Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 354

Directions(1-7): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/ Phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

India’s law governing motor vehicles and transport is archaic, lacking the provisions necessary to manage fast motorisation. The lacunae in the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, require to be addressed to improve road safety, ensure orderly use of vehicles and expand public transport. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha last year, seeks to do this, but it has now run into opposition in the Rajya Sabha because of its perceived shift of power from the States to the Centre. The issue is not one of legislative competence; as the subject is in the Concurrent List, Parliament can make a law defining powers available to the States. Some State governments are concerned about the new provisions, Sections 66A and 88A, which will empower the Centre to form a National Transportation Policy through a process of consultation, and not concurrence. The changes will also enable Centrally-drafted schemes to be issued for national, multi-modal and inter-State movement of goods and passengers, for rural mobility and even last-mile connectivity. Since all this represents a new paradigm that would shake up the sector, several States have opposed the provisions as being anti-federal. Doing nothing, however, is no longer an option. The passenger transport sector operating within cities and providing inter-city services has grown amorphously, with vested interests exploiting the lack of transparency and regulatory bottlenecks. With a transparent system, professional new entrants can enter the sector. As things stand, State-run services have not kept pace with the times. Major investments made in the urban metro rail systems are yielding poor results in the absence of last-mile connectivity services.

Creating an equitable regulatory framework for the orderly growth of services is critical. This could be achieved through changes to the MV Act that set benchmarks for States. Enabling well-run bus services to operate across States with suitable permit charges is an imperative to meet the needs of a growing economy. Regulatory changes introduced in Europe over the past few years for bus services have fostered competition, reduced fares and increased services operating across European Union member-states. Other aspects of the proposed amendments deal with road safety. These, however, are likely to achieve little without strong enforcement by the States. The effort to curb institutionalised corruption at Regional Transport Offices by making it possible for dealers to directly register new vehicles, and enabling online applications for driving licences is welcome. Care is needed to see that other measures, such as sharply enhancing fines for rule violations, do not only result in greater harassment. It is the certainty of enforcement, zero tolerance and escalating penalties that will really work. There are some new provisions to harness technology, including CCTV monitoring, to improve road safety, but these cannot produce results when there is no professional accident investigation agency to determine best practices.

  1. “Motor vehicles Amendment Bill is being opposed in Rajya Sabha because according to the state the motor vehicle subject is not that of the centre government to deal with.” This statement is:
    Definitely True
    Probably True
    Definitely False
    Probably False
    Cannot be determined
    Option C

     

  2. Which of the following statements is/are definitely true according to the passage?
    A. according to the new provisions of the motor vehicles Amendment Bill, the centre does not need to consult the states performing on national transportation policy
    B. with the motor vehicles Amendment Bill the centre is not obligated to take the consent of the state while forming National transportation policy
    C. the schemes formulated by the central government will be applicable for transportation of goods among States being carried out by any mode of transport
    All A, B and C
    Only A
    Both B and C
    Only B
    Both A and C
    Option C
    “Some State governments are concerned about the new provisions, Sections 66A and 88A, which will empower the Centre to form a National Transportation Policy
    through a process of consultation, and not concurrence. The changes will also enable Centrally-drafted schemes to be issued for national, multi-modal and inter- State movement of goods and passengers”

     

  3. Does the article imply that state government departments are more corrupt and ineffective without the supervision of the Centre Government?
    Definitely Yes
    Probably Yes
    Definitely No
    Probably No
    Cannot be determined
    Option B
    “Doing nothing, however, is no longer an option. The passenger transport sector operating within cities and providing inter-city services has grown amorphously, with
    vested interests exploiting the lack of transparency and regulatory bottlenecks. With a transparent system, professional new entrants can enter the sector. As things
    stand, State-run services have not kept pace with the times. “
    It is not definitely true that intervening by the center will decrease the corruption, but since it is mentioned that doing nothing is no option, the author believes that it may
    help.

     

  4. According to the passage which of the following changes have not been brought in Europe concerned to regulation?
    A. Fast and punctual bus services
    B. Drop in ticket prices
    C. Increase in buses plying in European routes
    Both A and B
    Only A
    Both B and C
    Only B
    Both A and C
    Option B
    “Regulatory changes introduced in Europe over the past few years for bus services have fostered competition, reduced fares and increased services operating across European Union member-states. Other aspects of the proposed amendments deal with road safety. “

     

  5. What all measures has the state government taken to remove the bottlenecks and ensure the safety of the passengers?
    Installing CCTV cameras to monitor vehicular movements.
    Fining those who are violating the traffic norms.
    Attempted to reduce corruption by making it possible to register the vehicle directly by the dealer.
    Issuing online driving licenses to the applicants by the respective state RTOs.
    None of the above
    Option C
    “The effort to curb institutionalised corruption at Regional Transport Offices by making it possible for dealers to directly register new vehicles, and enabling online
    applications for driving licences is welcome.”

     

  6. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word ‘fostered’as used in passage.
    Assisted
    Grown
    Sedated
    Vindicated
    Probed
    Option A

     

  7. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the word ‘amorphously’ as used in passage.
    Aggravatingly
    Circumscriptively
    Uniformly
    Haphazardly
    Comprehendingly
    Option C
    Amorphously means not in a definite way or haphazardly. Opposite is uniformly
    Stoking means firing up or inciting. Opposite is calming down or mitigating.

     

  8. Directions(8-10): Select the phrase/connector from the given three options which can be used in the beginning (of any of the two sentences) to form a single sentence from the two sentences given below, implying the same meaning as expressed in the statement sentences.

  9. You need help. You can call me.
    A. Whenever
    B. However
    C. If
    Both A and C
    Only A
    Both B and C
    All A, B and C
    Only B
    Option
    Here both whenever and If fit. Using WHENEVER would mean that the person has the freedom to call for help as and when required. Using IF would mean, In the scenario when the help is needed, she/he can call the speaker.
    Whenever/If you need help, you can call me.

     

  10. We have limited money left. We should avoid over spending on luxury.
    A. Aware of
    B. However
    C. Considering that
    Both A and C
    Only C
    Both B and C
    All A, B and C
    Only A
    Option B
    Considering (the fact) that we have limited money left, we should avoid over spending on luxury. OR Being aware of the fact that we have limited money, we should avoid over spending. But here only AWARE OF is given. Thus, only option C is right.

     

  11. I see you. I am reminded of him.
    A. In case
    B. Whenever
    C. Considering that
    Both B and C
    Only C
    Only B
    All A, B and C
    Only A
    Option C
    This happens always. Thus, Whenever is the correct usage. Whenever I see you, I am reminded of him.

     

 

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