English Comprehension MCQ test
Reading Comprehension - Multiple Choice
Comprehension Questions Answers MCQ
Please Read the Article and answer the questions given below
Two principles are involved in the controversy about the
presence of
foreign-controlled media in the country; the free flow of
ideas and images across
national borders and the need 59 safeguard the national
interest and preserve cultural
autonomy. Both are valid but both are at loggerheads
because each; has been used to
promote less lofty goals. The first principle conforms to
a moral imperative; freedom of
expression cannot rhyme with restrictions imposed by any
government. But the free
flow rhetoric also clouds the fact that the powerful
Western, and especially American,
media can and often do present, subtly or brazenly, news
in fa manner which
promotes Western political, ideological and strategic
interests. Besides, Western
entertainment programmes present lifestyles and values
cherished by fractional
societies. All this explains why so many Indian
newspapers, magazines and news
agencies have sought protection from the courts to
prevent foreign publications and
news agencies from operating in the country. Their
arguments are weak on two
counts. As the bitter debate on a new world information
and communication order
demonstrated in the late seventies and early eighties,
many of those who resent
Western invasion’ in the information and cultural fields
are no great friends of
democracy. Secondly, the threat of such an ‘invasion’ has
been aired by those media
groups in the developing countries who fear that their business
interests will be
harmed if Western groups, equipped with large financial
and technological resources
and superior management skills, are allowed to operate in
the country without let.
The fear is valid but it goes
against the gain of the economic reform
programme. The presence of foreign newspapers and
television channels will
increase competition which, in course of time, can only
lead to the up gradation of
dynamic Indian newspapers and television channels even
while they drive the rest out
of the market. One -way to strike a balance between the
two antagonistic principles
'would be to allow foreign media entry into the country,
provided the Indian state
treats them on par with the domestic media on all fronts.
On the import of
technology, for instance, foreign media cannot be allowed
duty concessions denied
to their Indian counterparts, Foreign media will also
have to face the legal
consequences should they run afoul of Indian laws. Why,
for example, should the
BBC, or Time magazine or The Economist get away with
showing a map of Kashmir
which is at variance with the office Indian map? Why
should they go scot-free when
they allow secessionists and terrorists to air their
views without giving the
government the right of reply? Or when they depict
sexually explicit scenes which
would otherwise not be cleared by the Censor Board? Since
the government can
do precious little in the matter, especially about
satellite broadcasts, what if it should
consider attaching the properties of the offending parties?
Demands of this kind
are bound to be voiced unless New Delhi makes it clear to
the foreign media that
they will have to respect 'Indian susceptibilities especially where it concerns the country's
integrity and its culture. It may be able to derive some
inspiration from France's successful
attempts in the recent GATT to protect its
cinematographic industry.
1. Which of
the following has been the major recommendation regarding the entry of
foreign media?
(a) Allow entry provided they do not ask for duty
concessions on import of technology.
(b) Allow entry treating them on par with domestic media.
(c) It should be welcomed without putting any
restrictions.
(d) lt should not be allowed.
(e) None of these.
Answer. (b)
2. Which of
the following means ‘at loggerheads’ as used in the passage?
(a) Opposite to each other
(b) Unsuited to each other
(c) In league with
(d) Unimportant
(e) Out of place
Answer. (a)
3. In the
controversy involving two principles regarding allowing foreign media, which of
the following is against its entry?
(a) Governmental restrictions
(b) Preserve culture
(c) Security across national borders
(d) Western ideology
(e) Free flow of ideas
Answer. (b)
4. Which of
the variance as used in the passage?
(a) At large
(b) In conformity
(c) Variable
(d) Discrepancy
(e) Differing
Answer. (e)
5. According
to the passage, which media in particular promotes Western interests?
(a) Western
(b) Foreign
(c) American
(d) French
(e) None of these
Answer. (c)
6. Which of
the following is one of the points weakening the argument to prevent entry of
foreign media?
(a) The foreign media may not be treated on par with the
domestic media.
(b) Such entry would be against traditional culture.
(c) The arguments being put forth are at loggerheads.
(d) The threat being voiced by those whose business will
be harmed by such an entry.
(e) None of these.
Answer. (d)
7. Which of the following means ‘without
let’?
(a) Without confinement
(b) Without restrictions
(c) With no difficulty
(d) With strings
(e) Conducive environment
Answer. (b)
8. Why should
the entry of foreign media harm local interests?
(a) Different sets of laws and rules were made applicable
for foreign media.
(b)Economic reform programmes will get a setback.
(c) The cultural heritage will be lost.
(d) They are better equipped-managerially and
technologically.
(e) None of these
Answer. (d)
9. Which of
the following will be the impact of increasing competition?
(a) lt will improve Indian newspapers and television.
(b) The domestic media will not be able to withstand it.
(c) The Indian news agencies will seek protection from
the court.
(d) The foreign media will not be allowed duty
concessions on import of technology.
(e) None of these
Answer. (a)
10. A country
has been cited as having succeeded in protecting which of the following?
(a) News Agencies
(b) Television
(c) GATT
(d) Cultural relations
(e) None of these
Answer. (e)
11. Which of
the following seems to be the most likely purpose of writing this passage?
(a) To highlight the exploitation by developed nations
(b)To make the public aware of the technological and
managerial superiority of western media
(c) To criticize foreign media
(d) To highlight the steps and caution to be taken about
the entry of foreign media
(e) To prevent foreign media from entering our country
Answer. (d)
