th december parajumble – se420 cloze test – the hindu · cloze test – the hindu science is...

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11th DecemberCloze Test – The Hindu

Science is yet to understand the complexity ofriverine ecosystems which are geologically,hydrologically and ecologically ________(1)_____,says Jagdish Krishnaswamy, eco-hydrologist atBengaluru's Ashoka Trust for Ecology and theEnvironment. He said this in connection withthe _______(2)_____ to understand our riversbetter before ________(3)______ on large-scaleriver transformations like river linking andinland waterways.

The recent discovery of an entire freshwater riverflowing through the Bay of Bengal (parallel tothe eastern coast) is a classic case. Sustained bythe waters of the Ganga, Brahmaputra andGodavari, this river has great _______(4)______ forbiodiversity, ecosystem services and fisheries.“Some scientists’ work suggests this could evenaffect the salt ______(5)______ between theArabian Sea and Bay of Bengal, possiblyimpacting climate regulation,” he says.

1. (a) diverge (b) differ(c) diverse (d) deter

2. (a) demand (b) supply(c) need (d) mind

3. (a) breaking (b) belittling(c) embarking (d) drowning

4. (a) implication (b) consequences(c) ramification (d) results

5. (a) balance (b) density(c) presence (d) amount

Parajumble – SE420A. Entering into force in October 1967, the

treaty provided a basic framework ofinternational space law.

B. It states that the exploration and use of outerspace shall be carried out for the benefit andin the interests of all countries, and shall bethe province of all mankind.

C. It also outlines that states shall not placenuclear weapons or other weapons of massdestruction in orbit, or on celestial bodies, orstation them in outer space in any othermanner.

D. In January 1967, the Outer Space Treatywas opened for signature by the threedepository governments—the USSR, theUnited Kingdom and the United States ofAmerica.

E. This framework includes many principleswhich signatory nations need to follow.

Basic Fillers31. To play golf well you must take lessons froma good ________.A) conductor B) guide C) coachD) trainer E) leader

32. The Browns had to use all their ________ tobuy their new house.A) keepsakes B) savings C) reservesD) leavings E) remains

33. When I was staying in Germany last year, I____ quite a lot of German.A) picked out B) picked onC) picked up D) picked overE) picked upon

34. What are you cooking in that saucepan? It________ good.A) makes B) feels C) sniffsD) smells E) flavors

35. I know Mary has two brothers, but I don’tknow which is the ________.A) elder B) more agedC) more ancient D) lower E) higher

36. I hope the Government will ________ the rateof income tax.A) increase B) decrease C) reduce

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D) deduct E) degrade

37. Jane’s school report last term was very________.A) satisfying B) satisfactory C) fulfillingD) full E) fortunate

38. Mary has gone to the baker’s to buy a________ of bread.A) piece B) packet C) bitD) pound E) loaf

39. When I was turning out my cupboard I________ this photograph of uncle Harry.A) came over B) came roundC) came across D) came toE) came into

40. Lucy says she bought her new trouser suitin ________.A) a disposal B) a sale C) a reductionD) an offering E) a production

Idioms – Theory

1.With flying coloursWith a very high mark/gradeThe officer training was grueling, but hecame with flying colours.

2.Follow your nose(i) To go straight

Take the first on your right andfollow your nose.

(ii) To act according to what seems rightor reasonable instead of followingrulesAs far as recruitment is concerned, Itend to follow my nose. I meetsomeone for an informal interviewand see if I like them.

3.Give sb food for thoughtTo make sb think seriouslyWhat you’ve suggested has certainly given mefood for thought.

4.

A fool’s errandA task that has no hope of being donesuccessfullyBillions of dollars have been spent on long-range weather forecasting, but it’s a fool’serrand.

5.Foot the billTo pay for sthWho’s going to foot the bill for all therepairs.

Choose the Right Word1. During the 1970's and 1980's, it becameincreasingly evident/ visible that companies inthe West were uncompetitive.

2. The United Kingdom makes/ publishes morebooks than any other country.

3. There has been a major road accident,involving / including 23 cars and 16 lorries.

AnswersCloze Test – CCCBAParajumble – daebc

Basic Fillers - 31-D 32-B 33-C 34-D 35-A 36-C37-B 38-E 39-C 40-B

Choose the right word – evident, publishes,involving






Turn the page: on ANC’s futureThis month South Africa will have a rareopportunity to break away from the difficultpolitical legacy of corruption and governancefailures that have blighted its post-apartheidyears. At a conference during December 16-20,the African National Congress will pick itscandidate for party leader, and that person willgo on to replace 10-year incumbent PresidentJacob Zuma. Whoever Mr. Zuma hands over thereins of power to will be the favourite to becomethe country’s next President in 2019. But he orshe will also inherit a troubled political systemand a nervous, gloomy economy. Steadily risingunemployment, now nearly touching 28%, hasbeen the chief characteristic of what somedescribe as Mr. Zuma’s “scandal-ridden decade”at the helm of the ANC. This has been, by mostaccounts, a period during which allegations ofgrand corruption and cronyism multipliedexponentially. Promising to root out thispervasive rot in institutional quality is one of twoleading candidates: Deputy President CyrilRamaphosa, a policy centrist and firm memberof the party’s constitutionalist wing. The otherserious candidate in the reckoning is NkosazanaDlamini-Zuma, Mr. Zuma’s ex-wife, who was aminister across several cabinets and chair of theAfrican Union.

Ms. Dlamini-Zuma, if she prevails, is expected tomuddy the prospects of any investigation intoalleged murky financial dealings between Mr.Zuma’s son and three brothers of the wealthy,Indian-origin Gupta family of South Africa,owners of a massive business conglomerate thatcontrols stakes in the computer equipment,media and mining industries. She is alsoexpected to be the candidate of continuityinasmuch as she will echo Mr. Zuma’s call for“radical economic transformation” and continuepolicies that are ostensibly aimed atredistributing control of resources to thenation’s relatively impoverished black majority.Either way, her nomination will boost the forcesof “state capture,” or economic rent-seeking builton the marketisation of the South African stateitself. Already, there are 783 counts ofcorruption relating to a 1999 arms deal pendingagainst Mr. Zuma, yet no charges have been

pressed. Similarly, despite reams of evidenceagainst the Guptas in a report by a formerPublic Protector, no enforcement action hasbeen forthcoming. According to Pravin Gordhan,who was fired as Finance Minister in March2017, about $15 billion “has been looted” owingto undue influence of private interests overpublic institutions. Yet even if Mr. Ramaphosatriumphs at the party conclave, the troubles ofthe ANC may be far from over. With its overallpopularity sliding, the party will have to workhard to bring in the next generation of leaders,with a greater political stature, if it wishes torealise a greater collective destiny for SouthAfrica.

Daily Hindu Editorial Vocab – 11th DecTurn the page: on ANC’s futureBreak away – to move away from a group अलगहोनाBlight – to spoil or damage नु सानApartheid – former political system in SouthAfrica in which only white people had fullpolitical rights रंगभेद नी तIncumbent – official पदा धकारRoot out – to remove नकालनाPervasive – existing in all parts या तMuddy – to make a simple situation morecomplicated मैला करनाMurky – not clearly known and suspected of notbeing honest संदेहा पदImpoverished – very poor; without money कंगाल

1. State-run National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)will assess the health impact of the use ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET) or plastic bottles topackage medicines, based on which the healthministry will take a decision.

The study will help settle an issue that has beenlingering for more than four years, governmentofficials said.

The government’s top research institute—the IndianCouncil of Medical Research (ICMR), under theministry of health—has tasked Hyderabad-based NINto conduct the study to ascertain the safety of PETbottles for packaging pharmaceuticals. “A study isbeing planned by one of ICMR’s Institute. Draft






protocol is being reviewed by expert committee,”ICMR told the ministry in a letter in September.

“The matter was examined and it was decided to askICMR to expedite it. Considering the sensitivity of theissue, we have asked the ICMR to get the testconducted in at least three laboratories in order tosatisfy all the parties involved. To start with, NIN hasbeen shortlisted. The idea is to come to theconclusion on this long-debated issue,” said agovernment official who declined to be named.

In 2013, Him Jagriti, an Uttarakhand-based non-governmental organization (NGO) that works in thehealth sector, had approached the ministry of healthseeking a ban on the use of PET for pharmaceuticalpackaging. The matter went to the government’shighest decision-making body on technical matters—the Drugs Technical Advisory (DTAB)—which, basedon tests conducted by the All India Institute ofHygiene and Public Health, revealed that levels oftoxic chemicals were higher than safe limits. “Thereports also revealed heavy leaching of heavy metalsand phthalates from PET bottles into the contents,”said another official, requesting anonymity.

Following the report, the DTAB recommended thatPET and plastic packaging be banned forpharmaceutical products catering to children andpregnant women. It said suggested the phasing out ofPET bottles for pharma packaging. In the first phase,it was suggested that there should be a ban on theuse of PET to package liquid oral formulations forpaediatric and geriatric use, and for drugs used bypregnant women. A draft notification to this effectwas put up. However, due to strong resistance fromPET manufacturers, the draft notification was put onhold in September 2014.

At that time, the government also set up a high-levelcommittee to look into the matter under M.K. Bhan, aformer secretary in the department of biotechnology.This prompted Him Jagriti and a handful of otherNGOs to approach the National Green Tribunal,seeking a blanket ban on the use of PET bottles.

The Bhan panel told the tribunal there was noconclusive evidence to suggest that use of PET oradditives like antimony for pharmaceutical packagingmay leach out substances beyond limits and pose athreat to human health.

“The NGT favoured the PET bottle industry and nowthe case pertaining to its safety is with the healthministry,” said Suresh Singhal, general secretary ofthe PET Container Manufacturers Association, anindustry lobby group.

Singhal’s packaging company Himalayan Groupcounts major pharma companies such as Cipla Ltd,Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Abbott asclients.

PET manufacturers say that their products areabsolutely safe. “We are happy that the healthministry has initiated the process. The studiesconducted now will nullify the initial study. We, as aPET processor and manufacturer are 100% sureabout the safety of our product. If the samples aregenuinely tested, the government will know that theworldwide accepted bottles are safe for the pharmaindustry,” added Singhal.

2. Scientists have discovered the farthest knownsupermassive black hole—a matter-eating beast thatis 800 million times the mass of our Sun.

Astronomers combined data from Nasa’s Wide-fieldInfrared Survey Explorer (WISE) with ground-basedsurveys to identify potential distant objects to study,then followed up with Carnegie Observatories’Magellan telescopes in Chile. Researchers identifiedcandidates out of the hundreds of millions of objectsWISE found that would be worthy of follow-up withMagellan. “This black hole grew far larger than weexpected in only 690 million years after the Big Bang,which challenges our theories about how black holesform,” said Daniel Stern of Nasa’s Jet PropulsionLaboratory in the US.

For black holes to become so large in the earlyuniverse, astronomers speculate there must havebeen special conditions to allow rapid growth—butthe underlying reason remains mysterious. Thenewly-found black hole is voraciously devouringmaterial at the centre of a galaxy—a phenomenoncalled a quasar. This quasar is especially interestingbecause it comes from a time when the universe wasjust beginning to emerge from its dark ages. Thediscovery will provide fundamental information aboutthe universe when it was only 5% of its current age.

“Quasars are among the brightest and most distantknown celestial objects and are crucial tounderstanding the early universe,” said BramVenemans of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomyin Germany. The universe began in a hot soup ofparticles that rapidly spread apart in a period calledinflation. About 400,000 years after the Big Bang,these particles cooled and coalesced into neutralhydrogen gas. However, the universe stayed dark,without any luminous sources, until gravitycondensed matter into the first stars and galaxies.The energy released by these ancient galaxies causedthe neutral hydrogen to get excited and ionise, or losean electron. The gas has remained in that state sincethat time. Once the universe became re-ionised,photons could travel freely throughout space. This isthe point at which the universe became transparentto light. Much of the hydrogen surrounding thenewly-discovered quasar is neutral. That means thequasar is not only the most distant—it is also theonly example we have that can be seen before theuniverse became re-ionised.






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