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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 SBI/IBPS PO/CLERK/LIC AAO/RRB & SSC CGL EXAM and other competitive exams.
Reading comprehension
Consecutive prison terms for those convicted of more than one offence in a single trial are infrequent in India. When those who have attracted great public odium by the enormity of their crimes are found guilty, the judges are seen to have the option of awarding sentences that are ‘consecutive’, to be undergone one after another as opposed to concurrently, where the longest jail term subsumes the shorter ones. On rare occasions, for example in the case of self-proclaimed godman Premananda in Tamil Nadu, two life sentences have been ordered to run consecutively. The Supreme Court has now provided clarity on the question of whether two or more sentences of life imprisonment can be made to run one after another. It is basically irrational and anomalous, says the Constitution Bench. As life imprisonment is for the remainder of one’s life, unless ended by remission or commutation, multiple life terms should be counted concurrently. Accordingly, judgments that run contrary to this principle have been overruled. Consecutive sentences are still permissible if one is a fixed term and the other is one of life, provided the term sentence is completed first and the life sentence begins later.
Unbelievably lengthy prison sentences are not common in India, unlike in some jurisdictions in the West. However, most of these countries balance it with a robust system of probation or parole. On the other hand, the idea of releasing a prisoner under supervised probation after a part of the sentence has been served is still rare in India; both state and society expect convicts to be imprisoned for as long as possible. This highlights an issue that occasionally crops up in judicial discourse: the absence of sentencing guidelines in India. In theory, sentences can be deterrent, retributive, reformative or restorative. However, the present sentencing paradigm is judge-centric, leaving much to the court’s discretion. Some believe this may be right because no two offences, or even offenders, are likely to be the same. Circumstances (aggravating or mitigating), motive and nature of the crime are all taken into account by judges in sentencing. For heinous crimes, the ideas of deterrence and retribution inform judicial discretion, and hence the more popular verdicts are those that award condign punishment. Until sentencing guidelines are framed by the legislature or the superior judiciary, individual judges will have to carry the burden of awarding punishment that befits the crime. By holding that there shall be no consecutive life terms, the court has offered a ray of hope to even those locked away for life, even if it may not guarantee release. For, justice ultimately cannot be merely retributive.
- What according to the passage both state and society expect?
1) the longest jail term subsumes the shorter ones
2) Consecutive prison terms for those convicted of more than one offence in a single trial should not be infrequent in India
3) balance it with a robust system of probation or parole
4) the convicts should be imprisoned for as long as possible
5) None of the aboveAnswer : 4)
Explanation: the convicts should be imprisoned for as long as possible - Which among the following is not TRUE according to the passage given above?
1) one offence in a single trial are infrequent in India
2) the idea of releasing a prisoner under supervised probation after a part of the sentence has been served is still frequent in India
3) most of the countries balance it with a robust system of probation or parole
4) Circumstances , motive and nature of the crime are all taken into account by judges in sentencing
5) None of the aboveAnswer : 2)
Explanation: the idea of releasing a prisoner under supervised probation after a part of the sentence has been served is still frequent in India - How according to the passage two life sentences can be run consecutively?
1) two or more sentences of life imprisonment cannot be made to run one after another
2) two or more sentences of life imprisonment can be made together
3) two or more sentences of life imprisonment can be made to run one after another
4) Both A and C
5) All of the aboveAnswer : 3)
Explanation: two or more sentences of life imprisonment can be made to run one after another - Which of the following is/are not common in India?
1) a robust system of probation or parole
2) one offence in a single trial
3) lengthy prison sentences
4) both A and B.
5) not mentioned in the passageAnswer : 3)
Explanation: lengthy prison sentences - Which of the following would be a suitable title of the passage?
1) Consecutive sentences
2) Many lives in one jail term
3) consecutive jail term
4) convicts
5) Supreme CourtAnswer : 2)
Explanation: Many lives in one jail term - Which among the following is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word “odium”?
1) provoked
2) adoring
3) demonstrative
4) detestation
5) regardAnswer : 4)
Explanation: detestation – intense dislike. - Which among the following is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word “subsumes”?
1) fascinate
2) allure
3) exclude
4) palpation
5) captivateAnswer : 3)
Explanation: exclude – deny (someone) access to a place, group, or privilege. - Which among the following is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word “deterrent”?
1) obstacle
2) catalyst
3) incentive
4) dazzled
5) encouragementAnswer : 1)
Explanation: obstacle – a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress. - Which among the following is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word “anomalous”?
1) atypical
2) eccentric
3) heteroclite
4) standard
5) aberrantAnswer : 4)
Explanation: standard – a level of quality or attainment. - Which among the following is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word “condign”?
1) appropriate
2) dearth
3) robust
4) timid
5) improperAnswer : 1)
Explanation: appropriate – suitable or proper in the circumstances.
