What is it? A prose passage running
into 400 to 1000 words followed by some questions
based on the contents of the passage. You have to go through the passage,
comprehend it properly and then answer the questions. So this type of question
is meant to assess your power to understand the passage critically.
Types of questions set. Generally the following
questions are set in this type:
(1)
The main idea of the passage is ___________.
(2)
The most appropriate title of the passage is _________.
(3)
Which of the following is implied in the passage?
(4)
The writer says __________.
(5)
The inference one can draw __________.
(6)
The writer does not say ___________.
(7)
Correct meanings of words or phrases ___________.
(8)
Practical application of certain ideas given in the passage etc.
How to approach Comprehension test?
1.
Read the questions (not their answer choice) first
2. bearing
those questions in mind go through the passage. Put a dot on the Sentence or line that gives a clue to the
answer.
3.
Give only one reading to the passage. In case you do not understand the passage
in one reading, you need more spade work
that is fast reading of the passage and
then recapitulation.
4.
Then go through the questions and their answer choices. See which answer
choice gives the most accurate answer.
5.
While checking up the answer choice you should take special care of the verb
and
their qualifying words, nouns and their
qualifying words. They should give the
same meaning that the clue-sentence to the
answer means.
EXAMPLE-1:
PASSAGE:
Modern bio-technology, especially the creation or genetically modified crops, is often
presented as a magic solution or universal panacea for the problems of poverty,
inadequate nutrition and even environmental degradation across the world.
Conversely, there are people
who present the picture of tech generated monsters and major human health
hazards being created by science. Many of the technological changes currently in the
process of being utilised in agriculture can have unforeseen consequences, and their
safety and future viability are far from secure.
The reality, as always, is far more complex than either of these two extremes.
Even today the total food production in the world is adequate to feed the hungry of the
world, the problem is rather one of unequal distribution, which deprives a large part
of the population of even their minimal nutritional requirements. Similarly farmers,
especially in developing countries face many problems such as lack of infrastructure,
poor or unstable market access, volatile input and output prices etc. that
biotechnology does not address, much less solve.
It is true that transgenic plants can offer a range of benefits which are above and
beyond those which emerged from more traditional innovations in cultivation. It is
suggested that such new technology offers more effective pest resistance of seeds and
crops through genetic control mechanisms, which also reduces the need for pesticide
use and leads to improved yield. A basic question, of course, is whether the new GM
technology is safe, and whether this is absolutely crucial since the effects may only be
known much later. The jury is still very much out on this matter, and the controversy
does not appear to be resolved quickly.
The trouble is that most governments in developing countries have relatively low
food and beverage regulatory standards, and public systems for monitoring and
surveillance of such items are poor or non-existent. This leaves them open for entry
and even dumping of a range of agricultural products of the new technology, which
may not pass regulatory standards in the more developed countries.
QUESTIONS:
1. Which of the following is true in context of the passage?
a) Genetically modified crops have been universally recognised as a solution to
poverty and environmental degradation
b) The only way to improve the deficit in food requirement and food production
in the world is by adapting genetically modified crops
c) Genetically modified crops produce more yield as compared to yield from the
traditional methods
d) Taking advantage of absence of regulatory standards, scientists have been
dumping new products in the markets without appropriate approval
e) None of these
2. Choose the word/ group of words which is most similar in meaning to OPEN
printed in bold as used in the passage.
a) Vulnerable b) Capable c) Threatened d) Uncertain e) Weak
3. Choose the word/ group of words which is most opposite in meaning to VOLATILE printed in bold as used in the passage.
a) Never-ending b) Merger c) Valuable d) Irreversible e) Stable
4. The author of the given passage seems to be definitely---------
a) suggesting the use of traditional methods of agriculture as against bio-technology
by developing countries owing to their poor regulatory standards.
b) in favour of utilising bio technology as a tool for alleviation of poverty from the world.
c) urging the policy makers to improve infrastructural facilities so that farmers
can maximize the, benefits of genetically modified crops.
d) Unconvinced of the long term effects and rationale for immediate requirement
of genetically modified products.
e) None of these.
5. Why, according to the author, is genetic modification of crops not an answer to
the problem of hunger in the world?
(A) People being highly doubtful of the long term effects of genetically modified
crops, do not buy the products grown by such methods.
(B) The problem of hunger in the world is not due to inadequate production of
food but due to unequal distribution of it.
(C) Many developing countries have banned genetically modified products as
developed countries have been using these countries as dumping grounds for
new genetically modified products.
a) Only A
b) Only B
c) Both B and C
d) Both A and C
e) None of these
EXAMPLE-2:
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 of the questions.
The evolution of Bring your Own Device (BYOD) trend has been as profound as it has been rapid. It represents the more visible sign that the boundaries between personal life and work life are blurring. The 9 am - 5 pm model of working solely from office has become archaic and increasingly people are working extended hours from a range of locations. At the very heart of this evolution is the ability to access enterprise networks from anywhere and anytime. The concept of cloud computing serves effectively to extend the office out of office. The much heralded benefit of BYOD is greater productivity. However, recent research has suggested that this is the greatest myth of BYOD and the reality is that BYOD in practice poses new challenges that may outweigh the benefits. A worldwide survey commissioned by Fortinet chose to look at attitudes towards BYOD and security from the user's point of view instead of the IT Managers'. Specifically the survey was conducted in 15 territories on a group of graduate employees in their early twenties because they represent the fist generation to enter the workplace with an expectation of own device use. Moreover, they also represent tomorrow's influencers and decision makers. The survey findings reveal that
for financial organisations, the decision to embrace BYOD is extremely dangerous. Larger organisations will have mature IT strategies and policies in place. But what about smaller financial business? They might not have such well developed strategies to protect confidential data.
Crucially, within younger employee group, 55% of the people share an expectation that they should be allowed to use their own devices in the workplace or for work purposes. With this expectation comes the very real risk that employees may consider contravening company policy banning the use of own devices. The threats posed by this level of subversion cannot be overstated. The survey casts doubt on the idea of BYOD leading to greater productivity by revealing the real reason people want to use their own devices. Only 26% of people in this age group cite efficiency as the reason they want to use their own devices, while 63% admit that the main reason is so they have access to their favourite applications. But with personal applications so close to hand the risks to the business must surely include distraction and time wasting. To support this assumption 46% of people poled acknowledged time wasting as the greatest threat to the organisation, while 42% citing greater exposure to theft or loss of confidential data. Clearly, from a user perspective there is great deal of contradiction surroundnig BYOD and there exists an undercurrent of selfishness where users expect to use their own devices, but mostly for personal interest. They recognise the risks to the organisation but are adamant that those risks are worth taking.
1. According to the passage, for which of the following reasons did Fortinet conduct the survey on a group of graduate employees in their early twenties?
(A) As this group represents the future decision makers.
(B) As this group represents the first generation who entered the workforce with a better understanding of sophisticated gadgets.
(C) As this group represents the first generation to enter the workplace expecting that they can use their own devices for work purpose.
1) All (A), (B) and (c)
2) Only (C)
3) Both (A) and (C)
4) Only (A)
5) Only (B)
2. Which of the following is not true BYOD?
1) BYOD enables employees to access enterprise network from anywhere and anytime.
2) Due to evolution of BYOD trend the 9 am- 5 pm model of working solely from office has become outdated.
3) Recent research has confirmed that BYOD boosts organisational productivity.
4) The concept of cloud computing facilitates the BYOD trend.
5) All the given facts are true
3. According to the passage, why would the decision to embrace BYOD prove dangerous to smaller financial businesses?
1) Their employers have poor knowledge about their devices, which in turn poses a threat the confidential data of the organisation.
2) Their employees are more vulnerable to misplacement of devices.
3) They may lack mature IT strategies and policies required to protect confidential data.
4) They cannot afford to deal with damage liability issues of employee-owned devices.
5) Their employees have a tendency to change jobs frequently.
4. According to the passage, the expectation of Younger employees that they should be allowed to use their own devices in the workplace, entails which of the following risks?
A) Younger employees may deliberately transfer confidential data of their companies to rivals if they are not allowed to use their own devices for work purpose.
B) Younger employees may strongly feel like leaving the company if it prevents usage of their own device and join some other company that does not have such stringent policies.
C) Younger employees may consider flouting company policy prohibiting usage of their own devices in the workplace or for work purposes.
1) Only (C)
2) Only (B)
3) Both (A), (C)
4) only (A)
5) All (A), (B) and (C)
5. According to the findings of the survey conducted by Fortinet, why do majority of employees prefer using their own devices for work purpose?
1) As they often find that the devices provided by the company lack quality.
2) As they have access to their favourite applications while working
3) As majority of them believe that output doubles when they use their own devices for work purpose
4) As handling data from their own devices reinforces their sence of responsibility
5) As it helps them create a brand of their own
6. What is/are the author's main objective(s) in writing the passage?
(A) To break the myth that BYOD promotes employee efficiency and organisational
productivity
(B) To suggest ways to control subversion across levels of corporate chain of
command
(C) To throw light upon the fact that employees, even after knowing the risks
involved, prefer to use their own devices for work purpose, mostly for personal
benefits
1) Both (A) and (C) 2) All (A), (B) and (C) 3) Only (C)
4) Only (A) 5) Only (B)
(Q. 7-8): Choose the word which is most SIMILAR in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
7. Heralded
1) Suspected 2) Publicised 3) Dragged 4) Objective 5) Benefit
8. Outweigh
1) Control 2) Venture 3) Perish 4) Determine 5) Surpass
(Q. 9-10): Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
9. Embrace
1) Contradict 2) Disobey 3) Curtail 4) Reject 5) Obscure
10. Subversion
1) Compliance 2) Sanity 3) Popularity 4) Destabilisation 5) Clarity.