__________ as much as the recent launch in Chennai of a basket of free software and tools for Tamil computing by the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting.
A :
Few policy driven initiatives in recent times have advanced the agenda for mass computing in India
B :
In India the policy-driven initiatives have advanced the agenda for mass computing
C :
The few policy-driven initiatives that have advances the agenda for mass computing in India.
D :
Of the few policies-driven initiatives that have advanced the agenda for mass computing in India.
Answer: A The phrase 'as much as' shows that what occurs in the blank is compared to what follows. Choice C and D leave the sentence structurally incomplete. Choice B is grammatically wrong - 'initiative have'. Only choice A is appropriate.
Q. No. 14:
In announcing that it has suspended arms supplies to the Royal Nepal Army following the February coup d' etat by king Gyanendra, India has taken the salutary step of publicly registering _______________.
A :
its inclination and ability to take punitive steps against the monarchical regime for its illegitimate.
B :
its inclination and ability in taking punitive steps against the monarchical regime illegitimately seizing power.
C :
the inclination and ability of taking punitive steps against the illegitimate seizure of power by monarchical regime.
D :
the inclination and ability to take punitive steps against the illegitimate seizing of power by the monarchical regime.
Answer: A India is publically registering its stance hence 'its' rather than 'the' or 'their' is better. Hence we look at choice A and B. It is talking the stance for a particular reason. Thus choice A is right.
Q. No. 15:
Organisers had hoped that informal discussions last week would reach a consensus on the draft, leaving the next fortnight clear for women's activists ______________.
A :
to hold more substantive talks on advancing economic equality and political participation, and fighting violence against women.
B :
holding more substantive talks to advance economic equality and political participation and to fight violence against women.
C :
to hold more substantial talks to advance economic equality and political participation to fight violence against women.
D :
holding more substantial talks to advancing economic equality and political participation fighting violence against women.
Answer: A 'Substantive' means 'having a firm base in reality' while 'substantial' means 'of considerable importance of size'. The former is more appropriate here. Further the talks are 'on advancing............... not to advance'.
Q. No. 16:
The king is a safer bet for India despite his predilections, and arms transfer to his government should continue, ____________.
A :
as though the fig-leaf of popular support for the monarchy is now gone
B :
even as the fig-leaf of popular support in the monarchy is now gone
C :
even though the fig-leaf of popular support in the monarchy is now gone.
D :
though even the fig-leaf of popular support for the monarchy is now gone.
Answer: D It is support 'for' the monarchy not 'in' the monarchy. It is not 'as though' (as if) but 'though even' (despite, even).
Q. No. 17:
Even as the excessively enthusiastic aerobics craze ebbs, and extreme makeovers like brow lifts and chin implants are for an elite few, interest in yoga has reached an all-time high, a trend affirmed by a study of eight hundred respondents __________________.
A :
who found that yoga is the working woman's best friend.
B :
which found that yoga is the working woman's best friend.
C :
that found yoga being the working woman's best friend.
D :
of whom it was found that yoga is the working woman's best friend.
Answer: B Who is wrong as the reference here is to study and not the respondents. 'of whom' means of the respondents and hence D does not make sense. Though 'which' and 'that' can refer to the study. Option C is wrong because 'yoga being........' is incorrect.
Q. No. 18:
Wildlife migration is a natural phenomenon, and is spurred by the availability of food, water and other resources, by young males seeking to carve out territories, or by mating season and so ________________.
A :
restricting the movement tantamounts to restricting the population growth of a species.
B :
restricting the movement is tantamount to restrict the population growth of a species.
C :
restricting the movement is tantamount to restriction of the population growth of species.
D :
restricting the movement tantamounts to restrict the population growth of a species.
Answer: C 'Tantamounts to' is incorrect. So we rule out options A and D 'is tantamount to' is right option B is incorrect because it should be 'restricting' and not 'restrict' after 'tantamount to'.