Explore topic-wise MCQs in Verbal Ability.

This section includes 35 Mcqs, each offering curated multiple-choice questions to sharpen your Verbal Ability knowledge and support exam preparation. Choose a topic below to get started.

1.

When Myanmar’s previous president, Thein Sein, assumed charge in 2011, he presented a broad vision, including in foreign policy, before Parliament. _______________________________. On all substantial matters, the nation and the international community look to Ms. Suu Kyi, the de facto leader of the government, to articulate Myanmar’s goals and plans.

A. On the contrary, Ms. Suu Kyi talked about the economic policy of the government in detail right after taking oath.
B. In contrast, U Htin Kyaw, the new President, delivered the shortest possible speech in March 2016.
C. In contrast, Ms. Suu Kyi’s visit to Thailand drew much attention.
D. Shortly after assuming office, Ms. Suu Kyi met foreign ambassadors in Naypyidaw and informed them that the new government’s aim was to foster “better relations with neighbours.
E. Even as Beijing unleashed a charm offensive, Myanmar took its time to respond to its overtures.
Answer» C. In contrast, Ms. Suu Kyi’s visit to Thailand drew much attention.
Discussion
2.

Each year a specific aspect of water is highlighted while observing International World Water Day; this year’s theme was “wastewater”, which is defined as any water that has been adversely affected in quality by anthropogenic influences and as a result of domestic, industrial, commercial and agricultural activities. _____________________________. Most of our freshwater sources are under threat. When public awareness of pollution is limited, the cost of pollution to our health and the ecosystem is huge. The victims are generally the poor or socially vulnerable communities, and the end result is a high financial burden on the community and government.

A. In recent decades, population growth, accelerated urbanisation and economic development have resulted in an increase in the quantity of wastewater and the overall pollution load being generated.
B. Globally, over 80% of the wastewater generated goes back to the ecosystem without being treated or reused.
C. The opportunities for exploiting wastewater as a resource are enormous.
D. Another fact is that 1.8 billion people use drinking water contaminated with faeces which increases their risk of contracting cholera, dysentery, typhoid and polio.
E. The benefits to our health and in terms of economic development and environmental sustainability, business opportunities and ‘green’ jobs far outweigh the costs of wastewater management.
Answer» B. Globally, over 80% of the wastewater generated goes back to the ecosystem without being treated or reused.
Discussion
3.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) crossed an important milestone with the successful launch of weather satellite INSAT-3DR using a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle equipped with the indigenous cryogenic upper stage. ___________________________________. That September 8 launch marks the third consecutive success; the fact that it is the first operational flight by the GSLV carrying the indigenous cryogenic upper stage is confirmation that India now belongs to the elite club of countries that have mastered the cryogenic technology.

A. ISRO is a research and development organisation and not a production organisation, but the lack of greater industry participation has resulted in it being unable to launch more satellites in a year using the GSLV.
B. Unlike in the case of the PSLV where industry participation is around 80 per cent, it is only about half in the case of the GSLV.
C. The successful launch marks a departure from the long history of failures with the GSLV; except for the first, every launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the workhorse of ISRO, has been a success.
D. The first experimental flight using the GSLV-Mk III is scheduled to take place by the end of this year and will use a new cryogenic engine.
E. With an ability to provide double the thrust compared with the current cryogenic technology, the vehicle would be able to carry payloads up to four tonnes.
Answer» D. The first experimental flight using the GSLV-Mk III is scheduled to take place by the end of this year and will use a new cryogenic engine.
Discussion
4.

Labour is restive today. It is apprehensive about what the future bodes for itself. But it’s not as if labour militancy has gone up in recent years. _________________________________. These figures are considerably lower than those in the 1970s and 1980s. However, there is little doubt that organised labour in India, as in the rest of the world, sees itself as a loser in the changes unleashed by liberalisation and globalisation. It fears that if the government goes ahead with some of its proposed “reforms”, its losses will begin to mount.

A. Besides, Indian businesspeople as well as many economists have long clamoured for greater “flexibility” in labour laws, a euphemism for freedom to hire and fire.
B. One of the principal demands of the unions was an increase in the daily minimum wage for unskilled workers from Rs.246 to Rs.692.
C. However, this argument may have well been overtaken by events in the global economy.
D. An estimated 120 million workers took part.
E. On the contrary, man-days lost due to industrial disputes came down from 23.7 million in 2001 to 13 million in 2012 before rising to 19 million in 2013.
Answer» F.
Discussion
5.

After the categorical verdict of the Delhi High Court that the Capital is a Union Territory, it was quite clear that any decision made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal without the Lieutenant Governor’s approval will be rendered illegal. ________________________________. The appointments, made in March 2015, suffered from multiple legal infirmities. Apart from the lack of the LG’s concurrence, it raised the question of whether it was an ‘office of profit’ under the government, something legislators are barred from holding. The penalty stipulated in the Constitution for a legislator holding an office of profit is disqualification.

A. The Election Commission has also reserved its verdict on the question whether these 21 MLAs have incurred such disqualification, and it is possible for the Aam Aadmi Party now to ask the matter to be closed, citing the court’s setting aside of the appointments.
B. Counsel for the Delhi government had to concede the point in court, leading to the appointment of 21 Delhi legislators as parliamentary secretaries being set aside.
C. At the same time, it cannot be denied that the EC could still choose to decide whether these MLAs had indeed held an office of profit for nearly a year-and-a-half.
D. They had been rendered further vulnerable after the President withheld assent to a Delhi Bill to protect them from incurring disqualification — once again because it was introduced without the LG’s approval.
E. Mr. Kejriwal could have avoided this setback had he not given executive oversight responsibilities to so many of his party’s legislators.
Answer» C. At the same time, it cannot be denied that the EC could still choose to decide whether these MLAs had indeed held an office of profit for nearly a year-and-a-half.
Discussion
6.

The Firefox project had undergone several name changes. Originally titled Phoenix, it was renamed because of trademark issues with Phoenix Technologies. ____________________________________. In response, the Mozilla Foundation stated that the browser should always bear the name Mozilla Firebird to avoid confusion with the database software. Continuing pressure from the database server’s development community forced another change; on February 9, 2004, Mozilla Firebird became Mozilla Firefox, often referred to as simply Firefox.

A. As of August 2011, Firefox was the second most widely used browser, with approximately 30% of worldwide usage share of web browsers.
B. Phoenix Technologies sued the Mozilla Foundation for trademark infringement.
C. The Mozilla Foundation then came up with the replacement name, Firebird.
D. The replacement name, Firefox, provoked an intense response from the Firefox free database software project.
E. The Mozilla Foundation, after lengthy deliberations with trademark lawyers, came up with the name Firebird which had not, at that time, been trademarked.
Answer» E. The Mozilla Foundation, after lengthy deliberations with trademark lawyers, came up with the name Firebird which had not, at that time, been trademarked.
Discussion
7.

General Motors Corporation, also known as GM, is a multinational corporation headquartered in the United States and has been the world’s most dominant automaker since 1931. Recent times, however, have not been as favourable for the automotive giant with GM posting a record $38.7 billion loss in 2016. These losses were sustained due to a variety of factors, such as adverse market conditions in the United States and Europe, high inventory levels as well as the fall in the value of the U.S. dollar. _________________________________.

A. GM’s management is to be blamed for not venturing into emerging markets like Russia and India.
B. Since the value of the dollar is still falling, the losses sustained seem destined to continue in 2017.
C. In response to this crisis, GM announced the launch of a slew of new models.
D. GM now ranks as the world’s second largest automaker, behind Toyota Motor Corporation.
E. Higher oil prices would probably lead to GM incurring another big loss to its bottom line in 2017.
Answer» E. Higher oil prices would probably lead to GM incurring another big loss to its bottom line in 2017.
Discussion
8.

Even the United States lets its citizens know when public databases are breached. Aadhaar and NATGRID might be hacked several times a year for all we know; no one is obligated to tell us. _________________________________. This renders us powerless and steps around our painstakingly crafted civil liberties to hand control of our lives and information back to the state.

A. We have no idea how secure these databases are and have given no thought to what will happen if someone hacks them or misuses the sensitive information contained in them.
B. The government wants to add our travel and bank information to these databases, and is pressuring all the phone manufacturers to integrate with them.
C. This is a governance form in which governments use surveillance, data collection, data mining and other such invasive methods to prevent crime, terrorist attacks and to deliver welfare services.
D. The imbalance of power created by the state’s attempts at treating citizens like pawns is dangerously magnified by advances in digital technology that allow for easy monitoring of communication and access to large amounts of data.
E. It appears that we are travelling fast towards a complete transformation into a National Surveillance State.
Answer» C. This is a governance form in which governments use surveillance, data collection, data mining and other such invasive methods to prevent crime, terrorist attacks and to deliver welfare services.
Discussion
9.

Out of all the taxes, corporate taxes imposed on multinational corporations (MNCs) are major sources of revenue for most economies. But in the event of these corporate tax payers shifting their tax liabilities from a high tax jurisdiction to a low- or no-tax jurisdiction, massive revenue losses are imminent for the fiscal jurisdiction where the taxes should have been ideally paid. ______________________________. With a mélange of some creative accounting techniques and existing loopholes in different fiscal jurisdictions across the world, tax evasion has emerged as a global woe in the last few decades.

A. Both historical and contemporary perceptions of tax have characterised it as a necessary extraction, a penalty.
B. Despite some major limitations, various fiscal jurisdictions have already gone ahead with signing such agreements.
C. Tax evasion is where a seepage in the boundaries set by fiscal laws is discovered, and which is then used to escape the tax net to a great extent or altogether.
D. Various countermeasures have been deployed by states, either at an individual level or as members of different economic groups.
E. Once riddled with incidents of double taxation, the MNCs have now outsmarted the system and have moved into an era of double non-taxation.
Answer» F.
Discussion
10.

In popular imagination, the Railway Budget was seen as a grand spectacle, with the Railway Minister using it as a platform for populism and political grandstanding. What is not appreciated is that the Budget is not merely a statement of allotment of funds to various projects and programmes, unlike other ministries, but comprises a fairly detailed performance review, physical and financial, of the previous year and prospects for the current (Budget) year. ____________________________. A separate post-Budget discussion in Parliament on the Railways, as indicated by the Finance Minister, is no substitute, as the focus most likely will be on allotments to various projects, not on financial performance.

A. The fact is that the Railways is indeed unlike any other Central ministry in size and scope, it is actually an operational ministry.
B. There have been sporadic calls in the past for doing away with a separate Railway Budget for various reasons, but the matter was never pursued seriously.
C. Perhaps nowhere in the world is a political functionary called upon to present a financial report card of the country’s largest public undertaking in the full glare of publicity.
D. No other Ministry has a separate budget and the practice exists in no other country today; the Bibek Debroy Committee has recommended discontinuance of a separate Rail Budget and it is part of the Prime Minister’s reform programme.
E. A point particularly stressed by the Finance Minister in the press conference announcing the Cabinet decision was that the Railways’ share in the General Budget has progressively reduced over the years, making a separate budget an anachronism.
Answer» D. No other Ministry has a separate budget and the practice exists in no other country today; the Bibek Debroy Committee has recommended discontinuance of a separate Rail Budget and it is part of the Prime Minister’s reform programme.
Discussion
11.

By obfuscating issues and putting out evasive responses that the team had not been selected owing to ‘operational reasons’, BCCI officials have demonstrated a shocking degree of insensitivity. ___________________________________. Virat Kohli’s men should compete in the tournament, and the faster the BCCI clarifies its position and selects the squad, the better it would be for the players and the game.

A. It is poor sportsmanship that of the eight teams, ranging from Australia to Bangladesh, competing in the tournament, it is only India that hasn’t announced the squad yet.
B. Immediately thereafter, BCCI officials floated the story that India would not participate in the eighth edition of the Champions Trophy in England.
C. Seen in that context, it is a travesty that the Board of Control for Cricket in India is now using the Champions Trophy as a bargaining tool with the ICC (International Cricket Council) in a bid to retrieve its earlier proposed governance and revenue model with the parent body.
D. They have let down the cricketers, who are busy with the Indian Premier League but also have an eye on the Champions Trophy as it kick-starts their international season besides giving them an opportunity to defend their title.
E. It was nothing more dignified than a public tantrum that sought to leverage the Indian team’s commercial clout given the viewership size as well as broadcast and advertisement revenues it brings.
Answer» E. It was nothing more dignified than a public tantrum that sought to leverage the Indian team’s commercial clout given the viewership size as well as broadcast and advertisement revenues it brings.
Discussion
12.

Cut to the 1990s, when the media ecology changed drastically with the advent of the World Wide Web. The generation and distribution of news and opinion was no longer a linear process but networked. _____________________________. It was felt that the rise of the Internet had given way to the decline of the newspaper but that theory was soon debunked, and between 2000 and 2009, newspapers began setting up the online versions of their printed publications; this became a time of consolidation for the news media online as people would visit the websites of trusted publications for news.

A. The presumption in this model was that media organisations were driven by responsibility to the public while the audience was politically engaged, rational and discerning.
B. This was a medium that was democratic, accessible to all and a place where multiple conversations could take place.
C. The Digital News Report 2016 by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that 51% of their sample use social media as a source of news.
D. At least 78% of the Internet population aged 16-64 is now networking via a mobile.
E. Two things have disrupted the way in which people access information, and therefore the practice of journalism itself — social media and the mobile phone.
Answer» C. The Digital News Report 2016 by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found that 51% of their sample use social media as a source of news.
Discussion
13.

While individual companies adapt to the new political economy in the West, it does not diminish New Delhi’s responsibility to make a case for more open immigration policies for India’s skilled workers. _______________________________. This, as economists from David Ricardo to Jagdish Bhagwati have pointed out, increases the size of global economic output despite the costs. It is obvious that the tightening of immigration is likely to have a net negative effect on the global economy.

A. Also, investment in advanced technologies itself, such as by Infosys, could be a measure to deal with high labour costs in the U.S.
B. Not surprisingly, there is now increasing speculation that many Indian IT giants will refrain from sponsoring H-1B visas for junior engineers.
C. Sadly, since the benefits of globalisation are diffused among billions of people while its costs are concentrated on a smaller but organised group, such adjustments often end up validating populist, protectionist policies.
D. The economic rationale behind the free movement of labour is that it promotes economic efficiency.
E. Other Indian outsourcing firms have recruited in the United States, but Infosys is the first to give concrete hiring numbers and a timeline for its plans, following Trump's visa review.
Answer» E. Other Indian outsourcing firms have recruited in the United States, but Infosys is the first to give concrete hiring numbers and a timeline for its plans, following Trump's visa review.
Discussion
14.

India’s tax-to-GDP ratio is far lower than the 21 per cent average of its emerging market peers; its public spending-to-GDP ratio is also the lowest among BRICS nations. _________________________________. About 85 per cent of the economy is outside the tax net. Even among those who pay taxes, the number of individuals who earn more than Rs.1 crore a year or pay tax in the 30 per cent tax bracket is unrealistically low.

A. The country cannot scale up necessary infrastructure and social spending without widening its tax base.
B. The government had promised to adopt non-intrusive methods and employ information technology to widen the tax base.
C. As a target, rough or otherwise, it is an ambitious goal for a country where the direct tax base has grown at a snail’s pace over six decades.
D. It is not clear why there is such panic about the number, especially if it was a mere statement of intent.
E. According to recent economic survey, it said India needs to increase its tax-GDP ratio, and spend more on health and education.
Answer» B. The government had promised to adopt non-intrusive methods and employ information technology to widen the tax base.
Discussion
15.

Residents of five States are currently struggling to cope with the effects of intense rainfall. Many of those lucky to have been rescued owe it to the National Disaster Response Force, but such response systems naturally have limited efficacy in predominantly rural States such as Bihar. _______________________________. Capacity-building to handle catastrophic weather events is poor, and serious attention is not given to setting up relief camps, creating crisis-proof health infrastructure and stockpiling dry rations and medicines.

A. In Bihar’s case, the shifting patterns and breaches of the Kosi have added to the complexity of the problem, which requires a deeper understanding of the areas most at risk.
B. An integrated approach to managing floods requires a sound understanding of the patterns that rivers such as the Ganga and its tributaries display during the monsoon.
C. What stands out in the annual cycle of floods is the generally tardy pace of preparation for rescue and relief.
D. India’s vulnerability to severe flooding during the monsoon is spectacularly demonstrated year after year.
E. There are cascading outcomes of infections and the absence of care for pregnant women.
Answer» D. India’s vulnerability to severe flooding during the monsoon is spectacularly demonstrated year after year.
Discussion
16.

The Gujarat election, which was expected to be an easy win for the BJP________________.

I. Has unexpectedly developed into a possibly close and certainly engrossing contest.

II. Seems to have infused new life into Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s floundering political career just weeks before his likely elevation as the party president.

III. Has gone all out since then to broadcast and publicise the social media campaign captured by the image of an upturned state transport bus with its wheels off.

A. Only III
B. Only II and III
C. Only I and III
D. Only I and II
E. None of the above
Answer» E. None of the above
Discussion
17.

The communist movement that eventually gave birth to the Russian Revolution ________________.

I. Was premised on the promise of power to the people.

II. Gave rise to a bureaucracy, the rationale of which was to maintain the regime perpetrated by the communist party.

III. Has distilled the revolution – and the idea of revolution more generally – into a single frightening adjective: totalitarianism.

A. Only I and III
B. Only I and II
C. Only II
D. Only I
E. All of the above
Answer» C. Only II
Discussion
18.

Mr. Xi’s penchant for the dominance of the party________________.

I. suggests that he will pack the politburo standing committee — the highest echelon of Chinese power — with officials loyal to his cause.

II. changed virtually all Provincial Party Secretaries in the months ahead of the 19th Congress, and appointments since the Congress have underlined his sway over personnel matters.

III. while he is positioning China as a defender of globalisation, it comes with a strong dose of mercantilism.

A. Only I
B. Only III
C. Only II and III
D. Only I and IIII
E. None of the above
Answer» B. Only III
Discussion
19.

While, in a sign that the economy remains robust, consumer inflation picked up pace_________________.

I. Some analysts expect price pressure as the government’s crackdown on smog hurts factory output.
II. Beijing is already in the second year of a campaign to reduce high levels of debt, keeping liquidity conditions relatively tight as it seeks to flush out speculative financing.
III. Growth, however, has remained strong this year, thanks to a construction boom that has driven up raw materials prices and in part fed inflationary pressures.

A. Only I
B. Only I and III
C. Only III
D. All are correct
E. None of the above
Answer» F.
Discussion
20.

The European economy has performed significantly better than expected this year__________________ .

I. propelled by resilient private consumption, stronger growth around the world, and falling unemployment.
II. Investment is also picking up amid favourable financing conditions and considerably brightened economic sentiment as uncertainty has faded.
III. but the expansion will slow somewhat next year as well as in 2019.

A. Only I and III
B. Only II and III
C. Only III
D. Only I and II
E. All of the above
Answer» B. Only II and III
Discussion
21.

The United States currently gives an impression of being at war with itself. This stems from a series of charges and countercharges levied against President Donald Trump and his advisers, including that of collusion with the Russians, who are accused of meddling with the presidential election. _____________________________. Meanwhile, the kaleidoscopic nature of the changes taking place in the top echelons of the new administration is hardly helping matters. The peremptory actions of the President, such as the dismissal of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, has only aggravated this situation. Almost every step taken by the new administration is leading to partisan rows.
A. One of the principal charges against members of the Trump team is that they maintained improper contact with Russian diplomats.
B. The media and intelligence agencies are far from impartial in their behaviour.
C. Several probes have already been launched in this connection.
D. Barack Obama, Mr. Trump’s predecessor, is by contrast credited currently with many more virtues than at any time when he was in office.
E. What has led to a fractured society in the U.S. today carries a message for democracies everywhere.
Answer» D. Barack Obama, Mr. Trump’s predecessor, is by contrast credited currently with many more virtues than at any time when he was in office.
Discussion
22.

With the direction of global headwinds remaining uncertain, growth in government spending budgeted to be lower this year compared to last year, and private investment virtually absent, the lowering GDP numbers should serve as a reality check. _____________________________. While the government has vigorously underlined its reform achievements of the last three years, such as the Goods and Services Tax that rolls out in July, a mission-mode reforms reboot is urgently needed. And that can only begin if the problem is suitably acknowledged by policymakers.
A. While lower inflation and growth may soften the RBI’s outlook, there is little that monetary policy alone can do at this juncture to revive animal spirits.
B. Returning to the 8% growth mark is going to be a big challenge.
C. In fact, the only reason the 7.1% estimate has held up is because growth for the previous quarters was revised upwards.
D. Private consumption grew at the slowest pace in five quarters, even as construction and manufacturing activities dipped sharply.
E. Yet, whichever way one looks at it, the note ban seems to have exacerbated the problem, particularly for India’s large informal economy that the poor depend on, as even the World Bank has now noted.
Answer» C. In fact, the only reason the 7.1% estimate has held up is because growth for the previous quarters was revised upwards.
Discussion
23.

Traditional pharmacies have been knocking at the doors of the government for some time now as they face intense competition from e-pharmacies. Their profit margins and market share have faced pressure in recent years from e-pharmacies that often offer medicines at cheaper prices. ____________________________. The AIOCD has repeatedly accused e-pharmacies of a wide range of malpractices, including selling fake drugs and enabling self-medication. The organisation has been citing these issues to seek a ban on the sale of drugs online.
A. While this has improved the accessibility of drugs to a wider population, the concern of traditional pharmacists too is easy to understand.
B. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed the setting up of an e-portal to track and regulate the sale of drugs across the retail chain.
C. The risks associated with e-pharmacies, especially when it comes to the dispensation of prescription drugs without the necessary checks, cannot be taken lightly.
D. However, the Ministry’s plan on regulating e-pharmacies is a rather outdated one.
E. But perhaps the only thing clear from the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD)’s demands is its intention to protect the business interests of traditional brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
Answer» F.
Discussion
24.

Fringe elements affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been in the news ever since the party came to power. Activists who pretend to be associated with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh too have had their day in the news. _________________________. First, the “fringe” is encouraged by the party as a strategy to appeal to more extreme elements within the party and to polarise politics. Second, and more specific to the right wing, some believe that these individuals’ provocative actions and remarks are indicative of the government’s tacit support for Hindutva principles.
A. There are two reasons of the palpable polarization in politics.
B. There are also local politicians who have misperceived favourable responses or miscalculated the impacts of their actions.
C. There are two widely held explanations for such activism.
D. In our view, this results from a systemic problem with our politics.
E. Their two actions have served to embarrass the BJP and the Central government.
Answer» D. In our view, this results from a systemic problem with our politics.
Discussion
25.

Providing benefits for women on maternity leave and children is a societal responsibility which can be funded in a large country through a combination of general taxation and contributory payments from those who have the means. Health care should be treated as a right and deliveries handled without cost to women. ______________________________. Such a policy would harmonise the varying maternity benefit provisions found in different laws that govern labour at present.
A. The income guarantees during the pregnancy period can be ensured through a universal social insurance system.
B. Beneficiaries covered by the latest amendment must be protected from discrimination through clear provisions.
C. Mandating creche facilities to help women workers under the changed law is a forward-looking move.
D. Women’s empowerment can be achieved through universal initiatives, not by imposing conditionalities to avail benefits.a
E. Access to welfare support has become even more critical as workers migrate frequently due to economic changes.
Answer» B. Beneficiaries covered by the latest amendment must be protected from discrimination through clear provisions.
Discussion
26.

JBL has a new pocket-sized speaker in its ranks. It is called the JBL Go 2 (Rs 2,999) and is the successor to the JBL Go, which was launched three years ago. The JBL Go 2 retains the match box like form factor of the predecessor, yet looks more refreshing with the curved edges and the soft plastic finish that almost feels like rubber._________________________. It also comes in 12 eye-catching colour options such as ruby red, coral orange, deep sea blue and ash gray for buyers who like to flaunt their gadgets. The speaker grille is on the front panel with a light indicator towards the top. It glows when the speaker is switched on. The control panel, which includes buttons to switch on/off the device, adjust volume and initiate Bluetooth pairing, have been carved at the top for quick access. The buttons are soft and responsive, but have not been highlighted prominently using backlighting or a distinct colour.­­­­­­­_________________________. There is a flap cover on the side panel. It covers the micro USB slot (for charging) and the 3.5 mm jack (for wired playback).

A. It weighs just 184g and is small enough to fit into a pocket or small handbag comfortably/ As a result they are barely visible until you look closely.
B. JBL Go 2 also comes with IPx7 certification, which makes it water -proof up to 1 meters, meaning users won’t have to put it away if it’s raining./ The audio quality is crisp with decent amount of bass, which is more than adequate for causal use.
C. It works wirelessly, last up to 10 hours and is water-proof. The icing on the cake is the 360 degree speaker design which projects sound in all directions./ The speaker can connect to any Android smart phone or Apple iPhone via Bluetooth and can play non-stop music wirelessly for 4-5 hours, which is not much considering that it takes about 2.5 hours to charge.
D. Both A & B
E. None of the above
Answer» B. JBL Go 2 also comes with IPx7 certification, which makes it water -proof up to 1 meters, meaning users won’t have to put it away if it’s raining./ The audio quality is crisp with decent amount of bass, which is more than adequate for causal use.
Discussion
27.

It may have been fitting that Russian President Vladimir Putin gifted a football to his American counterpart Donald Trump as they held their summit in Helsinki earlier this week. ____________________. Propaganda and psychological operations have been part of the artillery of warring nations forever. But technological enhancers like social media platforms and military-grade hacking have taken such machinations to another plane, with artificial intelligence poised to add another dimension to it. After all, how many countries would launch an actual conventional war over a cyber conflict that doesn’t occupy real territory but encroaches upon mind-space? That immunity breeds a sort of impunity.____________________.

A. Trump, of course, scored the perfect own goal. / It isn’t just Russia alone, even China has repeatedly hacked America, as during the theft of nearly 21.5 million records of personnel between 2014 and 2015, to the recent stealing of naval data.
B. This is the problem that democracies face since they cannot build their own versions of the Great Firewall to prevent such incursions, or shut down foreign platforms, or virtual private networks./ And, copying the Russian playbook, it is undertaking political in Cambodia, and other obvious targets like Taiwan and Tibetan activists.
C. This is where the United States needs to step up. Instead, Trump has dumped the country’s cyber-security czar. /At the United Nations, for instance, as the Council on Foreign Relations noted last year, the group of government experts that attempted to draft global norms including, holding a nation responsible for attacks that originated from its territory, was appreciated.
D. Both A and C.
E. None of the above
Answer» B. This is the problem that democracies face since they cannot build their own versions of the Great Firewall to prevent such incursions, or shut down foreign platforms, or virtual private networks./ And, copying the Russian playbook, it is undertaking political in Cambodia, and other obvious targets like Taiwan and Tibetan activists.
Discussion
28.

On the surface, United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer appears to have made an ironclad case against China in his report. _________________. It has quickly been accepted as foundational evidence in support of the tariffs and other punitive trade measures that President Donald Trump’s administration has initiated against China in recent months. It is powerful ammunition in a potential trade war. But don’t be fooled. The report is wide off the mark in several key areas. First, it accuses China of “forced technology transfer,” arguing that US companies must turn over the blueprints of proprietary technologies and operating systems in order to do business in China. _________________.

A. The USTR’s indictment of China on charges of unfair trading practices regarding technology transfer, intellectual property, and innovation seems both urgent and compelling./ This transfer is alleged to take place within the structure of joint-venture arrangements with domestic counterparts in China.
B. Portraying US companies as innocent victims of Chinese pressure is certainly at odds with the predatory practices of the US corporate world. /Significantly, US and other multinational corporations willingly enter into legally-negotiated arrangements for commercially sound reasons.
C. For the USTR to claim that China alone relies on industrial policy as a means towards achieving competitive edge is the height of hypocrisy/ Like the rest of the world, the Chinese are tough competitors, and they do not always play by the rules.
D. Both A and C
E. None of the above
Answer» B. Portraying US companies as innocent victims of Chinese pressure is certainly at odds with the predatory practices of the US corporate world. /Significantly, US and other multinational corporations willingly enter into legally-negotiated arrangements for commercially sound reasons.
Discussion
29.

The Doklam plateau has become the unlikely scene of the latest India-China imbroglio. _________________. The Chumbi valley is vital for India, and any change is fraught with dangerous possibilities. The incident stems from differences between Bhutan and India on the one hand and China on the other as to the exact location of the tri-junction between the three countries. In 2007, India and Bhutan had negotiated a Friendship Treaty to replace an earlier one. China’s current claims over the Doklam plateau should be seen as yet another instance of cartographic aggression, which China often engages in. It is, however, China’s action of building an all-weather road on Bhutan’s territory, one capable of sustaining heavy vehicles, that has prompted Bhutan and India to coordinate their actions in their joint national interests. _________________.

A. The Doklam plateau has indirectly figured in the several rounds of border talks that have been held between China and Bhutan./ Reliable reports suggest that China is not unwilling to make generous concessions to Bhutan in return for a mutually acceptable border settlement.
B. China has long eyed this area and it has been keen to establish its physical presence in a region that it claims belongs to China according to the 1890 Convention. / With China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) gaining momentum, and completion of infrastructure programmes such as the Lhasa-Shigatse Railway, China appears to have turned its attention to the Doklam plateau.
C. The region falls within Bhutanese territory, but this is now questioned by China./ Many of the points involved in the current stand-off are disputed or disputable and the Sikkim (India)-China border was the only settled segment of the nearly 4,000-km-long India-China border.
D. Both A and C
E. None of the above
Answer» D. Both A and C
Discussion
30.

Alphabet Inc's YouTube is creating scripted series and other original programming for international markets including France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and India to try to draw new customers to its paid subscription service. _________________. It will be produced in local languages and subtitled or dubbed for other markets. Some of the programming will appear on YouTube Premium, the monthly subscription service formerly called YouTube Red. Other content will be available on YouTube's free service with advertising. YouTube will be competing with companies including Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc that are investing in local language programming for online audiences around the world. _________________.

A. YouTube already has released a handful of original shows in South Korea and one in India, a talk show in Hindi about cricket. / There are no current plans for more original children's programming as the company does not believe children's content will drive subscriptions to YouTube Premium at this time.
B. The programmes will come in the form of multiple genres such as music documentaries, reality series, talk shows and scripted series/ In its bid to gain an edge over other streaming platforms YouTube has decided to collaborate with local streaming services.
C. It's no secret that streaming giants Netflix and Amazon are spending large sums of money to strengthen their footholds in the digital video landscape./ The first original shows from YouTube debuted on its premium service in 2016, starting with series from some of the platform's most popular video creators.
D. Both A and C
E. None of the above
Answer» C. It's no secret that streaming giants Netflix and Amazon are spending large sums of money to strengthen their footholds in the digital video landscape./ The first original shows from YouTube debuted on its premium service in 2016, starting with series from some of the platform's most popular video creators.
Discussion
31.

As Frederick Nietzsche said, there are no facts, only interpretations. This would just about be the case when one reads the Economic Survey for FY18. _________________________ Hence, the so-called facts are available to all but the conclusions drawn change after reading the report.

A. The Survey is a detailed update on all aspects of the economy and does not work with data which is not known.
B. The Survey is evidently sanguine about the future to the extent of being gung-ho provided some glitches are addressed with expediency.
C. The Survey takes the unconventional route of interpreting inflation on an average basis and arguing that CPI of 3.3 per cent for the first 9 months is lower than the 4 per cent target.
D. It does turn around several views which were held before the report came out.
E. None of the above
Answer» B. The Survey is evidently sanguine about the future to the extent of being gung-ho provided some glitches are addressed with expediency.
Discussion
32.

Demonetisation and GST have definitely added transparency to the tax system and resulted in more taxpayers. _________________________. Otherwise there is no explanation for lower GDP growth in FY17 and FY18 as monsoons have been good, inflation low, crude oil price benign, CAD low, fiscal balances under control, rupee stronger, foreign flows higher and interest rates lower.

A. The Government should set realistic and credible fiscal targets for FY19 rather than target a low number which cannot be achieved.
B. GDP growth in FY16 was 8 per cent which came down to 7.1 per cent in FY17 and could go up to 6.75 per cent in FY18 and say, 7.5 per cent in FY19.
C. But the disruption caused to small businesses and agriculture has been significant.
D. Major reforms undertaken by the Government have cleansed the system for sure and made it more efficient.
E. None of the above
Answer» D. Major reforms undertaken by the Government have cleansed the system for sure and made it more efficient.
Discussion
33.

Surprisingly, the Survey is not too concerned about surplus financials savings flowing out from banks to the capital market. _________________________. A concern everywhere now is that as the market appears to be overvalued and is due for a correction. This could lead to significant losses for households that have moved to such riskier avenues to earn higher returns relative to deposit rates which are falling.

A. This is interesting because at present, our investment and savings rates are both declining.
B. Anecdotally, a high current account deficit can create a different set of problem when savings trails investment.
C. This has been taken to be a positive fallout of demonetisation where funds have been directed to the market.
D. Now, these returns are linked to interest rates prevailing in the banking system.
E. None of the above
Answer» D. Now, these returns are linked to interest rates prevailing in the banking system.
Discussion
34.

Any incremental spending focus should shift to the construction sector — rural housing and infrastructure. _________________________. Even with a lower share in GDP, it employs more workers than manufacturing.

A. In addition, the labour force used in construction is largely unskilled or semi-skilled.
B. Higher allocation and steps to boost this sector are needed as it is likeliest to absorb labour after agriculture.
C. This is a key characteristic of the rural labour force.
D. These measures will make good economic and political sense.
E. None of the above
Answer» C. This is a key characteristic of the rural labour force.
Discussion
35.

Nine years is perhaps too short a time for deep wounds to heal, but it is enough time to begin to introspect. However, going by the polarised views around the anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka’s civil war, there are few signs of that. For the Tamils who gathered in Mullaitivu district in the Northern Province, it was a day to remember loved ones killed in those savage final days of the war that ended on May 18, 2009. _________________________.

A. Even this year, national leaders saluted the soldiers for their sacrifice, while offering nothing but silence to the civilians who were caught in the conflict.
B. The two disparate narratives of trauma and triumph can never meet, and in such a context, the chances for fruitfully negotiating this hard-won peace will remain slim.
C. Time will only make it harder for the two communities to resolve the ethnic division that has outlived the war.
D. The southern Sinhalese political leadership, on the other hand, makes it a point to celebrate “war heroes” around the same time, hailing their efforts to bring peace.
E. None of the above
Answer» E. None of the above
Discussion