

  2. get off

  3. get by

  4. get at

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option 3 fits the context as it means 'to survive'.

Directions: Choose the best option to complete the given sentence.

I always _________ my childhood memories whenever I visit my school.

  1. think back of

  2. think back on

  3. think back off

  4. think back in

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option 2 is suitable as it means 'to recall'.

Directions: Choose the best option to complete the given sentence.

These days, Ripul does not ______ in class on time.

  1. show up

  2. show off

  3. show in

  4. show into

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

‘Show up’ means 'to arrive', hence it fits the context.

Directions: Choose the best option to complete the given sentence.

My parents asked my friend to _______.

  1. come on

  2. come of

  3. come over

  4. come above

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option 3 is suitable as it means 'to pay a casual visit’.

Directions: Below given is a sentence in four parts. One of the parts contains a grammatical error. Find the part.

  1. There is a serious need to

  2. talk to this issue

  3. at the earliest

  4. and to reach a decision.

  5. No Error


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

“Talk about this issue” is the correct phrase here.

Directions: Below given is a sentence in four parts. One of the parts contains a grammatical error. Find the part.

  1. None of the two

  2. friends talks to

  3. each other

  4. due to some misunderstandings.

  5. No Error


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

As the subject is 'two friends', it should be 'neither'.

Directions: Below given is a sentence in four parts. One of the parts contains a grammatical error. Find the part.

  1. Everybody was happy

  2. with their experience

  3. of watching the game

  4. live in the stadium.

  5. No Error


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

‘Everybody’ is a singular subject. So, plural pronoun ‘their’ cannot be used here and 'his/her' is required instead.

Directions: Below given is a sentence in four parts. One of the parts contains a grammatical error. Find the part.

  1. It is often

  2. taught that

  3. one should obey

  4. his parents.

  5. No Error


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The pronoun is 'one' and it should be maintained throughout the sentence. Hence, it should read 'one's parents'.

Directions: Give the synonym of the underlined word in the given sentence.

It was not an accident; it was a homicide.

  1. Robbery

  2. Plan

  3. Murder

  4. Conspiracy

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option 3 is correct as it is a synonym for 'homicide'.

Directions: Give the synonym of the underlined word in the given sentence.

The results depend upon the intellectual capability of a person.

  1. Physical

  2. Mental

  3. Technical

  4. Administrative

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option 2 is correct as it is a synonym for 'intellectual'.

Directions: Give the synonym of the underlined word in the given sentence.

Cancer is lethal.

  1. Dangerous

  2. Poisonous

  3. Fatal

  4. Disease

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option 3 is the correct synonym. It means 'deadly'.

Which one of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

  1. The jury were divided in its opinion.

  2. The jury were divided in their opinion.

  3. The jury were divided on its opinion.

  4. The jury were divided on their opinion.

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

“The jury” is a collective noun, which is followed by a plural pronoun. “Divided in” is the correct phrase.

Directions: Give the synonym of the underlined word in the given sentence.

The explanation of the idea was lucid enough.

  1. Comprehensible

  2. Explained

  3. Final

  4. Pursued

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

‘Lucid’ means ‘comprehensible’ or ‘clearly expressed’.

Which one of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

  1. The student who perform well in exams he will get a reward.

  2. The student who perform well in exams he gets a reward.

  3. The student who perform well in the exams he will get a reward.

  4. The student who performs well in the exams will get a reward.

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

As relative pronoun 'who' has been used to join the sentence, one subject is enough. Singular verb (performs) will be used as the subject (student) is singular.

Which one of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

  1. Medicines effect my ability to work.

  2. Medicines effects my ability to work.

  3. Medicines affect my ability to work.

  4. Medicines affects my ability to work.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The 'verb' affect is needed with plural subject ‘medicines’, while ‘effect’ is a noun.

Which one of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

  1. The boy with black and white shoes have a ball.

  2. The boy having black and white shoes have a ball.

  3. The boy with black and white shoes has a ball.

  4. The boy wearing black and white shoes was having a ball.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option 3 is contains a grammatically correct sentence. “Have a ball” in option is incorrect as the subject ‘the boy’ is singular. “Was having a ball” doesn’t make any sense.

Directions: Give the one word substitution of the sentence/phrase given below.

Animals and plants that live in water

  1. Oceanic

  2. Terrestrial

  3. Aquatic

  4. Tidal

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Animals and plants that live in water are called aquatic animals.

Directions: Give the one word substitution of the sentence/phrase given below.

A detailed alphabetical listing of names, places, and topics along with the numbers of the pages on which they are mentioned or discussed

  1. Inventory

  2. Guide

  3. Account

  4. Index

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Index is a detailed alphabetical listing of names, places, and topics along with the numbers of the pages on which they are mentioned or discussed.

Directions: Give the one word substitution of the sentence/phrase given below.

A point where earth and sky seem to meet

  1. Equator

  2. Planet

  3. Horizon

  4. Galaxy

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

A point where earth and sky seem to meet is called horizon.

Directions: Give the one word substitution of the sentence/phrase given below.

Inability to obtain sufficient sleep

  1. Anxiety

  2. Depression

  3. Disorder

  4. Insomnia

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Sleep loss is known as insomnia.

Directions: Choose the sentence containing verb form of ‘dream’.

  1. Everybody was talking about his dreams.

  2. I saw myself walking on the clouds in my dreams.

  3. My younger sister dreams about flying.

  4. People run after money to fulfil their dreams.

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

'Dream' is used as verb in option 3.

Directions: Choose the sentence containing noun form of ‘record’.

  1. Indian cricket team made a record in the last match.

  2. His voice is being recorded.

  3. I have bought an instrument to record music.

  4. The mother wants to record the first word of her baby.

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Option 1 is correct as 'record' is used as a noun in the sentence.

Directions: Choose the sentence containing noun form of ‘insult’.

  1. One should not insult others on trivial matters.

  2. You should keep the situation in mind before insulting others.

  3. It was not a joke but an insult.

  4. You are insulting me now.

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option 3 is correct as 'insult' is used as a noun in the sentence.

Directions: Fill in the blank as per subject verb agreement.

Sidhesh is one of those players who _______ done well in the game.

  1. has

  2. have

  3. was

  4. are

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option (2) is correct as ‘who’ refers back to subject 'those players’ which is plural.

Directions: Choose the sentence containing noun form of ‘permit’.

  1. He needs a permit to sell alcohol.

  2. Will your teacher permit you to leave the class?

  3. The company did not permit his transfer.

  4. My father permits me to go on a holiday every year.

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Option 1 is correct as 'permit' is used as a noun in the sentence.

Directions: Fill in the blank as per subject verb agreement.

Due to hot weather, most of the milk _______ gone bad.

  1. was

  2. has

  3. have

  4. were

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

As 'milk' is uncountable, hence it’s singular.

Directions: Fill in the blank as per subject verb agreement.

Not only the children, but also their father _______ been called to the site.

  1. have

  2. were

  3. has

  4. was

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

In case of paired conjunctions 'not only _____ but also', verb agrees with the subject closer to it. Hence, ‘has’ will be used.

Directions: Fill in the blank as per subject verb agreement.

Rice and beans ________ everybody's favourite dish.

  1. is

  2. are

  3. were

  4. have

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

As 'rice and beans' is one dish, hence it’s singular.

Directions: Give the usage of the underlined word.

We stopped a passerby to ask for the directions.

  1. Noun

  2. Verb

  3. Adjective

  4. Adverb

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Here, 'directions' is a noun.

Directions: Give the usage of the underlined word.

I hope to finish this project within the next three hours.

  1. Noun

  2. Preposition

  3. Adverb

  4. Determiner

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Here, 'within' is a preposition.

Directions: Give the usage of the underlined word.

Sohan has many books of history.

  1. Noun

  2. Adverb

  3. Preposition

  4. Determiner

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

It determines the noun 'books'.

Directions: Give the meaning of given idiom/phrase.

Swim for it

  1. To learn swimming

  2. To compete in swimming

  3. To escape by swimming

  4. To get something by swimming

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Swim for it' means 'to escape by swimming'.

Directions: Give the usage of the underlined word.

My friends always celebrate my birthday with great pomp and show.

  1. Adverb

  2. Adjective

  3. Pronoun

  4. Noun

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

As ‘birthday’ refers to an event. Hence, it is a noun.

Directions: Give the meaning of given idiom/phrase.

Free hand

  1. Condition of being unemployed

  2. An easy time

  3. Things within the reach of hands

  4. Freedom to do or decide

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Free hand refers to ‘freedom of exercising complete control over something’.

Directions: Give the meaning of given idiom/phrase

Get a break

  1. Get a leave sanctioned

  2. Obtain a favourable opportunity

  3. Get interrupted in work

  4. Make a plan

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Get a break refers to obtain or receive a fortuitous and beneficial opportunity.

Directions: Choose the correct modal.

________ I borrow your dress?

  1. Should

  2. Would

  3. Could

  4. Might

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Could’ is used in making polite requests. So, it is correct here.

Directions: Choose the correct modal.

You ______ get ‘safe driving bonus’ if you don’t get into any accident while you are driving.

  1. ought

  2. may

  3. could

  4. will

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The latter part of the sentence is in simple present tense, so only simple future tense makes sense as it is a conditional sentence.

Directions: Give the meaning of given idiom/phrase.

Bosom friend

  1. Upright friend

  2. Selfish friend

  3. Close friend

  4. Required friend

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

'Bosom friend' means best or close friend.

The scope for replacing petrol engines for cars by hybrid or flex engines is limited by

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Combustion engines contribute to greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere and are responsible for climate changes. A sane, sober revision of vehicle use is long overdue. While ethanol has been championed as an alternative to petroleum fuels, it mainly helps to reduce dependency on oil producing countries. Ethanol or methanol can be blended with petrol to reduce petroleum dependency. Petrol engines can use up to 10% ethanol without modification. New "flex" engines can use higher percentages of ethanol up to 100%. Hybrid flex-fuel vehicles are optimised to run on a maximum blend of 15% petrol with 85% ethanol (E85 fuel). The production of flex engine vehicles has increased, but the supply of flex fuel is limited.
There are problems in the bigger picture of carbon consumption and emission. When ethanol is made from corn, a lot of energy value must be spent on its production. While innovations in production technologies continue, there will be an ongoing requirement to invent new methods of production. Investment in new technologies will require government policy changes, subsidies and research grants. This will give rise to new competition between ethanol plants and food production.
If you are an optimist, you might argue that improved technologies will save the day --- corn yields per acre have been increasing mostly because of genetic engineering, so that food and ethanol production need not compete in the future. The ethanol industry uses only the carbohydrate fraction of the corn; the protein and oil fractions are used as animal feed to be consumed by humans as dairy products, eggs and meat. If you are a pessimist, you might point to the recurrent droughts in recent years and predict more crop failures in years to come. Other non-food vegetable sources of carbon will become alternative sources of raw materials.

  1. the proportion of flex that can be used in the blend

  2. lack of innovations in technology

  3. constraints in supply of flex fuel

  4. lack of subsidies and grants

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

It is mentioned that the production of flex engine vehicles has increased, but the supply of flex fuel is limited.

What is holding up innovations in production technologies?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Combustion engines contribute to greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere and are responsible for climate changes. A sane, sober revision of vehicle use is long overdue. While ethanol has been championed as an alternative to petroleum fuels, it mainly helps to reduce dependency on oil producing countries. Ethanol or methanol can be blended with petrol to reduce petroleum dependency. Petrol engines can use up to 10% ethanol without modification. New "flex" engines can use higher percentages of ethanol up to 100%. Hybrid flex-fuel vehicles are optimised to run on a maximum blend of 15% petrol with 85% ethanol (E85 fuel). The production of flex engine vehicles has increased, but the supply of flex fuel is limited.
There are problems in the bigger picture of carbon consumption and emission. When ethanol is made from corn, a lot of energy value must be spent on its production. While innovations in production technologies continue, there will be an ongoing requirement to invent new methods of production. Investment in new technologies will require government policy changes, subsidies and research grants. This will give rise to new competition between ethanol plants and food production.
If you are an optimist, you might argue that improved technologies will save the day --- corn yields per acre have been increasing mostly because of genetic engineering, so that food and ethanol production need not compete in the future. The ethanol industry uses only the carbohydrate fraction of the corn; the protein and oil fractions are used as animal feed to be consumed by humans as dairy products, eggs and meat. If you are a pessimist, you might point to the recurrent droughts in recent years and predict more crop failures in years to come. Other non-food vegetable sources of carbon will become alternative sources of raw materials.

  1. Low energy value of ethanol

  2. Government policies

  3. Lack of private investment

  4. Competition between food and fuel

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

"There will be an ongoing requirement to invent new methods of production. Investment in new technologies will require government policy changes, subsidies and research grants."

The line, “There are problems in the bigger picture of carbon consumption and emission,” deplores

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Combustion engines contribute to greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere and are responsible for climate changes. A sane, sober revision of vehicle use is long overdue. While ethanol has been championed as an alternative to petroleum fuels, it mainly helps to reduce dependency on oil producing countries. Ethanol or methanol can be blended with petrol to reduce petroleum dependency. Petrol engines can use up to 10% ethanol without modification. New "flex" engines can use higher percentages of ethanol up to 100%. Hybrid flex-fuel vehicles are optimised to run on a maximum blend of 15% petrol with 85% ethanol (E85 fuel). The production of flex engine vehicles has increased, but the supply of flex fuel is limited.
There are problems in the bigger picture of carbon consumption and emission. When ethanol is made from corn, a lot of energy value must be spent on its production. While innovations in production technologies continue, there will be an ongoing requirement to invent new methods of production. Investment in new technologies will require government policy changes, subsidies and research grants. This will give rise to new competition between ethanol plants and food production.
If you are an optimist, you might argue that improved technologies will save the day --- corn yields per acre have been increasing mostly because of genetic engineering, so that food and ethanol production need not compete in the future. The ethanol industry uses only the carbohydrate fraction of the corn; the protein and oil fractions are used as animal feed to be consumed by humans as dairy products, eggs and meat. If you are a pessimist, you might point to the recurrent droughts in recent years and predict more crop failures in years to come. Other non-food vegetable sources of carbon will become alternative sources of raw materials.

  1. the non-dependability of oil producing countries

  2. the limited reserves of oil left worldwide

  3. the non-viability of ethanol production

  4. the energy value required to be spent on production of ethanol


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

It is mentioned in the next line that a lot of energy is required to produce ethanol.

Around 90% of the overall area under food grains

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Crop insurance in India accounts for less than 2% of income generated from agriculture in a year. This, despite the fact that more than 60% of India’s labour force is dependent on agriculture, and the remaining two sectors — industry and services — derive a large part of their demand from agriculture. Further, Indian agriculture is still subject to uncontrollable risks, prime among which are the vagaries of the monsoon. A large part of crop insurance happens in the kharif season, which is critically monsoon-dependent. About 82% of total sum insured is for the kharif crop as are the 87% of the farmers who have so far benefited from crop insurance schemes. Nevertheless, in absolute terms, crop insurance’s role in agriculture is miniscule compared to agriculture’s significance to the country. The total insured crop area is only about 10% of the overall area under food grains. 
This suggests that not too much headway has been made in agriculture insurance since its initiation. The first nationwide crop insurance scheme, Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS), which was launched in 1985-86 by the General Insurance Corporation (GIC), did not achieve much. Over the years of its operation, the CCIS insured a total of 1.1% of the agriculture GDP over the period. From 1999-2000, a new scheme — the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) — was launched in place of the CCIS, with a newly-formed Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) as its implementing agency. This has fared slightly better than the CCIS, partly because of its scope. While the CCIS insured only those farmers who had taken short-term loans, the NAIS covers all farmers. The average yearly sum insured forms about 3% of income generated by agriculture in a year. Some of the bigger crop-producing states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan did not participate in the insurance scheme.

  1. has so far benefited from crop insurance

  2. is not presently covered under crop insurance

  3. is covered by kharif crop

  4. is subject to uncontrollable risks

  5. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

It is mentioned in the line "The total insured crop area is only about 10% of the overall area under food grains.". 

When man became conscious of his intellectual ability, he understood that he

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Before the dawn of civilisation, man overpowered the weak with his physical strength. In the struggle for existence, it was the survival of the fittest. Might was right. Man didn't think twice before killing his prey. So, the prehistoric man was almost barbaric and lived solely on the strength of his muscle power. Gradually, man became aware of his intellectual ability. He learned to turn things in his favour by using his brain. He realised that he was superior to all in the animal kingdom due to his ability to think. He began using his mind to deal with day-to-day situations. As the civilization advanced, it became apparent that there was no need to cross swords to solve all the problems. In fact, it was realized that the pen is mightier than the sword. A sword may kill a man, but it certainly cannot bring about a change of heart or values.

Pens can create a revolution in the minds of men. In France, during the reign of King Louis XIV, there was a lot of discontent among the masses. The writings of Rousseau and Voltaire at that time fired the imagination of people. The King’s strong army could not stop the onrush of the flood-waters of the revolution. On the other hand, even the army was influenced by the slogans of equality, fraternity and liberty. Their loyalties also changed under the influence of the revolutionary ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire.

  1. was akin to any other animal on the earth

  2. had the ability to hunt and kill animals for food

  3. had certain abilities that put him above animals

  4. was physically less strong than most wild animals

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

It is given in the passage that "He realised he was superior to all in the animal kingdom due to his ability to think."

In India, the concept of agriculture insurance

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Crop insurance in India accounts for less than 2% of income generated from agriculture in a year. This, despite the fact that more than 60% of India’s labour force is dependent on agriculture, and the remaining two sectors — industry and services — derive a large part of their demand from agriculture. Further, Indian agriculture is still subject to uncontrollable risks, prime among which are the vagaries of the monsoon. A large part of crop insurance happens in the kharif season, which is critically monsoon-dependent. About 82% of total sum insured is for the kharif crop as are the 87% of the farmers who have so far benefited from crop insurance schemes. Nevertheless, in absolute terms, crop insurance’s role in agriculture is miniscule compared to agriculture’s significance to the country. The total insured crop area is only about 10% of the overall area under food grains. 
This suggests that not too much headway has been made in agriculture insurance since its initiation. The first nationwide crop insurance scheme, Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS), which was launched in 1985-86 by the General Insurance Corporation (GIC), did not achieve much. Over the years of its operation, the CCIS insured a total of 1.1% of the agriculture GDP over the period. From 1999-2000, a new scheme — the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) — was launched in place of the CCIS, with a newly-formed Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) as its implementing agency. This has fared slightly better than the CCIS, partly because of its scope. While the CCIS insured only those farmers who had taken short-term loans, the NAIS covers all farmers. The average yearly sum insured forms about 3% of income generated by agriculture in a year. Some of the bigger crop-producing states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan did not participate in the insurance scheme.

  1. has not yet gained currency

  2. is limited to government intervention

  3. is a farmer friendly concept

  4. has spread nationwide

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

It is mentioned in the line "not too much headway has been made in agriculture insurance since its initiation".

With the passage of time, man realised ___________.

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Before the dawn of civilisation, man overpowered the weak with his physical strength. In the struggle for existence, it was the survival of the fittest. Might was right. Man didn't think twice before killing his prey. So, the prehistoric man was almost barbaric and lived solely on the strength of his muscle power. Gradually, man became aware of his intellectual ability. He learned to turn things in his favour by using his brain. He realised that he was superior to all in the animal kingdom due to his ability to think. He began using his mind to deal with day-to-day situations. As the civilization advanced, it became apparent that there was no need to cross swords to solve all the problems. In fact, it was realized that the pen is mightier than the sword. A sword may kill a man, but it certainly cannot bring about a change of heart or values.

Pens can create a revolution in the minds of men. In France, during the reign of King Louis XIV, there was a lot of discontent among the masses. The writings of Rousseau and Voltaire at that time fired the imagination of people. The King’s strong army could not stop the onrush of the flood-waters of the revolution. On the other hand, even the army was influenced by the slogans of equality, fraternity and liberty. Their loyalties also changed under the influence of the revolutionary ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire.

  1. that problems can be resolved without killing people

  2. that physical strength is as important as mental strength

  3. that he needs better weapons than swords

  4. that writing is more effective than speech

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The lines, "Gradually, man became aware of his intellectual ability... it became apparent that there was no need to cross swords to solve all the problems " in the passage, contain the answer.

The kharif season, in particular, is

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Crop insurance in India accounts for less than 2% of income generated from agriculture in a year. This, despite the fact that more than 60% of India’s labour force is dependent on agriculture, and the remaining two sectors — industry and services — derive a large part of their demand from agriculture. Further, Indian agriculture is still subject to uncontrollable risks, prime among which are the vagaries of the monsoon. A large part of crop insurance happens in the kharif season, which is critically monsoon-dependent. About 82% of total sum insured is for the kharif crop as are the 87% of the farmers who have so far benefited from crop insurance schemes. Nevertheless, in absolute terms, crop insurance’s role in agriculture is miniscule compared to agriculture’s significance to the country. The total insured crop area is only about 10% of the overall area under food grains. 
This suggests that not too much headway has been made in agriculture insurance since its initiation. The first nationwide crop insurance scheme, Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS), which was launched in 1985-86 by the General Insurance Corporation (GIC), did not achieve much. Over the years of its operation, the CCIS insured a total of 1.1% of the agriculture GDP over the period. From 1999-2000, a new scheme — the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) — was launched in place of the CCIS, with a newly-formed Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) as its implementing agency. This has fared slightly better than the CCIS, partly because of its scope. While the CCIS insured only those farmers who had taken short-term loans, the NAIS covers all farmers. The average yearly sum insured forms about 3% of income generated by agriculture in a year. Some of the bigger crop-producing states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan did not participate in the insurance scheme.

  1. subject to vigorous monsoon

  2. of critical importance

  3. deficient in crop insurance

  4. overly dependent on monsoon

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

It is mentioned in the line "the kharif season, which is critically monsoon-dependent…". 

The concluding lines of the passage hint at

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Combustion engines contribute to greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere and are responsible for climate changes. A sane, sober revision of vehicle use is long overdue. While ethanol has been championed as an alternative to petroleum fuels, it mainly helps to reduce dependency on oil producing countries. Ethanol or methanol can be blended with petrol to reduce petroleum dependency. Petrol engines can use up to 10% ethanol without modification. New "flex" engines can use higher percentages of ethanol up to 100%. Hybrid flex-fuel vehicles are optimised to run on a maximum blend of 15% petrol with 85% ethanol (E85 fuel). The production of flex engine vehicles has increased, but the supply of flex fuel is limited.
There are problems in the bigger picture of carbon consumption and emission. When ethanol is made from corn, a lot of energy value must be spent on its production. While innovations in production technologies continue, there will be an ongoing requirement to invent new methods of production. Investment in new technologies will require government policy changes, subsidies and research grants. This will give rise to new competition between ethanol plants and food production.
If you are an optimist, you might argue that improved technologies will save the day --- corn yields per acre have been increasing mostly because of genetic engineering, so that food and ethanol production need not compete in the future. The ethanol industry uses only the carbohydrate fraction of the corn; the protein and oil fractions are used as animal feed to be consumed by humans as dairy products, eggs and meat. If you are a pessimist, you might point to the recurrent droughts in recent years and predict more crop failures in years to come. Other non-food vegetable sources of carbon will become alternative sources of raw materials.

  1. a possible confrontation between biofuels and biofoods

  2. hybrid fuels posing risk to environment

  3. apprehended limitations in consumption of biofuels

  4. vegetation falling victim to the insatiable demand for fuel

  5. None of these


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Note that the last sentence is about ‘non-food’ vegetable sources.

How did man make things work for him after the dawn of civilization?

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Before the dawn of civilisation, man overpowered the weak with his physical strength. In the struggle for existence, it was the survival of the fittest. Might was right. Man didn't think twice before killing his prey. So, the prehistoric man was almost barbaric and lived solely on the strength of his muscle power. Gradually, man became aware of his intellectual ability. He learned to turn things in his favour by using his brain. He realised that he was superior to all in the animal kingdom due to his ability to think. He began using his mind to deal with day-to-day situations. As the civilization advanced, it became apparent that there was no need to cross swords to solve all the problems. In fact, it was realized that the pen is mightier than the sword. A sword may kill a man, but it certainly cannot bring about a change of heart or values.

Pens can create a revolution in the minds of men. In France, during the reign of King Louis XIV, there was a lot of discontent among the masses. The writings of Rousseau and Voltaire at that time fired the imagination of people. The King’s strong army could not stop the onrush of the flood-waters of the revolution. On the other hand, even the army was influenced by the slogans of equality, fraternity and liberty. Their loyalties also changed under the influence of the revolutionary ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire.

  1. By using his intellect

  2. By using his physical power

  3. By adopting new techniques

  4. By working hard

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The lines, "Gradually, man became aware of his intellectual ability. He learned to turn things in his favour by using his brain." in the passage, contains the answer. 

Give the correct synonym for the word 'fraternity' as used in the passage.

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Before the dawn of civilisation, man overpowered the weak with his physical strength. In the struggle for existence, it was the survival of the fittest. Might was right. Man didn't think twice before killing his prey. So, the prehistoric man was almost barbaric and lived solely on the strength of his muscle power. Gradually, man became aware of his intellectual ability. He learned to turn things in his favour by using his brain. He realised that he was superior to all in the animal kingdom due to his ability to think. He began using his mind to deal with day-to-day situations. As the civilization advanced, it became apparent that there was no need to cross swords to solve all the problems. In fact, it was realized that the pen is mightier than the sword. A sword may kill a man, but it certainly cannot bring about a change of heart or values.

Pens can create a revolution in the minds of men. In France, during the reign of King Louis XIV, there was a lot of discontent among the masses. The writings of Rousseau and Voltaire at that time fired the imagination of people. The King’s strong army could not stop the onrush of the flood-waters of the revolution. On the other hand, even the army was influenced by the slogans of equality, fraternity and liberty. Their loyalties also changed under the influence of the revolutionary ideas of Rousseau and Voltaire.

  1. Brotherhood

  2. Parity

  3. Alliance

  4. Affliation

  5. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Fraternity as used in the passage is synonymous with the word 'brotherhood'.

CCIS insurance was limited to

Directions: Read the given passage carefully and answer the question that follows.

Crop insurance in India accounts for less than 2% of income generated from agriculture in a year. This, despite the fact that more than 60% of India’s labour force is dependent on agriculture, and the remaining two sectors — industry and services — derive a large part of their demand from agriculture. Further, Indian agriculture is still subject to uncontrollable risks, prime among which are the vagaries of the monsoon. A large part of crop insurance happens in the kharif season, which is critically monsoon-dependent. About 82% of total sum insured is for the kharif crop as are the 87% of the farmers who have so far benefited from crop insurance schemes. Nevertheless, in absolute terms, crop insurance’s role in agriculture is miniscule compared to agriculture’s significance to the country. The total insured crop area is only about 10% of the overall area under food grains. 
This suggests that not too much headway has been made in agriculture insurance since its initiation. The first nationwide crop insurance scheme, Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS), which was launched in 1985-86 by the General Insurance Corporation (GIC), did not achieve much. Over the years of its operation, the CCIS insured a total of 1.1% of the agriculture GDP over the period. From 1999-2000, a new scheme — the National Agriculture Insurance Scheme (NAIS) — was launched in place of the CCIS, with a newly-formed Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) as its implementing agency. This has fared slightly better than the CCIS, partly because of its scope. While the CCIS insured only those farmers who had taken short-term loans, the NAIS covers all farmers. The average yearly sum insured forms about 3% of income generated by agriculture in a year. Some of the bigger crop-producing states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan did not participate in the insurance scheme.

  1. kharif crop insurance

  2. flood prone areas

  3. farmers with short term borrowings

  4. the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan

  5. None of these


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

It is mentioned in the line "CCIS insured only those farmers who had taken short-term loans". 

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