Passage 1
A homestay is an increasingly popular form of accommodation that connects guests with individual hosts who have opened their homes to travellers. Guests don’t stay in an empty apartment or home, but instead share the accommodations provided by the homeowner and his or her family. Homestays are a popular lodging option for consumers of all ages who want a more personalized, immersive and authentic travel experience. The key to a great homestay experience for both host and guest is about not only finding the right home, but also the right person. In other words, finding the right match. While some guests are seeking an immersive and cultural experience, others might simply want good quality, affordable accommodations in the right location with a host they get along with. Similarly, some hosts will want to spend hours chatting with guests over a meal while others will prefer guests who are more independent.
According to research presented in PhoCus Wright’s U.S. Consumer Travel Report Sixth Edition, 77% of next-generation travellers chose a home or apartment rental for lodging. The top reasons for choosing a rental over a hotel include: homelike amenities, more space, multiple rooms, multiple travellers, value for money and a perfect fit for millennials. The homestay traveller is most likely to be on holiday – 38% of our respondents indicated that they were traveling for leisure. The graph below depicts the motivations of homestay travellers.
Homestay caters to a new breed of traveller, one who places the experience of the travel over the price or destination. This traveller is served by a host who recognizes that opening one’s home to guests is enriching and life-changing.
[Source: Homestay.com]
Questions and Answers
(a). In the line “…thanks in part to online aggregators that specialize in connecting…”, the word “aggregator” does not refer to:
(a) Web based collection of information about a topic
(b) Web based banking
(c) Web based application to gather and provide data
(d) Website based communication about a particular topic
Answer: (b) Web based banking
Explanation: An aggregator gathers and presents information or listings from many sources; banking has nothing to do with it.
(b). According to research presented in PhoCus Wright’s U.S. Consumer Travel Report Sixth Edition:
(a) Almost 50% of homestay guests travel for leisure
(b) Almost 50% of homestay guests are students
(c) Almost 29% of students travel for leisure
(d) Nearly 29% of homestay guests travel for leisure
Answer: (a) Almost 50% of homestay guests travel for leisure
Explanation: The first paragraph says nearly half of all homestay guests travel for leisure, while students are 29%.
(c). One of the elements that is important to a home stay is:
(a) Guests are required to spend time with owners
(b) Guests stay with the homeowners of the house
(c) Guests have to cook their own food
(d) Guests stay in a cheap place with basic amenities
Answer: (b) Guests stay with the homeowners of the house
Explanation: The passage says guests don’t stay in an empty home but share the accommodation with the homeowner and family.
(d). Rita might have to shift to Goa if she accepts offer for a new job. However, she wants to experience the culture, meet people, interact with them and get a feel of the place before she makes the final decision. Which type of accommodation should she stay at?
(a) A five-star hotel
(b) Hostels
(c) Homestay
(d) Guesthouse
Answer: (c) Homestay
Explanation: Homestays offer an immersive, authentic local experience with a host family, which is what Rita wants.
(e). Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the inherent qualities of homestays:
1. Provides a unique cultural experience
2. Allows you to stay alone in an apartment
3. Provides an opportunity to stay with a local person
4. Provides an opportunity to live in great luxury
5. Offers good quality, affordable living space with the homeowner
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 3 and 5
Answer: (d) 1, 3 and 5
Explanation: Homestays give a cultural experience with a local host and affordable quality stay; guests don’t stay alone, and luxury is not mentioned.
(f). As per the data of all the people who opt for home stays the ones who like it the most are:
(a) those who travel for fun or education.
(b) those who travel for education or business.
(c) those who travel for business or events.
(d) those who travel for relocation or internship.
Answer: (a) those who travel for fun or education.
Explanation: The motivations graph shows Holiday (38%) and Educational (29%) as the two largest groups.
(g). Why do guests book homestays?
Answer: Guests book homestays to enjoy home environment. They also like homestays for the location, for value for money and for the local experience.
Explanation: The first graph shows these four as the top reasons.
(h). What are homestays?
Answer: Homestays are a form of accommodation that connect guests with hosts who have opened their homes to travellers.
Explanation: The second paragraph defines a homestay this way.
(i). What is the key to a great homestay experience for both guest and host?
Answer: Finding the right match is the key to a great homestay experience for both guest and host.
Explanation: The passage says the key is finding not only the right home but the right person.
(j). What may be the preferences of guests while they book homestays?
Answer: Some guests may seek an immersive and cultural experience, others may simply want good quality, affordable accommodation in the right location with a host they get along with.
Explanation: The second paragraph contrasts these two kinds of guests.
(k). In what way do hosts differ from one another?
Answer: Some hosts want to chat with guests over a meal, while some others prefer guests who are more independent.
Explanation: The second paragraph describes these two kinds of hosts.
Passage 2
Two-thirds of people in India live in poverty. 68.8% of the Indian population live on less than 2 US dollars a day. Over 30% even have less than 1.25 US dollars per day and such people are considered extremely poor.
More than 800 million people in India are considered poor. Most of them live in the countryside and keep afloat with odd jobs. The lack of employment which provides a liveable wage in rural areas is driving many Indians into rapidly growing metropolitan cities, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
| Causes of Poverty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lack of Education | Limited Resources | Weak Institutions |
| Population Explosion | Corruption | Colonial past |
In 2019, the Indian government stated that 6.7% of its population is below its official poverty limit. According to Oxfam, India’s top 1% of the population now holds 73% of the wealth while 670 million citizens, comprising the country’s poorest half, saw their wealth rise by just 1%. As per the Tendulkar Poverty Line, poverty reduced from 14.9 per cent in 2011 to 7.0 per cent in 2017—the fastest pace the country has seen yet. So, 2020 is an extremely challenging year not only for government and business, but also for those who are on the borderline of poverty. Fiscal, monetary and administrative policies have to be designed in a way that provides a safety for those living at the brink of poverty. Lifting people out of poverty ought to be on top of the government’s priority.
Questions and Answers
(a). As per the graph, which of these is/are the cause(s) of poverty in India?
(a) Colonial past
(b) Lack of education
(c) Population explosion
(d) All of these
Answer: (d) All of these
Explanation: The ‘Causes of Poverty’ figure lists colonial past, lack of education and population explosion among the causes.
(b). According to the graph, which state has the highest number of people living below poverty line?
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Bihar
(c) Madhya Pradesh
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Answer: (d) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: The bar graph shows Uttar Pradesh with 5.98 crore people below the poverty line, the highest.
(c). Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the reason for people migrating to metropolitan cities.
1. Poverty
2. More employment opportunities in metropolitan cities
3. Government schemes
4. Lack of employment
5. Better crops
(a) 1, 2 and 5
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 4
Explanation: The third paragraph says poor rural people lacking jobs with a liveable wage move to fast-growing cities.
(d). In the line “... employment which provides a liveable wage”, the word ‘liveable’ DOES NOT refer to:
(a) good enough
(b) acceptable
(c) frugal
(d) comfortable
Answer: (c) frugal
Explanation: A liveable wage is one good enough to live on; ‘frugal’ (scanty, sparing) is the opposite idea.
(e). Choose the option that is NOT TRUE.
(a) One-third of people in India live in poverty.
(b) Corruption contributes to poverty.
(c) Chandigarh has the lowest number of people living below poverty line.
(d) Poverty may develop due to limited resources.
Answer: (a) One-third of people in India live in poverty.
Explanation: The passage says two-thirds, not one-third, of people in India live in poverty.
(f). The year 2020 is an extremely challenging year for:
(a) the government
(b) the businessmen
(c) the people living on the border line of poverty
(d) All of these
Answer: (d) All of these
Explanation: The last paragraph says 2020 is challenging not only for government and business but also for those on the borderline of poverty.
(g). What percentage of the total Indian population is living in extreme poverty?
Answer: 5.5% of the total population of India is living in extreme poverty.
Explanation: The Brookings report figure in the first paragraph is 5.5%.
(h). Who are considered extremely poor in India?
Answer: People having less than 1.25 US dollars per day are considered extremely poor.
Explanation: The second paragraph defines the extremely poor.
(i). Why do rural people migrate to metropolitan cities of India?
Answer: Rural people migrate to metropolitan cities because of lack of employment providing a liveable wage in rural areas.
Explanation: The third paragraph gives this reason.
(j). What does the study of Oxfam India focus on?
Answer: The study of Oxfam India emphasises that the country’s top 1% of population holds 73% of the wealth.
Explanation: The last paragraph reports Oxfam’s finding on wealth inequality.
(k). What should be the top priority of government?
Answer: The government should give top priority to lifting people out of poverty.
Explanation: The last line says lifting people out of poverty ought to be the top priority.
Passage 3
The ubiquity of technology, and its increased ability to connect and communicate, has paved the way for this tipping point. Beneath the surface, we are moving towards an explosion of change.
Over 50% of our global population is now online, and the other half is following fast. To be precise, around 726 million people joined the web in the last three years. These new users will change the shape of the internet. Many of them will be lower income. They are choosing smartphones over laptops and tablets and are more likely to use voice commands.Almost one-third of US homes are ‘smart homes’; this is set to grow to more than half of all homes by 2024.
Geodata and the IoT will create new markets and supply chains. The automation of manufacturing, services and mobility has already begun. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will reach what Gartner terms the ‘Plateau of Productivity’, in which the technology becomes both mainstream and viable. McKinsey estimates that 70% of companies may adopt at least one AI technology by 2030. It is unlikely they will all use it well, but those that do could manage to take us to a place where man and machine are indistinguishable.
Bioscience has the potential to be transformative in the 2020s. Gene editing (CRISPR) technology will likely soon be able to edit genomes to allow animal organs to be accepted into human bodies – transforming, and perhaps saving, the lives of people currently waiting for organ transplants. Similar technology can also be used to combat inherited diseases, and even cancer. Elsewhere, gene therapy experiments are using the body’s immune system to fight cancer through re-engineering our cells.
Technology has inarguably improved science, health, communications and transport. However, technology has not necessarily corresponded to increased economic productivity. Indeed, many of the most technologically advanced countries have seen productivity stagnate and stall, as discussed in growing inequality and opportunity.
In the 2020s many questions around technology will be resolved. The scaffolding is in place. This will be the decade in which AI, geodata, the IoT, bioscience, and quantum computing are given the opportunity to change our world. Whether this change will be surface-level or truly transformative remains to be seen.
Questions and Answers
(a). In the line “The ubiquity of technology, and its ……”, the word “ubiquity” DOES NOT refer to
(a) Ever-present
(b) Omnipresent
(c) Pervasive
(d) Usage
Answer: (d) Usage
Explanation: Ubiquity means being present everywhere; ‘usage’ is not a synonym.
(b). According to McKinsey,
(a) 70% of companies will employ more labor force by the year 2030.
(b) Nearly 70% of the companies will adopt use of one AI by the end of this decade.
(c) Nearly 70% of all the companies will stop using AI by the end of 2030.
(d) 70% of all companies will depend on people who can use computers by the end of 2030.
Answer: (b) Nearly 70% of the companies will adopt use of one AI by the end of this decade.
Explanation: McKinsey estimates that 70% of companies may adopt at least one AI technology by 2030.
(c). One of the important predictions in the passage is that we are going to reach, ‘Plateau of Productivity’ with respect to digitisation. Which option most reflects the meaning?
(a) There will be a widespread market use of AI even if it is not viable.
(b) There will be no more resources left to develop AI.
(c) The production and use of AI will be extensive and practicable.
(d) The use of AI will stop as it will become more expensive.
Answer: (c) The production and use of AI will be extensive and practicable.
Explanation: The passage defines the Plateau of Productivity as the stage where the technology becomes both mainstream and viable.
(d). According to the report, what will generate new market chain and supply?
(a) Artificial Intelligence
(b) Artificial Intelligence and Internet
(c) Geo-data and Internet of Things
(d) Access to meta-data
Answer: (c) Geo-data and Internet of Things
Explanation: The passage says geodata and the IoT will create new markets and supply chains.
(e). Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that best lists the inherent benefits of biosciences
1. Will revolutionise the field of cancer treatment
2. Will revolutionise the use of computers and phones
3. Will revolutionise the industry and its development
4. Will revolutionise the development of new phones
5. Will allow for genome transformation of animals
6. Will help patients who need organ transplants
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 5 and 6
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 3, 4 and 5
Answer: (b) 1, 5 and 6
Explanation: The bioscience paragraph mentions fighting cancer, editing genomes so animal organs suit humans, and helping transplant patients.
(f). The years between 2020 and 2030 will see a next-level technological advancement as per the report. What reason has been cited for the same?
(a) Large scale investment by private sector in technology.
(b) Technology development has been the top priority of the governments.
(c) A lot of advancement has taken place in the field of internet.
(d) Increased ability of technology to connect and communicate.
Answer: (d) Increased ability of technology to connect and communicate.
Explanation: The second paragraph says the ubiquity of technology and its increased ability to connect and communicate paved the way for this tipping point.
(g). In which areas is digitisation increasing?
Answer: Digitisation is increasing in the key areas such as health, science, transport, communication and energy.
Explanation: The first paragraph lists these key areas.
(h). How can we say that we are moving towards an explosion of change?
Answer: Over half of our global population is online, and the other half is following fast. Around 726 million people have joined the web in the last three years.
Explanation: The third paragraph gives these figures on the rapid spread of the internet.
(i). What technology will be used to combat inherited diseases in humans?
Answer: Gene editing (CRISPR) technology will be used to combat inherited diseases in humans.
Explanation: The bioscience paragraph names gene editing (CRISPR).
(j). What is the purpose behind editing genomes?
Answer: Editing genomes will allow animal organs to be accepted into human bodies.
Explanation: The bioscience paragraph states this purpose.
(k). How do gene therapy experiments fight cancer?
Answer: Gene therapy experiments use the body’s immune system to fight cancer through re-engineering our cells.
Explanation: The bioscience paragraph explains this method.