English Language
(Exam Held on 14-11-2010)
Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
When people buy diamond jewellery, they often want to convey love or commitment to someone dear and special. But, this jewellery, if it contains diamonds from Sierra Leone and Angola diamond mines in West Africa, could have a bloody past signifying mistreatment and abuse. The movie, Blood Diamond, traces the path of a large pink diamond found in Sierra Leone in the 1990’s by a fisherman working as a slave in a rebel-controlled diamond mine. That diamond changed and ended many lives and the story of that stone carries a strong social message. The story design is an interesting fiction but it is based upon real life events. The movie sensitises the audience on how a mineral resource can fuel oppression and the slaughter of thousands of people. This is not a first time phenomenon. It has happened before in Africa with ivory and gold.
What Are ‘Conflict Diamonds’ ?
Blood Diamonds, also known as ‘Conflict Diamonds’ are stones that are produced in areas controlled by rebel forces namely the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) that are opposed to internationally recognized governments. The rebels sell these rough diamonds, and the money is used to purchase arms or to fund their military actions. Blood Diamonds are often produced through the forced labour of men, women and children. They are also stolen during shipment or seized by attacking the mining operations of legitimate producers. These attacks can be on the scale of a large military operation. The stones are then smuggled into the international diamond trade and sold as legitimate gems. These diamonds are often the main source of funds for the rebels. Enormous amounts of money are at stake and bribes, threats, torture and murder are modes of operation. The profits made from the sale of these diamonds are used to fund terrorism and civil war. This is why the term ‘blood diamonds’ is used.
In the aftermath of horrific abuses committed by West African rebel groups enriched by diamond wealth, an international body backed by the United Nations (the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme) was founded to ensure that traders and consumers could identify blood diamonds and prevent their trade. The flow of ‘Conflict Diamonds’ has originated mainly from Sierra Leone, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Ivory Coast. The United Nations and other groups such as Global Witness and Partnership Africa Canada are working to block the entry of conflict diamonds into the worldwide diamond trade.
Their approach has been to develop a government certification procedure known as the ‘Kimberley Process’. This procedure requires each nation to certify that all rough diamond exports are produced through legitimate mining and sales activity. Diamonds exported from these nations are to be accompanied by certificates. These certificates state that the diamonds were produced, sold and exported through legitimate channels. The certification process accounts for all rough diamonds, through every step of their movement, from mine to retail sale. Most consumers do not realize that they may be purchasing blood diamonds–even in 2010. The Amnesty International survey found that 83 per cent of U.S. Jewellers say their customers “rarely or never” inquire about the source of diamonds. Retail customers buying a cut diamond are encouraged to insist upon a sales receipt document stating that their diamond originated from a conflict free source.
Nations who agree to participate in the Kimberley Process are not permitted to trade with non-member Nations. The Kimberley Process is believed to have significantly reduced the number of ‘Conflict Diamonds’ that are reaching the international gem markets. Today 71 governments and several non-government organizations abide by the Kimberley Process. The World Diamond Council estimates that 99% of all diamonds are now conflict free.
However, despite implementation of the Kimberley Process, blood diamonds still exist and are entering the legitimate trade. Although the scheme makes it more difficult for diamonds from rebel-held areas to reach international markets, there are still significant weaknesses in the scheme that undermine its effectiveness. A United Nations Group of Experts has recently found that poor controls are allowing significant volumes of blood diamonds to enter the legitimate trade through Ghana, where they are being certified as conflict free. International trading centres need to introduce better systems for identifying suspicious shipments of rough diamonds. Many other diamond-producing countries have weak government controls that cannot guarantee that the diamonds they export are conflict-free.
1. What action have the U.N. and other international groups taken to block the entry of ‘Conflict Diamonds’ into the diamond trade ?
(a) They have introduced a certification procedure known as the ‘Kimberley Process’.
(b) They are fighting against the rebel groups to obtain autonomy of the diamond mines.
(c) They have stopped importing diamonds from West Africa.
(A) Only (a) and (c)
(B) Only (b) and (c)
(C) Only (a)
(D) Only (b)
(E) All (a), (b) and (c)
Ans : (C)
2. What should be the role of the consumer in avoiding the purchase of ‘Conflict Diamonds’ ?
(A) Consumers should not buy diamonds from Africa
(B) Consumers should refrain from wearing all diamond jewellery
(C) Consumers should switch to other precious gems
(D) Consumers need not worry as 99% of the diamonds sold are conflict free
(E) Consumers should always insist on the source of the diamonds
Ans : (E)
3. Which of the following is not true of the ‘Kimberley Process’ as given in the passage ?
(A) Certification of all rough diamond exports by legitimate mining and sales activity
(B) To help consumers identify blood diamonds and prevent their trade
(C) To campaign for the sale of ‘Conflict Diamonds’
(D) To trade diamonds only with participant member nations
(E) To increase the number of conflict free diamonds entering the world of diamond trade
Ans : (C)
4. The movie ‘Blood Diamond’ is a reflection of ……….
(A) The lives of fishermen in Sierra Leone
(B) Diamonds that originated from mines under the control of rebel groups
(C) A happy story of how diamonds have changed the lives of the poor
(D) Only (B) and (C)
(E) Only (A) and (C)
Ans : (B)
5. What are some of the weaknesses of the Kimberley certification process as underlined by the author ?
(A) Weak government controls and suspicious shipment of rough diamonds
(B) Lengthy procedures to be followed in order to acquire the certification
(C) Ability to trade only with non-member nations
(D) Only (A) and (B)
(E) Only (A) and (C)
Ans : (A)
6. Why are the diamonds that are mined in Sierra Leone called ‘Blood Diamonds’ ?
(A) The diamond stones are smuggled into the international diamond trade
(B) It is sold to finance terrorism and other violent acts including civil war
(C) The rough diamonds are red in colour
(D) The diamonds obtained from Sierra Leone signify freedom
(E) Only (B) and (D)
Ans : (B)
7. How does the diamond trade help the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel group ?
(A) The RUF use the profits made from mined diamonds to fund and buy weapons for their army
(B) The diamond trade helps the families of the rebel groups
(C) The profit made by the diamond trade is used to finance their education
(D) The diamond trade is the only source of finance for the RUF rebels
(E) The RUF rebel group has complete monopoly over the diamond trade in Sierra Leone
Ans : (A)
8. The flow of conflict diamonds has originated from ……….
(A) Russia
(B) Africa
(C) America
(D) South Asia
(E) None of these
Ans : (B)
9. What are the benefits of the introduction of the ‘Kimberley Process’ ?
(a) Helps reduce the number of conflict diamonds reaching the International gem markets.
(b) Provides an international certification scheme to ensure that the diamonds are conflict free.
(c) Involved in legitimising the process of the diamond trade.
(A) Only (a)
(B) Only (b)
(C) Only (c)
(D) Only (a) and (c)
(E) All (a), (b) and (c)
Ans : (E)
Directions—(Q. 10–12) Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
10. Abide by
(A) Comprehend
(B) Tolerate
(C) Agree to
(D) Bid on
(E) Swear by
Ans : (E)
11. Phenomenon
(A) Occasion
(B) Event
(C) Undertaking
(D) Disaster
(E) Trend
Ans : (A)
12. Fuel(A) Increase
(B) Substitute
(C) Energise
(D) Contribute
(E) Involve
Ans : (A)
Directions—(Q. 13–15) Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
13. Legitimate
(A) Safe
(B) Risky
(C) Unlawful
(D) Reasonable
(E) Warranted
Ans : (C)
14. Fiction
(A) Imagination
(B) Fact
(C) Narration
(D) Fantasy
(E) Plot
Ans : (B)
15. Opposed
(A) Supported
(B) Repelled
(C) Contradicted
(D) Disparate
(E) Distinct
Ans : (A)
Directions—(Q. 16–20) Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (E) i.e. “No error”. (Ignore error of punctuation, if any.)
16. The youth (A) / did not dare (B) / to venture with the sea (C) / as it was high tide. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
17. A young sales manager (A) / who is about to resign his job (B) / despite his success (C) / in the organization. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (E)
18. The difference between successful person (A) / and others is not (B) / lack of knowledge (C) / but a lack of will. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
19. After my interview (A) / by the selection panel (B) / I was waiting for a response (C) / but they did not revert back. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (D)
20. The teacher uses anecdotes (A) / to help her students (B) / relate better (C) / to the subjects taught in class. (D) No error (E)
Ans : (C)
Directions—(Q. 21–25) Which of the phrases (A), (B), (C) and (D) given below each sentence should replace the word/phrase in bold in the sentence to make it grammatically correct. If the sentence is correct as it is given and no correction is required, mark (E) as the answer.
21. The industrialisation process underwent a sea change during the 19th century.
(A) A sea of change
(B) A sea changes
(C) A sea changed
(D) At sea change
(E) No correction required
Ans : (E)
22. The solution to my problem is a long-term one which can only be tackle by official agencies.
(A) Only is tackle
(B) Only be tackled
(C) Only tackle
(D) Tackle
(E) No correction is required
Ans : (B)
23. The employer wanted to strike balance between withholding his position and getting into a rapid exchange of opinions.
(A) Strike a balance
(B) Striking balance
(C) Have stroked a balance
(D) Have strike a balance
(E) No correction required
Ans : (A)
24. The students of the football team engaged in playing fairly.
(A) Playing fair
(B) Fair play
(C) Fairness play
(D) Fairness
(E) No correction required
Ans : (B)
25. As good luck will have it, it did not rain on the day of the wedding.
(A) Good luck has it
(B) Good luck having
(C) Good luck have it
(D) Good luck would have it
(E) No correction required
Ans : (D)
Directions—(Q. 26–30) In each question below, a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are lettered as (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate, if any. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words printed in bold are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E) i.e. ‘All correct’ as your answer.
26. The manager complamented (A) her team for meeting (B) targets and performing (C) with excellence. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (A)
27. The ongoing conflict bought (A) up information and insights (B) that would have to be digested (C) by both parties (D) at a later time. All correct (E)
Ans : (E)
28. There are a number of factors (A) which render (B) a country suitable or insuitable (C) for the rapid development of commercial (D) aviation. All correct (E)
Ans : (C)
29. The woman gave the begger (A) a big sum (B) of money to show him her caring (C) and concern. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (C)
30. The best way of a attracting (A) someone’s rapt attention (B) is to give them the rare experience (C) of being fully herd. (D) All correct (E)
Ans : (D)
Directions—(Q. 31–35) Pick out most effective word from the given words to fill in the blanks to make the sentence meaningfully complete in the context of the sentence.
31. A mixed economy implies the ……… of a state enterprise and free enterprise, and cannot mean a wholly state-dominated economy.
(A) juxtaposition
(B) existence
(C) collation
(D) harmony
(E) co-existence
Ans : (E)
32. Government spokesmen always assure us that ideology plays no part in their economic policies, but the evidence to the contrary is ……….
(A) negligible
(B) understandable
(C) reasonable
(D) commendable
(E) overwhelming
Ans : (E)
33. The interests of the nation as a ……… must prevail over the interests of the few.
(A) section
(B) whole
(C) part
(D) society
(E) unit
Ans : (B)
34. The murderer appeared to be tongue-tied and ……… when it was his turn to speak.
(A) detailed
(B) shy
(C) talkative
(D) exhaustive
(E) inarticulate
Ans : (E)
35. It helps to do some ……… work before giving a competitive examination.
(A) sorting
(B) organised
(C) preparatory
(D) relaxed
(E) strenuous
Ans : (C)
Directions— (Q. 36–40) Rearrange the following five sentences I, II, III, IV and V in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
I. With this continuous intervention, it is expected that BBS programmes will not only improve safety performance but will also have a positive effect on fuel consumption and other related costs.
II. This influence is not intended to be a one-off exercise, but it and BBS should rather become a continuous effort by every transport company.
III. Finally, in the long run it will improve the total cost-effectiveness of the transport companies.
IV. Behaviour Based Safety (BBS) is a programme that aims at increasing safety during road freight transport by positively influencing the behaviour of drivers.
V. This is based on the assumption that, the behaviour of drivers can be influenced through observation, coaching and communication.
36. Which of the following will be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) V
(B) IV
(C) III
(D) II
(E) I
Ans : (D)
37. Which of the following will be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) I
(B) II
(C) III
(D) IV
(E) V
Ans : (E)
38. Which of the following will be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) I
(B) II
(C) III
(D) IV
(E) V
Ans : (D)
39. Which of the following will be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) V
(B) IV
(C) II
(D) III
(E) I
Ans : (E)
40. Which of the following will be the FIFTH (LAST) sentence after rearrangement ?
(A) I
(B) II
(C) III
(D) IV
(E) V
Ans : (C)
Directions— (Q. 41–50) In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the most appropriate word in each case.
Some causes of delay in coming to economic decisions in our country seem to lie in the …(41)… realm. There is such a thing as the psychology of power which motivates people power of control and patronage, power to delay an application, power to hold up a file, power to keep people …(42)… in an anteroom, all of which are consciously or subconsciously treated as symbols of …(43)… and hallmarks of importance.
A further psychological cause of …(44)… is a combination of mistrust, of unwillingness to take responsibility, of a fear of being criticised and, of possibly being subjected to enforcement investigation. A large number of …(45)… which ought to be taken by civil servants, and were so taken in the old days, now go upto the top to await the …(46)… of the Minister. The Minister, in turn, is …(47)… to take the responsibility for fear of criticism from Parliament or from within his own party and seeks …(48)… in a Cabinet decision. The Cabinet, split on ideological grounds and under political and other pressures, is reluctant to reach a decision which is not …(49)…. Thus, the various layers of economic decision-making in government–civil servants, Ministers and Cabinet as a wholeÐall exercise the happy …(50)… of postponing a decision.
41. (A) scientific
(B) financial
(C) medical
(D) political
(E) psychological
Ans : (E)
42. (A) wandering
(B) resisting
(C) gossiping
(D) waiting
(E) lingering
Ans : (D)
43. (A) prestige
(B) control
(C) aggression
(D) affection
(E) proud
Ans : (A)
44. (A) power
(B) control
(C) insecurity
(D) politicians
(E) delay
Ans : (E)
45. (A) decisions
(B) assignments
(C) undertakings
(D) projects
(E) justifications
Ans : (B)
46. (A) meeting
(B) opinion
(C) stamp
(D) appreciation
(E) approval
Ans : (E)
47. (A) unfortunate
(B) uneasy
(C) proposed
(D) reluctant
(E) pushed
Ans : (D)
48. (A) assistance
(B) safety
(C) monopoly
(D) autonomy
(E) place
Ans : (B)
49. (A) comprehensive
(B) beneficial
(C) unanimous
(D) profitable
(E) successful
Ans : (C)
50. (A) facility
(B) situation
(C) trick
(D) sanction
(E) prerogative
Ans : (B)
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