English Study Guide (2022)
On attending a conference, which focused on the role of the services sector in Indian economy I was amazed. The conference gave a very interesting perspective on the role of the service sector in the growth of Indian economy in relation to growth rates in agriculture and industry. The current situation in India is that the growth rate of services has overtaken both agriculture and industry and is now contributing to more than 50% of GDP. The service sector has the highest growth rate and is the least volatile sector. Growth is particularly marked in public services, IT and financial services. In some areas. the growth rate of the service sector is 40-50% due to increased use of mobile technologies. India, therefore, has a service-oriented economy. It does't not have traditional growth models as in China. However, in the process of doing so, it has skipped the manufacturing and has jumped straight from the agriculture stage to the service stage, which is also the main reason for the expansion of the service sector. In fact, the situation now is such that the growth in the service sector can and will support the agriculture and industrial sectors. However, the only setback for Indian economy is the lack of growth in the manufacturing sector which causes dependence on other countries, which is not so desirable in terms of job creation and increased prosperity. Population is also a major concern for the Indian economy as the population of India grows so also does the number of dependents in the population in both the lower and higher age groups. In such a scenario of increasing population, especially in an economy which is still recovering from crisis, growth becomes difficult. For such an economy to grow it has to invest.Currently, the public sector invests more than it saves. The household sector saves in surplus, but it is not increasing so it cannot continue to support private and public sectors. There is a massive need to spend on agriculture and infrastructure development of the country. Apart from that health and education should also be the priority of the government particularly the education of women to reduce the birth rate. Q.81) Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage. 'Volatile'(a) Erratic (b) Impatient (c) Stable (d) Solid (e) Strained According to the passage, which of the following is/are true about the impact of increasing population on Indian economy? 1. If India attempts to absorb all the labour force, it will impact the growth of service sector negatively and in turn hamper the economic growth of the county. 2. As the population of the country increases, the number of dependants in the country also increases which in turn increases the pressure on the economy. 3. An increasing population can never lead the economy of the country towards prosperity; in fact, it can only put strain on the economy of a country. (a) Only 2 (b) Only 3 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3 (e) All of these According to the passage, which of the following can be said about the agriculture and industry sectors in India? 1. Looking at the growth of the services sector in India it can be safely said that the service sector will soon be in a position to support both agriculture and industry sector. 2. The agriculture and the industrial sector of the country have reached their threshold and there would be no use of further investment in these sectors. 3. Currently, the agriculture and industry sectors contribute lesser as compared to the service sector to the GDP of the country. (a) Only 1 (b) Only 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3 (e) All of these Choose the word which is most similar in meaning to the word given in bold as used in the passage. 'Perspective' (a) Viewpoint (b) Prospect (c) Attitude (d) Agreement (e) Proportion Which of the following is true as per the passage? (a) India has not followed the conventional model of growth and has moved directly from the agriculture sector to the service sector. (b) The service sector of the country is yet to make a mark on the IT and financial sectors of the country (c) With availability of labour and growth in human skills, the service sector of Indian economy is booming limitlessly as there is no restriction on movement of labour (d) India has become self-reliant and does not have to depend on other countries because of the development in the manufacturing sector. (e) All of the above
Q.81 — Antonym of 'Volatile' Correct Answer: (c) Stable
Volatile means likely to change rapidly and unpredictably. Its antonym is Stable — steady, not subject to sudden change. Erratic is actually a synonym. Solid and Strained don't capture the opposite meaning precisely.
Q — Impact of increasing population (Statements 1, 2, 3) Correct Answer: (a) Only 2
Statement 1 is not mentioned in the passage. Statement 3 is too absolute — the passage doesn't say population "can never" lead to prosperity, only that it adds pressure. Statement 2 is directly supported: "as the population of India grows so also does the number of dependents...which is not so desirable."
Q — Agriculture and Industry sectors in India (Statements 1, 2, 3) Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3
Statement 1 is supported — the passage says "growth in the service sector can and will support agriculture and industrial sectors." Statement 3 is supported — services now contribute more than 50% of GDP. Statement 2 is not mentioned anywhere in the passage.
Q — Synonym of 'Perspective' Correct Answer: (a) Viewpoint
In this context, perspective means a particular way of thinking about something. Viewpoint is the closest match. Prospect refers to future possibility; Attitude is more about feelings; Proportion relates to size/ratio.
Q — Which of the following is true as per the passage? Correct Answer: (a) India has not followed the conventional model of growth and has moved directly from the agriculture sector to the service sector.
This is directly stated in the passage: "it has skipped the manufacturing and has jumped straight from the agriculture stage to the service stage." Options (b), (c), and (d) are either contradicted or not supported by the passage.
Passage 1: India's Service Sector and Economic Growth
Passage Summary: The passage discusses the dominant role of the services sector in India's GDP (contributing over 50%), the country's unconventional economic trajectory of jumping from agriculture directly to services while skipping manufacturing, the challenges posed by rising population, and the need for investment in agriculture, infrastructure, health, and education.
Q.81 — Antonym of 'Volatile' (Vocabulary)
Options: (a) Erratic (b) Impatient (c) Stable (d) Solid (e) Strained
Correct Answer: (c) Stable
Explanation: As used in the passage — "the least volatile sector" — volatile means prone to rapid, unpredictable change. Its direct antonym is Stable, meaning steady and consistent. Note that Erratic is actually a near-synonym of volatile, making it a common trap option.
Q.82 — Impact of Increasing Population on Indian Economy (Inference-based)
Statements:
- If India attempts to absorb all the labour force, it will impact the growth of service sector negatively.
- As population increases, the number of dependants also increases, adding pressure on the economy.
- An increasing population can never lead an economy towards prosperity.
Options: (a) Only 2 (b) Only 3 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3 (e) All of these
Correct Answer: (a) Only 2
Explanation: Statement 2 is directly supported by the passage. Statement 1 introduces a causal link not discussed in the passage. Statement 3 is an absolute claim ("can never") that goes beyond what the passage says — the passage only highlights population as a "major concern," not an absolute barrier to prosperity.
Q.83 — Agriculture and Industry Sectors in India (Passage-based Inference)
Statements:
- The service sector will soon be in a position to support both agriculture and industry.
- Agriculture and industry have reached their threshold — further investment is futile.
- Currently, agriculture and industry contribute lesser than services to India's GDP.
Options: (a) Only 1 (b) Only 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3 (e) All of these
Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3
Explanation: Both Statements 1 and 3 are explicitly supported by the passage. Statement 2 is never mentioned and is an extreme inference not backed by any line in the passage — eliminate it confidently.
Q.84 — Synonym of 'Perspective' (Vocabulary)
Options: (a) Viewpoint (b) Prospect (c) Attitude (d) Agreement (e) Proportion
Correct Answer: (a) Viewpoint
Explanation: In the context "gave a very interesting perspective on the role of the service sector," perspective means a particular way of seeing or interpreting something. Viewpoint is the precise synonym. Prospect implies future possibility; Attitude implies an emotional stance; Proportion relates to comparative size — all are off-context.
Q.85 — Fact-based Question on the Passage (Direct Comprehension)
Options: (a) India skipped the manufacturing stage and moved directly from agriculture to services. (b) The service sector is yet to make a mark on IT and financial sectors. (c) Growth in the service sector is limitless due to labour availability. (d) India has become self-reliant due to manufacturing sector growth. (e) All of the above
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: Option (a) is a near-direct restatement of the passage: "it has skipped the manufacturing and has jumped straight from the agriculture stage to the service stage." Option (b) is contradicted — IT and financial services are cited as strong growth areas. Option (d) is directly contradicted — the passage flags the lack of manufacturing as a setback causing dependence on other countries. Option (c) goes well beyond the passage.
In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and fill in the blanks by selecting the most appropriate alternatives. The question number from which a word is to be selected out of the given alternatives, is written in each blank space. The latest surgical tools are certainly fashionable, especially lasers and laparoscopes. But their role in transforming surgery is ___ (86), as is the excitement they generate. Dr. Sanjay Chaddha from Delhi specialises in remodelling the ____ (87) with what is called an excimer laser. “It’s like etching on gold to design jewellery”, he says. “The laser manages to either flatten or raise the cornea, solving the problem of myopia”. Now watch Dr. Harshad P, in his clinic as he gazes not at this ____ (88) but at a television screen, which his patient too is ____ (89) from the operating table. Controlled from the outside, Dr. Harshad’s laser is waltzing through his patient’s prostrate; it’s called a laser prostatectomy. A miniature camera and a beam of light from a fibre-optic wire, both at the end of a laparoscope, allow him to see ____ (90) than with the naked eyes. Choose the correct option: (a) questionable (b) discretionary (c) unpardonable (d) unquestionable (e) indisputable The latest surgical tools are certainly fashionable, especially lasers and laparoscopes. But their role in transforming surgery is ___ (86), as is the excitement they generate. Dr. Sanjay Chaddha from Delhi specialises in remodelling the ____ (87) with what is called an excimer laser. “It’s like etching on gold to design jewellery”, he says. “The laser manages to either flatten or raise the cornea, solving the problem of myopia”. Now watch Dr. Harshad P, in his clinic as he gazes not at this ____ (88) but at a television screen, which his patient too is ____ (89) from the operating table. Controlled from the outside, Dr. Harshad’s laser is waltzing through his patient’s prostrate; it’s called a laser prostatectomy. A miniature camera and a beam of light from a fibre-optic wire, both at the end of a laparoscope, allow him to see ____ (90) than with the naked eyes. choose the correct option: (a) body (b) clinic (c) world (d) eye (e) physique The latest surgical tools are certainly fashionable, especially lasers and laparoscopes. But their role in transforming surgery is ___ (86), as is the excitement they generate. Dr. Sanjay Chaddha from Delhi specialises in remodelling the ____ (87) with what is called an excimer laser. “It’s like etching on gold to design jewellery”, he says. “The laser manages to either flatten or raise the cornea, solving the problem of myopia”. Now watch Dr. Harshad P, in his clinic as he gazes not at this ____ (88) but at a television screen, which his patient too is ____ (89) from the operating table. Controlled from the outside, Dr. Harshad’s laser is waltzing through his patient’s prostrate; it’s called a laser prostatectomy. A miniature camera and a beam of light from a fibre-optic wire, both at the end of a laparoscope, allow him to see ____ (90) than with the naked eyes. Choose the correct option: (a) family (b) future (c) patient (d) awards (e) reward The latest surgical tools are certainly fashionable, especially lasers and laparoscopes. But their role in transforming surgery is ___ (86), as is the excitement they generate. Dr. Sanjay Chaddha from Delhi specialises in remodelling the ____ (87) with what is called an excimer laser. “It’s like etching on gold to design jewellery”, he says. “The laser manages to either flatten or raise the cornea, solving the problem of myopia”. Now watch Dr. Harshad P, in his clinic as he gazes not at this ____ (88) but at a television screen, which his patient too is ____ (89) from the operating table. Controlled from the outside, Dr. Harshad’s laser is waltzing through his patient’s prostrate; it’s called a laser prostatectomy. A miniature camera and a beam of light from a fibre-optic wire, both at the end of a laparoscope, allow him to see ____ (90) than with the naked eyes. Choose the correct option: (a) operating (b) diagnosing (c) watching (d) criticising (e) monitoring The latest surgical tools are certainly fashionable, especially lasers and laparoscopes. But their role in transforming surgery is ___ (86), as is the excitement they generate. Dr. Sanjay Chaddha from Delhi specialises in remodelling the (87) with what is called an excimer laser. “It’s like etching on gold to design jewellery”, he says. “The laser manages to either flatten or raise the cornea, solving the problem of myopia”. Now watch Dr. Harshad P, in his clinic as he gazes not at this ____ (88) but at a television screen, which his patient too is ____ (89) from the operating table. Controlled from the outside, Dr. Harshad’s laser is waltzing through his patient’s prostrate; it’s called a laser prostatectomy. A miniature camera and a beam of light from a fibre-optic wire, both at the end of a laparoscope, allow him to see ____ (90) than with the naked eyes. Choose the correct option: (a) tens of times better (b) not much better (c) restricted vision (d) more colourfully (e) much colored
Passage 2: Modern Surgical Tools — Cloze Test
Passage Summary: The passage describes how modern surgical tools like lasers and laparoscopes are transforming surgery. It covers two doctors — Dr. Chaddha who uses an excimer laser for eye correction (cornea remodelling for myopia), and Dr. Harshad who performs laser prostatectomy using a laparoscope, watching the procedure on a television screen rather than directly.
Key Tip for Cloze Tests: Always read the full passage first for context before filling blanks. Pay attention to contextual clues — medical terms like "cornea" and "myopia" immediately before or after a blank are strong signals.
Q.86 — Fill in the Blank: Role of surgical tools in transforming surgery (Cloze)
Options: (a) Questionable (b) Discretionary (c) Unpardonable (d) Unquestionable (e) Indisputable
Correct Answer: (d) Unquestionable
Explanation: The passage has an admiring, affirmative tone about modern surgical tools. The sentence says their role in transforming surgery is ___, just as the excitement they generate. This calls for a strongly positive word. Unquestionable — meaning beyond doubt — fits perfectly. Questionable is the exact opposite and a trap. Note: while Indisputable also means beyond doubt, Unquestionable is the better stylistic fit in this sentence structure.
Q.87 — Fill in the Blank: Dr. Chaddha specialises in remodelling the ___ (Cloze)
Options: (a) Body (b) Clinic (c) World (d) Eye (e) Physique
Correct Answer: (d) Eye
Explanation: The passage immediately references the cornea and myopia — both are directly related to the eye. The excimer laser is a well-known tool used in LASIK and similar vision correction procedures. Eye is the only contextually accurate answer here.
Q.88 — Fill in the Blank: Dr. Harshad gazes not at his ___ (Cloze)
Options: (a) Family (b) Future (c) Patient (d) Awards (e) Reward
Correct Answer: (c) Patient
Explanation: The contrast in the sentence is between looking directly at the patient versus looking at a television screen. In conventional surgery, a doctor looks at the patient on the operating table. The laparoscopic procedure reverses this — the doctor watches a screen instead. Patient is the only logical and contextually coherent choice.
Q.89 — Fill in the Blank: Which his patient too is ___ from the operating table (Cloze)
Options: (a) Operating (b) Diagnosing (c) Watching (d) Criticising (e) Monitoring
Correct Answer: (c) Watching
Explanation: The patient is lying on the operating table and can see the same television screen that Dr. Harshad is looking at. The patient is passively watching the screen — not operating, diagnosing, or monitoring (all of which are active medical roles). This is a straightforward contextual fit question.
Q.90 — Fill in the Blank: Allow him to see ___ than with the naked eye (Cloze)
Options: (a) Tens of times better (b) Not much better (c) Restricted vision (d) More colourfully (e) Much colored
Correct Answer: (a) Tens of times better
Explanation: The sentence is highlighting the superior capability of the laparoscope over unaided vision. The comparison "than with the naked eye" demands a phrase that conveys a significant improvement. Tens of times better is the only option that does this convincingly. Not much better and Restricted vision actually diminish the laparoscope's capability, which contradicts the passage's intent.
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