Directions (Q.1-10): In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the most appropriate word in each case.

Some causes of delay in coming to economic decisions in our country seem to lie in the (1) realm. There is such a thing as the psychology of Power which motivates people: Power of control and patronage, power to delay an application, power to hold up a file, power to keep people (2) in an ante room, all of which are consciously or subconsciously treated as symbols of (3) and hallmarks of importance.

A further psychological cause of (4) is a combination of mistrust, of unwillingness to take responsibility, of a fear of being criticized and, of possibly being subjected to enforcement investigation. A large number of (5) which ought to be taken by civil servants, and were so taken in the old days, now go up to the top to await the (6) of the Minister. The Minister, in turn, is (7) to take the responsibility for fear of criticism from Parliament or from within his own party and seeks (8) in a Cabinet decision. The Cabinet, split on ideological grounds and under political and other pressures, is reluctant to reach a decision which is not (9). Thus, the various layers of economic decision-making in government – civil servants, Ministers and Cabinet as a whole – all exercise the happy (10) of postponing a decision. 

1. (a) scientific                                (b) financial

   (c) medical                                   (d) political

   (e) psychological

2. (a) wandering                             (b) resisting

   (c) gossiping                                (d) waiting 

   (e) lingering

3. (a) prestige                                 (b) control 

   (c) aggression                              (d) affection 

   (e) proud  

4. (a) power                                    (b) control 

   (c) insecurity                                (d) politicians

   (e) delay

5. (a) decisions                               (b) assignments

   (c) undertakings                          (d) projects

   (e) justifications

6. (a) meeting                                (b) opinion 

   (c) stamp                                     (d) appreciation

   (e) approval

7. (a) unfortunate                          (b) uneasy

   (c) proposed                                (d) reluctant 

   (e) pushed

8. (a) assistance                             (b) safety 

   (c) monopoly                                (d) autonomy

   (e) place

9. (a) comprehensive                     (b) beneficial

   (c) profitable                               (d) profitable 

   (e) successful

10. (a) facility                                   (b) unanimous

    (c) trick                                         (d) sanction

    (e) prerogative

Answer:

Q.           Ans.

1              E

2              D

3              A

4              C

5              A

6              E

7              D

8              B

9              C

10           E