PREPARATORY QUESTIONS

READING COMPREHENSION

PREPARATORY PAPER-40

Direction (Qs.1 to 5): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow. Certain words/phrases have been given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

The crisis-ridden textile sector, being labour-intensive, should have been an ideal candidate for a push as part of the Prime Minister’s pet ‘Make in India’ initiative, but as the issues it is mired in remain unresolved, and with losses mounting, the situation is grim. Nearly half of India’s power looms are at a standstill: the spinning industry in the northern and southern regions has pressed in shutdowns of as much as 15 to 20 percent of production capacity. The textile industry as a whole is reeling under high input and transaction costs. The products find it hard to compete in export markets, where India-made yarn, fabrics and garments attract duties respectively at rates of 3.5, 8.5 and 14 percent. Yet, Pakistan, Vietnam and Cambodia enjoy zero-duty access in some categories in the U.S., EU and China. India’s trade negotiators need to seek expedited results. China is not picking up much from India this year. Cotton was cheaper in India this year initially. But the Cotton Corporation of India for several months sold the good-quality produce procured in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and parts of Maharashtra at prices higher than international levels, making Indian cotton uncompetitive. This added to the problems of the industry, especially the spinning segment, before an intervention by the Union Textile Ministry ensured resumption of smooth supplies. Tinkering with the cotton market through Minimum Support Price operations must be avoided. Instead, direct cash subsidy benefit to farmers could help reform the sector. China has also decided to go in for direct subsidies to cotton growers, with its textile industry free to source cotton at international prices. The Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme that was originally brought in by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and launched in 1999 is a ready framework available to the Centre to address the needs of the textile sector. The scheme, that is estimated to have so far resulted in investments of over Rs.3,00,000 crore in the whole textile value chain, will expire in March 2017. It should be extended. A comprehensive National Textile Policy must be announced at the earliest to create a level playing field with regard to tariff rates, raw material costs, cost of funding and transaction costs. Each power loom provides work to about 2.5 workers. Closures all across the country could endanger livelihoods on a large scale. Conversely, a healthy textile sector could potentially create millions of jobs. That should be the target.

Question No : 1

What according to the passage are the problems faced by the textile industry in India recently?

(1) Textile industries have reduced their production upto 20% owing to less demand in the market.

(2) The cost of input and transactions is too high in the textile industry.

(3) India made textile products finds it difficult to compete in the export market.

(4) All of the above

(5) None of these

Question No : 2

What according to the passage happened when Cotton Corporation of India sold good quality of cotton produce at higher price?

(1) Cotton became uncompetitive in the market because of its high price.

(2) Cotton was exported larger quantity despite being costly.

(3) The spinning segment of cotton industry faced severe problems of irregular supplies.

(4) All of the above

(5) Only (1) and (2)

Question No : 3

What are the measures taken by the Union Textile Ministry to revive the textile industry in India?

(1) Minimum Support Price operations should be avoided and farmer cash subsidiary must be promoted.

(2) Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme must be implemented.

(3) A National Textile Policy must be announced by the government.

(4) All of the above

(5) None of these

Question No : 4

Which among the following is the most OPPOSITE in meaning to the word “Tinkering” given in the passage?

(1) Fiddling                                   

(2) Dabbling                                    

(3) Rearrangement

(4) Meddling              

(5) Destroying

Question No : 5

Which among the following is the most SIMILAR in meaning to the word ‘Mired’ given in the passage?

(1) Dirty         

(2) Exclude     

(3) Release      

(4) Clean        

(5) Untwist