Directions - (Q. 1 - 10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words / phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
1. What is responsible for the increased demand amongst consumers for certain
food stuff?
Jagir Singh has sold red onions at a market in South Delhi every day for the past half - century. Perched on an uptumed crate, wrapped tight against the chill air, he offers pyaz, a staple for much Indian cooking, for 60 rupees a kilo, the most he can remember. Business is brisk but most customers pick up only a small handful of onions. That is just as well - wholesale supplies are tight, he says, and the quality is poor.
As India's economy grows by some 9% a year, food prices are soaring. In late December the commerce ministry judged that food inflation had reached 18.3%, with pricey vegetables mostly to blame, Officials have made some attempts to temper the rise in the past month - scrapping import taxes for onions, banning their export and ordering low - priced sales at government - run shops. But there in no quick fix.
Heavy rain in the west of India brought a rotten harvest. Vegetables from farther afield - including a politically sensitive delivery from a neighbouring country - are costly to move on India's crowded, potholed roads. Few refrigerated lorries and poor logistics mean that much of each harvest is wasted. Newspapers allege hoarders are cashing in.
The biggest problems are structural. Food producers, hampered by land restrictions, archaic retail networks and bad infrastructure, fail to meet extra demand from consumers.
It was estimated in October that a 39% rise in income per person in the previous five years might have created an extra 220 million regular consumers of milk, eggs, meat and fish. Supplies have not kept up with this potential demand.
The broader inflation rate may be a less eye - watering problem than the onions suggest. The central bank has lifted interest rates steadily in the past year and is expected to do so again later this month. Headline inflation fell to 7.5% in November, down by just over a percentage point from October, though it is still above the central
bank's forecast of 5.5% for March.
Choose the right option
[A] There has been an increase in the wholesale supplies of this food stuff.
[B] The vegetables in the market are very highly priced.
[C] There has been an increase in the income of people.
[D] There is a lack of availablility of vegetables in the market.
[E] There has been a surge in population.
2. Which of the following is not true in the context of the passage?
Choose the right option
[A] The overall inflation is not as bad as the food inflation in India.
[B] Help from other countries to counter food inflation has proved to be quite encouraging.
[c] Government is banning the export of certain types of vegetables in order to check the food inflation.
[D] Highly priced vegetables are mostly responsible for the increased food inflation.
[E] All the above statements are true.
3. Which of the following is/ are the reason/s for increase in food/ vegetable prices?
1. Bad Weather
2. Land restrictions
3. Poor infrastructure for storage and transportation
Choose the right option
[A] Only 2
[B] Only 1 and 3
[c] Only 1 and 2
[D] Only 2 and 3
[E] All 1, 2 and 3
4. Which of the following is/are true in the context of the passage?
1. The interest rates are being raised in India.
2. India is witnessing a steady economic growth.
3. It has been proven that the food inflation is mainly because of hoarding.
Choose the right option
[A] All 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] only 3
[D] only 2 and 3
[E] None is true
5. Which of the following is possibly the most appropriate title for the passage?
Choose the right option
[A] Food Inflation in India.
[B] Of Onions and Vendors.
[C] Food deficit worldwide.
[D] Food Imports in India.
[E] Benefits to Indian Consumers.
6. What can be said about the sale of onions at present as given in the passage?
Choose the right option
[A] Vegetable vendors are unwilling to sell onions
[B] People are not buying as much as they used to
[C] The sale of onions has picked up and is unprecedented
[D] People are buying more onions than they used to
[E] None of these
7. The usage of the phrase cashing in in the passage can possible mean
Choose the right option
[A] Profiting
[B] Running away
[C] Paying Money
[D] Bailing out
[E] Buffering
8. Which of the following is most similar in meaning to the word 'Tight' as used in the passage?
Choose the right option
[A] Firm
[B] Loose
[C] Limited
[D] Taut
[E] Tense
9. Which of the following is most similar in meaning to the word 'Temper' as used in the passage
Choose the right option
[A] Displeasure
[B] Anger
[C] Rage
[D] Horness
[E] Control
10. Which of the following is most opposite in meaning to the word 'Archaic' as used in the passage?
Choose the right option
[A] Simple
[B] Straightforward
[C] Modern
[D] Lively
[E] Ancient
