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Directions(1-5): Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below:
The destruction caused to a significant part of the Chennai coastline from the oil spill that followed a collision between two ships is both tragic and ironic. A large quantity of oil was released into the sea, affecting marine life and livelihoods of coastal communities. What makes the collision ironic is that it comes at a time when there is steadily declining pollution due to such incidents. Ship collisions are less common today because GPS-based navigation systems have made their operation much safer. It is apparent that the first response to the Chennai collision involving an LPG tanker and the fuel carrier off the Kamarajar Port was seriously deficient. The port initially denied any significant environmental damage from oil, but as the scale of the disaster began to unfold, and a large number of dead turtles and fish were washed ashore, it became obvious that the spill had not been quickly contained. Such failure calls into question the efficacy of the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan that is updated periodically for all stakeholders, notably ports, under the leadership of the Coast Guard. That the removal of the coastal sludge depended in large part on volunteers wielding buckets does not inspire much confidence in the protocol for mitigation.
An independent inquiry is vital to determine whether the training and acquisition of equipment to handle such accidents for all agencies passed muster. Moreover, pollution response equipment for all major ports and 26 non-major ports is funded to the extent of 50% by the Centre, casting a responsibility on ports to contribute the other half and build the capabilities to handle disasters. Obfuscation of facts after an oil spill is counterproductive, since the impact is prolonged; moreover, it could erode the confidence of the international community in the country’s ability to fulfil its commitments within the UN system to protect marine life and biodiversity.
Failure to safeguard marine turtle and bird habitats, for example, is a clear violation of the provisions of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, and its specific memorandum on the Indian Ocean-Southeast Asian region to which India is a signatory. Considerable oil pollution is caused not just by catastrophes but through the discharge of ballast, sludge and water used for the cleaning of tanks. On the other hand, the efficacy of chemical dispersants to degrade oil at sea remains controversial. All this underscores the importance of timely advice from agencies such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, which is mandated to forecast the course of an oil spill.
1) Identify the meaning of the phrase ‘passed muster’ as used in the passage.
a) An assembly or collection.
b) Meets the required standard
c) Passes a difficult situation
d) Is not beneficial.
e) None of these
2) Why is the oil spill incident tragic?
a) It underscores the importance of timely advice from different agencies.
b) It signifies the need of training to train the ship members.
c) It affected a large number of marine animals as well as the coastal communities.
d) It has eroded the confidence of the international community.
e) None of these
3) Suggest an appropriate title for the given passage.
a) Negligence of port authority
b) International agencies advices
c) Chennai Oil spill: Causes and consequences
d) Marine life
e) Government view
4) Choose the word which is most opposite to word printed in bold.
Efficacy
a) Potency
b) Capacity
c) Ineffectiveness
d) Amateur
e) None of these
5) Choose the word which is most similar to the word printed in bold in the passage.
Obfuscation
a) Decode
b) Illuminate
c) Becloud
d) Analyse
e) None of these
Directions (6 – 15): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it.
India’s tourism industry is experiencing a strong period of growth, driven by the burgeoning Indian middle class, growth in high spending foreign tourists, and coordinated government campaigns to promote ‘Incredible India’. The tourism industry in India is substantial and vibrant, and the country is fast becoming a major global destination. India’s travel and tourism industry is one of them
most profitable industries in the country, and also credited with contributing a substantial amount of foreign exchange. This is illustrated by the fact that during 2006, four million tourists visited India and spent US $8.9 billion. Several reasons are cited for the growth and prosperity of India’s travel and tourism industry. Economic growth has added millions annually to the ranks of India’s middle class, a group that is driving domestic tourism growth. Disposable income in India has grown by 10.11% annually from 2001-2006, and much of that is being spent on travel. Thanks in part to its booming IT and outsourcing industry a growing number of business trips are made by foreigners to India, who will often add a weekend break or longer holiday to their trip. Foreign tourists spend more in India than almost any other country worldwide.
Tourist arrivals are projected to increase by over 22% per year through till 2010, with a 33% increase in foreign exchange earnings recorded in 2004.
The Tourism Ministry has also played an important role in the development of the industry, initiating advertising campaigns such as the ‘Incredible India’ campaign, which promoted India’s culture and tourist attractions in a fresh and memorable way. The campaign helped create a colorful image of India in the minds of consumers all over the world, and has directly led to an increase in the interest among tourists. The tourism industry has helped growth in other sectors as diverse as horticulture, handicrafts, agriculture, construction and even poultry. Both directly and indirectly, increased tourism in India has created jobs in a variety of related sectors. The numbers tell the story: almost 20 million people are now working in the India’s tourism industry. India’s governmental bodies have also made a significant impact in tourism by requiring that each and every state of India have a corporation to administer support issues related to tourism. A new growth sector is medical tourism. It is currently growing at around 30% per annum.
Medical tourist arrivals are expected to reach one million soon. Medical tourism in Asia has grown rapidly. Medical tourism is approaching fever pitch at the tune of $4 billion US, fuelled largely by the cosmetic surgery market. One of the problems India has, despite having some world-class hospitals, is sanitation. The tourism industry of India is based on certain core nationalistic ideals and standards which are: Swaagat or welcome, Sahyog or cooperation, Soochanaa or information, Sanrachanaa or infrastructure, Suvidha or facilitation, Safaai or cleanliness and Surakshaa or security.
6) Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word burgeoning as used in the passage?
a) thriving
b) sprouting
c) incorporating
d) decreasing
e) growing
7) Find the correct statement on the basis of the given passage.
(A) The tourism industry in our country manages to attract the world tourist.
(B) India has continued to represent a place much sought after for its diversity.
(C) India has potential to emerge as one of the world’s tourist hot spots.
a) Only (A)
b) Only (C)
c) Both (A) and (B)
d) All (A), (B) and (C)
e) Other than given options
8) Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word “cited” as used in the passage?
a) pointed out
b) withheld
c) inserted
d) imputed
e) sourced
9) Which of the following statements correctly represent (s) the reason behind the expansion of India’s travel and tourism Industry?
a) India is a vast country of great beauty and diversity.
b) India’s vast cultural heritage
c) The successful launch of very penetrative ad campaign
d) Business trips to India
e) All of the above
10) What is the meaning of the phrase “fever pitch” as used in the passage?
a) A high degree of excitement
b) A state of suffering
c) Beyond the expectations
d) Meeting the target
e) Other than given options
11) Which of the following is false in respect of India’s medical tourism?
a) India’s medical tourism sector is expected to experience an annual growth rate of 30%.
b) An estimated one million tourists will travel to India for healthcare procedures every year.
c) The advantage of medical treatment in India includes reduced costs not the availability of latest medical technologies.
d) All 1), 2) and 3)
e) Other than given options
12) Give a suitable title to the given passage.
a) Medical tourism in India
b) Tourism Industry–A special focus of India
c) Foreign tourist arrival and forex earning in India
d) Domestic Tourism in India
e) Employment Opportunities in Tourism
13) The author in the given passage is
A) skeptical about the growth of India’s medical tourism
B) of the view that lots of efforts can bring about significant changes in India’s tour and travel industry.
C) not in favour of investing on various ads
a) Only A
b) Only B
c) Only C
d) Both A and C
e) Both B and C
14) As mentioned in this passage, in order to developing the tourism industry the role of the tourism ministry is
a) Considerable
b) Imperceptible
c) Unique
d) Ambiguous
e) Other than given options
15) Which of the following statement is true about “Incredible India” campaign?
a) It is a window policy to boost the direct as well as indirect investment in tourism.
b) It promotes India as a tourism destination.
c) It pledges for best services in Air India and in Indian Rail.
d) Only 1) and 2)
e) All 1), 2) and 3)
