Combined Defence Services
CDS General English Solved Paper (I) : 2006
(COMPREHENSION)
Directions (For the 24 items which follows): In this section you have four short passages. After each passage, you will find several questions based on the passage. First, read passage I, and answer the questions based on it. Then go on to the other passages. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinion of the author only. Examples 'I' and 'J' are solved for you.
Passage
In our approach to life, be it pragmatic or otherwise, a basic fact that confronts us squarely and unmistakably is the desire for peace, security and happiness. Different forms of life at different levels of existence make up the teeming denizens of this earth of ours. And, no matter whether they belong to the higher groups such as human beings or to the lower groups such as animals, all beings primarily seek peace, comfort and security. Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to a man. Even the lowliest insect strives for protection against dangers that threaten its life. Just as each one of us wants to live and not to die, so do all other creatures. I. The author 's main point is that
(a) different forms of life are found on earth
(b) different levels of existence are possiblein nature
(c) peace and security are the chief goals of all living beings
(d) even the weakest creature struggles to preserve its life
J. Which one of the following assumptions orsteps is essential in developing the author 's position ?
(a) All forms of life have a single overriding goal
(b) The wi ll to survive of a creature is identified with a desire for peace
(c) All beings are divided into higher and lower groups
(d) A parallel is drawn between happiness and life, and pain and death
I. The idea which represents the author 's main point is "peace and security are the chief goals of all living beings", which is response (c). So (c) is the correct answer.
J. The best assumption underlying the passage is "The will to survive of a creature is identified with a desire for peace", which is response (b). So (b) is the correct answer.
Passage – I
Incredible though it may seem, while the percentage of literacy in India has been going up, the number of illiterates has also been increasing. Thus, according to the 1966 figures there were 353 million illiterates in the country - 20 million more than in 1961. During the same period the percentage of literacy went up from 24 to 29 per cent. The explanation for this paradox lies in the rapid growth of population which has outpaced whatever little progress has been achieved in literacy. For instance from 1951 to 1961, literacy increased at an annual average rate of 0.7 per cent while the country's population grew by 2.15 per cent every year. But the population explosion is not ent irely responsible for the growing number of illiterates. The apathy of most states in failing to tackle the problem of adult literacy is also partly to blame. Till now, they have shown little awareness of the magnitude of the problem. Moreover, follow up measures to prevent neoliterates from relapsing into illiteracy is just asimportant as the initial adult literacy campaigns. Here too, the State Education authorities have been negligent. Not sufficient provision has been made for 'continued education'. This can be done by setting up more rural libraries, adult schools and correspondence courses.
1.Which of the following is as important as the literacy campaign ?
(a) A new policy on education
(b) Vocational education system
(c) Prevention of neo-literates dropping into illiteracy
(d) Opening more universities
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