<div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <h5 id="logical-reasoning">Logical Reasoning</h5> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <p>XV. Words remain an enigma, their presence within human sphere is a unique mystery. They form the intricate tapestry that convinces us of our existence, blurring lines between fact and fiction. An engagement with words is the most captivating, enchanting, and sometimes daunting encounter with the world. A word, a symbolic entity formed from the ethereal, exists neither as animate nor inanimate, yet pulsates with life. It can emanate warmth or coldness, absorb emotions, or stand as dry as a rock. Words can provoke smiles and elicit joy. They are like glow-worms, momentarily dispelling the surrounding darkness and act as life-saving rafts amid the tumultuous ocean waves. Words grant us the ability to explore the universe, and “to see a world in a grain of sand.” as William Blake noted. They impart a semantic existence to the lifeless, and bestow aesthetic form upon the formless. Scriptures say the word is the world. I say the world within the word is the abode of faith.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="85"> <li>What is the central theme of the passage?</li> </ol> <p>(A) The history of the human language</p> <p>(B) The impact of words on human existence</p> <p>(C) The importance of storytelling</p> <p>(D) The mystery of human cognition</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="86"> <li>According to the passage, what does a ‘word’ symbolize?</li> </ol> <p>(A) An inanimate object</p> <p>(C) A tangible entity</p> <p>(B) An animate entity</p> <p>(D) An intangible concept</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="87"> <li>How does the passage describe words’ ability to affect emotions?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Words can only evoke positive emotions.</p> <p>(B) Words can absorb emotions and become emotion themselves.</p> <p>(C) Words have no impact on emotions.</p> <p>(D) Words can be devoid of emotions.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="88"> <li>“An engagement with words is the most captivating, enchanting, and sometimes daunting encounter with the world.”</li> </ol> <p>Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the above statement?</p> <p>(A) Words can be used to manipulate others.</p> <p>(B) The power of words should be used carefully.</p> <p>(C) Words can capture the atrocities of the world.</p> <p>(D) Words can paint a picture of the world in all its different colours.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="89"> <li>Which of the following strengthens the author’s idea of words being “like glow-worms momentarily dispelling the surrounding darkness”?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Words help in understanding reality.</p> <p>(B) Words illuminate the mind of the reader.</p> <p>(C) Words help in escaping reality.</p> <p>(D) Words cast darkness in the mind of the reader.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="90"> <li>In the context of the passage, what is the significance of the “world within the word”?</li> </ol> <p>(A) It refers to the power of language to create inspiration, energy and faith.</p> <p>(B) It signifies the author’s love for the global community.</p> <p>(C) It represents the mysteries hidden in language.</p> <p>(D) It describes the author’s mission to explore different cultures.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <p>XVI. Students have been abuzz over how artificial intelligence tools can do their homework and programmers over how these can increase their productivity or take away their jobs. As much as digitization has transformed the country in recent years, there is a widespread feeling that at some point around the horizon, Al shall rejig everything in even more fundamental, fantastic, and frightening ways. This is why deciding how the coming changes should be regulated is very important. TRAI has made a strong case for an independent statutory authority to ensure the responsible development and use of {Al} in the country, a global agency along similar lines shall likely be pitched at the G20 leaders’ summit, and interestingly even American MNC Microsoft has floated a blueprint for Al governance in India. The great size and diversity of its “data points” make India of great interest to all developers of AI technologies.</p> <p>But India is only at their receiving end, nowhere close to the US and China’s advances. Although lately, it is becoming obvious how much state censorship is encumbering China’s Large Language Modeling, the country is still very much in the game with PhDs in fields related to {Al}, investments in {Al} chip hardware design, and domestic generative models like Wu Dao. The scientific accomplishments of India’s Chandrayaan mission have seen it being wooed for various international space collaborations. This promises spinoff technological benefits across Indian industry and is also geo-strategically useful. Likewise, it is only with sufficient Al prowess that India shall really get to play at the high table of global rulemaking for Al.</p> <p>Knowing how much Indians’ future shall be shaped by generative Al needs matching efforts to create indigenous models. In this and at this stage, a proactive government role is key, rather than just waiting on some large corporation to do the needful. Missing this bus will after all be even more costly than missing the chip research one. Plus, GOI alone can push academia-industry collaborations with the necessary weight and urgency. This does not let other institutions off the hook. A US judge has rejected the copyright for an Al-generated artwork. Indian courts should start engaging with the broader issue of non-human agency rather than wait for precedence to be set elsewhere. Indian schools need to think beyond the ban-ChatGPT mindset. Let us lead instead of only being led.</p> <p>[Extracted from “First, get the tech: Unless India develops domestic Al heft, it wouldn’t play any meaningful part in global regulatory efforts”, Times of India]</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="91"> <li>Which of the following is the author most likely to agree with?</li> </ol> <p>(A) The best way to deal with the advancement of {Al} is to leave its regulation to market forces.</p> <p>(B) Government-driven control of {Al} is inefficient and shall promote red-tapism.</p> <p>(C) Private companies with their large capital and infrastructure design the most efficient Al governance models.</p> <p>(D) Government-led initiatives of Al regulation and development lead to efficient outcomes.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="92"> <li>Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the main argument of the passage?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Governments that lead the initiative on regulating and responding to the advancement of {Al} tools benefit the most from them.</p> <p>(B) Governments that don’t engage with generative {Al} and remain at its receiving end stay risk-averse with nothing to lose.</p> <p>(C) Governments that actively incentivise MNCs to participate in Al governance make the most out of the advancements in the field.</p> <p>(D) Governments that explore models of public-private partnership strike the right balance in regulating generative {Al}.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="93"> <li>Based only on the author’s statement that “Indian courts should start engaging with the broader issue of non-human agency rather than wait for precedence to be set elsewhere”, which of the following would the author be most likely to agree with?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Courts should take the initiative by being innovative and laying down rules where no precedents exist.</p> <p>(B) Courts should wait for precedents and in the meantime refrain from engaging with the challenges presented by generative Al.</p> <p>(C) Courts should stop relying on precedents and decide cases on the basis of judicial wisdom.</p> <p>(D) Precedents are the best possible safeguard against arbitrary decision-making.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="94"> <li>If the information in the passage above is correct, which of the following must necessarily be true?</li> </ol> <p>(A) {Al} regulation is the responsibility of the legislature alone.</p> <p>(B) {Al} regulation is the responsibility of courts and can’t be addressed through standalone statutory rules.</p> <p>(C) Al regulation is a collaborative effort involving all the institutions of the State.</p> <p>(D) Al regulation is the domain of private industry.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="95"> <li>Based on the author’s arguments, which of the following would result in weakening, rather than strengthening India’s position at the forefront of generative AI?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Investing in indigenous Al chip hardware design and domestic generative models.</p> <p>(B) Exploring spinoff technological benefits with other scientific advancements like the Chandrayaan mission.</p> <p>(C) Introducing generative models like Wu Dao which have demonstrated success in other jurisdictions.</p> <p>(D) Locally developing technologies such as indigenous AI models.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="96"> <li>The author states that, “Missing this bus will after all be even more costly than missing the chip research one.” For this statement to be true, with which of the following statements about chip research must the author most likely agree?</li> </ol> <p>(A) India lead chip research from its frontiers.</p> <p>(B) India was right to leave regulation of chip industry and research to MNCs.</p> <p>(C) India should have proactively played a role in responding to new research in chip technology.</p> <p>(D) The failure to respond to new developments in chip technology was a bigger loss than the potential failure to regulate generative AI.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <p>XVII. Imagine you have just been appointed as a consultant for a manufacturing company that is experiencing a decline in its production efficiency. The company produces a wide range of products, and the management is concerned about the overall output. Your task is to identify the root causes of this decline and recommend solutions.</p> <p>As you begin your investigation, you gather information and observe the following:</p> <ul> <li>The company recently introduced a new production system that is more automated but requires highly specialized operators.</li> <li>The workforce has reported a lack of motivation and job satisfaction, which has led to increased absenteeism.</li> <li>There have been several breakdowns in the new machinery, leading to production delays and quality issues.</li> <li>The company’s competitors have adopted similar automation technologies and are experiencing increased productivity.</li> <li>Customer complaints about product quality have increased in recent months.</li> </ul> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="97"> <li>Based on the information provided, which of the following is a potential root cause of the decline in production efficiency?</li> </ol> <p>(A) The introduction of a new production system</p> <p>(B) Lack of motivation and job satisfaction among the workforce</p> <p>(C) Increased absenteeism</p> <p>(D) Breakdowns in machinery</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="98"> <li>What makes the introduction of the new production system a potential contributing factor to the decline in efficiency?</li> </ol> <p>(A) The system is highly automated</p> <p>(B) It requires specialized operators</p> <p>(C) The machinery is prone to breakdowns</p> <p>(D) Competitors have adopted similar technologies</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="99"> <li>What is a critical difference between the company’s situation and that of its competitors?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Both the company and its competitors have introduced new production systems.</p> <p>(B) The competitors have experienced increased customer complaints.</p> <p>(C) The company’s workforce lacks motivation and job satisfaction.</p> <p>(D) The company’s machinery is prone to breakdowns.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="100"> <li>How might the increased absenteeism affect production efficiency?</li> </ol> <p>(A) It might lead to increased quality issues.</p> <p>(B) It might result in longer machinery breakdowns.</p> <p>(C) It could lead to delays in production.</p> <p>(D) It has no impact on production efficiency.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="101"> <li>What could be a possible solution to address the decline in production efficiency?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Hire more specialized operators for the new system.</p> <p>(B) Implement a motivation and job satisfaction program for the workforce.</p> <p>(C) Upgrade the machinery to reduce breakdowns.</p> <p>(D) Purchase new machinery to replace the automated system.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="102"> <li>Based on the information provided, what is a potential consequence of increased customer complaints about product quality?</li> </ol> <p>(A) It indicates that the company’s competitors are also experiencing quality issues.</p> <p>(B) It suggests that the company’s products are meeting customer expectations.</p> <p>(C) It may lead to a loss of customers and reputation damage.</p> <p>(D) It shows that the company’s automated system is performing well.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <p>XVIII. In a world where aspirations for upward mobility are fervent, the opportunities for achieving such dreams remain limited. When one generation falls short, the mantle of ambition passes to the next, embedding within it a heavy burden of responsibility. Failing to meet these expectations can lead to profound sorrow, and in the direst cases, even to suicide. It’s in this landscape that coaching institutes assume a significant role, cultivating an atmosphere of uncertainty among students and parents. A stark discrepancy emerges between preparation for board examinations and competitive tests, amplifying the inequalities that plague the education system. The coaching industry’s massive marketing campaigns further exacerbate the situation, with some strategies veering into ethical grey areas. The tests themselves, designed to be more challenging than standardised exams, set the stage for feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt when not conquered. Our educational system is tailored to gauge an individual’s merit through examinations. Eminent thinker Michael J Sandel dubs this system the “tyranny of merit”, a sentiment echoed by the Supreme Court of India. Upholding the OBC reservation judgment, the Court called for a deeper evaluation of the “idea of merit”, highlighting its nuanced nature. Merit as a concept remains shrouded in misunderstanding and often goes unexamined within school curriculum. Adapting to new living arrangements, sourcing nourishing meals, battling isolation, and grappling with commutes form the backdrop against, which education unfolds. For marginalised communities and gender minorities, these hurdles are often amplified. Social media algorithms exacerbate mental health concerns, sowing loneliness and impeding attention spans and creativity. Technology emerges as a potential equaliser in this landscape. Online platforms now offer preparation opportunities from the comfort of one’s home. Government-curated or market-driven content could usher in a new era of accessibility.</p> <p>[Extracted, with edits and revisions from “Kota suicides: Coaching institutes manufacture insecurity - moving beyond the tyranny of merit might help” authored by Akash Kumar and published in The Indian Express dated September 2, 2023]</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="103"> <li>As per the author, which one of the following is not likely leading to suicide among the students?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Incorrect marketing strategies by the coaching institutes.</p> <p>(B) Burdening of ambitions by one generation to another.</p> <p>(C) Creation of hostile environment by the coaching institutes.</p> <p>(D) Living in a surrounding with different background and culture.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="104"> <li>Which of the following is not true regarding the education system as per the opinion of the author?</li> </ol> <p>(A) It is primarily based on the merit of the students.</p> <p>(B) Merit of the students is not the determining factor.</p> <p>(C) Examination plays a pivotal role in the education system.</p> <p>(D) An individual’s merit cannot be identified without examination.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="105"> <li>Which of the following strengthens the argument regarding the ‘idea of merit’ as per the above-mentioned passage?</li> </ol> <p>(A) True merit is multifaceted and extends beyond performance in a single competitive examination.</p> <p>(B) Pervasive inequalities can only be identified with the help of a single competitive examination.</p> <p>(C) True merit is not multifaceted and does not extend beyond performance in a single competitive examination.</p> <p>(D) The school education ensures the proper implementation of the idea of merit.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="106"> <li>Which of the following is correct regarding the inequalities mentioned by the author?</li> </ol> <p>(A) There is no difference between the preparation of board and competitive examination.</p> <p>(B) Education system accommodates the inequalities.</p> <p>(C) Competitive examination leads to social equality.</p> <p>(D) There are existing inequalities which are enlarged by the competitive examinations.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="107"> <li>Which of the following statements reflects the use of online platforms for education as per the author?</li> </ol> <p>(A) It provides equal opportunity to all the students irrespective of caste or creed.</p> <p>(B) It encourages the students to prepare for examination.</p> <p>(C) It should be the only means to education.</p> <p>(D) It cannot be accessed by majority of the people due to technological impediments.</p> </div> <p>======</p> <div style = 'text-align:left; font-size:22px;'> <ol start="108"> <li>Which one of the following is not a challenge for quality education?</li> </ol> <p>(A) Influence of social media.</p> <p>(B) Mental health of the students and parents.</p> <p>(C) Availability of online resources.</p> <p>(D) Lack of competitive atmosphere among the peers.</p>