CLOZE TEST
Q.1-10. In the following passage there are blanks each of which has been numbered, these numbers are printed below the passage and against each five words have been suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.
The ambient air quality in Indian cities has (1) to dangerous levels over the last two decades. The people are (2) to extreme health risks due to increasing particulate matter, hazardous airborne agents in indoor spaces, and emission of noxious gases from industries and automobiles and open sewerage systems. Outdoor air quality is affecting the indoor air quality too.
Delhi, Patna, Gwalior Raipur and Ahmedabad have been rated as the most polluted cities in India as far as air pollution is concerned. The Word Health Organisation (WHO) designates any air that carries more than 10 microgram (i.e., a millionth of a gram) of pollutants in a cubic metre of air as (3).
The cities mentioned above show presence of (4) 10 to 15 times more than the minimum. Compare them with Fresno, Riverside (both in Canada), Los Angeles-Long Beach, Hanford-Corcoran (both in California) and Fairbanks (Alaska) as the most polluted cities in the North American continent where presence of pollutants in air is two to five times higher than the minimum.
The main pollutants in the urban air in India are particulate matter (i.e., dust, fine and ultrafine); industrial gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Ozone (O3); chullahs and open fire cooking; and waste.
These airborne agents (5) respiratory diseases such as asthma, acute bronchitis, allergy and irritation of the respiratory tract, and can even lead to cancer of lung and bladder.
Environmental engineers therefore advise building owners to opt for balanced air filters and ventilation systems, dehumidifiers and appropriate solar shading. Non-operational fans, pumps, fan coil units are to be removed and (6) servicing of H-VAC (heating, ventilation and cooling systems) has to be taken up.
Air-conditioning ducts have to be cleaned (7). There are companies that deploy robots to penetrate deep and (8) cobwebs and dust from these ducts.
Building owners are advised to (9) a holistic approach towards IAQ maintenance. Key IAQ measurements (e.g., temperature, RH, velocity, particulate matter, CO2, SO2, NO2, O3) have to be obtained. Technical review of ventilation and cooling system must be (10) and targets should be set in sync with professional advice.
1.1. Affiliated 2.chased 3.indulged 4.tormented 5.degraded
2.1. Evident 2.veiled 3.defined 4.sheltered 5.exposed
3.1. Vestige 2.hazardous 3.predictable 4.omnipresent 5.operational
4.1. Stability 2.contaminated 3.pollutants 4.quality 5.pressure
5.1. Cause 2.function 3.matter 4.make 5.aim
6.1. Ordinary 2.makeshift 3.frequent 4.various 5.monotonous
7.1. Economically 2.timidly 3.awfully 4.periodically 5.haphazardly
8.1. Employ 2.remove 3.inject 4.shed 5.amputate
9.1. Repudiate 2.downsize 3.adopt 4.tolerate 5.seize
10.1. Fought 2.regularize 3.transformed 4.sought 5.Leapt
ANSWERS
1. (5) degraded
2. (5) exposed
3. (2) hazardous
4. (3) Pollutants
5. (1) Cause
6. (3) Frequent
7. (4) Periodically
8. (2) Remove
9. (3) Adopt
10. (4) Sought
