Directions (1-10): Read the passage given below and then answer the questions given below the passage. Some words may be highlighted for your attention. Pay careful attention.
People in the present society have turned from the use of the old means of communication to the more advanced and technological ways of communicating. Technology has made it easier for people to communicate in a faster, efficient, and cost-saving means through the introduction of the communication channels. The world has turned out to be the center for technology with different technologies emerging daily as the people continue to develop from time to time to cope with the growing technology. The benefits of adopting communication technology are explained in this article which shows why people do not function without technology.
Communication is a critical thing in today’s society because the exchange of information is vital in living. People live both locally and globally through technological connections by maintaining contact and interaction between individuals from all corners of the world. Communication binds people, helps to maintain the society healthy and enables people to interact and make friends from different regions and cultures. According to Adrian in 2006, communication and information technology plays a great role in individuals’ life. There is a high rate of growth of the communication technology industry and the benefits as more people come up with new means of communication by day. A point has reached where activities cannot function without information technology due to the many benefits which come along with the current day technologies. Moreover, the industry plays a great role in improving the nation’s economy by facilitating fast and easier means of doing things and offering employment to many people across the world.
The presence of computers, phones, internet, and wireless devices have broadened the web of connectivity by changing long distances to short ones where everyone is equal distance from the other through the present connections. Living without technology will be totally impossible as this has become every day’s application as more and more people are gaining knowledge on how to make use of the communication tools to improve their ways of living and staying informed on the current technology to avoid being left behind. New technologies are being developed daily which shows that the industry will continue to grow and expand. People will continue using these technologies to improve their standards and to stay informed.
The present technology has found its use in almost every sector making the industries, businesses, and institutions to use it for their daily activities since it brings a lot of benefits. In the former days, the modes of communication used were slow and sometimes unreliable since the information could take a long time before getting to the recipient. The use of communication and interaction sites such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, MySpace, and online email chat services have gained popularity among the young people whereby they can talk, share and interact with people from different parts of the word. The communication channels help many users since they act as the dating sites for couples, people also make friends and share t with them at different locations. Many people have ended up in marriages from online dating services; others have made friends and got connections to good jobs and other beneficial activities. These sites are more addictive and therefore the users find themselves visiting them more often and others stay online 24 hours. Apart from benefiting the communication sector, technology has also led to the improvement in areas of business, education, health, and society in general.
Businesses continue to enjoy the introduction of new technologies which help in improving their activities. The business remains up-to-date with the daily occurrences concerning the market; the business also moves forward and is able to compete with the others in different locations. In the education sector, technology continues to evolve at a faster rate as the learners get to know new ways of learning. Information technology is a requirement for every learner in order to utilize these ideas in the learning process. Students and their teachers communicate using the sites stated above to inform them of the changes in the timetable and send notes in soft copy. In addition, technology has helped the health centres improve their services and transforming the medical profession by securing the environment for the patients and make them feel comfortable to discuss their issues.
Moreover, there are online medical services whereby the patients can interact with their doctors without having to go to the health centres. Communication technology helps in the growth of society by offering convenience modes of attending to the activities through online shopping, banking, and travel arrangements. Also, there is speed in doing various operations in the presence of technology whereby individuals attend to their tasks in a convenient and reliable way. Alternatively, people in society keep in touch with one another and can effectively communicate and exchange their views for the growth and development of the community.
Life is incomplete without technology and the world has reached a point that technology is everything. Incorporating technology in our daily activities makes life easier and worth living. There is a need for the involved parties in the field of communication technology to come up with more advanced technologies so that people can enjoy these services and help in developing the country. People living in the third world countries have the duty to ensure that they have the knowledge of the current technology so that they can improve their countries to develop and compete with the developed nations. Comparing the advanced technology with the old fashion ways of doing things it has become simplified and time-saving. People are able to do many activities at a go, while in the absence of technology things went slow and more energy was utilized. Despite the few problems posed by the use of communication technology people continue to use it since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
1. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word ‘cope’ as given in the passage?

A. Deal B. Bear C. Endure D. Surrender E. None of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: ‘To cope with’ means to ‘deal effectively with something difficult’. ‘Deal with’ and ‘bear with’ mean the same. Similarly, to endure is to ‘last through some test’. Hence, it is also a synonym. ‘Surrender’ is to give up; hence, it is the only antonym.
2. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word ‘facilitating’ as given in the passage?

A. Impeding B. Promoting C. Assisting D. Simplifying E. None of the above

Answer: A
Explanation: To ‘facilitate’ is to make an action easier. Hence, simplifying is a synonym. ‘Promoting’ and ‘assisting’ are also synonyms. ‘Impeding’ is to hinder or obstruct something. Hence, it is an antonym.
3. Which of the following is most similar in meaning to the word ‘incorporating’ as given in the passage?

A. Including B. Separating C. Dividing D. Cutting E. None of the above

Answer: A
Explanation:‘To incorporate’ is to ‘take in as part of a whole’ or ‘to include’ or ‘to combine’. Only, the word ‘including’ is a synonym. Rest all the words are antonyms.
4. In today’s society, why is communication critical? a. Communication binds people b. Communication makes people closer c. Exchange of information is vital

A. Only a B. Only c C. a and b D. a and c E. All of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: This is a fact-based question. In the second paragraph of the passage it is said, ‘Communication is a critical thing in today’s society because the exchange of information is vital in living...Communication binds people, helps to maintain society healthy and enables people to interact and make friends from different regions and cultures’. The points marked in bold are clearly mentioned in the passage. It is given that ‘people make friends’, but nothing is mentioned about ‘people getting closer’.
5. How were the modes of communication in former days? a. Slow b. Unreliable c. Time consuming

A. Only a and b B. Only b C. a and c D. All of the above E. None of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: ‘In the former days, the modes of communication used were slow and sometimes unreliable since the information could take a long time before getting to the recipient.’ Hence, all these three points have been mentioned clearly in the passage.
6. What sectors or areas have technology made an impact in? a. Communication b. Health c. Business

A. Only a B. b and c C. a and c D. All of the above E. None of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: It is given in the passage that, ‘Apart from benefiting the communication sector, technology has also led to the improvement in areas of business, education, health, and the society in general’.
7. What is the author’s point of view in the last passage?

A. That the disadvantages of technology must be ignored since the advantages outweigh them B. Technology has many advantages and if used properly can make everyone’s life easier C. Technology is very important for communication D. Technology is going to be needed by everyone. E. None of the above

Answer: B
Explanation: The author is trying to emphasize on the fact that technology plays a vital role in our life and that it is going to make life ‘worth living’. He thinks that even the most underdeveloped countries can be improved due to technology. The author talks about the ‘disadvantages of communication technology’. Hence, the first option does not talk about technology, but only about communication technology. Options 3 and 4 are stressed in other paragraphs but the last paragraph does not focus on these points.
8. What is the primary purpose of the passage? a. To show how technology is a part of everything in life b. To point out the disadvantages of technology c. To show how technology can further improve our lives

A. Only c B. Only a C. a and c D. Only b E. All of the above

Answer: B
Explanation: The passage mainly shows us how technology has an impact on life today. The past and present ways of communication have been compared and the impact of technology in all parts of today’s world is shown. Nothing about ‘further development’ of technology has been mentioned. Option B stating about disadvantages is also incorrect.
9. What should people living in the third world countries do?

A. Migrate to developed nations B. Start taking loans to develop technology C. Make their economy stronger D. Try to learn about current technology E. None of the above

Answer: D
Explanation: It is mentioned in the passage that, ‘People living in the third world countries have the duty to ensure that they have the knowledge of the current technology’. Hence, option 4 is the most appropriate option. The author has not mentioned ‘migration’ or ‘loans’ or ‘economy’ in any part of the passage.
10. According to the author, what will people keep using technology for? a. Warfare b. Improve standards c. Stay informed d. Efficiency

A. Only b B. a and b C. b, c, and d D. b and c E. c and d

Answer: D
Explanation: The author has mentioned various uses of technology. He has mainly focussed on how technology has helped in making things ‘easier’. Hence, ‘improve standards’ is definitely a correct option. Apart from this, the author has stressed on how technology has made the world a smaller place. Hence, C is also a correct option. The author has stressed on the ‘ease’ of doing things and nothing has been mentioned about the ‘efficiency’. If we strictly stick to the context of the passage, ‘warfare’ is irrelevant.

Directions(1 - 10): 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 have been suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
Given the (1) of black money in the economy is large, even though declining, and that a large part of these transactions take place in cash, it is natural the government would want to find ways to deal with this. The finance secretary, for instance, has said that one of the (2) being considered is that no one paying a bill of more than Rs.5,000 in a restaurant should be allowed to do so in cash—once the amount is paid by credit or debit card, it automatically leaves a trail for the taxman to (3) since bank accounts have PAN card details. At some point, presumably, the same principle needs to be extended to luxury boutiques/shops and showrooms for automobiles, among others. The finance secretary, in fact, has said the government will set up a committee to suggest ways to incentive credit and debit card transactions. One of them, he said, could be to share the costs of the Point of Sale device; greater spread of the Ru Pay cards could be another, (4) their charges are lower. Another suggestion made has been to limit the amount of cash that can be (5) while purchasing property. While discouraging the use of cash is a good thing, it is unlikely incentive's the use of credit/debit cards is going to be of much use. A person buying a house or a luxury car, or paying for an expensive meal in a luxury hotel in cash is not doing so to avoid paying the service charge levied by Visa or MasterCard—the idea is to avoid getting (6) in the tax net.
It is equally important to recognize that (7) mandating some things will not help. There is, for instance, no way of ensuring a limit, of say Rs.50,000, for the cash payment on the purchase of a flat as long as the registration is being done at a lower value than the actual one. The only way to check this is to do other reforms like lowering stamp duties, (8) circle rates with market values and refuse to recognize power of attorneys as proof of sale. The other, and more sensible, way is to make use of the troves of information the government already (9) by way of annual information returns from jewellers, real estate firms, automobile dealers, hotels, property registrars, travel agents and airlines among others. Once a profile is available of large spenders, this needs to be (10) with the income tax returns.
1. 1. Venture 2.functional 3.splits 4.commission 5.share Answer: share
2. 1. Capacity 2.measures 3.sizes 4.degrees 5.extreme Answer: measures
3. 1. Remedy 2.conspire 3.follow 4.omit 5.decide Answer: follow
4. 1. Given 2.considerate 3.suspicious 4.inclined 5.foremost Answer: Given
5. 1. charged 2.reimburse 3.loan 4.raised 5.paid Answer: paid
6. 1. consoled 2.caught 3.resolved 4.discover 5.regret Answer: caught
7. 1. hardly 2.individually 3.merely 4.faintly 5.diagonally Answer: merely
8. 1. fixed 2.tighten 3.bring 4.regulates 5.align Answer: align
9. 1. dispense 2.chased 3.secure 4.collects 5.correlate Answer: collects
10. 1. intended 2. reigned 3.diverted 4.matched 5.concerned Answer: matched

Direction (1 -5): Fill in the blanks with appropriate word to form a meaningful sentence. 1. Recent ______ suggest that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is on the path to re-establishing its_________ .

A. crisis, prospect B. events, credibility C. circumstances, praise D. occasion, praise

Answer: B
2. The national food processing policy draft brought out by the government for public comments, though good in parts, needs a _______ of some of its key _______ to ensure inclusive growth of this sector.

A. survey, doubts B. retrospect, disbelief C. review, tenets D. policy, terms

Answer: C
3. The Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (Sebi’s) plan to open the commodity derivatives market to more participants and add new trading products is well advised, even though extreme ______ is _______ while implementing it.

A. vigilance, diverted B. negligence, avaoided C. guidance, performed D. caution, imperative

Answer: D
4. The ________ surrounding electronic voting machines (EVMs) refuses to _________ .

A. discussion, hit B. controversy, die C. dispute, bear D. dynamic, end

Answer: B
5. Vodafone and Idea Cellular have decided to merge in order to __________ in an industry that is seeing its fortunes dip with each ________ quarter.

A. survive, passing B. handle, crossing C. endure, appearing D. progress, proving

Answer: A

Directions (1 - 5): Read each sentence given below and find out whether there is an error in it. The error if any will be one of the parts of the sentence which are marked as A, B, C and D. If there is no error, the answer will be (E) i.e. No error. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any)
1. The low learning levels is due to the fact (A)/ that the state spends 87% of its budget (B)/ on salaries of its teachers (C)/ and not on infrastructure development for students (D)/ No error (E) Answer: (E)
2. Recent incidents of tigers straying have brought to focus (A)/ the lack of proper regulatory mechanism and powers with the forest department (B)/ to take action against the resorts (C)/ mushroom in forest fringes (D)/ No error (E) Answer: (D) ‘Mushrooming’ should be used- which would serve as an adjective.
3. The beauty of the palace comes alive (A)/ when over a lakh bulbs (B)/ is switched on between 7pm and 7.45pm (C)/ on specific days (D)/ No error (E) Answer: (C) ‘Are’ should replace ‘is’- verb should agree with ‘bulbs’
4. In view of the rising complaints (A)/ of unscrupulous financial institutes duping people with luring them (B)/ with handsome returns on their investments, the police have appealed (C)/ to the citizens to stay away from such companies(D)/ No error (E) Answer: (B) ‘By’ should replace ‘with’- which means ‘by the way of’
5. More and more cab drivers are approaching the regional transport office (RTO) (A)/ to obtain identity cards (B)/ after the transport office intensified action against errant drivers (C)/ in the last couple of months (D)/ No error (E) Answer: (E)

There is no use ........ going there at this time.

A. at B. in C. on D. off

Answer: D

Directions to Solve: In the question given below, a part of the sentence is italicised and underlined. Below are given alternatives to the italicised part which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, option 'D' is the answer. The workers are hell bent at getting what is due to them.

A. hell bent on getting B. hell bent for getting C. hell bent upon getting D. No improvement

Answer: C

Directions (1-5): Rearrange the given sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) and (F) in a proper sequence so as to form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions given below them
(A) The sky god welcomed them when they arrived and pointing at the delicious food platters said, “This is for all of you” (B) Here was a famine in the forest and tortoise was starving (C) The birds stuck feather to his arms and legs so that he could fly (D) The next week the birds held a feast on land and invited the tortoise, but when he reached the venue, they announced that no one could eat with dirty claws so the tortoise rushed to the pond and cleaned his limbs, but every time he did so he dirtied them on the way back to which the birds simply said, “Watch as we eat!” (E) e heard about the feast being given by the sky god to the birds and convinced the birds to take him with them (F) The tortoise immediately said that the food was meant for him and ate it up leaving the birds feeling cheated
1. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. F

Answer: B
2. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. E

Answer: E
3. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. F

Answer: C
4. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. E

Answer: A
5. Which of the following should be the SIXTH (Last) sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. F

Answer: D

Direction: In the following question a short passage is given with one of the lines in the passage missing and represented by a blank. Select the best out of the five answer choices given, to make the passage complete and coherent.
It is important for HR and talent management professionals to understand the distinction between happy, satisfied employees and engaged employees. Engaged employees are happy, satisfied employees, but not all happy, satisfied employees are engaged employees (…………………………………………………). Similarly, satisfied employees are happy to show up to work each day and do their work, but will be equally happy to take their satisfaction elsewhere for a salary increase.

A. The renewed interest in improving employee engagement in organizations has originated from actions executives took during the recession. B. Engaged employees speak positively about their organizations to their co-workers, potential employees, and customers. C. Happy employees, for example, may gladly show up for work on most days, but that happiness does not necessarily translate into productivity and profitability D. Not all satisfied, emotionally invested professionals are engaged at the same level in an organization. E. HR and talent management professionals must understand these various engagement levels before embarking on an employee engagement initiative because action steps to improve engagement need to be customized based on where employees fall on the scale.

Answer: C