Read the passage given below:
1. Chancellor Amartya Sen on Oct. 15, 2014 came calling to Nalanda University and interacted with its students, exactly 44 days after the revival of the ancient seat of learning. Sen spent over one-and-a-half hours in the evening with the 13 first-batch students of the international university at Rajgir International Convention Centre, around 15 km from the ruins of the ancient institution and 110 km southeast of Patna. He interacted with each one of them and inspired them to aspire for academic excellence. He also thanked the students for joining the university.
2. The classes of Nalanda University started on September 1. It sets sail with two schools — School of Ecology and Environment Studies and School of Historical Studies. External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj officially inaugurated the varsity on September 19. But Sen could not make it on either occasion because of his prior engagements at Harvard University. A source said Sen made up his mind to meet the Nalanda University students today after his plan of visiting University of Geneva was finalised. The students were thrilled after their maiden interaction with Sen a day after French economist Jean Tirole won the 2014 Nobel Prize for economics. Their chancellor was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1998. Coming out of the session, Daniel, a student of School of Ecology and Environment Studies, said: “Sir (Sen) asked me where do I hail from and what are my expectations from the university.”
3. Daniel, who has a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution from Mysore University, told Sen: “After completing the master in Ecology and Environment Studies from Nalanda University, I want to join United Nations.” The Chancellor also spoke to every faculty member of the university in the presence of the varsity’s Vice-Chancellor, Gopa Sabharwal, dean (academics) Anjana Sharma, administrative head Sridhar V.K. and other officials. He congratulated them too for joining the university. Coming out of the convention centre, Sabharwal said, “The session was very informative and the Nobel laureate discussed the importance of the revival of Nalanda University and how the revival of an ancient university can become a milestone for a state like Bihar.”
4. The Nalanda University Chancellor came to Rajgir from Patna, where he landed yesterday. The then Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi met him in a city hotel. After the interaction, Nitish posted on his Facebook, “Enlightened by a stimulating discussion with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University Gopa Sabharwal and Dean Anjana Sharma. Nalanda University will forever transform the way our future generations view the glorious foundations of knowledge and culture that once existed in Bihar.” Nitish in his tenure took keen interest in the university, the idea of which was first floated by then President APJ Abdul Kalam in 2006. Sen played a pivotal role in carrying it forward.
5. At present, the varsity has five students in School of Historical Studies and eight in School of Ecology and Environment Studies. There are four faculty members in School of Ecology and Environment Studies and six in School of Historical Studies.
[Source: The Telegraph]
On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, answer ANY TEN of the questions given below:
Question. How long did Chancellor interact with students of Nalanda University?
(a) One hour
(b) One and a half hour
(c) Two
(d) Two and a half hour
Answer: B
Question. Rajgir is situated in the .................... of Patna.
(a) East
(b) North
(c) North west
(d) South east
Answer: D
Question. How many students were in the first batch of the International University of Nalanda?
(a) 13
(b) 14
(c) 15
(d) 11
Answer: A
Question. 2014 Nobel Prize for Economics has been awarded to .................... .
(a) Gopa Sabharwal
(b) Nitish Kumar
(c) Jean Tirole
(d) Amartya Sen
Answer: B
Question. The Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda University is .................... .
(a) Amartya Sen
(b) Anjana Sharma
(c) Gopa Sabharwal
(d) Jean Tirole
Answer: C
Question. Which of the following is ODD one out with reference to the meaning of ‘stimulating’ as used in para 4?
(a) Exciting
(b) Sparkling
(c) Encouraging
(d) Persuading
Answer: D
Question. Where did Amartya Sen interact with the students of Nalanda University? Why did he not attend the inauguration of the University?
Answer: Amartya Sen interacted with the students at Rajgir International Convention Centre. He could not attend the inauguration of the University due to his prior engagements at Harvard University.
Question. Which are the schools started at Nalanda University now?
Answer: Nalanda University has been presently started with two schools — 1. School of Ecology & Environment Studies and 2. School of Historical Studies.
Question. Who is Daniel? What is his goal?
Answer: Daniel is a student of School of Ecology and Environment Studies. After doing his master’s degree from Nalanda University he would join the United Nations.
Question. What did Nitish Kumar post on his Facebook about the University?
Answer: Nitish Kumar after the interaction, posted on his Facebook that he was enlightened by stimulating discussion with Nobel laureate Amartya Sen and others. He also posted that Nalanda University will forever always transform the way our future generations view the glorious foundations of knowledge and culture that once existed in Bihar.
Question. How many faculty members are there in each of the two schools?
Answer: There are four faculty members in School of Ecology and Environment Studies and Six in School of Historical Studies.
Question. What does the expression, “It sets sail with two schools” mean here?
Answer: The expression “It sets sails with two schools” means that the study in Nalanda University started with two schools.
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