Passage 1
2. With a population of just 289, the tribal village of Ha is the smallest named place in the country which is located at an altitude of 4,780 ft. in the Kurung Kumey district of Arunachal Pradesh. The village is known for its brilliant natural beauty and the Menga caves which are dedicated to Lord Shiva.
3. Located about 27 km from Keylong in Himachal Pradesh, the village of Shansha has a population of 320 people in 72 houses. The hamlet is located close to the Tandi Kishtwar road which is generally a pit stop for those adventure-seeking individuals who ride through this dangerous route. The hamlet of Shansha is home to a greenhouse which is located at a height of 10,000 ft. and provides aid to the locals living and working in this highly challenging terrain.
4. One might think the entire state of Goa is filled with a bunch of beaches and shacks, but there is another side of the tiny state which is known for its isolated villages. Xelpem, also known as Shelpem, is an example of one such place which is located on the banks of Salaulim river and has a population of just 255.
5. The village of Sankri in Uttarakhand is the base camp of many treks and is well known for being the last village which has a market on the way to the Har ki Dun Trek, Kedarkantha. The hamlet has just 77 homes out of which three are small guest houses and has a population of about 270 people. Most families welcome the trekkers to stay at their homes as well.
6. One amongst the most scenic and hidden gems of Nagaland is the village of Nitoi. The village has a population of about 402 people and boasts of an 80% literacy rate even in its small population. The small hamlet can be reached from Kiphire which is an 8-hour drive from Kohima.
Questions and Answers
(a). The purpose of this passage is to provide awareness regarding the ______. Choose the correct option.
(a) tiny towns and cities in India
(b) small villages and hamlets in India
(c) small hamlets and cities in India
(d) isolated tribes in India
Answer: (b) small villages and hamlets in India
Explanation: Every paragraph describes a small village or hamlet (Ha, Shansha, Xelpem, Sankri, Nitoi); no towns or cities are discussed.
(b). Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.
(1) Shansha has a population of 320 people in 72 houses.
(2) The hamlet of Shansha is home to a greenhouse.
(a) (1) contradicts (2).
(b) (2) is the reason for (1).
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (2) is the result of (1).
Answer: (c) (1) is independent of (2).
Explanation: Paragraph 3 states both facts separately; the size of the population neither causes nor results from the greenhouse.
(c). Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement.
“Most families welcome the trekkers to stay at their homes as well.”
(a) The hamlet consists of only guest houses for trekkers.
(b) People from Sankri village aren’t fond of any visitors.
(c) The hamlet has just 77 homes with a population of about 270 people.
(d) People from Sankri village keep their doors open for guests.
Answer: (d) People from Sankri village keep their doors open for guests.
Explanation: Paragraph 5 says families welcome trekkers into their homes, i.e. they are hospitable and open their doors to guests.
(d). According to the passage, the greenhouse in Shansha is essential for the people because ______.
(a) it provides aid to the trekkers living and working in this highly challenging terrain.
(b) it is the only source of food in the mountains.
(c) it provides aid to the locals at a height of 10,000 ft. in this highly challenging terrain.
(d) it is a major tourist attraction of that village.
Answer: (c) it provides aid to the locals at a height of 10,000 ft. in this highly challenging terrain.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 says the greenhouse at 10,000 ft. provides aid to the locals (not trekkers) living and working in the challenging terrain.
(e). Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to.
‘The village has a population of about 402 people and boasts of an 80% literacy rate even in its small population.’
(1) The village has a population of 402 literate people.
(2) The population of the village is 80% illiterate.
(3) The 80% of the population is not illiterate.
(4) The population of the village is limited to 402 individuals.
(5) The village boasts high literacy rate even in its small population.
(a) (1), (2) and (5)
(b) (2), (4) and (5)
(c) (1), (2) and (3)
(d) (3), (4) and (5)
Answer: (d) (3), (4) and (5)
Explanation: Paragraph 6 gives a population of about 402 and an 80% literacy rate, so 80% are literate (3), the population is about 402 (4) and the rate is high (5).
(f). The Menga caves from the village of Ha in Arunachal Pradesh are dedicated to which deity?
(a) Lord Shiva
(b) Lord Krishna
(c) Lord Ganesha
(d) Lord Vishnu
Answer: (a) Lord Shiva
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says the Menga caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva.
(g). This passage lists an example of the tiny villages in India where ______. Select the correct option.
(a) people come for good business opportunities
(b) people come to wash away all their sins in the holy pilgrimage sites
(c) people come to escape all the hardships of an ultra-modern life
(d) people have just discovered their existence and are not yet listed on maps
Answer: (c) people come to escape all the hardships of an ultra-modern life
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says people from cities head to these villages to wash away the hardships of an ultra-modern life.
(h). Choose the correct option to answer the following:
According to paragraph 4, ‘One might think the entire state of Goa is filled with a bunch of beaches and shacks.’
This is so because:
(a) Goa is famous for its small naturally scenic villages.
(b) Goa is generally advertised as such in popular media.
(c) not much is known about the beaches and shacks of Goa.
(d) people don’t care about the natural diversity in Goa.
Answer: (b) Goa is generally advertised as such in popular media.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 implies the common image of Goa is only beaches and shacks, which is how the state is usually projected, while its isolated villages stay unknown.
(i). The tribal village of Ha, the smallest named place in the country, is located at an altitude of ______.
(a) 4,280 ft.
(b) 4,580 ft.
(c) 4,780 ft.
(d) 4,980 ft.
Answer: (c) 4,780 ft.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 gives the altitude of Ha as 4,780 ft.
(j). The village of Nitoi is described as ______.
(a) scenic and hidden gem of Himachal.
(b) filled with a bunch of beaches and shacks.
(c) a pit stop for adventure-seeking individuals.
(d) scenic and hidden gem of Nagaland.
Answer: (d) scenic and hidden gem of Nagaland.
Explanation: Paragraph 6 calls Nitoi one of the most scenic and hidden gems of Nagaland.
(k). Which word in the passage means ‘distress’?
(a) dangerous
(b) hardships
(c) innumerable
(d) isolated
Answer: (b) hardships
Explanation: ‘Hardships’ in paragraph 1 means suffering or difficulty, which is the same as distress.
(l). Which word in the passage is opposite to the meaning of ‘unstimulating’?
(a) working
(b) literacy
(c) sanctuaries
(d) challenging
Answer: (d) challenging
Explanation: ‘Challenging’ (paragraph 3) means demanding and stimulating, the opposite of unstimulating.
Passage 2
2. The promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth has driven this expansion. But new coal is now more expensive than renewables in all major markets around the world, according to recently released analysis from think tank Carbon Tracker.
3. Coal generates nearly 40% of the world’s electricity, close to its highest share in decades. And there are now 80 countries using coal power, up from 66 in 2000. Another 13 plan to join the club, notably Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, though this is down from 16 last year.
4. CO2 emissions from existing plants are enough to breach the carbon budget for 1.5 or 2C. UN secretary general, António Guterres, is leading calls for an end to new coal plant development.
5. All unabated coal would have to close by 2040 to stay “well below” 2C, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). This would mean closing 100GW of coal capacity every year for 20 years, or roughly one coal unit every day until 2040.
6. For the more ambitious 1.5C limit, global coal use for all purposes would need to fall by around 80% this decade, according to Carbon Brief analysis of pathways gathered by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This would be equivalent to closing every coal plant in the world.
7. Yet newspaper headlines and energy projections suggest coal growth will not stop. This bleak outlook for the climate is tempered by signs of rapid change. The pipeline of plants under construction or the ones which are proposed to be constructed has shrunk by two-thirds since 2015.
Questions and Answers
(a). The purpose of the research by International Energy Agency was to study the ______. Choose the correct option.
(a) target of shutting coal plants to achieve 2C carbon budget.
(b) target of shutting coal plants to achieve a below 2C carbon budget.
(c) target of shutting coal plants to achieve an above 2C carbon budget.
(d) use of unabated coal in factories and power generation plants.
Answer: (b) target of shutting coal plants to achieve a below 2C carbon budget.
Explanation: Paragraph 5 says the IEA worked out that all unabated coal must close by 2040 to stay “well below” 2C.
(b). Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.
(1) Global coal capacity grew in every year between 2000 and 2019.
(2) The promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth.
(a) (2) is the result of (1).
(b) (2) is the reason for (1).
(c) (2) is independent of (1).
(d) (2) contradicts (1).
Answer: (b) (2) is the reason for (1).
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says the promise of cheap electricity “has driven this expansion”, so (2) is the cause of (1).
(c). Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement.
“The pipeline of plants under construction or proposed has shrunk by two-thirds since 2015.”
(a) There has been a significant decline in coal plants construction since 2015.
(b) People are still not aware enough about the damages of carbon emissions.
(c) Since 2015, there has been a significant increase in coal pipeline production.
(d) The government and builders are doing close to nothing in reducing coal burning.
Answer: (a) There has been a significant decline in coal plants construction since 2015.
Explanation: A pipeline that has ‘shrunk by two-thirds’ (paragraph 7) means far fewer coal plants are being built or planned.
(d). According to the analysis by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, reaching the ambitious 1.5C limit would mean ______.
(a) global coal use would need to fall by around 80% this year.
(b) relying on renewable sources of energy like solar and wind.
(c) generating electricity from unabated coal.
(d) closing every coal plant in the world.
Answer: (d) closing every coal plant in the world.
Explanation: Paragraph 6 says the 80% fall needed this decade (not this year) would be equivalent to closing every coal plant in the world.
(e). Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to.
‘CO2 emissions from existing plants are enough to breach the carbon budget for 1.5 or 2C.’
(1) The current carbon budget has been set at 1.5 or 2C.
(2) The coal plants are emitting CO2 at alarming levels.
(3) The production of coal has become a lucrative market.
(4) The budget set for Carbon emissions exceeds 2C.
(5) The Carbon emissions from existing plants exceed 2C budget.
(a) (2), (3) and (4)
(b) (2), (3) and (5)
(c) (1), (2) and (5)
(d) (1), (3) and (4)
Answer: (c) (1), (2) and (5)
Explanation: Paragraph 4 implies a budget of 1.5 or 2C (1), alarming emissions (2) and emissions that would exceed that budget (5); nothing is said about profits.
(f). From the following, what was the global coal capacity for the year 2019?
(a) 1,066GW.
(b) 20GW rise that year.
(c) 2,045GW.
(d) 40% of the world’s electricity.
Answer: (c) 2,045GW.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says capacity grew from 1,066GW in 2000 to 2,045GW in 2019.
(g). This passage lists the concern that electricity generating coal plants have ______. Select the correct option.
(a) very little impact on the overall air quality when compared to automobiles.
(b) shown an improved form of regulation when it comes to following the 2C budget.
(c) been a major source for carbon emissions and need to be shut down.
(d) a better output in generating electricity than renewable energy.
Answer: (c) been a major source for carbon emissions and need to be shut down.
Explanation: Paragraphs 4 to 6 say coal plants’ CO2 emissions breach the carbon budget and the plants must be closed.
(h). Choose the correct option to answer the following:
According to paragraph 2, ‘new coal is now more expensive than renewables in all major markets around the world’.
This is so because:
(a) coal has seen an increase in demand even though it causes a lot of pollution.
(b) renewable sources of energy are non-perishable unlike coal.
(c) new coal is very hard to mine and many countries rely on it to generate electricity.
(d) new coal can be artificially and cheaply made by burning wood.
Answer: (c) new coal is very hard to mine and many countries rely on it to generate electricity.
Explanation: Of the options, only the difficulty of mining new coal combined with high dependence on it explains a rising cost; the other choices are irrelevant or false.
(i). According to the passage, what has driven the expansion of global coal capacity?
(a) Bleak outlook for the climate change.
(b) Promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth.
(c) New coal being more expensive than renewables.
(d) CO2 emissions from existing plants.
Answer: (b) Promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 says the promise of cheap electricity to fuel economic growth has driven the expansion.
(j). How many countries were using coal power in 2000?
(a) 66
(b) 80
(c) 13
(d) 18
Answer: (a) 66
Explanation: Paragraph 3 says 80 countries now use coal power, up from 66 in 2000.
(k). Which word in the passage means “persistent”?
(a) breach
(b) projections
(c) unabated
(d) ambitious
Answer: (c) unabated
Explanation: ‘Unabated’ (paragraph 5) means continuing without becoming weaker, i.e. persistent.
(l). Which word in the passage is opposite to the meaning of ‘bright’?
(a) fall
(b) bleak
(c) doubling
(d) analysis
Answer: (b) bleak
Explanation: ‘Bleak’ (paragraph 7) means gloomy or hopeless, the opposite of a bright outlook.
Passage 3
2. This, however, is a preliminary analysis as harvesting is still under way and the day-to-day variation in the number of fires is extremely high. Dr. Ravinder Khaiwal at PGIMER, Chandigarh, who monitors data from a NASA satellite that can detect thermal radiation, told The Hindu that when comparing data till October 15 in Haryana, there’s an increase in fires by 24% and till October 13 – a 30% decrease in fires. Similarly, in Punjab, a comparison till October 15 shows a reduction by 5%, whereas till October 13 it was a reduction of 67%.
3. Dr. Khaiwal added that he was optimistic there would be a decrease in fires this year because of a decrease in the area allotted to paddy sowing this year. The CAQM made a similar observation last week reporting that a 7% decrease in the area allotted to paddy and moving crops away from the popular variety PUSA 44 (that leaves behind more stubble in its wake) along with measures by Governments of Punjab and Haryana would likely reduce fire count instances.
4. Over the years it has been observed that fire counts increase when there is too little time between the paddy being ready for harvesting and the right time to sow wheat. This year, excessive moisture in northern India due to an overhanging monsoon and a delay in the markets opening for trade, may further squeeze the time available for farmers to harvest and sow, further forcing them to set their fields alight. Of the total 1,795 sites where burning had been reported, 663 fields had been inspected by officials, and fines or “environmental compensation” as they are called, were imposed on 252.
Questions and Answers
(a). The purpose of the research by Dr. Ravinder Khaiwal at PGIMER was to study the ______. Choose the correct option.
(a) impact of stubble burning on the air quality index.
(b) benefits of using PUSA 44 variety of paddy.
(c) extent of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
(d) measures by Governments of Punjab and Haryana.
Answer: (c) extent of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.
Explanation: Paragraph 2 shows Dr. Khaiwal using satellite data to compare the number of fires in Punjab and Haryana.
(b). Select the option that is true for the two statements given below.
(1) There was a decrease in the area allotted to paddy sowing this year.
(2) There is a 70% reduction so far in instances of stubble burning.
(a) (1) contradicts (2).
(b) (2) is the reason for (1).
(c) (1) is independent of (2).
(d) (2) is the result of (1).
Answer: (d) (2) is the result of (1).
Explanation: Paragraph 3 links fewer fires to the decrease in area under paddy, so the reduction (2) results from (1).
(c). Select the option that gives the correct meaning of the following statement.
“The day-to-day variation in the number of fires is extremely high.”
(a) There is a stable decrease in stubble burning.
(b) Stubble burning instances vary daily.
(c) The further number of fires can be predicted from existing data.
(d) The number of fires is extremely high.
Answer: (b) Stubble burning instances vary daily.
Explanation: ‘Day-to-day variation’ (paragraph 2) means the number of fires changes a lot from one day to the next.
(d). According to the report by the Commission for Air Quality Management, in Haryana ______.
(a) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 18% from last year.
(b) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 18% overall.
(c) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 70% from last year.
(d) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 70% overall.
Answer: (a) instances of stubble burning have been reduced by 18% from last year.
Explanation: Paragraph 1 gives an 18% reduction for Haryana compared with the previous year (596 to 487); 70% is the figure for Punjab.
(e). Select the option listing what the given sentence refers to.
‘In Punjab, a comparison till October 15 shows a reduction by 5%, whereas till October 13 it was a reduction of 67%.’
(1) The instances of fires increased from 13 October.
(2) The instances of fires decreased from 13 October.
(3) The reduction in fires was not properly noted.
(4) Farmers in Punjab burned more stubble after 13 October.
(5) The reduction in fires lessened from 13 to 15 October.
(a) (1), (4) and (5)
(b) (2), (4) and (5)
(c) (1), (3) and (5)
(d) (2), (3) and (4)
Answer: (a) (1), (4) and (5)
Explanation: The reduction fell from 67% to 5% between 13 and 15 October (paragraph 2), so fires rose after 13 October because more stubble was burnt.
(f). In which of the following States was the minimum number of stubble fires recorded?
(a) Haryana
(b) Punjab
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Madhya Pradesh
Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Paragraph 1 records only 22 fires in Uttar Pradesh this year, far fewer than Punjab (1,286) or Haryana (487).
(g). This passage lists the reason for the reduced stubble fires, which was ______. Select the correct option.
(a) Government providing the farmers with the alternatives for burning.
(b) farmers switching to the PUSA 44 variety of paddy.
(c) Government posing heavy fines for burning stubble.
(d) 7% decrease in the area allotted to paddy this year.
Answer: (d) 7% decrease in the area allotted to paddy this year.
Explanation: Paragraph 3 credits the expected fall in fires to a 7% decrease in the area allotted to paddy (and a move away from PUSA 44).
(h). Choose the correct option to answer the following:
According to paragraph 4, ‘fines or “environmental compensation” as they are called, were imposed on 252’.
This is so because:
(a) this will generate a lot of revenue for farmers.
(b) this will discourage any farmer from burning stubble.
(c) farmers will not stop burning stubble willingly.
(d) it is easier to collect fines than to provide a remedy.
Answer: (b) this will discourage any farmer from burning stubble.
Explanation: Fines on offenders (paragraph 4) are meant as a deterrent so that farmers stop setting their fields alight.
(i). How many instances of stubble burning were there in Haryana this year?
(a) 596
(b) 4,216
(c) 487
(d) 1,286
Answer: (c) 487
Explanation: Paragraph 1 says Haryana had 596 instances last year and 487 this year.
(j). What does too little time between the paddy harvesting and sowing wheat force farmers to do?
(a) Rely on heavy machinery.
(b) Bring in hybrid varieties of crops.
(c) Set their fields alight.
(d) Open markets for trading.
Answer: (c) Set their fields alight.
Explanation: Paragraph 4 says the squeezed time forces farmers to set their fields alight.
(k). Which word in the passage means “aftermath”?
(a) sow
(b) instances
(c) day-to-day
(d) wake
Answer: (d) wake
Explanation: In paragraph 3, ‘in its wake’ means ‘as a consequence’, so ‘wake’ means aftermath.
(l). Which word in the passage is opposite to the meaning of ‘insufficient’?
(a) overhanging
(b) compensation
(c) observed
(d) excessive
Answer: (d) excessive
Explanation: ‘Excessive’ (paragraph 4, excessive moisture) means more than enough, the opposite of insufficient.