Read the following
passage carefully and answer the questions 1 to 5:
Radically changing
monsoon patterns, reduction in the winter rice harvest and a quantum increase
in respiratory diseases all part of the environmental doomsday scenario which
is reportedly playing out in South Asia. According to a United Nations
Environment Programme report, a deadly three-kilometer deep blanket of
pollution comprising a fearsome, cocktail of ash, acids, aerosols and other
particles has enveloped in this region. For India, already struggling to cope
with a drought, the implication of this are devastating and further crop
failure will amount to a life and death question for many Indians. The increase
in premature deaths will have adverse social and economic consequences and a
rise in morbidities will place an unbearable burden on our crumbling health
system. And there is no one to blame but ourselves. Both official and corporate
India has always been allergic to any mention of clean technology. Most
mechanical two wheelers roll of the assembly line without proper pollution
control system. Little effort is made for R&D on simple technologies, which
could make a vital difference to people's lives and the environment.
However, while there is
no denying that South Asia must clean up its act, skeptics might question the
timing of the haze report. The Kyoto meet on climate change is just two weeks
away and the stage is set for the usual battle between the developing world and
the West, particularly the Unites States of America. President Mr. Bush has
adamantly refused to sign any protocol, which would mean a change in American
consumption level. U.N. environment report will likely find a place in the U.S.
arsenal as it plants an accusing finger towards controls like India and China.
Yet the U.S.A. can hardly deny its own dubious role in the matter of erasing
trading quotas.
Richer countries can
simply buy up excess credits from poorer countries and continue to pollute.
Rather than try to get the better of developing countries, who undoubtedly have
taken up environmental shortcuts in their bid to catch up with the West, the
USA should take a look at the environmental profigacy, which is going on
within. From opening up virgin territories for oil exploration to relaxing the
standards for drinking water, Mr. Bush's policies are not exactly beneficial,
not even to America's interests. We realize that we are all in this together
and that pollution anywhere should be a global concern otherwise there will
only be more tunnels at the end of the tunnel.
1. Both official and
corporate India is allergic to:
(A) Failure of Monsoon
(B) Poverty and
Inequality
(C) Slowdown in
Industrial Production
(D) Mention of Clean
Technology
2. If the rate of
premature death increases it will:
(A) Exert added burden
on the crumbling economy
(B) Have adverse social
and economic consequences
(C) Make positive effect
on our effort to control population
(D) Have less job
aspirants in the society
3. According to the
passage, the two wheeler industry is not adequately concerned about:
(A) Passenger safety on
the roads
(B) Life cover insurance
of the vehicle owner
(C) Pollution control
system in the vehicle
(D) Rising cost of the
two wheelers
4. What could be the
reason behind timing of the haze report just before the Kyoto meet?
(A) United Nations is
working hand-in-glove with U.S.A.
(B) Organizers of the
forthcoming meet to teach a lesson to the U.S.A.
(C) Drawing attention of
the world towards devastating effects of environment degradation.
(D) U.S.A. wants to use
it as a handle against the developing countries in the forthcoming meet
5. Which of the
following is the indication of environmental degradation in South Asia?
(A) Social and economic
inequality
(B) Crumbling health
care system
(C) Inadequate pollution
control system
(D) Radically changing
monsoon pattern
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