English Questions: Reading Comprehension Set – 29

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Welcome to Online English Section with explanation in AffairsCloud.com. Here we are creating question sample in Reading comprehension, which is BASED ON IBPS PO/CLERK/LIC AAO/RRB & SSC CGL EXAM and other competitive exams.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari has highlighted the dearth of scientific temper in the country. His comments come just as the 2016 Indian Science Congress has drawn many laments on the state of Indian science. In fact, for the last two years presentations on topics such as the invention of airships in ancient India have created a disappointing, disturbing image. In a damning indictment, Nobel laureate Venkatraman Ramakrishnan has described the congress as a circus where very little science is discussed.
While it can be argued that the congress should be open to diverse streams, such openness can’t come at the cost of a genuine scientific ethos. As Ansari has observed, intolerance towards attempts to separate belief from scientifically verified facts leads to the occult being dubbed as scientific. Plus, there’s empirical evidence to suggest that the roots of Indian science are worryingly weak. The country is yet to achieve its goal of spending at least 2% of GDP on scientific research. Around 59% of secondary schools don’t have an integrated science laboratory. And according to 2013 figures Indians filed only 17 patents per million population compared to 4,451in tiny South Korea.
These metrics stand at odds with government policies like Make in India. As pointed out by Nobel winning physicist David Gross, attempts at manufacturing high-end products in India won’t yield the desired benefits unless backed by sustained investment in basic science – right from school level to higher education. That not a single Indian institute of higher learning figures in the top 100 ranking of world universities is a poor comment on the quality of education and research in the country. An even greater tragedy is that most Indian students today consider the sciences only as academic streams to high-paying corporate careers. Overall, the science pedagogy is poor and the scientific temper diluted.
The state of Indian science is actually a direct reflection of India’s general education woes. Lack of meritocracy in educational institutions shows up in poor research. Focus on producing degree holders kills innovation. Against this backdrop a framework for audit of scientific departments as suggested by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is just the first step. What’s required next is an overhaul of science education to create an environment that encourages research and innovation. Only then can Indian scientists meaningfully contribute towards the development goals of the country.

1. Which of the following is ‘true’ in the context of the passage?
1) The country has achieved 2% of GDP on science research.
2) Indian institutions are performing very well in higher education on international level.
3) Approx 59% of secondary schools doesn’t have an integrated science laboratory.
4) The science pedagogy is very strong.
5) None of these

2. According to passage, why Indian students considering the science only for academic stream ?
1) Indian Students are good in research.
2) Science proves great opportunities for careers rather than other streams.
3) Most of Indians are intelligent in science.
4) Just because of high-paying corporate careers.
5) None of these

3. Which of the following is the central theme of the passage?
1) Mythology vs science: Creating a better climate for research and innovation is a must for India’s development.
2) Indian Education system.
3) Importance of science in Education.
4) Overview of Indian institutions.
5). None of these

4. Which of the following statement is false in the context of the given passage?
1) Most of Indian students consider the sciences as academic streams.
2) Not a single Indian institute in the list of top 100 ranking of world universities.
3) Last two years presentations on invention of airships in ancient India have created a disappointing.
4) Lack of meritocracy in educational institutions shows up in poor research.
5) All are true

5. According to the passage, what kills innovation ?
1) Indian scientists meaningfully not contributing towards the development goals of the country.
2) Poor performance of Indian institutions in Research.
3) More Focus on producing degree holders.
4) More focus in other streams rather than Science.
5) None of these

Directions (Q. 6- 8 ) : Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

6. Dubbed
1) Entitle
2) Denominate
3) Knight
4) Designate
5) Denominate

7. Indictment
1) Clear
2) Discharged
3) Under suspicion
4) Visionary
5) Acquitted

8. Diverse
1) Conforming
2) Identical
3) Like
4) Parallel
5) Contrary

Directions (Q. 9-10) : Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.

9. Backdrop
1) Specific
2) Query
3) Foreground
4) Scrim
5) Scenery

10. Empirical
1) Suspect
2) Complicated
3) Practical
4) Conformed
5) Speculative