(Paper) SBI Clerk Exam Paper - 2008
:: ENGLISH LANGUAGE ::
Directions (41 - 55): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain works/expressions are given in bold in the passage to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Radically changing monsoon patterns, reduction in the winter rice harvest and a quantum increase in respiratory diseases all part of the environmental doomsday scenario which is reportedly playing out in South Asia. According to a United Nations Environment Programme report, a deadly three km deep blatant of pollution comprising a fearsome cocktail of ash, acids, aerosols and other particles has enveloped this region. For India, already struggling to cope with a drought, the implications of this are devasting and further crop failure will amount to a life and death question for many Indians. The increase in premature deaths will have adverse social and economic consequence and a rise in morbidities will place an unbearable burden on our crumbling health system. And there is no one to blame but ourselves. Both official and corporate India has always been allergic to any mention of clean technology. most mechanical two wheelers roll off the assembly line without proper pollution control systems. Little effort is made R & D on simple technologies, which could make a vital difference to people's lives and the environment.
However, while there is no denying that South Asia must clean up its act, sceptics might questions the timing of the haze report. The johannesburg meet on rio +10 is just two weeks away and the staze is set for the usual battle between the developing world and the West, particularly the U.S. President Mr. Bush has admantly refused to sign any protocol, which would mean a change in American consumption. U.N. environment report will likely find a place in the U.S. arsenal as it points an accruing finger countries like India and China. yet the U.S. can hardly deny is own dubious role in the matter of erasing trading quotas. Richer countries can simply buy up excess credits from poorer countries and continue to pollute. Rather than try to get the better of developing countries, who undoubtedly have taken up environmental shortcuts in their bid to catch up with the West, the U.S. should take a look at the environment profligacy, which is going on within. From opening up virgin territories for oil exploration to relaxing the standards for drinking water. Mr. Bush's policies are not exactly beneficial- not even to Americans we realise that we are all in this together and that pollution anywhere should be a global concern only be more tunnels at the end of the tunnel.
41. Both official and corporate India is allergic to
1) failure of monsoon
2) poverty and inequality
3) slowdown in industrial product
4) mention of clean technology
5) crop failure
42. Which, according to the passage, is a life and death question to many Indians?
1) Increase in respiratory diseases
2) Use of clean technology
3) Thick blanket of pollution over the region
4) Failure in crops
5) Dwindling agricultural yield
43. If the rate of premature deaths increases it will-
1) exert added burden on our crumbling economy
2) have adverse social and economic consequences
3) make positive effect on our efforts to control population
4) have less aspirants in the society
5) have healthy effect on our economy
44. Choose the word which is SIMILAR in meaning to the work 'profligacy' as used in the passage.
1) wastefulness
2) conservation
3) upliftment
4) criticalness
5) denouncement
45. According to the passage, India cannot tolerate any further-
1) crop failure
2) deterioration of health care system
3) increase in respiratory diseases
4) proliferation of nuclear devises
5) social and economic consequences
