Model Questions for IBPS CLERK PRELIM Exam : ENGLISH
LANGUAGE SET-66
Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
below it certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while
answering some of the questions.
We have witnessed several disasters in recent times-some natural, others
man-made. The frequency of such calamities has inured’ us and deadened our
collective sensitivity, but that does not reduce the enormity of the personal
tragedy of each victim’s family and community. The economic loss is only
secondary to the human suffering, but is also substantial. The Government,
whether State or Central, has standardised its response. This consists of
reacting late, blaming others, visits by VIPs announcing a relief package
including compensation for those affected, and then forgetting all about it.
There seems to be little attempt at drawing lessons from each disaster, storing
the knowledge for future use, and ‘long-term planning for possible pre-emptive
action. Preparedness for disasters thus falls short of what is possible using
today’s technologies. . Floods in many parts of India like the states of Bihar
and
Assam are a yearly phenomenon. Yet the government seems to be caught by surprise
year after year. It is obvious that tarpaulins, vaccines and other medicines,
clothes, satellite phones, large numbers of doctors and paramedical staff, etc
will be needed as will boats and buses for evacuation. This is known to all
those who have combated emergencies, yet the non-availability of these essential
services and commodities occurs. Worse, the organisational structure and
mechanisms for dealing with disasters are lethargic and ill-defined. The
National Disaster Management Agency set up a short time ago, being a Central
Government agency, has its limitations relating to infringing the jurisdiction
of states. It could have aggregated and disseminated experiences and knowledge,
stocked many of the essential items required in an emergency or worked with
agencies to ensure sufficient stocks, but hasn’t.
While the reaction to major disasters is dismal, the response to emergencies
like accident is equally sad. Victims lie unattended since passers-by are wary
of getting caught in a labyrinthine of police and legal systems. The resulting
delay in treatment converts injuries into deaths. Of late, unique and free
service to provide assistance in emergency cases is operational. Emergency
Management and Research institute (EMRI) is a professionally managed operation-
initiated by the vision and grant from Ramalinga Raju. The service, which is a
successful example of public-private partnership, is likely to become
operational in a few states in the near future. Given the sad failure of
conventional government organisations in handling disasters, it is time we
looked at the PPP model as an alternative without the government seeking in any
way to abdicate its responsibility. While the state provides the funding,
private organisations will provide the drive, professionalism, competent
management and output-linked efficiency of a good corporate organisation.
Combining the sensitivity and purpose of an NGO with private entrepreneurial
drive to handle disasters together is thus a worthwhile challenge for both
corporates and the government?
1. Why is there a lack of medical care at disaster sites?
(1) Inadequate transportation facilities
(2) Lack of disaster management training for medical staff
(3) Loss of medical supplies due to dangerous conditions
(3) Safety of medical staff cannot be assured
(4) None of these
2. What does the author consider “a worthwhile challenge for both corporatesand
the government”?
(1) Governments should gradually transfer disaster management to corporate.
(2) Their working together to manage disasters competently, keeping public
interests in mind
(3) Reducing the incidence of man-made disasters
(4) .Mitigating the financial losses sustained during natural disasters
(5) None of these
3. Which of the following can be inferred about the National Disaster Management
Agency?
(A) It has a substantial experience in dealing with disasters.
(B) It has been successful in sharing information with other disaster management
agencies.
(C) It disburses funds to disaster management organisations to procure emergency
stocks.
(1) None
(2) All (A), (B) & (C)
(3) Only (A)
(4) Both (A) & (B)
(5) None of these
4. According to the passage, which of the following will be the likely impact/s
of the Public Private Participation model of disaster management?
(A) Politicians will not be able to interfere with relief efforts.
(B) Aid will be effectively deployed.
(C) Professional approach to disaster management efforts
(1) Only (A)
(2) Both (B) and (C)
(3) All (A), (B) & (C)
(4) Only (C)
(5) None of these
5. Which of the following has/have been the impact/s of consistently occurring
natural disasters?
(A) The Government has initiated a long-term planning process to handle them.
(B) Use of technology in combating disasters has increased in India.
(C) The Government is not caught unawares when such disasters occur.
(1) None
(2) Only (B)
(3) Both (A) & (C)
(4) Both (A) & (B)
(5) All (A), (B) & (C)
Answer:
1. (5) 2. (2) 3. (1) 4. (3) 5. (1)
