Hello and welcome to ExamPundit. Here is a set of English Comprehension Test for Bank Exams 2015.
Read the following passage
carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/ phrases have
been printed in bold to help you
locate them while answering some of the questions.
carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/ phrases have
been printed in bold to help you
locate them while answering some of the questions.
Asia’s rapid rise is the most
successful story of economic development in recent history. Income per capita
reached nearly $5.000 in purchasing power parity terms in 2010. Investment
rates averaged 35% of GDP over the decade. The number of people living below
the $1.25-a-day poverty line fell by 430 million between 2005 and 2010. With
such achievements at a time when much of the rest of the world struggles with austerity measures and economic
recovery. Asian leaders might be tempted to switch to autopilot. But closer
examination of the region’s economic and social prospects soon reveals many
paradoxes. The world’s fastest growing region remains home to nearly half the
world’s extreme poor. While Asia has made tremendous inroads in the fight against poverty, not enough of the region’s
economic prosperity is reaching its poorest people. In urban areas of China,
for example, the Gini coefficient (a measurement used to calculate inequality)
has risen more than 35% since 1990. Nearly half a billion Asians still lack
access to safe drinking water and infant mortality in many nations is more than
10 times higher than the levels seen in developed economics.
successful story of economic development in recent history. Income per capita
reached nearly $5.000 in purchasing power parity terms in 2010. Investment
rates averaged 35% of GDP over the decade. The number of people living below
the $1.25-a-day poverty line fell by 430 million between 2005 and 2010. With
such achievements at a time when much of the rest of the world struggles with austerity measures and economic
recovery. Asian leaders might be tempted to switch to autopilot. But closer
examination of the region’s economic and social prospects soon reveals many
paradoxes. The world’s fastest growing region remains home to nearly half the
world’s extreme poor. While Asia has made tremendous inroads in the fight against poverty, not enough of the region’s
economic prosperity is reaching its poorest people. In urban areas of China,
for example, the Gini coefficient (a measurement used to calculate inequality)
has risen more than 35% since 1990. Nearly half a billion Asians still lack
access to safe drinking water and infant mortality in many nations is more than
10 times higher than the levels seen in developed economics.
While “Factory Asia”
may be true for manufacturing and information technology services, vast number
of its people are illiterate and unemployed. Its financial sector is
underdeveloped, with many people having no access to simple banking, let alone
other financial services. Asia’s future prosperity, and the eradication of
extreme poverty, will require much more than simply high growth. Growth must be
accompanied by a narrowing of inequality. It is essential to balance the
region’s economic expansion with more inclusive policies. Cut off by poor
roads, telecommunications, or government policies that don’t allow them to
easily borrow or save, Asia’s poor and vulnerable are watching the chasm
between rich and poor grow ever wider. That gap in prosperity can aggravate simmering social, economic and political tensions. Asian
governments can help stem widening inequality by creating better conditions for
the private sector to take the lead on economic expansion, continuing to
promote economic diversification, and by spending on social services, education
and healthcare, and regional road, sea and air networks that will open more
opportunities to more people. There are areas where western governments can
help too. By investing in infrastructure alongside public lenders, they can
help attract much larger sums from the private sector.
may be true for manufacturing and information technology services, vast number
of its people are illiterate and unemployed. Its financial sector is
underdeveloped, with many people having no access to simple banking, let alone
other financial services. Asia’s future prosperity, and the eradication of
extreme poverty, will require much more than simply high growth. Growth must be
accompanied by a narrowing of inequality. It is essential to balance the
region’s economic expansion with more inclusive policies. Cut off by poor
roads, telecommunications, or government policies that don’t allow them to
easily borrow or save, Asia’s poor and vulnerable are watching the chasm
between rich and poor grow ever wider. That gap in prosperity can aggravate simmering social, economic and political tensions. Asian
governments can help stem widening inequality by creating better conditions for
the private sector to take the lead on economic expansion, continuing to
promote economic diversification, and by spending on social services, education
and healthcare, and regional road, sea and air networks that will open more
opportunities to more people. There are areas where western governments can
help too. By investing in infrastructure alongside public lenders, they can
help attract much larger sums from the private sector.
Asia can also capitalise on
financial lessons from the west, particularly when it comes to setting banking
regulations, strengthening regional links, and promoting bonds to better
utilise Asian savings. When describing where Asia stands today, it’s useful to
remember that what we are witnessing is not the emergence of Asia, but rather
the re-emergence of Asia. In 1820, Asia accounted for about 60% of total global
output, with China and India together accounting for nearly half of global GDP.
This was followed by nearly two centuries of economic decline once the western
industrial evolution took hold – a trend that, since the information age, has
been solidly reversed. By implementing structural reforms and opening their
economics. China and others have rapidly emerged as engines of the global
economy. The recent Asian Development Bank study suggests that we could see
Asia producing over half of global GDP by mid-century, and 3 billion Asians
would be considered part of the rich world, with capita income levels equal to
that of Europe today. Carefully calibrated government support can help steer
Asia’s economic potential, reducing political risks while opening new markets
to help move the west beyond the current crisis. In the long run, an Asian
economy built on sustainable growth can support greater levels of trade, and
generate growth in tourism. Conversely, a weaker Asia presents a host of
threats to the west’s future growth and prosperity.
financial lessons from the west, particularly when it comes to setting banking
regulations, strengthening regional links, and promoting bonds to better
utilise Asian savings. When describing where Asia stands today, it’s useful to
remember that what we are witnessing is not the emergence of Asia, but rather
the re-emergence of Asia. In 1820, Asia accounted for about 60% of total global
output, with China and India together accounting for nearly half of global GDP.
This was followed by nearly two centuries of economic decline once the western
industrial evolution took hold – a trend that, since the information age, has
been solidly reversed. By implementing structural reforms and opening their
economics. China and others have rapidly emerged as engines of the global
economy. The recent Asian Development Bank study suggests that we could see
Asia producing over half of global GDP by mid-century, and 3 billion Asians
would be considered part of the rich world, with capita income levels equal to
that of Europe today. Carefully calibrated government support can help steer
Asia’s economic potential, reducing political risks while opening new markets
to help move the west beyond the current crisis. In the long run, an Asian
economy built on sustainable growth can support greater levels of trade, and
generate growth in tourism. Conversely, a weaker Asia presents a host of
threats to the west’s future growth and prosperity.
Embracing globalisation and
regional co-operation has helped bring developing Asia success. By further
strengthening this process by focusing on greater access and inclusion within
economics, and pursuing sustainable development and improved governance, an
“Asian century” is both plausible and within reach. But policies that
worked when Asia was low-income and capital scarce are less likely to work
today and unlikely to work in the future. Asia’s leaders must devise bold and
innovative national policies while pursuing regional and global co-operation.
Long term prosperity will depend on the intensity of resource use, including
water and food, and success in managing the region’s carbon footprint. Asia’s
challenges remain formidable, and its future prosperity must be earned. The
right policy choices today could indeed make this the “Asian
century”, but this is far from preordained.
regional co-operation has helped bring developing Asia success. By further
strengthening this process by focusing on greater access and inclusion within
economics, and pursuing sustainable development and improved governance, an
“Asian century” is both plausible and within reach. But policies that
worked when Asia was low-income and capital scarce are less likely to work
today and unlikely to work in the future. Asia’s leaders must devise bold and
innovative national policies while pursuing regional and global co-operation.
Long term prosperity will depend on the intensity of resource use, including
water and food, and success in managing the region’s carbon footprint. Asia’s
challenges remain formidable, and its future prosperity must be earned. The
right policy choices today could indeed make this the “Asian
century”, but this is far from preordained.
1. Which of the following statement (s) is/are correct in the context
of the passage?
of the passage?
I. Asia’s per capita income reached approximately $5000 in
purchasing power parity terms in 2010.
purchasing power parity terms in 2010.
II. The number of people living below the $1.25 a day poverty line
in Asia fell by 430 million between 2005 and 2010.
in Asia fell by 430 million between 2005 and 2010.
III. In 1820, Asia accounted for about 60% of total global output.
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) Both II and III
(e) All I, II and III
2. What in your opinion should be the appropriate title of the given
passage?
passage?
(a) Asia’s Economic Rise and
Paradoxes
Paradoxes
(b) Asia’s Rise and Europe’s
Re-emergence
Re-emergence
(c) Economic Backwardness of Asia
(d) Developed and Developing
Regions of the world
Regions of the world
(e) None of these
3. Which of the following is not true as per the given information in
the passage?
the passage?
(a) In urban areas of China, the
Gini coefficient that is a measurement used to calculate inequality has risen more
than 45% since 1990.
Gini coefficient that is a measurement used to calculate inequality has risen more
than 45% since 1990.
(b) Nearly half a billion Asians
still lack access to safe drinking water.
still lack access to safe drinking water.
(c) The infant mortality rate in
many Asian nations is more than 10 times higher than the levels seen in
developed economics.
many Asian nations is more than 10 times higher than the levels seen in
developed economics.
(d) Investment rates in Asia
averaged 35 per cent of Gross Domestic Product over the decade
averaged 35 per cent of Gross Domestic Product over the decade
(e) Embracing globalisation and
regional cooperation has helped bring developing Asia success.
regional cooperation has helped bring developing Asia success.
4. In the author’s opinion what are the areas where western government
can help Asia boost economic development
?
can help Asia boost economic development
?
I. By investing in infrastructure alongside public lenders. western
governments can help attract much larger sums from the private sector.
governments can help attract much larger sums from the private sector.
II. Asia can capitalise on financial lessons from the west, Particularly
when it comes to setting banking regulations, strengthening regional links and
promoting bonds to better utilise Asian savings.
when it comes to setting banking regulations, strengthening regional links and
promoting bonds to better utilise Asian savings.
III. “Factory Asia” can make vast number of its people literate
and employed.
and employed.
(a) Only II
(b) Only III
(c) Both 1 and III
(d) Both II and III
(e) Both I and II
5. What suggestions has the author of this passage made that can help
Asian governments stem widening inequality
in the region ?
Asian governments stem widening inequality
in the region ?
I. By creating better conditions for the private sector to take the
lead on economic expansion.
lead on economic expansion.
II. By continuing to promote economic diversification.
III. By spending on social services, education and healthcare and
regional road, sea and air networks that will open more opportunities to more
people.
regional road, sea and air networks that will open more opportunities to more
people.
(a) Only I
(b) Both II and III
(c) Both I and II
(d) Both I and Ill
(e) All I, II and III
6. Which of the following statements is not correct as per the given
information in the passage ?
information in the passage ?
(a) According to the Asian
Development Bank study. Asia can produce over half of global GDP by
mid-century.
Development Bank study. Asia can produce over half of global GDP by
mid-century.
(b) In 1820. China and India
together accounted for nearly half of global GDP.
together accounted for nearly half of global GDP.
(c) The author opines the
necessity to balance the Asian region’s economic expansion with more inclusive policies.
necessity to balance the Asian region’s economic expansion with more inclusive policies.
(d) The widening gap between rich
and poor people can aggravate simmering social, economic and political tensions.
and poor people can aggravate simmering social, economic and political tensions.
(e) The world’s fastest growing
Asian region remains home to more than sixty five per cent of the world’s
extreme poor.
Asian region remains home to more than sixty five per cent of the world’s
extreme poor.
Directions (Qs.7-8) : Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/ group of words printed in bold as used in the
passage.
passage.
7. Austerity
(a) auscultation (b) decoration
(c) extravagance (d) spendthrift
(e) simplicity
8. Inroads
(a) Noticeable effect (b) making
road
road
(c) insecurities (d) inquest
(e) identification
Directions (Qs.9-10) : Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite
in meaning to the word / group of
words printed in bold as used in the passage.
9. Aggravate
(a) worsen (b) irritate
(c) aggregate (d) assuage
(e) astonish
10. Simmering
(a) seething (b) calm
(c) boiling (d) simulating
(e) exhilarating
Regards
Team ExamPundit
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