Directions (1-3): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions. Certain words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
China, in recent time, has converted a large number of rocks across the South China Sea into islands, where it has based missiles, armed personnel and military aircraft, using its military might.
The Obama Administration took virtually no action in response to Chinese belligerence against the Philippines — a longtime military ally. Worse still, the US recently acquiesced in the seizure of one of its unmanned underwater vehicles close to the Philippines. Chinese belligerence is paying off. President Duterte of the Philippines has quietly acquiesced to Beijing’s territorial demands. ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and Cambodia are following suit. Myanmar is being pressured by China, by permitting Chinese territory to be used by armed ethnic groups from Myanmar’s bordering Shan and Kachin states.
It is clear that a belligerent China is no longer prepared to tolerate any challenges to its dominance and hegemony across Asia. Agni IV, currently operational, with a range of 4,000 km, can hit targets in southern China, while Agni V, with a range of 5,500-8000 km, can hit even at the farthest points in China. The submarine-launched Sagarika missile, currently operational, has a range of 750 km. Its variants — under development — can hit across China from the Bay of Bengal. China, in turn, has transferred the designs and knowhow of the Shaheen range of missiles to Pakistan. These missiles can hit targets across India. Moreover, Karachi and Gwadar will be used, not only to base the eight submarines China is supplying to Pakistan, but also serve as bases for Chinese nuclear and conventional submarines that are now venturing increasingly into the Indian Ocean. The range of missiles being developed by India clearly signals to China that it will find any effort to use Pakistan as a nuclear proxy against India very costly and perhaps unaffordable. Agni V is virtually invulnerable as it is mobile and housed in canisters.
New Delhi needs to be far more active in insisting that a comprehensive nuclear dialogue with China is essential for strategic stability across Asia. China is loathe to enter into such a dialogue as it evidently wishes to not formally accord recognition to India’s nuclear weapons status, even as it peddles nuclear weapons and ballistic missile designs and materials to Pakistan while helping Pakistan to develop both uranium and plutonium-based nuclear weapons. These transfers to Pakistan are in total disregard of China’s responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. India has been far too defensive and avoided exposing the Sino-Pakistan nuclear/missile nexus in important world capitals, notably Washington, London, Paris, Moscow and Tokyo. A far more determined effort on this score would be necessary once the Trump Administration assumes office and settles down to looking at the world.
Within Asia, Chinese hubris and arrogance would need far closer consultations and dialogue with countries like Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia. There appears to be a sentiment growing slowly in Tokyo that in the face of Chinese territorial and geopolitical ambitions, Japan should review its nuclear policies. The incoming Trump Administration has also indicated that allies like Japan need to do more to defend themselves, rather than depend excessively on the US. A nuclear-armed Japan can certainly play a key role in moderating Chinese behavior and hubris. This is an issue that needs to be looked at carefully. All this has to be combined with a vigorous dialogue with China, which includes maintenance of peace and tranquility along our borders, expanding equitable trade and economic ties and promoting peace and stability across the entire Indo-Pacific Region.
1. What was the effect of China’s hostility on the Philippines?
A. Philippines succumbed to China’s pressure and accepted its territorial demands.
B. Philippines vehemently protested to China and took up the matter with US.
C. Philippines opposed China with the help of countries like Malaysia Thailand etc.
Answer: A
2. What is the central idea of the passage?
A. China’s over ambitious territorial gaining attitude should be exposed before all the countries of the world and its activities be brought under control.
B. Close mutual relationship between countries of Indo-Pacific region is necessary to counter Chinese territorial and geopolitical ambitions.
C. There is a need for all the countries of Indo-pacific area seek the help of new US government and have vigorous dialogue with China.
Answer: B
3. What is the antonym of the word “loathe”?
A. agreeable
B. fondness
C. unwilling
Answer: B
Directions (4-6): Below is given a single word with options to its meaning in different contexts. Select the correct alternative from (A), (B), (C) and (D) which represents all those synonyms.
4. RIPE
(a) Grown
(b) Mature
(c) Ready
(d) Unpleasant
A. Only b
B. b & c
C. a, b & c
D. b, c & d
E. All of (a) ,(b),(c) & (d)
Answer: C
5. CONDEMN
(a) Criticize
(b) Beat
(c) Punish
(d) Contempt
A. Only a
B. a & c
C. c & d
D. a, c & d
E. All of (a), (b), (c) & (d)
Answer: A
6. RALLY
(a) Support
(B) Gather
(C) Assemble
(D) Recover
A. Only c
B. Both a & d
C. a, c & d
D. a, b & c
(5) All of (a),(b),(c) & (d)
Answer: D