Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 257

Directions (1-5):Five statements are given below, labelled A, B, C, D and E. Among these, four statements are in logical order and form a coherent paragraph/passage. From the given options, choose the option that does not fit into the theme of the passage

1. Diplomacy is essentially a craft with words.
   The objective is to ensure precise communication of a government’s intent to friends and foes.
   American mediation on Kashmir should be the last thing Delhi needs to worry about.
   That is the reason why diplomats devote so much time to chiseling the language their leaders use in speeches and statements.
   Sometimes they deliberately resort to imprecision to fudge issues.
   Option C
   Diplomacy is essentially a craft with words. The objective is to ensure precise communication of a government’s intent to friends and foes. That is the reason why diplomats devote so much time to chiseling the language their leaders use in speeches and statements. Sometimes they deliberately resort to imprecision to fudge issues.

    

2. US President Donald Trump, however, has largely dispensed with the communication teams at the White House.
   India should therefore treat his remarks at a joint press appearance with Pakistan premier Imran Khan on Monday with more than a pinch of salt.
   Compare, for example, Trump’s remarks on PM Narendra Modi asking him to mediate on Kashmir and his willingness to do so with other recent statements.
   Trump tweets impulsively, is not always deferential to facts, nor stays true to the briefing books.
   The outcome of this bargain on Afghanistan will have profound consequences for India’s neighbourhood, especially on the political future of Kabul.
   Option E
   US President Donald Trump, however, has largely dispensed with the communication teams at the White House. Trump tweets impulsively, is not always deferential to facts, nor stays true to the briefing books. India should therefore treat his remarks at a joint press appearance with Pakistan premier Imran Khan on Monday with more than a pinch of salt. Compare, for example, Trump’s remarks on PM Narendra Modi asking him to mediate on Kashmir and his willingness to do so with other recent statements.

    

3. Unfortunately, the outrage on Trump’s Kashmir remarks may be preventing India from seeing the larger significance of the talks between Trump and Imran on Afghanistan.
   He is ready to reward Pakistan if there is a deal to his satisfaction.
   Trump is eager to end America’s prolonged war in Afghanistan and wants Pakistan to extricate him by getting the Taliban to agree to a peace settlement.
   The government also responded to Trump’s claim in Parliament.
   The Pakistan army — which is doing the real negotiation with Trump’s officials — is now turning that leverage into specific gains.
   Option D
   Unfortunately, the outrage on Trump’s Kashmir remarks may be preventing India from seeing the larger significance of the talks between Trump and Imran on Afghanistan. Trump is eager to end America’s prolonged war in Afghanistan and wants Pakistan to extricate him by getting the Taliban to agree to a peace settlement. He is ready to reward Pakistan if there is a deal to his satisfaction. The Pakistan army — which is doing the real negotiation with Trump’s officials — is now turning that leverage into specific gains.

    

4. The bill, which threatens to dilute the autonomy of the Information Commissioner at the Centre as well as states, should have been debated extensively in public forums before its passage through the Lok Sabha.
   The amendments to the RTI Act was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday have rightly drawn criticism from the Opposition and a large section of the civil society.
   The RTI Act was the outcome of grass- roots advocacy and public mobilisation by civil society groups.
   The law has pushed the case for transparency in administration and been a precious tool for activists to force the bureaucracy to share information concerning public policy and delivery of services and goods in the public domain.
   Nearly 60 lakh applications are filed by citizens under the Act to source information.
   Option E
   The amendments to the RTI Act was passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday have rightly drawn criticism from the Opposition and a large section of the civil society. The bill, which threatens to dilute the autonomy of the Information Commissioner at the Centre as well as states, should have been debated extensively in public forums before its passage through the Lok Sabha. The RTI Act was the outcome of grass- roots advocacy and public mobilisation by civil society groups. The law has pushed the case for transparency in administration and been a precious tool for activists to force the bureaucracy to share information concerning public policy and delivery of services and goods in the public domain.

    

5. These relate to the rank, tenure, salary, terms of service of the information commissioner at the Centre and the states.
   So far, the appointment of information commissioners has been for a fixed term of five years or up to the age of 65.
   It is unfortunate that changes are proposed to a law meant to make the system more transparent in a non-transparent manner.
   The proposed amendments concern Sections 13, 16 and 27 of the RTI Act.
   The amendment proposes that these appointments should be for “such term as may be prescribed by the Central Government”
   Option C
   The proposed amendments concern Sections 13, 16 and 27 of the RTI Act. These relate to the rank, tenure, salary, terms of service of the information commissioner at the Centre and the states. So far, the appointment of information commissioners has been for a fixed term of five years or up to the age of 65. The amendment proposes that these appointments should be for “such term as may be prescribed by the Central Government”.

    

Directions (6-10):Choose the option which when used to start a sentence combines both the sentences below in one.

6. India is in a transitive phase of implementing pollution standard norms. That, makes it imperative for India to look at introducing efficient ways of transportation.
   I. While phasing out
   II. Given that India is
   III. For efficient ways of
   I,II
   III
   II,III
   II
   None of the above
   Option D
   Given that India is in a transitive phase of implementing pollution standard norms, it is imperative for India to look at introducing efficient ways of transportation.

    

7. Unfortunately for India, droughts are a frequent feature. We have not been able to tame our mighty rivers and solve this problem.
   I. but droughts are
   II. Even though droughts are
   III. to tame our mighty rivers
   I,II
   II
   I
   II,III
   None of these
   Option B
   Even though droughts are a frequent feature for India, we have not been able to tame our mighty rivers and solve this problem.

    

8. Today there is no field where women have not shown their worth. Women have shouldered all kinds of responsibilities be it holding the highest public office in bureaucracy or holding highest political position.
   I. from all kinds of responsibilities
   II. in every field
   III. From holding the highest public
   III
   II,I
   I
   II
   None of these
   Option A
   From holding the highest public office in bureaucracy to holding highest political position, there is no field today where they have not shown their worth.

    

9. Any change in oil prices has knock-on effects on almost every sector such as food, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure. Such has been the nature of the Indian economy.
   I. The nature of the
   II. Oil pricing has to be
   III. Effects on every sector
   I,III
   III
   I
   II,III
   None of the above
   Option C
   The nature of the Indian economy is such that any change in oil prices has knock-on effects on almost every sector such as food, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure.

    

10. Behind every book, a friend is seen peeping, and through the pages of every book, a teacher is found taking his or her class. That is why a man in the company of books can never feel alone.
    I. Having been in the
    II. A man in the company
    III. Through the company of books
    III
    I,II
    I
    II
    None of the above
    Option D
    A man in the company of books can never feel alone, because behind every book, a friend is seen peeping, and through the pages of every book, a teacher is found taking his or her class.