As SBI has released the much-awaited vacancies for the post of Junior Assistants (Clerk), we have launched subject-wise quizzes for the exam. It will include quizzes of all the subjects- Quantitative Aptitude, English, Reasoning and Computer. All these quizzes will be strictly based on the latest pattern of SBI Clerk exam and will be beneficial for your preparations. So, keep following the quizzes which will provide you a set of 10 questions daily.
Globally, cities constitute 50 per cent of the world’s population and, according to studies conducted by the United Nations, they consume two-thirds of global energy. Nearly 76 per cent of the world’s energy-related carbon dioxide is emitted by cities through transport, industry, building and construction activities. It is estimated that in the next 40 years, 70 per cent of the world’s population will reside in cities. This will cause both current and future urban centres to burst at their seams and expand industrial and residential infrastructures beyond their breaking points. One can only imagine the environmental impact of such development. However, sustainable growth of urban centres, so as to keep pace with population demands without compromising on environmental values, can be ensured by designing smart cities that are more efficient, liveable and sustainable in both the short and long term. For this, smart systems are required which work simultaneously for the benefit of residents and the environment. Electric grids, gas distribution systems, water distribution systems, public and private transportation systems, commercial buildings, hospitals and homes, form the backbone of the city’s efficiency, liveability, and sustainability pact. It is the improvement and integration of these critical city systems that is being seen as the cornerstone for a smart city. Ensuring sustainable cities is the foremost challenge that urban planners across the globe face. The numerous, complex and wide-ranging interactions between energy consumption, water use, transportation and population dynamics make our cities complicated systems.
But in this era of advanced computing, complex yet highly efficient software programmes and modelling systems capable of delivering exceptional models for efficient urban planning are being developed. For instance, land use is a critical aspect of urban planning. Recently developed modelling software are helping to characterise land-use patterns in different cities —besides defining the features of a specific city — as well as compare and contrast these features with those of other cities. This tool is also helping to accurately comprehend city dynamics and the underlying simplicity in its growth. Similarly, city planners are able to use computer simulators to assess how green infrastructure performs in rainwater harvesting. Planners can also explore different combinations of green roofs, parks, or street trees on the landscape and let the software calculate, for instance, how much storm-water has been captured, using various iterations of the design. Due to the simulation processes, the city plan and its performance can now be tried and tested before execution. Thanks to modelling tools such as these, city planners are able to compare simulated outcomes with actual cities and, thereby, work on the shortcomings, if any. This exercise of applying simulation techniques for a variety of urban scenarios is helping create a guide-book of sorts for planners and environmentalists, as one can now examine how well a specific city plan is contributing to environmental conservation, besides aiding urban development plans.
The advent of three-dimensional urban simulation in recent decades has further re-defined city planning. This simulation technique studies urban environments based on virtual models of physical reality. Three-dimensional urban simulation provides a virtual environment that allows the planner to interact with an urban space as it currently exists, or as it existed 10 years ago, or as it might look in the future after physical changes have been made. The latest in simulation technology goes further, and allows a user to remove or replace existing structures and observe the impact or changes that occur. The unique advantages of 3D urban simulation has enabled better community participation, helped fore-taste environmental changes caused by future developments, aided in the control of the urban sprawl and helped study micro-climate and wind tunnels of a city. Given the immense advantages of computer simulation in city planning, it is surprising how Indian cities still continue to be designed in a haphazard manner with environmental concerns kicking in only after a serious ecological lapse is noticed.
Equally disappointing is the lack of initiative on the part of Government agencies in involving the local communities while planning and developing their immediate neighbourhoods. If the residents can see a simulated vision of how their locality will change for the better, post-development, the Government will enjoy the unconditional participation of local communities. Therefore, it is about time that advanced technology becomes an in-built part of the town and country planning portfolio.
Q.1 How does three-dimensional urban simulation technique help in planning cities?
01. It empowers the energy-related factors to create smart city.
02. It gives a comprehensive view so that all the essential factors are considered during planning process.
03. It gives way to make changes in the existing system so that cities get into the competition of making the best city.
04. It presents a virtual environment explaining how the city would look after making proposed physical changes.
05. Not mentioned in the passage
Q.2 Which of the following is the underlying idea which prompted the writer to write the passage?
01. To explain the significance of advanced technology in planning cities
02. To compare Indian cities with those in foreign countries
03. The need to create more cities to meet the unprecedented demand of living space
04. To explain how good, was the planning of cities, in ancient times
05. To inform the reader of the technological advancements made by India
Q.3 Why are some Indian cities planned without taking help of computer simulation technique?
01. Computers cannot analyze all the factors related to the planning.
02. Computer facility is not available everywhere.
03. The data stored on the computer can be manipulated easily.
04. Most of the planning is done, out in the open, to get a better idea of the space.
05. Not explained in the passage
Q.4 How is city planning related to the environment?
01. The environment remains pleasant if the city is planned well.
02. The environment related factor contribute significantly in executing the plan of city.
03. If the cities are not planned well it leaves adverse impact on the environment.
04. Either 2 or 3
05. They are not related
Q.5 Why, according to the passage, are different modeling tools used for planning cities?
01. IT is mandatory because the plan which costs the lowest is chosen.
02. To change one city from another and introduce something new every time a city is planned.
03. So that the best could be chosen that ensures the most beautiful city.
04. To see how well the city contributes to the environment preservation.
05. Not mentioned in the passage
Q.6 Which of the following is FALSE in the context of the passage?
A. Land use should be given prime importance in city planning.
B. Electric grids are part of critical city systems and taken into consideration while planning smart city.
C. Cities become complicated systems owing to interactions among energy consumption, water use, transportation and population dynamics
D. Simulation processes have enabled assessment of city’s performance prior to its execution.
01. Only A and D
02. Only B and C
03. Only B and D
04. All except C
05. All of the above are true
Q.7 How can showing a simulated version of a locality help?
01. It makes possible the comparison of earlier plan with the new plan.
02. It would have people’s participation as they would know how their locality would get better after the planning is executed.
03. It serves as an example for developing localities having advanced facilities.
04. The locality can be made safer to live in.
05. It is not helpful
Q.8 What is meant by ‘tried and tested’ as mentioned in the passage?
01. Made effort
02. Thoughtless
03. Assessed
04. Suspended
05. Experienced
Q.9 Which of the following factors, related to cities, contributes to global carbon-dioxide emission?
01. Construction activities
02. Afforestation
03. Transport
04. Industries
05. All except 2
Q.10 Choose the word most similar in meaning to the word printed in bold, as used in the passage.
Initiative
01. Delegate
02. Effort
03. Directed
04. Enthusiastic
05. Active
Answers
Q.1 (4)
Q.2 (1)
Q.3 (5)
Q.4 (3)
Q.5 (4)
Q.6 (5)
Q.7 (2)
Q.8 (3)
Q.9 (5)
Q.10 (2)
Q.2 (1)
Q.3 (5)
Q.4 (3)
Q.5 (4)
Q.6 (5)
Q.7 (2)
Q.8 (3)
Q.9 (5)
Q.10 (2)
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