Verbal Reasoning:

Directions for questions 1 to 40 : Read the passage given below carefully and then answer the questions which are based on what is stated or implied in the passage.

PASSAGE 1
        Until anthrax spores started spreading through the mail, few people gave much thought to the minuscule particles that drift almost invisibly in the atmosphere, infiltrate buildings and plunge deep into lungs. Not so far environmental scientists, who have spent decades studying the physics and physiology of particles much like those in the most dangerous forms of biological weaponry.
        From the coal dust that causes black lung disease to the bacteria laden droplets that spread Legionnaires’ disease to second-hand cigarette smoke and plain old air pollution, particles from about 0.05 microns to 10 or 20 microns in size have long been at the focus of scientists’ attention. A micron is a millionth of a metre, or an inch divided into 25,400 parts.
        These tiny particles crop up in environmental science and germ weaponry virtually identical reasons. Once released, particles of that size can stay aloft almost indefinitely and seep into poorly sealed buildings, greatly increasing the chances of the particles being inhaled by people.
        What’s more the peculiar microscopic particles makes it certain that some of them, within a highly specific range of size, will be able to slip past protective nose hairs, avoid stickly bronchial walls and be deposited in the deepest reaches of the lungs, where great damage can be done.
        Once the particle lands, its exact composition-whether it is harmless, chemically toxic or biologically infectious – comes into play. Much is known about the process too, especially through studies of Legionnaires’, tuberculosis and other bacterial diseases that are transmitted through the air on particles that are, not coincidentally, a few microns in size. The existence of this knowledge, freely available in unclassified literature, is doubly-edged, say scientists. It may sap germ warfare of some of its mysteriousness, but it also shows how widely available the information needed to design the weaponry is.
        For many environmental scientists, who have been warning that pollution particles of that size pose a special danger to human health if they come indoors, the bioterrorism threat is one more reason to improve the quality of indoor air with powerful filters and other methods.

1.       Which of the following is not true about anthrax spores?
a]  They can be spread through letters.             b]  They are not visible.
c]   They can enter buildings.                             d]  They can enter the respiratory system.

2.       What is the function of nose hairs, according to the passage?
a]  They protect the lungs from undesirable particles.                         
b]  They are an important tool in the biological arsenal.
c]   They have chemical toxins flow out of the nose.
d]  They help the environment in remaining clean.

3.       What is the meaning of “bronchial” as used in the passage?
a]  of the windpipe                                            b]   of the lungs 
c]   of the oesophagus                                        d]   of the stomach

4.       Who among the following have been concerned about the microscopic organisms so far?
a]  People across the world                                b]  Environmental scientists
c]   Bio-terrorists                                                d]  All of the above

5.       According to the author, the knowledge about microscopic organism
a]  is common.
b]  is a boon as it unravels the mystery of germ warfare.

c]   comes handy for those who design biological weaponry.
d]  is a boon as well as a bane.

PASSAGE 2

        Tech has fallen out of investor favor, as a result of increased margin pressure and a consequent slackening of profit growth. This could hit the next quarter as well and perhaps even the one after that. Overall too, the Sensex is range bound, struggling just to get within reach of the 3000 level. Why this should be so, however, is not very clear. “ Though we are at the bottom”, says Motilal Oswal, Chairman and Managing Director, Motilal Oswal securities, “there is too much pessimism around, whether it be SARS or the war. There have not been any big positive triggers for the market. But all is in favor of the markets today. The oil prices are down and valuations attractive.”
        The explanation for the dismal Sensex performance, then, must be that the markets are reeling under the impact of the tech fall, with investors still to recover from the shock. Yet, as Oswal put it, valuations are attractive. So surely, there must be some good investments picks for those who make the effort to look.
        That still leaves the question: where to invest? While the non-tech opportunities are harder to spot, that doesn’t mean they do not exist. First of all, is there a sector that can take over from where tech left off? As it turns out, there is no sector that can offer growth prospects to match the tech sector’s glory phase. Biotech and nanotech, for now, are barely out of incubation to start turning money spinners anytime soon. So the search for the ‘new new thing’ is out.
        Most other sectors are too mature for frenetic growth. But yes, there do exist some sectors that offer an attractive combination of growth and value. And some of these could well be the next market drivers. Identifying these sectors is not easy, as the usual suspects do not measure up any longer. Times have changed. The FMCG sector, for example, has suddenly trailed off. Witness how sector-leader HLL pants itself silly even for single digit growth. Then there’s pharma, the third part of the tech-FMCG-pharma troika that bedazzled investors during the earlier bull phase. Some of the MNC pharma stocks are available at attractive valuations, but be warned, are also unlikely to attract enough interest to become market drivers. The ‘globalizers’ amongst Indian pharma majors, again, offer reasonable valuations. But there are no visible triggers to boost them upwards. Also, these stocks require a lot of microscopic, drug-by-drug analysis.

6.       The most appropriate title for the passage is
a]  Resurgence of Sensex – How and Why?      b]  After Tech – What New Stocks?
c]   Aftermath of Tech Bubble Burst                  d]  Pharma Stocks – The Upcoming Globalizers

7.       What, according to the author, is the reason for the dull performance of Sensex?
a]  There is excessive pessimism in the market.
b]  No attractive valuations are there at present in the market.
c]   Sensex has not boldly risen beyond the 3000 level
d]  Markets are tumbling after the Tech Fall.

8.       What can be said about the organisation of the passage?
a]  The author has offered a conclusion and then finally presented an alternative conclusion.
b]  The author has put forward an question and then presented a solution.
c]   The author has presented predominantly a sum mary of Oswal’s views.
d]  The author has put forward an issue and then proposed an alternative issue in opposition.

9.       The author’s attitude towards MNC pharma stocks can be best explained of
a]  Unqualified support                                     b]  Cautious recommendation
c]   Partial criticism                                            d]  Impartial support

10.     What can be informed about the downfall of Sensex?
a]  Downfall of Tech stocks was one of the reasons causing the overall downfall.
b]  Downfall of Tech stocks was the only reason causing the overall downfall.
c]   Pharma stocks have the potential to bring Sensex up
d]  None of the above.

Directions for questions 11 to 15 : To answer these questions, choose the word that is almost the same in meaning as the word given in capital letters.

11.     MANUMITED
a]  free                        b]  wrecked               c]  loaded                  d]  fresh

12.     HULKING
a]  brooding                b]  heaving               c]  mountainous        d]  morose

13.     STANCHION
a]  prop                       b]  hardcore              c]  prime                   d]  stalwart

14.     SQUIRT
a]  squeeze                  b]  spurt                    c]  squalid                 d]  squabble

15.     ABRADE           
a]  wear on                  b]  wear away           c]  wear out               d]  cut

Directions for questions 16 to 20 : To answer these questions, choose the word that is most opposite in meaning to the word given in capital letters.

16.     PLUCKY
a]  desperate               b]  cowardly             c]  gloomy                 d]  pale

17.     FATUOUS         
a]  energetic                b]  thin                     c]  clever                   d]  inane

18.     FOLLOW
a]  flout                       b]  file                      c]  object                  d]  lighten

19.     HEATHEN
a]  broaden                 b]  hilly                     c]  believer                d]  lower

20.     KNOTTY
a]  mystic                    b]  simple                 c]  elaborate             d]  antinodes

Directions for questions 21 to 25 : In these questions, each sentence has a blank. Beneath each sentence are four words or phrases. Choose the word or phrase for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

21.     The mythical valiance of the rugged Afghan people once again proved ______________ .
a]  relaxed                   b]  yielding               c]  indomitable         d]  friendly

22.     The regime became a ___________ spectator as hordes of armed tribesmen blocked for over a week the Karakoram highway.
a]  muted                    b]  militant               c]  pacific                 d]  helpless

23.     Some reports suggest that only a temporary truce was agreed __________ .
a]  with                        b]  for                       c]  over                     d]  upon

24.     The 2,500-km-long border was ___________ it was impossible to seal it.
a]  too porous to         b]  so porous that     c]  very porous that  d]  too porous

25.     Saudi Arabia was among the three countries that recognised the Taliban _________ the militia for sheltering Bin Laden.
a]  despite its quarrel with                                 b]  because of its quarrel with
c]   because of their quarrel with                        d]  because of their quarrel against

Directions for questions 26 to 30 : In each of these questions, a sentence has four underlined words or phrases marked A, B, C and D of which one is incorrect. Identify the incorrect part.

26.     The offers of billions (A) of dollars of loans and grants can (B) hardly expect (C) to compensate for (D) the long-term damage.
a]  A                            b]  B                         c]  C                          d]  D

27.     Many months into (A) the Iraq war, the Bush administration has started wondering (B) where its strategy is heading (C), if at all it has (D) a strategy to begin with.
a]  A                            b]  B                         c]  C                          d]  D

28.     The fear is that the US is in (A) a quagmire and that sooner than late (B) even the so-called allies will start distancing (C) themselves (D) from the action.
a]  A                            b]  B                         c]  C                          d]  D

29.     As the smoke began to rise (A) from (B) the bombed-out sites in Kabul, the fog of war descended heavy (C) across (D) the world.
a]  A                            b]  B                         c]  C                          d]  D

30.     As day broke up (A) after several rounds of air and missile strikes, news agency reports from Baghdad indicated (B) that a large number of (C) civilians had been killed (D).
a]  A                            b]  B                         c]  C                          d]  D

Directions for questions 31 to 35 : In each of these questions, a related pairs of words is followed by four pairs of words. Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in the original pair.

31.     CONFINE : PRISON
a]  cow : shed                                              b]  march : procession  
c] attack : target                                         d]  express : medium

32.     MILITARY : SOLDIER
a]  asinine : horse       b]  bovine : sheep     c]  predator : prey     d]  vulpine : wolf

33.     STIMULUS : RESPOND
a]  ball : throw            b]  hole : putt           c]  clothes : hang      d]  sound : hear

34.     LABORATORY : SCIENTIST
a]  industry : worker   b]  studio : artist      c]  coop : hen            d]  arsenal : weaponmonger

35.     UNEQUIVOCAL : AMBIGUOUS
a]  denunciation : renunciation                         b]  stability : conflict
c]   hesitation : conviction                                 d]  issue : release

Directions for questions 36 to 40 : A number of sentences are given below, which when properly sequenced form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order to form a coherent paragraph.

36.     A.  Minutes later, a white four-wheel drive utility vehicle packed with an estimated 80 kg of plastic
               explosive blew up just outside the Assembly complex gate.
          B. On Oct 1, the Srinagar SSP spent his lunch hour showing a colleague the security arrangements around the Assembly building.
          C. 38 people died in the blast and the exchange of fire that followed, making it the worst single terrorist attack ever in Jammu and Kashmir.
          D. It could have been worse had the attack begun half an hour earlier.
a]  ABCD                    b]  BACD                  c]  DBAC                  d]  CADB

37.     A.  Questions about the audio elements of the tapes were raised in the affidavits submitted before the Commission by lawyers who had been permitted to view the 100-hour Tehelka tapes.
          B.  Questions were also raised about sections in the tapes were marked “inaudible” although they were perfectly audible.
          C.  Some of them cited instances where the audio does not match the video.
          D.  It has been pointed out that the tapes should have been transcribed.
a]  ACBD                    b]  ACDB                  c]  DBAC                  d]  ABDC

38.     A.  Elections to fill 1.17 lakh positions in the thriftier panchayati raj institutions and 14,354 posts in the urban local bodies in Tamil Nadu will be held on Oct 16 and 18.
          B.  Voters numbering 4.66 crores would exercise their franchise in these civic elections, the second in the State held in accordance with the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution effected in 1993.
          C.  While one-third of the elected positions in each of the different categories were reserved for women, the reservation of seats for the latter groups would be in proportion to their percentage in the population.
          D.  The amendments ensured reservation of seats for two distinctly disadvantaged sections – women and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
a]  ADBC                    b]  BCAD                  c]  BDCA                  d]  ABDC

39.     A.  Of course, nobody mentioned how long it would take to finish eating the massive puris.
          B.  If the team succeeded, it would send its entry to the Limca Book of Records.
          C.  Marico Industries and Duraware attempted, last week, to make the world’s largest puri.
          D.  Six hundred litres of Sweekar oil and the largest Nirlep non-stick deep fry pan with a diameter of six feet were to be used.
          E.  The puris, between 4 and 41/2 feet, were to be made by two groups of women along with their assistants.
a]  ACEBD                  b]  CEDB                  c]  DBECA                d]  CEBDA

40.     A.  Because of the stringent security, scribes had to wear special identity cards.
          B.  The scribes wondered whether they needed another card to leave the venue, but since the security wasn’t eagle-eyed, there was no problem in leaving the building.
          C.  Governor Bimal Jalan was to address the press at the Reserve bank of India the other day.
          D.  On the back of the card, there was a condition ‘Valid for entry only’.
          E.  But how did this printing error escape the RBI authorities?
a]  BCEDA                  b]  ACBD                  c]  CADBE                d]  CDBAE

Answers:-

1. b  2. a  3. a  4. b     5.d     6. b     7. d     8. b     9. b  10. a   11. a  12. c  13. a  14. b  15. b  16. b  17. c  18. a 19. c  20.b 21. c 22.  d        23. d  24. b   25. a   26. c   27. d   28. b   29. c   30. a   31. c   32. d   33. d   34. b  35. c  36. b  37. a  38. d  39. b   40. c