IBPS CLERK PRELIM 09 DECEMBER SHIFT 12018

Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these.Rural India faces serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc, these are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture, which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population. The 'green revolution' of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the green revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country. In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce the power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize through technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given the water rates. Post-harvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural employment and incomes but at the present deployment of technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly, fruits and vegetables, but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments. Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with an emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low-cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc, are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology. However, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently, economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.Source: https://economictimes.com
According to the author, which of the following problems are faced by India’s rural population? (A) Shortage of healthcare facilities. (B) The technological advancements which have been borrowed from abroad have not been suitably adapted to the Indian scenario. (C) Lack of awareness about the importance of utilizing technology to resolve issues related to the shortage of power, water, health facilities, etc.

Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these.Rural India faces serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc, these are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture, which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population. The 'green revolution' of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the green revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country. In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce the power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize through technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given the water rates. Post-harvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural employment and incomes but at the present deployment of technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly, fruits and vegetables, but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments. Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with an emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low-cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc, are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology. However, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently, economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.Source: https://economictimes.com
Which of the following is NOT an impact of the green revolution?

Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these.Rural India faces serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc, these are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture, which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population. The 'green revolution' of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the green revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country. In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce the power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize through technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given the water rates. Post-harvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural employment and incomes but at the present deployment of technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly, fruits and vegetables, but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments. Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with an emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low-cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc, are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology. However, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently, economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.Source: https://economictimes.com
Which of the following is NOT true in the context of the passage?(A) In recent times, the benefits of science and technology have not been felt in agriculture. (B) The current means of rural transportation are ideal i.e., low cost and non-polluting. (C) Agriculture provides livelihood to over 50 per cent of the Indian population.

Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these.Rural India faces serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc, these are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture, which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population. The 'green revolution' of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the green revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country. In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce the power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize through technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given the water rates. Post-harvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural employment and incomes but at the present deployment of technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly, fruits and vegetables, but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments. Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with an emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low-cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc, are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology. However, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently, economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.Source: https://economictimes.com
What has hampered investment in post harvest technologies?

Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these.Rural India faces serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc, these are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture, which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population. The 'green revolution' of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the green revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country. In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce the power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize through technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given the water rates. Post-harvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural employment and incomes but at the present deployment of technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly, fruits and vegetables, but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments. Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with an emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low-cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc, are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology. However, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently, economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.Source: https://economictimes.com
What is the role of mobile technology in the rural economy? (A) It will not play a large role since the technology is largely untested. (B) It provides opportunities for farmers to gather awareness regarding commodity prices. (C) Information about weather can easily be provided via mobile technology.

Direction: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of these.Rural India faces serious shortages – power, water, health facilities, roads, etc, these are known and recognized. However, the role of technology in solving these and other problems is barely acknowledged and the actual availability of technology in rural areas is marginal. The backbone of the rural economy is agriculture, which also provides sustenance to over half the country's population. The 'green revolution' of the 1970s was, in fact, powered by the scientific work in various agricultural research institutions. While some fault the green revolution for excessive exploitation of water and land resources through overuse of fertilizers, it did bring about a wheat surplus and prosperity in certain pockets of the country. In rural India today, there is a dire inadequacy of both science (i.e. knowledge) and technology (which derives from science and manifests itself in physical form). The scope to apply technology to both farm and non-farm activities in rural areas is huge, as are the potential benefits. In fact, crop yields are far lower than what they are in demonstration farms, where science and technology are more fully applied. Technologies that reduce the power consumption of pumps are vital; unfortunately, their use is minimal, since agricultural power is free or largely subsidized. Similarly, there is little incentive to optimize through technology or otherwise-water use, especially in irrigated areas (a third of total arable land), given the water rates. Post-harvest technologies for processing and adding value could greatly enhance rural employment and incomes but at the present deployment of technology is marginal. Cold storage and cold chains for transportation to market is of great importance for many agricultural products-particularly, fruits and vegetables, but are non-existent. These are clearly technologies with an immediate return on investment, and benefits for all, the farmer, the end-consumer, the technology provider. However, regulatory and structural barriers are holding back investments. Power is a key requirement in rural areas, for agricultural as well as domestic uses. Technology can provide reliable power at comparatively low cost in a decentralized manner. However, this needs to be upgraded and scaled in a big way, with an emphasis on renewable and non-polluting technologies. Reliable and low-cost means of transporting goods and people is an essential need for rural areas. The bullock cart and the tractor-trailer are present vehicles of choice. Surely, technology can provide a better, cheaper and more efficient solution? Information related to commodity prices, agricultural practices, weather, etc, are crucial for the farmer. Technology can provide these through mobile phones, which is a proven technology. However, the challenge to ensure connectivity remains. Thus, there is a pressing need for technology as currently, economic growth-though skewed and iniquitous-has created an economically attractive market in rural India.Source: https://economictimes.com
Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words Marginal