SBI PO Prelims: Comprehension Test – Set 4

Questions {1-10}: 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.

There are various sector in India
that needed to be assessed where the strength, weakness, opportunities and
threats. The total population is of over 1 billion which will increases to 1.46
billion by 2035 to cross China. The huge populations will result in higher
unemployment and deterioration of quality. Literacy, also a worsening factor in
India is yet another factor to be discussed. According to 1991 census, 64.8% of
Population was illiterate and male ratio holds 75.3 and female rate is of
53.7%. The literacy level in Rajasthan is very poor and even that has been
crossed by Bihar in the recent trend. The major downtrend of education is due
to the employment of child labor which is spread all over India and this should
be totally eradicated by the way of surveillance
and a good educational system must be implemented properly by the Government.
Pollution is one more threat to the environment, for the countries prospects.
This has been experienced more in urban areas mainly in metropolitan cities.
The water pollution by the sewage seepage into the ground water and improper
maintenance will lead to various diseases which in turn can affect the next
generation. In most of the cities there is no proper sewage disposal. The
Government has to take effective steps to control population which, in turn,
will minimize the pollution. Poverty questions the entire strengths of India’s
political view and minimizes the energetic way of approach. The shortfall of
rains, enormous floods, unexpected famine, drought, earthquake and the recent
tsunami hit the country in a negative way. The proactive approach through effective
Research and Analytical study helps us to determine the effects in advance and
proper allocation of funds is a prerequisite.
In developed countries like US, Japan precautionary methods are adopted to
overcome this, but it has to be improved a lot in our systems. Increased
population is one of the major reasons for poverty and the Government is unable
to allocate the basic needs to the society. India, has an estimated population
of over 1 billion people with nearly 400 million people living below the poverty
line and 90% of active population is in informal economy. The children are
forced to become a child labor due to their poverty, differential caste system
and untouchables are still customary in some of the states in India. They are
working in match industry for daily wages, as servants, mechanics, stone
breakers, agricultural workers etc. To prevent child labor, existing laws which
favors the Anti-Child Labor Act should be implemented by the Government
vigorously. More population will result in cheap cost by virtue of the demand
supply concept. Most of the foreign countries try to utilize this factor by
outsourcing their business in India with a very low capital. According to US,
India is a “Knowledge pool” with cheap labor. The major advantage is our
Communication and Technical skill which is adaptable to any environment. The
cutting edge skill in IT of our professionals will help the outsourcing
companies to commensurate with the needs of the consumers in a short span. The
major competitors for India are from China and Philippines and by the way of an
effective communication and expert technical ability, Indians are ahead the
race. The major Metropolitan states are targeting vigorously in the outsourcing
field by giving various amenities to the outsourcing companies like Tax
concession, allotting of land etc., to start their businesses in its cities
without any hurdles. Thereby most of the MNCs preferred India as their
destinations and capitalize the resources to maximize their assets. Infrastructure
is another key factor for outsourcing company to start a business in the
particular city. It includes road, rail, ports, power and water. The increased
input in infrastructure in India is very limited where China’s record is
excellent. India in earlier days gave more importance for the development of
Industry and less importance to other departments. But the scenario has quite
changed now-a-days by allocating a special budget of funds for the security.
This is because of the frightening increase in terrorism all around the world
especially emerging after the 9/11 terror attack in US. In the last ten years,
budget towards the development of military forces is higher when compared to
others. It shows that the threat from our neighboring countries is escalating.
India has to concentrate more on this security factor to wipe out the problem
in the way of cross-border terrorism. Making India, a developed country in 2020
is not an easy task. India has to keep in check the Population, corruption and
pollution and will have to improve the infrastructure. It must also improve
social structure and invest more on security. To quote China as an example is
that they demolished an old building to construct a very big port to meet
future demands, but India is still waiting for things to happen. India in the
recent past has improved a lot in the foreign exchange reserves, outsourcing
business and in exports too. The profits gained are to be spent for the
development of the welfare of the country. Most of the foreign companies are
ready to do business in India because of the individual prowess of manpower
which will give fast, quality output in a short span. India’s vision for a
brighter path will come true not only by mere words or speech, but extra effort
needed at all levels to overcome the pitfalls.

Q 01. Which of the following,
according to the author, is/are a result(s) of increased population in India?

A. Pollution

B. Poverty

C. Unemployment

 (1) Only A

 (2) Only A and B

 (3) Only B

 (4) Only A and C

 (5) All A, B and C

Q 02. Why, according to the
author, has the Indian Government allotted more funds to strengthen the
military forces?

(1) To improve security in order
to counter increasing terrorism

(2) As the security in India over
the past ten years was grossly inadequate

(3) As the US too has
strengthened its military forces after 9/11 attack

(4) As the industry is developed
enough and is not in need of any more funds

(5) None of these

Q 03. What is the author’s main
objective in writing this passage?

(1) To Exhort the government to
garner support from its neighboring countries

(2) To suggest to the government
to follow China’s example blindly thereby bringing about rapid development

(3) To highlight the plight of
the poor

(4) To discuss the problems of
child labour and suggest suitable remedies

(5) To bring forth the problems
associated with the India’s development and to suggest measures to counter
them.

Q 04. Why, according to the
author, is India one of the favourite destinations for investment by
outsourcing companies? A. Shorter response time for clients B. Better technical
skills C. Availability of cheap labour

(1) Only C

(2) All A, B and C

(3) Only B and C

(4) Only A and B

(5) Only A

Q 05. Which of the following
is/are true in the context of the passage?

A. India leads the way in the
amount invested in the development of infrastructure

B. Political system in India is
not influenced by poverty

C. Indian population would
increase by approximately 50% in the next 25 years

(1) Only A and B

(2) Only B

(3) Only C

(4) Only B and C

(5) All A, B and C

Q 06. Which of the following
is/are the facility(ies) available to MNCs investing in India?

A. Easy availability of land

B. Better infrastructure than
China

C. Tax Concessions

(1) Only C

(2) All A, B and C

(3) Only A and B

(4) Only A and C

(5) None of these

Q 07. Which of the following,
according to the author, is a result of poverty in India?

(1) Lack of a robust security
system

(2) Child labour and the
resulting dearth of educated youth

(3) Floods, famines and other
calamities

(4) Rapid increase in population

(5) None of these

Q 08. How, according to the
author can the effects of floods, famines, drought, etc. be minimized?

(1) By limiting pollution thereby
reducing the chances of such events taking place

(2) By educating the children
about the ill effects of such calamities who in turn will help during the time
of need

(3) By following the US system of
providing relief to its citizens

(4) By allotting proper funds for
research which can predict the outcome of such calamities and thus design
relief measures.

(5) None of these

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.

Q 09. SURVEILLANCE

(1) Spying

(2) Cameras

(3) Security

(4) Observation

(5) Alertness

Q 10. PREREQUISITE

(1) Result

(2) Association

(3) Necessity

(4) Factor

(5) Mystery

Answers:

1. (5) 
2. (1) 
3. (5) 
4. (2) 
5. (3) 
6. (4) 
7. (2) 
8. (4) 
9. (4) 
10. (3)