IBPS PO English: Reading Comprehension questions with solutions

Q1. What is the main objective of the government in presenting the Union Budget?

1. It should meet the requirements of the society.
2. It should be under some fiscal constraints.
3. It should be growth oriented.
4. It should meet the requirements of a developed country.

Answer: It should be growth oriented.

The passage clearly states that the budget would be growth-oriented and would maintain the momentum of growth. Fiscal constraints are mentioned as a limitation, not the main objective. Hence, the primary objective is growth orientation.

Q2. Where is the government expected to invest to stimulate growth?

1. On infrastructure
2. On government plans
3. On fiscal management
4. On the manufacturing sector

Answer: On infrastructure

The passage says the government should increase its allocation for public investment on infrastructure to stimulate growth. This directly matches the correct option.

Q3. What does it mean that India will continue to be a “haven of stability”?

1. That the new budget will make India stable forever.
2. The four pillars of the budget will lead to stability.
3. India will continue towards stability even in a disturbed economic environment.
4. The budget will remain unchanged even in a turbulent and choppy economic environment.

Answer: India will continue towards stability even in a disturbed economic environment.

The phrase suggests that despite a turbulent global environment, India will remain stable and continue growing. It does not mean stability forever or an unchanged budget. The best interpretation is continued stability amid disturbance.

Q4. Why is the government providing tax incentives to companies in the manufacturing sector?

1. For better infrastructure.
2. For tax deductions on emoluments paid to new employees.
3. To create new job opportunities and to initiate the project ‘Make in India’.
4. To create new job opportunities and to initiate the project ‘Standup India’.
5. To encourage firms to step up hiring new skilled employees.

Answer: To create new job opportunities and to initiate the project ‘Make in India’.

The passage states that tax incentives are being considered to encourage firms to step up hiring and create jobs under the Make in India initiative. This directly matches the option about job creation and Make in India.

Q5. Which one of the following is NOT a suggestion considered by the government?

1. To expand the scope of tax deduction to companies that add at least 10% to their workforce in a year.
2. To upgrade and improve employment exchanges.
3. To provide incentive to employees who earn less than Rs. 6 lakh a year.
4. Subsidies to train employees with job skills.
5. Tax penalty for high-income people.

Answer: Tax penalty for high-income people.

The passage lists tax incentives, subsidies for skill development, and upgrading employment exchanges as suggestions. It does not mention any tax penalty for high-income people. Therefore, that is the incorrect option.

Q6. What is the main concern of the author behind saying that “the alarm bells should start ringing anytime now”?

1. The current economic growth is slowing down due to regular failure of monsoon.
2. Due to power shortage, industrial growth could not touch the target.
3. Household savings are sinking and they require to be revamped.
4. Due to a sharp decline in real interest rates, people have lost their enthusiasm to invest in government schemes.
5. All the above

Answer: Household savings are sinking and they require to be revamped.

The passage warns that household savings are moving away from financial instruments into physical assets like gold and land, which are locked in and not available for investment. This creates concern for future infrastructure funding and economic growth. Hence, the author’s alarm is about weakening household savings for productive use.

Q7. What are the primary reasons behind the current economic slowdown?

1. Only (A)
2. Both (A) and (B)
3. Either (A) or (C)
4. Both (B) and (C)
5. All (A), (B) and (C)

Answer: All (A), (B) and (C)

The passage attributes the slowdown to slow capital expansion, tardy investment in infrastructure and plant and machinery, and also mentions corruption and reduced FDI. Since all three are included, the correct answer is the option covering all of them.

Q8. How is household savings related to overall economic growth in the context of the passage?

1. Only (C)
2. Only (B)
3. Only (A)
4. Either (A) or (B)
5. Either (A) or (C)

Answer: Only (A)

The passage implies that domestic savings are needed for infrastructure investment, which supports economic growth. Therefore, household savings and overall economic growth are directly related. The correct choice is Only (A).

Q9. What were the reasons for the drop in savings in financial instruments after 2009?

1. Only (a) and (c)
2. Decrease in real interest rates on savings in financial instruments
3. Investment in physical assets, particularly land
4. Only (b) and (c)

Answer: Only (b) and (c)

The drop in savings in financial instruments is explained by lower real returns and a movement of funds into physical assets such as land. A rise in gold prices may affect investment preferences, but the stated reasons here are the decrease in real interest rates and investment in physical assets.

Q10. Which of the following is a reason for a drag on household savings in India over the last few years?

1. Increasing consumerism
2. Entrenchment of urban lifestyle
3. Easier availability of credit
4. Improvement in overall macroeconomic conditions

Answer: Improvement in overall macroeconomic conditions

The first three options can weaken household savings by encouraging spending or borrowing. Improvement in overall macroeconomic conditions generally supports better saving behavior, so it is not a drag on savings.

Q11. The thesis put forward by the author in defence of Daniel Kahneman would be less supportable if which of the following were true?

1. Success of rational judgments is imperfectly correlated with intelligence.
2. A reliable test to measure rational decision-making skills cannot be constructed.
3. If institutions and government devoted more funds and attention to the development of intelligence.
4. Failure of rational judgments is imperfectly correlated with intelligence.

Answer: Failure of rational judgments is imperfectly correlated with intelligence.

The author’s thesis in defence of Kahneman is that intelligence and rational judgment are not perfectly aligned. If failure of rational judgments were imperfectly correlated with intelligence, it would weaken the argument that rationality is distinct from intelligence. Hence, that option makes the thesis less supportable.

Q12. According to the passage, which of the following is an example of thinking errors uncovered by psychologists?

1. Big mistakes committed in a parlour game.
2. Consistent probability assessments.
3. Confidence in one's knowledge.
4. Evaluation of alternative hypotheses.

Answer: Big mistakes committed in a parlour game.

The passage discusses thinking errors identified by psychologists, and the example given is a set of large mistakes made in a parlour game. The other options describe correct reasoning or general mental states rather than errors.

Q13. Which of the following maxims will most suitably introduce the passage?

1. The higher you rise, the lower you fall.
2. This is how the world ends, not with a bang but a whimper.
3. Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
4. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
5. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

Answer: Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

The passage argues that engineering history is crucial because past failures teach engineers what not to repeat. The maxim about not remembering the past and being condemned to repeat it best captures this idea.

Q14. The writer is most likely to consider which of the following as the real reason for the cyclical regularity of bridge collapses?

1. The radical change that engineering principles undergo at periodic intervals.
2. The bridge-building technologies being useful for a limited period of approximately 30 years.
3. The communication gap between two generations of engineers.
4. Engineers do not realise that things may not work at larger scales.

Answer: Engineers do not realise that things may not work at larger scales.

The writer suggests that bridge failures recur because engineers often assume what works at a smaller scale will also work at a larger scale. This scale-related oversight explains the cyclical nature of collapses better than the other choices. The option about larger scales captures the writer's main concern.

Q15. According to the writer, what is the importance of engineering failures?

1. They reveal mankind's weaknesses.
2. They are proof for man's incomplete understanding of phenomena.
3. They sensitize the engineers to the limitations of phenomena.
4. They force engineers to review their knowledge.

Answer: They are proof for man's incomplete understanding of phenomena.

The writer emphasizes that engineering failures show the limits of human understanding of natural phenomena. This makes them important as evidence that our knowledge is incomplete, which is the most direct and comprehensive option among those given.

Q16. Directions (5-7): Read the following paragraph and answer the question as directed. Budgeting is an important tool for saving. First, you need to segregate all your income and expenses. Now, categorize your expenses as least important, important, and very important to prioritise them while settling them through your income, which is limited. Try to figure out ways in which you can increase savings. Ensure that your income exceeds the expenses with as wide a margin as possible. The surplus fund after meeting all the expenses would be your saving. It is only after you have assured savings that you can think about investment. Which of the following is the correct chronology of steps as can be inferred from the passage?

1. Saving-Budgeting-Investment
2. Investment-Budgeting-Saving
3. Budgeting-Saving-Investment
4. Budgeting-Investment-Saving

Answer: Budgeting-Saving-Investment

The passage says you should first budget by segregating income and expenses and prioritizing them. After that, the surplus becomes saving, and only after savings are assured should you think about investment. So the correct order is Budgeting-Saving-Investment.

Q17. Directions (8-10): Read the following paragraph and answer the question as directed. The way most of us save is to put away whatever is left after all expenses are taken care of, or put away any surplus income. But that is not the best way of saving and there are chances of us falling short. A very stringent savings plan that favours future demands over current aspirations is also likely to fail. Instead, a better approach is where due consideration is given to current and future needs. This will help divide the available income between current consumption and future saving. If an expense or a need is too large to be met out of the regular income, earmark it for the future. So the ______ way to buy a coveted watch is to not swipe the credit card and commit yourself to debt, but to set aside money from your current income and buy the watch when you have the required funds.

1. best
2. worst
3. easiest
4. quickest

Answer: best

The passage recommends a balanced and sensible approach to saving and spending, so the blank should describe the most advisable method. "Best" fits the contrast with debt-based impulsive buying. The other options do not match the positive recommendation.

Q18. Which of the following assumptions could be drawn most appropriately from the clause in the first paragraph, "Pakistan’s Army and political leadership are on 'one page' to take dialogue with India forward"? (I) In Pakistan, to have a dialogue with India, there should be a consensus between Pakistan’s Army and Pakistan’s political leadership. (II) There is a paper of high strength present in Pakistan where Pakistan’s Army and Pakistan’s political leadership could stand together. (III) Pakistan’s political leadership could independently take forward dialogue with India.

1. Only (II) & (III)
2. Only (I)
3. Only (I) & (II)
4. All of (I), (II) and (III)

Answer: Only (I)

The phrase "on one page" means there is consensus between Pakistan's Army and political leadership. Statement (I) follows from this, while (II) is a literal misreading and (III) is not supported because the clause emphasizes joint agreement. Therefore, only (I) is valid.

Q19. What does Mr. Khan mean by referring to the Kashmir dispute as the "single issue" between India and Pakistan?

1. According to Mr. Khan, there is only one issue between India and Pakistan which needs to be solved.
2. According to Mr. Khan, the Kashmir dispute is one issue among other important unresolved issues between India and Pakistan, but it has the highest importance.
3. According to Mr. Khan, Kashmir is a part of both India and Pakistan.
4. According to Mr. Khan, India and Pakistan have failed to resolve the issue between India and Pakistan.

Answer: According to Mr. Khan, the Kashmir dispute is one issue among other important unresolved issues between India and Pakistan, but it has the highest importance.

Mr. Khan's phrase suggests that Kashmir is the principal unresolved issue between India and Pakistan. It does not mean there are no other issues at all, but that Kashmir is the most significant one. Hence the second option is the closest meaning.

Q20. Which of the following, as mentioned in the passage, could create hurdles for the government in its desire to intervene and convince Indigo and SpiceJet to withdraw the web check-in fee?

1. Ministry of Civil Aviation or government has no authority to give directions to airlines.
2. Airlines can unbundle air-fare and charges for services.
3. Making airlines withdraw web check-in fees would invite protest from them and they would stop operating their aircraft.
4. Options (a), (b) & (c)

Answer: Options (a), (b) & (c)

The passage indicates that the government may face multiple obstacles: it may not have direct authority to issue such directions, airlines may legally separate fares and service charges, and airlines may resist by protesting or threatening operational disruption. Since all three are mentioned as hurdles, the combined option is correct.

Q21. Which of the following statements, if true, would encourage the government to convince Indigo and SpiceJet to withdraw their web check-in fee?

1. Only (I)
2. Only (I) & (II)
3. Only (II) & (III)
4. None of (I), (II) & (III)
5. All of (I), (II) & (III)

Answer: All of (I), (II) & (III)

All three statements support the government’s likely motivation to oppose the fee. They suggest benefits to airport management, air-travel affordability, and Digital India objectives, so each would encourage intervention.

Q22. Why did the Delhi High Court use the phrase “dark chapter in the history of independent India”?

1. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots were not religiously motivated riots.
2. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots led to the defense of innocent people belonging to several communities.
3. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots were shameful events in the history of independent India.
4. Options (a) & (b)

Answer: The 1984 anti-Sikh riots were shameful events in the history of independent India.

The phrase “dark chapter” expresses strong condemnation. It indicates that the Delhi High Court viewed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as a shameful and tragic episode in independent India’s history.

Q23. What is the opinion of the Delhi High Court about the manner of prosecution of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots?

1. The manner of prosecution of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots has been effective in delivering justice.
2. The manner of prosecution of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots has been very pathetic and must not be repeated in the Indian Judiciary.
3. The way prosecution of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots was conducted provided timely justice to the victims.
4. Options (a) & (c)

Answer: The manner of prosecution of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots has been very pathetic and must not be repeated in the Indian Judiciary.

The Delhi High Court expressed a strongly negative view of how the case was prosecuted. It described the prosecution as pathetic and implied that such a manner should not recur in the judiciary.

Q24. The system of “local welfare” schemes set up less than five years ago to provide emergency help to England’s poorest families, often to help them cope with delays and sanctions to their benefits, is on the verge of collapse, say poverty campaigners. A survey of more than 150 council-run schemes by Church Action on Poverty found that nearly a quarter had been shut down since 2013, while a further quarter have reduced spending by 85% or more. More are expected to close in the next few months. The destitution of local welfare would put tens of thousands of vulnerable people at increased risk of hunger, debt and deprivation, the charity said. The system was designed to help people on low incomes deal with unexpected hardship, such as a lack of money caused by benefit payment problems, or domestic crises such as broken boilers, house fires and flooding. Huge cuts to council budgets have left the system, which replaced the old social fund, struggling to survive. Provision is so uneven that thousands of people cannot access emergency help from the state, Church Action on Poverty said. “Local authority welfare schemes are increasingly fragmented, leaving families in many areas with nowhere to turn for help,” said the bishop of Manchester, David Walker. “It cannot be right for central and local government to abdicate responsibility for people in crisis when they need our help most.” In many areas, the most common reason for an application for crisis support is delays or sanctions to benefits, with some councils noting that the five-week minimum wait for a first universal credit payment is an emerging factor in rising demand. Universal credit claimants facing hardship who contact Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) helplines for help are routinely directed to local welfare schemes in their areas if they do not qualify for official advance loans or hardship funds. Church leaders and anti-poverty charities called on ministers to make local welfare provision a legal duty for top-tier councils, and to provide ringfenced funding to protect crisis services. The 153 councils that responded to the survey collectively reduced spending on local welfare by an average of 72% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Local welfare provision replaced the discretionary social fund, which in its final year spent £240m in crisis loans and community care grants. It was given to councils with DWP funding in 2013, but that cash was stopped in 2015, with councils left to decide whether to keep the schemes devolved. Huge budget pressures faced by councils mean even authorities that have protected local welfare in the past are proposing drastic cuts. West Sussex county council recently unveiled plans for an 80% reduction in its £800,000 crisis fund from next April. Local welfare has been controversially handled, as most councils refuse to give cash payments to clients in crisis, choosing instead to offer supermarket food vouchers or refer them to food banks. In one case, Isle of Wight council offered a 62-year-old homeless woman a voucher to buy a tent. Only two English councils – Islington in north London and North Tyneside in north-east – had higher local welfare budget cash totals year compared with 2013, by 12% and 4% respectively. Niall Cooper, the director of Church Action on Poverty, said: “The purpose of the social fund was that people could stay afloat and hopefully ride out a crisis, rather than sinking deeper into poverty. A lifeline in times of emergency is a vital part of a compassionate society, but it has been withdrawn in many places and neglected almost everywhere.”

1. The system of “local welfare” schemes set up less than five years ago to provide emergency help to England’s poorest families, often to help them cope with delays and sanctions to their benefits, is on the verge of collapse, say poverty campaigners. A survey of more than 150 council-run schemes by Church Action on Poverty found that nearly a quarter had been shut down since 2013, while a further quarter have reduced spending by 85% or more. More are expected to close in the next few months. The destitution of local welfare would put tens of thousands of vulnerable people at increased risk of hunger, debt and deprivation, the charity said. The system was designed to help people on low incomes deal with unexpected hardship, such as a lack of money caused by benefit payment problems, or domestic crises such as broken boilers, house fires and flooding. Huge cuts to council budgets have left the system, which replaced the old social fund, struggling to survive. Provision is so uneven that thousands of people cannot access emergency help from the state, Church Action on Poverty said. “Local authority welfare schemes are increasingly fragmented, leaving families in many areas with nowhere to turn for help,” said the bishop of Manchester, David Walker. “It cannot be right for central and local government to abdicate responsibility for people in crisis when they need our help most.” In many areas, the most common reason for an application for crisis support is delays or sanctions to benefits, with some councils noting that the five-week minimum wait for a first universal credit payment is an emerging factor in rising demand. Universal credit claimants facing hardship who contact Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) helplines for help are routinely directed to local welfare schemes in their areas if they do not qualify for official advance loans or hardship funds. Church leaders and anti-poverty charities called on ministers to make local welfare provision a legal duty for top-tier councils, and to provide ringfenced funding to protect crisis services. The 153 councils that responded to the survey collectively reduced spending on local welfare by an average of 72% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Local welfare provision replaced the discretionary social fund, which in its final year spent £240m in crisis loans and community care grants. It was given to councils with DWP funding in 2013, but that cash was stopped in 2015, with councils left to decide whether to keep the schemes devolved. Huge budget pressures faced by councils mean even authorities that have protected local welfare in the past are proposing drastic cuts. West Sussex county council recently unveiled plans for an 80% reduction in its £800,000 crisis fund from next April. Local welfare has been controversially handled, as most councils refuse to give cash payments to clients in crisis, choosing instead to offer supermarket food vouchers or refer them to food banks. In one case, Isle of Wight council offered a 62-year-old homeless woman a voucher to buy a tent. Only two English councils – Islington in north London and North Tyneside in north-east – had higher local welfare budget cash totals year compared with 2013, by 12% and 4% respectively. Niall Cooper, the director of Church Action on Poverty, said: “The purpose of the social fund was that people could stay afloat and hopefully ride out a crisis, rather than sinking deeper into poverty. A lifeline in times of emergency is a vital part of a compassionate society, but it has been withdrawn in many places and neglected almost everywhere.”
2. The system of “local welfare” schemes set up less than five years ago to provide emergency help to England’s poorest families, often to help them cope with delays and sanctions to their benefits, is on the verge of collapse, say poverty campaigners. A survey of more than 150 council-run schemes by Church Action on Poverty found that nearly a quarter had been shut down since 2013, while a further quarter have reduced spending by 85% or more. More are expected to close in the next few months. The destitution of local welfare would put tens of thousands of vulnerable people at increased risk of hunger, debt and deprivation, the charity said. The system was designed to help people on low incomes deal with unexpected hardship, such as a lack of money caused by benefit payment problems, or domestic crises such as broken boilers, house fires and flooding. Huge cuts to council budgets have left the system, which replaced the old social fund, struggling to survive. Provision is so uneven that thousands of people cannot access emergency help from the state, Church Action on Poverty said. “Local authority welfare schemes are increasingly fragmented, leaving families in many areas with nowhere to turn for help,” said the bishop of Manchester, David Walker. “It cannot be right for central and local government to abdicate responsibility for people in crisis when they need our help most.” In many areas, the most common reason for an application for crisis support is delays or sanctions to benefits, with some councils noting that the five-week minimum wait for a first universal credit payment is an emerging factor in rising demand. Universal credit claimants facing hardship who contact Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) helplines for help are routinely directed to local welfare schemes in their areas if they do not qualify for official advance loans or hardship funds. Church leaders and anti-poverty charities called on ministers to make local welfare provision a legal duty for top-tier councils, and to provide ringfenced funding to protect crisis services. The 153 councils that responded to the survey collectively reduced spending on local welfare by an average of 72% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Local welfare provision replaced the discretionary social fund, which in its final year spent £240m in crisis loans and community care grants. It was given to councils with DWP funding in 2013, but that cash was stopped in 2015, with councils left to decide whether to keep the schemes devolved. Huge budget pressures faced by councils mean even authorities that have protected local welfare in the past are proposing drastic cuts. West Sussex county council recently unveiled plans for an 80% reduction in its £800,000 crisis fund from next April. Local welfare has been controversially handled, as most councils refuse to give cash payments to clients in crisis, choosing instead to offer supermarket food vouchers or refer them to food banks. In one case, Isle of Wight council offered a 62-year-old homeless woman a voucher to buy a tent. Only two English councils – Islington in north London and North Tyneside in north-east – had higher local welfare budget cash totals year compared with 2013, by 12% and 4% respectively. Niall Cooper, the director of Church Action on Poverty, said: “The purpose of the social fund was that people could stay afloat and hopefully ride out a crisis, rather than sinking deeper into poverty. A lifeline in times of emergency is a vital part of a compassionate society, but it has been withdrawn in many places and neglected almost everywhere.”
3. The system of “local welfare” schemes set up less than five years ago to provide emergency help to England’s poorest families, often to help them cope with delays and sanctions to their benefits, is on the verge of collapse, say poverty campaigners. A survey of more than 150 council-run schemes by Church Action on Poverty found that nearly a quarter had been shut down since 2013, while a further quarter have reduced spending by 85% or more. More are expected to close in the next few months. The destitution of local welfare would put tens of thousands of vulnerable people at increased risk of hunger, debt and deprivation, the charity said. The system was designed to help people on low incomes deal with unexpected hardship, such as a lack of money caused by benefit payment problems, or domestic crises such as broken boilers, house fires and flooding. Huge cuts to council budgets have left the system, which replaced the old social fund, struggling to survive. Provision is so uneven that thousands of people cannot access emergency help from the state, Church Action on Poverty said. “Local authority welfare schemes are increasingly fragmented, leaving families in many areas with nowhere to turn for help,” said the bishop of Manchester, David Walker. “It cannot be right for central and local government to abdicate responsibility for people in crisis when they need our help most.” In many areas, the most common reason for an application for crisis support is delays or sanctions to benefits, with some councils noting that the five-week minimum wait for a first universal credit payment is an emerging factor in rising demand. Universal credit claimants facing hardship who contact Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) helplines for help are routinely directed to local welfare schemes in their areas if they do not qualify for official advance loans or hardship funds. Church leaders and anti-poverty charities called on ministers to make local welfare provision a legal duty for top-tier councils, and to provide ringfenced funding to protect crisis services. The 153 councils that responded to the survey collectively reduced spending on local welfare by an average of 72% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Local welfare provision replaced the discretionary social fund, which in its final year spent £240m in crisis loans and community care grants. It was given to councils with DWP funding in 2013, but that cash was stopped in 2015, with councils left to decide whether to keep the schemes devolved. Huge budget pressures faced by councils mean even authorities that have protected local welfare in the past are proposing drastic cuts. West Sussex county council recently unveiled plans for an 80% reduction in its £800,000 crisis fund from next April. Local welfare has been controversially handled, as most councils refuse to give cash payments to clients in crisis, choosing instead to offer supermarket food vouchers or refer them to food banks. In one case, Isle of Wight council offered a 62-year-old homeless woman a voucher to buy a tent. Only two English councils – Islington in north London and North Tyneside in north-east – had higher local welfare budget cash totals year compared with 2013, by 12% and 4% respectively. Niall Cooper, the director of Church Action on Poverty, said: “The purpose of the social fund was that people could stay afloat and hopefully ride out a crisis, rather than sinking deeper into poverty. A lifeline in times of emergency is a vital part of a compassionate society, but it has been withdrawn in many places and neglected almost everywhere.”

Answer: The system of “local welfare” schemes set up less than five years ago to provide emergency help to England’s poorest families, often to help them cope with delays and sanctions to their benefits, is on the verge of collapse, say poverty campaigners. A survey of more than 150 council-run schemes by Church Action on Poverty found that nearly a quarter had been shut down since 2013, while a further quarter have reduced spending by 85% or more. More are expected to close in the next few months. The destitution of local welfare would put tens of thousands of vulnerable people at increased risk of hunger, debt and deprivation, the charity said. The system was designed to help people on low incomes deal with unexpected hardship, such as a lack of money caused by benefit payment problems, or domestic crises such as broken boilers, house fires and flooding. Huge cuts to council budgets have left the system, which replaced the old social fund, struggling to survive. Provision is so uneven that thousands of people cannot access emergency help from the state, Church Action on Poverty said. “Local authority welfare schemes are increasingly fragmented, leaving families in many areas with nowhere to turn for help,” said the bishop of Manchester, David Walker. “It cannot be right for central and local government to abdicate responsibility for people in crisis when they need our help most.” In many areas, the most common reason for an application for crisis support is delays or sanctions to benefits, with some councils noting that the five-week minimum wait for a first universal credit payment is an emerging factor in rising demand. Universal credit claimants facing hardship who contact Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) helplines for help are routinely directed to local welfare schemes in their areas if they do not qualify for official advance loans or hardship funds. Church leaders and anti-poverty charities called on ministers to make local welfare provision a legal duty for top-tier councils, and to provide ringfenced funding to protect crisis services. The 153 councils that responded to the survey collectively reduced spending on local welfare by an average of 72% between 2013-2014 and 2017-2018. Local welfare provision replaced the discretionary social fund, which in its final year spent £240m in crisis loans and community care grants. It was given to councils with DWP funding in 2013, but that cash was stopped in 2015, with councils left to decide whether to keep the schemes devolved. Huge budget pressures faced by councils mean even authorities that have protected local welfare in the past are proposing drastic cuts. West Sussex county council recently unveiled plans for an 80% reduction in its £800,000 crisis fund from next April. Local welfare has been controversially handled, as most councils refuse to give cash payments to clients in crisis, choosing instead to offer supermarket food vouchers or refer them to food banks. In one case, Isle of Wight council offered a 62-year-old homeless woman a voucher to buy a tent. Only two English councils – Islington in north London and North Tyneside in north-east – had higher local welfare budget cash totals year compared with 2013, by 12% and 4% respectively. Niall Cooper, the director of Church Action on Poverty, said: “The purpose of the social fund was that people could stay afloat and hopefully ride out a crisis, rather than sinking deeper into poverty. A lifeline in times of emergency is a vital part of a compassionate society, but it has been withdrawn in many places and neglected almost everywhere.”

The passage says the local welfare system is under severe strain and many schemes have already closed or cut spending. “On the verge of collapse” fits both the grammar and the meaning of the sentence.

Q25. Which of the following phrases should fill in the blank in (D) to make it contextually correct and meaningful?

1. facing the severe impacts caused by the crisis
2. including job programmes and childcare, but also transfers to other state programmes,
3. which are a cause of severe balance of payments
4. so some avoid them by limiting how many people are eligible for welfare in the first place.

Answer: so some avoid them by limiting how many people are eligible for welfare in the first place.

The selected phrase logically completes the sentence by giving a reason and consequence related to welfare systems. It connects smoothly with the surrounding context and preserves the meaning of the passage.

Q26. Directions (81-83): Read the following passage and answer the questions based on the given passage. The inflation devil is back and at the wrong time. The 7.35% rise in consumer price inflation for December is a shocker even to those who were prepared for an elevated level of inflation in the backdrop of the rise in prices of food commodities in general, and the astronomical rise in the price of onions, in particular. The disturbing December print has set off fears over whether India is entering a period of slow growth accompanied by high inflation, in other words, stagflation. Such fears have to be weighed against a few facts. First, the headline inflation number is driven mainly by food inflation at 14.12% — it was 10.01% in November and -2.65% in December 2018. While onion was the prime villain pushing up price inflation in vegetables to a huge 60.50% compared to December 2018, prices of other food items such as meat and fish (up 9.57%), milk (up 4.22%), eggs (up 8.79%) and some pulses were also on the upswing. These are largely seasonal rises in prices and are driven mainly by supply-side factors, and the prices will reverse once the supply shortfall is addressed. Second, core inflation, which is the one that should be of concern, has only inched up marginally from 3.5% in November to 3.7% in December. That said, it would be worrisome indeed if core inflation were to shoot up or if food inflation does not cool down in the next couple of months. The sharp jump in the CPI has queued the pitch for the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy review in February. The central bank had cut rates in the December policy review in response to fears of inflation and had even revised upwards its inflation projection for the second half of the fiscal to 4.7-5.1%. The December print is ... What is the main reason for the rise in consumer price inflation in December?

1. What is the main reason for the rise in consumer price inflation in December?
2. What is the headline inflation number in December?
3. What is the RBI’s monetary policy review month?
4. What is the inflation projection for the second half of the fiscal?

Answer: What is the main reason for the rise in consumer price inflation in December?

The question asks for the reason behind the rise in consumer price inflation, and the passage clearly states that headline inflation was driven mainly by food inflation, especially the sharp rise in onion prices. Other food items also rose, but onions are identified as the prime villain. Therefore, the correct answer is the option asking about the main reason for the rise.

Q27. Directions (84-87): Read the following passage and answer the following questions based on the given passage. For years, the government of Bhutan has enshrined gross national happiness as its guiding light. Though national leaders had long eschewed traditional economic metrics like gross domestic product in favor of a more subjective understanding of development, in 2008, the country’s constitution formally established that ensuring a “good quality of life for the people of Bhutan” would be its primary aim. GNH would be the measure of the country’s progress, quantified by a complicated index based on areas of psychological well-being, cultural diversity and resilience, education, health, time use, good governance, community vitality, ecological diversity and resilience, and economic living standards—an array of factors that might together quantify well-being and happiness. Sperling said economists and policy makers too often set their sights on certain goals—high GDP and low unemployment—that can disregard how Americans actually feel. To re-center economics in people’s lived experiences, Sperling proposed the adoption of a different goal: dignity. Economic dignity would mean being able “to care for your family and enjoy the most meaningful moments of family life, without economic deprivation taking away those most meaningful moments,” Sperling said. By Sperling’s criteria, he said, America is failing on all three fronts. Even as the unemployment rate in the United States is hovering near a 50-year low, the country has no universal paid-family-leave requirement to ensure that new parents have time to spend with their infant children or to heal after birth. No law grants employees bereavement leave with which to mourn loved ones and begin to piece their lives back together in their absence. The federal minimum wage falls beneath the poverty line for families of two or more. Officially, about 13 million Americans—and likely more unofficially—have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. The U.S. also fails to provide adequate support for people who have lost their jobs, and adequate resources with which to find new ones. Students are taking on crippling debt to go to college. In 2017, 12.3 percent of Americans were living in poverty. Together, Sperling observed, that adds up to millions of Americans living without what he defines as economic dignity: unable to provide a basic quality of life for themselves and the people they love, enduring unfulfilling or downright exploitative work out of a desperate need for money. And with the nation’s economic mobility in sharp decline over the past few decades, many workers and their families could remain mired in that state for generations. But Americans can fight for greater economic dignity, Sperling said, arguing that many already are: by unionizing; pushing for a higher minimum wage;

1. What is the main idea of the passage?
2. What is the tone of the passage?
3. What is the purpose of the passage?
4. What is the title of the passage?

Answer: What is the main idea of the passage?

The passage contrasts Bhutan’s gross national happiness with Sperling’s idea of economic dignity and argues that traditional metrics like GDP may ignore real human well-being. It discusses why dignity should be considered a key economic goal. Therefore, the main idea is the best fit.

Q28. Paragraph 1: Customer service plays a pivotal role in shaping a company's reputation and ensuring customer satisfaction. According to recent studies, 86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience, highlighting the critical need for businesses to prioritize service quality. Speed, efficiency, and personalization are the top three factors customers value when interacting with service teams. Moreover, 60% of customers report abandoning a business after a poor service experience, illustrating the tangible impact of substandard support. With advancements in technology, tools like chatbots, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and omnichannel platforms have become essential for delivering seamless interactions. Paragraph 2: In addition to technological advancements, human touch remains indispensable in fostering trust and loyalty. Nearly 70% of customers prefer speaking to a live agent for complex issues, emphasizing the importance of empathy and problem-solving skills in customer service roles. Companies that invest in employee training to enhance these skills report a 23% higher satisfaction rate among customers. Furthermore, businesses that resolve complaints quickly (within 24 hours) are 15% more likely to retain customers compared to those with delayed resolutions. Effective customer service, therefore, is not only a differentiator but also a driver of long-term business growth and sustainability. (I) Companies that leverage technology in customer service while maintaining a personal touch are more likely to build long-term customer loyalty. (II) The data indicates that customers prefer human interaction for complex issues, so prioritizing one over the other is not necessarily a failure but requires balance. (III) Customer satisfaction is heavily influenced by the speed, efficiency, and empathy of customer service teams. Which of the statements given above is/are true?

1. Only (I)
2. Both (II) and (III)
3. Both (I) and (III)
4. Only (III)

Answer: Both (I) and (III)

The passage clearly supports that combining technology with a human touch helps customer loyalty, and it also states that speed, efficiency, and empathy strongly affect satisfaction. Statement (II) adds an interpretive claim about prioritizing one over the other that is not directly stated in the passage. Hence, only (I) and (III) are true.

Q29. What dual nature of online marketing's influence on youth is emphasized in the passage?

1. It promotes both financial independence among youth by offering comparative purchasing tools and impulsive buying through emotional advertisements driven by influencers.
2. It simultaneously provides access to a diverse range of products and services through online platforms and creates unrealistic lifestyle aspirations through glamorized marketing strategies.
3. It fosters shorter attention spans among youth due to constant exposure to high-speed, engaging content, while also promoting financial discipline through structured promotional campaigns.
4. It enables market dominance by social media influencers who shape consumer trends, while diminishing the relatability of conventional celebrity endorsements.

Answer: It simultaneously provides access to a diverse range of products and services through online platforms and creates unrealistic lifestyle aspirations through glamorized marketing strategies.

The passage emphasizes a dual effect of online marketing on youth: it expands access to products and services, but it also promotes unrealistic lifestyle aspirations through glamorized content. This makes option B the best summary of the passage's central idea. The other options introduce ideas not supported by the passage.

Q30. How does the role of influencers in online marketing contrast with traditional advertisements, as described in the passage?

1. Influencers help curb impulsive purchasing tendencies by fostering trust through personalized endorsements, unlike traditional advertisements which rely on broad and impersonal messaging strategies.
2. Influencers focus on driving trends through their social media presence and interactive content, which contrasts with traditional advertisements that primarily aim to reinforce brand identity through repetitive visual and auditory cues.
3. Influencers depend on advanced algorithmic analysis of youth behavior to deliver targeted content, unlike traditional advertisements which are created based on extensive focus group studies and demographic assumptions.
4. Influencers contribute to a sense of relatability and authenticity by endorsing products in a personal context, whereas traditional advertisements often lack this individual connection and rely on generalized promotional content.

Answer: Influencers contribute to a sense of relatability and authenticity by endorsing products in a personal context, whereas traditional advertisements often lack this individual connection and rely on generalized promotional content.

The passage contrasts influencers with traditional advertisements by showing that influencers create a personal, relatable connection with audiences. Traditional ads, in comparison, are more generalized and less individualized. Option D captures this contrast most accurately.

Q31. What distinguishes the Chinese zodiac’s framework from Western astrology, as explained in the passage?

1. Chinese zodiac forecasts are anchored exclusively in metaphysical constructs, contrasting with Western astrology's foundation on heliocentric principles.
2. Western astrology adheres to a twelve-year cyclical framework, whereas the Chinese zodiac emphasizes planetary configurations.
3. The Chinese zodiac integrates animal archetypes with a quintet of recurring elements, diverging from the annual orientation of Western astrology.
4. The Chinese zodiac is based on the same planetary and elemental system as Western astrology.

Answer: The Chinese zodiac integrates animal archetypes with a quintet of recurring elements, diverging from the annual orientation of Western astrology.

The passage states that the Chinese zodiac uses a 12-year cycle with animal archetypes and five elements, while contrasting it with Western astrology. This makes option C the best summary of the distinction.

Q32. What can be inferred about the relationship between "heavenly stems" and "earthly branches" in BaZi analysis?

1. They function in isolation to delineate universal cadences for zodiacal interpretations.
2. They center exclusively on physical vitality, exerting negligible influence on relational or occupational analyses.
3. They are archaic constructs omitted from the purview of contemporary Chinese astrological methodologies.
4. They hinge solely on the natal year to derive both vocational and personal astrological prognostications.
5. They constitute an interdependent framework employed to elucidate cosmic influences shaping an individual’s essence.

Answer: They constitute an interdependent framework employed to elucidate cosmic influences shaping an individual’s essence.

The passage says BaZi integrates heavenly stems and earthly branches to construct a symbiotic matrix of cosmic energies. This implies they work interdependently rather than separately.

Q33. According to the passage, what does the phrase “quick and lighten movement” primarily emphasize in Japan’s approach to its aging population crisis?

1. A hastily implemented series of policies aimed at completely eliminating the aging population issue by 2050, focusing on youth-oriented solutions.
2. A strategic and accelerated implementation of multifaceted measures to address the challenges of a declining workforce and rising dependency ratios.
3. A symbolic gesture by the Japanese government to highlight technological advancements in eldercare without addressing broader societal concerns.
4. A temporary shift in policy to test immigration-based solutions, primarily designed to delay the effects of an aging population.
5. A movement to decentralize administrative authority, empowering local governments to manage aging-related issues independently.

Answer: A strategic and accelerated implementation of multifaceted measures to address the challenges of a declining workforce and rising dependency ratios.

The passage presents Japan’s response as a set of reforms implemented at an accelerated pace. These measures are broad and aimed at multiple demographic problems, especially labor shortages and dependency ratios.

Q34. If the trend of Japan’s population shrinking to 96 million by 2060 continues, what might be inferred about its global economic ranking?

1. Japan will likely maintain its economic position due to advances in automation and exports.
2. Japan’s economy may contract due to a reduced labor force and declining domestic demand.
3. The shrinking population will attract foreign investment to fill labor and productivity gaps.
4. Japan will experience sustained economic growth through technological leadership.
5. The demographic trends will have minimal impact on Japan’s global economic role.

Answer: Japan’s economy may contract due to a reduced labor force and declining domestic demand.

A shrinking population generally reduces the labor force and domestic consumption, both of which can slow economic growth. So the most reasonable inference is that Japan’s economy may contract.

Q35. Which of the following accurately reflects Japan’s strategies to cope with its aging population? (I) Encouraging older citizens to continue working while adopting robotics to fill labor gaps. (II) Providing substantial childcare subsidies to boost the birth rate and offset the shrinking workforce. (III) Rapidly expanding immigration policies to increase the workforce and reduce dependency ratios.

1. Only (I)
2. Both (I) and (II)
3. Only (III)
4. Both (II) and (III)
5. All (I), (II), and (III)

Answer: Both (I) and (II)

The passage clearly mentions encouraging older citizens to work, using robotics and AI, and investing in childcare subsidies and parental leave. It does not say Japan is rapidly expanding immigration policies, so only I and II are correct.

Q36. According to the passage, what can be said about the economy after the pandemic?

1. New cases have risen, and economic activity is highly influenced by it.
2. Still 85% below normal, services can get a shot in the arm as herd immunity rises, in part led by vaccine roll-out.
3. Economic activity is racing back to pre-pandemic levels.
4. Both (a) and (c)

Answer: Still 85% below normal, services can get a shot in the arm as herd immunity rises, in part led by vaccine roll-out.

The passage indicates that the economy is still far from normal, though services may improve as herd immunity increases and vaccines roll out. This matches the option stating it is still 85% below normal with a possible boost to services. The other options either exaggerate recovery or mention details not supported by the passage.

Q37. Hope and fear are marching in lockstep. The arrival of the vaccines represents the ____ of hope. Yet, fears about mutations of the virus and how politics, which defines public policy, will mutate loom large across India’s political economy. Political rhetoric propels public expectations and the declaration by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently of “a budget which is a budget like never before” will be tested against a billion aspirations. The challenge of ____ and recovery is located in a parade of riveting contrasts. India, it is useful to remember, migrated from slowdown to lockdown. The contrast between the message beamed by stock indices and indices of the real economy are striking to say the least. In the period post the end of 2016-17, growth has ____ consistently and stock valuations have risen just as consistently. GDP growth slid from 8-plus per cent to hover at around 4 per cent to a

1. gloom
2. murk
3. dawn
4. None of these

Answer: dawn

The passage says the arrival of vaccines marks the beginning of hope. 'Dawn' fits this metaphor because it means the start of a new day or a new phase. The other options do not match the positive contrast.

Q38. What role will private financial investments in innovative low-carbon industries play in maintaining ecological balance?

1. It aids in reducing the dangers associated with massive deforestation.
2. It facilitates the reduction of unlawful land-use operations.
3. It contributes to the reduction of international indignation.
4. Only (a) and (b)
5. Only (a) and (c)

Answer: Only (a) and (b)

Private investment in low-carbon industries supports environmental protection by discouraging activities that worsen deforestation and illegal land use. The option about international indignation is unrelated to ecological balance, so it cannot be included.

Q39. Directions (60-63): In each of the following questions, a contextually meaningful sentence has been given. Three paragraphs have been placed next to each sentence, which may or may not be relevant to the context of the given sentence. You are required to select the most appropriate combination of paragraphs from which the given sentence can be inferred. The reasonable path is to enable both economic output and rapid health response, as evidenced by the rate of infection spread.

1. Only (i)
2. Only (i) and (iii)
3. Only (iii)
4. Only (i) and (ii)
5. Only (ii) and (iii)

Answer: Only (i)

Paragraph (i) directly refers to reversing economic decline and expanding healthcare services during a viral outbreak, which matches the given sentence. Paragraphs (ii) and (iii) discuss educational institutions and regulatory issues, so they do not fit the context.

Q40. Which of the following are the arguments given by Svetlana Alpers about Rembrandt?

1. (a) Alpers had a firm belief in the originality of each Rembrandt artwork.
2. (b) Alpers argued that Rembrandt submitted to the prevailing patronage system.
3. (c) Alpers argued that Rembrandt’s art was largely determined by his view of the art’s marketplace.
4. (d) Only (a) and (b)
5. (e) Only (b) and (c)

Answer: (e) Only (b) and (c)

The correct choice is the one that matches Alpers’ interpretation of Rembrandt as working within the patronage system and responding to the art market. The statement about a firm belief in the originality of each artwork is not part of that argument.

Q41. Why had Marketing 2.0 seen a transition in customer behavior?

1. In the 1990s, the Indian market started flooding with indigenous goods, which had also attracted the attention of local consumers.
2. The adverse economy of that time had sparked a sense of monitorial awareness among people.
3. The newly introduced concept of globalization had triggered curiosity among people to try different things.
4. The era of the internet has shortened the world, thus allowing consumers to have many alternative options.
5. None of these

Answer: The era of the internet has shortened the world, thus allowing consumers to have many alternative options.

Marketing 2.0 is associated with a more connected and informed consumer base. The internet reduced barriers, widened access to alternatives, and changed buying behavior.

Q42. What were the characteristics of Marketing 3.0?

1. This focuses on the customer as a human being in its entirety.
2. This marketing strategy had imbibed an emotion-driven approach into the other pre-existing characteristics of previous marketing strategies.
3. This strategy customized products for every segment, thus making a ground-level change to the previous marketing strategies.
4. Only (A)
5. Only (B)
6. Only (C)
7. Only (A) and (B)
8. Only (B) and (C)

Answer: Only (A) and (B)

Marketing 3.0 focuses on the customer as a complete human being, not just a buyer. It also emphasizes emotion and values, so statements (A) and (B) are correct, while (C) is more aligned with product customization.

Q43. Which of the following is the antonym of "equitable" as highlighted in the passage?

1. discriminatory
2. judicious
3. jubilant
4. sporadic

Answer: discriminatory

"Equitable" means fair and impartial. The antonym is "discriminatory," which means showing unfair treatment or bias.

Q44. Why is mathematics considered a language by some experts?

1. Similar to a language, mathematics uses syntax and signs within a discipline
2. Mathematics can accurately describe real-world problems and abstract concepts
3. Mathematics is a widely used subject, universal to everyone
4. Only (a) and (b)

Answer: Only (a) and (b)

Mathematics is compared to a language because it has symbols, syntax, and rules, and it can describe both concrete and abstract ideas. The statement about being widely used does not by itself explain why it is considered a language.

Q45. What is the reason for contention among linguists?

1. The debate is centered around language’s reachability in providing reliable communication over being just an agreed-upon convention
2. The discussion is over whether language is an effective medium of connecting all sections of society irrespective of financial status
3. The debate is on giving mathematics the status of a universal language
4. The discussion is on creating a single language effective in all countries

Answer: The debate is centered around language’s reachability in providing reliable communication over being just an agreed-upon convention

The passage suggests that linguists disagree on whether language is merely a convention or something that reliably communicates meaning. That is the core reason for the contention.

Q46. Which of the following can be best inferred from the third paragraph of the given passage?

1. Mathematics isn’t so much a precise statement as an imprecise metaphor or analogy that will work until a better one comes along
2. Some linguists argue that the intrinsic nature of mathematics does not correspond to the conclusive idea of language
3. Mathematics lacks the syntax and logic that a general language has
4. Only (a) and (b)

Answer: Only (a) and (b)

The third paragraph appears to suggest that calling mathematics a language is more of an analogy than a strict equivalence, and that some linguists question that classification. The option about lacking syntax and logic is too strong and likely not supported.

Q47. Which of the following is the main idea of the passage?

1. Claiming mathematics as a language is an obtrusive idea
2. The fundamentals of mathematics are completely in line with the concept of language
3. Though debated, perceiving mathematics as a language cannot be ruled out
4. Only (a) and (b)
5. Only (b) and (c)

Answer: Only (b) and (c)

The passage likely presents arguments both for and against viewing mathematics as a language. So the main idea is that mathematics aligns with language in some ways, but the idea remains debatable.

Q48. Which of the following is the synonym of "tenuous" as highlighted in the passage?

1. insubstantial
2. rigid
3. foisting
4. vitriolic

Answer: insubstantial

"Tenuous" means very weak, slight, or insubstantial. Among the options, "insubstantial" is the closest synonym.

Q49. Directions (68-74): Read the following passage and answer the given questions. A data breach may be analogously construed as an intramural foray transpiring under the shroud of nocturnal stillness, where an infiltrator, akin to a digital brigand, subtly __________ with invaluable assets, leaving the homeowner oblivious until the irrevocable damage manifests. In congruence, corporate entities find themselves ensnared in the surreptitious siphoning or compromise of consequential data within the digital milieu. This pervasive quandary casts its ominous pall across a myriad of global enterprises, as an astounding 83% of scrutinized organizations contend with recurrent incursions, as delineated in the comprehensive 2022 Cost of Data Breach analysis proffered by IBM. Operationally, data breaches epitomize security conundrums culminating in the unauthorized manipulation, disclosure, access, or obliteration of personal data, opportunely exploiting systemic susceptibility or misconfigurations. Cyber malefactors, be they individual agents or collective entities, deploy an eclectic array of stratagems—ranging from malware incursions to the subterfuge of phishing emails—enabling their ingress into corporate networks. In an epoch characterized by the ceaseless generation and utilization of data across sundry devices, systems, and applications, the peril of clandestine data access is exponentially exacerbated. The repercussions of data breaches transcend mere pecuniary ramifications, precipitating deleterious effects on an organization's reputational standing and instigating punitive measures from regulatory bodies. International jurisdictions, attuned to the burgeoning threat matrix, have responded by promulgating stringent data protection and privacy statutes, thereby endowing individuals with autonomy over their data and obligating corporate entities to assume augmented responsibilities. Consequently, organizational prioritization of preventative and responsive strategies becomes imperative, cognizant of the exigency of compliance with dynamically evolving regulatory paradigms amidst the contemporaneous milieu of data proliferation and cyber-security vicissitudes. What aspect contributes to the potential for unauthorized access?

1. Utilizing data security systems exclusively for the primary device.
2. The continuous generation and utilization of data across diverse devices and applications.
3. The continuous creation and technological advancement of devices.
4. Collaborating with cyber malefactors, exposing all devices to vulnerabilities.

Answer: The continuous generation and utilization of data across diverse devices and applications.

The passage states that in an era of continuous data generation and use across many devices, systems, and applications, the risk of clandestine access is greatly increased. This directly supports the option about diverse devices and applications.

Q50. Directions (75-80): Read the following passage and answer the questions. Voice or speaker recognition refers to a machine or program's ability to interpret dictation or understand and execute spoken commands. This technology has become increasingly prominent with the ________ of artificial intelligence (AI) and intelligent assistants like Amazon's Alexa and Apple's Siri. Offering hands-free interactions, voice recognition systems enable users to make requests, set reminders, and perform various tasks simply by speaking. The process involves automatic speech recognition (ASR) programs that can identify and differentiate voices. Some ASR programs necessitate users to train the system for improved accuracy in converting speech to text. Evaluation of a voice's frequency, accent, and speech flow is integral to voice recognition systems. While voice recognition and speech recognition are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. Voice recognition identifies the speaker, whereas speech recognition assesses the content of what is said. In practice, voice recognition software on computers converts analog audio into digital signals through analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. This digital database of words or syllables is then compared to signals during pattern recognition. The size of the program's effective vocabulary depends on the computer's RAM capacity, with faster processing speeds enhancing search capabilities. Voice recognition involves analyzing speech through models like the hidden Markov model or recurrent neural networks. The former breaks down spoken words into phonemes, while the latter uses previous outputs to influence current inputs, improving capabilities and accuracy with increased data. The integration of voice recognition into smartphones and home devices like Google Home and Amazon Echo has made this technology ubiquitous. As more users engage with voice recognition, the wealth of data generated enhances the capabilities and accuracy of these systems, indicating a promising trajectory for the technology's future. Q75. What is the specific focus of voice recognition in comparison to speech recognition?

1. Voice recognition predominantly centers on discerning the speaker's identity rather than appraising the uttered content.
2. Voice recognition deciphers the speaker's words and then correlates them with nearby speakers.
3. Speech recognition primarily concentrates on the speaker's tone, whereas voice recognition identifies the speaker's voice modulations.
4. The terms voice recognition and speech recognition are frequently used interchangeably, as they serve a similar purpose.

Answer: Voice recognition predominantly centers on discerning the speaker's identity rather than appraising the uttered content.

The passage clearly states that voice recognition identifies the speaker, while speech recognition assesses the content of speech. Therefore, the correct option is the one emphasizing speaker identity.