English Passage Practice Common Admission Test
Bank PO English Comprehension Solved Quiz
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
below it.
Passage 1
Recent advances in science and technology have made it possible for geneticists to
find out abnormalities in the unborn fetus and take remedial action to rectify some
defects which would otherwise prove to be fatal to the child. Though genetic engineering
is still at its infancy, scientists can now predict with greater accuracy a genetic disorder. lt
is not yet an ‘exact science since they are not in a position to predict when exactly a
genetic disorder will set in. While they have not yet been able to change the genetic order
of the gene in germs, they are optimistic and are holding out that in the near future they
might be successful in achieving this feat. They have, however, acquired the ability in
manipulating tissue cells. However, genetic miss-information can sometimes be damaging
for it may adversely affect people psychologically. Genetic information may lead to a
tendency to brand some people as inferiors. Genetic information can therefore be
abused and its application in deciding the sex of the fetus and its subsequent
acorn is now hotly debated on ethical lines. But on this issue geneticists cannot
be squarely blamed though this charge has often been leveled at them. lt is mainly a
societal problem. At present genetic engineering is a costly process of detecting
disorders but scientists hope to reduce the costs when technology becomes more
advanced. This is why much progress in this area has been possible in scientifically
advanced and rich countries like the U.S.A., U.K. and Japan. It remains to be
seen if in the future this science will lead to the development of a race of supermen
or will be able to obliterate disease from this world.
1. According to the passage, the question of abortion is
(a) Ignored
(b) Hotly debated
(c) Unanswered
(d) Left to the scientists to decide
(e) Already settled
Answer. (b)
2. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘obliterate as used in the
passage?
(a) Wipe off
(b) Eradicate
(c) Give birth to
(d) Wipe out
(e) Very literate
Answer. (b)
3. Which of the following is not true of the genetic engineering movement?
(a) Possibility of abuse
(b) It is confronted by official problems.
(c) Increased tendency to manipulate gene cells
(d) Acquired ability to detect genetic disorders in unborn babies
(e) Acquired ability to manipulate tissue cells.
Answer. (c)
4. Why, according to the author, is genetic misinformation severely damaging?
A. The cost involved is very high
B. Some people are unjustly branded as inferior.
(a) A only
(b) B only
(c) Both A and B
(d) Neither A nor B
(e) Either A or B
Answer. (b)
5. At present genetic engineering can rectify all genetic disorders. Is it?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) It can do so only in some cases
Answer. (c)
6. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘squarely’ as use in the
passage?
(a) Rigidly
(b) Firmly
(c) Directly
(d) At right angle
(e) Straight
Answer. (c)
7. According to the author, the present state of knowledge about heredity has made
geneticists
(a) Introspective
(b) Accusative
(c) Arrogant
(d) Optimistic
(e) Reckless
Answer. (d)
8. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the phrase ‘holding out’ as
used in the passage?
(a) Catching
(b) Expounding
(c) Sustaining
(d) Restraining
(e) Controlling
Answer. (b)
9. Which of the following is true regarding the reasons for progress in genetic engineering?
(a) It has become popular to abort female fetuses.
(b) Human beings are extremely interested in heredity.
(c) Economically sound and scientifically advanced countries can provide the infrastructure
for such research.
(d) Poor countries desperately need genetic information.
Answer. (c)
10. Which of the following is the opposite in meaning to the word ‘charged’ as used in
the passage?
(a) Calm
(b) Disturbed
(c) Discharged
(d) Settled
(e) Peaceful
Answer. (d)
11. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘feat' as used in the passage?
(a) Process
(b) Focus
(c) Fact
(d) Possibility
(e) Goal
Answer. (e)
12. In the passage, ‘abused’ means
(a) Insulted
(b) Talked about
(c) Killed
(d) Misused
(e) Changed
Answer. (d)
13. Which of the following, according to the author, are the short-comings of genetics
in becoming an exact science?
A. Technicians will not be able to determine the time when genetic disorder will set in.
B. Technicians have not been able to manipulate germ cells.
(a) A only
(b) B Only
(c) Both A and B
(d) Either A or B
(e) Neither A nor B
Answer. (c)
14. Which of the following is not true, according to the passage?
(a) Society is not affected by the research in genetic engineering.
(b) Genetic engineers are not able to say some things with certainty.
(c) If genetic information is not properly handled, it will create problems.
(d) Manipulation of genes is presently done only in tissue cell
(e) Scientists recognize the possibilities of abuse of -information related to genetics.
Answer. (a)
15. Which is the tone of the author in the last sentence of the passage?
(a) Resignation
(b) Cautious
(c) Relief
(d) Concern
(e) Unconcern
Answer. (b)
Passage 2
Political education may be defined as the preparation of a citizen to take well
informed, responsible and sustained action for participation in the national struggle
for the realization of the socio-economic objectives' of the country. The overriding
socio-economic objectives in India are the abolition of poverty and the creation of a
modern democratic, secular and socialist society in 'place of the present traditional,
feudal, hierarchical and in egalitarian one.
Under the British rule, the Congress leaders argued that political education was
an important part of education and 'refused to accept the official view that education
and politics should not be mixed with one another. But when they came to power -in
1947 they almost adopted the British policy and began to talk of education being
defiled by politics. ‘Hands off education’ was the call to political parties. But inspite
of it,' political infiltration into the educational system has greatly increased in the sense
that different political parties vie with each other to capture the minds of teachers and
students. The wise academicians wanted political support, without political interference.
What we have actually received is infinite 'political interference with little genuine political
support. This interference with the educational system by political parties for their own
ulterior motives is no political education at all; and with the all round growth of elitism, it
is hardly a matter for surprise that real political education within the school system (which
really means the creation of a commitment to social transformation) has been even
weaker than in the pre-independence period.
At the same time, the freedom struggle came to an end' and the major non-formal
agency of political education disappeared. The press could and did provide some
political education. But it did not utilize the opportunity to the full and the strangle
hold of vested interests continued to dominate it. The same can be said of political
parties as well as of other institutions and agencies outside the school system which
can be expected to provide political education. All things considered, it appears that
we have made no progress in genuine political education in the post-independence
period and have even sided back in some respects. For instance, the education
system has become even more elite-oriented. Patriotism has become the first
casualty. Gandhiji gave us the courage to oppose government when it was wrong, in
a disciplined fashion and on basic principles. (he believed the means to be as important as
the ends) and taught us to work among the poor people for mobilizing and organizing
them. Today, we have even lost the courage to fight on basic issues in a disciplined manner
because agitation and anarchic politics for individual, group or party aggrandizement has
become common. The education system of today continues to support domination of the privileged groups and domestication of the under-privileged ones. The situation will not change unless we take vigorous
steps to provide genuine political education on an adequate scale. This is one of the
major educational reforms we need; and if l it is not carried out, mere linear expansion
of the existing system of formal education will only support the status quo and
hamper radical social transformation.
16. Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?
(a) British rulers wanted Indian education system to be influenced by politics.
(b) Academic institutions receive genuine political support.
(c) Real political education should aim at creating an elitist society.
(d) The Indian press has been under the influence of privileged groups.
(e) Our education system caters to the needs ofthe masses
Answer. (d)
17. What should be the ultimate objective of political education?
(a) To foster all round growth of elitism
(b) Do bring quantitative change in the entire education system
(c) To create an egalitarian society
(d) To prepare students with high intellectual acumen
(e) To provide genuine support to educational institutions
Answer. (c)
18. What was the policy of the ruling party regarding political education immediately
after independence?
(a) Education should keep itself clean of politics.
(b) Political education should be imparted through formal means.
(c) Press should take up the responsibility of imparting political education.
(d) Political education should not be devoid of socio-economic realities.
(e) Political parties should impart political education through formal means.
Answer. (a)
19. How has politics been related to educational institutions after independence?
(a) They got political support devoid of political interference.
(b) They got almost no political support as well as political interference
(c) They got political support at the cost of political interference.
(d) There was substantial interference without political support.
(e) None of these.
Answer. (d)
20. Which is the most opposite in meaning to the word “hamper” as used in the passage?
(a) Expedite
(b) Enhance
(c) Foster
(d) Oppose
(e) Initiate
Answer. (a)
21. Which is the major pitfall of the present education system?
(a) It is mainly represented by the downtrodden masses.
(b) It perpetuates the domination of the privileged few.
(c) It is based on the British model of education.
(d) It is highly hierarchical and in egalitarian in nature.
(e) It does not inculcate values among the students.
Answer. (b)
22. Which word is nearly same in meaning as ‘defile’ as used in the passage?
(a) Disparage
(b) Tarnish
(c) Degenerate
(d) Criticize
(e) Contaminate
Answer. (e)
23. According to the passage, what is the main contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to the field
of political education?
(a) He spread ‘political literacy’ among the people through non-formal political education.
(b) He emphasized the need of keeping education free from political interference
(c) He taught us agitation and anarchic politics in a disciplined manner.
(d) He made us believe that our political end should be compatible with the means.
Answer. (d)
24. Which of the following statements is not true?
(a) The spirit of patriotism is on the verge of extinction as
(b) Political parties provide proper political education.
(c) We do not have courage to Fight on basic issues.
(d) Freedom struggle helped educate people politically.
(e) Political education is necessary for bringing about social change.
Answer. (b)
25. According to the passage, political education in the real sense should
(a) Impede the process of creating an ideal society
(b) Develop people who will be committed to bring social change
(c) Make political parties aware of the need of major educational reforms
(d) Strengthen the traditional and feudal elements of the society
(e) Develop patriotism among people of the privileged class
Answer. (b)
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