Exam Details

Subject general english
Paper
Exam / Course indian economic service and indian statistical service examination (ies/iss)
Department
Organization union public service commission
Position
Exam Date 2014
City, State central government,


Question Paper

1. Write an essay on anyone of the following topics in not less than 800 words

Use of Social Media in Politics

Impact of FDI in Retail on Agriculture

Eco-tourism and challenges it faces

Diversification of Crops and Chemical Pollution

Genetic Engineering -Prospects and Hazards

2. Make a precis of each of the following two passages in about one-third of the original length, using your own words:

(Note The precis must be written only on the special sheets provided for the purpose, writing one word in each block. The sheet should be fastened securely inside the answer book.)

Let us first consider what state of things is described by the word "civilization". Its true test lies in the fact that people living in it make bodily welfare the object of life. We will take some examples. Formerly, only a few men wrote valuable books. Now, anybody writes and prints anything he likes and poisons people's minds. Formerly, men travelled in wagons. Now, they fly through the air in trains at the rate of four hundred and more miles per day. This is considered the height of civilization. It has been stated that, as men progress, they shall be able to travel in airships and reach any part of the world in a few hours. Men will not need the use of their hands and feet. They will press a button, and they will have their
clothing by their side. They will press another button, and they will have their newspaper. A third, and a motorcar will be in waiting for them. They will have a variety of delicately dished up food. Everything will be done by machinery. Formerly, when people wanted to fight with one another, they measured between them their bodily strength; now it is possible to take away thousands of lives by one man working behind a gun from a hill. This is civilization. Formerly, men worked in the open air only much as they liked. Now thousands of workmen meet together and for the sake of maintenance work in factories or mines. Their condition is worse than that of beasts. They are obliged to work, at the risk of their lives, at most dangerous occupations, for the sake of millionaires. Formerly, men were made slaves under physical compulsion. Now they are enslaved by temptation of money and of the luxuries that money can buy. There are now diseases of which people never dreamt before, and an army of doctors is engaged in finding out their cures, and so hospitals have increased. This is a test of civilization. Formerly, special messengers were required and much expense was incurred in order to send letters; today, anyone can abuse his fellow by means of a letter for one penny. True, at the same cost, one can send one's thanks 81so. Formerly, people had two or three meals consisting of homemade bread and vegetables; e now, they require something to eat every two hours so that they have hardly leisure for anything else. What more need I say' All this you can ascertain from several authoritative books. These are all true tests of civilization. And if anyone speaks to the contrary, know that he is ignorant. This civilization takes note neither of morality nor of religion. Its votaries calmly state that their business is not to teach religion. Some even consider it to be a superstitious growth. Others put on the cloak of
religion, and prate about morality. But, after twenty years' experience; I have come to the conclusion that immorality is often taught in the name of morality. Even a child can understand that in all I have described above there can be no inducement to morality. Civilization seeks to increase bodily comforts, and it fails miserably even in doing so.

This civilization is such that one has only to be patient and it will be self-destroyed. According to the teaching of Mohammed this would be considered a Satanic Civilization. Hinduism calls it a Black Age. I cannot give you an adequate conception of it. It is eating into the vitals of the English nation. It must be shunned. Parliaments are really emblems of slavery. If you will sufficiently think over this, 'you will entertain the same opinion arid cease to blame the English. They rather deserve our sympathy. They are a shrewd nation and I therefore believe that they will cast off the evil.

They are enterprising and industrious, and their mode of thought is not inherently immoral. Neither are they bad at heart. I therefore respect them. Civilization is not an incurable disease, but it should never be forgotten that the English are at present afflicted by it.

The real implication of equal distribution is that each man shall have the wherewithal to supply all his natural needs and no more. For example, if one man has a weak digestion and requires only a quarter of a pound of flour for his bread and another needs a pound, both should be in a position to satisfy their wants. To bring this ideal into being the entire social order has got to be reconstructed. A society based on non-violence cannot nurture any other ideal. We may not perhaps be able to realize the goal, but we must bear it in mind and work unceasingly to go near it. To the same extent as we progress towards our goal we shall find contentment and happiness, and to that extent too shall we have contributed. towards the bringing into being of a non-violent society.

It is perfectly possible for an individual to adopt this way of life without having to wait for others to do so. And if an individual can observe a certain rule of conduct, it follows that a group of individuals can do likewise. It is necessary for me to emphasize the fact that no one need wait for anyone else in order to adopt a right course. Men generally hesitate to make a beginning if they feel that the objective cannot be had in its entirety. Such an attitude of minds is in reality a bar to progress.

Now let us consider how equal distribution can be brought about through non-violence. The first step towards it is for him who has made this ideal part of his being to bring about the necessary changes in his personal life. He would reduce his wants to a minimum, bearing in mind the poverty of India.

3. Write a paragraph in about 200 words on anyone of the following phrases/expressions

Two wrongs don't make a right.

The pen is mightier than the sword.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

No man is an island.

Fortune favours the bold.

4. Use the following words in sentences so as to bring out their meaning clearly. Do not change the form of the word. No credit will be given for a vague or ambiguous sentence.

Quagmire

Remuneration

Penchant

Verbiage

Niche

5. Make the directed changes in the following sentences without changing their meaning:

He said, "I have passed the examination." (Change into indirect speech)

I have a piece of bread please? (Use the modal auxiliary Mayor Might)

Our generation is modern. (Use the superlative)

John Lennon died while he lived in New York.(Progressive or Continuous forms)

Germany invaded Poland in 1939, thus initiating the Second World War. (Change into passive voice)

6. Correct the following sentences without changing their meaning. Do not make unnecessary changes in the original sentence.

I would rather die than begging alms.

Neither of the five players was selected.

The fisherman held several fish from the sea.

I asked him that how many brothers had he.

He cannot dare to come here.

This is the man which killed his father.

No sooner had she arrived when the telegram came.

John is a tall boy, isn't it

They have disposed off their farm house.

My hand writing is superior than any of yours.


Other Question Papers

Subjects

  • general economics
  • general english
  • general studies
  • indian economics
  • statistics