Banking Awareness

Q1. ____________, who represents the interests of the insured in searching for insurance coverage at the lowest cost and highest benefit to the insured. 

(a) Cashier

(b) Broker

(c) Agent

(d) Customer

(e) Banker

S1. Ans.(b)

Sol. Broker, who represents the interests of the insured in searching for insurance coverage at the lowest cost and highest benefit to the insured. The broker may also be an agent of the insurer for purposes of policy collection and delivery of the policy. 

Q2. In which among the following year National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) was incorporated?

(a) 1956

(b) 1949

(c) 1934

(d) 1919

(e) 1906

S2. Ans.(e)
Sol. National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) was incorporated in the year 1906. After nationalization it was merged, along with 21 foreign and 11 Indian companies, to form National Insurance Company Ltd.

Q3. Agriculture Insurance Company Of India Limited’ (AIC) was incorporated to exclusively cater to the insurance needs of the persons engaged in agriculture and allied activities in India under- 

(a) Companies Act, 1956 

(b) IRDA Act, 1999

(c) Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934

(d) SEBI Act, 1992

(e) None of the given options is true

S3. Ans.(a)
Sol. Agriculture Insurance Company Of India Limited (AIC) was incorporated to exclusively cater to the insurance needs of the persons engaged in agriculture and allied activities in India under the Companies Act, 1956 on 20th December 2002.

Q4. The written insurance contract that may include all clauses, riders and endorsements. It is called?

(a) Liabilities

(b) Premium

(c) Installment

(d) Policy

(e) Assets

S4. Ans.(d)
Sol. Policy is the written insurance contract that may include all clauses, riders and endorsements.

Q5. UHIS has launched by the Government of India is already in existence for persons and families below the poverty line with the element of subsidy from the Government. UHIS stands for-

(a) Universal Health Insurance System

(b) Universal Health Insurance Service

(c) Universal Health Insurance Scheme

(d) Universal Health Insurance Solutions

(e) Universal Health Insurance Scenario

S5. Ans.(c)
Sol. The Universal Health Insurance Scheme (UHIS) has launched by the Government of India is already in existence for persons and families below the poverty line with element of subsidy from the Government. In addition, the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) was also rolled out from by the Government to provide the health insurance coverage for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.

Q6. Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) was incorporated in which year?

(a) 20th December 1999

(b) 20th December 2007

(c) 20th December 1992

(d) 20th December 2004

(e) 20th December 2002

S6. Ans.(e)
Sol. Agriculture Insurance Company Of India Limited (AIC) was incorporated to exclusively cater to the insurance needs of the persons engaged in agriculture and allied activities in India under the Companies Act, 1956 on 20th December 2002.

Q7. IBAI was incorporated as a Company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956. What is the meaning of "B" in IBAI?

(a) Basel

(b) Broadcasting

(c) Board

(d) Brokers

(e) Banking

S7. Ans.(d)
Sol. Insurance Brokers Association of India (IBAI) was incorporated as a Company under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956.

Q8. Where is the head office of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC)?

(a) Hyderabad

(b) Mumbai

(c) New Delhi

(d) Kolkata

(e) Chennai

S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. The head office of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) is in New Delhi.

Q9. Nippon Life Insurance has signed definitive agreements to invest Rs 2,265 crore (US$ 332.32 million) in order to increase its stake in Reliance Life Insurance from 26 per cent to 49 per cent. Nippon Life Insurance based in-

(a) Germany

(b) Japan

(c) Canada

(d) USA

(e) France

S9. Ans.(b)
Sol. Nippon Life Insurance, Japan’s second largest life insurance company, has signed definitive agreements to invest Rs 2,265 crore (US$ 332.32 million) in order to increase its stake in Reliance Life Insurance from 26 per cent to 49 per cent.

Q10. ___________ insurance gives protection to the vehicle owner against damages to his/her vehicle and pays for any Third Party Liability determined as per law against the owner of the vehicle. 

(a) Motor Insurance

(b) Travel Insurance

(c) Group Insurance

(d) Life Insurance

(e) Health Insurance

S10. Ans.(a)
Sol. Motor insurance gives protection to the vehicle owner against (i) damages to his/her vehicle and (ii) pays for any Third Party Liability determined as per law against the owner of the vehicle.  Third Party Insurance is a statutory requirement. The owner of the vehicle is legally liable for any injury or damage to third party life or property caused by or arising out of the use of the vehicle in a public place. Driving a motor vehicle without insurance in a public place is a punishable offence in terms of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

Q11. Which among the following companies has not contributed towards the share capital of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC)? 

(a) Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)

(b) General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC)

(c) National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

(d) Oriental Insurance Company Limited (OICL)

(e) National Insurance Company Limited (NICL)

S11. Ans.(a)
Sol. Promoters (Share Holding) of Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited (AIC) is given below:-
General Insurance Corporation of India - 35 %
National Bank for Agriculture And Rural Development (NABARD) - 30 %
National Insurance Company Limited - 8.75 %
The New India Assurance Company Limited - 8.75 %
The Oriental Insurance Company Limited - 8.75 %
United India Insurance Company Limited - 8.75 %

Q12. Where is the head office of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL)?

(a) Hyderabad

(b) Kolkata

(c) New Delhi

(d) Mumbai

(e) Chennai

S12. Ans.(b)
Sol. The Head Office of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) is in Kolkata.

Q13. What is the authorised capital of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL)?

(a) Rs.1500 crore 

(b) Rs.100 crore 

(c) Rs.200 crore

(d) Rs.500 crore 

(e) Rs.1000 crore

S13. Ans.(c)
Sol. The authorized capital and paid-up equity capital of the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) is Rs.200 crore and Rs.100 crore respectively.

Q14. IRDAI has allowed insurers to invest up to ___________ in Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bonds, that are issued by banks to augment their tier 1 capital, in order to expand the pool of eligible investors for the banks.

(a) 25 per cent 

(b) 30 per cent 

(c) 20 per cent 

(d) 10 per cent

(e) 15 per cent

S14. Ans.(d)
Sol. IRDAI has allowed insurers to invest up to 10 per cent in additional tier 1 (AT1) bonds, that are issued by banks to augment their tier 1 capital, in order to expand the pool of eligible investors for the banks.

Q15. Who is the present Chairman of IRDAI?

(a) Harsh Kumar Bhanwala

(b) Kshatrapati Shivaji

(c) Urjit Patel

(d) Ajay Tyagi

(e) T S Vijayan

S15. Ans.(e)
Sol. Mr. T S Vijayan took charge as Chairman of Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India in February 2013. Since then Mr. Vijayan has been playing a key role in various initiatives for enhancing insurance awareness and making insurance affordable to all sections of population. He has also taken various measures for optimum utilization of technology in the insurance space.

QUIZ-12

Q1. Who has been assumed charge as Managing Director & CEO of Union Bank of India?

(a) Melwyn Rego

(b) Rajkiran Rai G

(c) Rakesh Sethi

(d) Sunil Mehta

(e) None of the given options is true

S1. Ans.(b)
Sol. Rajkiran Rai G has been assumed charge as Managing Director & CEO of Union Bank of India. Prior to his elevation as MD & CEO of Union Bank of India, Rai was Executive Director of Oriental Bank of Commerce. 

Q2. Which among the following countries has lifted their maiden Confederation Cup Football title?

(a) USA

(b) France

(c) Argentina

(d) Canada

(e) Germany

S2. Ans.(e)
Sol. Germany have lifted their maiden Confederation Cup Football title. In the final played at St Petersburg, the four-time World Cup winners defeated Chile by a solitary goal. Lars Stindl put Germany ahead in the first half against the run of play, and Germany then held on to the lead.

Q3. Which state has sets record with plantation of 6 crores saplings in the day?

(a) Assam

(b) Gujarat

(c) Madhya Pradesh

(d) West Bengal

(e) Uttarakhand

S3. Ans.(c)
Sol. In Madhya Pradesh, a massive plantation campaign was undertaken to save the environment and conservation of the Narmada river. According to official sources over six crores, saplings were planted in 24 districts of Narmada basin in just 12 hours.

Q4. Which among the following University has announced exemption of fees for its transgender students of all programmes? 

(a) Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

(b) Aligarh Muslim University (AMU)

(c) Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

(d) University of Delhi (DU)

(e) Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMIU)

S4. Ans.(a)
Sol. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has announced exemption of fees for its transgender students of all programmes. Vice Chancellor Ravindra Kumar announced the initiative during the 22nd Prof G Ram Reddy Lecture.

Q5. FINO Payments Bank has commenced operations as a payments bank with effect from 30th June 2017 according to the Reserve Bank of India. FINO Payments Bank based in-

(a) Varanasi

(b) Chennai

(c) Bengaluru

(d) Mumbai

(e) Jaipur

S5. Ans.(d)
Sol. FINO Payments Bank has commenced operations as a payments bank with effect from 30th June 2017 according to the Reserve Bank of India. FINO PayTech Ltd, Mumbai, was one of the 11 applicants which were issued the in-principle approval for setting up a payments bank.

Q6. Who has became Serbia's first female prime minister and the first openly gay premier in the Balkans, where homophobia remains widespread?

(a) Mohammed bin Salman

(b) Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov 

(c) Klaus Iohannis

(d) Theresa May

(e) Ana Brnabic

S6. Ans.(e)
Sol. The Serbian parliament voted in Ana Brnabic, an openly gay woman, as the country's prime minister in a landmark move for the patriarchal conservative country and the entire Balkans region. The 41-year old Brnabic and her cabinet were backed by 157 MPs in the 250-seat parliament after being proposed by President Aleksandar Vucic.

Q7. Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudy and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has laid the foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park in ___________.

(a) Ujjain

(b) Gwalior

(c) Indore 

(d) Bhopal

(e) Jabalpur

S7. Ans.(d)
Sol. Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajeev Pratap Rudy and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has laid the foundation stone of the country’s biggest Global Skill Park in Bhopal. The 37-acre land has been allotted in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal for the Global Skill Park. The park will be constructed at a cost of 645 crore rupees. Training will be imparted to 1000 students every year by trainers of international standard. The park will function on the spirit of ‘With Industry -For Industry’.

Q8. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a photo book titled "President Pranab Mukherjee ________ at an event in Rashtrapati Bhawan.

(a) A Gentleman

(b) A Warrior

(c) A Statesman

(d) A Veteran

(e) None of the given options is true

S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a photo book titled "President Pranab Mukherjee - A Statesman", at an event in Rashtrapati Bhawan. He presented the first copy of the book to the President.

Q9. Where is the capital of Serbia?

(a) Juba

(b) Belgrade

(c) Kampala

(d) Jakarta

(e) Nairobi

S9. Ans.(b)
Sol. Belgrade is the capital city of Serbia.

Q10. The payments bank will be registered as a public limited company under the Companies Act, 2013 and licensed under Section _____ of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

(a) section 22

(b) section 56

(c) section 47

(d) section 34

(e) section 27

S10. Ans.(a)
Sol. The payments bank will be registered as a public limited company under the Companies Act, 2013 and licensed under Section 22 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Daily GK Update 11th July 2017

1. World Population Day: 11 July

i. World Population Day is being observed globally on 11th July.

ii. The theme of this year is 'Family Planning- Empowering People, Developing Nations'.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• World Population Day was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989.
• Antonio Guterres is the Secretary-General of United Nations.

2. Khaltmaa Battulga elected as Mongolian president

i. Mongolian Businessman and Martial Arts expert Khaltmaa Battulga was sworn in as president, vowing to revive the flagging economy and pursue relations with countries outside its giant neighbors Russia and China. 

ii. Battulga replaces Tsakhia Elbegdorj after the outgoing president served the maximum four-year terms for two times. 

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia.
• The Currency of Mongolia is Mongolian togrog.

3. MoHUA is the new name for urban development & housing ministry

i. The government has merged the urban development and housing and urban poverty alleviation ministries. Now this will be known as Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). This is the third time the ministries have been merged.

ii. Venkaiah Naidu heads the ministries of urban development, and housing and urban poverty alleviation.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Ministry of Works & Housing was changed to Ministry of Urban Development in September 1985.

4. Government to organize global food fair in November 2017 to boost food sector

i. The government of India will organize a global food fair in November this year to provide a platform to Indian farmers and manufacturers to showcase their products and explore partnerships with foreign companies.

ii. The three-day international level fair 'World Food India 2017' is being organized on November 3-5 by the Food Processing Ministry, where industry body CII will be an event partner.
iii. The World Food India is a step aimed at creating India a 'Global Food Factory' and 'Global Food Retail Market'.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Harsimrat Kaur Badal is the Food Processing Minister.

5. Finance Ministry launched next gold bond tranche

i. The next tranche of sovereign gold bond (SGB) scheme was launched recently by the Government. This time, providing a 2.5 percent annual interest to investors.
ii. The bonds will be available in banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), designated post offices and recognized stock exchanges namely National Stock Exchange of India Limited(NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange(BSE).

iii. Finance Ministry has announced the sixth tranche of gold bonds applications for which will be accepted from July 10 to July 14, 2017, according to the finance ministry. The bonds will be issued to eligible applicants on July 28.

iv. The minimum investment will be 1 gram of gold. The maximum limit can be subscribed up to 500 grams per person per fiscal year.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Shri Arun Jaitley is the present Finance Minister of India.

6. RBI amends order on bankruptcy action on 12 large NPAs

i. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has amended its earlier order asking banks to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against 12 companies which have outstanding loans amounting to over Rs 5,000 crore as on March 2016.

ii. The amendment, made through a notification, comes after the Gujarat High Court asked the RBI to remove the stipulation on its order last month that the 12 non-performing assets (NPAs), or bad loans, would be granted priority at the National Company Law Tribunal. 

iii. Essar Steel, one of the 12 large NPAs identified by the RBI, had approached the Gujarat High Court for the RBI proceedings. 

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• RBI Headquarters in Mumbai.
• The 24th Governor of RBI is Dr. Urjit Patel.

7. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley Launches 'Aaykar Setu' To Enhance E-Access Of Taxpayers

i. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley launched 'Aaykar Setu', an e-initiative for the Income tax Department to directly communicate with the taxpayers and aimed at providing information on useful tax services.
ii. To enhance mobile access experience, a mobile responsive Android version was also released along with the desktop version.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• The Finance Minister of India Shri Arun Jaitley is the head of GST council. 

8. Mother Teresa’s Blue-Bordered Sari declared an Intellectual Property

i. The famous blue-bordered sari of Mother Teresa, who has been canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by the Vatican, has been recognized as an Intellectual Property of the Missionaries of Charity.

ii. This is the first time that a uniform has been made the intellectual property. It has obtained “distinctive symbolic identity” of the Missionaries of Charity.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Mother Teresa was born on 26 August 1910 into a Kosovar Albanian family.
• She died at the age of 87 on 5th September 1997 at Calcutta, West Bengal.

9. Ministry of Health signs MoU with Government of West Bengal to set up Centre of Excellence in Transfusion Medicine

i. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed an MoU with the Government of West Bengal to formalize its support to set up a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Transfusion Medicine at Kolkata.

ii. The Centre of Excellence in Transfusion Medicine will be set up in Kolkata. The initiative helps in strengthening the blood transfusion services in the State and the surrounding region. The government of India has approved this important initiative with an outlay of approximately Rs.200 Crores towards equipment, manpower and running costs.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Shri Keshari Nath Tripathi is the Governor of West Bengal.
• Smt. Mamta Banerjee is the CM of West Bengal.

10. P V Sindhu bags ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ award

i. Rio Olympics silver medallist P V Sindhu was bestowed with the 'Sportsperson of the Year' award during the ‘Maruti Suzuki Sportsperson of the Year’ Charity Gala Awards.

ii. Sindhu’s coach P Gopichand received the Coach of the Year award while the Flying Sikh Milkha Singh was given the Living Legend of the Year award.
iii. Young India cricketer K L Rahul, who made a mark in the last Test series against Australia, was awarded Gamechanger of the Year award.

iv. The 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medallist and the country’s sole gold medal winner in individual events at Olympics, Abhinav Bindra was given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Deepa Malik was given Inspirational athlete of the year award.
• Gaurav Gill was given Athlete of the year award.

11. Leslie Thng to take over as new CEO of Vistara

i. The board of TATA SIA Airlines Ltd, which owns and operates the full-service airline Vistara, has appointed former SilkAir head Leslie Thng as Vistara’s new chief executive officer (CEO), effective from October 2017.

Important Takeaways from Above News-

• Leslie Thng will succeed Vistara’s incumbent CEO Phee Teik Yeoh.
• Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, commenced operations on 9 January 2015.

Quant Quiz

Quant Quiz
Directions (1-5): Study the following Pie Graph carefully and answer the questions given below.Cost estimated by a family in renovation of its house.Total cost estimate Rs.240000

1. During the process of renovation the family actually incurs miscellaneous expenditure of Rs.20400. The miscellaneous expenditure incurred by the family is what percent of the total estimated cost?(1) 9.5 (2) 9 (3) 8.5 (4) 10.5 (5) None of these
2. Other than getting the discount of 12% on the estimated cost of furniture and the actual miscellaneous expenditure of Rs. 20,400 instead of the estimated, the family’s estimated cost is correct. What is the total expenditure of the family in renovation of its house (In Rs.)?(1) 237456 (2) 231852 (3) 239000 (4) 233000 (5) None of these
3. What is the difference in the amount estimated by the family on Interior Decoration and Architect Fees (In Rs.)?(1) 20000 (2) 19000 (3) 14400 (4) 18000 (5) None of these
4. What is the cost estimated by the family on Painting and Flooring together (In Rs.)?(1) 73000 (2) 69600 (3) 72000(4) 69000 (5) None of these
5. The family gets a discount on Furniture and pays 12% less than the estimated cost on Furniture. What is the amount spent on furniture (In Rs.)?(1) 26400 (2) 29052 (3) 27052 (4) 27456 (5) None of these
Directions (6-10): Study the following table and answer the questions given below.The following table details the revenue of three major Indian software companies A, B and C and total revenue of all Indian software companies from 2008 to 2012.

Year	A    (in crores)	B         (in crores)	C (in crores)	Total (including all companies)
2008	587	897	303	1891
2009	1030	1135	410	2660
2010	1275	1531	510	3460
2011	1820	2070	700	4720
2012	2400	2800	1025	6300

6. What is the simple growth rate of the total revenue from 2008 to 2012?(1) 233%  (2) 258%  (3) 235% (4) 242% (5) Cannot be determined
7. Which of the following statements is/are true?I. The revenue has shown the highest growth rate for company B.II. If revenues of company C grows at the same rate from 2013 to 2017 as 2008 to 2012, then output in 2017 will be Rs.2100 crore.III. The ratio of revenues of company A and C in 2010 is 1:4.(1) Only I   (2) Only II  (3) Only III (4) Both I and III (5) None of these
8. If the share of company B’s revenue in the total remains same in 2014 as in 2012; and in 2014, the total output is Rs. 9000 cr, the revenue of company B in 2014 is(1) Rs.4000 cr  (2) Rs.3000 cr  (3) Rs.2000 cr (4) Rs.2500 cr  (5) Cannot be determined
9. Which of the following statements is/are true?I. Revenues of company B grew at a (simple rate of ) 22% per annum from 2008 to 2012.II. Total revenue of A, B and C grew at (a simple rate of) 15% per annum on an average from 2008 to 2012..III. Revenues of company A is growing fastest during the period shown above.(1) Only I  (2) Only III  (3) II and III (4) Both I and II (5) None of these
10. What was the total Revenue of software companies other than those mentioned in the table in 2009 in crores?(1) 85  (2) 75  (3) 109 (4) 65  (5) Cannot be determined
ANSWERS:
1. (3)
Required percentage = 20400/240000 * 100 = 8.5
2. (1)
Estimated mislaneous cost = 8% of 240000 = 19200
Total expenditure of family = 240000 – 19200 + 20400 – 12% of 13% of 240000 = 237456
3. (5)
Required difference = (19-11)% of 240000 = 19200
4. (2)
Requires cost = (15+14)% of 240000 = 69600
5. (4)
Amount spent on furniture = (100-12)% of 13% of 240000 = 27456
6. (1)
Required percentage =  {(6300-1891)/1891 * 100} = 233%
7. (5)
Statement I is false as growth rate of system software is lower than that of financial software.
Statement II is false as nothing is mentioned about growth rate from 88 to 89.
Statement III is false as the ratio of financial software to utilities in 1986 is 2.3.
8. (1)
Let the required value be x. Then
2800/6300 = x/9000
X = 4000
9. (2)
Statement I : [{(2800 - 897)/897} * 100]/4 = 53%
Hence statement I is false.
Statement II : [(6225 - 1787)/1787 * 100] /4 = 62%
Hence Statement II is false.
Statement III: As seen from the table financial software is the only category where the figure in 2012 is more
than 4 times that in 2008
Hence statement III is true.
10. (1)
2660 – (1030 + 1135 + 410) = 85 cr.

New Pattern English

Directions (1-6): Read the paragraphs given in each question and choose a suitable summary from the given options:

Q1. The liberal democracies of the west benefited from the end of the Soviet bloc, but it is hard to argue that low oil prices in the Arab and Muslim world led to much peace and stability. One safe observation today is that the slump in global oil prices has notably dimmed hopes that emerging powers might continue their growth and modernization, simultaneously becoming solid stakeholders in a stable international order.

(a) The stagnating growth of emerging markets and conflict in the Middle East which is a disadvantage far outweighs the advantages accruing to the west from the oil price slump.

(b) Recessionary trends refuse to let up as growth in emerging markets remains sluggish limiting their ability to demand oil. Slow demand in turn has created problems for the Soviet bloc and the Arab world.

(c) The slump in oil prices has proved advantageous to the liberal West but has compounded the problems for the rest of the world resulting in conflict in the Arab world and deceleration in growth of emerging markets.

(d) The dismantling of the Soviet Bloc has helped liberal democracies in the west. This has been made possible through low global oil prices.

(e) None of the above is correct

Q2. Today we know much more about how and why HIV the virus that leads to AIDS has become a global pandemic. Unsurprisingly, sex workers unwillingly played a part. But no less important were the roles of trade, the collapse of colonialism, and 20th Century sociopolitical reform.

(a) Diseases do no assume epidemic proportions without the aid of sociopolitical and economic factors.

(b) Trade and commerce, among other factors, played an important role in the spread of the HIV virus which causes AIDS.

(c) The AIDS epidemic was also fanned by the decline of colonialism and trade and commerce along with social and political changes effected in the 20th century.

(d) The chief reason for the spread of the AIDS causing HIV virus was sex workers and post colonial reform measures of the 20th century.

(e) None of the above is correct

Q3. Surprisingly, it works. Repeating myself afterwards minus the cups I sound even more convincing about the specifics of my fish-and-chip dinner than I did the first time round. The cups device is just one of the many exercises taught in City Academy’s ‘How to Get Heard in Meetings’ course, which, while open to anyone, is being marketed as an especially female-friendly way to apply performance techniques to everyday scenarios. Women have long struggled to make themselves heard in the workplace. In 2014, Harvard Business Review reported that “we have consistently heard women say that they feel less effective in meetings than they do in other business situations. Some say that their voices are ignored or drowned out. Others tell us that they can’t find a way into the conversation … In fact, several men reported seeing a female colleague get rattled or remain silent even when she was the expert at the table.”

(a) Executives with poor communication skills often struggle to get themselves heard at meetings. Female executives have been noted to get rattled and drowned out at such meetings.

(b) Male executives in modern business organizations do not allow their female counterparts the space to voice their thoughts in discussions. This causes women executives to feel less effective in meetings.

(c) Women often struggle to make their points in official meetings perhaps because they are outnumbered by their male colleagues or ignored. Communication exercises have become a popular method to set right this state of affairs.

(d) Female executives usually opt for performance techniques to improve their communication skills at meetings.

(e) None of the above is correct

Q4. In a commentary, the Vatican daily Osservatore Romano said treatment of this kind towards religion “is not new” and stressed that religious figures have repeatedly condemned violence in the name of God. “Behind the deceptive flag of uncompromising secularism, the weekly is forgetting once more what religious leaders of every faith unceasingly repeat to reject violence in the name of religion using God to justify hatred is a genuine blasphemy, as pope Francis has said several times,” it said. The commentary added: “In Charlie Hebdo’s choice, there is the sad paradox of a world which is more and more sensitive about being politically correct, almost to the point of ridicule, yet does not wish to acknowledge or to respect believes’ faith in God, regardless of the religion.”

(a) Religion has recently been deemed the promoter of bloodshed because of the element of fanaticism without considering the ample examples of situations wherein religion has been the messiah of peace. Believers respect this power of God and religion, and this notion should be acknowledged.

(b) Religious leaders cite religion as the chief means of ensuring peace by evoking the name of God to stop violence. Yet the secular movement deceives people.

(c) We live in times where the greatest virtue among people is to be politically correct. Yet the media refuses to respect peoples’ faith in God.

(d) The Charlie Hebdo incident has revealed the potential of religion to turn into a divisive force which permits violence to curb dissent. However, religious leaders continue to reject violence in the name of God and label it blasphemy.

(e) None of the above is correct

Q5. University of Oregon’s Lundquist College of Business and his co-authors compared the effective tax rates paid by a sample of American firms between 2002 and 2011 with a measure of those companies’ CSR programmes compiled by MSCI, an index provider. It found that the companies which do the most CSR also make the most strenuous efforts to avoid paying tax – and that those which a high CSR score also spend more lobbying on tax. The most obvious explanation for this inverse relationship is hypocrisy. Surely CSR depends on the idea that firms have an obligation to society, not just to shareholders? And surely the most basic obligation to society is to pay the taxes that support the poor and vulnerable? Another explanation is that firms are not monoliths but collections of rival fiefs with different priorities. The department that oversees the CSR programmes, and thus has an interest in boosting their budgets, may never talk to those in the finance department who are paid to minimize the tax bill.

(a) A recent study by researchers at the University of Oregon has revealed that companies that do the most CSR also indulge in tax avoidance strategies, thereby exposing the hypocrisy of these corporate giants.

(b) A recent survey supports the public opinion that companies that do the most CSR also indulge heavily in aggressive tax planning to please shareholders. This state of affairs could be a result of double standards or lack of coordination in departmental goals.

(c) A recent study by researchers at the University of Oregon reveals an inverse relationship between expenditure on CSR and lobbying on tax. These findings are highly suggestive of conflicting interdepartmental goals in business firms and hypocrisy of the corporate class.

(d) The findings of recent research suggest that companies with high expenditure on CSR also engage in greater tax lobbying. This could result from double standards or conflicting interdepartmental goals.

(e) None of the above is correct

Q6. The concept of the modern, open democracy that embraces freedom, diversity and human rights, is under threat. We live in a time of conflict unlike any other. A war is underway that is not just being fought out on conventional battlefields among state powers, but on the internet and the streets of our towns and cities, as the citizens of Paris found to a shocking cost in November.

(a) The concept of modern society and freedom of speech are under threat due to the rise of modern forms of warfare.

(b) The ideals of democracy are at war with an emerging threat. Unlike previous wars, this war is not confined to secluded battlefields and has spread over the internet and our homes.

(c) Cybercrimes have now taken precedence over conventional methods of warfare. This has restricted freedom and liberty.

(d) Terrorism, armed with modern technology and modern forms of warfare, has emerged as the greatest threat to the ideals of liberty.

(e) None of the above is correct

Directions (7-15): In each question below, the word at the top of the question is used in four different ways. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.

Q7. DISSIPATE

(a) The wind finally dissipated the smoke.

(b) The industrious people from Gujarat are dissipated over the whole of India.

(c) The young sometimes seem to dissipate their energy in useless pursuits.

(d) The dark clouds which threatened rain finally dissipated.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q8. EVINCE

(a) She evinced her approval by smiling.

(b) The man who was caught stealing did not evince any remorse.

(c) The proposal evinced a storm of protest from the members.

(d) She did not evince the least surprise at seeing me there.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q9. DECOY

(a) He acted as a decoy to draw the dogs’ attention away from the children.

(b) The policewoman acted as a decoy when the police were trying to catch the murderer.

(c) The bird-trap was empty as he had caught a decoy, and he had to kill it.

(d) They used flares to decoy enemy missiles.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q10. FEIGN

(a) She feigned illness to avoid going to the party.

(b) The politician feigned the attention of his listeners to non-controversial issues.

(c) On the phone, he feigned his sister’s voice and said that he was not at home.

(d) She introduced me as her cousin, and everyone feigned to believe it.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q11. INDICT

(a) They were indicted for conspiracy and spent a year in jail.

(b) In Bosnia, US troops have usually declined to take part in the arrest of indicted war criminals.

(c) Last week, he was indicted by a grand jury.

(d) The critics have the right to praise or indict a literary work.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q12. RAMBLE

(a) Where would American cinema be without the car ramble or the road movie?

(b) Avoid long rambling sentences, jargon or unexplained acronyms.

(c) We have tours to suit all levels of ability from a gentle ramble to a Himalayan expedition.

(d) The internet forum gives you an opportunity to ramble on a bit.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q13. TRANSIT

(a) Electric cars are a nice idea, but they won’t work for mass transit or cargo.

(b) Passengers holding a direct airside transit visa will not be able to pass through immigration control.

(c) The transit of the property into the parties’ joint names was irrelevant.

(d) Mumbai and Delhi are building the infrastructure for rapid transit systems.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q14. PLACATE

(a) The regulations imposed in the West to placate environmental opposition to GM foods effectively prevent the Third World from developing GM foods.

(b) The facts are incorrect and they have placated members of all political parties across the country.

(c) However, his statement did little to placate the unions who say that even negotiations cannot help in this matter.

(d) The government has a greater imperative to placate the farming lobby than protecting wildlife because of its political leverage.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Q15. ABDICATE

(a) People have decided to ask the King to abdicate in favour of his son.

(b) We cannot abdicate the responsibility to deal with these acts in the correct manner.

(c) Our people have opted for democracy as a way of life from which we will not abdicate.

(d) People wonder whether computer programmes will abdicate the role of the human brain.

(e) All sentences are correct.

Solutions

S1. Ans.(c)

Sol. The passage does not mention anything about the disadvantages outweighing the advantages. This is an additional conclusion. (b) deviates from the passage. (c) is the main idea of the passage. (d) does not capture the essence of the passage.

S2. Ans.(c)

Sol. (a) is too general. (b) is too narrow and does not include the other factors. (c) does not include the sex workers but covers all important reasons apart from sex workers. This is the main idea of the passage. (d) does not contain enough information.

S3. Ans.(c)

Sol. (a) is incorrect because it talks of executives with poor communication skills which is not the issue here. (b) is incorrect because it only considers the problem of females being ‘drowned out’ and not of their opinions being ignored. It also does not mention the communication techniques being taught to remedy that. (d) is wrong because it partially captures the essence of the text.

S4. Ans.(a)

Sol. (b) is incorrect because it takes not extreme a stance against secularism. (c) is incorrect because it deviates from the main idea and focuses primarily on political correctness. (d) is incorrect because Charlie Hebdo has not been mentioned in that context in the passage.

S5. Ans.(d)

Sol. (a) only mentions the hypocrisy of companies but not the other reason i.e. interdepartmental conflict. (b) talks about public opinion, however the passage does not mention public opinion anywhere. (c) states that there is an inverse relationship between spending on CSR and tax lobbying whereas the passage points to a direct relationship i.e. higher the CSR spending higher the tax lobbying. (d) captures the relationship between CSR expenditure and Tax avoidance correctly and also the two reasons for the same provided in the passage.

S6. Ans.(b)

Sol. According to the passage, freedom, diversity and human rights form the essence or concept of modern democracy. Certain forces, by threatening these ideals also threaten democracy. The passage also speaks of troubled times and that we are currently in a state of war against such forces, however this was is being fought in a new battleground, namely the internet and the streets of cities such as Paris.

(a) is incorrect because it cites forms of modern warfare as the chief problem. (b) best captures the essence of the passage. (c) is too specific and off the main idea. (d) talks about terrorism which can be inferred from the passage but has not been specifically mentioned. It also only mentions a threat to liberty whereas the ideals of democracy are much broader in scope.

S7. Ans.(b)

Sol. DISSIPATE-(with reference to a feeling or emotion) disappear or cause to disappear. The word DISSIPATE is incorrectly used in sentence B.

S8. Ans.(c)

Sol. EVINCE-reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling); indicate. The word ‘’evince’ is incorrectly used in option C.

S9. Ans.(c)

Sol. DECOY- lure or entice (a person or animal) away from their intended course, typically into a trap. According to the meaning of the word ‘decoy’, the usage in sentence C is incorrect.

S10. Ans.(b)

Sol. FEIGN-pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury). The word feign is incorrectly used in the sentence B.

S11. Ans.(d)

Sol. INDICT-formally accused of or charge with a crime. The word ‘indict’ is incorrectly used in option D.

S12. Ans.(a)

Sol. RAMBLE-talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential way.

a walk taken for pleasure in the countryside. The word ‘ramble’ is incorrect in option A.

S13. Ans.(c)

Sol. TRANSIT-the action of passing through or across a place.

the carrying of people or things from one place to another. The word ‘transit’ is incorrect in sentence C.

S14. Ans.(b)

Sol. PLACATE-make (someone) less angry or hostile. The word ‘placate’ is incorrect in sentence B.

S15. Ans.(d)

Sol. ABDICATE-(of a monarch) renounce one's throne.