Q.1-10.Read the
following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain
words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering
some questions.
The European
Union's ban on the import of mangoes and four vegetables
from India deserves further consideration. The question is whether
the EU took into account the steps already taken by New Delhi to
address the EU's concerns over the presence of pests, including fruit
flies, in mangoes, bitter gourd, taro, eggplant and snake gourd. The new
procedure introduced for export-bound consignments mandates that all perishable
items should be routed through recognized pack houses under the vigilance of
the National Plant Protection Organization. In order to ensure that
packaging material is free of infestation - and to ward off any future action
on that count - New Delhi has instructed its customs authorities to allow
shipments only in wood containers that bear the specified stamps of the plant
quarantine officials.
The EU curbs hit right in the
middle of the mango season. That harms not only Indian producers and
exporters but also European importers, retailers and consumers. At this stage,
it would be difficult for exporters to find new markets and customers for their
products and also for importers to source their supplies from elsewhere.
Several Indian varieties of mango - particularly the Alphonso - have
a market niche in importing countries. Prices of these mangoes have already
shot up in London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, while these have crashed
by 15 per cent in the mango-producing areas in India. Unsurprisingly,
therefore, the voices of dissent against the restriction have erupted
within the EU, particularly from the UK's mango traders and retailers. Notably,
a motion has been moved in the British Parliament by a member calling for the
reversal of the ban. If this embargo is perhaps retaliatory action by
Brussels after New Delhi imposed new and burdensome labeling standards on
imported wines, scotch and chocolates, then it needs to be revisited - since
that would potentially affect the ongoing negotiations on the India-EU
free-trade pact.
Importantly, this raises
another vital question. Why are Indian exports always running afoul of health
and sanitary standards abroad in different sectors and jurisdictions - but with
no notable effects on domestic regulation? Given the strictures on
Indian medicines, food and even cars recently passed by a variety of global
regulators, it cannot all be a conspiracy against India. Are Indian lives so
much cheaper than European ones that India's regulators will be defensive
instead of taking foreign concerns on board? More domestic action is needed to
tackle the menace of pest infestation, pesticide residue and lax sanitary and
phytosanitary standards of farm goods. Indian consumers, too, have a right to
consume foods that are safe and free of pests, pathogens and toxic residue.
Farmers, food processors and marketers need to be educated about the judicious
use of plant protection chemicals and the observance of strict hygiene
standards in producing, handling and processing produce. Fruit flies, for
example, the current bone of contention, can be eliminated through simple and
safe treatments, such as hot water immersion of harvested fruits. There is
little reason why such measures cannot be adopted on a larger scale to protect
consumers at home and abroad, and to improve India's image as a reliable
exporter of farm produce.
Q.1. How has European Union’s decision affected
Indian producers and exporters?
(1) They have received huge demand
from the fruit markets across the world.
(2) Their method of production and procurement
come under the government scanner
(3) They cannot find a new market and
consumers for exporting the produce
(4) Indian fruits have been sold
cheaply in the domestic market
(5) Not mentioned in the passage
Q.2. Why does the author think that European
Union’s ban could not be a conspiracy against India?
(1) India has good repute as an
exporter.
(2) The ban has been imposed after
many rounds of testing.
(3)
The verdict of European Union is not taken much into consideration by
other countries.
(4) Many Indian products which were
criticized earlier were later passed by global regulators.
(5) The author holds the contrary
opinion.
Q.3. Which of the following is the current bone
of contention, according to the passage?
(1) The standards being set for
exports
(2) Presence of fruit flies in the
mangoes
(3) The technology being used for
producing fruits
(4) Presence of nutrients in the
exported fruits
(5) India’s stand on the ban imposed
Q.4. Which of the following contaminate the
food, making it dangerous for consumption?
A. Toxic residue B. Pests C.
Pathogens
D. Fertilizer
(1)
Only B (2)
Only D (3)
Only A and B
(4) All except C (5) All
except D
Q.5. Which of the following remedies have been
suggested to get rid of fruit flies?
(1) Hot water immersion into
harvested fruits
(2) Spraying of pesticides
(3) Discarding the infested fruits
(4) Letting them ripen the natural
way
(5) Using chemical for preservation
Q.6. Which of the following is FALSE in
the context of the passage?
(1) A member of British Parliament
has moved a motion for reversal of ban.
(2) In New Delhi, shipments are
allowed only in wood containers.
(3) Import of three vegetables have
also been banned by European Union.
(4) Farmers need to get educated
about the plant protection techniques.
(5) All of the above
Q.7-8.Choose the
word most similar in
meaning to the word printed in bold, as used in the passage.
Q.7. Strictures
(1) Blame (2) Clarity (3)
Concessions (4) Formula (5) Packaging
Q.8. Embargo
(1) Separation (2) Ban (3)
Past (4) Assistance (5) Procedure
Q.9-10.Choose the
word which is most nearly the OPPOSITE in meaning as the word printed in
bold as used in the passage.
Q.9. Perishable
(1) Harmful (2) Prestigious (3)
Durable (4) Tested (5) Expensive
Q.10. Dissent
(1)
Confusion (2) Wisdom
(3) Experience (4) Threat
(5) Concord
ANSWERS
Q.1.(3)
Q.2.(4)
Q.3.(2)
Q.4.(5)
Q.5.(1)
Q.6.(3)
Q.7.(1) Blame
For
other options:
Concessions
(n)- discounts
Q.8.(2) Ban
For
other options:
Ban
(n)- limit
Assistance
(n)- help
Q.9.(3) Durable
For
other options:
Prestigious
(adj)- respectable
Q.10.(5) Concord
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